For the first time since the NFL went to four-team divisions with the 1970 merger, a division will start a season with three new head coaches.
Fortunately for NFC North dean of coaches Lovie Smith, the Bears get the chance to face them all in the first three weeks, starting with Green Bay’s Mike McCarthy, then Detroit’s Rod Marinelli and then Minnesota’s Brad Childress.
This is McCarthy’s second stint with the Packers. He was Brett Favre’s quarterbacks coach under head coach Ray Rhodes in 1999. That it happened to be Favre’s worst season between 1991 and 2005 didn’t keep McCarthy from getting the job.
McCarthy arrived after a year as offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, who finished 32nd in offense, so general manager Ted Thompson was looking at more than statistics.
One thing Thompson hopes is that McCarthy’s western Pennsylvania toughness will help get the Packers through a rough transition period. Former coach Mike Sherman was tough, too, but his short-lived stint doubling as GM after the retirement of Ron Wolf doomed him.
That didn’t stop Favre from proclaiming this team the “most talented” he ever has played on, albeit the “most inexperienced.”
“Brett’s not making my job any easier,” McCarthy said with a laugh. “There’s a reason why he’s only talking to the media once every two weeks.”
In a new light: For the second year in a row, Favre will start with two new guards. Rookies Jason Spitz and Tony Moll, third- and fifth-rounders, respectively, have beaten out all comers, including second-rounder Daryn Colledge. McCarthy will call plays and try to walk the fine line between convincing Favre to throttle down and letting him wing it. The return of running back Ahman Green from a torn quadriceps muscle is crucial to Favre’s success. Losing big-play receiver Javon Walker to Denver limits the receiving options.
Bright spots: Nobody remembers the Packers finished seventh in overall defense last year except former coordinator Jim Bates, who was passed up for the head coaching job. When Bates wouldn’t agree to stay on, McCarthy was smart enough to keep Bates disciple Bob Sanders. When Favre won, it was because of a defense that wasn’t overwhelmed by the quarterback’s penchant for playing to win come high water or interceptions. Active middle linebacker Nick Barnett remains the focal point.
Turnoffs: New cornerback Charles Woodson, signed from Oakland, still must prove he has something left after eight years interrupted too often by injury. So far, he hasn’t looked worth his $10 million guarantee. New strong safety Marquand Manuel was an emergency backup for Seattle. The defensive line still is shaky despite the addition of Ryan Pickett from St. Louis and Kenderick Allen from the Giants. The offensive line is thinner after losing Adrian Klemm (Achilles’ tendon) and Kevin Barry (quadriceps) for the season. Kicker Ryan Longwell went to Minnesota, and B.J. Sander, a third-round punter and symbol of Sherman’s failed regime, was cut.
Rookie flash: Linebackers A.J. Hawk and Abdul Hodge are ready to contribute immediately, with Hodge making more big plays than Hawk early in the preseason, but Hawk came on strong. Receiver Greg Jennings looks unusually smooth and ready for prime time for a second-round pick. Favre won’t hesitate to lean on him.
Playoff glow: When the Packers come to Soldier Field for the season finale, a playoff berth is not likely to be on the line. The big question will be whether it’s Favre’s finale. The guess: no, as usual.
