McCarthy: Packers prep for Giants with healthy team, heavy hearts
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Mike McCarthy. | Photo: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
GREEN BAY - The Green Bay Packers' health is as good as it's been since the 2nd game of the 2011 season as they enter the NFC divisional playoffs on Sunday against the New York Giants.
However, their hearts continue to be with the team's offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin, after he lost his son Michael in a drowning incident.
"It's very important to take the time and the energy to focus on the personal side of all the relationships that are established in this business," said Packers coach Mike McCarthy.
His team was set to attend the funeral of Michael Philbin on Friday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Green Bay.
McCarthy delegated Philbin's responsibilities this week to allow him the time to grieve the loss of his son, but he has kept his team focused on the task at hand.
"Everybody understands their professional responsibilities and the commitment necessary to take advantage of this great opportunity in front of us Sunday against the Giants," said McCarthy.
He also explained that the Packers were coming in to the matchup with its health relatively solid, with the season-long injury of safety Nick Collins expected to cause the only missing player on the Packers roster entering Sunday.
"That's really the benefit of home field advantage and having the bye, being the one seed. It's all part of the goal set early in the season, to get the open week before the divisional round."
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