Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he is always searching for ways and players to make the team better. He shared his thoughts at the trade deadline earlier this month.
Have Arron Mosby and Brenton Cox proved enough to merit more opportunities now that Preston Smith’s gone?
We’re excited to see both of those guys, see some more snaps. I think certainly they’ve earned it. I thought they did a really nice job in training camp, and they’ve continued that through practice, and I think Mosby’s done a really nice job on teams for us. Brenton’s just really, I think he’s eager, and we’re eager to see him.
How to improve that pass rush?
I think they’ve done a nice job so far, and I think those guys have got to continue to kind of work within the scheme and what we’re doing. This is the first year in this defense, so there’s always some kinks to work out. I expect a lot of those guys in the second half of the season. I think they’ll continue to improve, and I think allowing these two guys to get on the field a little bit and maybe some snaps to go to some other guys, too, I think will help us.
Losing one of your older players, is it a concern to find experience in this locker room?
Obviously having Preston in the locker room, he’s always been a really good leader for us, and whenever you lose that, that just usually creates room for other guys to step into that void. I think we have a lot of guys who are capable of doing that. Again, I think we want to grow together, and I think the group that we got in our front is doing that right now, and I’m excited to see what they do in the second half.
Surprised that it’s taken a while for defensive line to adjust to the 4-3?
Not really. I think there’s always an adjustment period, but I think they’ve done some really good things. I think they’ve yet to have that real breakout game, but I think that’s coming. I like the way they’re working. I think they’re doing the right things, and I think it’s just a matter of time before they get there.
How aggressive were you in trying to add to your roster?
These things start four, five, six weeks before now, and so as we went through it, I kind of assumed that it was going to be very quiet, and it very much was this year. I think those initial conversations, they can change, but as we monitored going through it, I think it was kind of pretty steady that it was going to be quiet. Acquiring any significant players, there wasn’t going to be a lot of opportunity to do that.
Why was it quiet?
It’s not a store you can go in and pick and choose. Those guys have got to be available, and there just wasn’t a ton available this year. We always look at a lot of things, have some conversations, talk to people, but not a lot materialized this year.
Why make this trade when trying to win?
I think it’s no different than last year. There’s some players we want to see. I think that the trend of how the snaps were going was only going to continue that way. I think again, it wasn’t something that we set out to do. It wasn’t something that we called a bunch of teams saying, ‘Hey, are you interested in Preston Smith?’ because we know his value. But when the opportunity came, and we got the phone call, we just thought it made sense for us for what we’re trying to do. And again, he’s going to a very good situation with a playoff-caliber team and a really good organization. So that always, from my end, does help a little bit, especially with a guy who has given to us what Preston has given to us.
Confidence in cornerbacks?
Yeah, those guys have done a great job this year. Bull, (Javon Bullard) for a rookie, he’s just done an excellent job when he’s put in the nickel. The ability for him to play safety and nickel and what’s put on that guy for a young player to do what he’s done is really exciting — what he’s done already, where he’s about to go. So that’s been good for us. Again, Keisean (Nixon) hasn’t played a ton of outside corner for us and he was kind of put in that position, and I think he’s done a really good job for us. He’s got excellent instincts; he can take the ball away. So yeah, I’m really happy with him out there as well.
Xavier McKinney’s impact?
Not unexpected. Again, those guys were proven players. Those guys were proven players in the league. Again, coming into a new environment, sometimes that can take some time. Credit to those guys for being able to contribute like they have so quickly. I think for me, not only the production that they’ve put out there for us but just also how they fit into the locker room as leaders. I think that they’ve really helped continue to strengthen our culture.
Edgerrin Cooper and his impact?
Obviously, he had a little bit of a setback in training camp, which always for a young player is tough when you miss that much time on the field. But just like he was in college, when you put him on the field, he makes dynamic plays. He’s still working through some of the details and intricacies of our defense but, when he’s out there, you feel him. He certainly brings an element of speed on that field, and he’s a natural playmaker. Excited for him, where he can go. I think there’s a lot of really good football ahead of him.
How did you spot someone like McKinney and know what you were getting?
I think it always starts with our process in college and watching him through that time. Certainly, we were very fond of him during that period of time. And then just watching him when he was in New York, we played them last year, had a chance to really see him up close and how he prepared in pregame and some of the things he was doing. He prepares extremely well, takes it very serious, keeps his body in great shape. I just think he’s a pro’s pro. Interceptions can be streaky. That’s kind of one of those things, but I do think he’s a guy that if the opportunity presented itself, he had the ability to take the ball away.
