Revisiting McCarthy's Mission Statement
Mike McCarthy released a "Mission Statement" when he was hired as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. Reading it today is a treat.
By PackerAaron
I think if they were being honest, many fans would tell you they rolled their eyes when Mike McCarthy released his "Mission Statement" when he was hired back in 2006.
Reading it now, the morning after McCarthy became a Super Bowl winning coach, puts it in a whole new light:
THE FOUNDATION FOR THE NEW DIRECTION OF THE GREEN BAY PACKERS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED WITH THREE KEY COMPONENTS OF OBTAINING "PACKER PEOPLE," CREATING "STABLE STRUCTURE" AND CONCENTRATING ON "CHARACTER AND CHEMISTRY."
A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT WILL BE CREATED WITH "LEADERSHIP" THAT KEEPS ITS EYE ON THE TARGET OF ESTABLISHING A CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TEAM.
THE DIRECTION WILL BE FUELED WITH CONSTANT COMMUNICATION TO ENSURE EVERYONE IS ON BOARD. WE WILL ATTACK THE VOYAGE WITH ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM TO OVERCOME THE OBSTACLES THAT WE WILL ENCOUNTER.
THIS VISION IS ENHANCED WITH RESOURCES AND TRADITION THAT STANDS IN THE FOREFRONT OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS.
I AM HONORED AND PRIVILEGED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD THE GREEN BAY PACKERS ON A NEW JOURNEY BACK TO THE PINNACLE THAT BEARS THE NAME OF "COACH LOMBARDI."
Congratulations Coach McCarthy - for doing it your way.
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Comments (52)
February 07, 2011 at 01:09 pm
Single tear.
February 07, 2011 at 01:29 pm
More impressive than my company's mission statement, something about being the best blah blah blah, people are our #1 asset blah blah blah, and some BS about synergy and capturing market space or some such nonsense.
February 07, 2011 at 01:29 pm
More tears as it is REALLY hitting me now
JohnRehor
February 07, 2011 at 01:30 pm
Some people say words to get somewhere, such as a head coach position, and never live by the words they speak once that goal has been reached.
What Mike McCarthy did was speak the words, and never deviate from them. He deserves credit for staying true to his vision, and delivering a championship to Green Bay.
February 07, 2011 at 01:34 pm
McCarthy is a football nerd. And I mean that as high praise.
February 07, 2011 at 01:54 pm
This is pretty awesome; I have discussed the concept of drafting "Packer People" and inculcating them with the history, prestige and humbleness of being a Green Bay Packer. Wolfe did it; Thompson does it and the Coach is doing it very well. No Randy Moss; Lynch. Rather have a Woodson, Driver, Rogers and the rest of this "special" team.
God Bless the USA and the Green Bay Packers.
February 07, 2011 at 06:16 pm
Andre Rison? ("Bad Moon" wasn't just given to him because it was catchy)
Adam Timmerman? (Considered one of the dirtiest players in football at the time)
Eugene Robinson? (Whores before the SB?)
Ahman Green? (Domestic Violence, anyone?)
Oh, don't forget that QB with the drug addiction problem, the womanizer, etc...
Packer People is half myth. I will admit at Thompson seems to try harder than most GMs, but we have our Johnny Jolly's and Brandon Underwoods, too, just like Wolfe had the above mentioned characters among others as well.
February 07, 2011 at 07:45 pm
Eugene Robinson was the NFL Man of the Year the previous year. Don't let one incident cloud an outstanding career. He admitted the mistake and literally cried about it. Hardly in the same league as TO or Moss; that's what they mean by avoiding non-Packer people.
February 07, 2011 at 11:11 pm
So, "Packer People" has less to do with character and moral fortitude and more to do with on-the-field production and behavior?
I thought the whole concept of "Packer People" was more about off-the-field conduct than on the field.
"Hardly in the same league as TO/Moss"?? I don't see exactly what it is that Terrell Owens- or, even Randy Moss for that matter, does/has done that is worse than beating your wife, Gouging a player in his eyes, soliciting a prostitute the night before the biggest game of your career in spite of being a married man with children, etc and so forth.
My point here is that Packer People is a concept that exists largely due to selective memory of Packers fans, and perhaps because of selective reporting by local media.
February 08, 2011 at 10:00 am
OK, I get your point.
I was just pointing out the Mr. Robinson had a one-time, major, screw-up; he was still a man of high charactor. The fellow's that I mentioned are lazy, self-serving, team-be-damned players. They are anti-Packer People.
February 08, 2011 at 07:11 pm
Redlights,
Let's be clear on this: Eugene Robinson may or may not be a man of high character who had a one-time transgression.
