McCarthy: Running Game And Tackling Need Work
By Aaron Nagler on Feb 24, 2012 with 11 Comments
Meeting with the media this afternoon here at the Scouting Combine, Mike McCarthy let it be known that he plans on taking a long, hard look at every component of his running game, from the way it is blocked to the way it is utilized during the game.
I’m not really worried about how many times we run the ball. I think how we run the ball will change a little bit as we move into this next season.
I just think we can be smarter when we run the ball and how we run the ball. We do this every year. You have to be real critical of everything, whether it’s the play selection, what we’re asking each player to do as far as the type of scheme, whether it’s a zone scheme, pattern schemes.
More creativity, less volume. That’s something that is kind of our motto when it comes down to building offensive scheme and defensive scheme every year. Do we have too many runs in the game plan? That’s something we’re looking at. Are there things we can add, take out? Those types of things. But really I think we can do a better job, per situation, running the football. That’s what we’re taking a hard look at.
McCarthy also talked about the need for his team to improve its tackling. It was pretty clear that last year’s pathetic display would not be tolerated again, saying simply “We will be a better tackling team next year.”
One issue when it comes to improving a teams tackling is how exactly to go about it. McCarthy responded with a somewhat glib “Practice tackling” when asked how he planned on improving, but of course its not that simple. McCarthy made it a point of emphasis in training camp last year – and he still had a terrible tackling team.
One thing is for sure – McCarthy plans on breaking down some of the basic components of the game and building them back up this offseason.
Filed Under: Combine • Featured • Mike McCarthy
James Starks with a full camp….and healthy will provide what we need at running back. Offence is not the problem. Defense is where the problem is and must be attacked at the line of scrimmage. The game has changed and getting to the QB is now the most important part of defense.
Given his history and long legs, a season long healthy Starks isn’t ever a given. On offence the Packers probably need investments at RB, OT, Center, and BU-QB. That might tie-up as many as 4 draft picks, but likely not that many.
On D, they need DE, OLB, and maybe 2x or 3x S/DB. That’s a lot of needed investment and as many as 5+ draft slots.
And the tackling thing certainly would be nice. But with better tackling may come more injuries as well.
Double bubble toil and trouble….
“More creativity, less volume.”
Whuh ?
He was referring to the number of running plays in the playbook.
Unrelated thing that I came up with that I thought Aaron, Corey and readers might enjoy:
53 man ex-packer roster
http://packersnews.net/phpBB2/.....c66d71cace
(Forgot Kraig Lumpkin)
Distribute at your leisure. Or don’t. It’s all good.
GB has many problems, OL, DL, OLB just to name a few, oh I forgot to mention hunger.
See Giants game–15 and 1–1 and done.
Practice Tackling ? WHAT?
Vince, please help.
VINCE–You don’t do it right some of the time–You do it right all of the time!
What the hells going on out there!
This…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO1gN0o4JO4&feature=related
AJ Hawk should’ve been cut after that play. My lord, yeah just push him over AJ. DJ Smith would’ve stuck him, that much I know.
I think its pretty simple. You take a guy who is a poor tackler early on in the pre-season and you cut him. The more prominent the guy is, the better. Everyone else will get the message and start executing.
That’s one way to get rid of Hawk.