GREEN BAY - The Packers' coordinators spoke to the media on Tuesday afternoon. Here are some highlights from their news conferences:
Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin
On DeShone Kizer's development:
I definitely see progress, development and improvement. Mike talks to the team a lot about how when you're really humming, you're in a flow. On the first possession in Oakland, we were in a good rhythm. When you're playing that position, that's important. The last time you want to be is robotic at the quarterback position. There has to be some spontaneity. As coaches, we try to coordinate everything but that doesn't always translate to the game. I think he's definitely improved fundamentally and it's shown up on tape.
On Jake Kumerow:
He was getting better and better. He was showing up in practice, in games. As always this time of the year, there's going to be difficult decisions to be made. We have a great personnel staff. I'm sure Mike and Gutekunst will decide on the best players. Jake has had a great camp. Hopefully, he gets healthy soon.
On how being a head coach has helped his perspective during his second stint as Packers' offensive coordinator:
I think I have a better understanding, even this weekend for Mike. The decisions that have to be made. I have a better appreciation for the demands of his job and we can set things up so that it's a little more efficient for him. … There's different fire storms coaches have to put out. I think our job, we're tasked with putting together a great plan with Mike, who has a great offensive mind. Using everyone's talents and abilities and getting our players to play fast and decisive. I think we've made good strides so far.
Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine
On LB Antonio Morrison:
I think what you see is what you get – he's a tough, hard-nosed (guy) to use a cliché. It just showed up today when we did our inside-run drill. That's why we brought him here. The Mike linebacker-type who can play downhill. He's solid against the run. I think he brings an added degree of intensity and toughness to the room that I think will be very welcome.
On Josh Jackson and Jaire Alexander's preseason:
These guys have shown they can make plays against some of the better players in the league. It's not like they've been making plays in the fourth quarter. I understand you're not going to get as much scheme in the preseason, but they've been doing it in practice, as well. That's why I'm confident. It's not like it's just a JV game. I think we're all confident they've shown more than enough. That being said, they do have a long way to go. There's a lot of things they haven't gone through yet. They're both well-equipped to handle it. A lot of it is their confident. I think Jaire is outwardly confident, but don't sleep on Josh. He has a good sense of what he can and can't do.
On Montravius Adams:
It was good work for him. It was a good test, but it was a solid offensive line between the guards and centers they put out there. Our feeling with Mont is with how much he missed last year, he can't get enough work. With the preseason, he's had a good number of snaps. His confidence is starting to grow as he makes more and more plays.
Special-teams coordinator Ron Zook
On Jaire Alexander returning punts:
I thought it was fair-catch interference and the ball, thank God it didn't hit him. Once again, that's the first time he's done it. I think for the first time, it's not easy being back there.
On kickoff changes:
It is different. I think there's going to be more returns with ball placement, which is good having a veteran kicker back there. Everyone is trying different things. Then, they'll look at the preseason and determine this is good. We've taken more kicks out than we have in my time here during the preseason.
On long snappers Hunter Bradley and Zach Triner:
We've monitored every snap. We've time where it's at. We have all the information on every snap. They both have exactly the same number of snaps in a game. … With Brett (Goode), you never worried about anything because he's been through it. Experience – when the games start counting, there's going to be some different things going on. You try to help them see every situation but it's impossible.
