McCarthy calls Packers' win over Lions "a microcosm of the season"

"Last night's game was a microcosm of the season," Packers' head coach Mike McCarthy exuberantly expressed during his Monday presser. 

It was a game in which the Packers were once again hit like a freight train with injuries, including a horrific-beneath-the-surface casualty suffered to cornerback Quinten Rollins, whose head deflected off of Ford Field's turf like a rubber ball. It came on the Lions' second possession of the second half after quarterback Matthew Stafford hit his target Marvin Jones in stride down the right sideline. While Rollins made the tackle, both players tumbled out of bounds - however, Rollins suffered the worst of the impact. He was immediately stabilized by medical staff, hoisted onto a cart and left the stadium in an ambulance, leaving many praying for his health.

Meanwhile, many more were lost in a sorrowful remembrance of the prior neck and head injuries to plague the Packers.

As a result of losing Rollins, the Packers were left with two healthy cornerbacks - Ladarius Gunter and Josh Hawkins, who hadn't seen a defensive snap since week three against the Lions. Micah Hyde was forced to play the boundary, something he hadn't done since 2013, straying from his usual position in the slot as the nickel cornerback. Damarious Randall exited the game with a knee injury and Makinton Dorleant, the undrafted corner promoted to the active roster just last month, exited on the same play Rollins was hurt with an undisclosed injury, leaving the secondary in further shambles.

Morgan Burnett even played late snaps in the slot as a cornerback, forcing a pass break-up late in the fourth quarter intended for Lions' veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Burnett's sudden shift gave Kentrell Brice more playing time on the back-end opposite Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, en route to 49 defensive snaps - his highest total of the season.

McCarthy was quick to acknowledge how impressed he was with safeties coach Darren Perry, cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt Jr. and defensive coordinator Dom Capers when asked about the rotation.

"I thought Darren Perry did an incredible job. Dom Capers, Joe Whitt, the whole staff; of not only getting the defensive backfield coordinated but getting the rotation in the defensive line and so forth. They did an incredible job."

Assistant head coach and linebackers coach Winston Moss was also dealing with an impactful injury to Joe Thomas, who was carrying the communication for the inside and edge group. It left Jake Ryan and Blake Martinez to shoulder the load inside, rather than entice another emergency situation where Clay Matthews had to shift back inside. Matthews was able to get the start for the first time since injuring his shoulder and was exclusively utilized as an edge-rusher, as opposed to his recent role of playing inside on passing downs.

"We have a great coaching staff. I think the one thing is we've been very consistent in getting our players ready to play,"

"But, those conversations are really for after we're done." McCarthy said, indicating that the Packers still have their work cut out for them through the course of January. That all starts on Sunday when they welcome the Giants into Green Bay for playoff football for the first time since January 2012.

"Momentum confidence is very big," McCarthy said of the red-hot Giants, winners of three of their last four. "I obviously have a personal interest in Ben McAdoo and how his football team is doing."

McAdoo was a tight ends coach and quarterbacks coach in Green Bay between 2006 and 2013. He became the offensive quality control coach for the New Orleans Saints in 2004 and was issued an interview with none other than McCarthy, who was in his final year as offensive coordinator for the team at the time. McCarthy was also the quarterbacks coach for the Packers in 1999 during Ray Rhodes' one-hit "wonder" year as head coach.

"I think their defense jumps out to you in the amount of film we've been able to get through so far today," McCarthy went on. The Giants are ranked second in the league in points per game, behind only that one team in New England. "

"Their offense is something we're very familiar with - just the structure, obviously with Eli (Manning) as well and the playmakers they have. I think they're running the ball much better today than they were earlier in the season."
 
The Packers toppled the Giants in week five 23-16, and Aaron Rodgers recorded what will stand as his lowest passer rating of the 2016 regular season. It was a game where the Packers were playing without Randall, but had the privilege of having Rollins and Gunter shadow their opposite ends of the field. Gunter played 29 snaps opposite the Giants' premier receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., whereas Rollins lined up for 22. It was a game that featured Burnett also playing a single snap in the slot, much like he had to do for a brief period of time against the Lions last night.
 
