McCarthy's approach: Less pain, more gain

[Zero2Cool]

By Mike Vandermause

There is no truth to the rumor Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy is running a country club at Clarke Hinkle Field.

But anyone longing for the good old days when training camp consisted of live tackling, two-a-day practices on a regular basis, no water breaks and grass drills that made players vomit will be disappointed.

The landscape has changed dramatically over the years. For starters, players are expected to report in tip-top shape.

"Camp nowadays is more of a sharpening tool than a conditioning mechanism," Packers guard Jason Spitz said. "Back in the '60s and '70s, they used to have to get in shape. Nowadays, everyone has offseason programs."

To guard against injuries, full-scale tackling is limited to preseason games. In an effort to keep his team fresh, McCarthy has added more days off. He has allowed selected veterans to practice once on days when two workouts are scheduled.

As recently as two years ago under former coach Mike Sherman, there were 38 training camp practices open to the public. That total has been reduced to 24.

The fact the Packers have started poorly in the regular season the past four years — 1-2 in 2003 and 1-4 in 2004, 2005 and 2006 — has made McCarthy reconsider his training camp methods. He has emphasized fewer practices and less contact to promote fresher legs and healthier players.

"(My) rookie year I came here, Sherman had us out there hitting pads, going live and doing all kinds of stuff," fifth-year linebacker Nick Barnett said. "I think we're taking a different approach so we can get a jump on this thing."

Some players like the kinder, gentler approach to training camp. Cornerback Charles Woodson went so far as to call McCarthy's schedule "beautiful."

But not everyone shares that sentiment. Veteran quarterback Brett Favre is among the old-school contingent who, if given the choice, would practice twice a day for an entire month.

"When it comes to sitting in meetings, I'd much rather practice," Favre said. "And I told Mike (McCarthy) this. He said we're going to take off here, save the legs. I said, 'I'm 37 years old, I could care less. Let's practice.' But he won't listen to me.

"Do I want to go two-a-days every day in full pads? I've done it before. I don't care."

McCarthy must look at the big picture. He has the long-term condition of his team in mind.

"You only have so many hits in you, so many hits that you give and take," McCarthy said. "(It's) the whole thought process of being smart with their bodies."

Packers General Manager Ted Thompson, who played for the Houston Oilers from 1975 to 1984, remembers his rookie season, reporting for two-a-day practices 2½ weeks before the veterans, and having a six-game preseason.

With players staying in shape year-round, Thompson believes training camp methods are evolving for the better, and two-a-day practices might disappear.

But that doesn't mean everyone has to like the changes.

"We never got water breaks growing up," recalled Favre. "They never went in the Hutson Center late in the year. There wasn't (a) Hutson Center. You'd practice outside. It was about being tough. I understand today's game is different. There's been a lot of talk about hydrating and doing all this stuff. I don't know. …

"I'm different than most guys. I would much rather practice than meet. To me, I love to play football. I think that says it all."

Sounds to me like Brett thinks we are a weak team and need to tough'n up a bit.

 

[pack_in_black]

Some players like the kinder, gentler approach to training camp. Cornerback Charles Woodson went so far as to call McCarthy's schedule "beautiful."

LOL, I think this quote sums up Chuckwood's playing mentality pretty well. He wants to be there, he likes to be there, but he works out all offseason, he's done this for quite a number of years now, and he really doesn't need to get the ever-living kicked out of him by his coaches and teammates. That's just how I see him thinking about it.

"I'm different than most guys. I would much rather practice than meet. To me, I love to play football. I think that says it all."

Sounds to me like Brett thinks we are a weak team and need to tough'n up a bit.

This is what irks me about Brett. Yeah, he loves to play. Yeah, he'll go full pads. But he's not the one taking full takles and grinding it out twice a day.

That, and he just refuses to study and receive coaching. You know, you never hear guys like Brady, Brees, Peyton, etc. complaining about too much classroom time. I love the guy, but BFavre throws too many picks, and we all know it. He should learn how to correct those mistakes, but he never will..... :tantrum:

 

[all about da packers]

Sounds to me like Brett thinks we are a weak team and need to tough'n up a bit.

Not necessarily.

In the interview Favre gave yesterday, he said he's been in the league long enough to know where he has to throw the ball, what reads he has to make, etc.

What he wanted to build was chemistry. He said he needed people like James Jones and him to be on the same page, and you only get there through reps.

Brett made a point that this team has tremendous potential, and the only thing holding them back right now is chemistry (or lack there of).

There was an example with James Jones used where Favre said he wants to know how soon Jones is going to pull up on his route given a specific coverage, so that he can anticipate and get the ball out quickly and put Jones in a position to have the best shot at catching the ball and doing something after.

So I don't think it was a point aimed at saying 'this team needs to get tougher', I think Brett was saying that he wants as many reps as possible to understand the tendencies of his teammates.

 

[Zero2Cool]

Sounds to me like Brett thinks we are a weak team and need to tough'n up a bit.

Not necessarily.

In the interview Favre gave yesterday, he said he's been in the league long enough to know where he has to throw the ball, what reads he has to make, etc.

What he wanted to build was chemistry. He said he needed people like James Jones and him to be on the same page, and you only get there through reps.

Brett made a point that this team has tremendous potential, and the only thing holding them back right now is chemistry (or lack there of).

There was an example with James Jones used where Favre said he wants to know how soon Jones is going to pull up on his route given a specific coverage, so that he can anticipate and get the ball out quickly and put Jones in a position to have the best shot at catching the ball and doing something after.

So I don't think it was a point aimed at saying 'this team needs to get tougher', I think Brett was saying that he wants as many reps as possible to understand the tendencies of his teammates.

Listen to the whole conference by Brett. You'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[DoddPower]

Yeah, it sounds to me like he's just saying the only way they are going to significantly improve is by actually DOING IT. You can study things all day everyday but the only way to actually improve is by repetition, something I've heard McCarthy and Thompson say before.


Their policy doesn't really make sense to me. We're a young team, and we need as many reps as possible.

 

[Zero2Cool]

Yeah, it sounds to me like he's just saying the only way they are going to significantly improve is by actually DOING IT. You can study things all day everyday but the only way to actually improve is by repetition, something I've heard McCarthy and Thompson say before.


Their policy doesn't really make sense to me. We're a young team, and we need as many reps as possible.

I agree. I think Brett is concerned the team could be getting soft by being in the classroom so much when they should be out on the field getting tougher and building chemistry.

 

[all about da packers]

I did listen to it (albeit while doing other stuff).

What I got from it was that after 17 years in the league, film sessions and classroom work is marginally beneficial to him.

I do recall something about him pointing out Larry McCarren as an example of old school, but I can't recall picking up that Brett might have concerns about the toughness of this team.

Perhaps I wasn't paying great attention while listening and missed something.

 

[Zero2Cool]

I did listen to it (albeit while doing other stuff).

What I got from it was that after 17 years in the league, film sessions and classroom work is marginally beneficial to him.

I do recall something about him pointing out Larry McCarren as an example of old school, but I can't recall picking up that Brett might have concerns about the toughness of this team.

Perhaps I wasn't paying great attention while listening and missed something.

That's cool. Sometimes others have to listen/watch something twice to catch everything. Check it out again. Also, I did not say Brett specifically said anything about the team being weak. What I gave was my opinion on the perception I was left after hearing his conference.

Again, to give this to you again.

Recap. I think Brett sees more classroom time taking away from being a tougher team and believes they need to be on the field getting tougher and reps to build chemisty.
About the toughness, it should noted (if not already) that when the teams of the 60-70's did their grueling two-a-days it was partially to get the players in shape. The NFL now is occupied by many players who have their own off season programs or they partake in their respected teams off season program.

Most players come into camp in shape is the point I'm making with this where as back in the "old days" they did not. (i wasnt there, but thats what I've been hearing and reading)

 

[all about da packers]

Their policy doesn't really make sense to me. We're a young team, and we need as many reps as possible.

I agree.

I think because we have so many young players just getting back into football shape and learning the ropes, McCarthy is taking it easy with them. I expect him to get much more serious in the coming weeks.

If I'm not mistaken, McCarthy's schedule called for Wednesday off only if the practice on Tuesday was good.

If I'm right on that, then I'm surprised that McCarthy gave them this past Wed. off since the practice at City Stadium Tuesday night had MM pissed... That should have meant that the players practiced Wed...

