McCarthy in "big" games

[Patler]

I have brought this up several times the last couple years. I like a lot about McCarthy, but there seems to be something lacking in how he prepares his teams for big games. Apart from play calling, game management, etc. that have been talked about in other threads, does he adequately prepare his team for what will happen?

It seems more often than not his teams just do not play well in big games. The two Viking games last year, the playoff game last year, etc. Not just because they lost. It seems the players have not handled the atmospheres of the situations real well. Dumb penalties in crucial situations (and/or lots of penalties), mental mistakes, poor clutch performance all seem to be the norm.

Even the playoff win three years ago started poorly, but at least they got it together eventually.

Getting a team to play its best when it needs to the most is a talent that is hard to explain. It's players having confidence in the coaching staff and in themselves. Some coaches seem to accomplish that all the time. I'm not sure McCarthy has that ability

[Joemailman]

The problem in my opinion hasn't been confidence, but composure. They've made mental mistakes in these games that they don't normally make. Some of this goes on the coaching staff, but your veteran leaders have to set the tone as well.

[ThunderDan]

Re: McCarthy in "big" games

I have brought this up several times the last couple years. I like a lot about McCarthy, but there seems to be something lacking in how he prepares his teams for big games. Apart from play calling, game management, etc. that have been talked about in other threads, does he adequately prepare his team for what will happen?

It seems more often than not his teams just do not play well in big games. The two Viking games last year, the playoff game last year, etc. Not just because they lost. It seems the players have not handled the atmospheres of the situations real well. Dumb penalties in crucial situations (and/or lots of penalties), mental mistakes, poor clutch performance all seem to be the norm.

Even the playoff win three years ago started poorly, but at least they got it together eventually.

Getting a team to play its best when it needs to the most is a talent that is hard to explain. It's players having confidence in the coaching staff and in themselves. Some coaches seem to accomplish that all the time. I'm not sure McCarthy has that ability

As an offset, I would say the Dallas and SF games last year were big games that we won and played well especially the Dallas game.

I think this year is different from a motivational standpoint from previous years. In 2010, I think we finally have the talent on the roster that we can beat anyone as long as we don't shoot ourselves in the foot. There is no need to get the players "foaming at the mouth" and play their greatest game ever to win.

We need to be consistant. We need controlled aggression. We don't need rage. We don't need 1 player making highlight reel plays over and over. (It would be nice to get that but it isn't needed)

[Patler]

The problem in my opinion hasn't been confidence, but composure. They've made mental mistakes in these games that they don't normally make. Some of this goes on the coaching staff, but your veteran leaders have to set the tone as well.

I think composure comes from confidence. That's why I talked about confidence, but I agree his teams have not shown good composure at times.

Does he make things too complicated? For years I was involved with a hockey team who had a coach that always got the most out of his players. His teams were not always the most talented, but in games that really mattered, they always put up a good fight. His approach to the game was probably a little more simple than a lot of other coaches. and I always felt that served him well in the sometimes chaotic atmosphere of big games. His players always handled it well, whether they eventually won or lost.

[Brandon494]

I don't know if I can put all the blame on MM because the players who were getting flagged were veterans and should be able to handle those type of road games.

[Patler]

Re: McCarthy in "big" games

As an offset, I would say the Dallas and SF games last year were big games that we won and played well especially the Dallas game.

I think this year is different from a motivational standpoint from previous years. In 2010, I think we finally have the talent on the roster that we can beat anyone as long as we don't shoot ourselves in the foot. There is no need to get the players "foaming at the mouth" and play their greatest game ever to win.

We need to be consistant. We need controlled aggression. We don't need rage. We don't need 1 player making highlight reel plays over and over. (It would be nice to get that but it isn't needed)

I agree, a few times he seems to have gotten the job done with his team, but other times they seem a bit overwhelmed by the situations at hand. Not suggesting he needs to get them "foaming at the mouth" or anything close to that. Player highs like that seldom last through the game. They are temporary at best.

There just seem to be a lot of possible victories left on the table. Too many in which they didn't do what was needed to win. Bad penalties, missed kicks, poor kick coverages, dropped passes, fumbles , interceptions, missed tackles, dropped interceptions have all cropped up at the worst times and, more importantly, have not been overcome. Monday had almost all of those except the thrown interception, I can't blame Rodgers on a hail mary.

Championship calibre teams do what is needed to win games. Too often the Packers don't do that.

