From Bakhtiari to Carlson, 6 takeaways from Gutekunst
GREEN BAY − The NFL will have just one roster cutdown day this year, on Aug. 29 when teams must trim from their training camp roster of 90 to 53. With that in mind, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst met with media Friday to field questions about the state of the Packers, quarterback Jordan Love and players on the roster bubble.
Here are the six things that stood out:
Expect Love to keep playing in the preseason
In the past, the Packers trotting out their starting quarterback during preseason games was unheard of. But as coach Matt LaFleur continues to develop his offense around first-time starter Jordan Love, it's a bit of a necessary evil.
“I think it's important for our offense to play together,” Gutekunst said. “A lot of it is just to see things over and over, you just kind of develop the instincts and calluses to know what you can and can't do … so it's not just him, it's our entire offense together. We got a lot of young guys that are seeing some things for the very first time.
“It's not always comfortable, especially for me, you wanna keep everybody healthy, get them to that first game. But I think it's necessary.”
Bakhtiari isn’t going anywhere
Seemingly spurred from the hopes and wishes of ESPN host Mike Greenberg, Gutekunst was asked about a possible trade of left tackle David Bakhtiari. The New York Jets desperately need a tackle, and one of Bakhtiari's best friends is their new quarterback. But it's not happening.
“First of all, we're not going to trade David,” Gutekunst joked. “Let's just get that out of the way ‘cause I know there's been a little bit of chatter about that. That's not gonna happen.”
The Packers new normal with Bakhtiari looks like several days off during the week, with one, maybe two, days of practice to keep his rebuilt knee fresh
for the game.
“What he went through was tough,” Gutekunst said. “I think he’s really in a good place now of really understanding what he needs to do to get ready to play. He was out there in some of these joint practices and I think last year he wouldn’t have been … as we get into the season, I think there’s a lot of trust with him of what he needs to do to get ready to play.”
It’s not ideal, Gutekunst went on to say, but Bakhtiari’s experience in games is crucial for a young line and young quarterback.
Campbell’s injury isn’t a concern
De’Vondre Campbell left practice earlier in the week with an ankle injury and missed the two practices with the New England Patriots. A scooter was spotted in front of Campbell’s locker Thursday. Gutekunst isn’t concerned, though.
“It’s not something that’s gonna be very long. It’s not a long-term thing,” Gutekunst said. “He’s a seasoned pro, so I don’t think this’ll hold him back too much.”
The Packers open their season Sept. 10 against the Chicago Bears, but Gutekunst said, “I don’t think (week one) is gonna be an issue,” for Campbell.
Competition among young guys is encouraging
The Packers drafted their biggest rookie class to date this April, signing 13 draft picks. They were joined by a class of undrafted free agents, some of whom have stood out in offseason programs and training camp.
“As a class, not only the drafted guys, but some of these undrafted guys, too, I think they’ve done a really nice job,” Gutekunst said. “There’s been more opportunities this year than maybe there has been in some years, but when those opportunities have been presented, they’ve taken advantage of them, which is good to see.”
One of those undrafted rookies is receiver Malik Heath, who has worked his way up the depth chart to the point he’s consistently running with the second team and has received reps with Jordan Love. The guy LaFleur called “a goonish” receiver is the prototypical big body the Packers favor.
“It’s just taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you, and certainly he’s done that,” Gutekunst said, “but it’s tough for any of these young players, especially UDFAs, you may only get so many opportunities per day, and when you do, you’ve gotta capitalize on them to try to earn more opportunities. He’s done that, which is why I think you’ve seen his opportunities increase.”
Someone who is much smaller than the Packers usually favor is rookie receiver Jayden Reed. That size and stature, though, can work to his favor, Gutekunst said.
“He played a lot of football in college,” Gutekunst said. “He’s very, very polished for a young player. Has a lot of room to grow as well. He’s been able to play inside, he’s been able to play outside. For a guy who’s not as typically big as who we go after at receiver, he’s been able to go up and make plays like a bigger man.”
The Packers have lauded Reed’s hands, balance, separation and speed.
“For us, the one thing that kinda separated him,” Gutekunst said, “is his ability to catch the ball, the contested ball … his ability to go up against bigger corners and take the ball away was unique for a guy his size.”
Packers will remain patient with Carlson
Rookie kicker Anders Carlson has been inconsistent throughout the offseason. Coaches have continued to preach patience, though, when it comes to Carlson, and Gutekunst echoes their trust.
“We believe in him,” Gutekunst said. “We think he’s got a lot of talent. He’s done some really good things since he’s been here. You guys have seen his leg strength and his power. I really like how the ball elevates off of his foot. But gotta find a way to get to a more consistent level.”
This patience is something that doesn’t normally exist in the NFL, especially at kicker. But Gutekunst saw former general manager Ted Thompson use patience with Mason Crosby, and how it paid off.
Said Gutekunst: “There’s not a lot of patience sometimes where there needs to be. Certainly Mason had some times, multiple times, where he was in some really bad spots and struggles. And I always thought Ted gave him a pretty long leash and he always came out of it. I think that’s important, especially for young players, to give them that leash to kinda get there. But at some point, when this stuff becomes real, then it becomes different.”
Tight end position is set … for now
Over the past season, the Packers have used tight end Josiah Deguara more in a traditional fullback role, as opposed to a true tight end. That move, in addition to the loss of Tyler Davis to a season ending injury, leaves the room slightly bare with two rookies (Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft) and UDFAs.
Still, Gutekunst isn’t ready to run out and sign more tight ends just yet.
“I like our group as it is right now, but that’s certainly something that we’ll look at as we get down to the cutdown day and beyond. Losing Tyler, that’s a big loss for us,” Gutekunst said. “I know he’ll come back strong. But he did so many things for us. Somebody’s gonna have to fill that role and I think everybody’s gonna have to pick it up a little bit to get beyond that. But I think we’ll always be looking at that spot.”