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If you ignore the Pack's current record, which is really an anomaly by the way, I don't see McCarthy as having done much. You hate for a coach to go into next season as a lame duck, but it'd be better for the team to see what next year looks like, then offer the extension.

This move by McCarthy is both smart and admirable. It's smart because I think the Packers will have a very successful conclusion to this season. If this assumption is correct, McCarthy gains a lot more bargaining power in contract extension negotiations. It's admirable because it nudges everyone to the conclusion that football is all that matters to him.

I don't care if it is an anomaly or not. The Pack are 8-1 and a lot of it is down to McCarthy, if nothing for nothing else that he has been able to get Brett Favre to have fun while playing yet not take risks with the football.

just dont pull a marty in the playoffs if you want to get paid

Thisandthat...how is 8-1 an anomaly? Let's break this down. They have the #4 offense (YPG) at 376, the #1 passing game (yes, better than the Pats) at 298 YPG, and the #10 defense in the league. They've beaten the Eagles, Charges, Giants (all playoff teams last year) and won two tough road games back-to-back in Denver and KC and are 12-1 including the last 4 games of last year. Yes, they have problems with the running game (or lack thereof) and we shall see how it all goes down the next few weeks when the weather gets worse in GB but if you think this is all an anomaly...wow, what else do you need. He's not some guru coaching genius but he has the youngest team in the NFL focused, improving, believing in themselves, and most importantly winning. If I were management, I wouldn't get crazy with my money on the extension talks until I see something in the playoffs.

The Packers ARE 8-1, but it's been done through smoke and mirrors. Aside from plastering Minnesota at home last weekend and the Giants in week 2 (and remember, Eli was coming off of a shoulder injury and was supposed to be out a month), they've been relatively lucky to get a few of the other wins they have. They aren't going to go deep into the playoffs, and they aren't going to match the one loss that they had in the first half of the season. Though they are winning, they are just sliding by most weeks and, in the NFL, that tends to catch up with you in the end. McCarthy would be better served to get the best deal he can now, because the road isn't going to get any easier in the next few seasons in GB. Once the defense in Chicago gets healthy, they'll be better. The Lions are obviously improving (though I could see them losing the rest of their games this season, or they could win out. They're weird that way) and the Vikings can any sort of receiving corps, they will be a force with AP and Taylor in the backfield. They are a young team with a bright future (especially on defense), but they have no running game and Favre and Driver aren't getting any younger.

Yes, they won against the Eagles, but they didn't BEAT Philly. The two muffed punts cost them the game. The first Minnesota game was also closer than it should have been. I know I'm biased, but had the officials made the correct call on a fumble late in that game, Chad Greenway had a touchdown and I firmly believe that Minnesota wins that game. That was the drive that the Packers would score what would turn out to be the game winner. They also got away with BLATANT defensive hold that basically ended the Vikings final drive at midfield when they tried to tie the game. They played well on a defensive stand in Denver late that turned into an overtime win instead of a loss. They have been sliding by on thin ice and that doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in people who aren't Packer fans.

"how is 8-1 an anomaly?"

Well, 8-8 last year, and 4-12 the year before will leave doubts. The Lions are an anomaly this year, too. Back up this season with another good season, then I can call them legit (the fate of the free world hinges on my opinion).

And really, they beat bad Eagles, Chargers, Denver, and KC teams. They beat good Redskins and Giants teams. But they lost to the Bears! They are winning because of Favre this year, not in spite of him, because they have no runing game. He's playing out of his mind. When he returns to earth, lets see how they do.

When every "expert" has the Pack finishing in the cellar of the NFC North, and they surporise us, I'd call it an anomaly. But I'm a scientist, I get paid to look at things differently, skeptically, and cynically. Maybe we'll have a repeat of SB-31, it'd be a fitting way for Favre to go out (if they win).

"If you ignore the Pack's current record, which is really an anomaly by the way, I don't see McCarthy as having done much"
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What a rediculous statment, a coach is judged predominantly on his team's wins and losses it is what coaches do. 8-1 (12-1 since last yr) is doing alot! McCarthy done a tremendous job with this team -fact!

8-8 last year could have been 12-4 if it wasn't for the inexperience of their offensive line and a turnover late in those losses. The Packers were predicted to be 4-12 by most "experts" last year and they were a tie-break from being in the playoffs. McCarthy did an excellent job last year with what he had to work with.

4-12 was before McCarthy.

All this talk about beating "bad" teams is a bunch of crap. The Eagles, Chargers, Broncos, Chiefs, Giants and Redskins were all expected to be serious playoff contenders this year and, at this point in the season, they still are. Beating all of those teams was an accomplishment. They didn't just beat the Giants, they beat them down in the Meadowloands. Beating the Broncos in Denver then beating the Chiefs in Kansas City on a short week is downright impressive.

McCarthy should be coach of the year. McCarthy should get a substantial pay raise. It's highly admirable that he put his own financial gains aside for the sake of the team. He's showing great leadership to his players by putting the team first.

Go Pack Go!

McCarthy is an excellent coach, if 8-1 is and anomaly and so acclomplishable for any team then lets see your teams great record! Yeah, shutup, losers make excuses winners get W's even if they shouldn't, you create your own luck and good coaching teaches you to do that. Don't give me this "if" or "wins aren't that impressive" junk, if frogs had wings they would bump thier **** when they hit the ground, the Packers are tied with the best record in the NFC and have a better record than the "half of the league of thier own" defending Champion Colts and the "Superior AFC powerhouse" Steelers who couldn't beat the Broncos that the Packers beat the very next week. McCarthy made an excellent and classy move by waiting until after the season so he can concentrate on the team, that's why he will be coach of the year easily.

You're right Hoffa - the Pack are a fluke. After all, they've ONLY done what 29 other teams haven't been able to do - win 8 games. And that trouncing last weekend sure didn't hurt our average margin of victory.

Yes, Favre deserves a lot of the credit for the resurgence this year, but if you want to understand the fundamental difference between the Packers and the Vikings records this year - look no further than the decisions that the coaching staff is making. McCarthy is going to get paid and he showed a ton of class by deferring until after the season. Having been a Pack fan all my life, I don't think I've ever seen a GB team that cared about each other as much as this years squad.

You're just another Vikes fan looking at the Packers through contempt and jealousy colored glasses.

How to coach in the NFL and not get an extension (or, How to lose your team 101):
1. Release one of the veteran players, without notice on Christmas Eve.
2. Commit to a young QB, un-commit, commit again, call him a China Doll in the press
3. Don't start AP
4. Take away a game check for a starting player attending the funeral of the woman who raised him.
5. Don't listen to the fans
6. Let Dwight Smith get away with his comments in the press
7. Publicly acknowledge calling Tony Dungy for advice on a decision that backfired on you.

How to get a coaching contract extension:
1. Go 12-1 in the last 13 games with 14 months left on your contract.
2. Beat tough teams on the road CONSISTENTLY
3. Get players to "overachieve"

Say Hoff...you sound like a sore loser. When you get down to nit picking calls and wins and generally whining, you have a problem. They are 8-1 and tied for the best record in the NFC. How is that a fluke? Wasn't it Parcells that said 'your record reflects who you are'? So is this all a matter for Favre 'getting lucky' because he has some impressively 'lucky' numbers or maybe it's the players put in place around him...learning, maturing, coaching, and becoming a better team... Dude, check out the stats I originally posted. I'm not saying they are Pats but they aren't as bad as people seem to believe. Watch some games!

Oh yeah. One more point and thanks for making it yourself Hoff...4-12, 8-8, and 8-1. That seems like steady improvement not a fluke.

I LUB YOU BRETT

If McCarthy is smart, he will get out of Mayberry and go where the real money is. Maybe that is why he doesn't want to talk extension now. Right now he is overrated. Look at his record against the Bears.

Brett is a class guy and this will be one of his best years ever; no matter how it ends. The coach is average and better get what he can now.. it will not last.