Game thoughts

[IceRatz16]

The balanced attack has worked better overall in the last two games.  However, against the Cowboys, we only ran for an abysmal 2.8 yards per carry (compared to 4.8 yards per carry against Washington), which forced McCarthy to make due through the air and he performed.


We also have to remember that Jefferson and McCarthy have not been together for most of the season.  Jefferson missed TC and with the injuries and the birth of McCarthy's baby, they have not been able to develop the bond that others have.  I'm confident both guys will figure it out and work together this offseason to getting it fixed.  But I agree with Badger regarding Jefferson's struggles.  He's also overthinking it, IMO and just off with his timing.

[MaroonBells]

The balanced attack has worked better overall in the last two games.  However, against the Cowboys, we only ran for an abysmal 2.8 yards per carry (compared to 4.8 yards per carry against Washington), which forced McCarthy to make due through the air and he performed.


We also have to remember that Jefferson and McCarthy have not been together for most of the season.  Jefferson missed TC and with the injuries and the birth of McCarthy's baby, they have not been able to develop the bond that others have.  I'm confident both guys will figure it out and work together this offseason to getting it fixed.  But I agree with Badger regarding Jefferson's struggles.  He's also overthinking it, IMO and just off with his timing.

Good point. I'd forgotten about Jefferson missing most of training camp.

[purplefaithful]

McCarthy false starts ‘Griddy’

Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips commended quarterback J.J. McCarthy‘s pocket presence to buy time by stepping up and finding throwing lanes downfield. But he wasn’t as big of a fan of McCarthy’s “Griddy” touchdown celebration during a 1-yard run in the second quarter. McCarthy swung the ball by his ankles as he crossed the goal line. McCarthy said after the game he had done the dance in practice and was told not to do it during the game.

“As coaches, it doesn’t matter what the player or position,” Phillips said, “we want them to just cross the goal line first and then celebrate; do your thing. There’s been examples this year of guys taking the ball from a tucked position and starting to put the ball over the goal line and fumbling.”

[supafreak84]

McCarthy false starts ‘Griddy’

Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips commended quarterback J.J. McCarthy‘s pocket presence to buy time by stepping up and finding throwing lanes downfield. But he wasn’t as big of a fan of McCarthy’s “Griddy” touchdown celebration during a 1-yard run in the second quarter. McCarthy swung the ball by his ankles as he crossed the goal line. McCarthy said after the game he had done the dance in practice and was told not to do it during the game.

“As coaches, it doesn’t matter what the player or position,” Phillips said, “we want them to just cross the goal line first and then celebrate; do your thing. There’s been examples this year of guys taking the ball from a tucked position and starting to put the ball over the goal line and fumbling.”

I don't get the angst over this. They have full on group skits after scores or interceptions in the league now. Who cares if McCarthy griddy'd across the goal line. That kids been through so much shit this year, he's entitled to show a little excitement and exuberance. I know I loved to see it

[Canthony]

I don't get the angst over this. They have full on group skits after scores or interceptions in the league now. Who cares if McCarthy griddy'd across the goal line. That kids been through so much shit this year, he's entitled to show a little excitement and exuberance. I know I loved to see it

I agree. For real

[medaille]

I don't get the angst over this. They have full on group skits after scores or interceptions in the league now. Who cares if McCarthy griddy'd across the goal line. That kids been through so much shit this year, he's entitled to show a little excitement and exuberance. I know I loved to see it

If there's one thing most fans love to hate, it's when players celebrate before crossing the line.  If you want to get labeled a dumbass for all football eternity, the fastest way is to celebrate before the chickens have hatched and to screw it up and have it bite you in the ass.

I also was fine with it, but if he fumbled it out of the endzone or something, that would have erased a large chunk of the goodwill he's acquired.

[StickierBuns]

I don't get the angst over this. They have full on group skits after scores or interceptions in the league now. Who cares if McCarthy griddy'd across the goal line. That kids been through so much shit this year, he's entitled to show a little excitement and exuberance. I know I loved to see it

Agreed. KOC needs to relax and the fans online are just so ridiculous sometimes, lol. He wasn't going to drop the ball and no defenders were even close to him. This is a big part of why I've cut back hard on social media, this kind of stupidity. JJM is a dawg and his teammates love that about him. Justin Jefferson's first TD of his career he Griddy'd for about 15 yards before he hit the goal line, waving the football up and down with one hand.

[greediron]

If there's one thing most fans love to hate, it's when players celebrate before crossing the line.  If you want to get labeled a dumbass for all football eternity, the fastest way is to celebrate before the chickens have hatched and to screw it up and have it bite you in the ass.

I also was fine with it, but if he fumbled it out of the endzone or something, that would have erased a large chunk of the goodwill he's acquired.

Agreed.  I am not going to come down hard on JJ for it, but would have been smarter to do it after he was across the line.  I think Jefferson did his first griddy before he crossed the line as well.  And he acknowledged that wasn't smart and hasn't done that again.    Dance all you want once the TD is scored.

[MaroonBells]

I watch JJ with as much apprehension as I do my own son playing sports. I didn't have a huge problem with it at the time, but man, if that ball hit his knee or just slipped out of his grip, bounced off the turf with JJ crawling after it, butt in the air, looking like a total buffoon, yeah I worry about shit like that sometimes. Same with "9." I'll be happy if I never see that face again.

[StickierBuns]

I watch JJ with as much apprehension as I do my own son playing sports. I didn't have a huge problem with it at the time, but man, if that ball hit his knee or just slipped out of his grip, bounced off the turf with JJ crawling after it, butt in the air, looking like a total buffoon, yeah I worry about shit like that sometimes. Same with "9." I'll be happy if I never see that face again.

Again, IMO I don't get the angst over any of this. The 9 thing is so overblown, lol. You are talking about hypotheticals here and I'm trying to remember the last time a guy was as wide open as JJ was on that TD run ever mess up by fumbling the ball doing anything. Never? I've seen guys drop the ball when they thought they crossed the goal line, but fumble it because they did a small move like the mini-Griddy? I mean JJ high fives all the first responders in Dallas and its 'performative' to some online?

You're just set up to fail with social media and everyone having an 'opinion'. Didn't hear anyone complaining after Jefferson did this before scoring...I mean he moved the ball up and down here, swinging it before crossing the goal line. JJM just held it in front of him. Literally no one ever said anything about this and its WAY more egregious. Just pointing it out.