Clements to stay involved in game planning
Play-calling duties are the only piece of Tom Clements’ job description he no longer will perform, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said Monday.
McCarthy reassumed play-calling duties before the Packers’ 28-7 win Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. It was the most points the team has scored in a win since September, and McCarthy doesn’t plan to relinquish the responsibility for the rest of this season.
But McCarthy said Clements will continue serving an important role with the Packers as an associate head coach.
“Tom’s role hasn’t changed as far as job responsibility,” McCarthy said, “minus the play calling. I mean, Tom is very involved in the game planning. His game-day responsibilities are that of which he did last year.”
Mike McCarthy makes right call for Packers
Clements was unavailable to the media Monday for the first time after a game this season.
McCarthy would not discuss Monday his decision to start calling offensive plays after speaking about it “in full” after Sunday’s game. He reiterated the Packers did some “good things” on offense.
“But hey,” McCarthy said, “everybody has a role to do on game day.”
Clements was the Packers’ primary game planner on offense. His responsibilities included compiling the play sheet for McCarthy’s approval. McCarthy often would offer suggestions during games, but Clements called plays.
Those game-day roles will be reversed, with Clements offering suggestions. If nothing else changes, he’ll also have a major role in putting together the offense’s game plan.
Offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett said his responsibilities had little change. Bennett was promoted to offensive coordinator from receivers coach during the offseason. Clements previously was the team’s offensive coordinator.
Bennett said he was on board with McCarthy’s decision to start calling plays.
“What I’ve learned about him,” Bennett said, “is once Coach Mike puts something in place, it’s our responsibility to go out and get it done and execute. I think everyone, from the coaching staff to the players, were on board as far as knowing what we needed to get done. (Sunday) was a clear example of what we’re capable of doing.”