GREEN BAY – The Packers' coordinators with the media on Thursday. Here's a sampling of their key comments.
Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia
On Broncos returner Marvin Mims:
He's been an elite player for a while. He's got great speed. The thing about him is he can stick his foot in the ground and come right at you, and then he can also turn the corner and get the field, go to the wide field. So he's been a good player for a while, and we'll have our hands full with him. He just had a touchdown last week against the Raiders to help them win that game.
On special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi:
He knows how to put a club together. He knows how to win games, and they've come back in a lot of games, and had a chance to win games in the end because of the kicking game, because of big plays they've made in the kicking game. They've blocked a field goal. They've had a field goal blocked. They've blocked a punt, they've hit a punt for a touchdown. So this will be a great challenge. Excited to go out there and play.
On the play of LBs Arron Mosby and Ty'Ron Hopper:
I think we have five guys in double-digit tackles if I'm not mistaken. We try to move our guys around a little bit on the kickoff team, and those guys are playing on the same side of the punt team. Last week they had two really big physical tackles for us. And certainly what Mosby did in the Giant game. When they don't get doubled or when their double team's going a different direction and they're singled up, I think the expectation is they find a way to get to the ball and make a play. So I'm excited about the way our coverage teams have been playing.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley
On what he remembers of Broncos QB Bo Nix from the 2024 joint practice:
That practice felt like a long time ago, but I remember walking out of the practice and just being really impressed with a young quarterback. Had really good command for a young player in and out of the huddle, good presence about him, good leadership. It wasn't big for him. He's got a strong arm. He can make the throws. He's good in the pocket. He can get out of the pocket. What he's shown this year in some big key moments is using his legs. He's made some huge plays at the end of the game. I picture the one against Houston at the end of the game where he went for the big run to lead 'em to the win. Just a really good young quarterback who's got a really bright future, They've built a really good offense around him.
On S Evan Williams leaving his man and CB Keisean Nixon covering and making the INT:
We made a call for the run but also thinking send pressure to the side we thought we were going to get the roll pass. Evan just decided to go rogue and it led to an interception, so he shouldn't do that again, but I'm very glad that he did on that play. Usually, when you're in man (coverage), if you decide not to cover your man and to cover someone else, bad things happen. Like, really, really bad things. We had another play in that game where we didn't cover our man and they hit a deep cross, and that was one of the explosive plays of the game. Yeah, usually that does not end very well. So in my opinion, on that play, we should have (had it) covered, and it would have been interesting to see what happened. It was just one of those things which Kei saw that he wasn't (covered) so we took off, and he saw the quarterback and he made the play. So, yeah, stuff like that doesn't happen very often. It's usually not very good.
On the run defense vs. Bears with interior guys playing more snaps than normal:
I think we faced over 30 rushes and didn't give up a run over nine (yards). So credit to them on that. In the first half, I thought it was outstanding — pad level, striking, getting off blocks, staying in the gaps, squeezing on the backside, setting an edge on the front side. I thought, as the game went on, we wore down just a little bit, and I'm not blaming that on the interior guys, but overall, I thought those guys did a really nice job. I do. Especially for some of the limited snaps a lot of those guys have played, and we've got to continue to take steps and get better. But I think it was a good starting point against a really good interior group, two good backs and a good scheme.
On DL Rashan Gary's play:
I say this truthfully, Rashan is playing the run game — and I know you don't want to hear about the run right now — [but] Rashan is playing the run game way better than he did last year, in my opinion. We're not getting many drop-back passes. We're getting seven-man, six-man play-action protections, where it's about rushing and converting, and a lot of times you got a tight end and a tackle on you, you've got a tackle and a back on you. So at the same time, he's not getting as many opportunities. And then, even on these third downs, we're getting more runs and screens on third down than I've ever and I've ever been a part of. So, do we want him that to have more pressures? Certainly. I'm giving you a reason. And yes, I am defending him, because I actually think the guy's playing really well. I think people look at things very black and white, where you have to look deeper into it, and just because a guy might not have pressures in a game or sacks in a game, that doesn't mean he didn't play well.
Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich
On Denver's pass rush:
Across the board, they're really good. They do a really nice job bringing pressure, but they can win their one-on-one blocks, as well. They bring a lot of five-man pressures. They'll rush, they'll put five bigs in the game and rush those guys and do all their games and stunts off that, but they're really productive up front, just winning their one-on-one blocks.
On RT Zach Tom:
He's always been a really consistent player. Guys like him, who just are really intelligent and really just aware of their technique, as they get older, they just keep getting better, and they just keep really honing in on their technique and craft. This is exactly what I expect from Zach. He's having a great year, battling through some stuff, but out there, just being a reliable player on the right side for us.
On the play of the OL interior:
Sean (Rhyan) is doing a nice job handling that role at center. Every week he seems to be more and more confident and I think his play has been really good and just keeps improving. Obviously, this is going to be a big test this week handling this defense in this environment. Just making sure we're all on the same page. (Anthony) Belton's been great. A lot of things he needs to work on, but loving his play style. Love his attitude. He's doing a great job. And again, the more reps he gets the better and better he's going to get. I'm encouraged by what's happening right now with our center and guard situations. It's been good.
On the Broncos playing man coverage:
They are who they are, and I think that's what makes them good. They are going to challenge you, they're gonna get hands on, they're gonna be aggressive, they're gonna pressure you. That's why they're a good team because they have really talented players that can do that, so I see them being who they are and if they have their changeups we'll have to adjust just like we always do, but that's kinda what we're expecting.
