Cory's Corner: It doesn't matter who calls the plays

Does it really matter who calls the offensive plays for the Packers?

I realize that Aaron Rodgers said that he doesn’t call the plays and neither does Peyton Manning. But even when they get a play via the helmet speakers and the offensive unit fans out from the huddle, the defense is already plottingout how to stop them.

That’s when Rodgers takes over. He has the uncanny ability to read and remember defensive formations. He knows where guys are going to be in certain situations and is able to audible into something that is indefensible.

What really matters is that coach Mike McCarthy is now questioning how things are done organization-wide. He is sitting in on position meetings and peppering guys like cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt Jr. if this team is able to keep the cornerbacks on an island again this year. McCarthy is asking special teams coordinator Ron Zook what needs to change so that Mason Crosby doesn’t get five kicks blocked.

It’s easy to point to the play calling because that’s what everyone sees. Things like the failed fourth-and-1 or the ineffectiveness late in the game. McCarthy was a target because fans needed someone to blame. Most people said they didn’t like his conservative nature — which had the feel at times of setting the cruise control in a school zone.

But McCarthy wasn’t guilty of being a poor play caller. He orchestrated the most efficient offense last year, second in passing and sixth in rushing. And I don’t think anyone expects those numbers to tumble with Tom Clements in the play calling hot seat.

This is all about McCarthy’s ability to be a good CEO. As a coach, he’s supposed to have his fingers in every aspect of the team — outside of parking cars and knowing how the “Horse Collar” sausage is made.

And obviously that transition gets a lot easier with a quarterback like Rodgers. He’s the smartest quarterback I’ve ever seen, and it’s his mind that has elevated him into the best signal caller in the game.

Up until July 29 when players report to St. Norbert College for training camp, you’re going to hear that the complexion of the offense has changed.

But it hasn’t. If Clements needs a sounding board on a tough decision, whom do you think he’s going to talk to?

Play calling is only interesting because it’s the part that’s visible. But the most deadly part of a glacier is what lies beneath the surface and unknown to everyone.

The question that needs to be asked about this upcoming season is how McCarthy’s ego handles this. He’s a proud guy that is experienced in the offensive ways of the NFL. It isn’t going to be easy for McCarthy when NFL scribes and reporters scurry to Clements after the game wondering about a pivotal call. McCarthy is usually as entertaining as sandpaper during his press conferences, but isn’t afraid to show emotion when talk centered on his play calling.

It doesn’t matter who is calling plays for the Packers. This team has the best quarterback, the best set of wideouts, one of the best offensive lines in the league and a running back that is still budding. The offense will figure it out.

But will McCarthy?

 

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

__________________________

Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

__________________________

NFL Categories: 
0 points
 

Comments (14)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
dobber's picture

June 16, 2015 at 02:14 pm

As a St. Norbert alum, it was always fun to watch the Packer players ramble around campus in July and August...

Is it time for camp, yet?

0 points
0
0
jeremyjjbrown's picture

June 16, 2015 at 02:33 pm

"Aaron Rodgers said that he doesn’t call the plays and neither does Peyton Manning"

The Packers and Broncos don't really run "plays" anymore the way that the Lombardi Packers ran the "Packer Sweep". They basically come to the line of scrimmage with a personnel package and concept. What happens from there is a combination of the reads and line calls for that package, and routes based on how the secondary actually starts to cover once the snap happens. That's why it's hard for ARodg to trust rookies, because they have to know a lot more than just what static route to run presnap.

0 points
0
0
Tundraboy's picture

June 16, 2015 at 03:30 pm

Then how do we explain the Kuhn dive play. There are some plays called that dictate and or limit options and adjustments. Or are my eyes failing me . Seems there are some plays or audibles that need to just go away in certain situations.

0 points
0
0
jeremyjjbrown's picture

June 16, 2015 at 08:09 pm

Usually he has several options to check into and sometimes he does not.

0 points
0
0
PackerAaron's picture

June 16, 2015 at 04:23 pm

While you're right in most cases Jeremy, Rodgers pretty much says point blank in his Q&A with Wilde that there are indeed plays where he doesn't have the freedom to check. And as he intimates here, I think they like that we won't ever really know how it all works.

http://www.espnwisconsin.com/common/page.php?feed=2&id=20541&is_corp=1

Wilde: I know you don’t like to give away trade secrets, but can you clarify for us just how the play-calling works – whoever the coach calling the plays is – and what you have the freedom to do at the line of scrimmage and how things will be different with Tom Clements in that role now? Because I don’t think any of us outsiders really, truly understands what’s going on.

