GREEN BAY -- The Packers' three coordinators met with the media Thursday in advance of the Sunday night matchup in Kansas City.
Here's a summary of their key comments.
Special teams coordinator Shawn Mennenga
(on the units' struggles)
We want to try and perform at the highest level we can. We're working very hard at fixing those things. We've been covering kickoffs better, but then we miss a tackle. We're working hard to change field position, get that going. I like where we're going and as we get some guys solidified in certain roles, I think we'll see progress.
(on sticking with Shepherd)
Right now. That's who's available. We're working a lot of different guys. We have some other options. He's a young player, and when you go down that road for a young player, you're going to have some growing pains. We need to block better around him, too. We're going to coach him up and stick with him.
(on Hill on punt returns)
If not the most electrifying player in the league, he's right up there. He's in that breath with the other guys. He definitely keeps you up and night and makes you lose some sleep.
We're going to hang the ball up and pin it as close to the sideline as we can. You definitely don't want to put the ball down the middle and give him the whole field to return. The fair catch is the main goal, but that's obviously easier said than done.
Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine
(on preparing for two QBs)
I don't know how much the offense would change. I'm sure there are certain elements that would be highlighted depending on who plays, but the core structure of the offense doesn't change. There's certainly some unknown. When Matt Moore went into the Denver game, they didn't change what they were doing significantly.
(on choosing which side the Smiths rush from)
There's certain calls they need to be in certain places, depending own what we're doing. But if it's a standard rushing four, we'll develop a plan. It's all about matchups for us. Who do we want on their left guard? Who's our best matchup for their left tackle? Are we going to run a twist stunt or up and under? That all gets factored into it. But those guys have to have a plan for when we are rushing four.
(on preparing for Hill's speed)
I don't think you can simulate it, unless you let the receivers line up five yards offsides and go from there. That's one of the reasons he has the production he does. You practice all week against it and then it's significant faster than what you've prepared for. I've never seen anybody on an NFL field faster than that before. We have a plan, we're working it this week. It's certainly something we have to be aware of, because he's made a significant number of explosive plays.
(on King this year vs. last year)
You can't speak on that unless you talk about the health part. That's just brought a surge of confidence with Kevin. He doesn't have that mentality of hey, he's hurt, and it was always kind of a dark cloud when he felt like he could never get healthy. When Kevin is going and he's confident, he can do significant things and take guys out of the game. Still has some things to clean up, but we're pleased with where he is and we're happy he's out there.
(on giving up a lot of yards but keeping the point total down)
We have standards that we want to play to, and when we don't, we want to make sure we get that corrected. Hey, we won, it's OK, that's not our mentality. We want to be good at both, not give up a lot of yards, and certainly points is the No. 1 priority, but you also don't want to give up yards because yards equates to time, and we want our offense on the field. That's when we play our best defense is when we're on the bench. For where we are, we know we can be so much better. Whether it's this week or we get to the point we start putting complete games together, we'll feel really good about where we are.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett
(on Jones' downfield block on the MVS big play)
That was awesome. Everybody was obviously really excited about the touchdown, and I was in the box saying, 'Did you see that block?' That shows how the guys are playing together. He should get credit for the touchdown as well.
(on the three interior offensive linemen coming on strong)
No doubt. I think looking at the line as a whole, … it's awesome to see them kind of come together, and those guards have guys on either side of them to help develop. Coach Stenavich, Coach Butkus, all those guys have done a really good job linking that whole group of five all the way out to the tight ends.
(on knowing progress is being made)
It's the overall efficiency of each play, and for us, it's how many guys are involved in the offense. We had six guys score touchdowns. That's what you want. You want a defense to have to cover the whole field, and that's critical.
(on Jones and Williams as a tandem)
I'll tell you, 1A-1B. Both those guys are awesome. Both those guys can carry the load, and then you throw Danny in there, too. When both those guys are fresh, you don't lose a step when one goes in. Both those guys are all-around players. You can do everything in the playbook with them. That's the good thing about having two.
(on Graham's latest performance)
It really lifted up our offense. He's got great energy, and it wasn't just in the pass game. He blocked well, did a lot of good things. The more we can get him rolling, whatever we have to do, I think the whole team feels that. He took that check-down for about 25 yards, and made an unbelievable catch on the touchdown. We just have to make sure he's locked in and ready to rock.
