McCarthy Dismisses Losing Mentality

During Mike McCarthy's season-ending news conference he described the emotions of yet another crushing season-ending play when he fired back that his staff and players “do not possess a losing mentality around here”.

In a blunt season-ending news conference at Lambeau Field Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy played defense with reporters.  Pressed to describe the emotions of a second straight crushing season-ending play McCarthy fired back that his staff and players “do not possess a losing mentality around here”.

"We're not scared to talk about winning world championships and what you have to do to win world championships," McCarthy said Monday. "The fact of the matter is we were a successful football team this year; we just did not reach the level of success that we wanted to attain. That's the reality of the game of football, in my opinion."

Each year the Green Bay Packers and 31 other teams begin the season with an eye on the ultimate prize - the Super Bowl.  For a handful that goal is merely a pipe dream – a good talking point but with little substance. 

Yet there are a few teams such as the NE Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers where the expectation every year is that the Super Bowl is a realistic goal within reach.  This past season was no different.

Was the Packers season a success even though they didn’t make it to the ultimate game?  Is their glass half-full or half-empty?

In reality the case could be made pro-or-con and each argument would have merit.

On the plus side the team qualified for the playoffs for a seventh consecutive year.  Only the New England Patriots can boast an accomplishment that lofty.  No other current franchise has even six in a row.

They had a ten-win regular season followed by a decisive first-round playoff victory.  Yet for the third straight year the Packers were eliminated on the last play of the game.  And only once in that afore-mentioned seven year run did the Packers win more than just one playoff game in any one season.  The exception of course is that magical 2010-11 season.

Each season seems to be a roller coaster of high-highs and low-lows.  Maybe none more than this season and their final game against the Cardinals.  That game was accurately termed a microcosm of the season by head coach Mike McCarthy.  The high of a remarkable Hail Mary TD to Jeff Janis quickly followed by a knife through the heart with a Larry Fitzgerald TD to abruptly end the game and their season.

It was remarkably similar to last year’s season where the elation of a 12-point lead with four minutes to go was immediately followed by a crushing loss in OT to the Seattle Seahawks.  When asked of the similar ends to his 2014 and 2015 season’s McCarthy replied that each year is different, each team is different and thinking differently would lead to a ‘losing mentality”.

During the news conference a largely unguarded McCarthy shed some light on his current disappointments and future plans to ensure there is not a repeat-collapse following the upcoming season.

According to the head coach end-of-season player exit interviews started on Tuesday and one of the first veteran in McCarthy’s office was tail back Eddie Lacy.  McCarthy without being prompted minced no words when he told the assemblage that Lacy came to camp overweight and ill-prepared for the season despite saying differently throughout the season.

"Eddie Lacy, he's got a lot of work to do," said McCarthy. "I think I'm stating the obvious. His off-season last year was not good enough, and he never recovered from it. I had a chance to talk to Eddie today and that was pretty much the majority of our whole conversation.  So, he has to get it done because he cannot play at the weight that he played at this year," McCarthy concluded.

It could also be said that McCarthy put his boss, General Manager Ted Thompson, on public notice that he needs personnel to fix the more vexing problems that he encountered this season. 

  • “Clay Matthews is an outside linebacker” said McCarthy, and he is more valuable rushing the passer than playing inside.  McCarthy’s goal is to move him back outside which has “always been my goal”.  To do so he will need an effective inside force to take over for Matthews.
  • This year he lacked “a big target who can go over the middle”.  Such a weapon would have rendered other receivers much more effective.
  • That his coaching staff didn’t do enough from a coaching standpoint to adjust to major personnel changes due to injury “by helping out those individuals”.  Presumably he was talking primarily about his offensive line struggles - Rodgers was pressured on a career high 33.4% on his dropbacks - which would have been remedied by having capable backups on the roster or acquiring them during the season.

Lastly McCathy admitted that his offensive coaching staff “structure was obviously part of the problem”.  The remedy is that play-calling, McCarthy stressed, would continue to be handled solely by him.

The Green Bay Packers view themselves as an elite franchise.  One that contends each and every year for a Super Bowl Championship.  If that is indeed true, and I think it is not only from a franchise standpoint but from fans, then this season has to labeled a disappointment.  Perhaps even a failure.

Now comes the off-season.  A time to re-load for next season.  A time to implement a plan to prevent yet another premature exit from the playoffs and waste another precious year of what is left of Aaron Rodgers' career.

And maybe, just maybe might the draft not account as the sole source of player acquisition for the Green Bay Packers?  We can only hope.

 

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Comments (85)

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Dr.Rodgers's picture

January 20, 2016 at 07:03 am

McCarthy needs to improve his off season preparation and come in at coaching weight. Also additions at tight end, punter, inside linebacker, offensive tackle, defensive end, wide receiver, running back and defensive coordinator. Dom Capers has had his chances. We need somebody with some fire on the sidelines, not sitting in a skybox.

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Razer's picture

January 20, 2016 at 08:54 am

Sorry - our defense was the strength of this team. Despite playing rookies in key positions and playing around talent gaps, the defense kept us in almost every game. Firing Capers is what the Cleveland Browns organization would do

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dobber's picture

January 20, 2016 at 10:16 am

I think that Dom doesn't leave GB until he decides he's ready to retire.

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Evan's picture

January 20, 2016 at 10:20 am

And then Whitt or Moss get promoted.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 21, 2016 at 01:00 am

Evan, clearly the FO thinks highly of Winston Moss. I don't even know what the guy does other than coach LBs. He coached ILBs from 2009 to 2013, so he doesn't get credit for CM3, but does get credit for Desmond Bishop, though he apparently did not have enough influence to get his bosses to play Bishop or he did not see that Bishop was ready himself. He coached all LBs in 2014, so I guess he gets credit for getting Peppers prepared to play OLB, and for Perry and Neal, though the last two are problematic.

i don't really have an opinion on Moss, just always surprised by the love he gets. I don't think he has churned out a bunch of stud LBs - some were pretty good, lots of guys who never turned out.

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Dr.Rodgers's picture

January 21, 2016 at 10:55 pm

What a genius.thanks.mbye

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Dr.Rodgers's picture

January 20, 2016 at 10:43 am

Yes,the defense was the strength of the team, but we need it to show up at critical times like overtime when it was most needed. Remember when Kevin Greene told Clay Matthews "It's time!" in our last Super Bowl appearance? That's what I mean. Maybe Dom Capers should get his ass downstairs and be part of the game. Then maybe McCarthy can light some fire under his ass.

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Evan's picture

January 20, 2016 at 10:51 am

So, if only someone had told Sam Shields "it's time" he would have caught those 3 INTs? Is coaching really that simple?

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dschwalm's picture

January 20, 2016 at 02:00 pm

But that is certainly an over simplification of the issue!

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Dr.Rodgers's picture

January 20, 2016 at 05:13 pm

Yes you're right. My post was completely idiotic. Thanks for the correction. Bye.

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Dr.Rodgers's picture

January 21, 2016 at 10:56 pm

Yup. He's a millionaire. Time to step up. Put up or shut up. Lombardi wouldn't put up with the dropsy-wopsies.

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WilsonMaywick's picture

January 20, 2016 at 05:49 pm

Exactly!!

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DrealynWilliams's picture

January 21, 2016 at 02:21 pm

Lol, well, at least he agreed...

<\sarcasm>

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bears suck forever's picture

January 20, 2016 at 07:11 am

30 other teams will also not win the superbowl this year. Think how Bengals and Vikings fans feel.

See you next year.

How long do brats last in the freezer?

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Dr.Rodgers's picture

January 21, 2016 at 10:57 pm

Next year.nwill you look at that! Smh...

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Handsback's picture

January 20, 2016 at 07:35 am

I love the Packers, and seeing them take it to the rest of the league year after year is great. Falling short of the SB is always disappointing, but considering this year as a whole......I'm pleased how they finished. It's somewhat satisfying to hear MM speak at his press conference and vindicate what we saw and speculated during the season as issues with the team. Things like Lacy's weight, Richard Rodgers too slow for those seem routes, not enough speed from the other wideouts to make their schemes work, no other ILB to team with Matthews, etc.

