Kyle Shanahan Sizes Up the Packers
SANTA CLARA -- Here's what Kyle Shanahan said about his upcoming opponent, the Green Bay Packers, at his Tuesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers P.R. department.
Q: Can you tell us about Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry and the characteristics of his defense? How do they look on film against Dallas to you?
SHANAHAN: "They looked real good versus Dallas. I haven't got to watch much of them until these last 10 days and obviously picked it up a lot more these last two days. I think they're a very good defense. The numbers don't always tell the truth. They had a couple games that got some cheap yards, but they're good in the run, good in the pass. They can get to the quarterback. They're extremely sound. They're getting healthier. A ton of respect for Joe. I got to work with him my first couple years of my career in Tampa. He's been involved in a number of different defenses, played against him a few times with the Rams. Then in Green Bay, his scheme just keeps getting sounder and better."
Q: After learning at 4:30 PM on Sunday, how quickly did you guys get to work on the Packers?
SHANAHAN: "We were already in here, so we were doing it that day. We had mixed in a little bit earlier in the week, hitting up a couple teams. Started really focusing on them halfway through the second quarter. Then they scored at the end of the second quarter. So, I kind of did both at halftime and then third quarter I was set on one team."
Q: What development has Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love made throughout the season to where he is now?
SHANAHAN: "He's come a long way because he's playing at such a high level. To get thrown in there early this year and have to go through some ups and downs, which he did some good things earlier in this year too. To not win all those games, when you're with a tough record in your first year, the pressure that comes with that, and just to watch him each game, he's been consistent. For him to take care of the ball the way he has done has been unbelievable. The 21 touchdowns and one pick, I think, over the last 10 games is unbelievable. He's extremely consistent in what they're asking him to do. [Green Bay Packers head coach] Matt's [LaFleur] very good at coaching the quarterback and you can see that their quarterback is buying in. He plays very well in their system and makes a lot of plays. He has a big arm and is a big dude too."
ME: The Packers started 2-5 this season. What's been the key to their turnaround?
SHANAHN: "Probably not turning it over. When you don't turn it over, no matter what happens, you’ve got a chance to win in every game. The fact they've only had one pick in 10 games is unbelievable. When you start getting a running game going with that, with a real good defense too, doesn't surprise me at all."
ME: What’s the hallmark of a Matt LaFleur offense and a Matt LeFleur team?
SHANAHAN: "I'm not sure. I think they change each year and it's definitely different with [New York Jets QB] Aaron [Rodgers] not there. I think it looks a little bit more similar to how I know Matt and his offense and that was always mixed in with Aaron too. Anytime you have a quarterback who's played a long time, you're always going to just mix all that stuff in. But, it looks a little more consistent with what he's done earlier in his career and just how they're balancing it out. Matt's going to get his guys to play hard. He is always going to be honest with them. Matt's a very high character guy who understands scheme very well."
Q: It's been awhile since you coached with Matt, but when you watch them, do you see, oh yeah, I know that. I get that? How much has it changed?
SHANAHAN: "Similar. It's like that with a bunch of people. Your scheme changes just like ours does all the time, things evolve, especially with your players. But, it's fun watching him with a young quarterback. Matt and I coached quarterbacks together for a while, just technique and certain things and you can definitely see how he's been coaching his guy. He's done a hell of a job with him. It seems like the quarterback's made it pretty easy for him too."
Q: Green Bay is unique. Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has had two really great Draft back-to-back. They don’t have one tight end, they’ve got two. They don’t have two receivers, they’ve got five. Does that make it more difficult for defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and the defensive staff to prepare knowing that they’ve got any number of guys that could go off in this game?
SHANAHAN: "It's usually the case to me on most good offenses. Whoever has a good player, you still can't force the ball to people. If you do, it's usually not going be that good of an offense. When you do want to spread it around, you're not going to be that scared unless you have talent on all those positions. They've always done a good job. They rarely have a player who shouldn't be out there. They draft well. They keep their own pretty well. They've done it consistently for a long time. And always when you give young guys opportunities, sometimes there's some bumps in the road, which it sounds like they've gone through with this year a little bit. But you get through those. They find a way to win that last game and get in the playoffs and now they’ve got a good team that you don’t look at it as a bunch of rookies. You look at guys almost in their second and third year and they're playing like it."
