The Green Bay Packers were without one of the regular blockers on their protection unit for the field goal that the Chicago Bears blocked at the end of regulation in Mondays overtime loss at Soldier Field, but coach Mike McCarthy isnt putting the blame on the blockers.
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Defensive tackle Johnny Jolly, one of the members of the field goal team, injured his ankle on the drive before Mason Crosbys 38-yard attempt at a game winner that was blocked by Bears defensive end Alex Brown. Special teams coach Mike Stock replaced Jolly with backup offensive lineman Allen Barbre, but McCarthy said that wasnt the problem.
Really, the protection had nothing to do with it, McCarthy said Tuesday after seeing the film. I know Alex Brown got his hand on the ball, but he was actually falling inside from what I saw. It was a poor kick.
It was the second failed game-winning attempt this season by Crosby, who pushed a 52-yarder wide right on the Packers last play in a 28-27 loss at Minnesota on Nov. 9.
Nothing about the operation the snap or the hold seemed to be problematic on Crosbys latest miss. Crosby had been 37 of 40 in his career on kicks from 39 yards and in.
A 38-yard field goal, when we line up for a 38-yard field goal with no wind, I fully expect to make it, yes, McCarthy said.
Crosby, who has made 26 of 32 field goals this season, also missed low and to the left on a 46-yard kick in the third quarter.
I felt Mason over-strided a little bit on that, McCarthy said. But those are things we need to talk about. We havent sat with the players yet and talked about that.