Unlike most of the NFL world, Packers coach Mike McCarthy is not particularly concerned about the lockout. In fact, McCarthy figures that the 2011 season will start eventually, and that when it does, the lockout may actually work out well for his team.
“I think when it’s all said and done it may even help us,” McCarthy said, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “It takes the focus away. When you win, you want to be like everybody else, just get back into your routine.”
There’s some truth to what McCarthy is saying. The teams in greatest need of a full offseason of work are the teams that are making major changes. The Super Bowl champion Packers are content to keep things just as they are.
McCarthy also said he thinks his coaching staff is in good shape, and that if anything, his players could use a little more time off this offseason because they had such an intense schedule late in the year, with two must-win games to end the regular season, followed by four postseason games.
“I just want to make sure we’re ready, staff-wise,” he said. “We played six playoff games. I’m telling you, that’s a lot of football. I’m worried about it. I’m looking at our training camp schedule already. I’ve already adjusted that. I’m in tune with it.”
So from McCarthy’s perspective, this lockout may actually give the Packers a better chance of winning the Super Bowl again next year.
If there is a Super Bowl next year.