NFL teams
Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer 13y

Packers prepped for Super Bowl

NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers

IRVING, Texas -- The Green Bay Packers concluded their final preparations for Super Bowl XLV on Saturday morning at the team's Omni Mandalay Hotel in Irving, Texas, with separate jog-throughs for the defense and the offense, totaling 41 minutes.

In the Salon D ballroom, defensive coordinator Dom Capers ran through a series of defensive calls in a 27-minute session, covering all kinds of down-and-distance as well as time-and-score situations. Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin put the offense through a 14-minute session going over some final corrections. When completed the players chanted and clapped before breaking up for the day.

"I really liked today's schedule because finally this gets you back on the routine you've been on for the last five years," head coach Mike McCarthy said. "We've had an opportunity for our final corrections in our meetings. The coordinators have given their last message to each unit and they had their final walkthrough, like we always do. They're done for today and we'll have a team meeting tonight."

Wide receiver Donald Driver (quadriceps) took part in the jog-through, while linebacker Erik Walden, who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game with an ankle injury, stood next to outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene during the defensive walkthrough.

"Erik's going to have to show us something before the game," McCarthy said. "Obviously we're going over early, 2 o'clock, so we'll have a decision right there at the deadline."

Unlike Pittsburgh, the Packers will remain at the hotel they have called home since arriving on Monday, on Saturday night.

"I've received feedback from clubs that have left the hotel and stayed," McCarthy said. "Seeking routine and consistency in how we've operated in the past, I chose to stay in the same hotel. I've heard positives from both sides."

Following the jog-through the players were off until an 8:30 p.m. chapel and 9 p.m. team meeting. McCarthy will hold his final team meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday before the team heads to Cowboys Stadium.

"This is their time," McCarthy said.

McCarthy said will have a guest speaker at Saturday's team meeting but he did not want to divulge who that will be. It has become known that the speaker will be nationally recognized motivational speaker Kevin Elko.

"To me the preparation stress has just left the building," McCarthy said. "I think it's very important to put the players in a mental state where their mind is clear and it's time for them to prepare themselves for the game. We'll have our team meeting. We'll have a strong message tonight then our snack will follow ... I'll give them the final message at 10:30 in the morning."

Todd Archer is a reporter for ESPNDallas.com.

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