Somehow this team has to stay healthy enough to last the whole season. I don't expect miracles, but every year they are one of the most injured (games lost by starters due to injury) teams in the NFL. Maybe this team needs more of an edge and that might be developed with an improving division. I think they have taken for granted the weak division and lost some of their aggressiveness. Knowing you have to play hard every week may be enough to put this team over the top.

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dobber's picture

January 20, 2016 at 09:26 am

" Richard Rodgers too slow for those seem routes,"

At best, Richard Rodgers will be an Ed West type of player, if he can elevate his blocking. That's disappointing for where he was drafted.

"Maybe this team needs more of an edge and that might be developed with an improving division. "

They bounced back strong after the injury-marred 2013 (Cobb, Jones, ARod) campaign with a 2014 where they looked like the best team in the league. It could be that NOT seeing fear in the eyes of those across the LOS put a chip on their shoulders for 2014. Hopefully we'll see the same kind of response for 2016 (and a similar return to better health).

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Tundraboy's picture

January 20, 2016 at 12:16 pm

Hoping for a huge chip in 2016!!

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WKUPackFan's picture

January 21, 2016 at 05:59 am

Dobber- Nice Ed West reference!

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dobber's picture

January 21, 2016 at 08:40 am

I'm starting to date myself with these comments, eh? It could have been worse...I could've picked Rich McGeorge.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 21, 2016 at 08:52 am

Yes. Haven't heard that name in a long, long time.

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Dr.Rodgers's picture

January 21, 2016 at 10:58 pm

Gotta love your love!

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pacman's picture

January 20, 2016 at 07:44 am

Frankly I'm glad to see some fire coming from MM. Maybe he has done that in private, maybe not. But it's now public that MM is on the hot seat. Janis' and Abredaris' playing very good made the decisions to keep going with Adams look very bad.

My only other comment on this is that CM might be a better ILB than OLB. With the obvious lapse of the last play, the D has been solid enough since they moved him.

If everyone gets healthy (WR's, OL), we shouldn't need much more to reach a SB. Question is who we can't keep? Peppers?

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Dan Stodola's picture

January 20, 2016 at 08:22 am

Exactly how do you get that McCarthy is on the hot seat from his PC? So he said what was obvious to every one. Lacy is overweight and out of condition. He was disappointed in Lacy all year. He made it known the Packers don't have a "losing mentality". Duhh. You don't average 11 wins a season for 5+ yrs in the ultra competitive NFL if you have a losing mentality.

There is no "hot seat" in any of that even by inference! Other than that every HC is on a hot seat, which goes w/ the profession and is an accepted element of being and NFL HC.

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dobber's picture

January 20, 2016 at 09:28 am

The only way that MM is not back in 2016 is if he chooses to go...and that happens with successful coaches, sometimes.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 21, 2016 at 08:18 am

He is a lock to stay. As much as I am critical of him, he is great at holding the team together through adversity. We won 11 games this year, and there is no way he will get fired by TT unless he is also fired. And in Green Bay that does not happen if you have a winning record. Also both of them have too much good will built up for that to happen, which may not be a good thing,because as long as Rodgers is playing they always will be given another try. Let's hope they did get the message that it's time to win it all again. Sooner not later.

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Dr.Rodgers's picture

January 21, 2016 at 10:59 pm

Lock him up!

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Tundraboy's picture

January 20, 2016 at 06:43 pm

I take MMs response as anger at having been questioned for not going for the 2 pt conversion, and regretting that he didn't as well.

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pacman's picture

January 20, 2016 at 02:09 pm

It's not just us on the board that follow the Packers.
http://www.nbcsports.com/video/mike-mccarthy-hot-seat-after-another-gree...

Maybe I should have said 'might be' on the hot-seat. But I hope that management is asking the same basic question - why haven't we been to another SB?

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dobber's picture

January 20, 2016 at 07:56 pm

Florio has nothing but speculation. He's just drubbing up a story.

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Dr.Rodgers's picture

January 21, 2016 at 11:00 pm

Dumb ass players is why. Duh..... Helloooo?

