GREEN BAY -- The Packers' offensive position coaches met with the media on Saturday in the Lambeau Field auditorium. Here's a summary of their key comments:
Quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy
On key to success for Boyle in Winnipeg:
I thought he started off a little slow, but once he got his feet wet he really settled in. I thought he had good composure. Tim's a talented guy, … he left some opportunities out there on the field, too, but for the most part when he had those opportunities, he let those guys try to make a play. His composure showed.
On Rodgers not playing in preseason:
He's got a lot of reps, a lot of experience. The preseason I don't think is going to affect him that much. For him, it's just getting comfortable with his teammates is the most important thing and getting that chemistry going. We've had a really good camp so I feel good about how they're coming together.
On what makes a No. 2 QB:
I think consistency is the No. 1 thing, you know what you're going to get when that guy goes out there. They're going to take care of the football, and they're going to know what's going on. Being a true pro and being consistent when you get that opportunity is what we've been trying to figure out throughout this training camp.
On being LaFleur's timeout guy:
Whatever it takes to get it done. I'm right there. It's not a big deal, except you'll see me on TV a little more I guess. When we're on offense it makes the most sense for me to be that person, honestly.
On how Rodgers is different in this offense:
Different is a strong word. I don't know if different is the right word. I just know he fits this offense really well. The last offense we lined up in the gun a lot and spread people out, and obviously he's really good at that. But I think his skill set matches this offense really well. He's such an athletic guy and he can manipulate defenses so well.
Running backs coach Ben Sirmans
On Aaron Jones:
The biggest thing with him is how we're trying to utilize him in the pass game. He's gotten used to how we run outside zone. He's done a really good job of pressing it, plus his knowledge of his game, in his third year, he's more of a vet. He's still learning, but you get the sense he's more comfortable being at this level.
On it being a crazy month with all the new RBs coming in:
It has from the standpoint of having to teach and re-teach. Some of these guys that come in can equate some of what we're doing to what they've done in the past, but every time you re-teach something it helps you. It's a new system for me, so it helps to reinforce my own knowledge within the system.
On the evaluation of good runs that get called back by penalty, do they show something:
Without question. When you're doing your grading, you're not adding that to your grades because it doesn't count. But it still gives you a visual of what a person can do in a true game situation, whether it's them making a hard cut or breaking a tackle or making reads. From an evaluation standpoint you treat it the same as if the play did count, even though you don't add it to the stats.
On Dexter Williams in pass protection:
He's better than he was before, but he still needs to work to hit that plateau that we want. He's making progress in that direction. Some guys, they come out, boom, they get it right away, no issues, no problems. Some guys it takes them a little bit to get them where you want them to go. Those guys know we have to be able to trust you on the field.
On Vitale:
He's very professional in our room. Tries to learn everything. I sit right next to him when we're all meeting as a unit. He's always trying to learn and engage himself in the entire offense. From a skill set, he's pretty athletic. He has some versatility as a blocker, as a runner, as a receiver, because that's what he did at Northwestern. He gives us a lot. I tell the fullbacks you have to be a weapon to make this thing go.
Offensive line coach Adam Stenavich:
On Jenkins:
He's very intelligent. He's got all the physical attributes you want from an interior lineman. He has versatility to lay guard or center. The moment's not too big for him. You can put him with the first group and he plays well. He doesn't panic. I've been impressed with how he's handled things.
On Turner playing tackle if needed:
He's athletic, he's a really athletic guy. He's got good mobility out there, good length to block those edge rushers. In pass pro, he's very fluid. Inside or outside, he's a physical guy. He comes off the ball really well.
On Taylor and his response to the competition:
You know his background as being a free agent guy who's earned his stripes. I expected him to respond the right way, and he has. It's one of those things in the NFL where you're competing for your spot every single day. He's taken it in stride and done a good job.
On Alex Light:
He's probably the most improved guy from OTAs. Every day, he just keeps getting a little bit better. When I first got here, he flashed some things, and you think he's got a chance. He's gotten more consistent and put good things on tape in these preseason games. The thing he's improved is in the run game. He's coming off the ball really well.
On Bulaga's work/rest plan:
I had some experience in San Francisco with Joe Staley, an older, veteran guy who knows what he's doing. You get him his reps but don't overwork him. Bryan's extremely intelligent, and he's probably feeling as fresh as he could be right now.
Wide receivers coach Alvis Whitted
On Valdes-Scantling
We do a lot of play-pass, and he's a guy that can blow the top off a defense. Very fluid, very fast. He's a guy that can make those plays downfield consistently. He's a guy we definitely want in that role, and he can do a lot of intermediate routes as well.
On Shepherd and Lazard:
Both of those young men have a really high football IQ number one. I'd say that's the biggest thing. No stage is too big for them. Shep, I really love what he brings to the table as far as his toughness, his willingness to do anything on the football field to help this team win. Same with Allen as well. He can play many different positions and function in this offense. With Allen, what separates him is he's establishing his physicality in the run game. With both of those guys, the effort is there. The high effort, the energy, and going out and trying to make plays.
On Davis:
I think he made a case for himself by the way he came out and made plays. He did it on end-arounds, he did it in the passing game, blocking very well. I just think he's continually showing people it's important to him.
On Kumerow:
He's not flashy, and you don't have to be, and at the end of the day, he makes plays. He gets open. He's readily available and wants to be a part of this offense. He loves the game of football. That's who he is. Always comes with a smile on his face, always prepared, asks questions in the meeting. He just wants to find ways to get better. I appreciate him and what he brings to our room. He's sneaky fast, too, sneaky fast straight-line.
Tight ends coach Justin Outten
On Tonyan:
I've been pleased with Bobby's development, not only in the pass game but in the run game. The pass protection role, it's starting to become clear to him, the expectations of the tight end in the system. He's starting to stack days. His technique is getting better. He's always had the effort part, it's just been the technique and tying it all together. He's an NFL tight end. He's developed a really good foundation this camp.
You could tell when he put his face on somebody, it was new to him. It takes trust and it takes reps, and if you don't have trust and dno't have reps, you're putting a guy in a bad position. He's had an opportunity this camp to put it all together.
On veterans Graham and Lewis learning a new offense:
I think they see the big picture of this offense and what we're trying to accomplish. I think they've really bought into it. It's not above them by any means. There's been a wide acceptance in that room, and it's very encouraging to see.
For guys who have been in the league that long, it's not new to them. In marrying the run to the pass, … they know if it looks like a run and sounds like a run, they know it could be an opportunity for an explosive pass.
