McCarthy and "Close Games"

[Bretsky]

How are these different, besides on a potential basis? I know Neal did more this year, but Harrell's still done more overall. In fact, he lasted longer his rookie year.

I know people can get frustrated with him not being on the field, but let's not say he's never done anything.

Honestly, in the limited time I saw Neal I was more impressed with him than Harrell in the decade or so he's been injured with us

Neal showed some real burst, some power to collapse a pocket and physically dominate an OL. He's also said to be a workout warrior in the weightroom and incredibly strong....which makes sense based on what he's shown. Overall from my perspective Justine has been a J.A.G. most of the time he's actually made it to the stripes

[Bretsky]

How can you say M3's done nothing of note when he took the team to a hair's breath of the SuperBowl. When did Caldwell make the title game?

You realy want me to answer this for you ???

[Smidgeon]

Honestly, in the limited time I saw Neal I was more impressed with him than Harrell in the decade or so he's been injured with us

Neal showed some real burst, some power to collapse a pocket and physically dominate an OL. He's also said to be a workout warrior in the weightroom and incredibly strong....which makes sense based on what he's shown. Overall from my perspective Justine has been a J.A.G. most of the time he's actually made it to the stripes

My impression was a little different. True, he offered absolutely nothing as a pass rusher, but I think he could have been an elite run blocker (a la Pickett). A couple years ago (I think it was), when I was learning specifically about the D-line, I read a post of Waldo's that convinced me that Harrell had what it took to be great as a run stuffer. Granted, that hasn't worked out at all, but I think it was there. But you're right that Neal "flashed" more. I personally think that's more because he was/is the better pass rusher.

[vince]

...your rosy take...

The facts show that his team has been good at crunch time in certain years at and not good other years. Overall the results have been a bit below average (15-20 unless of course you're one who only counts the games the Packers lose this year by 4 or less).

This is the NFL. There's pressure on coaches from the time they wake up until the time they go to bed every day of the year. During the game, there's pressure from the opening kickoff through the final seconds.

The idea that McCarthy tightens up or "can't stand the heat" at the end of the game or can't win the big game is just ridiculous in my opinion. How much experience do you suppose he has calling plays at the end of games? Did he have a boost of confidence in '06 and '07 in close games? Wouldn't such a defiency manifest itself in other ways too? How about when his response when the team lost to the winless Bucs last year? I'd say the heat was on then. Last week, the Giants came back quickly to tie the game after a Nelson turnover. Total change in momentum in a huge game. Why didn't he fold his tent then?

Perhaps any perceived problem has something to do with certain players or the quality of defense and/or special teams? Perhaps he's too confident in his kicker or QB or DB? Too much confidence is probably more likely than not enough. Perhaps his confidence is justified and they just are unlucky in some cases with balls doinking off uprights or balls being ever so slightly overthrown or stupid fumbles and penalties? Maybe wore-down offensive linemen have made mistakes at critical times on ocassion? Maybe McCarthy has expected his players to execute in situations where he shouldn't have?

He's not blameless by any means whenever the team loses, but I highly doubt any "problem" is due to the coach's nerves. Not sure that's necessarily a "rosy take" - just a realistic one based on an assessment of all the facts as opposed to an emotional reaction based on some of them IMO. Objectively speaking, 15-20 doesn't even signify a trend, much less portend a response of overly simplistic emotional causation to something that probably doesn't exist in the first place.

[Bretsky]

My impression was a little different. True, he offered absolutely nothing as a pass rusher, but I think he could have been an elite run blocker (a la Pickett). A couple years ago (I think it was), when I was learning specifically about the D-line, I read a post of Waldo's that convinced me that Harrell had what it took to be great as a run stuffer. Granted, that hasn't worked out at all, but I think it was there. But you're right that Neal "flashed" more. I personally think that's more because he was/is the better pass rusher.

Waldo was a great poster............one of the top I miss
But he as still wrong plenty of times as well..as most ar
He noted Jeremy Thompson was the idea fit for our OLB but he didn't make it
I think Harrell would have been ok as a run stuffer but I still feel I saw a lot more upside in his play than Harrell

[Bossman641]

I find it interesting that many of the "top" coaches lost this weekend.

Reid's Eagles looked absolutely terrible against the Vikings and Smith's Falcons lost a home game that they probably should have won.

Fire them!!! They are terrible coaches and don't know how to get their teams ready to play!! Didn't you see them both standing on the sidelines looking like deer in headlights. [sarcasm off]

[denverYooper]

I find it interesting that many of the "top" coaches lost this weekend.

Reid's Eagles looked absolutely terrible against the Vikings and Smith's Falcons lost a home game that they probably should have won.

Fire them!!! They are terrible coaches and don't know how to get their teams ready to play!! Didn't you see them both standing on the sidelines looking like deer in headlights. [sarcasm off]

Smith punted on 4th and 6th with ~3 minutes left, after which NO ran out the clock. He was questioned about it the next day and said that he would do the exact same thing again.

Andy Reid has been known to throw down some real clunkers from time to time.

[Fritz]

I was watching that game, and I couldn't believe he punted. I dunno. But I guess you make them win the game that way.

[RashanGary]

Honestly, in the limited time I saw Neal I was more impressed with him than Harrell in the decade or so he's been injured with us

Neal showed some real burst, some power to collapse a pocket and physically dominate an OL. He's also said to be a workout warrior in the weightroom and incredibly strong....which makes sense based on what he's shown. Overall from my perspective Justine has been a J.A.G. most of the time he's actually made it to the stripes

This is what I saw too. Harrell, when he was at his best for 5 minutes of a preseason game, wasn't embarrassing. Neal showed flashes of greatness, especially considering he's only a rookie.

Jolly and Neal were big-time losses this year.

[RashanGary]

If I had to take 5 players back from IR, it would go like this:

Grant
Finley
Jolly
Neal


And if we had these four players we would be nasty.

[esoxx]

I find it interesting that many of the "top" coaches lost this weekend.

Reid's Eagles looked absolutely terrible against the Vikings and Smith's Falcons lost a home game that they probably should have won.

Fire them!!! They are terrible coaches and don't know how to get their teams ready to play!! Didn't you see them both standing on the sidelines looking like deer in headlights. [sarcasm off]

Word on the street is that both Leslie Fraizer and Eric Studesville both shed their interim coaching tags and earned contract extensions b/c their teams won last week.

Of course, this is pending this week's results.

[mraynrand]

If I had to take 5 players back from IR, it would go like this:

Grant
Finley
Jolly
Neal


And if we had these four players we would be nasty.

Jolly got injured on suspension?

[mraynrand]

If I had to take 5 players back from IR, it would go like this:

Grant
Finley
Jolly
Neal


And if we had these four players we would be nasty.

Seriously, though - you would take Grant over Finley. Really? Did you notice other teams were game planning for Finley and not so much for Grant?

[Bretsky]

WANT TO PONDER A SICK THOUGHT

If we beat Detroit a few weeks ago, this Sunday we'd be playing for the #2 seed in the NFC

[vince]

Why so negative on Jennings Bretsky? Sure he had that TD gift-wrapped and ended up giving the ball away, but he's had a pretty damn good year overall.