McCarthy's Playcalling

[gbgary]

Agreed. Starks has provided a real run threat and that has opened things up a tonne. Towards the end of this game, though, he was getting stuffed at the LOS. Should we be concerned?

no...it happened early too. it's all about the blocking.

[HarveyWallbangers]

actually if my memory serves me right I did what you described above in the game thread last week.

I think MM is a very good playcaller and he's proven that season after season with the points his offenses put

I wasn't talking about you. I was talking about the many others--especially those in the game thread.

[Fritz]

Actually, I felt like, until the end of the game, Starks was hesitating more than he did against Philly. Against the Iggles he shot right through the line of scrimmage. Tonight, he seemed to hesitate and wait. Until that last drive.

[pbmax]

Actually, I felt like, until the end of the game, Starks was hesitating more than he did against Philly. Against the Iggles he shot right through the line of scrimmage. Tonight, he seemed to hesitate and wait. Until that last drive.

There was a lot of trash in the backfield this game. And I think he missed a couple of cutbacks he could have made as Atlanta was pursuing like crazy, esp. in the second half.

Starks had 26 carries for 66 yards or 2.6 ypc. Turner went 10 for 39 for 3.0 ypc. Once the game was in the QB's hands, Rodgers won out.

[bobblehead]

Agreed. Starks has provided a real run threat and that has opened things up a tonne. Towards the end of this game, though, he was getting stuffed at the LOS. Should we be concerned?

Not if MM continues to actually CALL 29 running plays a game to keep the 3rd downs manageable and the defenses honest. I have only had ONE complaint about MM's playcalling and I was very specific and clear as to why. Early this year (and every year) he would not trust the run, call 40 passes to 13-14 running plays and wonder why teams were teeing off on ARod.

I'll say it again so PB can shred me. You MUST be able to run the ball (even for 2.6 a carry) to win in the playoffs. When a team becomes one dimensional....well, you all saw the results when Atlanta fell too far behind. Normally I say you must run it effectively, but that was before I realized ARod is practically perfect.

[pbmax]

That is one advantage Starks has in spades over Jackson, at least according to my memory. He seems to have fewer negative runs. So even if two runs just get 2 yards, 3rd and 6 is not bad. But the Falcons were still teeing off, Starks or no. I think right now, he is having a bigger effect on LBs and play action.

[Smidgeon]

ESPN's NFC North Blogger, Kevin Seifert had this to say today about M3 when asked why M3 doesn't get the same recognition for his playcalling as Martz (emphasis mine):

"I think he has. I know I've tried to point out some of the creative things he's done. It's pretty impressive when a team can run the wishbone just as easily as a five WR set."

[Fritz]

It's not the wishbone. It's "The Bone." As in, "We're going to slam you with 'The Bone.' And you're going to like it."

[mraynrand]

It's not the wishbone. It's "The Bone." As in, "We're going to slam you with 'The Bone.' And you're going to like it."

It should be called the T-BONE!

As in "You can get a good look at a T bone by shoving your head up a bull's ass, but I'd rather take the butcher's word for it"

[Bossman641]

Not if MM continues to actually CALL 29 running plays a game to keep the 3rd downs manageable and the defenses honest. I have only had ONE complaint about MM's playcalling and I was very specific and clear as to why. Early this year (and every year) he would not trust the run, call 40 passes to 13-14 running plays and wonder why teams were teeing off on ARod.

I'll say it again so PB can shred me. You MUST be able to run the ball (even for 2.6 a carry) to win in the playoffs. When a team becomes one dimensional....well, you all saw the results when Atlanta fell too far behind. Normally I say you must run it effectively, but that was before I realized ARod is practically perfect.

+1

I find it hard to complain about play calls that don't work. Giving up on the run too early was a tendency though and led to the defense not playing the run at all. Keep working the run MM!!

[gbgary]

had a moment in the 4th when he got stuck in the we must run mode (to move the clock) and had a three and out when an extended possession would have been nice. other than that called a great game. aggressive passing game, ran when a run wasn't obvious, even pulled a couple of surprises.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I was a bit perturbed by his playcalling in the second half, but none of it matters. It's all about results, and McCarthy has been to an NFC title game and Super Bowl in the last four years. Let's put a championship on his resume.

[Deputy Nutz]

He got very tight after Rodgers threw it to Urlacher. If the Packers would have settled for a field goal they would have iced the game going up 17-0. oops.

[pbmax]

They ran predominantly twice in the second half and went out quickly. One was the second drive of the 3rd Q. The other was late with four minutes left.

But even after Urlacher, McCarthy had at least two drives where he was throwing on 1st or 2nd. Two rolllouts that I remember during that time. I don't think tight covers it, but they weren't going deep. The blown FG was on Rodgers. He had protection and time and then started to dance and move. He should have eaten it. He has shown he is willing to do that during his career. Why he didn't then, when a FG was important, is puzzling.

My only complaint is that without Finley there is no one in the middle of the field they trust. Even Nelson't catch on the crossing route down to the one was WAY after he crossed the center of the field.

[vince]

Rodgers wasn't his usual self in the second half. I don't know if he got his bell rung or was just jumpy after being hit but he wasn't throwing the ball with authority. When they did move the ball in the second half, it seemed to be due to penalties by the Bears. The interception in the red zone was brutal - the kind that change games. From that point it seemed like Rodgers was either throwing it at people's feet or the Bears were able to confuse him and get the Packers offensive timing off kilter one way or another.