McCarthy: Hopeful Shields completes protocol today

Packers coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media on Thursday morning. Here are some highlights:

On former Packers assistant Ben McAdoo reportedly set to be named Giants coach:

I haven’t had a chance to talk to Ben. Not sure if it’s official. I’m very happy for Ben to be in this position and the opportunity in front of him. Can’t tell you how proud I am of him. He’s definitely ready and deserving.

On mentoring McAdoo:

I think a lot of us who are from Western Pennsylvania take pride from being there. I remember the first day I met him. Was at the combine. He called me when I was in New Orleans seeking an opportunity to talk football. We talked on the phone that evening and the next day at lunch I was coming back from the workouts and Ben was sitting in the hotel lobby waiting for me. He drove all night to meet me in the lobby. Tremendously dedicated.

On Sam Shields:

Hopefully, he can do more today. The work today will hopefully complete the protocol. I don’t have anything to announce until he completes the protocol. … I hope today is the point where he completes the protocol.

On David Bakhtiari:

He was limited yesterday and he’ll try to do a lot more today. Today will be a big day for David.

On being on short week:

I think they both have advantages. The opportunity to get healthy on the bye is probably the most important component when you line up and play. It’s no different than when you have the bye locked up in Week 14, 15. Those are all part of the strategy you have to take with your team. Every player and coach wants to keep playing because it keeps you in rhythm.

On different feeling:

We’ve always believed. I think every team has a different feeling to it. That feeling definitely exists in our locker room. It’s never the same. Every challenge is different. Every team is different. This is a distinctly different football team.

On mental makeup for a left tackle:

The tradition of the position is what you look for. You look for a shutdown-type player. If you’re going to design a football team, the four positions you have to have – I go back to my early years in Kansas City – is your quarterback, left tackle, pass rushers and corners. To have those four pieces in place gives you the flexibility to do what you want.

On Davante Adams:

If he doesn’t practice by tomorrow, then he won’t make it.

On Jayrone Elliott:

Jayrone is one of our best special-teams players. He’s a good matchup for us. He’s a body type you look for on special teams. He can play all the core units. It would be great to get him back.