Today's Press Conference With Mike McCarthy

[Maxie the Taxi]

A few things that I found interesting (and frustrating) in today's press conference...

I agree 100% with Patler's assessment in another thread that the Packers' running game wasn't that bad in Tampa. Grant did a good job with his opportunities and should have been given more.

This is what I don't understand about McCarthy's game planning...

Tampa Bay ranks 30 in rush defense; and 15 in pass defense. You would think -- especially in light of our pass protection problems and OL continuity -- McCarthy would have rushed 70% of the time (or until Tampa demonstrated they could stop the rush).

Yet in his 11/9 press conference McCarthy said this:

(To go back to the other question, so guys had trouble getting open?)
We were challenged by their secondary. So you can take that for what it's worth. They won the game. They did a good job against our passing game. We felt that our passing game would have been a strength versus their secondary, and if we played them again tomorrow, we would go right back at their secondary. But they did a good job.

McCarthy talks about wanting to rush more. He has since he got here, and yesterday was his chance. However, yesterday he consistently broke up the rhythm of a good rushing game by taking passing "shots" downfield.

The 3rd Qtr. "shot" to Jennings that was intercepted at the goal line by Talib was a perfect example:

1-10-GB 20 (11:28) R.Grant right tackle to GB 27 for 7 yards (T.Crowder).
2-3-GB 27 (10:49) R.Grant left guard to GB 32 for 5 yards (A.Hayward). R11
1-10-GB 32 (10:20) A.Rodgers sacked at GB 27 for -5 yards (M.Bennett).
2-15-GB 27 (9:44) (Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass short right to D.Driver to GB 37 for 10 yards (T.Cox).
3-5-GB 37 (8:59) (Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass deep right to G.Jennings to TB 42 for 21 yards (A.Talib). P12
1-10-TB 42 (8:17) A.Rodgers pass deep middle intended for G.Jennings INTERCEPTED by A.Talib (C.Lynch) at
TB 1. A.Talib to TB 16 for 15 yards (D.Driver).

You're moving the ball effectively down the field rushing and passing short. Why take a "shot" 50 yards down the field? (In fact, why pass on first down after Grant's runs?)

Yet, here's McCarthy's 11/9 comments regarding that play:

(Are you OK with the pass Aaron threw that was picked off at the goal line, the decision there?)
I was OK with the decision based on the matchup of who Greg was going to the post on. They played what we refer to as quarters coverage. We were looking for our two-deep scheme there - quarters is a form of two-deep - and the ability to get Greg or Donald matched up on their safeties. I thought Aaron gave Greg a catchable ball. It was obviously a tight coverage throw, but as far as a shot play, which that is described as, I was comfortable with the decision.

How can he be comfortable with the decision (a "tight coverage throw," and a "shot play") when they had been moving the ball? Why take a needless chance?

I just think McCarthy is enamored with "big" "explosive" plays. He gets greedy. He just doesn't have the patience or temperment for ball control football which usually entails a lot of rushing, although he talks like he does.

I'm beginning to think there is a disconnect between what he says he'd like to do and what he REALLY likes to do and what he actually does.

Take the offensive line. Again, in his 11/9 press conference he says:

(Will you try Lang at some other positions to get him into the starting lineup?)
I think T.J. has warranted that. I think that is a good observation. But yeah, I'm a little concerned about the musical chairs that once again we have played on our offensive line. I think that's not a positive. I think it's been a deterrent of trying to gain continuity of getting five guys in there starting together. It's definitely something that we talked about this morning and it's definitely something that we'll look at.

So he doesn't like playing "musical chairs" with his OL? Then why doesn't he stop doing it. He's the head coach!

In the SAME press conference a few minutes earlier he said this:

(If Tauscher's not ready, do you go the same way you finished yesterday?)
That's something that after we look at the film today, we'll look at all of our options. I am not committed to a starting five today.

Unbelievable! For Cripes Sakes, if McCarthy can't decide week in and week out who his starting five are going to be, how does he expect to STOP playing musical chairs? It seems by signing Tauscher all TT did was give MM one more musical chair to play with.

