motife
06-19-2006, 10:22 PM
Chris Havel
McCarthy is sincere early on
E-mail Chris Havel at chavel@greenbay.gannett.com
Click here for the Chris Havel archive Mike McCarthy didn’t have to say yes.
The Green Bay Packers’ coach could have told a group of firefighters that he would love to speak at their convention, but he’s just too busy with the new job.
McCarthy could have told Harry Sydney, a man he coached with on Ray Rhodes’ staff in 1999, that he thinks “My Brother’s Keeper†provides a necessary service to the community. Then he could have added, “But Harry, as a former NFL assistant coach, you understand that I’m up to my eyeballs in OTAs.â€ÂÂ
The Packers’ first-year coach hasn’t won a game in Green Bay, but he has won over some fans by making a sincere effort to be part of the community.
The key word is sincere.
The public relations benefits of supporting non-profit organizations such as “My Brother’s Keeper† a mentoring program for men and boys of all ages  and making time for public servants such as firefighters is obvious.
But that alone doesn’t cut it in Green Bay.
Winning also helps
Seldom will you hear “disingenuousà ¢â‚¬Â used conversationally in this blue-collar town, mostly because folks here don’t have to say it to see it. Or smell it. They will suffer a fool so long as he wins, but the moment his team stumbles, they will slice him to shreds. And be glad to do it.
By making an effort and by being himself, McCarthy is stockpiling goodwill for days when his team is handed its helmet on a lance. There will be days like that.
All NFL coaches attempt to charm the constituents.
What makes McCarthy stand out is the feeling that he isn’t reaching out to foster public sentiment. He isn’t being gracious because he has an ulterior motive.
McCarthy is reaching out because he feels it is the right thing to do. Furthermore, he is reaching out because he has to.
Leader needed
The Packers need a front man right now.
John Jones, the Packers’ President and chief operating officer, is recovering from open-heart surgery. When he returns, he will fill that role to a T, but it’s going to take time.
Bob Harlan, for so many years the kind and wise face of this franchise, is tactfully and tactically stepping out of the limelight.
Ted Thompson, the GM, may be the man fans want handling the day-to-day operations. But his low-key approach won’t knock ’em dead on the speaking circuit.
Today, Brett Favre is the face of the Packers. In a recent Harris Poll, 2,085 people were asked, “Who is your favorite sports star?†No. 4 finished No. 3, moving up a spot despite throwing 29 interceptions in 2005.
Favre has been in the top 10 since 1996, but even he can’t play forever.
That leaves it to McCarthy, whom some confused with ex-Buffalo Bills coach Mike Mularkey when he was hired.
To McCarthy’s credit, he has done much to ease the identity crisis. That still leaves the football crisis, but at least fans will know where to place the blame. And because McCarthy seems sincere, they won’t be so quick to slam him in the process.
McCarthy is sincere early on
E-mail Chris Havel at chavel@greenbay.gannett.com
Click here for the Chris Havel archive Mike McCarthy didn’t have to say yes.
The Green Bay Packers’ coach could have told a group of firefighters that he would love to speak at their convention, but he’s just too busy with the new job.
McCarthy could have told Harry Sydney, a man he coached with on Ray Rhodes’ staff in 1999, that he thinks “My Brother’s Keeper†provides a necessary service to the community. Then he could have added, “But Harry, as a former NFL assistant coach, you understand that I’m up to my eyeballs in OTAs.â€ÂÂ
The Packers’ first-year coach hasn’t won a game in Green Bay, but he has won over some fans by making a sincere effort to be part of the community.
The key word is sincere.
The public relations benefits of supporting non-profit organizations such as “My Brother’s Keeper† a mentoring program for men and boys of all ages  and making time for public servants such as firefighters is obvious.
But that alone doesn’t cut it in Green Bay.
Winning also helps
Seldom will you hear “disingenuousà ¢â‚¬Â used conversationally in this blue-collar town, mostly because folks here don’t have to say it to see it. Or smell it. They will suffer a fool so long as he wins, but the moment his team stumbles, they will slice him to shreds. And be glad to do it.
By making an effort and by being himself, McCarthy is stockpiling goodwill for days when his team is handed its helmet on a lance. There will be days like that.
All NFL coaches attempt to charm the constituents.
What makes McCarthy stand out is the feeling that he isn’t reaching out to foster public sentiment. He isn’t being gracious because he has an ulterior motive.
McCarthy is reaching out because he feels it is the right thing to do. Furthermore, he is reaching out because he has to.
Leader needed
The Packers need a front man right now.
John Jones, the Packers’ President and chief operating officer, is recovering from open-heart surgery. When he returns, he will fill that role to a T, but it’s going to take time.
Bob Harlan, for so many years the kind and wise face of this franchise, is tactfully and tactically stepping out of the limelight.
Ted Thompson, the GM, may be the man fans want handling the day-to-day operations. But his low-key approach won’t knock ’em dead on the speaking circuit.
Today, Brett Favre is the face of the Packers. In a recent Harris Poll, 2,085 people were asked, “Who is your favorite sports star?†No. 4 finished No. 3, moving up a spot despite throwing 29 interceptions in 2005.
Favre has been in the top 10 since 1996, but even he can’t play forever.
That leaves it to McCarthy, whom some confused with ex-Buffalo Bills coach Mike Mularkey when he was hired.
To McCarthy’s credit, he has done much to ease the identity crisis. That still leaves the football crisis, but at least fans will know where to place the blame. And because McCarthy seems sincere, they won’t be so quick to slam him in the process.