Maxie the Taxi
12-27-2007, 05:50 PM
(Will you try to get Jennings to practice tomorrow?)
New School McCarthy: We'll just see how he feels in his rehab. He's getting better. He's confident he can play, but we'll see how he feels tomorrow.
Old School McCarthy: Oh, he’ll practice tomorrow and he'll play Sunday.
(You said it was more of a kick or bruise. Is that still the case?)
New School McCarthy: They classify it as a mild sprain. It's clearly not at the level that he suffered last year against Miami.
Old School McCarthy: What difference does it make. He’s a tough kid. He’ll get it taped and play through it.
(Is there any real reason to play him, do you think?)
New School McCarthy: That's something you consider. We do want to have the opportunity to play one more time before we play the second round. Those are all things we talk about. But to answer the question, as far as the health, that's something I'll always caution to. I've said that all week.
Old School McCarthy: He’s one of the best playmakers in this league. Is that reason enough for you?
(How has Jones played lately?)
New School McCarthy: James Jones? He's been solid. He hasn't had the opportunities he had earlier in the season. The ball really hasn't come his way, but I think he's improved in his blocking. He has picked that up. He's a young player that had some instant success in the beginning and the middle of the season. He really hasn't had the opportunities he had in the beginning of the year.
Old School McCarthy: He’s playing good…for a rookie.
(Has his rookie season sort of tracked Jennings' from last year?)
New School McCarthy: I think the way their seasons went at the end was different based on Greg was injured. That's the way the ball bounces sometimes.
Old School McCarthy: You tell me! [Looks at Ted Thompson and shakes his head.]
(How have Clifton and Tauscher responded to the evolution of this offense?)
New School McCarthy: I think they've been very consistent. I think Chad is clearly one of the better left tackles in football, in pass protection. I think Mark Tauscher is just a very consistent football player. You get the same player day in and day out, and that's something you can definitely work with. I think Mark has done a good job of playing to our scheme, with the primary zones, and he does a good job stretching the front side. He's very crafty in pass protection, does a good job with recognition. I think they both have been very, very consistent.
Old School McCarthy: That's a numbskull new age question. They're both players. Period.
(Is he all the way back from that ankle?)
New School McCarthy: I think he's close. He hasn't complained about it. It looks like he's moving better than he was in the prior weeks. I would say he's close.
Old School McCarthy: Tausch? Hell, he don't have an ankle. Never had one.
(Could you comment on the progress of Justin Harrell so far?)
New School McCarthy: I would say Justin Harrell is improving week to week. He did some good things in the Chicago game, but really as a defense our pad level was too high, and he was part of that. But I think he's improving, and the opportunities to play a lot last week helped him, and I look for him to play a lot against Detroit too.
Old School McCarthy: What progress? Hell, the kid's a rookie. He plays like a rookie. But he’ll step up. If he doesn't, he'll play his 2nd year somewhere else.
(There was a story on NFL.com about Nick Barnett filing a grievance over the incident with the official. Is this something you've talked to Nick about?)
New School McCarthy: As far as the grievance, I'm aware just from conversations with Jeff. But the actual filing of the grievance and the procedure, I'm not aware of anything like that from the league office.
Old School McCarthy: I told that linebacker not to file a grievance. That’ll cost him another $5000.
(What would it mean if Grant gets to 1,000 yards?)
New School McCarthy: I think it's a benchmark for a runner. Really the fullbacks are talking about it probably more than anybody. It's something that running back group takes a lot of pride in. It's definitely a benchmark that you try to hit on a yearly basis. And just for Ryan Grant to accomplish that after becoming the starter after Denver I think would be a credit to the run game and to him personally.
Old School McCarthy: It means he’s got about 900 more yards than our rookie running backs…combined. Next question.
(Does that affect your decision on how long he'll play Sunday?)
New School McCarthy: No it doesn't, unfortunately.
Old School McCarthy: He'll play. He needs the work.
(Last year Jennings missed that last game when his child was born, and Ruvell Martin had a big game. Do you see a similar scenario this year of another player getting a big opportunity?)
New School McCarthy: I could see that scenario unfolding, and I hope it does. We were very productive in that contest last year where some players were given opportunities they had not had to that point in the season. That's definitely something you'd like to see some of our players take advantage of.
