Packers' defense ready to chase Eagles' Vick

Green Bay Packers coaches didn't take any unorthodox measures to simulate the speed and elusiveness of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick this week.

Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers said backup quarterback Matt Flynn played Vick's role in practice as the team prepared for Sunday's playoff game at Philadelphia. While Flynn doesn't have Vick's athleticism - who does? - Capers thought it was more important for his defense to face somebody who can throw the ball.

''It's hard to simulate (Vick),'' Capers said Friday. ''In the past, there's times when you might take a receiver or something and put him back there, but they aren't going to throw the ball the way you want it thrown.''

If the Packers were to have a special guest star running the scout team in an attempt to mimic what they'll see from Vick on Sunday, linebacker Desmond Bishop said he would nominate wide receiver Greg Jennings.

Jennings laughed off the suggestion.

''There's no simulating Michael Vick,'' Jennings said.

The way the Packers' defense is playing - they were No. 2 in scoring defense this season, trailing only Pittsburgh - the Packers think they can stop just about anybody. But they have a healthy respect for Vick's ability and know they're in for a long day Sunday, win or lose.

Packers defensive lineman Ryan Pickett isn't exactly relishing the challenge of chasing Vick around.

''No. I absolutely hate it,'' Pickett said. ''It is not fun chasing that guy around. But you've just got to keep heat on him.''

This will be the second time the Packers have faced Vick this season. And this time, they insist they'll be ready.

When the Packers went to Philadelphia in Week 1, Kevin Kolb was the Eagles' starter and the Packers prepared for a more traditional dropback passer. But a big hit from Clay Matthews took a toll on Kolb, Vick eventually replaced him - and nearly led the Eagles to a comeback victory with 175 yards passing and 103 yards rushing.

''I mean, it's a big difference,'' Pickett said. ''We didn't expect him to play much at all, so our gameplan wasn't suited for Vick. He came in, and we just basically played the plan that we had for Kolb, but you can't play him like you play Kolb. It'll be a big difference.''

Vick expects the Packers to be ready.

''Obviously, when I came in the game we was already down 13 points or whatever the deficit was,'' Vick said. ''They just sat back and played their scheme. Obviously now I know they'll have some things cooked up and they'll do some differently things. But it's football. We all have to adjust and make plays and be professionals.''

And with the Packers now planning for Vick, cornerback Charles Woodson said he hopes Capers will stay aggressive with the Packers' pass rush.

''We know what we're going up against,'' Woodson said. ''We know (how) dynamic that Vick is. He's a very big part of what they do, of what they're doing right now. He makes a lot of plays with his feet, but we've got to make sure we stay aggressive and make him run if he has to and make sure that we do our job in the back end. But aggressive, that's the way we like to play.''

Blitzing Vick seemed to work well for the Minnesota Vikings in a surprising victory over the Eagles in the second-to-last game of the regular season, although Vick said a leg injury limited his ability to scramble in that game.

''I hurt my leg on the first play of the game and it hurt me,'' Vick said. ''I couldn't do the things I wanted to do. I couldn't push up in the pocket. But I won't use that as an excuse.''

Vick got a week off to rest in the Eagles' regular season finale, and Bishop knows the Packers will have to be ready.

''We've got to do a good job of not going to sleep on him, because a lot of the things he does, he'll kind of lull you to sleep and he'll take off,'' Bishop said. ''If you're not at full speed, he's arguably one of the fastest guys in the NFL. You've got to know where he's at on the field and that's pretty much it.''

But with the way the Packers' defense is playing, Pickett is confident.

''We like our matchup with anybody on defense, because we're playing good ball,'' Pickett said. ''It's tough to score on us.''