Packers Morning Buzz: McCarthy needs things to fit

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers and the NFL from around the web and here at PackersNews.com. Grab a strong cup of coffee, or brew some English breakfast tea if that’s your thing, and get caught up on everything you need to know about the Packers.

We’ll start with Tom Silverstein’s look at Mike McCarthy’s comments about player acquisition during his season-ending news conference Thursday and what they mean going forward.

From Tom:

The 2017 performance changed everything, and though McCarthy’s job wasn’t one of those outwardly affected, the pressure valve headed into next season has steam whistling out of every opening.

With just two years left on his contract and a new general manager about to take over, McCarthy must take a Super Bowl-or-bust approach to 2018. If he doesn’t get to the Super Bowl next year, it will give the new guy an excuse to fire him.

And so, when McCarthy asked that question, he seemed to be issuing a challenge to the front office to deliver him more talent. He made a good-faith effort to clean up his coaching staff; now he needs the front office to use any means necessary to build the roster.

“Are we doing everything we need to do to win a championship?” McCarthy said. “That question needs to be answered. It needs to be answered throughout football operations.

“I know what I’m in control of. I’m in control of making sure we’re doing everything we can, everything we can to win a championship. That’s what this process is.”

Michael Cohen writes on McCarthy’s expectations for the defense:

McCarthy had a none-too-subtle message for Damarious Randall:

I spoke with Ryan Wood about what we learned from McCarthy’s season-ending press conference:

McCarthy will interview internal candidates first for defensive coordinator:

Elsewhere, the Packers left tackle made Pro Football Focus’ All Pro team:

Peter Bukowski writes on a possible upcoming transition in Green Bay:

Mike McCarthy stressed the need for a new GM to be a good “fit”

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is frustrated:

The internal GM interviews continue:

Packers are looking outside the building as well:

Cliff Christl looks at past offseasons that started with a whirlwind:

If someone were to ask for a summation of the Packers' ability to play zone defense under Dom Capers, this would pretty much do the trick:

Casey Hayward had a message to those who complain about the Packers letting him walk:

Jason Perone asks if QB1 should be involved in upcoming hires:

Who knew the X-Files had a connection to the Packers?

FOX 11 looks at the history of the Packers nearly leaving Green Bay: