Ahead of the Seahawks' "Turnover Thursday" practice and preparation for this week's matchup with the Green Bay Packers, head coach Pete Carroll met with the media to answer questions related to Sunday's NFC Championship game at Seattle's CenturyLink Field. 

Here are eight key takeaways from Carroll's Thursday press conference:

1. Right tackle Justin Britt (knee) and defensive tackle Tony McDaniel (shoulder) were two surprise players listed in the "Did Not Participate" portion of the team's "Competition Wednesday" practice report. After sitting out yesterday, Carroll said Britt would practice today with McDaniel expected to work out later in the week. Asked if the pair would be fine for Sunday's game against the Packers, Carroll offered, "We don't know that until they practice. We've got to wait and see."

2. Jeron Johnson (elbow) was a full participant through Wednesday's practice, but Carroll said the Seahawks safety "needs to show he's a little more flexible" with the elbow he dislocated in the team's regular-season finale against the St. Louis Rams. Johnson was held out of last week's divisional-round win over the Carolina Panthers and Carroll noted Johnson still has his arm in a brace.

UPDATE (1/15, 4:25 p.m. PT): Britt, McDaneil, and Johnson were all full participants in Thursday's practice.

3. "Are you tired of hearing that?" was Carroll's remark when asked to elaborate on his treat-every-game-like-a-championship-opportunity approach that will finally feature an actual chance at a championship opportunity this weekend. "It's mostly about applying yourself to the absolute max," Carroll said.

4. In assembling the Seahawks' wide receiving corps, Carroll said the team searches for pass catchers who are "always about competitiveness first."

5. When searching for defensive backs, Carroll said he prefers his corners tall - like the 6-foot-3 Richard Sherman and 6-foot-1 Byron Maxwell, but said Seahawks safeties can come in all shapes and sizes - as evidenced by the 5-foot-10, 202-pound Earl Thomas and 6-foot-3, 232-pound Kam Chancellor.

6. Carroll shared his history with Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, who played under Carroll at USC. Carroll said Matthews came in at 208 pounds - he's listed at 255 for Green Bay - and wasn't nearly as fast or strong in college as he currently is at the NFL level. Carroll admitted Matthews was one of his biggest misses with the Trojans because of the time it took him to develop, with Carroll not realizing how good of a player Matthews was until his senior season.

7. Russell Wilson made a comment yesterday saying he believes this year's Seahawks team is stronger than the one that won Super Bowl XLVIII. When Carroll was asked if he agreed with his quarterback, Carroll smiled and said, "I always agree with Russell." Carroll eventually elaborated on the topic when asked if the team's early-season challenges played a role in their late-season success, "Every team has challenges ... How you come out of those challenges is what can be powerful."

8. Carroll went into great detail on his relationship with Seattle general manager John Schneider - something Seahawks.com's Clare Farnsworth will have more on this afternoon - saying he doesn't know how Schneider hasn't received any individual recognition for the work he's done putting together the Seahawks' current roster. "He's going for it like it's the only opportunity in the world," said Carroll.