Did MM Just Make the Leap...

This will sound weird. But losing JerMichael? Was probably good for this offense.

I think both MM and AR were too reliant on him and when he went down MM realized he needed to use all his weapons. And they did just that. I cannot wait until Finley's back but when he is I know MM will not forget about Jennings JJ Jordy etc.

This team is so loaded. MM is likely salivating at all these guys coming back. Plus an entire 2011 draft. Just nuts.

quote:

Originally posted by michiganjoe:
He did a great job this year, but his overall body of work is too small for him to be considered great. I'd need to see another SB win before I'd consider putting him in that category.

Agreed, Thats all I was trying to say really ...

quote:

Originally posted by MN SnowBong:

Is this your measurement method for all coaches to be "great" or just McCarthy?

Kind of ...

Head Coaches who won Super Bowls: I don't think Billick was great, I don't think Gruden was great, I don't think Switzer was great, I don't think Siefert was great, I don't think Coughlin was great, I don't believe Cowher to be great, at this point I don't think Payton is great ... I believe Belichek to be great, and not many others currently. JMO.

quote:

Originally posted by GBP1:
Everyone uses the word "great" way too, too much anymore. Alexander was Great, Lombardi, Halas, Shula, Starr, Rice, Payton, etc.

I think we can move McCarthy into the elite class of HCs. I, for one, refused to put him there up until they won the last regular game vs the Bears. After that game, he was able to coach-up his team.

But he has a long ways to go before we put him in the same category as Lombardi. Yet, I would say he'll surpass Holmy soon enough.

Word.

Great is overused. He is elite relative to the present cast of NFL coaches. If he gets one more SB, he is in the discussion. Two more and there is no discussion.

quote:

Originally posted by packerboi:
This will sound weird. But losing JerMichael? Was probably good for this offense.

I think both MM and AR were too reliant on him and when he went down MM realized he needed to use all his weapons. And they did just that. I cannot wait until Finley's back but when he is I know MM will not forget about Jennings JJ Jordy etc.

This team is so loaded. MM is likely salivating at all these guys coming back. Plus an entire 2011 draft. Just nuts.

I agree 100% and have reflected on this several times.

I think not having Finley forced AR to progress from the standpoint of ball distribution and away from locking in.

Assuming the injury does not hamper Finley, it may have been a blessing in disguise.

Imagine 3WR sets with Finley where Jennings is going deep, James Jones and Jordy are spreading the field elsewhere, and Finley is rumbling down the middle of the field. (And not to dismiss Driver, just using one scenario and the one that may last for years to come.)

http://www.nationalfootballpos...-about-McCarthy.html


Matt Bowen at NFP weighs in on MM's impact this year

"Greatness" is determined by the media. It's part personality, part product. What does he achieve, and what's the style he had in doing it? The less personality there is, the more product or achievements there must be. Ted Thompson has absolutely no personality. He is a black hole for personality and sucks up the personality of those around him. But, everybody is starting to see his greatness because of the results of his drafts and the team he has assembled. McCarthy has some personality, but he is a little bland, although that works for me. I like the Pittsburgh/Wisconsin blue collar approach, but he won't make people think he's great because of his charisma. How different is this guy's personality from all the guys who play fantasy football?? On the other hand, I think his understanding of personalities and dynamics is excellent. He might miss things at times, like the silly team photo flap, but he will recognize and appreciate the importance once it's brought to his attention. But clearly McCarthy has assembled a very good coaching staff and has been an excellent teacher, particularly for QB's. I think we tend to judge coaches primarily in terms of their gameday performance, play calling and game management, but I think McCarthy can already be considered one of the top coaches based on his teaching and organizational skills. Play calling and game management is fluid, and he'll continue to tinker and improve, but having had this Super Bowl victory will only make him better in the future. But I think he'll be fine having the personalities of his players dominate the media perception of this team.

I think McCarthy has done a great job adjusting the West Coast Offense to an offense that he designed to get the most production out of every player on his offense. Plus he's IRISH !!!!

