McCarthy: "We are changing the culture."

[Greg C.]

Regarding the minicamps and workouts, I thought the following quote from Mike McCarthy, in yesterday's Green Bay Press Gazette, was interesting:

“We’re in the process of changing a culture as far as how offseasons have gone here in the past. Personally, I’ll never be pleased until we have 100 percent participation. That’s the goal. That will always be the goal, but I’m not naïve to the way things have gone here in the past. We are changing the culture.â€

 

[cheesey]

I like the fact that he wants his players to participate more. GB HAS been like most NFL offseasons. Maybe thats the problem. Maybe if the team is a little more concerned during the off season, they can get a leg up on the other "average" teams.

 

[Greg C.]

Good point, cheesey. I was thinking the same thing. Being like everybody else is not always a good thing.

 

[spardo62]

It is hard to argue with the record during most of the Sherman tenure, but the act probably started to wear thin last year. A change of staff, attitude, approach and philosophy can certainly do no harm and will hopefully be a change in the right direction.

 

[yooperfan]

I like what Mike III is saying and I like his philosophy, I hope it translates to success on the field.
I don't think there will be 100% participation ever, there are to many selfish attitudes and too much money involved, somebody will always staying away trying to leverage more money.

 

[NDPackerFan]

I feel it's too early to judge either McCarthy or TT; however, doesn't it seem like MM pulls out a book entitled "The Right Things to Say Without Saying Anything" right before he speaks to the press?

I listen to the guy, feeling impressed but then after thinking about it I'm like, "what the hell did he just say?"

 

[tromadz]

I feel it's too early to judge either McCarthy or TT; however, doesn't it seem like MM pulls out a book entitled "The Right Things to Say Without Saying Anything" right before he speaks to the press?

I listen to the guy, feeling impressed but then after thinking about it I'm like, "what the hell did he just say?"

thats a good thing. hes a players coach without being stupid like most NFL players(like mike tice).

 

[porky88]

Sherman was soft as a coach but he was smart. MM seems hard nose as well should know by now. I think Sherman was a good coach though, but a lousy GM. McCarthy was not my choice for the Head Coach. I wanted Bates. So McCarthy needs to win me over and he's done a good job so far.

 

[Lare]

If MM doesn't like the participation level or "culture" of the offseason he should probably be looking at blaming someone other than the previous coaching staff that has been gone for a several months now.

Seems to me the new coaching staff should have had ample opportunity to establish clear, reasonable standards and expectations for the players to be following by now. If it isn't happening I can't say as I'd be blaming Sherman at this point.

 

[tromadz]

I dont see his words as slamming Sherman at all (and it would be so easy!).

In the past, things were very relaxed and soft, and maybe due to that, we never did anything in the postseason...

and he is saying that stuff is over. he wants people to work out, and he wants EVERYONE there to work hard.

He also sounds like he knows 100% attendance isnt a switch you turn on, it will happen gradually.

 

[chibiabos]

:shock: Hopefully MM will be able to instill the desire in all the players to be involved in every meeting. Hard thing to do when dealing with so many disparate personalities. If it translates into winning play-off games and Super Bowls it becomes an easier sell. Comes down to getting the players to realizing that it's really to their benefit. Does MM start letting some guys go that are consistent no shows????

 

[tromadz]

He IS a rookie head coach. A lot of these players(Favre) are more proven than HE is!

He can't go in barking orders, demaning players show up...he knows he's still a rookie...and I think he is handling things perfectly. He ALWAYS makes his opinion known, and doing it without bashing players at all.

But the culture he speaks of...a lot of those players (Roman,Carroll,Washington) need to go. You can want to change the setting all you want, but a lot of time its the people. He needs people with desire to win, desire to improve, people who care about MORE Than just trying to stay healthy so they can collect a check. He needs PACKER PEOPLE(see what he is talking about now?).

so far so good though.

 

[packedhouse01]

I think MM is talking about accountability, of which there was very little in Mike Sherman's tenure. Now I too thought Sherman was an ok coach, but a lousy GM, unfortunately the lack of accountability caught up to him. Hopefully McCarthy can reinstill some Packer pride. This is our stadium, our town, no one comes in here and beats the Packers. We need to set a higer degree of toughness on this team, and by that I mean, expectation.

 

[CaliforniaCheez]

Accountability.

All the NEWS is which players are not showing up and no answers on why they decline to participate.

 

[CaliforniaCheez]

Saturday's PFT.com column writes:

"As if the Green Bay Packers' 4-12 season in 2005 wasn't bad enough, the first year under new coach Mike McCarthy is showing early signs of being a potential train wreck.

The evidence? At a time when the team should be getting up to speed on the new systems that the new staff is putting into place, far too many players who'll be expected to contribute when the season begins are still nowhere to be found.

And McCarthy is coming off like a guy with no juice, telling the media that he doesn't know when guys like cornerback Al Harris, cornerback Charles Woodson, receiver Rod Gardner, and defensive tackle Ryan Pickett will show up for OTAs that run through June 21.

Harris isn't with the team because he's unhappy with his contract -- a fact that prompted McCarthy to take out some of his frustrations recently on Jason Wilde of the Winsconsin State Journal, who had the audacity to, you know, report the reason for Harris' absence.

But Harris is a guy who pre-dates the regime of McCarthy and G.M. Ted Thompson; Woodson and Pickett are guys that Mike and Ted added this offseason.

As one league insider has explained, the absence of Woodson and Pickett is further proof as to why both have been deemed underachievers during their NFL careers. "They've have never played up to all the hype, and then they go to a new team and are still pieces of sh-t off and on the field," said the source."
*********************************************************
McCarthy is appearing to people as out of control and unknowledgable.
(Gee I don't know why players don't want to show up)
Head Coach is more than X's and O's.
Why did it take him so long to schedule training camp events?
What is he doing to motivate players?
Warning signs are appearing.
Will the Packers be paying for 3 head coaches in 2007?

 

[Anubis]

He can't go in barking orders, demaning players show up...he knows he's still a rookie...and I think he is handling things perfectly. He ALWAYS makes his opinion known, and doing it without bashing players at all.

I totally disagree.

This team is not coming off a 12-4 season, they are coming off a 4-12 season. The team needs discipline and leadership in both the locker room and on the field if they expect to clinch a playoff berth, never mind winning the NFC North, NFC Championship or the Super Bowl.

If McCarthy wants to be respected as HC of the Green Bay Packers, he is going to have to earn that respect, by both showing effective leadership on and off the field, which includes making examples of those players who's attitudes are a liability to the goals of the team (ie. winning the division, conference and ultimately, the Lombardi).

This team is using a new coaching scheme, new offensive scheme and is one of the youngest age-wise in the NFL. Allowing players to skip OTA and not instilling a sense of discipline now is only going to serve as an albatross in the future. One does not have to "bash players" to be an effective coach, but one does have to take control of the locker room.

I certainly hope I am wrong, but unfortunately I have seen precious little during McCarthy's tenure so far to suggest he is doing any of these things.

GO PACK!!!

Robert C. Hedley

 

[all about da packers]

Cali, I am certainly dissapointed, and to an extent angry, at the way these OTA's. Particularly at the amount of players participating.

However, MM is a new HC, and I think this year he will be in for a learning urve. Providing the schedules too late is just one part of the curve MM will have to go through. For that I am willing to cut him a LITTLE slack. But the lack on knowledge about why players aren't there is a little worrying. I just hope MM is able to get this under control in a hurry.

 

[Zero2Cool]

He IS a rookie head coach. A lot of these players(Favre) are more proven than HE is!

He can't go in barking orders, demaning players show up...he knows he's still a rookie...and I think he is handling things perfectly. He ALWAYS makes his opinion known, and doing it without bashing players at all.

But the culture he speaks of...a lot of those players (Roman,Carroll,Washington) need to go. You can want to change the setting all you want, but a lot of time its the people. He needs people with desire to win, desire to improve, people who care about MORE Than just trying to stay healthy so they can collect a check. He needs PACKER PEOPLE(see what he is talking about now?).

so far so good though.

He can't go barking orders? He's the freaking HC! He BETTER be barking orders! You MAKE the team RESPECT big pappa! You don't try to ease your way into being respected. Do you think Vince Lombardi came in and said 'ok ... guys .. we are gonna umm do a few running plays then perhaps if u like we can do some long ball plays, so ... lets get'em boys!!' **** no. He said 'listen up ****ers, either do as i say or get the **** out of here'

If McCarthy is letting him being a rookie HC determine how he runs the team then he is failing as a HC. BIG TIME. You are supposed to act like you've been there before, its called playing the part.

 

[Zero2Cool]

stupid filter ruins everything!!

 

[tromadz]

I'm not saying he's gonna be a sissy like sherman, but he can't be like "Favre, get your *** to camp, Woodson, give me 50 pushups right now! RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!" or he's doomed from the get-go.

And McCarthy runs things better than Sherman ever has already, from everything i've read and seen and heard. so calm yourself.

 

[Zero2Cool]

I'm not saying he's gonna be a sissy like sherman, but he can't be like "Favre, get your *** to camp, Woodson, give me 50 pushups right now! RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!" or he's doomed from the get-go.

And McCarthy runs things better than Sherman ever has already, from everything i've read and seen and heard. so calm yourself.

Why can't you? They are professionals and those are reasonable. He can't order someone to show up to a VOLUNTARY camp, but he can strongly urge them to.

So you calm YOURSELF bumpaskoozie!

 

[tromadz]

you said it yourself. You cant force them to come to voluntary camps, or you lose a camp, ala the lions(although for different, but still silly reasons).

You've heard the same things I have, you know he barks orders, but not to the extreme.

 

[bozz_2006]

"Blue! HOW COME THERE'S NO ICE IN MY LEMONADE? YOU DROP DOWN AND YOU GIVE ME TEN! NOW!!!!!"