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pacman's picture

January 20, 2016 at 02:07 pm

a

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 21, 2016 at 01:06 am

Dan - a fair amount of folks on this very website denied the evidence of their eyes and maintained that Lacy was not fat, or that the coaches asked him to gain the weight, or that he had only gained a few pounds due to his ankle injury.

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WKUPackFan's picture

January 21, 2016 at 06:19 am

Guilty as charged - to an extent. I never stated whether I thought Eddie was overweight or not. What I did do was chastise some people (not you tgr, at least I hope not) for calling Eddie "fat". Thus, I of couse believe that MM acted properly in not commenting on Eddie's weight during the season.

Eddie takes a lot of grief from the Big T's and D Ernesto's of the world. Those guys don't like quiet, reflective players. They'd rather have a team of 53 Greg Hardy's.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 21, 2016 at 07:19 am

WKU, I am pretty sure I called him overweight and probably fat. I wasn't as certain that the weight in and of itself was the reason for his decline.

By the way, Carriveau's podcast with Nathan Jahnke is just devastating about Lacy. Massive declines the number of tacklers he made miss him. In 2014, he made 59 tacklers miss vs. just 29 (246 carries vs. 187) and in the passing game he made 25 guys miss in 2014 vs. just 4 in 2015 (42 receptions in 2014 and 20 in 2015). Even those stats could be as easily due to his ankle as to his weight.

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Dan Stodola's picture

January 21, 2016 at 08:32 am

I didn't want to say "I told you so" but thanks for doing it for me!

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Dr.Rodgers's picture

January 21, 2016 at 11:00 pm

a+ or b-

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WKUPackFan's picture

January 21, 2016 at 06:06 am

If CM3 had played ILB his entire career he'd be GB's Luke Kuechly. Watch Clay's speed trying to get to Fitz on the long OT catch.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 21, 2016 at 08:21 am

Noticed that as well. Almost had him.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

January 21, 2016 at 02:31 pm

I think his (only) problem at ILB is that he's ALWAYS in attack mode. I forgot which quarter it was, but he bit hard on a playaction pass that went to Fitz and many people blamed Hayward (who gave up inside coverage - expecting Clay to get deep enough to take his route away).

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calabasa's picture

January 20, 2016 at 07:52 am

"McCarthy Dismisses Losing Mentality"

Shocker.

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Razer's picture

January 20, 2016 at 08:31 am

Ha, ha

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Razor's picture

January 20, 2016 at 03:35 pm

Right - what else would he say!

How many more years do we need to figure out that this guy doesn't have the talent to get us all the way there.

The stuff that happens after the season is over is an embarrassment to the organization. Now you're calling out Lacy. Now you are firing coaches. Now you are admitting that your coaching staff responsibilities are a mess. Now you are saying we missed having a big target. What else is not your fault?

Ten years is a long time - now it's time for a change.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 21, 2016 at 08:26 am

Look at it this way. In saying those things, he put himself and TT on the spot. If they do not solve these obvious needs and flaws this year, they have no more excuses for falling short. None.

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Dr.Rodgers's picture

January 21, 2016 at 11:02 pm

Better check your attitude, starting to sound like Cowpie! Basing a!

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Razer's picture

January 20, 2016 at 08:47 am

McCarthy had his nose rubbed in it all year long and this week is his exhale. Defending Lacy's weight, lack of ILB talent, no deep threat or TE talent are obstacles that he had to coach around from game 1. The 'losing mentality' was really a misdirect and jab back at the reporter framing his question.

Our HC needs to clean up his offensive coaching staff so that he or they are not the story going forward. McCarthy also needs to expand this offense so that other talent can play in the game. Our defense plugged in two, three and four rookies into the gameplan and got production out of most of them. Our coaches couldn't get Janis or Abby into a sputtering offense until the last game - REALLY.

Forget dismissing the 'losing mentailty', dismiss the losing formula that is handicapping the players.

BTW - Joe Whitt for coach of the year.

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dobber's picture

January 20, 2016 at 09:33 am

I think you're right on with MM. He's been deflecting for his team (and his offense) since the San Diego game. That's what a good LEADER does. If he were acknowledging some of these things openly during the season, it sows distrust in his players and creates media spectacle. He had their backs openly (we need better fundamentals = Lacy is fat?), even if he was lighting these guys up behind the scenes.

