GREEN BAY -- The Packers' three coordinators met with the media on Thursday in advance of the NFC Divisional playoff vs. Seattle.
Here's a summary of their key comments.
Special teams coordinator Shawn Mennenga
(on Lockett on returns)
He's an accomplished returner, that's for sure, both kick returns and punt returns. He's a threat anytime he's out there. They've also got David Moore, a bigger returner. He's got his strengths, more of a north-south guy who can run through contact. Then they bring in Travis Homer on kickoff returns. He gets downhill. We're preparing for all of them right now.
(on getting the kickers outside for practice)
As much as we can. We didn't go out today because of the rain. But we did a field goal set yesterday and JK Scott hit some punts on Monday. We did get out there last week as well.
(on Tyler Ervin)
He's willing to take chances and done a good job fielding the ball, running through some contact. I saw our core getting better around him, blocking better, now hopefully it's the perfect recipe. He's definitely been a welcome addition.
(on the fake FG in the NFC title game five years ago)
We watched that today with our field-goal block team. We've shown them all those in the library.
Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine
(on Lynch and the Seattle run game)
The defenses did a decent job against him, but you saw on the touchdown run what he's capable of. We don't see him as a guy who's not capable of doing what he's done in the past. He's certainly on our radar.
It looks like they might get some of their (linemen) back, so there might be a little more stability in the run game. It's always something they've believed in. It's going to be a core staple of what they're doing.
(on Wilson)
I don't know if there's a quarterback playing at a higher level right now in the NFL. We're certainly not going to count on him coming into Lambeau and having an off game because that's what's happened before. We're going to be ready for his best.
(on Metcalf's size)
You might say hey listen, we want to get up on a guy and kind of mute their speed at the line of scrimmage and get our hands on him, but when they're that big and strong that can work against you, because you can get overwhelmed physically. I think we have to mix up the techniques and the looks. I don't think you can give him a steady diet, and press him all game or play off all game and give him free access. We have to be mindful of the different ways to play him and then adjust to what's working.
(on Tramon Williams)
He doesn't look 36, because I remember what I looked like at 36. He's just one of those rare athletes. You see players play deep into their 30s or 40s, but it's rare that it's a corner, a guy that runs that much and who's reliant on his movement skills. Those are typically the first things that start to go. It's just so rare to play that position and be so durable and dependable, he just goes and goes. You go back through the league and there aren't too many you can put in that category. He's been a calming influence on the guys on the back end.
(on Wilson's scrambling)
We talk to our guys about defending both plays, the intended play they call in the huddle, and the extended play. As much as we don't want it to happen, we talk about assuming he's going to make the first guy miss. Because he's so good at it. That's the frustrating part. I told our guys, prepare to run this game. The GPS tracker numbers will be through the roof. You'll run this game more than any other game because that's the nature of it. That's a huge reason for why they've had the success they've had.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett
(on what stands out about the Seahawks' defense)
I think the soundness of it. This is where the whole defense originated. Everyone calls it the Seattle defense. They've been doing it a long time, especially the two linebackers. They've been together about 6-7 years. They're a very sound defense and it's what they're good at.
You never know 100 percent. There's a great chance they're going to do what they do. They believe in their system and believe in their players. In situations, whether it be third down, two-minute, red zone, they might spice it up more and get a little unique, but in base situations, they're going to do what they do.
(on Bryan Bulaga and David Bakhtiari)
They're both playing at such a high level. Whenever you have that ability to protect the width of the pocket, and you trust those guys – you want to help them, always, and you don't want to leave them on an island every single play – it's going to allow you to push the ball down the field and do some different things.
(on Clowney)
I thought I got away from him, and all of a sudden, here he comes again. He just plays violently. Every single thing he does is vicious. He might have one gap, and you think he's going to be here and swim or move, but it's not a normal swim or a normal counter move. Everything he does he's playing with a vengeance. That's what makes him a great player and makes him so efficient. He's a guy that can take over a game.
(on what's still out there for the offense)
I think it's across the board for everybody. There's still so much to be done. From an offensive perspective, now is the time we want to get rolling. We've left a lot out on the field, and we want to get where we want to get.
