From: zarda@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Dr. Strangelove)
Subject: Packer Update
Originator: zarda@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
Keywords: Holmgren, Buckley, Detmer...
Organization: Computing Services Division, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 17:14:34 GMT

Taken without permission...

Milwaukee Sentinel, Tuesday, July 21, 1992.

Bud Lea-

 Green Bay- The Green Bay Packers lured 43 year old Mike Holmgren away
from a prominent position with the San Francisco 49'ers to be the coach
of one of the National Football League's most beleaguered franchises.

 He has the energy and enthusiasm and now the chance to make the greatest
impact on the Packers since the incomparable Vince Lombardi. He is also 
sitting in the hottest coaching seat in the state, one that has seen five
men fail since 1968.

 He brings a new philosophy, a new offense, a new defence. Is Mike Holmgren
the answer? Only time will tell. 

 The Packers' new coach granted me this private interview Monday in 
his office at Lambeau Field:

Q: Is this definitely the right job for you?

A: Yes. Now That I've been here a little while, I'm more convinced
   that it is. The transition for my family from San Fransico to Green
   Bay was good. Everything has fit so far.

Q: You are inheriting a 4-12 team. How can you be excieted about that?

A: First, I'm excited about the opportunity of being a head coach. When 
   the dust settles and you focus in on the 4-12, you either fall into
   the depths of despair or you say it's correctable. I think it's
   correctable.

Q: What are the pluses and minuses to coaching in Green Bay?

A: Football is very important here. You get tremendous support. The
   fans are knowledgeable. But the same  positives can turn into some
   negatives, because the also know if you are making mistakes. And 
   because of the size of the town, everyone knows.

Q: What are your strengths as a head caoch?

A: I believe I can communicate with my players. In my own style, I can
   motivate them. I think I am good with people. But time will tell.

Q: Any minuses?

A: Experience, certainly. Patience is one thing I am going to have to 
   work on.

Q: Rival coaches say it's great when a team makes a coaching change
   because it usually screws up a team for at least a year. Will a
   new system set the Packers back a while?

A: It could. Our off-season program was pretty intense, so we're a 
   little bit ahead. But there will be a transition time to get the bugs
   out of the system.

Q: What will be the most noticeable change on offense?

A: We're are going to run the ball more and throw the ball shorter.

Q: Is it difficult to change a team that was top-heavy in passing?

A: Yes. That's a challenge because they are used to doing it that way
   and have had some success in 1989. But the feeling I get from the players
   is they want the running game to be better. The offensive  linemen
   take a lot of pride in their ability to do certain things, and that's
   one of them. I'm not to worried about that.

Q: How emotional are you? Do you believe it is necessary to show your 
   emotion on the sideline to fire up the players?

A:  If I have to do it, then we are in trouble. I will be emotional,
   perhaps, with the officals, and maybe even with my coaches. But I'll 
   try to keep a level head. 

Q: How much  will you be involved with calling plays?

A: I'll call the offensive scheme.

Q: Are all positions open?

A: Yes. I'll qualify that by saying there are players here who have
   played very well. But they will have to maintain that level of play.
   What I like is there will be competition at each position. 

Q: Do you subscibe to the theroy of letting young players learn under
   fire?

A: To a certain extent. I believe in that wholeheartedly, I'd take
   Brett Farve and stick him in the games. That can be damaging 
   to a young guy, particularly a quarterback. I'd be more likely
   to do that with other positions.

Q: What are you basically looking for in a draft choice?

A: I'm looking for some fire, helping us change attitude here.

Q: Is Don Majkowski the answer at quarterback?

A: We'll see. He's going to get  every oppportunity to show me he's the
   answer.

Q: How long will it take Brett Farve to look like a first round draft 
   choice?

A: I don't know. Joe Montana started his third year in the league. Last
   year (at Atlanta), Brett didn't take a snap. He's really like a rookie.

Q: Why is Tony Mandarich being moved to guard?

A: We were able to acquire (Phoenix tackle) Tootie Robbins. Tony really
   runs well for a big man.  We're going to be doing some things here 
   that the guards haven't been asked to do. The other thing is I wanted
   to take some heat off him because he is sort of maligned for his pass
   protection skills.

Q: Is this as bad as a 4-12 record indicates?

A: No. As I looked at the films, they lost some close games. But when they
   got into a down ward spiral, they looked like they were waiting for 
   something bad to happen. 

Q: What do you imagine it would be like in Green Bay if the Packers
   started winning again?

A: It would be exciting, wonderful, a great thing for all the deserving fans
   here.

Q: How far away from winning are the Packers?

A: I don't know. They have given me enough time. You should be able to
   get something going in five years.

Q: What are your goals this season?

A: I told the team I want them to improve over the last year. I also 
   told them to allow coaches to help them become the best individual
   players they can be. After we've done that, we've got to come together
   as a team. If we do that, we'll surprise some folks.



Agent says Buckley deserves $2.3 million

First round pick Terrell Buckley's agent  delivered the team  a very
clear message: His client deserves to be the highest  paid rookie in 
the league.

Buckley is asking for 3 year, $6.9 million  contract including a $4.1
million signing bonus.

The Packers are offering 5 year, 5.9 million.

Buckley's agent said, " Green Bay should have done this deal done,
all they do is say no to us."


The following people have signed contracts...
9th round QB Ty Detmer
5th round FB Dexter McNabb
9th round DL Shazzon Bradley
10th round OL Andrew Oberg
11th round LB Gabe Mokwuah
12th round LB Brett Collins
5th round Olando McKay
7th round Chris Holder

FAR OFF STILL:
1st round Buckley
2nd round Mark D'Onofrio

That's all Folks....

Ken

-- 
 Dr. Strangelove      "You know your having a bad day when the fifth
 U.Wisconsin Milwaukee    inning rolls around and they drag the warning
 Major: Political Science  track." -Mike Flanagan, pitcher Baltimore Orioles
 Why that Alias? From the Movie Dr. Strangelove.
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro