Chris Havel meets w/Mike McCarthy in his office

[MJZiggy]

Didn't M3 say in the article (or a different one--there are so many) that player acquisition is a 12-month-a-year endeavor. It sounds to me like he either is on board with where TT wants to go or got hired because he believes the same stuff in the first place. Like I've said a couple of times in the last couple of days, (because I just read When Pride Still Mattered) M3 reminds me A LOT of Lombardi lately.

[billy_oliver880]

I think TT might be a player in the June 1st cuts. Well lets hope.

[MJZiggy]

Who is going to be available in June 1 cuts besided other teams' rejects? I expect a few more Canadans to show up and perhaps some NFLE talent worthy of being brought up. I expect lots of bodies in camp this summer.

[billy_oliver880]

Who is going to be available in June 1 cuts besided other teams' rejects? I expect a few more Canadans to show up and perhaps some NFLE talent worthy of being brought up. I expect lots of bodies in camp this summer.

Wasn't Grady a June 1st cut from the saints? There could be some guys out there that could get a chance.

[MJZiggy]

My official stance on this offseason has become "Let's see what happens."

[HarveyWallbangers]

Grady was cut in the middle of the season. He was being a pain in the ass for New Orleans. Of course, you can always find players, but the June 1st cuts are never as earth-shattering as they are made out to be (or even as they look). Thompson would go after many of them anyways.

[billy_oliver880]

My official stance on this offseason has become "Let's see what happens."

Good approach. I guess I am really looking forward to the draft. I am expecting big things because...this is TT's approach.

[Kiwon]

Didn't M3 say in the article (or a different one--there are so many) that player acquisition is a 12-month-a-year endeavor. It sounds to me like he either is on board with where TT wants to go or got hired because he believes the same stuff in the first place. Like I've said a couple of times in the last couple of days, (because I just read When Pride Still Mattered) M3 reminds me A LOT of Lombardi lately.

mjz, I usually keep a few books going at once. I'm still pretty early in When Pride Still Mattered and I am curious if I can see the same things that you saw when you read the book.

Specifically, in what ways do you think M3 is similiar to Lombardi? I'm assuming since M3 is a first year HC that you would begin there in Lombardi's life and work backwards down to backgrounds and character.

Anyway, I've seen you mention this book several times and maybe your insights might make it that much more interesting.

[MJZiggy]

There is the whole background and character stuff, though M3 is younger as a HC than Lombardi was when he took over. I don't think M3 is as fiery, but what I do see is that when Lombardi took over the Packers, he took a 4-inch thick playbook and knocked it down to an inch and a half. He went back to the basics. He ran a T-formation over and over until the guys could do it in their sleep. He ran the Packer sweep so precisely that even teams who knew it was coming couldn't stop it. He was blue collar (sound familiar?), Catholic (went to church daily) demanded unequaled dedication and preparation (if they don't know what to do by June 22, they shouldn't expect to make the team) and on and on. The biggest difference I've found so far is that Lombardi demanded total and complete control of the team. As you're reading the book you will notice that over and over people mention what a great psychologist Lombardi was and I also get the feeling that M3 has a feel for people as well.

[BF4MVP]

My dad's copy of When Pride Still Mattered is on the shelf at home. I'm reading Golden Boy right now, but after I return it to the library I'm definitely gonna start When Pride Still Mattered. Is it good? My dad was talkin to one of his friends about it and he said it was a "revealing biography."

[MJZiggy]

Fantastic. Great read.

[ecwiscott]

It's a fantastic read......and yes very revealing.

[beakerman]

Wasn't Grady a June 1st cut from the saints? There could be some guys out there that could get a chance.

Grady was a mid-season pick-up in 03 - one of the better moves by Sherman