Two seasons in, Mike Daniels has had enough.
Already one of the most vocal players, Daniels sent a public signal out to teammates after the Green Bay Packers’ minicamp practice Tuesday.
Yes, he’s comfortable in an expanded leadership role. Yes, he’ll be holding others accountable. He’s tired of the end result.
“If something has to be said, I’m going to say it,” Daniels said. “If somebody has a problem with it, we’re grown men. We play a violent game. We get paid to be violent. So why not? If you deck somebody in the locker room because you have a disagreement, there’s not going to be any sensitivity training.
“It’s a barbaric sport. So that’s how you’re going to have to approach it. I’m tired of getting our face punched in by other teams. I’m not used to that.”
Daniels was a definite bright spot on an up-and-down Packers defense last season. As he broke out with 23 tackles (17 solo) and 6.5 sacks, the run defense collapsed through November and December, creating turnovers was a journey and the season ended once again at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers.
A year ago, the sound of Daniels shouting at teammates during training camp practices became commonplace. After establishing himself, he’s even more willing to speak up.
Tenacity, above all, was the fuel behind his 31 pressures last season. Soon, offenses needed to double-team the 6-foot defensive tackle.
As a unit, Daniels says the Packers must get meaner.
“I think that’s been our biggest problem on defense," Daniels said. "So I’m personally going to really get the best out of everybody. I don’t care if I have to hit somebody before we get on the field.
So far, Daniels is encouraged. In the Packers’ youth, he sees signs of a defense that can get mean. He’ll be taking this progress personally.
“I think it’s something that we’ve lacked and need to get better at,” Daniels said. “But the good thing is you see it. We’ve got some young guys with some attitudes. And I think that’s different from what it has been. They’re ready to follow. They make our jobs as older guys easier. And the older guys know what it takes, what we have to do defensively. And like I said, I’m going to make sure I get the best out of my teammates.”
read more by clicking the link up there
JSOnline  wrote: