Mike McCarthy: Clinton-Dix Had His Best Game as a Packer

The head coach of the Green Bay Packers commended the play of his first round draft pick.

Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy met with the media on Monday for his typical day-after-game press conference. Here are select comments:

  • On injuries to Tramon Williams, Sam Shields and Jamari Lattimore: None of them are long term, but how fast they'll be back is still to be determined.
  • On responding to injuries on defense: I thought our defense definitely responded and i''m talking particulary the secondary. ... If you look at the secondary, they hit a few throws and so forth. But I feel about the way Davon played. J.B. (Jarrett Bush) played well. ... Morgan Burnett had a good performance, and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix had hist best game as a Packer.
  • On Micah Hyde's fourth-quarter punt return: Micah actually won the game ball for special teams … That was one of the big, big plays of the game.
  • On overcoming adversity: A big part of winning this week is confidence. … But it's also lessons of overcoming adversity. You can not overcome enough adversity, in the course of a game, in your preparation during a week.
  • On Letroy Guion: I agree with you totally. Letroy has played very well. The Chicago game, he had some things there early, but I think he responded … But I think Minnesota and this week he was outstanding.
  • On the game-winning touchdown: Three seconds are still on the clock unfortunately. I would enjoy these games more than I do. … The conversation before the play, what Aaron was thinking was dead on. … Based on the match-up to Andrew, Aaron actually checked back to the same play. Instead of working the inside, worked the outside.
  • On making in-game adjustments: Our process is when our offensive players come off the field. They got these new tablets, Microsoft tablets, even in the sunshine they work very well. You go through all those types of things. … Our Mondays are about going through all those decisions and so forth… Aaron (Rodgers) sees the game like none other. … That particular play and that check is something we haven't done in a while. … That's a great check by him. On the clock, I'm just glad Davante was looking his way.
  • On Aaron Rodgers taking hits: That's where you can't have your cake and eat it too. We work with our quarterbacks to slide in the pocket, step up in the pocket. … but there is risk involved.   … When I see him slide, I'm happy about that, because there was a day when he didn't slide.
  • On the second-half defense: As far as our defensive performance, I agree that they were dominant in the first half. … A majority of our missed tackles were in the second half. … I thought they made a couple big plays, and a couple thing was their run play adjustment. And I wish we could have adjusted better to that.
  • On the upcoming schedule: I don't really want to talk to Wednesday's schedule. I know how close you guys are with the players, and I want them to think they're going to practice even longer. … I thought our players handled it very well, the hydration, even on the flight. I don't think I've seen so many guys go to the bathroom.
  • On where Aaron Rodgers' performance ranks: Boy I tell you, he's had great performances. I wouldn't even know where to start. A couple of those plays he made on that last series were extraordinary. … It's definitely one of his best performances. He's had some phenomenal performances.
  • On Rodgers taking a hit on the fourth-down conversion: That's the grit of the position. When you've got that pressure defender right in your face, and he doesn't even blink. ... His ability to stand in there and make that throw, it doesn't get any better than that.
  • On pass protection: I thought the protection was solid. There were some things in the plan I wish I would have done more of. They jumped our silent count a few times.  … That's a very good active front. They're healthy. They got a few guys back. 
  • On the long-term ramifications: I'm not going to sit here and say, 'We're good next week or the long term.' I think it's an investment.
  • On Clay Matthews: I'm very comfortable with the way Clay is playing. He's consistent. … I think he played 40 plays. … I'm more looking for balance and play time, and Clay's a big-time player. Production will come. History will tell you it comes in chunks.
  • On Andrew Quarless: I just spent some time with Andrew on the TV show. He's walking with a little more hip in his hop. … Look at the touchdown he made in Detroit. The one in Miami is an adjustment change. … He's done a lot of good things.
  • On the coaching staff: I think we're in tune with what we have of the players. It's the responsibility of the coaches is to demand, demand and teach.
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Comments (21)

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JimTaylor31's picture

October 13, 2014 at 05:53 pm

HaHa has been such a huge upgrade and just shows how lousy our safety play really was last year. Given Ted's bad run of 1st round picks, it's great to see Dix work out so well. Ted needed to hit on Dix and he did. Gonna be a really good NFL player IMO.

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4thand1's picture

October 13, 2014 at 07:26 pm

You mean the guy skip cowless said will be a wasted 1st round pick?

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NewNikeShoes's picture

October 13, 2014 at 09:56 pm

it's true, he never did. but he did say that he wasn't going to be great. HAHA has been a bit inconsistent, but still a huge upgrade

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Mojo's picture

October 13, 2014 at 10:58 pm

...but Cow did say we should have traded roughly half our draft (OK, an exaggeration) to pick Shazier.

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ben's picture

October 14, 2014 at 10:42 am

I did.

Why is everybody talking like Hasean has been making plays?

He has not.

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HankScorpio's picture

October 14, 2014 at 08:18 am

JT31,

I'm curious if you count Datone Jones in "Ted's bad run of 1st round picks"?

Nick Perry?

To one degree or another, both could have easily have been counted in a "bad run" prior to this season. This season, it is beginning to appear as if both just needed a little time, health and opportunity. To be sure, neither made any impact as a rookie. And Clinton-Dix is. But draft picks shouldn't be judged based on their rookie year. If they do contribute right away, that's just a nice bonus, IMO.

Sherrod is obviously a bad pick, IMO. Maybe the devastating injury is a part of that but he wasn't exactly ripping it up prior to the injury.

Looking back further, it was (In order from most recent to longest ago) Bulaga, Raji, Matthews, Harrell, Hawk and Rodgers. And thus completes the full list of TT first rounders. Those pick range from great to awful but I'm not sure I'd call any recent.

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JimTaylor31's picture

October 14, 2014 at 09:18 pm

Hank. I wasn't knocking Ted on his first round picks as there have been a variety of reasons (injury, slower then expected development and just not-so-hot production) for the production of his first round picks. Put all these together and we haven't seen much impact from out top picks in recent years. Ted needed Dix to step up and be an immediate upgrade at a position of severe need and he has. Simple as that.

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HankScorpio's picture

October 15, 2014 at 08:24 am

JT31,

You're sure right that we haven't seen much production from round 1 guys lately, which does make it noteworthy that Clinton-Dix is showing some virtually right out of the gate.

I'm just really starting to like the make up on this defense because guys like Perry and Jones are starting to produce like everyone hoped they would from day 1. Add in the addition of Peppers and it's like 4 guys were added in the offseason.

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JimTaylor31's picture

October 15, 2014 at 10:17 am

Spot on Hank. We just didn't have the time for Dix to develop given our safety situation. The fact that he has been able to more than hold his own right out of the gate is a huge plus. You're correct about Jones and Perry. Both starting to take steps forward bodes well and I think the defense should just get better as the season moves along. Actually I wasn't that thrilled when Ted signed Peppers but he does have something left in the tank and with Neal & Perry playing well he should be able to keep his legs fresh over the long haul.

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Amanofthenorth's picture

October 13, 2014 at 06:57 pm

Ha Ha Is the opponent's highlight reel stopper. He did that in college and it's carrying over to the NFL. You get 11 yards, not 40.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

October 14, 2014 at 01:36 pm

I like...I like...

It would be an even shorter stop if -- ya know -- we get consistent play from our MLBs and DLs

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aj's picture

October 13, 2014 at 08:39 pm

I loved this guy from the beginning. He has that playmaking gene that our d lacked last year. That doesn't solely mean creating turnovers. The way he separated that ball from mike wallace yesterday by going through him was immensely impressive and a play few can make. Him and datone jones will be fixtures on this defense for years as long as they stay healthy. Adding on, it goes to show you how little information combine numbers can truly show, as haha seems to fly to the ball as fast as anyone on our d.

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TKWorldWide's picture

October 13, 2014 at 09:48 pm

Agreed on the value of the "measurables" the combine provides. A player needs more than tangibles to succeed. That's part of what makes football so interesting, challenging, and occasionally frustrating.

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Mojo's picture

October 13, 2014 at 11:23 pm

HHCD has gotten better as the seasons progressed. Seems to be around the ball a lot. Good timing considering the two new injuries in the secondary.

Some random rants: I'm still confused as to why House was called for a PI in the Miami game. It looked like text book pass defense from a CB. Turned-out to be a significant penalty as it set up one of their TD's. Speaking of which it will go down as Tramon getting beat by Landry, but really was a perfect throw by Tannehill. Tramon had great position, but nothing he could do.

Also, how could they not see the Perry hold. How more out in the open and obvious could it be?

When is MM going to give Harris some touches. We need a cut-back scat back type runner and he's the best we have. Plus he's tougher than he looks.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 14, 2014 at 07:47 am

Yeah, i mentioned it too about the penalty's. I really thought House's PI penalty was very ticky tacky. Especially If anything it should have been illegal contact. That was a huge play in the game for the Dolphins.

I still am baffled at how they did not call the holding penalty with Perry. That was a huge play as well because it was a 3rd down play in which the Dolphins converted the first down.

I agree with Harris. I would like to see him get a few opportunities on offense. Even if he doesn't get the carry's I would like to see him get a few opportunity's to catch the ball on swing passes or something. He just has the speed, quickness and shiftiness that Lacy and Starks don't have. He could definitely provide a different change of pace.

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Otto's picture

October 14, 2014 at 09:38 pm

It seems to be a pattern with this regime to keep a running back (intentionally or unintentionally) in the stable until the last 1/3 or 1/4 of the season. Fresh legs at the end of the season have helped this team. Starks in 2010 and Harris in 2012, for example.
Maybe he's holding Harris out until next month.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

October 14, 2014 at 12:52 am

MM thought the pass protection was solid. I'd hate to see bad pass protection then.

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Amanofthenorth's picture

October 14, 2014 at 04:51 am

1973-1992

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packsmack's picture

October 14, 2014 at 10:48 am

It WAS solid. Don't let the over-the-top reactions fool you. Rodgers threw the ball 42 times. Cameron Wake is the highest rated defensive end this season by advanced metrics. Rodgers was sacked on only 7% of drop-backs, and that's right about what the Dolphins have averaged thus far. They did a hell of a job against yet another tough test on the road.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

October 14, 2014 at 01:47 pm

I don't know why some people can't understand that there's something in between "Bad" and Outstanding".

Remember, there were times (GB vs MIA) Rodgers held the ball for quite some time and just couldn't find anyone open. We all know Rodgers hates INTs and throwing balls away. That plays a part in Sacks and QB Hits.

This O-Line is pretty good at Pass-Pro. Not so much at Run-Blocking (just yet).

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DrealynWilliams's picture

October 14, 2014 at 01:40 pm

I can only imagine how Collins and HHCD would look together.......

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