Remember those commercials for Dove Men’s Skin Care featuring a number of ex-jocks? The one I remember best was of John Elway talking about his family life and how he likes to dance even though it makes the rest of his family turn red. Elway assures us he feels comfortable in his own skin.
At the Wednesday press conference, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy wasn’t comfortable in his own skin – something or someone got under it, prompting the coach to fire back: “I don’t know why the hell I have to come in here and answer questions about what you think went wrong on offense.”
That’s a pretty good-sized loss of cool for a Wednesday morning.
There would be something terribly wrong if reporters didn’t think the weaknesses of the team’s passing attack was newsworthy and the primary topic of interest for its readers.
The problem has been very well identified: Aaron Rodgers’ quarterback rating was under 100 for 14 consecutive games, since his 107.7 rating on October 18, 2015 up to his 129.3 rating in week 3 against Detroit. One week later Rodgers’ rating returned to 65.0 against the Giants.
The defense is carrying this team at the moment. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers has liberally and creatively utilized and mixed in his full complement of players. He’s given his young players opportunities and they’ve responded well. He constantly presents different defensive formations and personnel groupings. His stunting and unpredictable looks have kept offenses confused and off-balance. He’s willing to take calculated risks.
What’s working so well with Dom Capers’ defense demonstrates what’s so wrong with Mike McCarthy’s offense.