motife
05-06-2006, 06:27 AM
link to the audio interviews from the minicamp :
http://www.packers.com/multimedia/audio/2006_non_game_audio/
video interviews :
http://www.packers.com/multimedia/video/2006_non_game_video/
FIRST GLANCE
Initial workout provides look at McCarthy and his staff
By BOB McGINN
bmcginn@journalsentinel.com
Posted: May 6, 2006
Green Bay - The window opened just a crack Friday afternoon on what the Mike McCarthy coaching era in Green Bay will be all about.
Advertisement
If there was an overriding impression regarding McCarthy's first day on the field as a head coach at any level, it appears that the Packers' new leader is more than comfortable inside his own skin and won't try to be somebody he isn't.
This wasn't Forrest Gregg in spring 1984, demanding contact with a stern, booming voice even though the players weren't wearing pads during his first minicamp. McCarthy conducted a brisk, 1-hour 45-minute workout without coming close to yelling.
For 19 seasons as an assistant, McCarthy gradually worked his way up. Becoming the 14th head coach in Packers history has to be rarefied air for this 42-year-old son of a Pittsburgh barkeep, but if it was you wouldn't have known it by his confident approach.
"A day like today, you prepare a long time for," McCarthy said. "It's been a personal goal of mine to have this position. I don't think I had anxiety over it. As in any profession, once you get started, you're fine."
McCarthy walked around a little during practice but for the most part his time was spent with the offense. It felt strange to him, he later admitted, that he wasn't more active on the field. But in terms of past head coaches in Green Bay, he might be as involved with the offense as any of them.
Before each play, the quarterback walked up to McCarthy and received the play. To McCarthy's immediate right stood Jeff Jagodzinski, the first-year offensive coordinator. Tom Clements, the quarterbacks coach, was maybe 20 yards removed from the action talking to his players.
After the play, McCarthy often said something to the quarterback. Jagodzinski, who is bringing the zone ground game from Atlanta, focused on the offensive line and other blockers and went directly to them for instant review. Wide receivers coach Jimmy Robinson monitored the perimeter, the area that Jagodzinski can review later on tape.
“Mike is not a gray-area guy,†Jagodzinski said. “Itââ €šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s either black or it’s white. He doesn’t mince words. There’s no gray area in what he wants.â€ÂÂ
Jagodzinski's role in installing a dramatically new style of running can't be overstated. He has worked alongside the zone master, Alex Gibbs, for two years and now must bring his teachings to Green Bay.
"I know what it's supposed to look like up front," Jagodzinski said. “Where the cut is, where the pressure points are. I thought the backs missed some cuts today. They just haven’t seen it enough.â€ÂÂ
With McCarthy and Jagodzinski prodding players, the Packers were in and out of the huddle swiftly. Fast tempo was an objective of Mike Sherman's, one reason why his practices were regarded as exceptionally efficient and organized.
Another coach undoubtedly feeling butterflies was Bob Sanders. Although he is entering his 31st season in coaching, this will be his first at any level as a full-fledged defensive coordinator.
A disciple of Jim Bates', Sanders is keeping the Jimmy Johnson-Dallas Cowboys system that was successful last season under Bates.
"Thank God," cornerback Al Harris said. "I don't know if I could have taken a total change."
It was at the opening minicamp a year ago that Bates first started running all over the field cheering defensive players for good plays and, at times, chastising others for poor performance. Sanders stayed true to his taciturn personality, calling each defense and then moving unobtrusively to the side.
Just as linebackers coach Mark Duffner made most of the noise in 2003 when Ed Donatell was coordinator, new linebackers coach Winston Moss was the most vocal of the defensive coaches Friday.
The practice was closed to the public because one of the outdoor fields was declared unavailable and the other was deemed too small to accommodate 80 to 85 players.
Inside the Hutson Center, the 60-yard west sideline was jammed with one of the largest media contingents seen in Green Bay since the mid- to late 1990s.
"I feel like we've been pushing paper for three months," McCarthy said. "This is what it's all about."
Also watching were Bob Harlan, John Jones and Andrew Brandt from the front office, general manager Ted Thompson plus many of his scouts and Robert Parins, the team's president from 1982-'89.
McCarthy set forth his expectations for the season in a 30-minute address to the team Friday morning. Several players said the primary message that they took from McCarthy was his insistence on doing the little things right.
"So far, so good," tight end Bubba Franks said. "He's a no-nonsense type of guy, a little different from Mike (Sherman). He's stressing X's and O's. I kind of like it that way."
"He's a pretty fiery guy," said the new cornerback, Charles Woodson, who played under Jon Gruden, Bill Callahan and Norv Turner in Oakland. "I think he's as excited as anybody in the organization."
McCarthy undoubtedly earned points from players by letting them run plays during pre-practice without wearing their helmets. Once the horn blew for the start, new strength coach Rock Gullickson put the team through group jogging, stretching and exercises. Most of that in the past had been done in position groups.
Brett Favre won’t address reporters until noon today but many eyes were on him. Last year, Favre did most of his socializing during breaks in practice with Craig Nall. With Nall now in Buffalo, the fact he was chatting much more with backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers was obvious.
“Iââ⠀šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢m not a believer in micromanaging,†McCarthy said. “I think you need to communicate and express exactly how you want it. I think it’s very important to get it our way.â€ÂÂ
http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/packer/img/news/may06/aj505.jpg
Linebacker A.J. Hawk, Green Bay's top draft pick, embarks on his NFL career.
http://www.packers.com/multimedia/audio/2006_non_game_audio/
video interviews :
http://www.packers.com/multimedia/video/2006_non_game_video/
FIRST GLANCE
Initial workout provides look at McCarthy and his staff
By BOB McGINN
bmcginn@journalsentinel.com
Posted: May 6, 2006
Green Bay - The window opened just a crack Friday afternoon on what the Mike McCarthy coaching era in Green Bay will be all about.
Advertisement
If there was an overriding impression regarding McCarthy's first day on the field as a head coach at any level, it appears that the Packers' new leader is more than comfortable inside his own skin and won't try to be somebody he isn't.
This wasn't Forrest Gregg in spring 1984, demanding contact with a stern, booming voice even though the players weren't wearing pads during his first minicamp. McCarthy conducted a brisk, 1-hour 45-minute workout without coming close to yelling.
For 19 seasons as an assistant, McCarthy gradually worked his way up. Becoming the 14th head coach in Packers history has to be rarefied air for this 42-year-old son of a Pittsburgh barkeep, but if it was you wouldn't have known it by his confident approach.
"A day like today, you prepare a long time for," McCarthy said. "It's been a personal goal of mine to have this position. I don't think I had anxiety over it. As in any profession, once you get started, you're fine."
McCarthy walked around a little during practice but for the most part his time was spent with the offense. It felt strange to him, he later admitted, that he wasn't more active on the field. But in terms of past head coaches in Green Bay, he might be as involved with the offense as any of them.
Before each play, the quarterback walked up to McCarthy and received the play. To McCarthy's immediate right stood Jeff Jagodzinski, the first-year offensive coordinator. Tom Clements, the quarterbacks coach, was maybe 20 yards removed from the action talking to his players.
After the play, McCarthy often said something to the quarterback. Jagodzinski, who is bringing the zone ground game from Atlanta, focused on the offensive line and other blockers and went directly to them for instant review. Wide receivers coach Jimmy Robinson monitored the perimeter, the area that Jagodzinski can review later on tape.
“Mike is not a gray-area guy,†Jagodzinski said. “Itââ €šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s either black or it’s white. He doesn’t mince words. There’s no gray area in what he wants.â€ÂÂ
Jagodzinski's role in installing a dramatically new style of running can't be overstated. He has worked alongside the zone master, Alex Gibbs, for two years and now must bring his teachings to Green Bay.
"I know what it's supposed to look like up front," Jagodzinski said. “Where the cut is, where the pressure points are. I thought the backs missed some cuts today. They just haven’t seen it enough.â€ÂÂ
With McCarthy and Jagodzinski prodding players, the Packers were in and out of the huddle swiftly. Fast tempo was an objective of Mike Sherman's, one reason why his practices were regarded as exceptionally efficient and organized.
Another coach undoubtedly feeling butterflies was Bob Sanders. Although he is entering his 31st season in coaching, this will be his first at any level as a full-fledged defensive coordinator.
A disciple of Jim Bates', Sanders is keeping the Jimmy Johnson-Dallas Cowboys system that was successful last season under Bates.
"Thank God," cornerback Al Harris said. "I don't know if I could have taken a total change."
It was at the opening minicamp a year ago that Bates first started running all over the field cheering defensive players for good plays and, at times, chastising others for poor performance. Sanders stayed true to his taciturn personality, calling each defense and then moving unobtrusively to the side.
Just as linebackers coach Mark Duffner made most of the noise in 2003 when Ed Donatell was coordinator, new linebackers coach Winston Moss was the most vocal of the defensive coaches Friday.
The practice was closed to the public because one of the outdoor fields was declared unavailable and the other was deemed too small to accommodate 80 to 85 players.
Inside the Hutson Center, the 60-yard west sideline was jammed with one of the largest media contingents seen in Green Bay since the mid- to late 1990s.
"I feel like we've been pushing paper for three months," McCarthy said. "This is what it's all about."
Also watching were Bob Harlan, John Jones and Andrew Brandt from the front office, general manager Ted Thompson plus many of his scouts and Robert Parins, the team's president from 1982-'89.
McCarthy set forth his expectations for the season in a 30-minute address to the team Friday morning. Several players said the primary message that they took from McCarthy was his insistence on doing the little things right.
"So far, so good," tight end Bubba Franks said. "He's a no-nonsense type of guy, a little different from Mike (Sherman). He's stressing X's and O's. I kind of like it that way."
"He's a pretty fiery guy," said the new cornerback, Charles Woodson, who played under Jon Gruden, Bill Callahan and Norv Turner in Oakland. "I think he's as excited as anybody in the organization."
McCarthy undoubtedly earned points from players by letting them run plays during pre-practice without wearing their helmets. Once the horn blew for the start, new strength coach Rock Gullickson put the team through group jogging, stretching and exercises. Most of that in the past had been done in position groups.
Brett Favre won’t address reporters until noon today but many eyes were on him. Last year, Favre did most of his socializing during breaks in practice with Craig Nall. With Nall now in Buffalo, the fact he was chatting much more with backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers was obvious.
“Iââ⠀šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢m not a believer in micromanaging,†McCarthy said. “I think you need to communicate and express exactly how you want it. I think it’s very important to get it our way.â€ÂÂ
http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/packer/img/news/may06/aj505.jpg
Linebacker A.J. Hawk, Green Bay's top draft pick, embarks on his NFL career.