McCarthy's play calling-let's discuss it

[Maxie the Taxi]

On a side note....it bothers me to see #4 out there yelling at teammates after they have made a mistake or blown an assignment, talk to them, get in there face a bit but getting borderline hysterical and humiliating someone usually does not help the situation.

Me too. I mentioned it earlier in the season. Last night he really got after Clifton one time. Did any team mate get in his face after the gift to Urlacher?

I'm not gonna say that Brett was mugging for the cameras. I will say he was well aware the whole nation was watching him. I thought before the game he was a bit too solemn. That usually doesn't bode well. Then, he played well in the first half and I thought he was OK. But as the game progressed I thought he got a little hysterical at times, losing his cool. I noticed him go off on Clifton. In fact, I even noticed him go off on Driver early in the game for not coming back to him in a scramble situation. Brett plays better when he's loose, not strung as tight as a violin. Of course, his "gift" to Urlacher was the last straw.

[BallHawk]

Brett's very obvious before the game on how he feels about their chances of winning. If he's fine he'll be laughing and smiling and cracking jokes. If he's nervous, like he was last night, he'll have the solemn, glazed look in his eyes. It's a dead giveaway.

[Partial]

Harv and Superfan did not see it on TV, but the OL was getting destroyed every time they dropped back to pass it seemed.

Ogunleye was unblockable in the 4th quarter and this is why they had to run the ball in some odd situations. Even with a three step drop Favre was looking around hoping to find a target and was not getting one.

The 3rd and 6 was a questionable run call but it was unpredictable and with Wynn averaging 4-5 ypc (discounting his big long run) it didn't seem that far fetched considering they'd be in a nickel or dime set-up to stop the pass.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Brett's very obvious before the game on how he feels about their chances of winning. If he's fine he'll be laughing and smiling and cracking jokes. If he's nervous, like he was last night, he'll have the solemn, glazed look in his eyes. It's a dead giveaway.

Self-fulfilling prophecy or something like that?

[Scott Campbell]

Then why not sit him for the rest of the season or forever?

Forever is a long time, especially if he's taking up a roster spot.

I don't think the play falls off so far when Martin is in there that you can't afford to sit a guy after 2 fumbles.

My thinking is that his confidence would have already been shaken after the two fumbles, and not by anything the coach said or did at that point.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Then why not sit him for the rest of the season or forever?

Forever is a long time, especially if he's taking up a roster spot.

I don't think the play falls off so far when Martin is in there that you can't afford to sit a guy after 2 fumbles.

My thinking is that his confidence would have already been shaken after the two fumbles, and not by anything the coach said or did at that point.

You know what, I can understand MM's anger during the emotion of the game (even though I don't agree with his actions as a result of that anger), but I'm sure that once MM sees the film he won't be as emotional with JJ.

I just watched both catches and fumbles in slow motion once again. The two plays were almost identical. The ball was thrown waist high and slightly behind JJ. He reached behind and backhanded both balls. Made a couple of great catches, actually. But because he backhanded the ball in both cases, he couldn't tuck it away immediately. As he turned to move up the field, the CB punched the ball out. All happened in a split second.

A receiver with ordinary hands wouldn't have made those catches. If the ball had been thrown higher and out in front of JJ, he could have snagged the pass with a normal motion and tucked it away in stride with his extended arms and body between the ball the defender.

I'm not excusing the fumbles, but they weren't fumbles caused by carelessness or lack of concentration. They were errors of a rookie player trying to make a play as best he could.

JJ was simply snake bit twice by circumstance and a cagey, veteran CB. I hope MM eventually sees it that way. I did.

[Carolina_Packer]

I just watched both catches and fumbles in slow motion once again. The two plays were almost identical. The ball was thrown waist high and slightly behind JJ. He reached behind and backhanded both balls. Made a couple of great catches, actually. But because he backhanded the ball in both cases, he couldn't tuck it away immediately. As he turned to move up the field, the CB punched the ball out. All happened in a split second.

Kind of like where McGee is catching the ball in your avatar, huh, Maxie?

[privatepacker]

I think two reasons contributed to the Packers play calling:
1. Field Position
2. Getting their asses beat by the Bears D-Line
It's very hard to open the offense when you keep starting between your 15 to 20 yard line. Hard then to run when you get no push on the D-line and they are pressuring your QB when he does drop back. Because of the age I would say that the 2nd half the Packers O-Line got very complacient.

[mraynrand]

Then why not sit him for the rest of the season or forever?

Forever is a long time, especially if he's taking up a roster spot.

I don't think the play falls off so far when Martin is in there that you can't afford to sit a guy after 2 fumbles.

My thinking is that his confidence would have already been shaken after the two fumbles, and not by anything the coach said or did at that point.

OK, but then for how long? One series, one half, one game, one season, trade him immediately? HOW LONG?

[mraynrand]

Brett's very obvious before the game on how he feels about their chances of winning. If he's fine he'll be laughing and smiling and cracking jokes. If he's nervous, like he was last night, he'll have the solemn, glazed look in his eyes. It's a dead giveaway.

You guys who can read Favre's expressions and predict the future are wasting your time here. Take out a second mortgage, sell the car, whatever but go somewhere and lay the bet. Also, I'm sure you could co-host with John Edward or something. Maybe run a psychic hotline or something.

[Maxie the Taxi]

I just watched both catches and fumbles in slow motion once again. The two plays were almost identical. The ball was thrown waist high and slightly behind JJ. He reached behind and backhanded both balls. Made a couple of great catches, actually. But because he backhanded the ball in both cases, he couldn't tuck it away immediately. As he turned to move up the field, the CB punched the ball out. All happened in a split second.

Kind of like where McGee is catching the ball in your avatar, huh, Maxie?

Yeah, almost exactly. Funny I didn't notice that. Of course, there was a CB hanging on JJ's back.

[Him8123]

I`m fine with MM to a certain point. I understand that we need to establish the run game. But in the second half it`s like we reversed from throwing 75 percent and running 25, to running 75 and passing 25. He almost completely abandoned the passing game. The last drive we had we marhed down the field passing. Why did we not do that more?? God I`m still throwing up in my mouth.

[BallHawk]

I`m fine with MM to a certain point. I understand that we need to establish the run game. But in the second half it`s like we reversed from throwing 75 percent and running 25, to running 75 and passing 25. He almost completely abandoned the passing game. The last drive we had we marhed down the field passing. Why did we not do that more?? God I`m still throwing up in my mouth.

The Bears were playing to stop the TD on that last drive. That's why the middle of the field was wide open, unfortunately.

[esoxx]

Brett's very obvious before the game on how he feels about their chances of winning. If he's fine he'll be laughing and smiling and cracking jokes. If he's nervous, like he was last night, he'll have the solemn, glazed look in his eyes. It's a dead giveaway.

I've never bought into this concept. It's actually pretty silly.

If Jones doesn't fumble at the Bears 16 they're likely going in for another 7 and it's 14-0. That changed the entire complexion of the game. The Bears had been reeling, especially after getting lit up for 35 in the 4th quarter last week against the Lions. Another score there and a big deficit and I'm pretty sure the rout is on.

The two 1st half fumbles game them hope and life.

The Packers dominated the Bears in the first half and only had a 10 point lead to show for it. I'm not sure how the look on Brett Favre's face before the game had anything to do with it.