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Green Bay – One more note about last week’s conversation with Packers coach Mike McCarthy. He talked a lot about the strength of his partnership with Packers general manager Ted Thompson as being a key to their overall success in Green Bay:

“I always go back to the interview process when Ted was looking for a partner to build a program. We talked about having a base philosophy of drafting and developing and we have accomplished that. I think all of the things have happened because of the way that we’ve built it. The quality of people we have throughout the personnel department, the coaching department, our support staff, is incredible. A lot of them have been here over 20 years and I think our equipment staff has more than 100 years of experience.

“There’s so many positive things and just to pull that all together…

“I really admire Ted. He does his job. He’s on the road right now, working on the college draft. He’s a great example of what we’ve built here. When there’s a job to do, if everybody just stays focused on their job, tried to eliminate the extra stuff that can bog you down, we’ll all be successful. He’s a strong Christian. He’s just very consistent. He’s very easy to work with. He’s a lot easier to talk with today than he was seven years ago but I’m sure that’s part of our relationship growing.”

McCarthy also mentioned the uniqueness of being a head coach in a small-to-medium sized city like Green Bay.

“Green Bay is a remarkable community to live in. People don’t realize unless you’ve had the opportunity to work in another NFL city, just the fact that you're seven minutes from home, it is still small town America. Which I love. It’s the Midwest. The priorities of family and community are very strong here. I like to think I’m the same person. That’s something my dad has always told me, too; don’t forget where you came from. I am in tune with that. My wife and my children keep me grounded so I have no desire to change. I am very blessed here and that’s part of the reason why Jessica and I try to give back as much as we can.”

One interesting note by DE Mike Daniels: he believes McCarthy doesn’t allow the extreme hazing of rookies. Rookies may have to carry luggage or pick up a restaurant tab now and then, but “there’s not a whole lot of hazing that goes on around here. He’s more worried about winning football games than hey, how can we pick on the rookies. You don’t see guys getting thrown in to a plunge pool or paying for $40,000 meals. I think if somebody did something pretty low to a rookie they’d be in deep trouble with him,” said Daniels.

“The biggest thing is he cares about his guys,” said receiver Randall Cobb. “A lot of people say he’s a player’s coach but I think it’s just that he cares about his guys. Sometimes you see coaches who don’t even acknowledge some players; he acknowledges everyone in here.”

As for McCarthy’s tenure, which is one of the longest in the NFL right now, here’s a quick little list of the most recent coaches in the NFL:

Patriots - Bill Belichick, coach since 2000

Jets - Rex Ryan 2009; Eric Mangini 2006-2008

Bills - Chan Gailey 2010; Perry Fewell, Dick Jauron 2006-09

Dolphins - Joe Philbin 2012; Todd Bowles; Tony Sparano ‘08-11; Cam Cameron; Nick Saban ‘05-06

Ravens - John Harbaugh 2008; Brian Billick until ‘07

Steelers - Mike Tomlin 2007; Bill Cowher 1992-06

Bengals - Marvin Lewis 2003

Browns - Pat Shurmur 2011; Eric Mangini; Romeo Crennel

Texans – Gary Kubiak 2006

Colts - Chuck Pagano 2011; Jim Caldwell; Tony Dungy 2002-08

Titans - Mike Munchak 2011; Jeff Fisher 1994-2010

Jaguars - Mike Mularkey 2012; Mel Tucker; Jack Del Rio

Broncos - John Fox 2011; Eric Studesville 2010; Josh McDaniels 2009- 10; Mike Shanahan

Chargers - Norv Turner 2007; Marty Schottenheimer

Raiders - Dennis Allen; Hue Jackson; Tom Cable; Lane Kiffin; Art Shell 2006 only

Chiefs - Romeo Crennel 2011; Todd Haley; Herman Edwards 2006

Giants - Tom Coughlin 2004

Redskins - Mike Shanahan; Jim Zorn; Joe Gibbs

Cowboys - Jason Garrett; Wade Phillips; Bill Parcels

Eagles - Andy Reid 1999

Packers - Mike McCarthy Jan. 06

Bears - Lovie Smith 2004

Vikings - Leslie Frazier 2010; Brad Childress 2006-2010

Lions - Jim Schwartz; Rod Marinelli 2006-08

Falcons - Mike Smith, Emmitt Thomas, Bobby Petrino, Jim Mora

Buccaneers - Greg Schiano, Raheem Morris, Jon Gruden

Saints - Joe Vitt* and Aaron Kromer*; Sean Payton 2006

Panthers - Ron Rivera, John Fox

49ers - Jim Harbaugh, Jim Tomsula, Mike Singletary, Mike Nolan

Seahawks - Pete Carroll, Jim Mora, Mike Holmgren

Rams - Jeff Fisher; Steve Spagnuolo; Jim Haslett; Scott Linehan 2006

Cardinals - Ken Whisenhunt; Dennis Green