[sharpe1027]

Re: Today's Press Conference With Mike McCarthy

I don't disagree that the run game should/could have been used more.

Yet, IMHO, your analysis is misplaced. Rodgers is the one that choses to take the shots, unless they are all running go routes. Almost every play has a deep pattern that, if nothing else, clears space for something underneath. So when the ball goes deep, that doesn't mean that MM was dialing up a deep pass.

IMO, Rodgers was not willing to throw the short or intermediate passes. Instead, he either threw the ball deep or took a sack. Maybe the WRs couldn't get open, even so, sometimes you have to throw the WR open.

[red]

is that int at the one they are talking about, is that the one that was thrown into quad coverage?

[Maxie the Taxi]

Re: Today's Press Conference With Mike McCarthy

I don't disagree that the run game should/could have been used more.

Yet, IMHO, your analysis is misplaced. Rodgers is the one that choses to take the shots, unless they are all running go routes. Almost every play has a deep pattern that, if nothing else, clears space for something underneath. So when the ball goes deep, that doesn't mean that MM was dialing up a deep pass.

IMO, Rodgers was not willing to throw the short or intermediate passes. Instead, he either threw the ball deep or took a sack. Maybe the WRs couldn't get open, even so, sometimes you have to throw the WR open.

I agree that Rodgers may be the one who chooses to throw deep, but McCarthy is the one who said he had no problem with Rodgers' decision. Maybe he just doesn't want to criticize Rodgers in public. Or maybe he and Rodgers are just on the same page.

[Brandon494]

is that int at the one they are talking about, is that the one that was thrown into quad coverage?

Even though he did throw it into traffic the ball was perfectly thrown and went right thru Greg Jenning's hands.

[Maxie the Taxi]

is that int at the one they are talking about, is that the one that was thrown into quad coverage?

Even though he did throw it into traffic the ball was perfectly thrown and went right thru Greg Jenning's hands.

Whether or not the ball was thrown perfectly is beside the point. The point is that he took the shot when IMO he didn't have to. It just points out the fact that our offense (whoever is responsible) is not patient.

[red]

you never throw the ball into quad coverage

a second grader player flag football should know that

yes it was a perfect throw, but an absolutely stupid one that m3 should be very concerned about

[pbmax]

Maxi, some of this is pretty straightforward. How can he be committed to a starting five if one is injured and another is still coming off injury? He clearly prefers Tauscher at this point. And given Barbre's performance, why would he commit to a lesser player if Tauscher can play? Because both had such limited game reps coming into warm weather, they already had a plan to give them a blow. Clearly they are not 100%.

As for run defense, remember back to the Jim Bates year, where are pass defense looked like the strength of the team and the run defense the weakness. But those numbers (especially total yards) were skewed by game situations. We were ranked near the bottom because teams had the lead on us in the second half and took the air out of the ball. So while the yardage rank (a bad number to base quality of defense on) put us last, our run defense at the time was better than our pass defense. But teams did not need to bother to pass with the lead.

Same with Tampa. Teams have taken the air out of the ball to kill the clock on them this year later in games. Simply because the yardage total is high doesn't mean the run defense isn't better than the pass. You cannot judge the talent of a team by that number. The fact that McCarthy saw this on film should show you the discrepancy.

[Brandon494]

Yes it was a bad decision but not a bad throw.

I mean its nothing we havent seen the last 15 years in GB by Favre.

Anyway I agree our offense is not patient which has to do with MM playcalling and AR holding onto the ball looking for the big play.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Maxi, some of this is pretty straightforward. How can he be committed to a starting five if one is injured and another is still coming off injury? He clearly prefers Tauscher at this point. And given Barbre's performance, why would he commit to a lesser player if Tauscher can play? Because both had such limited game reps coming into warm weather, they already had a plan to give them a blow. Clearly they are not 100%.

As for run defense, remember back to the Jim Bates year, where are pass defense looked like the strength of the team and the run defense the weakness. But those numbers (especially total yards) were skewed by game situations. We were ranked near the bottom because teams had the lead on us in the second half and took the air out of the ball. So while the yardage rank (a bad number to base quality of defense on) put us last, our run defense at the time was better than our pass defense. But teams did not need to bother to pass with the lead.