Unfortunately for the Packers, they won't have Demetri Goodson this time around, nor will they likely have Rollins at their disposal. Holding Beckham to 56 yards on five of 12 total targets seems like an insurmountable task in itself, however, doing it for a second time may leave the Packers in No Man's Land.
 
"There's more work, more things to check," McCarthy said as he reached the culmination of his presser. "Make sure you have the right balance from before and obviously with the Giants, we spent some time on them in the offseason, personnel-wise and so forth. Just more information to go through."
 
Capers, Whitt and Perry will likely be concocting a Wild Card shuffle this week to put their respective groups in the best position to excel. Much like they did down the final six-game stretch of the season, forcing turnovers and generating some form of pass rush on an immobile Manning is a recipe for success and a Divisional round berth. The Packers are currently ranked second in the NFL in interceptions.
 
"It's the playoffs, but at the end of the day, you have to get your game plan buttoned down and not ask your players to do too much."

__________________________

Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (24)

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al bundy's picture

January 02, 2017 at 04:16 pm

Before we put happy faces on the backs coaches lets ask? Why would our defender just stop while a lion receiver tate is jetting down the field. If stafford males that pass its an easy six and the game ends differently. That is totla bullshit. These guys were drafted two years ago and have done nothing but get injued, miss tackles and lack coverage skills. There was a reason they were passed over and available to ted.

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Stephen Kessler's picture

January 02, 2017 at 05:02 pm

Not even sure that was the corners fault. He didn't get burnt or anything, just expected safety help. Rollins and Randall were solid last year and have battled injuries this year but that's not really fair criticism

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SpudRapids's picture

January 03, 2017 at 01:01 pm

"If stafford makes that pass its an easy six and the game ends differently"

Anyone can cherry pick a single play to help their narrative. Especially someone so negative like you... Wait a sec I'll do it:

If Matthews catches that INT he walks in for an easy INT and the Packers blow them out...

See it's easy

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 04, 2017 at 01:03 am

Cherry picking plays is very easy. CM3 dropping an easy INT is a one time thing. Randall stopping while a WR runs free down the right sideline has happened over and over again. From appearances, I don't think Randall is making a physical mistake. Either he or the safety is making a mental error. It is preposterous to laud the defensive coaches when this keeps happening. Fortunately, the answer is both easy and clear:

we need to combine the safety and CB position coaches into one position!

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LayingTheLawe's picture

January 02, 2017 at 04:24 pm

If a 6 game winning streak to win the division is not going to make you happy, face it nothing ever will. So may I humbly suggest you find a new interest, because you clearly do not enjoy watching the Packers at all. And if you hate it that bad then why on earth do you continue?

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

January 02, 2017 at 04:26 pm

Uh... Who is this for?

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LayingTheLawe's picture

January 02, 2017 at 04:35 pm

that was a reply to albundys comment. this site seems to never go right for me. It was not for the article but for his comment

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

January 02, 2017 at 04:52 pm

Lol, no worries.

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Handsback's picture

January 02, 2017 at 04:26 pm

The Giants don't have the same running game they had when they beat the Pack twice a few years ago. Their defense is very stout against the run and pass.
Green Bay will not get any freebie game next week and as long as they keep up the intensity...they will make it to the next level.

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LayingTheLawe's picture

January 02, 2017 at 04:38 pm

It is the playoffs so all the teams will be good. The Giants have been playing great D but the way Rodgers has been playing, how good the defense against him is has not been an issue. Let's hope he keeps it up.

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Chad Lundberg's picture

January 02, 2017 at 04:43 pm

Sounds like Rollins injury was just a freak accident. He walked back into the Packers locker this morning. Probably just hit the ground hard was badly shaken up. That said, I was hoping this meant that they would play Gunter or Hyde over him. They were clearly better players, and Hyde especially has been coming on of late. PFF rated him as the defense’s best player on Sunday Night. These guys need to be given a chance, we’re really getting burned badly out there with these young corners. Randall is always battling injuries, and Rollins seems to have no confidence right now.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

January 02, 2017 at 04:54 pm

Hoping it was a mere stinger for Rollins and a lot of the scene from last night was just for precaution in case it was a deeper head/neck injury.

I'm seeing a trend. Randall/Rollins are being treated the same way in their second season that Adams was in his second season. A lot of sub-optimal performance and a lot of disdain from fans. Adams also turned it on in the team's first playoff game last season, so maybe there's a trend we can hope for...

