Welcome to Saturday Scorecard, where gym rats roam free with no fear of extermination. It's a busy sports weekend, so we'll keep things tight in order to allow all interested parties the time to apply for an opening on the Lambeau Field grounds crew.

On to the notes already...

The ‘boys are back: Remember when the Green Bay-Dallas game was the highlight (well, a lot of times the lowlight) of the Packers' season? Remember when Tony Romo's return to the land of Cheesehead was a big deal?

None of that stuff matters tomorrow.

After losing to Minnesota and Brett Favre and dumping a game against previously winless Tampa Bay, the Packers (4-4) are in a battle for survival. The game against Dallas, which is favored by 3 points, is critical to their postseason hopes. And, if offensive linemen like T.J. Lang and Daryn Colledge can't keep Dallas defenders like DeMarcus Ware from impaling quarterback Aaron Rodgers, it could be a very long day.

The Cowboys won at Lambeau for the first time last year. The lasting images of that 27-16 triumph on Sept. 21 was the ineptitude of the Packers' defensive front. They couldn't stop the run or put pressure on Romo, who seemingly had enough time to pen a "Dear Jessica" letter to his previous girlfriend.

That game, and others like it, prompted the Packers to hire Dom Capers to install the 3-4 defense. Midway through their first season in the new scheme, the Packers have generated 13 sacks -- tied for third-fewest in the league.

The Cowboys' huge offensive line will make things rough in that regard again. Given time to connect with budding star Miles Austin, Romo could forge another happy homecoming.

You're fired: If the Packers had a better record, would we have heard about part-time grounds crew worker Mike Wood's dismissal? Wood, 53, who had worked for more than 20 years on the tarp crew and hanging nets behind the goal posts, was fired after a brief exchange with coach Mike McCarthy.

Wood claims he told the Packers coach to "kick some butt," but was told that McCarthy heard him make a comment similar to "don't lay an egg."

Though he admitted asking a supervisor for Wood's name, McCarthy said he had nothing to do with the firing.

"I don't really know the man," McCarthy said at a Friday press conference. "He made a comment to me, I made a comment to him. It's not the worst thing ever said. But I would not say that to a fellow employee. That's as far as I'm going to go with it."

Larry King Lounge: The Brewers have been talking about going with young catchers this season. How much of that is designed to keep the price down on a Jason Kendall return?... As the most experienced returning player on Marquette's roster, senior Lazar Hayward is going to carry a heavy load this season. Jimmy Butler is ready to help, though. The junior forward scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds Friday night against Centenary and he is the Golden Eagles' best defensive player.... The Milwaukee Panthers missed 15 straight three-point attempts at one point Friday night.... Anybody who predicted greatness for the Bears and Jay Cutler needs to put their opinion on probation for a while... The Brewers were shut out of the Gold Glove awards again, which is hardly a surprise. No Milwaukee player has claimed the prize since Robin Yount in 1982.... Does anybody realize that Wade Phillips has a 28-13 record as head coach of the Cowboys? If not, it's because he's 0-2 in the playoffs.... Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban will give a talk before his team faces the Bucks Monday night at the Bradley Center. The event, which includes a Q&A, will be held at 5:15 p.m. at Turner Ballroom. Tickets cost $20, $60 and $100. The Web site is bucks.com.... ESPN Wisconsin welcomes the 2009 Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Friday night at the Milwaukee Theatre. Inductees include former Packers president Bob Harlan, Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez, former Badgers coach John Powless, booster Albert "Ab" Nicholas, former NCAA executive Judith Sweet and former wrestler Lee Kemp. Tickets cost $20 and $200 for VIPs. Proceeds benefit the Wisconsin Sports Foundation, which provides financial assistance for disadvantaged youth athletes to have the chance to compete in the Badger State Games.