Same with Tampa. Teams have taken the air out of the ball to kill the clock on them this year later in games. Simply because the yardage total is high doesn't mean the run defense isn't better than the pass. You cannot judge the talent of a team by that number. The fact that McCarthy saw this on film should show you the discrepancy.

I'll yield to your expertise in game planning. I'm just looking at it from a fan's perspective. I'd still much prefer a ball control team and one that plays for field position.

As far as the OL is concerned, I understand injuries play a part. On the other hand it seems MM has been dithering all year, waiting until Saturday to name starters even when injury isn't a huge factor. Why would he do that if some players are clearly better than others. (Plus, I like Tausch, I just don't think he's the answer at this stage of his career.)

[pbmax]

I'll yield to your expertise in game planning. I'm just looking at it from a fan's perspective. I'd still much prefer a ball control team and one that plays for field position.

Hold on there. I possess no expertise and do not profess to. I only point out that there is more involved in scouting an opponent than looking at yardage totals.

For example, Football Outsiders ranks Tampa Bay's defense 31st against the pass and 30th versus the run. While this helps illustrate the case, I think I just made myself sick again.

[LEWCWA]

is that int at the one they are talking about, is that the one that was thrown into quad coverage?

Even though he did throw it into traffic the ball was perfectly thrown and went right thru Greg Jenning's hands.

"touche"--gotta catch the damn ball!

[Maxie the Taxi]

I'll yield to your expertise in game planning. I'm just looking at it from a fan's perspective. I'd still much prefer a ball control team and one that plays for field position.

Hold on there. I possess no expertise and do not profess to. I only point out that there is more involved in scouting an opponent than looking at yardage totals.

For example, Football Outsiders ranks Tampa Bay's defense 31st against the pass and 30th versus the run. While this helps illustrate the case, I think I just made myself sick again.

Me too.

[hoosier]

As for run defense, remember back to the Jim Bates year, where are pass defense looked like the strength of the team and the run defense the weakness. But those numbers (especially total yards) were skewed by game situations. We were ranked near the bottom because teams had the lead on us in the second half and took the air out of the ball. So while the yardage rank (a bad number to base quality of defense on) put us last, our run defense at the time was better than our pass defense. But teams did not need to bother to pass with the lead.

Same with Tampa. Teams have taken the air out of the ball to kill the clock on them this year later in games. Simply because the yardage total is high doesn't mean the run defense isn't better than the pass. You cannot judge the talent of a team by that number. The fact that McCarthy saw this on film should show you the discrepancy.

Tampa may be even worse at pass defense than they are at run defense, but it seems to me that the real mystery is McCarthy's apparent lack of commitment to running the ball. Take the end of the 3rd quarter and beginning of fourth quarter. On the first drive Grants gets the ball twice and picks up 12 yards. Then Rodgers gets sacked on first down. He manages to pick up the third down, but then throws it up for grabs to Jennings, who is triple covered (it was a max protect in which the Bucs rushed four and dropped seven, so Driver was probably well covered as well). Result: interception. On the next drive Grant carries twice, picks up a first down, but then Colledge (I think) misses a block and Grant gets stopped for a loss. The drive stalls there. On the third drive the Packers go back to the run, this time with Ahman Green running for 26. But then, with the running game having lots of success and getting them into the TB red zone, Rodgers throws five straight passes. McCarthy even has him in the shotgun on first and goal from the TB seven yard line, so it can't just be Rodgers switching off at the line.

In fact the Packers scored on that last drive on a third down scramble. But the play calling, and especially the formation, send a message that when it comes to crunch time (GB is up 21-17 at the start of the 4th) the Packers are not going be a physical team. We all know that the OL can't pass protect worth a damn, so as a coach how do you just give up the other half of your offensive playbook at that point? I don't care how bad TB's pass defense is, their run defense had shown itself incapable of stopping anyone yesterday. Why would McCarthy NOT want to run the ball down their throats then?

[Scott Campbell]

Bizarre play calling. It's like he kept trying to find ways to lose.