The one thing I'd like to see from MM next season that I can't remember the last time I saw is the ability to run the four-minute offense at the end of the game, in order to keep the ball away from the opposing team's defense. Look what the Steelers did at the end of the AFC-CG against the Jets.

I was pleased to see the Packers run a good five minutes off the clock on the last FG drive in the Super Bowl, although the Steelers still had close to two minutes for the final drive. But if you look at other recent games, they failed to run the four-minute offense in the NFC-CG, and Caleb Hanie got relatively far down the field.
Ditto the Wild Card game against Philadelphia, in which Vick got even closer to the end zone.
The Bears in Week 17 also had a drive at the end of the game to try to tie the score because the Packers couldn't run out the clock.

quote:

Originally posted by danhandy:
MM was magnificent down the stretch, but if you all remember after the losses to the skins and fish everyone was calling for his head. OH MY, how we flip-flop.

Always darkest just before the dawn.

All I remember about the 6-10 year is I kept turning to Mrs. Blair Kiel after losses and saying, "This is a damn good football team".

Honest.

quote:

Originally posted by GBP1:

quote:

Originally posted by danhandy:
MM was magnificent down the stretch, but if you all remember after the losses to the skins and fish everyone was calling for his head. OH MY, how we flip-flop.

Always darkest just before the dawn.

Speak for yourselves.

quote:

Originally posted by Blair Kiel:
All I remember about the 6-10 year is I kept turning to Mrs. Blair Kiel after losses and saying, "This is a damn good football team" and get off of Henry's lap.

Honest.

FTFY

Interesting thread. Thought I'd bump it to find out if anyone has other thoughts now.

I think this year will tell. His playcalling is starting to come around, or at least there's fewer head-scratching plays. If he can go deep into the playoffs despite any injuries (except to AR), and any other distractions that will pop up (because they always do), then we can start debating "great."

Oh, and I'd still like to see some semblance of a running game in the fourth quarter when we have a lead.

Not for me, except begrudgingly Coughlin ...

I think greatness in NFL coaching ranks is based on championships. JMO.

I am a Bills fan too, I consider Marv Levy a very good NFL coach in historical terms, not great. Butler and Polian put a lot of talent on the field in Buffalo during that span.

MM is heading that way but IMO, is not there yet.

I have come to really embrace MM as head coach. He is organized and the players play hard for him. He is unrivaled in QB development and is creative with his offense. He embraces and respects the Packers tradition and greatness of the organization and past players.

If I had any criticism of MM, it is:
1. His lack of committment to a running game. Maybe Benson will change that.
2. His playcalling on 3rd/4th and short is head scratching at times.
3. Will the o-line EVER be a team strength in the MM era?

quote:

Originally posted by Badgeman:
3. Will the o-line EVER be a team strength in the MM era?

Isn't this more on Thompson?

If any preseason game means anything, its week 3. It's pretty much the only time a game plan is installed for the first half. A barometer of where the starters are for week 1.

GB is 5-0 in week 3 preseaon games since 2008 and the starters have played well in each of them.

MM just gets it. I wouldn't want anyone else coaching this team.

quote:

Originally posted by Hungry5:

quote:

Originally posted by Badgeman:
3. Will the o-line EVER be a team strength in the MM era?

Isn't this more on Thompson?

I'd say it's on MM because he's the guy who names the o-line coach. We have guys who show they have talent in college, but they seem to stall or climb very slowly when they get to GB and I lay that on the coaches.

quote:

Originally posted by Badgeman:
I have come to really embrace MM as head coach. He is organized and the players play hard for him. He is unrivaled in QB development and is creative with his offense. He embraces and respects the Packers tradition and greatness of the organization and past players.

If I had any criticism of MM, it is:
1. His lack of committment to a running game. Maybe Benson will change that.
2. His playcalling on 3rd/4th and short is head scratching at times.
3. Will the o-line EVER be a team strength in the MM era?

