Remember Green Bay! That seems to be the Cardinals’ mantra this week as they head into the season’s final two games. The Cardinals (6-8) want to use last year’s Packers as their model.

Read Mike Tulumello's blog, Bird Watching

Green Bay won its final four games of 2006 to finish 8-8. Now the Packers are one of the NFL’s best teams.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he thinks a strong finish “makes a difference ... it certainly is a springboard to having success the next year.

“I believe if we finish strong the last two games … that will help us ... and give us confidence going into the season.”

Because players are familiar with and comfortable with the new staff’s program, “We’ll be so much further ahead of where were starting out this year. Finishing strong will only add to that.”

Players who have been on board for a few years also want to finish 8-8 simply because the team hasn’t done it this decade.

Toward these ends, both players and coaches say the Cardinals had a good practice Wednesday, their first gathering since they were eliminated from the playoffs Monday night.

INJURY UPDATE

The Cardinals had a nearly full practice Wednesday, as only backup defensive lineman Ross Kolodziej sat out with a quadriceps injury.

Larry Fitzgerald (groin) and Anquan Boldin (toe) are still listed as limited though Whisenhunt indicated Boldin appears ahead of where he’s been recently.

DOCKETT ON PRO BOWL

“You know the saying: 'Men lie, women lie. Numbers don’t,’ ” Dockett said.

Dockett ranks No. 1 in the NFL among interior defensive linemen with eight sacks.

He said he thinks his chances were hurt by the fact that fans — along with players and coaches — have a part in the selection process.

“I don’t think our fan base is as strong as other teams. We don’t get on a lot of TV games.”

So any recognition won’t be from a popular vote but “because I was playing very well this season.”

DOCKETT’S REVENGE

That said, Dockett sounded offended by Petrino’s decision to quit coaching the Falcons before the season ended.

“That’s a crazy situation. To just get up and leave? ... You don’t do that to players.

“I don’t know his situation. We’re on the outside looking in ….

“But as far as rolling out and leaving players, that kind of sucks.”

What would Dockett do about it if he had the chance?

“I’d put a banana in his tailpipe.”

BOLDIN NEARS MILESTONE

With four catches Sunday, Boldin will reach 400 receptions in fewer games than anybody in NFL history. It will be Boldin’s 67th game. Kellen Winslow hit 400 in 72 games.

MISSED CHANCE

The Cardinals can’t help but think what might have been this season.

“The schedule was set up nice for us to make a run and make the playoffs,” linebacker Karlos Dansby said after the team’s loss at New Orleans. “We just didn’t get it done.

“We had a lot of opportunities,” he said. “We didn’t take advantage of them the whole year.

“It’s real disappointing.”

“This is a tool we have to use for the next season. I hope this will motivate us.”