http://www.packersnews.com/includes/newspaper/blogs/insider/index.shtml
More McCarthy notes
Asked about the Packers' problems running the football in Sunday's 16-13 win over Philadelphia, coach Mike McCarthy on Monday spoke for nearly 90 seconds and rattled off a number of issues, topped by a game plan that might have been too extensive. "I need to look at the volume of offense that we took into that game," McCarthy said. "We took in a little more than you normally do. ... In hindsight, I thought we did too much."
Other issues included: fundamental mistakes; poor blocking angles that didn't match the course of the backs; missed one-on-one blocks that resulted in pressures and sacks; subpar route running; and decision-making by quarterback Brett Favre that left room for improvement.
McCarthy said he was more disappointed in the number of plays the Packers ran (63) than the number of rushing attempts (16, not including a late Favre kneel-down). "The game plan going in was to throw the ball, and particularly, early in the game," he said. "The ratio is one thing, but the number of plays is the first thing. ... We want to be 74, 75 (or more) plays a game, so execution plays a big part of that obviously, but also to get in and out of the huddle, the tempo, and things that we did not establish. But I don't want to be throwing the ball 42 times a game."
Also from McCarthy ...
* Punter Jon Ryan "didn't punt particularly well" -- one of several issues on an otherwise strong day for the Packers' special teams.
* Favre's interception on a pass intended for TE Bubba Franks was a result of confusion when Franks altered his route based on coverage when the Eagles blitzed.
* The Packers planned for Greg Jennings "potentially having a big day, but ... that's no excuse for the way that we played on offense, at all." Jennings missed the game because of a hamstring injury.
* Will Blackmon still doesn't appear to be catching the ball comfortably with a cast on his broken left thumb, so it's unlikely he'll be available to return punts or kicks this week against the New York Giants.
* Atari Bigby played "good" in his first game as the starting strong safety, but "did not play as well on special teams." Bigby collided with Al Harris on the punt return that left Harris with a sprained elbow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Injury update
Cornerback Al Harris has a sprained elbow but "feels good," coach Mike McCarthy said this morning. The team is waiting for MRI results, McCarthy said, and Harris is receiving treatment. Based at least in part on the injury, which occurred while Harris was playing on the punt return team Sunday against Philadelphia, the team will "lean the other way going forward" when it comes to playing starters on special teams. Harris left briefly but returned and finished the game with his right arm heavily wrapped. Based on a conversation with head athletic trainer Pepper Burress, McCarthy indicated he's confident Harris will play this week against the New York Giants.
Receiver Carlyle Holiday has the only other new injury, with swelling in his knee. He'll be limited in practice this week, McCarthy said.
* Right guard Jason Spitz continues to battle a calf strain, so Junius Coston is expected to open practice Wednesday with the starters.
* Running back Vernand Morency (knee) will practice Wednesday and then be re-evaluated Thursday.
* The team is hopeful WR Greg Jennings and S Aaron Rouse, who have hamstring injuries, will be ready to play this week.
* Tackle Tony Moll (neck) will be evaluated Wednesday.
* End Michael Montgomery (knee) is out again.
More McCarthy notes
Asked about the Packers' problems running the football in Sunday's 16-13 win over Philadelphia, coach Mike McCarthy on Monday spoke for nearly 90 seconds and rattled off a number of issues, topped by a game plan that might have been too extensive. "I need to look at the volume of offense that we took into that game," McCarthy said. "We took in a little more than you normally do. ... In hindsight, I thought we did too much."
Other issues included: fundamental mistakes; poor blocking angles that didn't match the course of the backs; missed one-on-one blocks that resulted in pressures and sacks; subpar route running; and decision-making by quarterback Brett Favre that left room for improvement.
McCarthy said he was more disappointed in the number of plays the Packers ran (63) than the number of rushing attempts (16, not including a late Favre kneel-down). "The game plan going in was to throw the ball, and particularly, early in the game," he said. "The ratio is one thing, but the number of plays is the first thing. ... We want to be 74, 75 (or more) plays a game, so execution plays a big part of that obviously, but also to get in and out of the huddle, the tempo, and things that we did not establish. But I don't want to be throwing the ball 42 times a game."
Also from McCarthy ...
* Punter Jon Ryan "didn't punt particularly well" -- one of several issues on an otherwise strong day for the Packers' special teams.
* Favre's interception on a pass intended for TE Bubba Franks was a result of confusion when Franks altered his route based on coverage when the Eagles blitzed.
* The Packers planned for Greg Jennings "potentially having a big day, but ... that's no excuse for the way that we played on offense, at all." Jennings missed the game because of a hamstring injury.
* Will Blackmon still doesn't appear to be catching the ball comfortably with a cast on his broken left thumb, so it's unlikely he'll be available to return punts or kicks this week against the New York Giants.
* Atari Bigby played "good" in his first game as the starting strong safety, but "did not play as well on special teams." Bigby collided with Al Harris on the punt return that left Harris with a sprained elbow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Injury update
Cornerback Al Harris has a sprained elbow but "feels good," coach Mike McCarthy said this morning. The team is waiting for MRI results, McCarthy said, and Harris is receiving treatment. Based at least in part on the injury, which occurred while Harris was playing on the punt return team Sunday against Philadelphia, the team will "lean the other way going forward" when it comes to playing starters on special teams. Harris left briefly but returned and finished the game with his right arm heavily wrapped. Based on a conversation with head athletic trainer Pepper Burress, McCarthy indicated he's confident Harris will play this week against the New York Giants.
Receiver Carlyle Holiday has the only other new injury, with swelling in his knee. He'll be limited in practice this week, McCarthy said.
* Right guard Jason Spitz continues to battle a calf strain, so Junius Coston is expected to open practice Wednesday with the starters.
* Running back Vernand Morency (knee) will practice Wednesday and then be re-evaluated Thursday.
* The team is hopeful WR Greg Jennings and S Aaron Rouse, who have hamstring injuries, will be ready to play this week.
* Tackle Tony Moll (neck) will be evaluated Wednesday.
* End Michael Montgomery (knee) is out again.