McCarthy not worried about Pack's running game

[May 10, 2011]  GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Mike McCarthy knows the Green Bay Packers might have a tough time winning in December with quarterback Aaron Rodgers as their leading rusher.

Still, McCarthy doesn't seem particularly concerned with the way his running game struggled in Sunday's 20-17 loss at Atlanta. McCarthy said matchups dictate the offense, and the Packers successfully emphasized their perimeter passing game against the Falcons.

"We got into a game really throwing the football," McCarthy said. "Our situational run wasn't what it needed to be. But as far as the offense as a whole, I thought it was as productive of a performance as we've had this year in the passing game."

Rodgers was 26 of 35 for 344 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, marching the offense down the field late in the fourth quarter for a game-tying 10-yard touchdown to Jordy Nelson on fourth-and-goal with 56 seconds left -- only to watch the special teams and defense give up a decisive field goal to the Falcons.

Rodgers was nearly as dangerous with his feet he was with his arm, moving around to extend plays and taking off when nothing was open downfield. Rodgers had 12 rushes for 51 yards on Sunday.

Unfortunately for the Packers, that made Rodgers their leading rusher -- and it wasn't particularly close, as running back Brandon Jackson had 10 carries for only 26 yards.

"A runner hasn't averaged over (3.1) yards a carry in the last two games," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "That's an issue. That's not good."

Jackson said he was frustrated, and seemed to think he would have a better chance of getting into a rhythm if he had more chances to carry the ball.

"With the type of offense we have, I'm maybe looking at 10 to 15 carries," Jackson said. "So, who knows? I just have to do the best I can with those attempts."

Green Bay has struggled to run the ball consistently since Ryan Grant hurt his ankle in the Packers' Week 1 victory at Philadelphia and was placed on injured reserve.

"Last year, Ryan had over 1,000 yards rushing," Jackson said. "And if we continue to commit to our running game, we can get that plus (more)."

Conventional wisdom says the running game inconsistency could come around to hurt the Packers in the final weeks of the season, although McCarthy hasn't been hesitant to keep throwing when the weather turns bad.

According to STATS LLC, Rodgers has played in nine games with temperatures under 40 degrees since 2008 -- and he's had 30-plus passing attempts in seven of those games.

"We have confidence, certainly, in our passing game," Philbin said. "If you protect your passer well, we've got a guy who throws the ball well. And we've got some good receivers. Unless the weather doesn't cooperate, I think we should be able to throw the football."

While the blame for the Packers' so-so running game must be shared between the backs and the offensive line, the Packers might get their first look at a different running back option this week. No. 3 running back Dimitri Nance has a concussion and will be evaluated throughout the week, meaning sixth-round draft pick James Starks might get his first game action.

After opening the season on the physically unable to perform list because of a hamstring injury -- and missing all of his senior season at Buffalo because of a shoulder injury -- is he ready?

"Well, he'd better be," McCarthy said. "He may have an opportunity this week."

If McCarthy was concerned about anything he saw from his running game on Sunday, it was in short yardage situations.

Rodgers was stuffed, then fumbled, on back-to-back sneak attempts near the goal line in the second quarter. McCarthy acknowledged that the sneak isn't necessarily his favorite short-yardage option.

"You never want to expose your quarterback to unnecessary hits, but it's like any play you have in your offense," McCarthy said. "There's a design, there's technique involved, and when it's not done right, usually negative things happen, and it was evident on both of those sneaks."

Overall, though, McCarthy was raving about Rodgers' performance -- especially on the Packers' final possession.

"I have never seen a quarterback, in my time here, play to that level in the passing game," McCarthy said. "I'll make that statement clearly here."

McCarthy also said receiver Greg Jennings is likely to miss practice time this week because of a foot injury and linebacker Brandon Chillar will likely miss Sunday's game against San Francisco after re-injuring his shoulder. Tight end Spencer Havner is out for Sunday with a hamstring injury.

[Associated Press; By CHRIS JENKINS]

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