McCarthy Keeps Eye On The Prize

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has charted the course to victory in the Super Bowl. All the Packers have left to do is follow his direction.

For some reason, one particular statement from Mike McCarthy's Monday press conference stood out to me.

When asked if there was anyone he could call for advice about how to handle the circus that is the Super Bowl, the Green Bay Packers head coach replied, "Not really.  A lot of those conversations really have already gone on.

"This is something personally that I've been preparing for. I've always had the schedule in place what I would do when we got to this point. You always need to adjust it based on the health of your team or something that changes that's out of your control."

How far back does his preparation go?

"Quite some time," said McCarthy. "I mean, I was in the position in '07 to prepare for a Super Bowl ahead of time. So for a number of years."

Perhaps I shouldn't be suprised that McCarthy's plan of attack for the Super Bowl dates back at least three years ago and maybe before that.

I imagine most, if not all, NFL head coaches have their schedules all mapped out for the Super Bowl well in advance. There is a reason they've reached the pinnacle of their chosen profession after all.

But the tunnel vision of McCarthy seems, at least to me, to be a tad sharper than most.

And by tunnel vision, I mean that in only the nicest, kindest, most reverential way. Everything seems to be geared toward winning the Super Bowl, and anything that detracts from that objective is dismissed.

To hear McCarthy speak about the goals of his football team back before Week 16 when the team's back was against the wall and they needed to win their final two regular season games to even qualify for the playoffs, it was all very motivational. The confidence was evident in his voice.

"You really have no control of the path," said McCarthy. "That's part of the deal. I mean, every season's different. You just try to keep it on the road. So our particular path this year, in hindsight, has made us a stronger football team. It's shaped us in a different way. We've had opportunity, really, to play five playoff games going into this Super Bowl. So I think that really helps us. We feel like we're a razor-sharp team as far as the level of play that we've been bringing to the table here the last month.

"We knew we were a good football team when we came out of training camp. We knew we'd have an opportunity to be part of this. And things sometimes go your way, sometimes they don't. But I think it speaks volumes about the men in the locker room, the character, everybody keeping an eye on their target. And really coming down to the New York Giants game, that's the one thing that we just kept reiterating to our players: All of our goals are still in front of us. We didn't need any help. And I think that really helped our guys stay focused, stay on point, and the Giant victory there at home was big and then we were able to run the next four in a row. Just part of shaping of a football team."

As the Packers embark on this long, trying and probably dizzying trip over the course of these next two weeks, I'm confident the organization has found the proper captain for their ship.

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Comments (8)

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WoodyG's picture

January 25, 2011 at 05:02 pm

This is going to be a long two weeks ..... Every major sports media org has nothing to talk about except GB & Pitts...... A thanks goes out to Cutler & Palmer for at least some distractions but .....

Did AR actually get concussed on the hit by Peppers? ...... The media will let us all know eventually ...... Barnett & Finley feel dissed by the Pack ..... Stay tuned ......

Two days & it's already a media circus ..... And the clowns are all present.

Oh, BTW, kudos to MM for keeping on eye on the prize.

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NickGBP's picture

January 25, 2011 at 05:11 pm

I listened to the same PC obviously, and the thing that I took most out of it was his response after being asked about the Steeler's Super Bowl experience and the fact that most of the Packers haven't been there before. His response was basically that he's stressing to the team that this is about beating the Steelers, not winning the Super Bowl. Seems small maybe, but I think that's an important distinction and a great way to tackle the issue of an inexperienced team facing a team thats been there and done that (as far as the Super Bowl goes).

Obviously the hoopla surrounding the game next week that players will have to deal with may drown out his message, but I think it's a great starting point for preparing the team and keeping their focus.

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DaveK's picture

January 25, 2011 at 05:16 pm

Preparing and playing in the Superbowl of course will have it's challenges but nothing will be more intense then last week. (As a fan, it would have been far worse for them to lose last week then this week) I would imagine the players feel less pressure this week then last week. That has to feel good and frees them up to focus on their opponent rather then on all the other stuff. They might get beat by a better team or they might win because they are a better team but after going through the pressure of that NFC championship game I have no worries that this team is going to wilt under the pressure of a Superbowl.

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Jack's picture

January 25, 2011 at 05:37 pm

I worry about all the young players having their feet swept off the ground next week by all the attention they'll receive. That'll be a big challenge for the coaching staff, keeping them all grounded and focused. I just hope the Kardashian sisters aren't credentialed.

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Timbo's picture

January 26, 2011 at 03:19 pm

"I just hope the Kardashian sisters aren’t credentialed."

That was fantastic. Thanks for the biggest laugh of my day.

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thepretzelhead on twitter's picture

January 25, 2011 at 09:56 pm

Since I know you read this, MM

Last week, I think was one of your best regarding play calling except for a moment in the 3rd quarter 1st and 10 Kuhn lone tail back for 2 yds? Then Brandon for -5. Bit odd that series. Getting desperate if that's all i've got to bitch about.

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Cuphound's picture

January 26, 2011 at 02:31 am

Why, Brian Carriveau, I don't think I have ever heard you, the dispassionate master of myriad details, ever wax sentimental. To think, after all this, that you turn out to be a romantic.

Mike McCarthy has found a true believer.

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Brian Carriveau's picture

January 26, 2011 at 11:41 am

I started doubting McCarthy twice. During '09 in the midst of the losing streak that culminated in that high-profile loss to Tampa Bay, and then earlier this season following the 18 penalty debacle at Chicago. Other than that, I've always been a believer of the way he runs the show in Green Bay. And he's responded admirably to those two adverse situations. Sounds like the jumping-point for another article for me someday. Perhaps after the Super Bowl.

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