So what's MM's problem?

[Fritz]

I would make the argument that his "problem" is mostly injuries. The go-to play for Rodgers early in the season was "throw it to Finley cuz he can probably come down with anything."

I think people are focusing on the playcalling at the expense of execution. The offensive line stunk, stunk, stunk. Very early in the game the Packers were driving with ease, when Quarless fumbled on about the Detroit 30 yard line. Then Jennings dropped a sure touchdown. Either or both of those plays, had they been made, would likely have changed the entire complexion of the game.

[pbmax]

The Patriots are an example of a team using a multiple offense that has multiple ways to go short. McCarthy has only dabbled in WR screens, pitches and screens. The Patriots have to lead the league in yards run by all offensive players while gaining 5 yards. Every snap looks like an explosion has occurred behind the center. And there is much more misdirection in the Patriot gameplan than M3s.

The best single play I saw repeated versus the Lions was some kind of fake one way, then boot the other with a blocker or TE available.

In the end, I agree with Fritz. If no one but single covered deep WRs are winning a battle anywhere, you are not going to do well.

[MichiganPackerFan]

If the playoffs or success in them avoid us this year, looking back would we have been better off not overachieving with a LOT of backups and gotten a higher draft pick or is the overall team development more beneficial to the coming years?

[steve823]

I didn't get to read all of the posts in this thread because I'm in a rush. However, while MM occasionally may not be popular or call the play you fans want, he is good at doing what he does. The problem is execution. It's hard to execute when our offensive line is in such disarray and can't block to save their asses.

Now with that being said, I do have a problem with MM's inability to adjust his gameplan. He seems to stick with it even if it doesn't work. When our o-line is playing as bad as they were why not try slants, quick passes, screens (especially when opponent's d-line is rushing the qb and playing the pass), and plays to get the offense in a rhythm ?

I can't wait to see what he comes up with this week against the Pats. I have a feeling we are going to either come out real sharp and put up a good game against the Pats that comes down to the end, OR we are going to come out flat and our O-line will be as bad as they were last game. One or the other, no in between.

[steve823]

The Patriots are an example of a team using a multiple offense that has multiple ways to go short. McCarthy has only dabbled in WR screens, pitches and screens. The Patriots have to lead the league in yards run by all offensive players while gaining 5 yards. Every snap looks like an explosion has occurred behind the center. And there is much more misdirection in the Patriot gameplan than M3s.

The best single play I saw repeated versus the Lions was some kind of fake one way, then boot the other with a blocker or TE available.

In the end, I agree with Fritz. If no one but single covered deep WRs are winning a battle anywhere, you are not going to do well.

You have to wonder what Bellicheck would do with our offense. We have Wr's that are GREAT at YAC, so passing short like they do most of the time would work out. It would also hide our horrible offensive line play.

[mmmdk]

The bag of bad losses is just getting bigger; at least McCarthy isn't pulling the injury card as some puppy eyed observers are [pulling].

PS - I promise I won't point fingers when the Stubby era ends and there'll still just be 3 Lombardi trophies on the Packer mantel.

[swede]

From the moment TT arrived he held the spotlight usually reserved for coaches. This was remarkable to me since he has such a deferential and deliberately blan public persona. After MM was hired the attention stayed on TT. This season, for the first time, it seems that MM is front and center and TT has slipped into the background.

I have always respected the way that MM spoke about players and kept team drama to a minimum. I think he is a hard worker and understands a lot about how much he can push his players and when to cut them some slack. Posters here have already pointed out his flaws with game planning and in-game adjustments that seem to keep him from being better than just a good coach on game day.

My fear is that we have become the Kansas City Chiefs under Schottenheimer: winning seasons, keep the coaches, lather, rinse, repeat, bad draft positions, and no championships to show for it.

[mmmdk]

From the moment TT arrived he held the spotlight usually reserved for coaches. This was remarkable to me since he has such a deferential and deliberately blan public persona. After MM was hired the attention stayed on TT. This season, for the first time, it seems that MM is front and center and TT has slipped into the background.

I have always respected the way that MM spoke about players and kept team drama to a minimum. I think he is a hard worker and understands a lot about how much he can push his players and when to cut them some slack. Posters here have already pointed out his flaws with game planning and in-game adjustments that seem to keep him from being better than just a good coach on game day.

My fear is that we have become the Kansas City Chiefs under Schottenheimer: winning seasons, keep the coaches, lather, rinse, repeat, bad draft positions, and no championships to show for it.

Top notch post !

[Cheesehead Craig]

I think others have said this before, but MM is loyal to his staff to a fault. He makes a hire and sticks with that person even when they have proven they cannot do their job capably. Even then it took pressure from TT to order the changes (bringing in a new DC). While loyalty is an admirable trait and I appreciate that MM doesn't have a rotating carousel of coaches every year, there comes a time and place where he needs to put that loyalty aside and the "gosh darn it he's trying" attitude and make the changes that are necessary. The special teams and OL have been beyond brutal during his tenure with no action on his part for accountability. I think he needs to grow a pair when it comes to coaching personnel decisions.

[gbgary]

So what's MM's problem?

since mm year one...playcalling.

[Patler]

From the moment TT arrived he held the spotlight usually reserved for coaches. This was remarkable to me since he has such a deferential and deliberately blan public persona. After MM was hired the attention stayed on TT. This season, for the first time, it seems that MM is front and center and TT has slipped into the background.

How was the spotlight on TT? The guy was rarely seen or heard from.

[Smidgeon]

since mm year one...playcalling.

Give over. The offense has consistently been one of the best in the league.

Except in 2006 when he was putting his program in place for the first year, his offenses have been ranked 4th, 5th, and 3rd in scoring (this year they're currently at 11th). Even including 2006, they were in the Top 10 in offensive yards (except this year where they're currently 11th). And that's just a cursory offensive overview.

Now if you have complaints about playcalling in certain situations, that's different (and would spark a playcalling versus execution debate). But to complain about the playcalling that has garnered a consistent top offense is extremely shortsighted.

[sheepshead]

How was the spotlight on TT? The guy was rarely seen or heard from.

Exactly. I dont follow this at all.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

I think we underestimate how bad the packers o-line is. Thats says a lot about Rodgers though. They need at least three new starters on the o-line IMO. Splitz, Colldge, Clifton, and Wells could all be let go and I wouldn't care at all.

[rbaloha1]

i mentioned this a couple months ago and got blasted for it.

to me M3 seems to think he's the smartest man alive, and to me he seems like a big dumb idiot

i agree he seems to try and outsmart everyone, in his mind he might think he can do it, but i don't think he has the brain skills to pull it off

While the statements are a little harsh there is truth in these statements.
MM panics under pressure. Again, good coordinator and qb coach -- not a head coach.