[Patler]

I don't know if I can put all the blame on MM because the players who were getting flagged were veterans and should be able to handle those type of road games.

To be sure, the players are not blameless, but MM's teams have always been highly penalized. Not sure why. It's hard to separate what is the player's fault and what is the coaches based on the attitude developed around penalties.

[mraynrand]

My guess is that Stubby tightens up in big games and his team is tight as well. That's when you make a ton of mistakes. Rodgers looked pretty tight the first 1 1/2 games and seemed loose and in control for the Bears game. I think he was tight because of the season's expectations, and is loosening up with confidence due to his success and fine play. Look at Finley - we all probably think he's a little over the top, but his confidence looks like it's helping him play totally loose. On the other hand, Woodson looks totally nervous and uncertain. I would guess it's because he's compensating for the two rooks on his side of the ball. Confidence and playing loose. I think that's a concern for this team. I have no idea if Stubby can 'fix that.'

[Packers4Glory]

The problem in my opinion hasn't been confidence, but composure. They've made mental mistakes in these games that they don't normally make. Some of this goes on the coaching staff, but your veteran leaders have to set the tone as well.

Well, its a catch 22 as I see it. I agree, but the team largely has a lot of guys w/ not a lot of experience. When you constantly have the youngest or one of the youngest rosters year in and year out, you will have more mental mistakes in big games.

Plus some of the older guys aren't really "leaders" in the true sense of the word. On defense, is there a true leader personality? I see Mathews growing into it, but I don't look at anyone one guy out there and say he's for sure the leader of the D. Not Woodson. Not either Nick.

Offense you have Rodgers and Driver. solid there.

Special teams.... ???? nobody.

[3irty1]

I've never bought this argument. These guys are professionals, every game is a big game. From what I've seen in recent years the offense is hitting on most cylinders for big games. We had pretty gaudy production in both queens games and also against Arizona in the playoffs. IMO McCarthy is doing his part. At the professional level, the responsibility is at least a little bit on the players for their individual preparation.

[Scott Campbell]

IMO McCarthy is doing his part.

He's getting roasted on the front page of NFL.com.

http://www.nfl.com/

[Scott Campbell]

IMO McCarthy is doing his part.

He's getting roasted on the front page of NFL.com.

http://www.nfl.com/

[HarveyWallbangers]

What qualifies as a big game?

Games vs. Vikings and Bears are big games. He's 9-8 in his career against those two teams. He's 1-2 in the playoffs, but I can't really put the playoff losses on McCarthy.

What's his record on Sunday and Monday night?

They did beat Dallas and Baltimore in what I thought were big games last year. He has a pretty solid road record--which I think is a sign of a good coach.

Honestly, I think McCarthy is a pretty good coach getting his team prepared (we're very seldom blown out in big games under McCarthy--unlike Sherman) and I think he's good with the play calling. His game management sucks at times, but that's happened in big games and not so big games. He's just not very good in that area.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

IMO McCarthy is doing his part.

He's getting roasted on the front page of NFL.com.

http://www.nfl.com/

As he should be. Even by deciding not to let them score, if he didn't blow that TO we would of had 40 seconds left left on the clock to try to get in field goal range to tie the game.

I'm not saying fire the guy b/c overall I think he is not a bad coach, but he needs to realize his mistakes. He has done this before.

[Patler]

What qualifies as a big game?

Games vs. Vikings and Bears are big games. He's 9-8 in his career against those two teams. He's 1-2 in the playoffs, but I can't really put the playoff losses on McCarthy.

What's his record on Sunday and Monday night?

They did beat Dallas and Baltimore in what I thought were big games last year. He has a pretty solid road record--which I think is a sign of a good coach.

Honestly, I think McCarthy is a pretty good coach getting his team prepared (we're very seldom blown out in big games under McCarthy--unlike Sherman) and I think he's good with the play calling. His game management sucks at times, but that's happened in big games and not so big games. He's just not very good in that area.

Well, I guess a big game can be anything you want it to be, but in my book it is not every game against the Bears or Vikings. When they are close to you in the standings it takes on more importance. When its like playing the Lions it is of lesser importance. When it is playing against Favre it is a big game for the staff, the players and the fans just because of the history.

It's more than jst piling up yards, or even scoring a lot of points. I want to see the team look confident, composed and in control of itself. I often do not see that, even when they win.