Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy conducted a conference call with the Miami media today, speaking about new Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin. Philbin spent nine years with the Packers, including the last five serving as the team's offensive coordinator.
Here is the transcript from that conference call via the Miami Dolphins:
(On the qualities of Joe Philbin that convinced him that he could be a NFL head coach) - "I don't think it's just one quality, but I know one that will stand out for sure, when it comes to motivating and getting his team ready to win games that's his communications skills. Joe's an excellent communicator, has excellent people skills, he is a very strong member of our coaching staff and someone who had excellent relationships not only with our football players but with our whole football program. I think the character of the man and what he stands for, with his family values speaks for itself, but I have always appreciated Joe's ability to coach the whole room."
(On if he relied on Joe Philbin and put a lot on his shoulders) - "Absolutely, Joe did a great job for us. We had the opportunity to work together for the first time in '06 and take the offense system that was brought in there and develop it and definitely take it to another level. Joe is an outstanding football coach."
(On if at any time during the last five years you considered giving him the play calling duties) - "There was a year that I thought about giving the play calling up to Joe. I think any head coach in the NFL has to decide how he's going to structure his program and build the responsibilities of every coach on his staff. After the '08 season, I made changes on the defensive staff and with my particular job responsibility being so much involved in the offense and not as involved with the defense, I thought about taking a step back and just being a pure head coach and overseeing all three phases and with that I was going to give the play calling to Joe Philbin which I wouldn't have even thought twice about. But we went through the interview process, had the opportunity to hire Dom Capers and kept our structure in place the way that we had it."
(On how much he spoke with Joe Philbin during the course of a game) - "Joe was the main person I talked to, ninety percent of the conversation that goes on on the headsets was between Joe Philbin and I. We would go through the game planning process throughout the week together as a staff and as a staff that has been together for six years, so I was very fluent in the way we game planned and build our game plans, but Joe was the guy that I directly talked to ninety, ninety-five percent of the time."
(On Joe Philbin's persona on the practice field with the players) - "It was good energy. Joe is a very likable individual. People gravitate towards him, so very detailed orientated. We had a unique set up and just the way we structured practice and it goes back to our first couple of years there. I would run the huddle, as far as the play entry on the offense and Joe he would coordinate the defense just to make sure the defensive look was exactly what we wanted, so I think it tells you something about him, just making sure that the big picture is always right. Joe is extremely organized, very detailed, that will be very evident from day one when the Dolphins take the field."
(On if Joe Philbin was vocal on the practice field) - "When he needs to be, he is in command. He knows what he wants out of every drill and he gets it out of the drill, so he is as vocal as he needs to be."
(On if Joe Philbin has interest in any member of his staff joining him in Miami would have an issue) - "That's really a conversation that will be between Joe and I."
(On if Joe Philbin would yell at players if they were doing the wrong thing) - "I think today's environment is different than in years past, have I seen Joe Philbin yell before? Yes, I have seen him yell before. I have been able to work with a man for six years that communicates extremely well and was able to get his point across, so I don't think that he is going to be running up and down the sidelines screaming and yelling if that's what you are looking for, but everybody will clearly understand his message."
(On quarterback Matt Flynn and his relationship with Joe Philbin) - "Joe has a very good relationship with all of our quarterbacks. Being the offensive coordinator, I would just go to one particular meeting that we have every Saturday morning at 8:30, it was with Joe and the quarterback coach Tom Clements, myself and the three quarterbacks. We have done it for years its just kind of a final, it put the final points and addressed all the potential situations that would occur in the game the next day. But he has a great relationship, and I am just thinking of the time that we talked personally about the things we did the night before and everything, so it tells you the level and the type of relationship that Joe had with all the quarterbacks, so I would say that he and Matt Flynn have a very healthy relationship."
(On if he has any doubts that Matt Flynn is ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL) - "In my opinion Matt is ready for that challenge. He has had the opportunity to take a full week of game plan reps, prepare for a game in New England and at home against Detroit and perform very well. So with that you never really know until you go through a full sixteen week season. Every head coach and coordinator goes through that with their first time quarterback, but there is a lot of evidence that Matt Flynn can do that. I have been very impressed with Matt and what he has been able to accomplish with our time in Green Bay together."