The Packers' coordinators and offensive coaches spoke to the media on Tuesday evening. Here are some highlights:
Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin
On preparation in training camp:
That's part of my job to make sure we're training these guys and giving them more looks than they'll ever see, so they're not surprised to see anything on the field. We're in a lot of unscripted things. I haven't walked across the aisle one time and asked Mike (Pettine) what looks are you going to give us? Because this is our system. We have to be ready for what they're going to give us.
On Ty Montgomery:
I think he's had a really good camp. He's staying true to his reads in the running game. He has that combination of really good patience. He doesn't rush things. Each play is unique in and of itself. I think Ty has gotten to his landmark, gotten his pads flat and been decisive. I think he's had a very productive camp.
Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine
On importance of tackling in the preseason:
Tackling, we've drilled it but we haven't done live work. We have a sense of how it will be and who our better tacklers are going to be, but you don't know until it's truly live.
On what's enabled Tramon Williams to be successful as a 35-year-old cornerback:
That's amazing. That's a tribute to him and how he's taken care of his body. He's the ultimate professional. He's aware of what he puts into his body and his workout regimen. It's not by accident he has played as long as he has. It's rare you see a corner play for as long as he's played. Watching film last year, I was like, 'Wow, he's still playing at a high level.'
On Muhammad Wilkerson:
He spent the five weeks with his trainer and came back. We're always very interested to see how their body compositions are and he came back in good shape. He brings a veteran presence to the room, who's played in the system.
On coaching from the press box:
It's a couple things – I'm an information guy. So I'll have a lot of information spread in front of me. When you're on the sideline, you're limited to what you're carrying. I don't want to be a guy who looks like he's flipping through a Cheesecake Factory menu. When I called it from the sideline in Buffalo in 2013, I felt like I was shooting from the hip too much. I can look at the call sheet, cross out what I've called. That's difficult to do when you're down on the sideline. In 2013, teams were going up-tempo. I went down to the field to relay calls to a rookie linebacker, Kiko Alonso.
Special-teams coordinator Ron Zook
On JK Scott going into his first preseason game:
I think JK has been in pressure spots before. He's all ears. He's like a sponge. He has a lot of work to do, but there's no mistaking his God-given ability. Get dialed in with direction, pooch punts and those type of things.
On Scott as a holder:
He's done a good job. I don't think you can hold enough. Hundreds of balls, he's on the JUGS. If I'm not mistaken, he might have bought a JUGS machine in the offseason. The punter has had pretty good hands. The more catches he can do, the better he's going to be.
On returners outside of Trevor Davis and Ty Montgomery:
Jaire, we have to get him back there. We have some guys who we can use. Those young guys now, you want to see J'Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown back there and catching the ball. Quinten Rollins, he's another guy we can trust to catch the ball.
Run-game coordinator/offensive line coach James Campen
On Bryan Bulaga getting back after less than nine months from ACL surgery:
When a player has had the same thing happen, you have to weigh in and know they know their bodies. Bryan, with the makeup of him, it's a testament to him and the medical staff next door. They all have to work together to make this thing work. He stayed right here. He didn't take vacations. He got here and was on track. It's nice to see him back out there.
On Jason Spriggs adapting to his extra weight:
He's had a couple things here and there. It doesn't taken time. You don't' just put on 20 pounds and say I'm going to glide. These things take a week, week-and-a-half. Once he plays, he just goes. We're just waiting for that to happen.
On what the presence of veteran tackles do for the offensive line:
It's a confidence thing for everyone. The fact they have a lot of games started next to each other. Ultimately, it will help the right guard to have a veteran there on opening day is going to help. As far as pocket and width of the pocket, I would think without having new people in there a lot, that will certainly help a lot.
Offense pass-game coordinator Jim Hostler
On working with young receivers:
The process is always part of it. You're going to push it to the max and put them in pressure situations. Guys like Jake who have been in camps understand the process and can come along a little quicker. The other guys, that's still part of the process.
On Marquez Valdes-Scantling drawing the playbook this offseason:
The spring, he was probably our most inconsistent guy but he's caught onto that, the big picture. What's happened with him over training camp is he's gained a little confidence. He's off and going. That's different than the spring.
Quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti Jr.
On what he expects to see from the young QB in the preseason opener:
They've had a great offseason, great training camp. They're working hard on the practice field. What you're going to see is a pair of quarterbacks go out there and run the offense. It should be very efficient.
On DeShone Kizer:
DeShone came in here with a great attitude and eager to learn the Packer way, learn from Aaron Rodgers. He was excited to grasp the system and fundamentals. I think what you're continuing to see is continual growth.
Tight ends coach Brian Angelichio
On Marcedes Lewis:
He's a worker. He's a leader. He's been great. He knows what it takes and where he needs to be to be ready. Mentally, understanding the scheme, he's done a great job of it.
On Robert Tonyan:
It's a (positional) transition he made when he was coming out of college. With him being brought in here, it's just an opportunity for him to keep getting used to the nuances of the position, the blocking and protections. He's embraced the role.
Running backs coach Ben Sirmans
On what Aaron Jones is missing:
Really, keeping up with the rhythm he created at the end of last year. He started out well in training camp. Just missing that time and meshing with the o-line and Aaron Rodgers. I don't want to say we have to start over, but we have to try to catch up as fast as possible. Those are the biggest things he's missing from a rep standpoint.
On getting a feel for Devante Mays:
It's too bad the injury happened because he got off to a decent start in training camp. The more he understands the offense, the faster he's going to play. This game is about trust factor. For him, I told him he has to take a lot of visual reps so you don't lose anything. You can see when he's on, he's explosive. He has great cutting ability. He's strong with good balance.
On Joel Bouagnon:
He was almost in the same situation as Mays. It took him a while to get confidence in what he can do. In the last few practices, he's starting to play faster. I'm really excited. He's probably going to get a lot of action on Thursday with all the guys we have out.
Receivers coach David Raih
On the young receivers:
Right now, we're at practice No. 10 today. This is just how I view everything – I don't think any of us are a finished product. That's why I look at every man in the room. That's the best way to answer it. I definitely believe in all of them. You look at those young guys. They're all making strides. There are some guys I feel I could throw in right now and they'd play at a high level. Some just need a little more detail.
On Equanimeous St. Brown:
Equanimeous is very sharp. He's learning all the positions right now. I've been impressed with his attention to detail. He's doing well. I feel good about him.
On DeAngelo Yancey:
DeAngelo Yancey, you look at most of the vets right now. He's the same man every day he walks into the room. He's not going to say much. He just comes in and goes to work. The type of player when you want to take him out, he wants to stay in there and keep working. He's built great trust. He's made some great plays in the run and down the field, too. He's cut weight and everything. He's done a great job.
