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Mike McCarthy Press Conference Transcript - Jan. 15
posted 01/15/2007
(Why did you decide to go with Philbin as offensive coordinator?)
Well, for a number of different reasons. Not knowing Joe before I hired him last year as the offensive line coach, I've had the opportunity to work with him this past year and have been very impressed with everything I've seen from him. Professionally, I'd classify him as a high character individual. Personally, I think he's an excellent fit for the direction that we're going with our offense.
(Do you continue with the zone blocking scheme?)
Yes, that's a primary concept in our run game, and we'll continue to use that.
(How much does the continuity help you and the players?)
I think it helps a lot. Consistency was something that quite frankly we did not have as a football team particularly the first half of the season. This enables us to continue to build. On a personal matter, I feel very good about watching a guy like Joe Philbin graduate to the offensive coordinator position. It's comforting to know that when you promote from within, you're hiring good people, that they're able to climb up the ladder. You go right from there to James Campen and Jerry Fontenot. You see guys like that that take full advantage of their opportunity and are able to climb to the next step. I think that's very rewarding.
(Said all along you wanted due diligence in your search - what did that due diligence entail?)
I have a responsibility to the Green Bay Packers to make the most informed and educated decision on everything that I do. That's really what the process of taking the last 14-16 days to go through this process has enabled me to do. I was able to interview Joe (Philbin) along with some others and really talk to a lot of people. This direction which I think everyone felt 'Hey, this would be great' initially when it happened, but now going through the process, I think it really validates that I definitely made the right decision.
(How many other guys did you talk to?)
I really don't want to get into that. I'm excited about Joe moving forward, but I'll just say I did my due diligence.
(On his way out, Jags said Joe would be a guy that could do the job - did you take his opinion into consideration?)
Jeff (Jagodzinski) and myself - the whole offensive staff - we worked closely throughout the year. I do value Jeff's opinion. I did ask him what he did think of a number of guys on staff, but that wasn't the reason I did it.
(How much input did you get from Joe in terms of the game plan on Sundays?)
All of our coaches on the offensive staff have an area of responsibility, and Joe is very heavily involved in the run and protection part of it. I thought he was exemplary in his performance in those areas from a game planning (standpoint). I think he's an outstanding teacher. He has a very good rapport with his players, so really observing Joe this past year was a major factor in promoting him to offensive coordinator.
(How do the players respond to coach Philbin?)
I think we'll have a very favorable reaction from our players. During the exit interviews, a number of them, particularly offensive lineman, were excited that Joe may have the opportunity to interview for the position. I think we'll have a very favorable reaction.
(Seems like others on the staff may have interviewed as well - do you make it clear to them that they're still important?)
I think that's something that's part of the process. I've been in that position. Everything was put on the table up front, so it won't be a problem.
(Where does Winston Moss now fit into the hierarchy of the staff?)
Winston Moss being promoted to assistant head coach - it's not a defensive position. When I first put the staff together last year, that was the one position that I went back and forth on, whether to do it or not do it. In hindsight, I didn't err, but I think it's a position that's needed. Winston Moss will be my partner as far as all team activities, as far as the growth and dynamics of our football team and take in as far as administrative responsibilities. He is the assistant head coach. Obviously defense is his focus because he'll still coach the linebackers and so forth. Bob Sanders is the coordinator, will continue to be the coordinator, but Winston Moss will be my right-hand man.
(So Bob Sanders is the guy calling the shots on defense?)
Absolutely.
(Is Winston's new title to protect him from being taken away by another team?)
Not really. He was a candidate all year long. It's something that Ted Thompson and I had talked about throughout the season. Once again, I talked about that particular position in the initial hiring of the staff. I did not go that way for a number of reasons. I've had the opportunity to observe Winston Moss with the number of years I've had (with him) prior in New Orleans and this past year here. I think he's a perfect fit for that position.
(Were you tempted to go outside the organization for the offensive line position or were you happy with the way James picked up the zone blocking this year?)
I looked at all the options available. Fit was very important once again. When putting together the dynamics of the coaching staff, I wanted high quality people number one. Very good teachers; teaching was a big part of it, and really performance-driven individuals. Really, that was the criteria I stuck to and that's why I'm very happy to see Joe move up the ladder. I think James Campen, this will be an excellent opportunity for him that he'll take full advantage of, and Jerry Fontenot as well.
(You have a handful of changes on your coaching staff - do you think you'll have #4 as your quarterback next season?)
That's an interesting way you got to that question. We'll find out sooner rather than later. I really have no feeling what Brett's intentions are right now, but hopefully we'll have a decision soon.
(Have you talked to him since the season ended?)
I have not spoken with him - no, not this past week.
(Bates is assistant head coach in Denver but runs the defense - that's not the way it is here?)
What the Denver Broncos are doing has no bearing on what we're doing here. He's the assistant head coach, and he works with the defense. |
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