This is exactly how I feel..

The best part about MM is he LEARNS from his mistakes. He doesn't have clock management or challenge issues anymore. He went from being a poor game day manager in his first few years to being solid as a rock.

quote:

3. Will the o-line EVER be a team strength in the MM era?

Bulaga: Widely considered a top young RT on the verge of many pro bowls
Sitton: Considered to be one of the best in the game
Lang: A very good young G that's an ascending player
Saturday: Multiple pro bowl player
Newhouse: Young player that's more than capable of holding his own
Sherrod: #1 pick that sustained a terrible injury. Has a bright future.
EDS: Top backup for all interior positions. Has proven he can come in and play
Wells: Veteran backup that should be able to fill in where needed

Perhaps it's not as bad as some think?

quote:

Originally posted by Fandame:
I'd say it's on MM because he's the guy who names the o-line coach. We have guys who show they have talent in college, but they seem to stall or climb very slowly when they get to GB and I lay that on the coaches.

Development of Lang, Sitton, and to some degree Newhouse and EDS?

quote:

Originally posted by Pakrz:
Newhouse: Young player that's more than capable of holding his own

Disagree.

More often than not last season Newhouse needed help when playing LT. He didn't get it very often, which was one of my few issues with MM's playcalling last year.

I don't want to see Newhouse trying to block Aldon Smith by himself in a little over two weeks from now.

He's going to need some help.

quote:

Originally posted by FreeSafety:

quote:

Originally posted by Pakrz:
Newhouse: Young player that's more than capable of holding his own

Disagree.

More often than not last season Newhouse needed help when playing LT. He didn't get it very often, which was one of my few issues with MM's playcalling last year.

No kidding. Use Finley to help him block.

Most team's use other players to help the T's block the edge. There's not that many Jake Long's in the league. Most guys need help, depending on the matchup.

Recent comment from McCarthy on his offensive strateragy


“I believe in attacking," McCarthy says. "I’m not trying to shorten the game when we run the no-huddle. I’m not trying to win by three, or win by making fewer mistakes. That’s not us.”

Old school MM photo from his days at Baker University. Didn't know the guy is in the Baker U HOF from his days as a TE.



These days I'm a Mike McCarthy fan first.

Reading between the lines, that's a direct shot at teams like the Bears & Giants

He certainly hasnt taken a leap IMO after taking a very talented team to the playoffs just to see them piss themselves in round 1. If anything he took a big step backwards last year....

quote:

Originally posted by Satori:
Recent comment from McCarthy on his offensive strateragy


“I believe in attacking," McCarthy says. "I’m not trying to shorten the game when we run the no-huddle. I’m not trying to win by three, or win by making fewer mistakes. That’s not us.”

Sigh...I heart him.

quote:

Originally posted by Ryan Grant:
He certainly hasnt taken a leap IMO after taking a very talented team to the playoffs just to see them piss themselves in round 1. If anything he took a big step backwards last year....

What did he do to cost them that game? The D did their usual and the guys on offense crapped the bed with uncharacteristic turnovers

quote:

Originally posted by CAPackfan:

quote:

Originally posted by Ryan Grant:
He certainly hasnt taken a leap IMO after taking a very talented team to the playoffs just to see them piss themselves in round 1. If anything he took a big step backwards last year....

What did he do to cost them that game? The D did their usual and the guys on offense crapped the bed with uncharacteristic turnovers

You're right that it's not on MM. That was a tough week with Philbin's son, but still no excuse for the dropsies. But here's what's different about MM: I bet he learned from that week/game/experience and will use it to the team's benefit in the future.

One thing that has impressed me about MM is his ability to reflect and learn from things that happen to the team, his own mistakes, etc. That says a lot about a guy when they are willing to take time to reflect on what they could be doing better in order to make the team better. Too many coaches want the team to conform to them; MM sets the team first.

Herm Edwards considers McCarthy to be an elite coach. But he thinks Norv Turner is too.