Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari said there’s something like a breath of fresh air blowing through Lambeau, with a new offensive coordinator, a handful of new coaches and players, and a revamped offensive playbook. And it sounds like Joe Philbin is making some good first impressions.
"It'll be a work in progress. I can tell you it's fun to go into a meeting with him again," Rodgers said. "You just forget how much control he has in front of a room. I mean, he is fantastic at speaking in front of a group and clearly in getting the message and the goals and kind of the outlook for the season in a very clear and concise way that the guys can understand, appreciate and relate to."
Rodgers says he welcomes the challenge of scrubbing down the #Packers offense with Joe Philbin. Says he forgot how Philbin can command a meeting room - and how he can call people out for not paying full attention. 👀
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) April 17, 2018
"He's the kind of guy so far that I've just noticed when he speaks, you listen. It's very nice. Very refreshing," Bakhtiari said. "Change isn't always bad. I'll put it like that. It's kind of a different system that I think from that comes with a little bit more vigor to the team."
Another new face is tight end Jimmy Graham, who came to Green Bay with one goal in mind.
"For me, it's about winning a ring, simple as that," Graham said. "I know this team. I know Aaron's hungry, I know the coaching staff's hungry and this franchise is hungry it all again, and that was the defining factor for me."
Rodgers said he's just as excited to be in a huddle with Graham in 2018.
"He's just a very talented guy, a very smart guy, and I think he's going to be a great addition to the locker room," Rodgers said.
Aaron Rodgers and Graham became friends as Pro Bowlers in 2012, and even then talked being full-time teammates one day.
Rodgers also said the day Jordy Nelson was cut and Graham was signed was bittersweet for him, but used the phrase “trusting the process" multiple times when talking about Nelson’s release.
"The process works," Rodgers said.
Rodgers also spoke about his reported pending contract negotiations, repeating a moniker he has said many times before about his contract: that he's "confident" a deal will be made.
"I'm under contract for the next two years," he said. "There is interest on both sides on getting something done. They obviously made a number of statements over the offseason, but my focus is here. I have a fantastic agent who takes care of anything associated with my contract and there is nothing to report on."
There were plenty new introductions and faces on the defensive side of the ball as well, and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and his playbook are leaving solid impressions on Day 1.
Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix couldn't help but smile talking about the new playbook brought in with Pettine, saying his new coordinator "doesn’t take no mess" and he is excited for more accountability on defense.
Clinton-Dix said he has two words for the new Packers defensive scheme: "Likable and learnable."
"This is day one. The playbook is looking really good," said Clinton-Dix. "I'm excited about the scheme and things that are going on inside of that book. It's all smiles from me. And I'm excited about it, I'm excited to work, I'm excited to be here. I wish it was 80 degrees but there's nothing I can do about mother nature, so I'm just ready to roll."
Cornerback Tramon Williams, who used to wear green and gold from 2007-2014, returned in the offseason on a two-year deal, and has experience playing for Pettine in Cleveland.
"(Pettine's defense) is very aggressive," Williams said. "It's simple, but it's aggressive. There has to be a lot of smart guys on the field. Me being in that defense, you know, I think I can just kind of guide some guys and teach some guys what they need to know in this defense."
Clinton-Dix also said he is looking to be more of a leader in 2018, saying he has big shoes to fill after the free agency departure of the Packers former “QB on defense,” safety Morgan Burnett.
