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Uncertainty not stopping Packers' McCarthy
Written by PackerChatters Staff
Thursday, 13 April 2006
MILWAUKEE - Don't sweat things you can't control.
Easy to say, tough to do.
But new Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy doesn't have any other choice.
"I think it's hard to do in any capacity of your life," McCarthy said. "But you've got to worry about controlling the things you can."
Like everybody else, McCarthy wants to know if Brett Favre will return next season. And he'd like to avoid being singed by the other brush fires that have popped up during his first three months on the job, from receiver Javon Walker's trade demand to the team's inability to land a big-time free agent.
But for now, McCarthy is concentrating on his beefed-up offseason workout program, installing his playbook and perfecting a new blocking scheme - nuts-and-bolts issues that lack the juicy twists of Favre's retirement saga, but just might help the team win a few more games.
So far, McCarthy likes what he sees.
"It's clearly a different environment than it's been in the past," McCarthy said.
Packers general manager Ted Thompson, who hired McCarthy in January, gives him high marks for handling the regular rigors of being a first-time head coach while not being thrown off by the unexpected.
"I do think Mike has the personality to hang in there in tough times, and (understands) we're headed in a direction to reach a goal," Thompson said. "We might take two steps forward and one step back, but it's important to keep taking those two steps."
For McCarthy, increased participation in a more intense offseason workout program is an important first step toward improving on last year's 4-12 mark.
"The turnout has been excellent," McCarthy said. "We obviously won't stop pushing until we hit 100 percent."
McCarthy obviously wants players to be in better shape. But the voluntary supervised workout sessions, which began March 20, also give players a chance to bond with each other and their new coaches.
"The most important thing is, they're training next to the guy they'll be lining up next to," McCarthy said.
Coaches are taking the first steps toward teaching zone blocking to the Packers' offensive line, a more aggressive style that requires increased collaboration among linemen.
"As an offensive lineman, it's a fun scheme to play in," McCarthy said.
Coaches also are working with Aaron Rodgers, last year's first-round draft pick, on quarterbacking fundamentals and the new playbook.
"He's doing a very good job," McCarthy said. "He has a lot to learn, and obviously being in the league a year is helping him prepare."
Favre could return, or the team could take a quarterback with the fifth pick in the NFL draft later this month. But McCarthy wants Rodgers to prepare as if he were the starter.
"Any quarterback that doesn't take that approach is fooling himself," McCarthy said.
McCarthy knows the Packers have had a "unique" quarterback situation but must prepare for the inevitable: Some day, No. 4 won't be there anymore.
"Unfortunately, that day is coming," McCarthy said.
But when will the Packers know if it is coming in 2006?
"I've been saying 'soon' for quite some time, so I'm going to stick to my guns," McCarthy said.
Thompson and McCarthy have said they'd like a decision from Favre as soon as possible, but have not criticized him. "He's been honest throughout the whole process, and Ted and I both are comfortable," McCarthy said.
Saturday is the next due date for a $3 million roster bonus that already has been delayed three times. Thompson would not say if the team is moving the date again and doesn't consider the date itself a major issue.
"There really is no deadline," Thompson said.
In his most recent comments, Favre has said he would like the Packers to make a "statement" in free agency. It hasn't happened yet.
The Packers most recently hosted linebacker LaVar Arrington and defensive back Charles Woodson. Agent Kevin Poston represents Arrington while his brother, Carl, is representing Woodson.
"There's interests on both sides with both players, but we're talking to other teams, too, about each of them," Kevin Poston said Thursday night.
McCarthy said he met with both players and thought each would be a good fit with the Packers.
But again, McCarthy can only coach the players he has. He insists that isn't a bad thing, despite what last year's record might indicate.
"Trust me, we're going to be ready," he said.
Source: Chris Jenkins - Associated Press
Written by PackerChatters Staff
Thursday, 13 April 2006
MILWAUKEE - Don't sweat things you can't control.
Easy to say, tough to do.
But new Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy doesn't have any other choice.
"I think it's hard to do in any capacity of your life," McCarthy said. "But you've got to worry about controlling the things you can."
Like everybody else, McCarthy wants to know if Brett Favre will return next season. And he'd like to avoid being singed by the other brush fires that have popped up during his first three months on the job, from receiver Javon Walker's trade demand to the team's inability to land a big-time free agent.
But for now, McCarthy is concentrating on his beefed-up offseason workout program, installing his playbook and perfecting a new blocking scheme - nuts-and-bolts issues that lack the juicy twists of Favre's retirement saga, but just might help the team win a few more games.
So far, McCarthy likes what he sees.
"It's clearly a different environment than it's been in the past," McCarthy said.
Packers general manager Ted Thompson, who hired McCarthy in January, gives him high marks for handling the regular rigors of being a first-time head coach while not being thrown off by the unexpected.
"I do think Mike has the personality to hang in there in tough times, and (understands) we're headed in a direction to reach a goal," Thompson said. "We might take two steps forward and one step back, but it's important to keep taking those two steps."
For McCarthy, increased participation in a more intense offseason workout program is an important first step toward improving on last year's 4-12 mark.
"The turnout has been excellent," McCarthy said. "We obviously won't stop pushing until we hit 100 percent."
McCarthy obviously wants players to be in better shape. But the voluntary supervised workout sessions, which began March 20, also give players a chance to bond with each other and their new coaches.
"The most important thing is, they're training next to the guy they'll be lining up next to," McCarthy said.
Coaches are taking the first steps toward teaching zone blocking to the Packers' offensive line, a more aggressive style that requires increased collaboration among linemen.
"As an offensive lineman, it's a fun scheme to play in," McCarthy said.
Coaches also are working with Aaron Rodgers, last year's first-round draft pick, on quarterbacking fundamentals and the new playbook.
"He's doing a very good job," McCarthy said. "He has a lot to learn, and obviously being in the league a year is helping him prepare."
Favre could return, or the team could take a quarterback with the fifth pick in the NFL draft later this month. But McCarthy wants Rodgers to prepare as if he were the starter.
"Any quarterback that doesn't take that approach is fooling himself," McCarthy said.
McCarthy knows the Packers have had a "unique" quarterback situation but must prepare for the inevitable: Some day, No. 4 won't be there anymore.
"Unfortunately, that day is coming," McCarthy said.
But when will the Packers know if it is coming in 2006?
"I've been saying 'soon' for quite some time, so I'm going to stick to my guns," McCarthy said.
Thompson and McCarthy have said they'd like a decision from Favre as soon as possible, but have not criticized him. "He's been honest throughout the whole process, and Ted and I both are comfortable," McCarthy said.
Saturday is the next due date for a $3 million roster bonus that already has been delayed three times. Thompson would not say if the team is moving the date again and doesn't consider the date itself a major issue.
"There really is no deadline," Thompson said.
In his most recent comments, Favre has said he would like the Packers to make a "statement" in free agency. It hasn't happened yet.
The Packers most recently hosted linebacker LaVar Arrington and defensive back Charles Woodson. Agent Kevin Poston represents Arrington while his brother, Carl, is representing Woodson.
"There's interests on both sides with both players, but we're talking to other teams, too, about each of them," Kevin Poston said Thursday night.
McCarthy said he met with both players and thought each would be a good fit with the Packers.
But again, McCarthy can only coach the players he has. He insists that isn't a bad thing, despite what last year's record might indicate.
"Trust me, we're going to be ready," he said.
Source: Chris Jenkins - Associated Press
