“Ask Vic” will publish on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the football season.
Michael from West Des Moines, IA
Well, they did it. Why now?
I think the si.com story forced the issue. As I was reading it, I was struck by the number of leaks. My reporter’s instincts said, “Uh oh.”
Rod from Summerfield, NC
Well, the wolves won. It is unfortunate McCarthy’s tenure was handled in this manner. I expected more from the Green Bay organization. I am now suspicious this was in the plans since Ted retired. Is it your opinion Aaron will be a part of the hiring process for the next head coach?
Players hiring coaches? It would be the ultimate in jockocracy. Not even Howard Cosell could have imagined it.
Kabir from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
What must the next head coach of the Packers bring to the team McCarthy did not have?
The next coach must have Aaron Rodgers’ cooperation. The si.com story painted an ugly picture of a coach and a quarterback who were not pulling in the same direction. The next coach must be a consensus builder, especially when it comes to Rodgers.
John from Paxton, IL
Do you think this team quit on McCarthy and forced Murphy to make this move?
I think the si.com story made Mike McCarthy a lame duck coach, and players won’t play for a lame duck coach.
Joe from St. Paul, MN
So much for harmony. I suppose we all knew this was coming but I’m surprised it was done before the end of the season. It feels like a very undignified way to say goodbye to a man who had treated his position with dignity during his time here.
I don’t have a problem with how it was done. If the decision was made, then get it done. It’s best for McCarthy that way. He’ll now have a chance to rest, recuperate and achieve perspective as he begins considering his next move.
Kurt from Mariposa, CA
It seems like a very reactionary decision to fire Coach McCarthy after the loss. What benefits are there to making the decision with four games left?
It quiets the wolves. Now, there is peace. Nobody wants to live and work in angst and uncertainty. It’s not a good environment for players to learn their craft and to prepare for the next game. Fans have tremendous power. The howl has cost many a man his job.
Kent from Pella, IA
Terry Bradshaw was very pointed in the postgame show last night, saying, “Aaron Rodgers, it’s your birthday. You’ve turned a year older and you got your coach fired. Congratulations.” He said he’d feel terrible if anyone ever associated him with getting Chuck Noll fired. Given your history with both teams, how do you feel about Terry’s perspective?
They’re harsh words. They’re a product of the si.com story. The story was a killer. As I read it, I kind of knew Mark Murphy had to decide between McCarthy and Rodgers. It was one or the other, not both, and when your quarterback is nearly $60 million in dead cap money, the choice becomes rather simple. Rodgers’ new contract was the beginning of the end for the Packers as we’ve known them for a very long and a very good time.
Julian from Menasha, WI
Shouldn’t Rodgers be tilting the field?
Mystiques die hard.
Ron from Boise, ID
The Packers’ road to the playoff is shut down. Do players play for new contracts?
The players need to play for the tape because the Packers’ roster is going to undergo major change in the offseason.
Curt from Portland, OR
Vic, everyone is always trying to ascribe prophetic significance to phrases coming from Aaron Rodgers’ mouth. Maybe this year’s phrase came after the Monday night win against the 49ers when he looked at the tough schedule ahead and said, “We’re gonna find out what kind of team we are.” I guess we know, yeah?
If the Packers didn’t already know what kind of team they were, why did they make all of those changes in the offseason? They knew, and I think Rodgers did, too.
Johan from Pembroke, ON
Do you believe the talent on the Packers is really that bad? What do your eyes tell you when they can’t even beat a two-win team and converted only three of 14 third-down attempts?
The Packers were out-rushed 182-98 by a Cardinals team that was No. 32 in rushing and No. 30 in rush defense. That’s what concerns me.
Craig from Anchorage, AK
The Packers losing at Lambeau in December to a 2-9 dome team forced Murphy’s hand. Am I right?
