McCarthy and "Close Games"

[pbmax]

IMO Zero 4th quarter wins says it all. How can you lead a team during crucial games when the players know they have failed to win a close game this season?

Same thing you say to them when you win in the first, second and third quarter.

[vince]

There's no chance of the Packers firing Mike McCarthy, who's done an outstanding job getting this cobbled together team iin playoff contention this year and has put together some of the most prolific offenses in the league in his tenure, all while turning over and putting together an outstaning defensive staff - much less hiring Jim Harbaugh or anyone else.

McCarthy has work to do with regard to special teams and he, like all coaches is far from perfect, but the notion that he should be or is going to be fired is ridiculous at this point. They all get fired sooner or later, so hang in there mm and rb - you'll be proven right eventually, but the talk of McCarthy getting fired is grossly misplaced right now.

[Fritz]

Thank you, Vince. A voice of sanity.

[rbaloha1]

Same thing you say to them when you win in the first, second and third quarter.

Close games are won in the 4th quarter -- MM has zero cred.

[rbaloha1]

There's no chance of the Packers firing Mike McCarthy, who's done an outstanding job getting this cobbled together team iin playoff contention this year and has put together some of the most prolific offenses in the league in his tenure, all while turning over and putting together an outstaning defensive staff - much less hiring Jim Harbaugh or anyone else.

McCarthy has work to do with regard to special teams and he, like all coaches is far from perfect, but the notion that he should be or is going to be fired is ridiculous at this point. They all get fired sooner or later, so hang in there mm and rb - you'll be proven right eventually, but the talk of McCarthy getting fired is grossly misplaced right now.

Lets wait until the end of the season. Should the trend continue the 0-line and st coaches could be gone.

[rbaloha1]

If the Packers hire Jim Harbaugh, I will start to watch soccer instead.

Do you have the soccer channel yet?

[rbaloha1]

Thank you, Vince. A voice of sanity.

Voice of sanity for Packer fans denying reality.

[HarveyWallbangers]

What happens if we beat the Giants and Bears in the final two weeks and then beat the Bears in the first round of the playoffs?

[Joemailman]

What happens if we beat the Giants and Bears in the final two weeks and then beat the Bears in the first round of the playoffs?

It only counts if we beat them by 4 or less.

[Gunakor]

Without a doubt, MM offense can put up great stats -- even Sherman wit the U71 also put up great stats.

My point in referencing the stats over the years was to point out an anomaly this season. Our offense has been top 5, top 10 in both points and yards in each of the last 3 seasons. This year they are not. I contend this is very specifically due to the loss of Ryan Grant. Without a legitimate workhorse at RB half the playbook gets thrown out the window. Not only the run game struggles, but play action doesn't work either. Then you lose your threat at TE and become even more constricted in your playcalling. At the same time, opposing defenses have less to plan against, making it that much more difficult to move the ball against them.

My post was, after all, in response to your contention that even without injuries MM will and has always screwed it up. I just wanted to illustrate that he hasn't screwed up as much as you'd like to believe during his time here, and that perhaps injuries at key positions have indeed played a very significant role in our offensive struggles this season.

[Gunakor]

Close games are won in the 4th quarter -- MM has zero cred.

Then let's not make games close. I'd much rather blow out the competition by halftime anyway.

Which really speaks to the big concern I do have with McCarthy, that being his tendency to take his foot off the gas as soon as he gets a comfortable lead.

[packrulz]

Bottom line: you have to be able to run the ball in close games, the Packers running game doesn't scare anyone, defenses usually get away with rushing only 3 or 4 down lineman, and have the luxury of dropping everyone into coverage. Even more than special teams, the Packers offensive line has to run block better, open some holes! Otherwise, they're not going very far even if they do make the playoffs.

[th87]

I was watching SoundFX with Mike Holmgren, and he said to the victorious Packers, "You guys just wanted it more." Usually, I dismiss such statements as cliches, but it got me thinking. That 96 team had some real ruthless players on it - Reggie White, Wayne Simmons, Sean Jones, Frank Winters, the QB, etc. Players who would run through a brick wall to win.

This team is very talented, but it doesn't appear to have the ruthlessness of the 96 squad. The players are nice people, and excellent players, but they don't seem to have the extra gear to really want to break their opponents. This may be a cause of close losses as well.

[Patler]

I was watching SoundFX with Mike Holmgren, and he said to the victorious Packers, "You guys just wanted it more." Usually, I dismiss such statements as cliches, but it got me thinking. That 96 team had some real ruthless players on it - Reggie White, Wayne Simmons, Sean Jones, Frank Winters, the QB, etc. Players who would run through a brick wall to win.

This team is very talented, but it doesn't appear to have the ruthlessness of the 96 squad. The players are nice people, and excellent players, but they don't seem to have the extra gear to really want to break their opponents. This may be a cause of close losses as well. TT's Seattle teams seemed to have a similar personality, so I'd be curious to see their records in close games.

For a lot of successful NFL teams there is an aura of "nastiness". Watch the Steelers play. There are a lot of players on the Steelers who hit as hard as they can always, whether blocking, tackling or running with the ball. There is an overriding demeanor of toughness in their style of play. I think it tends to wear down opponents. The Packers have a few of those players, like Mathews and Bishop. Woodson has it for the position he plays. Offensively, the Packers show very little of that, which is what makes Kuhn a refreshing change when he carries the ball. Some writers have suggested that Sitton has an edginess to his game, but I don't think it comes out well in the Packers offensive scheme, which tends to be more finesse.

I think you can succeed either way, but "nastier" teams may have a mental edge against some players.

[mraynrand]

What happens if we beat the Giants and Bears in the final two weeks and then beat the Bears in the first round of the playoffs?

We play in the Divisional round