Packers notes: Mike McCarthy upbeat after 'one of our best offseasons'
GREEN BAY - The Green Bay Packers completed their offseason program Thursday with the final practice of a three-day, mandatory minicamp and a series of parting messages from coach Mike McCarthy and members of his staff.
“Really just had everybody speak to the team this morning — nutritionist, strength coach — and just the one final message for the football team,” McCarthy said in his final news conference of the spring. “So really, we want to finish today, and just like everything we do in the game of football, there’s a finish to it, which is the most important part, and then really just preparing for the next step of the process, and the next step of the process is what goes on these next five weeks.”
The Packers began their offseason program in mid-April when players returned to Green Bay after a three-month hiatus, and McCarthy said the resulting work was some of the best he’s seen in his tenure.
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“So that was really the message today about finishing a quality offseason,” McCarthy said. “I clearly think it’s one of our better ones, one of our best offseasons just as far as the amount of work we were able to get done, the quality of work. We were able to move some things around in the practice schedule, so our number of team reps was higher, so I think we were able to a lot more in the competitive arena just with these types of practices that we have. So I feel very good about that and once all the numbers (and GPS data) come in after today’s practice we’ll take a look at that tomorrow. But feel really good about where we are today.”
Aside from running practice, McCarthy said he and his staff spent the last four weeks preparing for training camp, which begins July 25. The coaches planned the details of every practice and will review those outlines in the coming weeks.
The rest of the time between now and late July will be reserved for their families.
“We had our final staff meeting yesterday, and I thought our guys really hit the target,” McCarthy said. “Obviously we had a lot of change. There was newness at every turn of our offseason program, but the weekends, the long nights, it puts you in this position where after today’s practice it will be important for them to get out of here. Some guys stay in town. Some guys may have a place in another state. Everybody’s situation is different. … But the coaches will be done after the conclusion of practice. I don’t think I need to encourage them, but they do need to step into their personal life for a good break. They deserve it.”
Injury update
The Packers finished their offseason program with just a few minor injuries after several weeks in which the medical staff exhibited plenty of caution.
Wide receiver Trevor Davis (hamstring), safety Josh Jones (ankle), linebacker Jake Ryan (hamstring) wide receiver Geronimo Allison (ankle) and tight end Robert Tonyan (hip) did not participate in minicamp this week.
Aside from right tackle Bryan Bulaga, who is still recovering from a torn ACL, McCarthy said he has no concerns about his players’ availability for training camp.
