Agree on the McCarthy “more attempts” lip service; and yet he’s ALSO lambasted for being “too conservative”. Can he do ANYTHING right??

"Coach McCarthy declared that the biggest thing to come out of the self-scout process was that the running game needs more attempts."

Sorry coach but I no longer put much into most things that dribble out of your mouth. To me it's EXACTLY that...Dribble. I suppose it's from listening to the same ole, same ole, about doing this or that and then doing no such thing.

I'm also reasonably sure this is how the "More rushing attempts" will work out....

The Packers will defer to the 2nd half and kick-off to the Rams. The Rams will go 75 yards in about 7 plays with Gurley getting 40 yards because our OLB can't hold the edge. On 3rd down Cooks will be Brices responsibility but won't be within 15 yards of him on a TD pass in the end zone.

The Packers then start at the 12 yard line because a 55 yard return was called back for holding...Just like EVERY decent return this year so far. On 1st down Williams starts the game with a 1 yard run (who else would start right?) On 2nd down Rodgers throws a rainbow down the right sideline but overthrows his receiver by 15 yards. On 3rd down McCarthy calls for a pass to Cobb that travels 2 yards in the air and loses 3 yards...PUNT.

On the Rams next series just see example one...TD!! Rams 14 Packers 0 at the 7:30 mark of the 1st quarter. Down 14 Rodgers throws 52 times over the next 52:30 of the game. Aaron Jones gets 3 carries for 37 yards in the 1st half and 1 carry in the 2nd half for 8 yards finishing with 4 carries.

In the presser after the game Wilde asks McCarthy what happened to running the ball more and more specifically using MORE Aaron Jones. McCarthy's gives Wilde that how DARE you ask me that stare, tells Wilde he's a "Highly successful NFL HC" and says he won't answer questions about Jones.

On to New England where Mike SWEARS the Packers will run the ball more.

Mike McCarthy - I legitimately want to know, when he comes out and says they need more running attempts is that directed at him or Rodgers? I truly want to know how many run plays were called that were either checked out of or it was a part of the RPO and Rodgers threw it.
Is it McCarthy that is choosing not to run the ball more or is Rodgers choosing to not run the ball more?

Bye Week - It seems every year the team comes out of the bye and performs really well. Proven by the 9-2 record under McCarthy. What I'm more interested in, is seeing what changes they make. 2014 they came out of the bye week moving Mathews to ILB. Do they make a big move like that?
The one player I wonder about is Josh Jones. Do they get him involved more? Do they have him switch out with Brice? Do they get him in an ILB role?

Defense - Alexander I think provides the biggest boost to the defense. His energy and swagger seem to really make others play better around him. Even though he is a rookie he already is one of the top players on defense. I'm looking forward to seeing Alexander and King on the field together really for the first time this year.
Getting Breeland on the field will really help the defense also.

Rams/Odds - Lets just say, I'm feeling optimistic about this week.

MM says the biggest thing to come out of the bye week self-scout was more rushing attempts. One would have thought that was the biggest thing going in!! MM is no Churchill, to be sure, but he might have made a more pithy observation. To be fair, we will need to see how Packers play Sunday to accurately judge the mid-season adjustments.

I have an easy fix. Someone needs to swap the current offensive playbook with the Chiefs though. Short passes, quick pitches... you know move the chains... build rhythm... score points. Why is this such a struggle to implement?

In researching my football book, what I have learned is that in the heat of the game....the coaches are trying to find which pre-determined plays that will work against the defense on the field. When they review the game tape, they find what they might have done to play better. Neither play review process, during the game or after, says the team finds the perfect plays only what they think might have worked.
Usually, during the film review a play the coaches thought would/should work would have IF (big if) a lineman had his head on the right side of the defense player or the runner had hit the right hole, or the receiver didn't square his route off at the top of the route.
So when a coach says they need to run more, of course they want a balanced attack. The reality is that when the game is progressing, they call the plays that match the defense's weakness. In Green Bay's case....you have Rodgers so the pass is their strength. What the coaches want is for the players to do their job on every play and see which team can execute the best during the game.

