Hackett: 'There's still so much to be done'

[Cheesehead]

(on Metcalf’s size)


You might say hey listen, we want to get up on a guy and kind of mute their speed at the line of scrimmage and get our hands on him, but when they’re that big and strong that can work against you, because you can get overwhelmed physically. I think we have to mix up the techniques and the looks. I don’t think you can give him a steady diet, and press him all game or play off all game and give him free access. We have to be mindful of the different ways to play him and then adjust to what’s working.


(on Tramon Williams)


He doesn’t look 36, because I remember what I looked like at 36. He’s just one of those rare athletes. You see players play deep into their 30s or 40s, but it’s rare that it’s a corner, a guy that runs that much and who’s reliant on his movement skills. Those are typically the first things that start to go. It’s just so rare to play that position and be so durable and dependable, he just goes and goes. You go back through the league and there aren’t too many you can put in that category. He’s been a calming influence on the guys on the back end.


(on Wilson’s scrambling)


We talk to our guys about defending both plays, the intended play they call in the huddle, and the extended play. As much as we don’t want it to happen, we talk about assuming he’s going to make the first guy miss. Because he’s so good at it. That’s the frustrating part. I told our guys, prepare to run this game. The GPS tracker numbers will be through the roof. You’ll run this game more than any other game because that’s the nature of it. That’s a huge reason for why they’ve had the success they’ve had.


Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett


(on what stands out about the Seahawks’ defense)


I think the soundness of it. This is where the whole defense originated. Everyone calls it the Seattle defense. They’ve been doing it a long time, especially the two linebackers. They’ve been together about 6-7 years. They’re a very sound defense and it’s what they’re good at.


You never know 100 percent. There’s a great chance they’re going to do what they do. They believe in their system and believe in their players. In situations, whether it be third down, two-minute, red zone, they might spice it up more and get a little unique, but in base situations, they’re going to do what they do.


(on Bryan Bulaga and David Bakhtiari)


They’re both playing at such a high level. Whenever you have that ability to protect the width of the pocket, and you trust those guys – you want to help them, always, and you don’t want to leave them on an island every single play – it’s going to allow you to push the ball down the field and do some different things.