 

[porky88]

I don't mind McCarthy being more easy on the players in training camp. In fact I think you learn as much off the field in the film room as you do on the field. Favre has never liked watching film and he never will. That's who he is but he is one player. Guys like Favre really can't learn that much more in their career. Favre, Woodson, and Harris all come to mind as players who really don't need to go out their two times a day for a month in a half. As long as their in shape and ready to go for Philly I will be content with what McCarthy is doing.

Now what I don't like is McCarthy giving out some special treatment. On days where we have two a days I notice that some players have only had to go one day. Now I completely understand guys like Driver, Underwood and Ferguson. They all were hurt and you don’t' want to rush them into something that could re injure them. However I don't really understand Aaron Kampman. He's healthy and has been and I think he should be out there. Same with Brett Favre. On the days we do have two days Favre should be out there but he's a one practice guy as well. That's my only beef with McCarthy but I'm not a Head Coach in the NFL so I wouldn't really question him right now. Maybe after the first five weeks if we're sitting their 1-4 I'll question him but if we're 3-2 or better all the power to him for doing this.

 

[Zero2Cool]

Hmm ... I agree with Porky.

 

[yooperfan]

To guard against injuries, full-scale tackling is limited to preseason games.

What the bloody hell, are the Green Bay Packers being turned into a bunch of sissys or what!
I guess I'm just "old School" and don't understand this kinder gentler approach to a historically violent game.
I just hope this works.

 

[pack_in_black]

To guard against injuries, full-scale tackling is limited to preseason games.

What the bloody hell, are the Green Bay Packers being turned into a bunch of sissys or what!
I guess I'm just "old School" and don't understand this kinder gentler approach to a historically violent game.
I just hope this works.

Really, I think that's the whole point of reducing contact in practice. It is a historically violent game, and we want to save our players' health for just that- the game. No one wants to see a reoccurance of LeCharles Bentley from The Browns TC last year. That's just my take.

 

[Pack93z]

Only complaint I will have is if half of the players miss tackles or tackle with poor technique because of lack of reps. Hitting a dummy or sled is one thing, hitting a moving and forceful player is another.

Only one way to learn how to tackle, and that is to tackle.

 

[packedhouse01]

I am a believer that walk through's are not effective. The best way to learn the game is to practice the game. That means you learn to tackle, you learn how to put a guy down on the field, and you learn how to take a hit by professional players. Do you have to do that all the time? No! But you better be doing it enough that when you get to the game you don't play the game soft. Football is a game of hitting and I want my team to practice this very important facet of the game as much as possible. With all the OTA's and the off season conditioning these guy should be doing, this team should be ready to come in and do some hitting. Actual hitting changes the speed of the game and that's important too.

 

[Greg C.]

Here's something for perspective, which has not yet been mentioned in this thread: The trend across the NFL as a whole is toward lighter practice schedules in training camp. So McCarthy is not doing anything unorthodox here. Things change. Research seems to be showing that fewer injuries and fresher legs are a good thing going into the regular season. It has to come at the expense of practicing full-on contact as much as they used to, but the tradeoff seems to be worth it.

 

[Lare]

Really, these coaches are watching these players live and in film every day, and have been involved with them in OTAs, offseason programs and TC for over 5 months now. You would think they'd have a pretty good idea if their time is better spent in the meeting room or in live practices.

As to Brett, I guess I'd probably feel much the same way if I was one of the few people wearing the red, no-contact jerseys in these full contact drills.

 

[Zero2Cool]

Here's something for perspective, which has not yet been mentioned in this thread: The trend across the NFL as a whole is toward lighter practice schedules in training camp. So McCarthy is not doing anything unorthodox here. Things change. Research seems to be showing that fewer injuries and fresher legs are a good thing going into the regular season. It has to come at the expense of practicing full-on contact as much as they used to, but the tradeoff seems to be worth it.

Very true. As I said in an earlier post, the athletes today are expected to arrive in camp in shape where as in the previous tradition players used camp as a way to get into shape therefore the camp had to be grueling.

The perception I got from Brett was he thinks this camp is too soft. He didn't say that directly, just the impression I got from his conference. He could have also mentioned getting on the field more as a jab to those who have injuries and whom are not toughing it out OR that the coach is being (in his view) too 'cautious' with them and restricting their practice availability.