A Flurry of Personnel News But Not The Big One Elizabeth

Head Coach Mike McCarthy had a press conference today and he made three big, huge, humongous announcements. I started to grab my chest and stumble around the room, but...........

First, "Ted (Thompson) is back.  don't know where the heck some of these articles come from. I don't see any change in him as far as his vision ... he's working, I don't see any change in that."

Second, "This is no time for drama. Dom Capers is an outstanding football coach. That doesn't change. He had a tough challenge in front of him this year, and once again that coaching staff dealt with a lot. I think clearly if you look at the way the team was motivated, the way they were prepared, the things we were able to do, the adjustments we made, it's all part of it. So, a lot of good things came out of that."

Third, "Associate head coach/offense Tom Clements will move on to some other interests." Clements' contract is expiring. I guess he is the reason the Packers defense sucked so much.

In a span of just a few minutes McCarthy didn't make my day, ended my Held Hostage countdown and sent me into a funk that may just last the rest of McCarthy's tenure as head coach.

"I Screwed Up". YOU THINK!!

I can give you the names of 7 people who heard me say, "I don't like this," at least 3 times when Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy decided to go for it on a 4th-and-1 from his own 42 leading 14-6. I also said, "he will go off-tackle left for negative 1." and guess what he went off-tackle left for negative 1 yards.

When asked about the play here's what McCarthy said, "Oh, I was pissed off. Totally. That’s just the way I’m wired. I feel responsible when things don’t go well. I mean, my job’s to orchestrate and keep our guys in healthy plays and create flow and rhythm for Aaron. That’s the way I believe play-calling should operate. But there was too much risk there. I screwed it up.”

"Really". You are pissed off about what? A play you call all the time in the same situation and it fails almost all the time. You had to add "That's just the way I'm wired". What the hell does that mean? Then you said, "I feel responsible when things don’t go well." "REALLY". I may be wrong, but you are the head coach and you call all the plays, so you ARE responsible whether you feel it or not.

Offseason Moves During Postseason Play

Before we get started the news on Jordy Nelson is not good. He has at least 2 fractured ribs and while the BS coming out of 1265 Lombardi Avenue says he might still play Sunday against the Cowboys anyone with fractured ribs would not be playing. In fact he might miss the rest of the playoffs.

Even though the referees at the time didn't consider the hit penalty worthy I would hope the NFL fines Leon Hall a hefty sum for 2 infractions - leading with the crown of his helmet and hitting a defenseless receiver.

In a surprise move, at least to me, the Packers released defensive lineman Mike Pennel Monday. Pennel played very well last season becoming a valuable member of the rotation, but this year he was suspended the first 4 games by the NFL for performance enhancing drugs and the final 4 games for the same reason and in the middle 8 games was a non-factor.

Second Verse Same As The First

Second verse....well maybe fourth verse is more like it...same as the first after the Packers eked out a 30-27 win over da' Bears thanks to Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson and, for that matter, Mason Crosby to keep the Packers not only in playoff contention with their 4th straight win, but also Masters Of Their Own Fate.

After the Washington Redskins lost to the Panthers Monday night the Packers are NOW the sixth and last playoff team ahead of the Bucs, Redskins and the Vikings and just 1 game behind the Lions in the race for the 4th seed and the North title.

This week the Packers (8-6) host the Vikings (7-7), who beat them 17-14 in week 2 while the Lions (9-5) play at the Cowboys (12-2), the Bucs (8-6) host the Saints (6-8) and the Redskins (7-6-1) are at da' Bears (3-11).

The Giants (10-4) are the top wild card leaving the Packers with only the North title and 4th seed to win or the 6th seed to hang onto left to them.