"Joe Whitt for Coach of the Year"

How long are they going to be able to keep him in that capacity? At some point they're going to have to promote him or he'll slip away...'course, it might be that he's not suited for much more than what he does (even if he's one of the best at it).

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Tundraboy's picture

January 20, 2016 at 09:34 am

"Our defense plugged in two, three and four rookies into the gameplan and got production out of most of them. Our coaches couldn't get Janis or Abby into a sputtering offense until the last game - REALLY.

Excellent point. Can not argue with that!

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lou's picture

January 20, 2016 at 04:11 pm

Agreed on plugging in the rookies, stats are so quickly available today, I wonder if the Pack was the first team ever to have 2 rookie CB's start a playoff game (Washington) ? Most teams are nervous when just one rookie CB starts a regular season game. How Joe Witt Jr. has not been promoted yet defies reasonable logic. In addition to Randall and Rollins he had Gunter ready to go as well.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 21, 2016 at 08:33 am

Probably the bright spot this year was how the rookies played. And even though Gunter was not drafted, he looks like he can play too. Hope we can now have similar success in the draft finding a TE,OT and ILB, no particular order, just ones that can have a similar impact next year. We can find another WR and RB later. Oh yeah, a Punter as well. And if they do not use FA as well this year, it will be a mistake. We are very close and we need to use every resource available.

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zoellner25's picture

January 20, 2016 at 09:25 am

I love some of the stuff MM said, he's pissed and he should be. Eddie Lacy was too fat this year and they need him skinnier and better. Our TEs sucked this year. CM3, while a great athlete, is a pretty below average MLB so moving him back outside is the right call.

We need to draft an impact TE early, rounds 1-3. Also need another MLB. Need another Olineman. Don Barclay is not an NFL caliber OT, neither is Josh Walker. Get rid of Raji, please.

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Evan's picture

January 20, 2016 at 09:36 am

"CM3, while a great athlete, is a pretty below average MLB so moving him back outside is the right call."

I think CM3 is far more effective playing all over than solely at OLB.

I'd be very curious to see from what position his sacks, hits and pressures came from this past season.

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RCPackerFan's picture

January 20, 2016 at 09:52 am

'I think CM3 is far more effective playing all over than solely at OLB.'

Completely agree...

I want him to be our Troy Polamalu, or Charles Woodson of our defense. The guy who plays the whole field, not just one spot. The problem when Mathews is at ROLB, offenses adjust to that and go the other way, to try and take him out of the game. When he is moved around offenses can't really game plan where he is going to be.

Another reason why I like moving him around more is I think it keeps him healthier. Until last year he has never started a full 16 games. Last year and this year are the only 2 years he has started a full 16 games. Is it a coincidence that he was moved to ILB last year and this year? I think getting him away from battling the OT's down after down, saves on his body.

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zoellner25's picture

January 20, 2016 at 10:49 am

While I agree moving him around is effective at causing the offense to react to him and find him, watch his tape. Jake Ryan, while not as fast or powerful, is the more instinctive MLB. Clay is very raw as an MLB. he gets washed out of plays alot. He just hasn't played it enough, and is far better overall outside.

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RCPackerFan's picture

January 20, 2016 at 12:30 pm

I like him at ILB, but I honestly don't really want him playing normal ILB roles. To me the way they used him in the first game he played there against Chicago last year was the best way they have used him. They moved him around, and had him attacking non stop from everywhere.

I think him attacking and moving around is the best way to use him. He played better when he was roaming around. I thought his play dipped a bit when they had him playing like a normal ILB.

He is a special player. They need to use him in a special way.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 20, 2016 at 12:08 pm

Agree as well. Sign Perry and Neal, and monitor their off season regimen and do whatever possible to keep them healthy!! Wonder if Perry's shoulder will need surgery and how that will affect his value and contract. Also hope they find an OLB in the draft, but we have other needs more pressing,so I doubt we will find one that will make an impact sooner than later.

