The Post-Apocalypse: McCarthy Flunks His First Test

First, some more analysis of the play-calling against the Minnesota Vikings, then a further examination of that long fourth quarter drive, and finally a brief critique of the Green Bay press corps.

Play Calling

Here are the stats on the Green Bay Packers use of its running backs as receivers: eight times targeted, four catches, four yards. The longest play: a thrilling three-yarder to Ty Montgomery. Remember how the Packers had this great weapon in a running back that was a converted receiver? Have you seen them exploit that advantage yet?

In contrast, the Vikings threw seven times to their backs: six completions, 37 yards, and a touchdown. The longest gain by either team in this game was the first play of the second period, a perfectly-executed 27-yard screen to Jerick McKinnon, who strolled almost untouched into the endzone.

Moving on, what did Mike McCarthy dial up for Brett Hundley’s first pass? What would you have done? It’s 3rd-and-2 from the Green Bay 26. Something quick and short to Jordy Nelson or Davante Adams, like a quick slant, right? Instead it goes to Geronimo Allison, who went in motion first to the right, then almost falling in the backfield as he went back to the left, then he cuts out into the flat, where two defenders are waiting. It was a dangerous and difficult throw.

Mackenzie Alexander, knowing the down and distance, jumped the route. It could easily have been a pick-six, but Allison reached in and the ball was tipped into the air, right to Xavier Rhodes. And how about that route by Allison? He ran a pattern behind the line of scrimmage – had he caught the ball he would have been tackled for no gain. And how about that formation? It’s 3rd-and-2, but rather than posing a run-or-pass option, Hundley is the only one in the backfield. That alone telegraphed to the defense it was going to be a quick and short pass.

The Packers are supposedly a fast-starting team, and in this game the Vikings won the coin toss and elected to let the Packers have the first go at it. Green Bay starts out with a three-and-out series. On a 3rd-and-2, Rodgers’ pass over the middle to Martellus Bennett is tipped away by Anthony Barr, whose job all game was to shadow Rodgers to nullify his running ability. On the next mini-drive, Green Bay gets to a 3rd-and-9. The best quarterback in the NFL hands off to Aaron Jones for five yards. The third time the Packers got the ball resulted in that third-down interception by Hundley.

On the afternoon, the Packers were four for 17 on third downs. You can’t help but second-guess the play calling when thirteen third down plays are failures.

Game-Ending Drive

I’ve previously vented about how the Packers showed no will to win in the fourth quarter, when the game was still within reach. I didn’t choose my words lightly when I accused the Packers of conceding this game to the Vikings in the fourth quarter.

I’m still venting, so let me reiterate. While the players kept playing hard, Mike McCarthy signaled with his play calls — 10 short passes in that 15-play drive, that he had quit — not quit playing, but quit trying to win. Had Green Bay scored on that long drive, it would have done no good, as there was no time left for the team to get the second needed score, even with a successful onside kick.

And for what it’s worth, Jeff Janis should be in the game in such situations. He’s the guy to insert when you need a Hail Mary, a jump ball, a fly pattern – he’s taller, stronger, and as fast as most defensive backs – and he proved his usefulness against the Cardinals in the 2016 playoffs. And if not Janis, how about 6’6” and 275-pound Martellus Bennett? And if not him, how about Jordy Nelson?

Here are the gains made, and receivers who caught passes by Green Bay on the drive (except for the first two plays, which were runs by Aaron Jones): Jones (7 yards), Jones (6), Cobb (14), Cobb (5), Jones (1), Adams (5), Adams (19), Bennett (14), Allison (7), Adams (7) – and then the interception when throwing to Nelson.

That’s not playing to win.

McCarthy Tries to Intimidate the Press – And Succeeds

I re-watched McCarthy’s seven-minute postgame press conference, which include over five minutes of questions by the press, and his Monday Q&A session that lasted over 12 minutes. Did anyone have the guts to ask why there were no play calls aimed at getting downfield in a hurry as the clock wound down? No. One guy referred to the play calling at the end of the game, but in such a way that McCarthy easily deflected it.

McCarthy has been trying to intimidate these guys for years, and, by God, he’s been successful at it. When someone bravely uttered two unmentionable words on Sunday – “Colin Kaepernick” – McCarthy positively snarled at him. End of that conversation.

Instead, we get questions like, “Did you know right away that Aaron was hurt?”

At the very tail end of the Monday presser, however, someone carefully asked if the team was looking for a third quarterback. Unlike the day before, McCarthy told the truth this time: “I know the personnel department is looking at some guys right now, but my focus…”

The Packers signed rookie free agent QB Jerod Evans to their practice squad on Tuesday.