Say it ain't so....

[AtlPackFan]

Heard on WSSP that the Packers are not including the 15 players on IR in the Super Bowl picture. IMHO, this is low. Tausch, Finley, Barnett, etc. Should be included and the active players should boycott the pictures in protest. OK, that's not going to happen but I think it is still bush league on the part of the Packers org. I wonder who was the one that came up with that brilliant idea.

[Freak Out]

I thought they always tried to do it? Could be wrong though.....

I saw Nick on the sidelines against the Bears as well as Tausch. It's not like they disappeared.

[Joemailman]

This was discussed earlier in another thread

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/114584679.html

UPDATE: This was a team decision. Packers director of public relations Jeff Blumb said the Packers will be taking the Super Bowl team picture on Tuesday. The injured reserve players will arrive in Dallas on Thursday, and while they aren't involved in team meetings, practices, etc., they will be on the sidelines for the game. Blumb said it was important that many, if not all, of the injured players stay on their rehabilitation schedules as well, which is part of the reason why they're coming to Dallas later.

Having 16 Packers players on IR is the main issue; team trainers will be working with the 53 roster players and practice squad members in Dallas, without the same resources they would have in Green Bay.

"It was a team decision, a decision driven by the fact that we can't manage the sheer number of players on IR and also get our team ready to win this game," said Blumb. The intention is not to leave anyone feeling slighted. "Every decision we make is about what is best to try to win a championship."

Barnett on twitter: "I was not trying to be a distraction, nor was I downing the organization, they have done so much for me over last 8 years. Just saying I am sad that it worked out the way it did.. This game is bigger then my feelings and my body of work.. It's about "One Goal"!

[AtlPackFan]

Apparently Finley and Barnett were tweeting their displeasure w/the decision.

[AtlPackFan]

Sorry for the repost of the issue...didn't see it. Still think they should have figured something out. What is a couple of days of rehab when you have the whole offseason?

[sheepshead]

Bet it gets reversed. Theres been enough press on it.

[Packers4Glory]

horrible. Finley isn't happy thats for sure, and I see him a big big player for us for several seasons. I'd rather not have him have an "F U" attitude from here on out. These guys put their body's on the line and most have contributed to the success this yr. They should all be included.

Fucking terrible by the organization.

[swede]

Ouch! I don't disagree with the organization's logic, but this has the potential to be a big distraction. The team should make a big fuss over the injured, arranging for the 16 IR'd guys to be treated like a million bucks. Fly them down, include them in team meals, get them pretty massage therapists, and generally keep them busy.

I was surprised they are not going to be allowed in the team meetings, but the more you think about it the more sense it makes. The extra bodies mean more talking, more bullshit, and a greater possibility of loose lips sinking ships. It's harsh, but it is probably necessary.

[Patler]

horrible. Finley isn't happy thats for sure, and I see him a big big player for us for several seasons. I'd rather not have him have an "F U" attitude from here on out. These guys put their body's on the line and most have contributed to the success this yr. They should all be included.

Fucking terrible by the organization.

If this would be all that it would take to corrupt his long term attitude, I would send him packing as soon as I could make a good deal.
I suspect this will all blow over soon enough. If the Packers win, they will all get their rings, and the picture will be quickly forgotten. If they lose, who cares who is on the picture?

Players really have to learn to be smarter about their use of Twitter and things like that. They send comments off without thinking. If they are upset, address it with the team. In the past, MM had a "Council of Elders" so to speak, veteran players that others could go to with problems they didn't want to talk to MM about directly for whatever reason.

This makes Barnett and Finley look like wimps, crying to the fans because their egos were bruised. Pro sports are tough businesses for people with thick skins. Bitching about the picture is silly.

[gbgary]

this needs to be reversed.

[Packers4Glory]

its really not silly. they ARE part of the team. They DID contribute. there is no reason to piss anyone off needlessly when they are part of the team regardless of their situation on the active roster. regardless of if they are being so called wimps, they could easily develop the perception that the team really doesn't care about them or its players all that much. whether you poo poo that idea or not, its inevitable and really not a far fetched conclusion to draw from such a decision.

[Joemailman]

It might be worth remembering there are 15 guys on IR, but only 2 tweeting their displeasure. Not shocking to me that the 2 are Barnett and Finley. Not exactly the 2 sharpest knives in the drawer. Patler is right. There is a right way to voice your displeasure, and a wrong way. They chose the wrong way. Barnett has at least tried to make amends with this tweet:

"I was not trying to be a distraction, nor was I downing the organization, they have done so much for me over last 8 years. Just saying I am sad that it worked out the way it did.. This game is bigger then my feelings and my body of work.. It's about "One Goal"!

As for Finley, he's an amazing talent, but every time he speaks, I worry we have our own T.O.

[gex]

No loyality whatsoever...Thanks for playing and injuring yourself for us but your really not a part of THIS team..
Bad decision from the top.

[swede]

...Players really have to learn to be smarter about their use of Twitter and things like that. They send comments off without thinking. If they are upset, address it with the team. In the past, MM had a "Council of Elders" so to speak, veteran players that others could go to with problems they didn't want to talk to MM about directly for whatever reason.

This makes Barnett and Finley look like wimps, crying to the fans because their egos were bruised. Pro sports are tough businesses for people with thick skins. Bitching about the picture is silly.

Yes...but it takes a pretty thick skin to not have one's feelings hurt by being excluded from so many team activities on such a special occasion.

Your point is well taken about the wisdom of shutting up about it, though.

[Patler]

its really not silly. they ARE part of the team. They DID contribute. there is no reason to piss anyone off needlessly when they are part of the team regardless of their situation on the active roster. regardless of if they are being so called wimps, they could easily develop the perception that the team really doesn't care about them or its players all that much. whether you poo poo that idea or not, its inevitable and really not a far fetched conclusion to draw from such a decision.

Their feelings are hurt. Fine. Address their concerns to the team. Crying over Twitter to the fans makes them wimps, plain and simple.
Its a stupid photo, not the team ring. They were told why they wouldn't be there. They were given their assignments (or orders). They were told they WOULD be part of the other things after they arrived in Dallas, and that they WOULD be on the field for the game.

Time to grow up little Nicky and little Jerry.