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RCPackerFan's picture

January 20, 2016 at 12:33 pm

I would be happy to bring back both Perry and Neal.
I can see one of the them leaving, possibly both. Just like I can see both staying.

One player I would like to see get an increased role in the defense is Jayrone Elliot. He really played well when given the chance.

I agree they need to find another OLB in the draft. What is good about the OLB position is you can find guys later in the draft that can play roles in the defense. They may not be starters but could come in and play in a rotation fairly early.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 20, 2016 at 07:33 pm

Yes Elliot another high energy player who got sporadic playing time, and that I hope takes the next step forward.

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dobber's picture

January 20, 2016 at 09:41 am

Don Barclay is JAG at ORT, but hasn't proven he's even that anywhere else. I think he makes the most out of his "Joey-bag-of-donuts" tools. There's just no room on the roster for a guy to play just ORT.

They need an upgrade at OLT. Bakhtiari is good enough to play, but how good would they be with a guy who can drive his man 10 yards downfield or protect ARods blindside without drawing as many holding penalties? They seriously need to start thinking about their future at OG. Contracts are coming up soon, and you have to think long and hard about what you're going to pay these guys when they're on the wrong side of 30.

They need to address ILB, OLB or both, IMO. CMIII at ILB has really grown on me. Sure, he's not pinning his ears back and chasing QBs like he used to, but his discipline and edge control were always issues on the outside. When you have an offense that's forcing teams to throw 35-40 times per game, it's not as significant as when your offense is playing low-scoring games.

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Ima fubar's picture

January 20, 2016 at 11:57 am

Ya well mikey wants him back at the end where he is so so as a pass rusher. I can see it only if they get a top DE on the other side and a speedy ILB to replace him.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 20, 2016 at 12:12 pm

Totally agree.

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croatpackfan's picture

January 20, 2016 at 12:19 pm

"...but how good would they be with a guy who can drive his man 10 yards downfield or protect ARods blindside without drawing as many holding penalties?"
dobber, I'm waiting for the name of that player... I'm really curious...

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dschwalm's picture

January 20, 2016 at 02:08 pm

I am curious too, Croat. I don't think that even Conrad Dobler could do that!!!!

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dobber's picture

January 20, 2016 at 08:01 pm

Those kinds of players are all over the place at pick #27, right? I can dream, can't I? ;)

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lou's picture

January 20, 2016 at 04:20 pm

Very good points Dobber, they just can't pay everyone. Based on the value of the left Tackle position even as a solid LT Bahktiari will sign for big bucks here or elsewhere. In addition there is not that much drop off between Lang and Sittion so Lang's hand will be out soon. Impacting this all are the huge bucks given Bulaga (justified when healthy) and his injury history. Based on these facts and that Sitton is taking a real beating if Thompson does not get a reliable LT backup on the free agent market I don't know if he ever will. Barclay may be able to carry them for a game or two at RT but unless then add 35 pounds onto Tretter not matter what kind of athlete he is, they can't count on him as the LT backup going forward.

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Dan Stodola's picture

January 20, 2016 at 06:09 pm

A team would have to be pretty desperate to sign Bahktiari as a FA to play LT and start. He's a bottom end starting LT, probably better as a RT except he doesn't have the run blocking to be a RT. In the end he is probably a better OG than OT. He isn't going to get a lot of money in FA. Somewhere in the 5M range maybe.

Lang and Sitton's contracts end at the same time IIRC, both probably have a few good years left in them. Barclay did fine as a RT for the better part of 2 yrs playing RT. His knee will be stronger next year and his blocking should get better based on that alone, not that he is likely to ever be a starting OT. Might be an eventual replacement for Lang at RG tho. Tretter at LG would be a strong bet to replace Sitton.

Packer need a legitimate starting LT, but those aren't likely to be available in FA.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 21, 2016 at 01:23 am

Sitton and Lang are already the 5th and 13th highest paid OGs in the NFL. They won't get a much of a raise, other than cap inflation. TT's decision in 2017 probably comes down to their medical staff's opinion.

"Sure, he's not pinning his ears back and chasing QBs like he used to, but his discipline and edge control were always issues on the outside."