Rodgers: Yeah, I don’t think you need to. [Smirks.] I think I have enough freedom at the line of scrimmage; I’ve been in this offense a long time; we like to play fast. We have a starting point that usually comes from the sidelines, and we go from there. Some plays have checks in them, some don’t.

0 points
0
0
jeremyjjbrown's picture

June 16, 2015 at 08:03 pm

Absolutely Agreed...

That's why I use terms like "basically" and "usually". I believe his "freedom" to check is highly organized within the scheme. I would actually hesitate to call it freedom and I think it's more of a responsibility. Meaning, whatever he can check to is a predetermined Set(1..N) for that personnel package and concept.

It's nothing like what Bart Starr or Johnny Unitas did.

0 points
0
0
Since'61's picture

June 16, 2015 at 03:34 pm

Cory - good article. I agree with your comments. As you know from ALLGBP I have been a supporter of MM as a play caller. It is correct that it does not matter who calls the plays. It is more a matter of Rodgers reading the defense and utilizing the personnel package and the actual execution that determines the success or failure of a play. Play calling is always viewed through the lens of the play's result or the game's final score. As for becoming the CEO of the team, I am confident that MM will do well. He has integrity and the leadership skills to be very effective in a CEO role. If he has had a fault in the past it has been that he has apparently delegated too much and allowed too much autonomy to his defensive and ST coaches. That model can work but it obviously wasn't with the Packers STs and defense. These are just adjustments for MM to become more hands on with the STs and defense. No worries about MM figuring it out, he already has. Thanks, Since '61

0 points
0
0
gr7070's picture

June 16, 2015 at 04:01 pm

I think the author is missing out on why the play calling duties have been transferred and where the benefits will be realized.

I think it has more to do with in-game action than being a CEO and being in on DB meetings and coaching.

McCarthy needed a "bench coach" during the games. He was too bogged down with the play calling to handle the other game management duties - things that he did rather poorly.

Things like why are you giving the ball to the least athletic offensive player on the roster (Kuhn) on the Seattle 3? Why are you throwing a pass to an OLB in the end zone when you have high level pros who catch balls and run routes all day every day? Why are you not substituting for Lacy or a banged up Clay Matthews when you're up big? Why are you making laughably bad challenges? Why are you not keying on Plaxico Burris who is single-handedly killing you? On and on.

Instead of giving him a bench coach he now becomes that bench coach for the play callers and to hacked the rest of game management and he's hopefully (probably?) more able to make sound decisions without being so focused on play calling.

That's my take on all this. Hopefully we'll see meaningful improvement in all these other areas.

Frankly, with Rodgers and the rest of the talent I don't think the coaching makes as big a positive difference, but bad coaching can sure screw things up quick.

0 points
0
0
Tundraboy's picture

June 16, 2015 at 04:31 pm

Dead on.

0 points
0
0
JerseyAl's picture

June 17, 2015 at 07:50 am

Agree with your comments - Been saying for at least 3 years he was too consumed with play calling to be in tune with all the other things going on during the game. This decision he made to abdicate the primary play calling duties will make a huge difference in the Packers' in-game performance.

0 points
0
0
Mojo's picture

June 16, 2015 at 04:16 pm

"That’s when Rodgers takes over. He has the uncanny ability to read and remember defensive formations. He knows where guys are going to be in certain situations and is able to audible into something that is indefensible."

Well if that's the case, let Rodgers audible every play. We'll score 80 points a game.

I'm not sure how this is going to play out. I think MM has a lot of respect around the league as a play caller. Be careful what you wish for. However, his ability to attend to other aspects of running the team during the game can't be anything but helpful. Now he can be the backseat driver.

It'll be interesting if ARod will get into his buddy Clements face or become demonstrative if he doesn't like the play calling. I think Clements will be up in the booth, so it will be interesting who he shows-up on the sideline when he gets frustrated.

0 points
0
0
Tundraboy's picture

June 16, 2015 at 04:51 pm

Very good points.. Like the back seat driver especially.

0 points
0
0
PackerAaron's picture

June 16, 2015 at 04:59 pm

" I think Clements will be up in the booth, so it will be interesting who he shows-up on the sideline when he gets frustrated."

Day-um Mojo.

0 points
0
0
egbertsouse's picture

June 17, 2015 at 08:15 am

Hopefully, when the team is totally melting down in all aspects of the game, like in Seattle, MM will be able to take charge and restore focus instead of having his face buried in the play sheet.

0 points
0
0