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Green Bay -- Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy looked toward PR director Jason Wahlers - half wanting him to tell him not to answer - before delicately handling a question about officiating.

Not wanting to get fined by the NFL, McCarthy said he understood there are judgment calls constantly being made during the course of game, but the tackle LB Desmond Bishop made on Carolina quarterback Cam Newton last Sunday was exactly how the Packers teach it.

Bishop barrelled up the middle on Newton, grabbed him around the back of the legs and drove him into the ground. The officials felt the final move was excessive and called Bishop for a roughing the passer call.

In practice Thursday, players were practicing the exact same tackle Bishop made on giant cushions during a tackling drill.

When I asked whether the move Bishop made to get Newton down on the ground was the same move he's taught in practice, McCarthy joked, "How big is this hook you're throwing out at me?"

I asked him if he needs to adjust the way he teaches the drill.

"I'll just say this, the hit that Bishop put on Cam Newton in the game, that's the highlight tape we showed for our tackling drill today," McCarthy said. "That's exactly how you're supposed to tackle through the offensive ballcarriers.

"I understand there's judgment involved in that call and that's fine. But based on my judgment that is a classic example of a perfect tackle."

For his part, Bishop said he was surprised the call was made. Asked if he would do it differently the next time, Bishop thought for a second and said, "I'd do it the same."

Bishop said one of the officials told him that he lifted Newton up.

"The other one said, 'Man, you can't do that,'" he said. "I said, 'do what'? But he was too busy getting the call to even answer."