I believe the si.com story that detailed the depth of McCarthy’s and Rodgers’ failed coach/quarterback relationship forced Mark Murphy’s hand. The loss to the Cardinals made it the right time to do the deed. What intrigues me the most about the si.com story are all of the leaks. Somebody had a plan.
Roger from Auburn, CA
Seems like a fitting way for the Packers’ season to end! Thoughts about where they go from here?
New coach, new ways, new hope. The offseason will be full of excitement and anticipation. That’s what everybody loves about firing a coach following a losing season. The new coach will be better. He’ll call better plays.
John Ohesaher
Senior Shill
JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …
Frankie from London, UK
Credit to Todd Wash and the defense. They came to play today.
I smiled at this email and many others praising the Jaguars’ defense and coordinator Todd Wash for their performance in a 6-0 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. I smiled not because I was joyful (rarely do I experience joy), but because many of the emails I received Sunday seemed to imply somehow that the Jaguars’ defense hadn’t come to play in the other 11 games this season – or that Wash hadn’t done a good job in the other 11 games this season. While Sunday’s game undoubtedly was the Jaguars’ best defensive game this season, it’s not at all accurate to say or imply the Jaguars’ defense hasn’t been good this season. No, it hasn’t pitched a bunch of shutouts. But you don’t shut out many NFL offenses with today’s rules. You darned sure don’t shut out many offenses with elite quarterbacks under today’s rules. The Jaguars’ defense on Sunday played as well as I have seen them play – maybe ever. It also got a couple of breaks that allowed it to finish with a shutout as opposed to allowing, say, three-to-10 points. But this defense has played well most of the season. It has allowed a few more explosive plays than would be ideal. And because it has played from behind more than last season, it hasn’t had the sacks and turnovers it registered last season. But this defense is good. It actually could be a while before the Jaguars have a defense this good again. And it could be a long while before it has a game as good as Sunday’s again.
Michael from Middleburg, FL
Defense won this game…
Ya think?
Big on Blake from Philly
Yeah, let’s trade that guy … only place to tackle that guy to keep him inbounds. Great heads up play to seal the win. Also, right after Jack made the game-saving tackle on Ebron the play before.
You’re referencing cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s play to tackle Colts tight end Erik Swoope in bounds on what turned out to be the game’s final play Sunday. Ramsey indeed made a phenomenally aware, athletic play to knock Swoope backward – therefore stopping his forward progress and enabling officials to rule that Swoope was in bounds. That meant the game was over instead of the Colts getting another play. This indeed was two plays after linebacker Myles Jack accelerated to keep tight end Eric Ebron from getting out of bounds and stopping the clock. Without those two plays, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck would have had 20 or 30 more seconds on that final drive – and who knows what would have happened. Big-time talents, big-time plays.
Daniel from Jersey City, NJ
O-man, it’s good to see that our defense still has fight. They have not given up on the year like I had.
That was perhaps the most notable point to make about Sunday’s game. The Jaguars were essentially eliminated from the postseason with their loss to Buffalo last week. They had lost seven consecutive games, including the last four in heartbreaking fashion. I thought you might see the Jaguars play selfishly and somewhat in disarray Sunday. I also wondered if they weren’t due for at least a temporary letdown. Instead, they played with heart and desire – and turned in probably their second-biggest victory of the season. Impressive stuff.
Leon from Austin, TX
It has to be official Jalen Ramsey isn’t going anywhere, now time to get compensated!
The Jaguars can’t re-sign Ramsey to a long-term contract until after the 2018 season. NFL rules dictate drafted players can’t resign until following their third season. Ramsey was selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Jeff from Jacksonville
Glad to get the win, but I hope all of the #FreeKessler fans out there realize that the offensive struggles weren’t on Blake. That game looked no different on offense than the last seven.
You’re right that the offense looked pretty much the same this week as it did the last few. That’s logical considering the number of injuries the offense had sustained throughout the season – and considering the absence of running back Leonard Fournette. I understand people’s desire to blame quarterback Blake Bortles for all that ailed the Jaguars’ offense in recent weeks, though. It feels better to blame one thing.
Strnbiker from Dothan, AL
(A)Yes (B) no (C) maybe – cop-out response. Had Bortles played he would have tossed a Pick 6 and lost the game 7-6. And your valued response it?
If it makes you feel better to believe the Jaguars would have lost had Bortles played, by all means believe it. I’m all for the readers feeling better.
Josh from Jax Beach
Different clowns, same circus on offense. At least the defense showed up and they did get a W, so that’s cool. I guess.
You’re absolutely right. Sunday’s game did show once again that the injuries that waylaid this offense from the start of the season have yet again proven difficult to overcome. Good eye.
Michael from Fruit Cove, FL
You keep saying you think we’ll get rid of defensive end Calais Campbell after this season. He seems like the best player on the team. Nobody can block him. Why would we get rid of him? Sure we drafted Taven Bryan, but Bryan could be very good and get better every year for the next ten years and still not be as good as Campbell. I feel like we should do anything possible to keep him.
I do believe the Jaguars will part ways with Campbell after the season. I believe this because the salary cap will make it very difficult to keep him. I think losing Campbell would weaken the Jaguars on the field – at least in the short term – and I think they will at the very least explore ways to keep him. But I think it will be very tough. Here’s hoping I’m wrong. Stranger things have happened.
JT from Fort Work, TX
Why fire a good coach just to run the same offense?
Fair.
Bruce from Green Cove Springs, FL
Cody Kessler didn’t remind anyone of Aaron Rogers, but he managed the game effectively. He was accurate. He was consistent. He made (mostly) good decisions. Our offensive line was porous, there were too many holding penalties, and the running game wasn’t too effective, but Cody hung in. He didn’t do anything to hurt the team. The defense was incredible, playing as well as I’ve ever seen them. So, tell me, John – is there a correlation between having a QB that plays consistently and doesn’t turn the ball over and a defense that lit up the opposing offense?
Bortles didn’t commit a turnover in Weeks 8, 10 or 11 of this season, so I would say to connect the quarterback play Sunday to the defense might be a stretch.
Dan from Cary, NC
#BenchKessler
Wow.
Chris from London, UK
O-Man, I’m no expert, but surely Sunday’s game proves that our offense issues were not on Bortles. I think given all the situation – i.e., cap and lack of draft options next year – we should give him one more season??
I think considering all that has gone on and where the Jaguars will be after this season it’s probably time to move forward. It’s hard to imagine at this point Bortles being the Jaguars’ quarterback next season. And don’t call me Shirley.
Jeff from Jacksonville
I don’t necessarily agree with the “Jags-only-put-a-good-team-together-every-10-years” narrative. While the 2018 season is eerily similar to the 2008 season as far as injuries and disappointment go, this team was still pretty competitive the rest of the decade. I remember the 2010 Texans miracle pass game. I was super-excited not only because I witnessed probably the greatest pass I’ll ever see in person, but also because the Jags were 8-5 after that game. Of course it was followed by a three-game collapse, but this team was very much still competitive at that point.
True.
Roger from Houston, TX
Can we just put muzzles on our DBs? They’re killing us.
You’re referencing an early unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty Sunday on rookie safety Ronnie Harrison, which gave the Colts a first down after safety Tashaun Gipson had knocked away a pass to Ebron. This came in the first quarter and extended a Colts drive. It would be easy to write this off as a mistake of passion by a rookie making his first start. But while that was the case – and while the Jaguars overcame, it’s also the case that there have been waaaaaaaay too many mistakes such as that all season. Waaaaaaaaaay too many.
Mike from Rochester, NY
One for the guy painted in teal that they kept showing on the television broadcast. It’s been a tough year for fans. Being a fan of this team has never been easy but we must remain loyal.
Hey, one for the teal guy! #DTWD
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