Dobber, he really has the same issues at ILB. Lots of overrunning the play and losing his run fit, but he certainly does make some splash plays as well. It could be that this is simply who CM3 is, and he needs a coach to rein him in - like Winston Moss?

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dobber's picture

January 21, 2016 at 09:12 am

I don't disagree with you on CMIII, but somehow I think his play works better there than on the outside where teams can neutralize him by running away or rolling away from him somewhat. I think he's in on more stuff than he misses in the middle...and I have to admit that I've always had a weak spot for players that play at breakneck speed.

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NickPerry's picture

January 21, 2016 at 07:28 am

All it takes is one team right? I mean the Colts gave Erik Walden $16 million AFTER watching him in the 2012 blowout loss to the 49ers. To this day I don't think I've EVER watched a player more confused than Waldon was on Kapernicks long TD run. There will be Bottom Dwellers with $80 million in cap Space they have to use up, those will be the Teams to offer Bahktiari so absurd contract. I don't think they'll find on in Free Agency either. I think they'll draft a couple OL in this years draft, one in the first 3 rounds for sure.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 20, 2016 at 07:15 pm

No leave him inside. Until they get a stud ILB that is where we need him most. Neal and Perry when healthy are better setting the edge, and good pass rushers and it works. So now MM wants him outside, great, but we better get some more players before he moves him.. Also TE and OL depth are more important right now anyway.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

January 21, 2016 at 02:45 pm

I can't think of another LB that can do what Clay does. I'm not saying he's the best LB in the league, but he's good at ILB and great at OLB. Who else in the league HAS to play both positions and is effective doing it?

I say keep him there and let him loose on obvious passing downs. Especially if Sam Barrington and Jake Ryan aren't 3-down ILBs.

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Ima fubar's picture

January 20, 2016 at 11:54 am

I thought the defense did play better this year. Not due to Dom Capers. You got three guys who are in their contract year, time to put up the numbers to get that big check. That in itself is motivation.
I still think Capers needs to go. Mathews runs around like a chicken with its head cut off because Capers doesn't know what to do with his skill set.
Time to hire a defense wizard and have him tell Ted what he needs and clean house with the deadwood.

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paxbak's picture

January 20, 2016 at 12:46 pm

The defense played better this year, but the stats were under inflated due to the problems our offense had. Our opponents were not pressured much to feel like they had to score which led to better stats for our defense.

I remember some of the old packers teams back in the 80s and 70s were always real good against the pass statistically, but that was due to our opponents not passing because the game was already won by them. They were simply running out the clock rather than feeling a need to pass.

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Bearmeat's picture

January 20, 2016 at 02:05 pm

Pax,

Don't waste your time arguing with Ima and Ben. They won't listen to reason because they're both Viking fans. Both jumped ship with the Favre fiasco in 08 I believe.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

January 21, 2016 at 02:47 pm

Ohhhhh, I just love how quickly you took the credit from Dom Capers in your second sentence. The hate is real.....

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 21, 2016 at 07:47 pm

LOL, Drealyn. Spot on. Might be the first time I have ever heard someone suggest that it helps a defense to be on the field a lot because the offense is terrible.

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paxbak's picture

January 20, 2016 at 12:43 pm

I love the Thompson philosophy of not picking up free agents and signing your own players. It is the most cost effective way of managing your cap. We always pick up additional selections due to Free Agent losses and this year will be no exception with the losses of Williams and House. Can you say a 4th and a 4th? Even the year we lost Walden to the colts we got a 5th for that. Would you trade Walden for a 5th at that time? Of course we would have. The only way that works out is if you don't sign any free agents yourself. Peppers was cut, so he didn't count.

I say that, and I think it might be time to change philosophies. With A Rodgers having only a few years left to potentially be elite and Matthews as well, it is time to take some chances in free agency to shore up some of the inexperience. I don't mean top tier free agents, I am talking about mid level. The patriots do a great job of that and they don't have any salary cap issues. When the Rodgers train stops rolling, it is going to be time to start over anyway. I say let's take some chances on mid level talent to shore up some spots. How about a mid level MLB for starters at $3.5M per year. It would be better than what we had this year and would move Matthews back to OLB.