Old School McCarthy: What the hell kind of question is that? This is football, not "Days of Our Lives" for Christsakes. [To Ted Thompson] Pull this guy’s press pass.
(How important has Scott Wells been to the offensive line this year?)
New School McCarthy: Number one, the center and quarterback have the most responsibility in our offense, as far as directing every run-blocking scheme, every pass-protection scheme. And Scott has been very consistent in that. He grades out at a high level pretty much week in and week out. He's doing a much better job in our scheme. He plays with great balance and leverage. I would say he's had a very consistent year.
Old School McCarthy: A damn sight more important than he is to the defensive line! [To Ted Thompson] Pull this guy’s pass too! [To the reporters] Any of you guys got a question worth a crap?
(How's Ryan Pickett doing? Is he another guy where it may be smarter just to hold him out?)
New School McCarthy: Going into yesterday, I felt a lot stronger about playing him. Practice was just OK for him, and really I'm curious to see how he feels after today. Really the morning, like we always talk about, will be the biggest indication on the progress that he's making with his injury. We'll be smart with Ryan. I would like to see him play. I think he'd like to play just because he didn't play last week, but once again, health will make those decisions.
Old School McCarthy: He’s not hobbling anymore, so he plays Sunday. Simple as that.
(Is Hall on track to come back for the playoffs?)
New School McCarthy: Talking to Korey, Korey would like to practice this week. I watched him in the rehab today. He ran very well. He feels a lot better this week. I have no doubt that he'll be ready to go for the playoffs.
Old School McCarthy: You guys and your damn playoff fixations! The real question is whether or not he’s playing Sunday. And for your information, he is.
(How's the condition of the field?)
New School McCarthy: Lambeau? I was out there last week when he pulled the tarp off. I walked out there. He was working on the paint. It actually looked like it was in pretty good shape. I don't foresee the field being a problem.
Old School McCarthy: Why don't you go out and see for yourself? Besides, what the hell difference does it make? Last I heard both teams got to play on the same field. [To Ted Thompson] I’m out of here. I’ve had enough of this bullshit.
New School McCarthy: We'll just see how he feels in his rehab. He's getting better. He's confident he can play, but we'll see how he feels tomorrow.
Old School McCarthy: Oh, he’ll practice tomorrow and he'll play Sunday.
(You said it was more of a kick or bruise. Is that still the case?)
New School McCarthy: They classify it as a mild sprain. It's clearly not at the level that he suffered last year against Miami.
Old School McCarthy: What difference does it make. He’s a tough kid. He’ll get it taped and play through it.
(Is there any real reason to play him, do you think?)
New School McCarthy: That's something you consider. We do want to have the opportunity to play one more time before we play the second round. Those are all things we talk about. But to answer the question, as far as the health, that's something I'll always caution to. I've said that all week.
Old School McCarthy: He’s one of the best playmakers in this league. Is that reason enough for you?
(How has Jones played lately?)
New School McCarthy: James Jones? He's been solid. He hasn't had the opportunities he had earlier in the season. The ball really hasn't come his way, but I think he's improved in his blocking. He has picked that up. He's a young player that had some instant success in the beginning and the middle of the season. He really hasn't had the opportunities he had in the beginning of the year.
Old School McCarthy: He’s playing good…for a rookie.
(Has his rookie season sort of tracked Jennings' from last year?)
New School McCarthy: I think the way their seasons went at the end was different based on Greg was injured. That's the way the ball bounces sometimes.
Old School McCarthy: You tell me! [Looks at Ted Thompson and shakes his head.]
(How have Clifton and Tauscher responded to the evolution of this offense?)
New School McCarthy: I think they've been very consistent. I think Chad is clearly one of the better left tackles in football, in pass protection. I think Mark Tauscher is just a very consistent football player. You get the same player day in and day out, and that's something you can definitely work with. I think Mark has done a good job of playing to our scheme, with the primary zones, and he does a good job stretching the front side. He's very crafty in pass protection, does a good job with recognition. I think they both have been very, very consistent.
Old School McCarthy: That's a numbskull new age question. They're both players. Period.
