GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – In advance of next week’s start to the Organized Team Activities, the Packers served up the three coordinators for a media session on Tuesday and today, it was the five assistant coaches on the defensive staff.
New secondary and pass game coordinator Greg Williams
The only newcomer to this group is Greg Williams who replaced Jerry Gray as the secondary coach and defensive passing game coordinator. The 47 year old Williams spent the past four years as secondary coach with the Arizona Cardinals. Prior to that, he worked a year in Denver, two seasons in Indianapolis and was on the San Diego Chargers staff from 2009 through 2015, first as an assistant linebacker coach before moving to defensive backs in 2013. Williams also had a couple of stops in college and his first job was as an unpaid intern on the staff at Arizona State University. How he got into the coaching ranks is a story unto itself and Williams shared the genesis of his profession with reporters:
Williams worked briefly with Rasul Douglas in Phoenix and said it was very gratifying to see him blossom once he got an opportunity with the Packers. Along with Pro Bowl corner Jaire Alexander, Williams says he’s got an excellent tandem to build around. Williams was also selected by Head Coach Matt LaFleuir to represent the Packers at the Coach Accelerator Program May 21-23 at the NFL League meeting in Minneapolis. It’s a networking program for young coaches allowing them to interact with General Managers and even league owners to help facilitate careers.
Some notes from the other coaching Q and A’s.
Pass Rush Specialist Jason Rebrovich went first and he was full of energy talking about number one pick Lukas Van Ness, highlighting his size, skill set and intelligence, eager to work with him. Knowing Rashan Gary won’t be back into the swing at the start, his unit will lean on Preston Smith, Justin Hollins and youngsters like Kingsley Enegbare, wishing all of his edge rushers could be on the field at once. Rebrovich is relishing what he thinks might be the biggest challenge of his career, trying to teach not only the NFL game but the game of football itself to Nigerian native Kenneth Odumegwu. He was allocated to the Packers through the league’s international outreach program. Rebrovich says it’s interesting to cover not only techniques but the very basics of football to Kenneth who admitted he had never heard of the term “hashmark”. Rebrovich is also working closely with line coach Jerry Montgomery on developing plans to pressure quarterbacks with the entire front seven.
Montgomery lost two of his starters to free agency with the departure of Dean Lowry to Minnesota and Jarran Reed’s return to Seattle. Next in line are T.J. Slaton and Devonte Wyatt and Montgomery has big expectations for both in their third and second year in the program. Montgomery said his biggest point of emphasis this off-season will be on getting much more stout against the run.
Inside linebacker coach Kirk Olividotti said last year’s number one pick, Quay Walker, was up and down during his rookie season. The team increased his responsibilities as the year went on and he showed a good grasp of them. The athletic ability was evident but there were those well after the whistle personal foul penalties that led to two ejections. Olividotti said he has had conversations with Walker about the incidents and he’s confident some hard lessons were learned.
Finally, safety coach Ryan Downard came to the podium. He knows there are big shoes to fill on the back end of the defense with the departure of Adrian Amos. The competition will be wide open and include newly signed safety Jonathan Owens from the Houston Texans. Downard said scouting him in free agency revealed a lot of snaps as a first year starter last season but tackling was his strongest attribute. Downard believes Darnell Savage is ready for his increased role after a 2022 season that flashed good play but also included his getting benched in the second half of the season.
GM Brian Gutekunst was busy on Tuesday as well, announcing the signing of third round pick, tight end Tucker Kraft of South Dakota State. That leaves only the top three picks without a deal. The Packers also signed center D.J. Scaife, a Miami University rookie who was briefly the property of the Dolphins. A punter was signed to compete with veteran incumbent Pat O’Donnell. Daniel Whelan is a first year player who was with the Saints in training camp last summer. The native of Ireland was named to the All XFL team this spring after averaging 45.6 yards a punt with 11 downed inside the 20 for the Washington Defenders. The Packers also released defensive back Benji Franklin who spent six weeks on the team’s practice squad last year.
