The Packer Pundit

Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings

PACKERS' INJURY REPORT
OUT: CB Will Blackmon (foot), S Nick Collins (knee), TE Bubba Franks (knee).

DNP: T Chad Clifton (knee), DT Justin Harrell (ankle), LB Tracy White (ankle).

LIMITED: G Junius Coston (ankle), DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (illness), RB Ryan Grant (concussion), CB Al Harris (back), WR Ruvell Martin (back), T Tony Moll (neck), DT Ryan Pickett (knee), LB Brady Poppinga (shoulder), S Aaron Rouse (shoulder), DT Corey Williams (knee), CB Charles Woodson (foot).

VIKINGS' INJURY REPORT
DNP: T Bryant McKinnie (knee).

LIMITED: T Ryan Cook (shoulder), QB Kelly Holcomb (neck), QB Tarvaris Jackson (concussion), WR Sidney Rice (hamstring), WR Bobby Wade (knee), CB Antoine Winfield (hamstring).

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

FULL THROTTLE: In the first meeting, the Packers used the shotgun on 40 plays and lined up without a running back 14 times. "Most people that have had success against them have spread them out," an offensive coach for a recent Vikings' opponent said. "The Vikings did hit (Brett) Favre the first time around, but he got the ball out of there. Which I think is really the key to having a chance to beat them." From multiple wide receiver formations, Favre completed touchdown passes of 16 yards to Greg Jennings and 33 yards to James Jones. Rookie Marcus McCauley, the nickel back, gave up both scores. "McCauley isn't slow," an executive in personnel said. "He's just raw and has questionable confidence."

NO DICE: The Vikings led the NFL in fewest rushing yards allowed per game at 61.6 last season and rank second this season with a yield of 70.4. Most of the credit goes to defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams along with middle linebacker E.J. Henderson. "The key issue with their defense is the three guys inside," one opposing coach said. "They're the best triangle that we've seen so far." Henderson is more physical than Green Bay's Nick Barnett, Pat Williams is more dominant than Ryan Pickett and Kevin Williams is a level or three up from Corey Williams and Johnny Jolly. "Some people have kept Pat on the field on third down sometimes by going no-huddle," the coach said. "They do a lot of rotation, which helps. But if you can get those two big guys inside wore down a little bit it helps."

BADGER IS BACK: Brooks Bollinger, who had a 30-12 record as the starting quarterback for Wisconsin, will be starting his first game for the Vikings. Since entering the league in 2003, Bollinger has a 2-7 mark as a starter. "Smart, tough," one scout said. "Like every Wisconsin quarterback. They're all about the same, aren't they? He's fairly accurate. Fairly good strength. His arm is average." Bollinger has thrown 24 passes this season and has a passer rating of 112.7. "He's going to manage the game," an opposing defensive coach said. "He controls the flow of the game very nicely. Doesn't make a lot of mistakes. He's athletic enough to get out of trouble. His arm depends on the weather. If the wind is whipping around, it will be harder for him. He's not going to rocket fire. He's a better athlete than Kelly Holcomb. I think Kelly would probably manage the game better."

MEN UP FRONT: Right tackle Ryan Cook, who allowed six of Aaron Kampman's seven knockdowns in the first game, is the weak link of the offensive line. To reduce Cook's chances for failure, the Vikings strongly prefer to run left behind tackle Bryant McKinnie and guard Steve Hutchinson. "McKinnie is a beast," one opposing defensive coach said. "Just watch the Bear game and the Charger game. Watch how he plays. If you're not movin', dippin', rippin' he will get his hands on you, take you, throw you down, kick you. If he gets his hands on somebody he mauls them. Now does he have trouble in the pass rush? Absolutely. Hutchinson is stout and powerful. He gives people problems because he's such a big body. But he's not as nimble as you would think. Athletic tackles have given him trouble."

THE OTHER BLOCKERS: Rampaging Adrian Peterson has been getting good blocking from more than just the offensive linemen. "I think what's happening is those wide receivers have found that their niche on this team is to get downfield and block," one opposing defensive coach said. "Bobby Wade and (Robert) Ferguson have been throwing their bodies around. Wade is as tenacious as ever." Fullback Tony Richardson might be 35 but he still packs a punch. At tight end, veteran Jim Kleinsasser does most of the blocking. "He has an ability to clamp onto you if the referees aren't calling holding," the coach said. "He's so strong and powerful with his hands and his forearms."

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