Passing game coordinator Jason Vrable
The injuries set him back. Throughout the year, he had different games he was starting. Especially the Cincinnati game, I don’t think we would’ve won it without the plays that he made. Then he had the shoulder injury, came back from that after missing some time, and then the wrist injury. I don’t think Matthew’s done anything wrong. He’s been a great pro, learned the playbook. Since training camp on he’s done a tremendous job winning the one-on-one opps that he’s had. When you go back and watch the tape, I don’t think of too many times he’s been truly gloved by a DB. He’s done a good job winning his one-on-ones.
On WR Christian Watson’s second half and winning the Ed Block Courage Award:
It goes back with him, his rookie year, the Dallas Cowboys game with Aaron (Rodgers), and I remember after that game he just said, ‘Hey, find a way to get this guy the ball, whatever plays you can come up with.’ There’s a turning point of the year where you get man coverage and guys can’t run with him, you get zone and he either clears out the top of the coverage or gets the ball. He’s really intelligent. He’s very professional, and I love the way he carries himself and goes about it. I think he’s a great teammate and he represents what it is to be a G. We talk about being a G, a Green Bay Packer, he wears it on and off the field. I always say the ball finds energy, and his energy is contagious right now in our building of winning that award.
He’s trained his butt off. I can see the one thing above all, when that ball’s in the air, he’s running through it with confident hands. Now, every game he goes out there, I’ll talk to some other coaches before the game and they’re like, ‘Whoa, 9 man, he’s really good for you guys. He’s turned into a great wideout.’ You can hear it from guys talking around the league.
Any guy who’s going out there and you’re consistently winning at a high rate and you’re not making mental mistakes and you’re catching the football, and if other coordinators are worried about you, I would say that’s the definition standard of what it takes to become a No. 1 in this league, right? Opposing defenses worry about you and the coach worries about you, I think that pretty much sums up what a No. 1 would mean for them.
On WR Jayden Reed’s return from injury:
I knew right away we’d miss him, just because he’s a Swiss army knife, he can do it all. He’s a leader, he’s a great pro. Everything I talked about with Christian, he’s had that since Day 1. He had that at Michigan State. He’s just a winner. When you watch him, you can feel it, like you just believe something good’s going to happen. Last week, he was really sick going into the game and battled through it. He said no matter what I’m going to be out there for my guys. When you have that type of mindset, not only in here but in life, you really care about the other people around you, I would call him almost the father figure of the room. He’s so mature for a young player. Every play I feel like, people say play like your last play, I truly believe when he’s out there, that’s the way he lives it.
Quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion
On the QB work in practice this week:
Clayton’s been doing a nice job in there in practice. He’s been studying hard all year. Really works at it. It matters to him. He’s been a total professional behind the scenes. But a great opportunity for him and then Jordan’s had an outstanding week of practice, too. These two days, he’s looked really sharp. Having missed a game last week, he was really engaged, really helpful to Malik on the sideline, total pro. He’s had two good days’ work so far.
On Clayton Tune’s best skills:
Throughout the year, I’ve been impressed with his accuracy. When it’s there, he’s able to put it on the spot. I think when you combine that with his intellect and the way he’s been studying throughout the year and understands our scheme, his accuracy has jumped out to me. Just watching him throughout the year on scout team, he’s really worked at that, worked at his footwork and he’s consistent in that regard, which is enormously important for any quarterback.
On Jordan Love having a long layoff before the playoffs:
He’s had two great days of work and we’ve bene really intentional. I know Matt’s made a big point throughout practice, throughout meetings, of making these really high-level, competitive practices. Had a great 2-minute drill today. So, I feel great about where Jordan’s at. He’s had some of his best days of practice this week and, again, the big thing is he’s been mentally engaged the whole way. I’m not worried about that at all.
Wide receivers coach Ryan Mahaffey
On Watson’s route running and the TD down the middle vs. Baltimore:
He’s always had the vertical speed. He’s an explosive athlete with size and that’s a rare combination. He’s very intelligent, and I think the thing you’re seeing is him being able to lean back on his previous experiences, whether it’s going against a certain style of defense or going against a certain type of defensive back, you’re starting to see his experience and the nuance with his route running, his ability to be able to separate at the top of his break. Obviously he’s been able to build rapport with Jordan over the last two or three years. You’re just seeing that confidence, that preparation, that size, that physicality all coming to fruition and really just all coming together at the right time right now.
We had a seam on right there, and I think pre-snap he was able to recognize they were in a two-high shell, so he was getting pre-snap indicators of what was going on, and he went vertical, which was a big coaching point on that route. His understanding of timing and space and where he needs to be, and just that anticipation coupled with that athletic ability, he’s putting himself in positions to make plays.
Offensive line coach Luke Butkus
On Jordan Morgan’s play at RT:
The progression, he’s getting better. His fundamentals, his get off, his pad level, his hands, all that stuff gets better as you play more and get the experience. So we’re excited about him. Still a lot of room to improve. He’ll be the first one to tell you that. Just constantly trying to get better, improve.
On Sean Rhyan’s play at C:
I’m excited about Sean, what he’s shown. He’s obviously grown up, played a lot of football for us. Now being the guy with the ball in your hands on every single play, it’s a lot different. Being that guy next to that guy and having to sit there and wait for the call, now Sean has got to make the calls, he’s got to see what’s going on, make some adjustments.
He’s just a big, strong body. He’s tough and he’s smart. It’s starting to slow down for him now. I think at the beginning, there was a lot going on for him. Now he kind of sees the game a little bit better. The more he’s getting this experience, it’s slowing down. But we knew he had it in him, because he’s a smart player, and he’s built like a center, inside guy, big and strong, stout at the point of attack. He has plenty of room to grow still, but he’s doing a fine job.
Tight ends coach John Dunn
On Darian Kinnard lining up as an eligible OL/TE:
There’s a lot of shared similarities. When you hear he’s reporting eligible, the No. 1 thing is lining up in a legal formation. Sometimes you line up an extra lineman and his hand’s in the dirt next to the tackle and that’s it, then all of a sudden you see him in different spots. So you have that part of it. But when the ball’s snapped, blocking a guy and the fundamentals it takes to do that, it’s the same fundamentals at tackle as at tight end. It’s a little different, you’re one man removed, a little further on the edge. But fundamentals are fundamentals and the cadence is the cadence.
Running backs coach Ben Sirmans
On RB Josh Jacobs getting rested up:
It’s tough on him, because he wants to be out there. But he understands. He’s not totally 100 percent. He probably could’ve played if we wanted him to play more, but we got bigger fish to fry, so to speak. This week, he’s getting where he needs to be. He’s moving around pretty good in practice. The time he’s had off has really helped him to recover, and we feel like he’ll be just about where he needs to be.
On RB Emanuel Wilson’s play:
I think Emanuel is the type of running back that probably could, if he was starting, could have like an 1,100-yard season. It might not be flashy like you see some other guys … but I think he would be steady.