Putting things in order. The penalties are from players; Time off, missing time, part-timers, and new comers. Watch and see if Breeland doesn't get called. MM can't give things away before playing. The press is on his every move. It looks more like a Lynch mob, then a jury waiting for the evidence before the season is played out. The lack of play by Jones might be do to penalties too. I don't believe they gave up on him. But Dix has been criticized for lack of hitting. Brice Hits! And when there is lack of ILB play; because CMIII won't move and Ryan down, you play the hitter. So lets look at the biggest problem right now. The hot shot QB criticizes the Wrs. Criticizes the game plan, Just plain Criticizes now. I know people have made a idol out of A-Rod. His money is talking and not his performance. He gets time off and continually distances himself from his teammates now. But yet they have to rally around him. Any body associated with the packers knows it. So lets wait and see how many run plays happen. Let's wait and see how this OL plays. Lets see if Crosby doesn't screw up. Let's see if A-Rod can shut the hell up and just play a good game. We've all decided he is the most important person in Green Bay.

I quit watching MM pressers a long time ago. Nobody tells you less about what's actually going on than MM.

How can you tell you're getting dumbed down answers or half answers from MM in a presser? His lips are moving.

Very hard to run the ball consistently when your playing catchup and O line is missing blocks. This week I feel positive mainly because injured players ,especially Rodgers, will be rested and ready to go. Defense needs to slow down Ram running attack. Rams are due !

Yes this game is going to be the perfect barometer for what the rest of the season is going to mean. Going to see them play the Jets with my three sons 20,18 and 11 the day before Christmas Eve for their first Packer game. First football game for them. I'm hoping I'm not going just to yell at McCarthy.

Especially meaningful for me as I never pushed any of them towards any particular team well maybe jokingly.But my oldest in particular is a die-hard Yankee fan and now also a die hard Packer fan . Youngest is as well. Middle I really don't know, he has never stuck with any team.

By the way my Jet fan older brother, won't commit.

Life is beautiful hope the rest of season is.

If they’re going to replace McCarthy, I’d seriously consider the Brohm brothers. What they did against Ohio State was impressive. Plus, the GB ties.

If this season marks the end of this head coach - so be it. If that is what it takes to get the most of these players and in particular this offense. At this point, I am not sure why this team under-performs. But, like the replacement of Ted Thompson, a change may be needed.

My bigger worry is that our franchise QB is at the root of the problems for this offense. As the on-field general of the offense, he may be the roadblock to a real run game and he may be the reason for ignoring the underneath pass and get-it-out-quick play. We all marvel at his comebacks and tight window throws but this drama may be of his making.

All I know is that this offense is under-performing and the team overall is playing undisciplined ball. How and when this will be fixed will be answered in the next 5 or 6 games.

I look forward to these blogs of yours...thanks!

Confessions of a Polluted Mindset: A Packers Brain Drain
By Jersey Al on Oct 24, 2018

"Andy Herman: I personally can't wait for Andy's Friday film session where he will take a deep-dive on Ha Ha Clinton-Dix."

I agree, this will be interesting to read.

"Rams: The Rams are going to score their points on the Packers' defense. The Packers are just going to need to score more. For me, the key to this game will be the Packers' offensive line, as the Rams lead the NFL in pressure percentage (they've gotten pressure on 36.9% of quarterback dropbacks.)"

Yup, need to score more points than the opponent...I agree about the offensive line being key vs the Rams. I expect the Packers to double-team Aaron Donald almost 100% so that's going to leave Suh 1v1 which will be a tough match-up for whoever draws him. I expect AR12 to bolt the pocket often...pressure or not. Thanks for providing the pressure graphic.

"Defense: I'd love to be optimistic that with Jaire Alexander back and Bashaud Breeland now ready to play, the Packers will be in better shape in the secondary. But then I remember it's still Ha Ha and Brice behind them."

HHCD isn't the problem. It's possible Brice will be replaced in the line-up...we'll see. I'd rather the nickel defense have four CB types and one safety (HHCD) and eliminate Brice from the equation. King, Alexander, Jackson, and Breeland/TW.

i think i would have been better with McCarthy suggesting that the team reduce the penalties it has evoked and improve take-aways and situational offense.