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Bearmeat's picture

January 02, 2017 at 07:14 pm

Add in injuries. They've both been really banged up all year and it's clear that Randall has become a head-case. Just like Davante was last year. We need to give them another year to get it right. But also hedge the bets: a CB in the first 3 rounds is a must.

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Since'61's picture

January 02, 2017 at 05:27 pm

To me Rollins injury is a sad commentary on player safety that Goodell is always claiming is being improved. How can the league allow any team to have a surface which causes a players head to bounce off like Rollins did. That is inexcusable. The boundaries around the field should me much softer, like a natural turf to prevent players from being injured when they go out of bounds. A player should not have such a high injury risk on a play where momentum takes them out of bounds. How do the stupid owners risk injuries to their players who they are paying $10 million plus to unnecessary injury? It's stupid, unnecessary and ridiculous. As for MMs comment, he is correct, the Packers overcame significant adversity, including penalties and dropped picks to win this game, just like they have all season. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

January 02, 2017 at 07:00 pm

Something quick I want to add on... A lot of Davante Adams' problems last year stemmed from being thrust into a starting role - one he wasn't prepared for as a second-year player. That doesn't attribute to his drops, however, but nonetheless a schematic flaw that, without Nelson, exposed both him and Cobb.

We could be seeing something similar with Rollins and Randall. Sam Shields was the No. 1 corner; without him, both are struggling. Evidently, there's no way to excuse poor coverage skills and playing 5 yards off of your assignment at the line of scrimmage. But, it's the same concept - a schematic flaw. Rather than having the freedom of Rollins and Randall swapping in the slot, Rollins has mostly had to play strictly outside on the boundary, Gunter on the opposite edge. Thanks to the way Capers' runs his defense, a lack of corners isn't an issue. Especially not with so many versatile guys that can be plugged into many spots.

Point is, pressure to learn a defense they weren't necessarily used to, adjust to their new roles without Shields and injuries were a huge factor in the way both Rollins and Randall have played this season - more so injuries. Just a thought.

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dobber's picture

January 02, 2017 at 07:14 pm

And, to be fair, this is only Rollins's third season of high-level football. I think we all knew that there was going to be a learning curve here, and there's a lot being asked of him.

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WKUPackFan's picture

January 03, 2017 at 06:40 am

Name one NFL team in week 17 that has "proven" backups available when starters are injured.

It's a young man's game. The young guys are faster, stronger, and sometimes smarter. Listen when the Colts defensive starters are announced. 8 year, 10 year, 12 year veteran, etc. Those guys may have experience, but they move as if the field was molasses.

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Lphill's picture

January 02, 2017 at 07:22 pm

Rodgers had a good day against the Vikings defense which I think is faster and has more playmakers then the Giants plus I actually think Rodgers wants revenge , same as all of us.

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dobber's picture

January 02, 2017 at 08:11 pm

I think the Giants are deeper at CB and in their secondary. The Vikings are better at LB. JPP might be back next week for the Giants, but the report I read says it's more likely that he'll play in the Divisional round if they make it past the Packers.

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marpag1's picture

January 03, 2017 at 05:48 am

"As a result of losing Rollins, the Packers were left with two healthy cornerbacks - Ladarius Gunter and Josh Hawkins"

Uh... except that Josh Hawkins was inactive.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

January 03, 2017 at 08:14 am

I'm aware... Just because he wasn't on the 46 doesn't mean he isn't on the 53. He's still a corner and he's still there.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 03, 2017 at 06:43 pm

What kind of odds could I get on a NFC Championship Game at Lambeau Field. Green Bay & Detroit. Anybody think that's possible?? Quite a stretch, but wouldn't that be something. I think it's unlikely, but I don't think it's that far fetched that Detroit could get through Seattle & Dallas, & we can get through New York & Atlanta. Anyone give that any thought?
LVT

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Free agent's picture

January 03, 2017 at 07:31 pm

could happen:
Detroit beating Seattle - 30% chance
Detroit defeating Dallas- 5% chance

Packers over NYG - 60%
Packers over Atlanta- 35%
Just my opinion, estimates for fun

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 03, 2017 at 11:04 pm

Free agent, Just in case it happens, You heard it here 1st!!
LVT

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