Typically, men who patronize prostitutes don't just do it once on a whim- it's probably something he did regularly. It's just that he got caught that time.
PackerAaron
February 07, 2011 at 08:28 pm
All of the people you list here Oppy are well before McCarthy's tenure.
Sure, any pro team is going to have its fair share of less than desirable personalities. But Ted and Mike have done a very good job of ensuring the roster is mostly filled with high character individuals.
February 07, 2011 at 08:41 pm
I think Oppy just made the point...No one is proud of those moments but compare them to other NFL teams.
Green Bay is a place to play football and win championships. All others, need not apply.
February 07, 2011 at 11:22 pm
You're right, Aaron, all of the people listed are from Wolfe's tenure as I stated in the post- and you're exactly right that any pro team is going to have its fair share of less than desirable personalities. That's kind of my point, "Packers People" isn't some lofty ideal unique to the Packers, and more importantly, when push comes to shove players character issues are conveniently ignored so long as their on the field production is up to snuff. That in and of itself basically destroys the concept of "Packers People".
As I also stated, I do think TT puts more emphasis on character than most GM's. But I also think JOhnny Jolly will be right back in GB next year. I don't have a problem with that at all- in fact, I endorse it. But that certainly isn't supporting the myth of "Packers People", either.
February 08, 2011 at 08:25 am
It's not as much the character as the chemsitry. Lombardi knew it. It's a team game. You can't keep a "team" together if you have individuals who are more interested in their own glory.
This team won as a team. It's the Lombardi way...it's the McCarthy way.
February 07, 2011 at 02:05 pm
MM's first draft mission statement:
"The foundation for the new direction of the Green Bay Packers will be constructed with three key components.
And all three of those components will be fullbacks."
I'm still giddy.
February 07, 2011 at 02:09 pm
+1 LOL
February 07, 2011 at 02:46 pm
You forgot to write it in ALL CAPS...
February 07, 2011 at 04:18 pm
+1000000000000
February 07, 2011 at 02:12 pm
The first sentence says it all: Packer people, stable structure, character and chemistry. That formula just won a superbowl. It doesn't mention talent, speed, or swagger, which is what many fans demand each time a big name free agent becomes available or during the draft. The players all seemed to attribute indivudual character and team chemistry in their post-game interviews. They're believers in the McCarthy Doctrine. As fans who just witnessed its full implementation, we should be buying into it too.
February 07, 2011 at 06:17 pm
Yup, you just nailed it
February 07, 2011 at 08:54 pm
It seems that if a team is successful in implementing the 3 components MM cites, the talent and speed are enhanced and accentuated...the swagger is then a direct result of the success brought about by the 3 key components.
My God, the Green Bay packers are Super Bowl Champions...I just can't stop saying it!!
MM & TT withstood a lot of abuse & second guessing this year...thanks to them for not wavering in the face of my uninformed & often overly emotional opinions!!
February 07, 2011 at 02:19 pm
I have to admit that I was wrong about McCarthy. He is a great coach. Proud to be a packer fan today.
February 07, 2011 at 02:26 pm
I have nearly cried three times since last night at 9:30 PM CST.
Other than the day I married my wife, this is the happiest day of my adult life.
Thanks Ted, Mike, Aaron, Chuck, Clay and everyone else!
February 07, 2011 at 02:32 pm
This Championship team walked the talk. I just hope Jolly and Underwood figure it out. For their own sakes.
February 07, 2011 at 02:34 pm
Wow. Just wow. Who would have thought it would all work out the way it did? Heck, I can even admit to thinking just earlier this season (around that 3-3 record) that maybe McCarthy wasn't going to be the guy to take this team where it needed to go. Boy was I wrong. He's had a vision since day one and, as you say, he did it his way.
And there's no reason to think he can't do it again. And again. And again.
February 07, 2011 at 03:08 pm
Does anyone think that Don Shula and the "72" Dolphins may be a little nervous with the talent on this team? Super Bowl 46 will be played in another dome in Indianapolis.
The Green Bay Packers...19-0, 2011/2012 Super Bowl Champions!!!
February 07, 2011 at 04:13 pm
All I got to say is this is so awesome. Great job guys.
February 07, 2011 at 05:30 pm
YESSSSS!!
February 07, 2011 at 07:22 pm
Mission accomplished.
February 07, 2011 at 08:18 pm
Coach McCarthy is a class act.. I hope he is with the team for many years to come.. he married a Green Bay native gal and calls Wisconsin his home..... I am still not sold on Ted Thompson but I am comming around.. :)
February 07, 2011 at 09:20 pm
Get religion quick, brother. The rest of us have. ; )
February 08, 2011 at 04:19 am
Ohh...brother.
