Packers coach Mike McCarthy talks Perry, Lacy, Lang
Two hours after his general manager outlined an agenda to re-sign the Green Bay Packers’ own free agents first, coach Mike McCarthy shared his thoughts on some of those players Wednesday afternoon at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.
Here are the highlights of McCarthy’s 10 minutes speaking from the podium in Indy.
» McCarthy gave a strong statement of support for sacks leader Nick Perry, who enters free agency next week.
“Nick had some injury issues through the years, but Nick is a hell of a football player," McCarthy said. "I think it was good to see him not only go through the season, played through another major injury with the hand injury, but it was really the first time that he had a full offseason. So he’s a talent. … Nick is one of our guys. He’s a powerful man. I have a lot of love for Nick and what he’s gone through. His first couple years, it was frustrating just to watch him go through the injuries. Hopefully we can get his contract worked out.”
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» Running back Eddie Lacy is going through his offseason training to recover from last season’s ankle surgery at his alma mater on the University of Alabama campus, but McCarthy said he was able to meet with him a week ago. McCarthy reiterated his thoughts on Lacy that he shared at the onset of the offseason, saying he’d “love to have Eddie back.”
“We’re at the business phase," McCarthy added. "I don’t really have anything for you. We want all our free agents back. They’re our guys. That’s the way we view it.”
» McCarthy spoke for the first time about Pro Bowl right guard T.J. Lang’s hip surgery: “He’s in recovery mode, and it’s going to take some time. I don’t see T.J. doing anything before training camp.”
That drew a Twitter response from Lang, who becomes a free agent next week:
» McCarthy described David Raih’s new job as offensive perimeter coach as a promotion.
“He’s going to have more responsibility," McCarthy said. "He’s going to work directly with all our position coaches on the perimeter, and he’s working with the offensive coordinator (Edgar Bennett) and myself.”
McCarthy called Raih a “dynamic young man” who has “earned this opportunity” to handle more responsibility on the coaching staff.
» Lastly, McCarthy shared his thoughts on backup quarterback Brett Hundley’s development, especially after missing most of last preseason with an ankle injury.
“It’s unfortunate he didn’t get to play in the preseason games," McCarthy said. "But I’ve really liked the development of Brett Hundley. I think he’s going to be a really good player. He needs to play. He needs that game-time action. That’s a threshold he needs to get over. But I think everything leading up to that, he’s done a really good job with."