Coach Mike is no pushover

[GetNjigbaWithIt]

Copy & pasted this from an ESPN article.

"The most interesting observation from Saturday's Seahawks practice came after the final whistle, and it had nothing to do with football. Mike Macdonald spotted a group of young players heading inside in apparent defiance of previous instructions to sign autographs for fans in the time between when practice ends and meetings begin.

Macdonald wasn't pleased, and he sternly let one undrafted rookie hear it.

"Mike does not play," another player was overheard saying.

The incident was an example of what people within the Seahawks organization have cited as one of the differences between Macdonald, Pete Carroll and their respective assistants. There's more attention to detail in the way Macdonald and the new staff teaches, and there's a willingness to rebuke players that stands in sharp contrast to the more gentle, parental style in which Carroll strongly believed. -- Brady Henderson"

 

[JPatera76]

Copy & pasted this from an ESPN article.

"The most interesting observation from Saturday's Seahawks practice came after the final whistle, and it had nothing to do with football. Mike Macdonald spotted a group of young players heading inside in apparent defiance of previous instructions to sign autographs for fans in the time between when practice ends and meetings begin.

Macdonald wasn't pleased, and he sternly let one undrafted rookie hear it.

"Mike does not play," another player was overheard saying.

The incident was an example of what people within the Seahawks organization have cited as one of the differences between Macdonald, Pete Carroll and their respective assistants. There's more attention to detail in the way Macdonald and the new staff teaches, and there's a willingness to rebuke players that stands in sharp contrast to the more gentle, parental style in which Carroll strongly believed. -- Brady Henderson"

reminds me of Homlgren. When i was a kid at cheney with my grandfather, we heard coach chewing some players out for trying to go in early instead of spending time with fans

 

[MontanaHawk05]

Good for Mac. I may not be an autograph beggar, but we fans make the Seahawks. The players shouldn't act like they're above them.

 

[keasley45]

Love it as an indication of the type of culture improvement it seems Mike will bring. Ive said many times - the thing that was absent from the previous build was accoubtability, flexibility in scheme, and aggressive, type A players to set the tone on O and D.

John touched on this 3 years ago. And it seems with Mike, he's got a leader who hits all 3. He's already spoken to the type of players he wants and how they'll be used. Now, we begin to see the hard nosed approach that was lacking before.

Loving it

 

[sutz]

I can dig it. I know a lot of players don't like the fan interface, but it's part of the game these days.

 

[seabowl]

And you would think an undrafted rookie would want to sign autographs

 

[HawkRiderFan]

With all of Pete's strengths as a coach, attention to detail, particularly during a game was not one of his strengths imo. I hope that attention to detail carries forward to game day too. I don't see why it won't

 

[MORGULON]

Accountability. What a concept.

 

[onanygivensunday]

I hope that attention to detail carries forward to game day too. I don't see why it won't

I agree.

From what I have read/learned, Mac is a big believer in making sure practices replicate game situations.

I recall that when Holmgren was the HC, he frequently said after a WIN, the team practiced well that week... meaning, how well they practiced was a strong indicator to how well they played come Sunday.

Looks like Mac may feel the same.

Don't recall Pete mentioning the relationship, either way..

 

[chris98251]

I think he believes that if you are a Pro then you are accountable to the people that fill the stands as well, you're getting paid to play and represent the team in a favorable way, that's mingling with fans in camp, whether you are a star or a person trying to make the roster.

 

[TalonHawk]

And you would think an undrafted rookie would want to sign autographs

Couldn't care less, what an undrafted rookie Wants

 

[jammerhawk]

Really?

Isn’t this just an example of coaching the whole team in a direction where responsibility and accountability are fundamental to the collective direction of the team. If the player drafted or undrafted is non-compliant then the whole team gets to understand there really isn’t a need to be compliant.

Believe me I’d care about every player and if they weren’t cooperative then they’d not be around for long. Team building involves a collective mindset from the superstars to the weakest player and coaches.

You need to walk the walk before people will listen when you talk the talk.

 

[pittpnthrs]

I like the fact that MM holds the players accountable, but I don't feel the players should have to interact with the fans. That's silly to me. Why are the fans so entitled? Maybe it's just my age showing, but I could never be so invested that I would waste my time going to and watching training camp. I know people enjoy that, but it's just not me.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Good stuff, thx for sharing.

 

[Nosferatu]

He is bringing in a new philosophy of attention to detail. Can't wait to see how this plays out on the field.

 

[Mad Dog]

I like the fact that MM holds the players accountable, but I don't feel the players should have to interact with the fans. That's silly to me. Why are the fans so entitled? Maybe it's just my age showing, but I could never be so invested that I would waste my time going to and watching training camp. I know people enjoy that, but it's just not me.

Then why are you here?

If you aren't invested enough to watch training camp on a sunny July afternoon by Lake Washington, surely you can't be invested enough to care about wins and losses in Autumn.

 

[pittpnthrs]

Then why are you here?

If you aren't invested enough to watch training camp on a sunny July afternoon by Lake Washington, surely you can't be invested enough to care about wins and losses in Autumn.

Lol. Are you seriously comparing training camp to the regular season when actual games are being played? Thats like going to a concert and wanting to watch the guys warming up in the dressing room as much as the actual show.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

 

[AROS]

Personally, I see it as part of the gig. I would be happy to sign autographs for any fan because that in itself is an honor. I will never forget the time I went to a game in the Kingdome. My then girlfriend and I wanted to see if we could get an autograph for a displaced, disabled 12. This is when I had just started .NET. After the game, we ushered outside where it was cold and raining and we sat there getting wet, shivering, waiting for the players to come out on their way to their cars.

We won that day and QB Jon Kitna had a Pro Bowl-type performance. So the players start coming out and most beelined it for the comfort of their cars as we fans stood on both sides of the gated section, freezing and sopping wet hoping for ANY autographs. One player rubbed his arms briskly, mockingly as if to say "Brrr! It's cold and wet so I won't be stopping to sign anything." Fine. All these players totally walking off not bothering.

Yet out comes Jon Kitna. Star of the game. He stopped and signed...

FOR EVERYONE.

I cannot begin to tell you how much that impressed me, and I was forever a Jon Kitna fan after that day.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

That makes me think of the 3 times I've seen James Taylor in concert. He takes his "intermission" and all he does the entire time is signing autographs. Didn't even really take a break at all.
Not sure athletes or musicians owe us something, very debatable on both sides. But........you sure appreciate when you see stuff like that.