McCarthy: 15 select vets off for minicamp
Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy spoke with the media for about 10 minutes before Tuesday’s practice, the first of his team’s minicamp. Here are some highlights of the conversation.
On plan with guys this week in minicamp: Minicamp this year, the approach is different than it’s been in the past. We have a group of veterans we determine each year – a vet select group, we’ve been doing this since my second year – there’s a period of time when you take a group of veterans out. It’s all based on where they’re at in their career, getting reps for younger players. So we had 15 veterans that were excused this year after their physicals. So the focus is really on reviewing the first day of instillations.
On rookies who were on campus: There’s been a lot of communication through skype and telephone conversations and things like that. It will be really important for them to just figure out the stress and the speed through three days of practice. They’ll get everything they need. I feel confident speaking with coaches that they’ll feel good about where they are. Now, they’ll be where everyone else was four weeks ago being able to apply it.
On opportunity for Brett Hundley: It’s a great opportunity for Brett Hundley and the other quarterbacks. It’s different to be in command of a practice. So this is a big week for Brett. I thought he did some good things in his last practice.
On Luke Getsy taking over as WR coach: First off, I’ve always appreciated Luke Getsy and what he’s done since he’s been here. I think he and David Raih have gone about it the right way. I think guys who go through it without quality control don’t get a great sense of appreciate for the grind. Now, Luke is the No. 1 guy in his room, and he’s taken ownership of it. I think he’s off to a great start.
On evaluating where team is in offseason: I gave them an update this morning about where we are as a football team. Everything’s measured, technology improves every year, and everything’s calculated. Frankly, our numbers are the best they’ve been from our time here. So the message is, let’s finish.
On value for older guys to have this time off: Yes, they were excited. It was kind of a funny meeting. I called them all in the room, and Randall Cobb walked in, and Jordy started chuckling. I said, ‘Tell me about it.’ A 21-year-old Randall Cobb as part of the vet select group. It makes you feel old. Frankly, a big part of it is the hall of fame game, getting an extra week of work. Will excuse the veterans for three practices.
On Kenny Clark finding a mentor at nose tackle: I really don’t look at the fact, when I think of nose, the nose position just from the way I view it, it’s more of a base positon, base defense and so forth. Kenny not only is going to have to learn the nose, but the 1-technique. Sub defenses will probably come in about 75 percent of our snaps, that’s where it’s been the past three years. So learning the nose but also the 1-technique will be very important.
On whether any players who missed OTAs with injuries will return for minicamp: We’ve had no changes with who’s practicing and who’s not practicing this week.
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