Green Bay Packers: Mike Sherman’s Exciting, Disappointing Tenure
By Tim Muma
In many ways, Mike Sherman may have been the greatest underachieving coach in Green Bay Packers’ history.
Ultimately, it’s the players who end up determining the outcomes of games and seasons.
For example, it almost shouldn’t have mattered that they punted in Philadelphia. And really, it shouldn’t matter what defense you play on 4th-and-26.
An NFL team should not give up a first down on that play – especially in a playoff game.
But in the end, despite many regular season success, Sherman couldn’t figure it out in the postseason. Whether it was scheme, in-game decisions or something else, he went 2-4 when it mattered most.
Now, keep in mind the Packers’ defenses during his first five seasons were mediocre at best. Their average NFL rank defensively was just 16th, so that was a hindrance.
With the exception of his 2010 Super Bowl ring, one could argue that McCarthy has followed a similar path – especially if looking only at the past five seasons.
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Once again, assuming the Packers win their final two contests in 2016, McCarthy would have two fewer regular season victories than Sherman had in his first five.
McCarthy also enters this year with a 3-4 playoff record. This isn’t to say he should be fired – after all, his track record is longer and better.
The main point is that Sherman was a really good coach, but he may have lacked that “it” factor to become truly great and get the Packers to the Promised Land.
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There were certainly some amazing times during the Sherman era. Unfortunately for the Green Bay Packers and their fans, it never reached peak excitement.