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Bearmeat's picture

January 20, 2016 at 02:06 pm

Both have 5 years left minimum. That said, I wouldn't mind some mid-level FAs either. How well do you think Brian Hartline would have done here last year? ugh.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 20, 2016 at 07:38 pm

Why wait? Can not assume they will play at a high level 4 or 5 years from now. And again why wait. I'm tired of waiting for a dominating year. Time to load up. Go Pack Go

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NickPerry's picture

January 21, 2016 at 06:24 am

I haven't listened to the press confrence yet but if McCarthy called out Thompson in any kind of way, GOOD FOR HIM!!!!! Of the 4 teams Jeff used as examples whose expectations are to win the SB every year, only the Packers don't use Free Agency. Even the team that most resembles the Packers IMO (The Steelers) use Free Agency to fix a glaring hole. The Steelers though have pretty much nailed their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks every year. The same can't be said about the Packers, not even close. Ted has found some Gems in the later rounds but so have many teams. Teds inability to hit a "Home Run" in the first 3 rounds most years has caught up to this team. To be more specific the 2011 and 2012 drafts have set this team back a bit. He had 18 picks those 2 years and only Cobb and Daniels will be back for sure next year. Personally I think it left with Schneider, Doresy, and McKinnzie, so do Ted's drafts.

There are free Agents who the Packers could sign at ILB and TE who won't break the bank and be there when the 1st wave of Free Agency is done and the better "Deals" can be made. I mean common folks, upgrading Richard Rodgers and adding a ILB to play with Ryan won't be that hard. Palmer was horrible at ILB, Joe Thomas not much better and we don't know what will happen with Sam Barrington. Finding an O-Lineman "Better" than Barclay can't be THAT hard can it? Then again maybe that O-Lineman will be Tretter next year because Barclay should be gone.

The number of UDFA who have become "Stars" for the Packers is impressive. It just can't be the be all, cure all to fix the roster.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 21, 2016 at 08:46 am

Totally agree Nick. They have painted themselves in a corner this year by pointing out what we were lacking and where we need to upgrade. It's on them and if they fail, and do not use every resource this year, there will be no excuse. Injuries, bad breaks blah blah blah, it's time to fill the holes, upgrade and get back on top. We are close and need to go for it, now. Not 2 or 3 years from now. Now. Jordy is getting older, Matthews and Rodgers as well.

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Dr.Rodgers's picture

January 21, 2016 at 09:07 pm

At least they don't just disappoint like the other three North Division teams, they crushingly disappoint to the point that I'm used to it. Like I got used to Favre finding a way to throw a game losing interception. The team seems to shrug it off and look forward to next year. Why should I give a shit. They don't. I look at football as an entertainment option. Sometimes the episodes are well written, the acting is good, and the story exciting. Unfortunately the Packers had little of any of that this season. Goodbye, that is all.

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NickPerry's picture

January 22, 2016 at 06:24 am

Perhaps your right but if you'd had told me the Packers would be tied at the end of regulation with the WR Group who was on the field I'd have have said "You're Crazy!!".

The one thing I came away from Saturdays game with was hope. Those Rookie CB's played their asses off, who cares if Randell blew the coverage, I don't. I'd bet my last dollor he'll learn from it like everything else and the Packers secondary is going to be one of the top 3 for the next few years barring injury.

Abby's been inured his whole fricken career yet him and Janis actually showed Packers fans a lot that night. MM should have no problem playing his 5 WR Sets next season, not with 5 guys that any team will be able to cover each. The Packers will have several RB in Camp next year in case if Lacy shows up like this year. Throw in a real TE and it's Game Over Pal.

It may have been a crushing defeat but there was a moral victory in that game, at least for me.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 22, 2016 at 07:57 am

Could not put it in perspective any better. In contrast to most of the season, there is a lot to be hopeful for. Been awhile since we went into the offseason with as much certainty as we have now,or fewer glaring needs. Defense is in good shape and if we find a starting TE, punter, backup OT we should be set up for a long run next year. Depending on who leaves we will need linebacker (s), but that's always the case.

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Tundraboy's picture

January 22, 2016 at 07:58 am

What an idiot.

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