Packers can't really forget 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers say they are a different team with a different quarterback. The party line is that they don't care about what happened four years ago at Lambeau Field. They insist that if reporters didn't bring it up, they wouldn't give their 23-20 overtime loss to the Giants in the NFC Championship Game in January 2008 one iota of thought.

"That's ancient history,'' defensive end Ryan Picket said. "We haven't watched that game. We haven't even talked about it."

Said receiver Donald Driver: "A lot of the guys in this locker room were in college when that happened. Some were in high school. I don't think they are aware of what happened and I don't think they care."

While there have been significant changes in the Packers' depth chart since that loss -- most dramatically at quarterback, with Aaron Rodgers replacing Brett Favre -- 14 of the current offensive and defensive starters were on that team. Sunday's NFC divisional playoff game against the Giants will be the first postseason game played at Lambeau Field since that ugly loss. And regardless of whether they like to talk about it, it's clear some players can vividly remember their pain, have no trouble recalling the feeling of watching Corey Webster intercept Favre's pass intended for Driver to set up the game-winning field goal.

"What comes to mind is sitting here in this locker room with my entire uniform on and knowing that there was another team out there celebrating on our field and our turf," receiver Greg Jennings said. "I know that was a great feeling for those guys. But it was horrible for us."

Jennings said that feeling is a motivating force, that he will do anything he can to prevent another Giants celebration at Lambeau Field. "You never forget," he said. "You move on, but you never really forget."

The Packers won the Super Bowl last season even though all their playoff games were on the road. Some people are drawing comparisons between that team and the current Giants, who had their struggles during the season but seem to be peaking.

Jennings said the Giants are dangerous in that they are both playing well and confident. But the Packers, who fell just short of going undefeated this season, have plenty of confidence too.

Said Jennings: "I guarantee we're going to do everything we can to prevent them from getting another win."