The Packer Pundit

McCarthy most deserving of
NFL Coach of the Year
The votes for the 2007 Associated Press' NFL Coach of the Year are due today, and the list of coaches who have done outstanding jobs this season is a lengthy one. One could argue until the snow stops falling in June why Cleveland's Romeo Crennel, Jacksonville's Jack Del Rio, Indianapolis' Tony Dungy, Dallas' Wade Phillips or Tennessee's Jeff Fisher deserve the award. Each man led his respective team to at least 10 victories and all but Crennel's Browns made the playoffs -- and even then they weren't eliminated until the season's final Sunday night game. But really, with no disrespect intended to the aforementioned five, the choice should be between only two candidates: New England's Bill Belichick and Green Bay's Mike McCarthy. And the winner should be ... McCarthy. [More]


Coston could miss "a couple weeks;" Spitz iffy, too
The Packers could be without two of their top three guards when they play their first playoff game, on Jan. 12. Coach Mike McCarthy said Junius Coston "may be (out) a couple weeks" because of the calf strain he suffered in Sunday's win over Detroit. McCarthy is "hopeful" that Jason Spitz, who suffered a quadriceps strain, will be ready for the NFC divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field. If Coston can't play, Daryn Colledge would start in his place at left guard. If both Coston and Spitz are out, Tony Moll probably likely start at right guard, although McCarthy also could play rookie fourth-round pick Allen Barbre at left guard and slide Colledge to the right side. Meanwhile, McCarthy said cornerback Will Blackmon had "irritation" to his preexisting right foot injury but could practice Friday while running back Ryan Grant is "fine" after suffering a stinger. Because he broke off 27- and 18-yard runs in Sunday win over Detroit game, Grant would have gotten the chance to reach the 1,000-yard mark had he not gotten hurt, McCarthy said. Grant, who finished 44 yards shy of 1,000, could have gone back into the game but McCarthy did not want to risk further injury.