(Is he all the way back from that ankle?)
New School McCarthy: I think he's close. He hasn't complained about it. It looks like he's moving better than he was in the prior weeks. I would say he's close.
Old School McCarthy: Tausch? Hell, he don't have an ankle. Never had one.
(Could you comment on the progress of Justin Harrell so far?)
New School McCarthy: I would say Justin Harrell is improving week to week. He did some good things in the Chicago game, but really as a defense our pad level was too high, and he was part of that. But I think he's improving, and the opportunities to play a lot last week helped him, and I look for him to play a lot against Detroit too.
Old School McCarthy: What progress? Hell, the kid's a rookie. He plays like a rookie. But he’ll step up. If he doesn't, he'll play his 2nd year somewhere else.
(There was a story on NFL.com about Nick Barnett filing a grievance over the incident with the official. Is this something you've talked to Nick about?)
New School McCarthy: As far as the grievance, I'm aware just from conversations with Jeff. But the actual filing of the grievance and the procedure, I'm not aware of anything like that from the league office.
Old School McCarthy: I told that linebacker not to file a grievance. That’ll cost him another $5000.
(What would it mean if Grant gets to 1,000 yards?)
New School McCarthy: I think it's a benchmark for a runner. Really the fullbacks are talking about it probably more than anybody. It's something that running back group takes a lot of pride in. It's definitely a benchmark that you try to hit on a yearly basis. And just for Ryan Grant to accomplish that after becoming the starter after Denver I think would be a credit to the run game and to him personally.
Old School McCarthy: It means he’s got about 900 more yards than our rookie running backs…combined. Next question.
(Does that affect your decision on how long he'll play Sunday?)
New School McCarthy: No it doesn't, unfortunately.
Old School McCarthy: He'll play. He needs the work.
(Last year Jennings missed that last game when his child was born, and Ruvell Martin had a big game. Do you see a similar scenario this year of another player getting a big opportunity?)
New School McCarthy: I could see that scenario unfolding, and I hope it does. We were very productive in that contest last year where some players were given opportunities they had not had to that point in the season. That's definitely something you'd like to see some of our players take advantage of.
Old School McCarthy: What the hell kind of question is that? This is football, not "Days of Our Lives" for Christsakes. [To Ted Thompson] Pull this guy’s press pass.
(How important has Scott Wells been to the offensive line this year?)
New School McCarthy: Number one, the center and quarterback have the most responsibility in our offense, as far as directing every run-blocking scheme, every pass-protection scheme. And Scott has been very consistent in that. He grades out at a high level pretty much week in and week out. He's doing a much better job in our scheme. He plays with great balance and leverage. I would say he's had a very consistent year.
Old School McCarthy: A damn sight more important than he is to the defensive line! [To Ted Thompson] Pull this guy’s pass too! [To the reporters] Any of you guys got a question worth a crap?
(How's Ryan Pickett doing? Is he another guy where it may be smarter just to hold him out?)
New School McCarthy: Going into yesterday, I felt a lot stronger about playing him. Practice was just OK for him, and really I'm curious to see how he feels after today. Really the morning, like we always talk about, will be the biggest indication on the progress that he's making with his injury. We'll be smart with Ryan. I would like to see him play. I think he'd like to play just because he didn't play last week, but once again, health will make those decisions.
Old School McCarthy: He’s not hobbling anymore, so he plays Sunday. Simple as that.
(Is Hall on track to come back for the playoffs?)
New School McCarthy: Talking to Korey, Korey would like to practice this week. I watched him in the rehab today. He ran very well. He feels a lot better this week. I have no doubt that he'll be ready to go for the playoffs.
Old School McCarthy: You guys and your damn playoff fixations! The real question is whether or not he’s playing Sunday. And for your information, he is.
(How's the condition of the field?)
New School McCarthy: Lambeau? I was out there last week when he pulled the tarp off. I walked out there. He was working on the paint. It actually looked like it was in pretty good shape. I don't foresee the field being a problem.
Old School McCarthy: Why don't you go out and see for yourself? Besides, what the hell difference does it make? Last I heard both teams got to play on the same field. [To Ted Thompson] I’m out of here. I’ve had enough of this bullshit.