Mike McCarthy nearly cost the Packers another game, in today’s 19-17 win over the Ravens. Aside from all of the first-down running which kept the Packers from scoring (they had only 9 points with 2:22 left in the third quarter, allowing the Ravens to stay in the game), he got burned once again by rushing three men. The Packers continue to be burned by this, as it gives the QB all day to find a receiver, and doing this twice in the first half of the playoff game against the Giants two years ago in the 15-1 season, including the Hail Mary at the end of the half, cost them the game. Does McCarthy learn? Today, the Packers led 19-10 (two scores), with 2:40 left in the fourth quarter. The Ravens had a 4th-and-21 from their own 19. McCarthy rushes three, Flacco has all day, and he completes a 63-yard pass to the Packer 18. Flacco threw a TD pass on the next play, meaning it was now only a 2-point game, with 2:04 to play. Once again, McCarthy put a sure win in doubt. The Packers were also out of timeouts, having wasted all three earlier, as they wasted all three in the first half, and never adjusted to having to call timeouts and just getting plays off.
Pack lost two receivers today, so doesn’t that affect play calling–which you ignore in this post, concentrating today on defensive strategy–you just don’t like McCarthy–he’s no better or worse than most of his colleagues–there are only a few NFL coaches who, in my opinion make a positive difference and represent a competitive advantage–Belechick, Peyton, Harbaugh-i, Reid and maybe Tomlin.
They lost Jones early, but Cobb later in the game. Even with non-starter receivers, their chance of scoring by throwing on first downs is better than running, as evidenced again by the fact that they had 9 points until the end of the third quarter, with one of the most explosive offenses in the league. I agree with you that only a few coaches make a positive difference, and that’s sad. I don’t dislike everything about McCarthy’s coaching, just his refusal to learn from the past–passing vs. running on first downs, rushing three men, etc. It seems to me that any coach should notice these things. They chart all the plays, they watch film, they invest in computer systems, etc. How can he not see these things? All he’d have to do is read Sportstruths, and see the evidence every week for 20 years!