Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari answered questions from reporters over a Zoom conference call for roughly 25 minutes on Tuesday afternoon.
Here are some highlights from the call:
– On false start penalties early in the season: “Comes down to thinking more about the concepts. Also just being new to a bunch of new things going on. Taking my thought process away from the cadence. I got that ironed out.”
– On conversations with African American teammates recently: “I think the best thing we’ve done as an organization and as a team have been the uncomfortable conversations and ability to listen and hear the different viewpoints and broaden your own perspective.”
– On Rick Wagner: “Unless Rick has changed, he was a sweetheart when I met him back in 2013. He’s more of the soft-spoken, sweet side, of course, his game reflects differently. I think he lets out most of his aggression and anger in the game. In terms of fitting into the room, I don’t think there will be an issue. He’ll acclimate just fine. He’ll be the soft-spoken, neutral voice that is needed.”
– On kneeling during the national anthem: “Like we did a few years ago, I think we’ll talk together as a team and do something collectively together. Whatever that decision is, I’ll be on board with and fully support. Around the league…I would assume (kneeling) would happen more than the past season or two.”
– On talking about a contract extension with Packers: “Even if I were talking, I wouldn’t disclose that information.”
– On Packers taking Jordan Love: “I’m indifferent. Don’t let my emotions get the best of me in a business setting. I was more shocked that they traded up. How I feel about the pick doesn’t really matter. My job is to protect the quarterback and open up holes in the running game and do my job and be out there on Sundays.”
– On what he expects from Aaron Rodgers: “He’d get mad at me if I set an expectation for him. From the encounters I’ve had with Aaron … guy still has his wheels. I know that fire still burns in him deep. He’ll try and win in every facet. He’s the most competitive person I’ve met. I always expect the most out of him because I know he can deliver.”
– On Year 2 jump on offense: “I do expect a jump. For me, in the first year, I need to understand what I’m doing at all times. Now, I completely understand my job responsibility and now I can really take on the entire concept of the play, what is Aaron thinking, what are the adjustments, I can take on more of that responsibility. So the game can slow down further. I can be more knowledgeable and I can be more effective. The more I understood it, the more I comprehended it, I was able to be more effective in the system, I’d expect that across the board with my teammates. When you’re more comfortable in a system, when you think less, you’re playing faster.”
– On Elgton Jenkins: “He can be as good as he wants to be. He’s naturally gifted. I think the thing that separates him is his instincts as a football player. When your playing fast and answering questions without knowing why you’re doing it, that’s awesome because you’re not even thinking about it. I’m excited. Year 2 is usually your biggest jump. He has a chance to make a big jump in his career both on the individual side and collectively as a team, really propel our line to another level of dominance that I expect us to have.”