February 07, 2011 at 08:42 pm
2012 ONE FOR THE THUMB
February 07, 2011 at 09:06 pm
This is amazing. Love this team, still don't think it has fully hit me yet! Is there going to be a Super Bowl Champions version of Packer Transplants?! Hope so!!
February 07, 2011 at 09:22 pm
Name a street after this man and pave it with fan apologies. I will gladly participate.
February 07, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Me too.
Hmnn. Tasty crow.
February 07, 2011 at 09:43 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GL6LH6ufhM
February 07, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Packers Transplant will be on Wednesday, at 8 PM? It's almost at the same time as the replay of the SB on NFL Network! And it will be with players mic'ed up and commentary from coaches and all that.
Please, please guys, don't make me choose between the two!!!!
February 08, 2011 at 12:37 am
No DVR in Brazil homeboy?
February 08, 2011 at 02:47 pm
How do I dvr an internet stream?
February 08, 2011 at 09:17 pm
Oh you watch your NFL Network on the net. Guess that wouldn't work.
February 08, 2011 at 12:36 am
Alright ladies. We've had 24 hours to enjoy our latest title. The GREEN BAY PACKERS do not bask in their greatness, it is expected, and once achieved, we momentarily enjoy it and move on to what is necessary to maintain said greatness.
You are on the clock at pick 32... OLB, RB, O-line, DB...
BPA aside, what position are you targeting and why?
GBP 4 LIFE
February 08, 2011 at 11:44 am
Unlike years past, I will not question whomever TT selects with any of the draft picks, with only a few exceptions:
1) No Fullbacks
2) No Punters/Kickers (FA extra camp legs are okay though)
3) No Tight Ends
4) No Long Snappers
Any other position is fair game in my opinion (and I am an amateur GM by the way), including a low-round QB, any round WR or RB (preferably not round 1 or 2 though), Return Specialist, OL/DL.
BPA aside I would focus on OLB, OL, Return Specialist, CB (and God yes I would sign Asmougha if the economics allow it but they probably won't without a Woodson discount, but what an awesome secondary that would be), WR, RB in that order. And you can never have enough depth on the DL, but with the return of Neal, possibly Jolly?, and who knows maybe even Harrell (stop laughing!), that group looks deep already.
Not sure how long Flynn is signed for but it's probably not too soon to look for another backup QB in the lower rounds, what with Rodgers' concussion history and the possibility to shop Flynn a year or two down the road (at the earliest), ala Hasselbeck, Brunell, etc.
Depending on FA losses (Jenkins? Jones?), it will be tough for anyone outside of the first three rounds to make the 53 next year, so I like the idea of trading picks and moving up to get another Clay Matthews.
February 08, 2011 at 09:22 pm
I would like to see OLB, RB or O-line in the 1st. At 32 I would be elated if we were to land somebody like Gabe Carrimi. Put him at RT along side Sitton and your right side just got downright filthy, then we could let Bulaga get over to LT. That's a line that could be really good for a long time.
Really though, I'm with you. Even if he goes FB, FB... I'm just gonna have faith. In Ted we trust.
GBP 4 LIFE
February 08, 2011 at 08:07 am
"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up." - Vince Lombardi
No Packer team since the 1960's better exemplifies the values and coaching philosophy of Vince Lombardi and this one. This team repeatedly overcame injuries and obsticles to win this championship. It was the CHEMISTRY more than the character that kept these "Packer People" together throught those tough times.
Somewhere Vince is smiling that gap toothed grin ear to ear.
Thanks Ted Thompson. Thanks Mike McCarthy.
February 08, 2011 at 02:49 pm
I've had that Lombardi quote as my sig at packerforum.com for 2 seasons now.
Great catch.
February 08, 2011 at 09:06 am
People are talking of a Dynasty occurring with this team. If they can keep this group together and avoiding any major injuries, I cant see why not!
http://sportsloop.blogspot.com
February 08, 2011 at 09:29 am
loved the comment from Mike McCarthy, " fingerprints on the trophy" ... "we are a community owned team " ...
February 09, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Great ribbon to tie it all together Aaron. Well done.
But...is it just me or does the use of word "BEARS" in the Green Bay Packer mission statement irk anyone else?
February 10, 2011 at 06:33 pm
" Congratulations Coach McCarthy - for doing it your way. "
A subtle admittance of ineptness on your behalf on what's really going on?
I guess you don't want him fired now?
PackerAaron
February 10, 2011 at 07:59 pm
Link to where I wrote I wanted him fired? I have written that I UNDERSTAND why people wanted him fired this year. But I have not ONCE this season said he should be fired. Not once.