McCarthy's Playcalling

[HarveyWallbangers]

I thought the same thing as red did immediately, but after the Eagles kicked the FG I thought about it and I think it was the right move by McCarthy. Certainly, debatable. We were up 14-3. Nothing wrong with going into halftime up 14-3. The Eagles had the wind--which likely meant a touchback. If we call the timeout, the Eagles would have been in good position if they stopped us from getting a first. Ball inside our own 30 (at least), punting into the wind to Desean Jackson. McCarthy was conservative there, and I think it was the right move. They wouldn't have had to move far to get in FG range with the wind behind Akers.

[swede]

to me the mismanagement at the end of the first half started before we even got the ball. i think at the 2 minute warning it was 3rd and goal for the eagles. we stopped them. at that point IMO we should have used 1 of the 2 timouts we had left. they would have kicked the FG and we would have gotten the ball back with somewhere around 1:50 left. we have almost a full 2 miuntes to run the 2 minute drill and get into FG range at the very least.

instead we didn't take the timeout and we let 40 seconds or so run off the clock. by the time we got the ball back there was just over a minute left. then we ran the ball up the middle on first down and damn near gave me a stroke.

Yep. I was screaming also. He feels no need to collect points before the end of first halves. Sometimes you need those points at the end of the game.

At least he took a shot with JJ. That placated me somewhat.

[swede]

I thought the same thing as red did immediately, but after the Eagles kicked the FG I thought about it and I think it was the right move by McCarthy. Certainly, debatable. We were up 14-3. Nothing wrong with going into halftime up 14-3. The Eagles had the wind--which likely meant a touchback. If we call the timeout, the Eagles would have been in good position if they stopped us from getting a first. Ball inside our own 30 (at least), punting into the wind to Desean Jackson. McCarthy was conservative there, and I think it was the right move. They wouldn't have had to move far to get in FG range with the wind behind Akers.

Okay, this makes sense, and maybe Stubby is using a slide rule and an anemometer to make these judgements, but my God with this kind of caution you can't call yourself a tough guy from Pittsburgh.

[Scott Campbell]

to me the mismanagement at the end of the first half started before we even got the ball. i think at the 2 minute warning it was 3rd and goal for the eagles. we stopped them. at that point IMO we should have used 1 of the 2 timouts we had left. they would have kicked the FG and we would have gotten the ball back with somewhere around 1:50 left. we have almost a full 2 miuntes to run the 2 minute drill and get into FG range at the very least.

instead we didn't take the timeout and we let 40 seconds or so run off the clock. by the time we got the ball back there was just over a minute left. then we ran the ball up the middle on first down and damn near gave me a stroke.

Exactly. The entire possession was a cluster. I couldn't believe he didn't use that timeout. 17-3 or 21-3 would have made for a pretty demoralizing Eagles halftime. Take the kill shot. What's the point of having an explosive offense if you're not willing to light the fuse every once in a while.

[Scott Campbell]

I don't mind playing to protect a lead in the 4th quarter. But I don't see playing to protect a halftime lead.

[Joemailman]

He took his shot at a touchdown and had the perfect play called. It's not his fault James Jones dropped the ball. He probably figured kicking a field goal was improbable because he was going into the wind.

[denverYooper]

He took his shot at a touchdown and had the perfect play called. It's not his fault James Jones dropped the ball. He probably figured kicking a field goal was improbable because he was going into the wind.

Yup. Jones doesn't drop that ball and this conversation is much different.

[vince]

He took his shot at a touchdown and had the perfect play called. It's not his fault James Jones dropped the ball. He probably figured kicking a field goal was improbable because he was going into the wind.

I'll be listenign for McCarthy's response to the question he's sure to be asked about this, but I suspect this is exactly right. They weren't nearly as close as they seemed given the strong wind they were playing into. Plus, like Harvey said if you call timeout and throw incomplete on 3rd and have to punt - into the wind, to Jackson, you're playing with fire.
It was conservative, but understandable.

[mraynrand]

I don't mind playing to protect a lead in the 4th quarter. But I don't see playing to protect a halftime lead.

I would agree with you, except that this is not what Stubby did. he lulled that defense to sleep and took a shot, that should have been a TD. Stubby was playing to score and they should have gone in 21-3.

[red]

i can understand not wanting to punt back to jackson, but we were completely unstoppable in the first half, our offensive was killing them and our defensive was killer

we had all the momentum, our d just comes up with a huge stop, then they get on the board for the first time. that gave them life

i would have loved for use to slam the door back in their face at the point going into the half.

he took his one shot after that and jones fucked it all up, but at that point i got the feeling MM said to himself "well i tired" lets head to the locker room

heres a play recap of that last drive

we get the ball at 1:11 left in the half at the 20

1st down is a run by jackson for 5 yards, no timeout called, we have 2

22 seconds run off the clock

rodgers throws incomplete on 2nd down clock stops

on third and 5 rodgers hits quarless for 12 yards. we take our second timeout with 37 seconds left

1st down from the 37. this is the jones drop clock stops with 31 seconds left

play is late getting in which has been a problem with MM, delay of game, 5 yard penalty

2nd and 15 from the 32. pass to jackson for 11 yards NO TIMEOUT TAKEN. MM lets the clock run out

it would have been third and 4 with around 20-25 seconds left with us at our own 42

i'm sorry but i can not accept not trying for anything else at that point, at least keep trying. hard wind or not, at least try a long FG if you have to

[red]

on the flip side

philly got the ball at the end of the game on their own 34 with a 1:45 left

vick was throwing into our endzone with 44 seconds left from our 27

[gbgary]

Yup. Jones doesn't drop that ball and this conversation is much different.

had it gone for a td mm would have just shut things down even sooner. it still would have come down to philly trying to win it in the last seconds...or maybe even the Packers trying to win it. my point is that it never should have come to this. he should have kept his foot on the gas to the finish line.

[PA Pack Fan]

There is no excuse for the debacle right before the half. I can't think of one NFL coach who wouldv'e done the same thing. The playoffs is no time to be conservative.

[RashanGary]

I was OK with how the half ended. There were twenty some seconds left and our only chance was a prayer bomb. Jones Dropped our real shot.

[packer4life]

probably already asked, but why did MM switch the tackles?