How has Jordan Love played in the first half?
Good. Obviously, he’s got a little bit of some interruptions with missing some time and working through injuries and stuff. He’s really unflappable. He’s kind of the same guy every day. His focus is really, really good. Our offense has been very, very explosive at times because of him – and others, as well, but very much because of him. I think we as a football team, we’re very much working into a complete team and a team that can win situational football, and we’re not there yet. But I think he’s played very well.
What were you expecting when Malik Willis came in?
Certainly we weren’t expecting him to get pressed into duty as quickly as he did. You really gotta credit Malik and our coaching staff for what a great job that they did getting him ready, putting a game plan around him that really suited him. I’m just really proud of him. Obviously, we knew the player. We knew the skill set, and we really liked that part of it – the ability to win with his arm and his legs. The neat thing for me is getting to know him.
He’s a great kid and really fits, I think, what we want here. That’s been really positive, because that’s part of what you never really know, right? When they’ve been somewhere else and they’re coming in the building – same with Josh and Xavier – there’s certain things you don’t know until they get into your environment and how they fit in. He’s done a really nice job of that. I think he’s a really positive influence in that room.
Love didn’t throw interceptions late last year. Alarming to see it now?
I think it’s how you look at it. We see him every day. We see how he works, his focus, what he’s doing. I think every interception is a little different. I’m not overly concerned with it.
It has to get better. I think we all know that. But at the same time, I’m not overly concerned. The way he works, the way he goes about things, that’s just a matter of time in my opinion.
Love meeting your expectations, especially with contract?
Yeah, my expectations are for him are probably what they are for all players, right? To keep working and putting team first. He leads our team exactly how we want him to lead our football team. Obviously, you guys have seen his ability to make plays and be a difference-maker in this league. He’s meeting all my expectations. We have high standards around here, and there’s a lot put on his plate. Certainly, we feel very, very strongly that he’s the guy to do that to.
Tucker Kraft, did you watch tape of him being a short yardage QB?
I did not look at any of the high school 8-man football that he played. We did know — obviously he’s a very rare athlete and very smart, and so we knew we could do a lot of things. Did I envision him taking snaps on short yardage? No. That wasn’t part of our — If anybody claims that, any of our scouts, let me know because I read all those reports. I don’t think there was anything about short-yardage quarterback, but at the same time, I think he continues to grow and obviously Matt (LaFleur) has continued to expand his role because of what he’s been able to do and a lot of credit to him.
You happy with kicker?
Yeah, veteran guy, right? Pro, he’s been in every situation, so I don’t think he gets flustered at all, so obviously coming in and I think after the first game he kicked for us, he goes, ‘Of course it comes down to that,’ and he did it two in a row, so it was why we made the move. … He’s particular with how he wants things, because he’s done this for a long time and he knows exactly how he wants it done, and I think that’s refreshing.
Van Ness has struggled. Do you need more from Gary?
I think from that entire group, we need more from those guys as we move forward into the second half of the season and I think we’ll get that. I think as the last few games have trended, Lukas’ snaps have kinda already gone up to where he’s kinda gonna be probably and J.J. (Kingsley Enagbare) and then those guys, so I like that group. I like the way they work. They gotta continue to keep pushing, and I think the addition of some of these guys getting some more snaps will help that.
Do you have a team that is built to contend this year when all these other contenders made moves?
I do. I think a lot of the moves you saw were reactions to injuries and things like that where you’re missing things. I really like our group. Obviously we do a lot of work prior to the season to try to make sure that we’re a deep team that can sustain an entire season, and if we have injuries that we don’t have to go outside of the building to fulfill that, and I feel we’ve done that and I feel really good about our football team.
We’ve got to continue to come together as a football team and play better football at times, but I think we’re in a good spot. I’m excited about the second half of the season and to see how these guys grow together.
What do you want to see in the second half that you have yet to see?
I think just more consistency and maybe a little bit better in situational football. I think to be the team that can go deep in the playoffs and to contend for championships that you have to be that kind of team. We’re working toward that, and I think these guys have had really good moments, but you’ve got to be consistent with that. You’ve got to be able to call upon that whenever you need it.
Gutekunst impressed with play of individual team members
