RashanGary
05-07-2006, 11:10 PM
While the Green Bay Packers were getting used to having a new coach for the first time in six seasons, Mike McCarthy was doing some adjusting of his own.
For the last 14 seasons, McCarthy was an assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs, Packers, New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers.
Now, McCarthy is in charge, and he’s not entirely used to it.
“Itââ €šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s different. I’m not going to lie to you,†McCarthy said after Saturday’s second minicamp practice. “Iââ⠀šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢m used to doing a lot more coaching. There’s times where you feel like you want to jump into drills. It’s been a good experience for me to sit back and watch these guys coach.â€ÂÂ
If McCarthy is uncomfortable with his role, he’s doing a great job of disguising it from his assistants and players.
“Heââ €šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s a natural,†offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski said. “Heââ €šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s a great communicator. He’s a blue-collar, no-nonsense guy. The players really respond to that.â€ÂÂ
Starting receiver Donald Driver agrees with that assessment, saying McCarthy has won over the players after just two days and three practices.
“I don’t think they would have given him that position if he had to earn respect,†Driver said. “I think he pretty much has that respect already, and I think everyone in that locker room already respects him as a man.â€ÂÂ
McCarthy addressed the team for the first time before Friday’s practice, telling the players what he expected in the wake of last season’s 4-12 record.
“I really felt like he was believable. Now, it just has to be done,†quarterback Brett Favre said. “I think the tough thing for a head coach is getting 53 guys to believe in one thing and not stray off after two games. They have to buy into that, and I think a big part of that is the type of guys you have. I think, for the most part, what was said (Friday), guys have heard it before elsewhere  maybe in college or with other teams  but did they believe it? I can’t speak for every guy in this building, but to me, it was believable.â€ÂÂ
Jagodzinski said he’s not surprised the players have responded so well to McCarthy.
“With him, there’s no gray area,†Jagodzinski said. “You won’t ever wonder what he wants you to do, because he’ll tell you exactly what he wants you to do.â€ÂÂ
While many players were careful not to criticize former coach Mike Sherman, who was fired after last season, many said they welcome the change.
“Thereâà ¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s no question it’s a big change,†cornerback Al Harris said. “There are all kinds of changes around this team, with all the new players and the coaches. I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing.â€ÂÂ
McCarthy said he understood the importance of Friday morning’s speech, but said he was most excited to get everybody on the field.
“(This is something) you prepare a long time for,†McCarthy said. “We had a lot of administrative things to address, and like I’ve said already, we couldn’t wait to get into the football. Once we got into the football, it was a natural. It’s where we all belong.â€ÂÂ
McCarthy’s coaching style is decidedly different from Sherman’s. While Sherman generally stood in the middle of the field to watch all aspects of practice, McCarthy spent the majority of his time working with the quarterbacks and the offense.
“Iââ⠀šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢m very conscious of making sure (Jagodzinski) has the platform to do his job,†McCarthy said. “Weââ €šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢re doing the offense together, but I don’t believe in micromanagement. I think in the long run it can really hurt what you’re trying to accomplish.â€ÂÂ
The approach has been well received.
“Heââ €šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s an exciting guy to be around,†cornerback Charles Woodson said. “I know it’s early, but you can tell the players respect him and respond to him.â€ÂÂ
Jagodzinski agrees, and says that in addition to McCarthy’s knowledge of the game, his biggest asset is his personality.
“You can see his passion in the way he coaches,†Jagodzinski said. “He has so much fun out there that you can’t help but be excited about it.â€ÂÂ
Dylan B. Tomlinson writes for The Post-Crescent of Appleton. E-mail him at dtomlins@postcrescent.com
For the last 14 seasons, McCarthy was an assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs, Packers, New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers.
Now, McCarthy is in charge, and he’s not entirely used to it.
“Itââ €šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s different. I’m not going to lie to you,†McCarthy said after Saturday’s second minicamp practice. “Iââ⠀šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢m used to doing a lot more coaching. There’s times where you feel like you want to jump into drills. It’s been a good experience for me to sit back and watch these guys coach.â€ÂÂ
If McCarthy is uncomfortable with his role, he’s doing a great job of disguising it from his assistants and players.
“Heââ €šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s a natural,†offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski said. “Heââ €šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s a great communicator. He’s a blue-collar, no-nonsense guy. The players really respond to that.â€ÂÂ
Starting receiver Donald Driver agrees with that assessment, saying McCarthy has won over the players after just two days and three practices.
“I don’t think they would have given him that position if he had to earn respect,†Driver said. “I think he pretty much has that respect already, and I think everyone in that locker room already respects him as a man.â€ÂÂ
McCarthy addressed the team for the first time before Friday’s practice, telling the players what he expected in the wake of last season’s 4-12 record.
“I really felt like he was believable. Now, it just has to be done,†quarterback Brett Favre said. “I think the tough thing for a head coach is getting 53 guys to believe in one thing and not stray off after two games. They have to buy into that, and I think a big part of that is the type of guys you have. I think, for the most part, what was said (Friday), guys have heard it before elsewhere  maybe in college or with other teams  but did they believe it? I can’t speak for every guy in this building, but to me, it was believable.â€ÂÂ
Jagodzinski said he’s not surprised the players have responded so well to McCarthy.
“With him, there’s no gray area,†Jagodzinski said. “You won’t ever wonder what he wants you to do, because he’ll tell you exactly what he wants you to do.â€ÂÂ
While many players were careful not to criticize former coach Mike Sherman, who was fired after last season, many said they welcome the change.
“Thereâà ¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s no question it’s a big change,†cornerback Al Harris said. “There are all kinds of changes around this team, with all the new players and the coaches. I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing.â€ÂÂ
McCarthy said he understood the importance of Friday morning’s speech, but said he was most excited to get everybody on the field.
“(This is something) you prepare a long time for,†McCarthy said. “We had a lot of administrative things to address, and like I’ve said already, we couldn’t wait to get into the football. Once we got into the football, it was a natural. It’s where we all belong.â€ÂÂ
McCarthy’s coaching style is decidedly different from Sherman’s. While Sherman generally stood in the middle of the field to watch all aspects of practice, McCarthy spent the majority of his time working with the quarterbacks and the offense.
“Iââ⠀šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢m very conscious of making sure (Jagodzinski) has the platform to do his job,†McCarthy said. “Weââ €šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢re doing the offense together, but I don’t believe in micromanagement. I think in the long run it can really hurt what you’re trying to accomplish.â€ÂÂ
The approach has been well received.
“Heââ €šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s an exciting guy to be around,†cornerback Charles Woodson said. “I know it’s early, but you can tell the players respect him and respond to him.â€ÂÂ
Jagodzinski agrees, and says that in addition to McCarthy’s knowledge of the game, his biggest asset is his personality.
“You can see his passion in the way he coaches,†Jagodzinski said. “He has so much fun out there that you can’t help but be excited about it.â€ÂÂ
Dylan B. Tomlinson writes for The Post-Crescent of Appleton. E-mail him at dtomlins@postcrescent.com