Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine spent over a half hour chatting with reporters about various topics regarding his defense during a conference call on Friday afternoon.
Pettine specifically talked about linebacker Christian Kirksey, edge rusher Rashan Gary, cornerback Tramon Williams, defensive lineman Kingsley Keke and safety Darnell Savage while answering questions.
Here’s a rundown of the biggest highlights from the call:
– Pettine said adding veteran linebacker Christian Kirksey was “great signing for us for a lot of reasons.” Mentioned his “great leadership ability” and the “head start on learning the system” he got with Pettine in Cleveland. The Packers signed him to a two-year deal, and he’ll replace Blake Martinez as the top inside linebacker. Pettine noted the risk of Kirksey’s recent injury history but said the Packers were “more than willing” to take the risk.
– Pettine and the Packers are expecting Rashan Gary to make a “big jump” in Year 2. “He needs to take a big jump.” Said he envisions a much bigger role for Gary in 2020. Will likely handle more snaps, both as a versatile chess piece and as a way of reducing the volume of snaps for Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. Pettine sees a role similar to how the Packers use Za’Darius.
– Pettine described the performance in San Francisco in the NFC title game as “beyond disappointing.” Pointed to scheme, effort, energy and technique as reasons for the collapse. “Tough pill to swallow.” Doesn’t want the performance to be a dark cloud over the 2020 season but it will be a focal point heading into this year.
– Pettine isn’t worried about the system or the scheme. Believes the Packers can stop the run “pretty damn well.” Likes how the system allows players to attack up the field and not play horizontally. “We feel good about what we do and how we teach it.”
– The situation of the offseason is forcing coaches to go “back to the basics.” Not expecting to throw a bunch at the players schematically. The defense wants to focus on their fastball. Hoping players go deep into the core concepts.
– Pettine still has deep respect for veteran cornerback Tramon Williams, who remains a free agent. “He was highly effective for us.” Understands the big picture, business side of it. “It’s up in the air. We don’t know his final chapter will be written.” Bringing him back has been discussed.
– Excited to have Jerry Gray’s experience coming to the Packers as the new secondary coach. Other coaches and players raved about his coaching ability. “It’s great for me, having his experience.”
– Pettine specifically mentioned Kingsley Keke as a potential breakout candidate in 2020. “He was a guy that, as the year went on, he was productive for us.” Looking forward to him having a much bigger role this year.
– Pettine liked the tape of new defensive linemen Gerald Willis and Trayvon Hester, excited to see them once players can get back on the field.
– Pettine never worried about not returning as the defensive coordinator in 2020.
– Pettine is seeing a lot of mental advancement from safeties Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos in the second year of the defense, an exciting part of developing the group overall. Sees the safety position as the “nerve center” of the defense.
– Pettine liked the development of Savage throughout 2019. “Really improved as the season went on.” Mentioned improvements in dealing with the speed of the game. “The sky’s the limit for Darnell.”
– Pettine is expecting more of the package that gets Rashan Gary, Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith on the field together. Thinks Gary can play more on early downs, setting the edge against the run. Likes how physical and violent he is in the run game.
– Pettine wants a better rotation along the defensive line. Hoping for more development behind Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry and Tyler Lancaster.
– Pettine says the 49ers present a unique challenge. They have the roster and scheme to create big challenges in the run game. “49ers showed they were a little bit of an exception. I don’t see that many teams that are built to do that, from an offensive line and tight end standpoint.”
– Pettine said his use of dime personnel in 2019 was a combination of factors. Putting the best 11 players on the field was an emphasis. Injuries and lack of depth at inside linebacker contributed. Packers lack a true do-it-all linebacker, so Pettine has gone with extra defensive backs. Having more safeties on the field helps provide more versatility in coverage. More than anything, Pettine pointed to a deficit at linebacker as the driving factor for the preference.