Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, clearly hurt, disappointed and educated by the loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Championship Game, told reporters in his season-ending press conference today that he’s “pressing on,” not only with his football team, but with his own family.
“Life is precious. I don’t have the words, or the emotional discipline, to take you through it. It’s very difficult. We’re pressing on.”
Having been gone from Green Bay for a week attending the funeral of his younger brother, Joe, McCarthy expressed his thanks for all the heartfelt gestures by everyone associated with the team, but told everyone early on in the presser that he wanted to say thanks and not talk about his personal situation.
McCarthy on support after losing his brother: "Unbelievable. I'm not going to be able to talk much about it. And thank you."
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) January 28, 2015
With that out of the way early, McCarthy said that he was, of course disappointed in the team’s season-ending loss, but that he was ready to move ahead with making changes that will continue to put his team in a position to compete for a championship. He talked about pride and what this team meant to him:
McCarthy on #Packers 2014 season: "Excellent season for us. Something we're very proud of."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) January 28, 2015
MM: "Our fans, their disappointment, we're right there with you. Our homefield advantage was second to none. Improved in that area."
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) January 28, 2015
He said that the Packers had every opportunity to win the game, but it was the breakdowns of special teams at crucial times that eventually doomed the team.
McCarthy on special teams: Tough performance. Mistakes were hard to overcome.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) January 28, 2015
McCarthy, the man who is always looking ahead – learning and planning from previous experiences – also said that the evaluation process for the players and coaches will begin as soon as possible as he begins building the 2015 version of the Green Bay Packers.
MM: "The evaluation process starts now. This is my first order of business. ... Start the process of change, adjustment, emphasis."
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) January 28, 2015
Would he be considering the dismissal of any staff? Here’s his diplomatic response:
McCarthy on if he'll retain Shawn Slocum: "It's important to evaluate. Haven't had that opportunity. We'll look at everything." #Packers
— Paul (@Paulimig) January 28, 2015
And on the special teams plays that hurt the team immensely in the Championship Game, here is what he said:
McCarthy: "Our special teams errors have been critical more because of the timing of it. It definitely showed up in the Seattle game."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) January 28, 2015
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But the loss in Seattle is no different from any other loss – of course the impact is greater because it’s the championship, but he said as far as using the experience as one from which to learn, he said:
McCarthy: "Our special teams errors have been critical more because of the timing of it. It definitely showed up in the Seattle game."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) January 28, 2015
McCarthy also said the touchdown given up by the Packers on the fake punt was one in which the Seahawks executed better: “Fakes are risky. Jon Ryan can run, we know that. …Hey, we did not execute our responsibilities the best we can. They had a better play called than what we had called.”
The mystery surrounding Clay Matthews sitting out several plays at the end of the game, McCarthy still isn’t exactly clear on what happened to the linebacker. He said that he was told Matthews “needed a minute” and thought it may have been his knee that had taken a hit. He said he didn’t think it was concussion-related.
MM on Matthews sitting out: Was being looked at near the end. His knee. ...Talked to Clay, he said he needed a minute.
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) January 28, 2015
On free agency, McCarthy said again that he wanted to sign all his players back, but that it’s a process that will be addressed by himself and Ted Thompson as part of the rebuilding of the team.
McCarthy on #Packers unrestricted free agents: "That process really hasn't begun. Emphasis right now on college draft."
— Paul (@Paulimig) January 28, 2015
Many have questioned McCarthy’s decision not to go for the touchdowns when the team was inside the Seahawks’ five yard line in the first half …
McCarthy taking pts: "I actually called a fourth-down play on the headset, but penetration on 2nd and 3rd down was why I decided it kick it"
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) January 28, 2015
In addition, McCarthy said he agreed with the intent of Julius Peppers’ signal for Morgan Burnett to get down on the interception with about five minutes left.
More MM on sliding: Those are decisions made in the heat of the battle. I agree with the intent of the decision. Why he did it, I understand
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) January 28, 2015
He also really liked the addition of Julius Peppers to the 2014 unit:
McCarthy on Julius Peppers' 1st year w/ #Packers: From a leadership standpoint I thought he knocked it out of the park.
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 28, 2015
McCarthy also praised the fact that the team has built continuity – a factor that should help the team well into the future. And in concluding, McCarthy said that he is feeling good, despite all that has transpired in the past 10 days or so.
McCarthy on his own personal health: "I feel good. Gut-wrenching loss … Put all of us on alert to make sure we take a closer look at it."
— Paul (@Paulimig) January 28, 2015
“Life is precious. I don’t have the words, or the emotional discipline, to take you through it. It’s very difficult. We’re pressing on.”