*Vikings Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur *

Q: When did you start to notice how much Adam Thielen could do for this offense?

A: Well we knew all along that he was a guy that could make plays and as this season has progressed he has been able to do it on a consistent basis. So for anybody as you get used to a player, it's been over time.

Q: How difficult was it on Sunday, just in terms of your play calling, how limited were you just with the deficit and not having the ball a lot?

A: Well it's not so much that. From an offensive perspective, we need to stay on the field. We had a three-and-out and a four-and-out and later in the second quarter we fumbled the ball when we had a chance to go in and score. When you don't stay on the field, then all the things you plan to do you don't get to most of them. So the challenge for us is obviously to extend drives. We certainly want to create some explosive plays if we can, but if we have to march the ball down the field, I think it's important that we get first downs and stay on the field.

Q: Since you stepped into this role, what have you seen from Laquon Treadwell?

A: Well unfortunately he has been injured and been nagged by injures, but he is a guy that has a great amount of talent and it's just going to be a matter of him being able to get out on the field and stay out on the field and that's where players as you play more and more you see the improvement, especially for a young player

Q: At what point this year did you feel most comfortable? When do you think you hit a groove, or are you still learning things?

A: I don't know about that. I think each game you are presented with different scenarios, some games when you're fortunate enough to get ahead early where you kind of feel like everything is working. Then there are other games where you are grinding it out trying to find you know moving on to other things. I don't know about groove, but what I think you try to do each week is put a plan together where we can march the ball if we have to, score on big plays if we have to, and put points on the board.

Q: Was it tough to evaluate Adrian Peterson on only six carries and he didn't play a lot in the second half when it was out-of-hand?

A: Yeah I think he was in there and ready to roll and he's just like everyone on offense, we didn't have much production and didn't do a very good job early in the game. You like to have a full game to evaluate a man's performance, but in this case it was just a few plays.

Q: From a personal standpoint, it was weird with Norv Turner leaving, but do you like being back in this position to call plays?

A: I think you never know what to expect. I came here with the idea that I was going to learn from Norv and contribute in any way possible and be a position coach for the Minnesota Vikings. Then that role changes and you kind of draw back on your experiences from doing this job in other places and then you just move forward. Quite frankly we don't really get a chance during the season to internalize or think too much about what is going on, that sort of comes in the off-season when things slow down.

*Vikings Defensive Coordinator George Edwards *

Good to be back. We're getting ready this week for a tough divisional foe. We know what type of game this is going to be. They're playing outstanding right now on offense and we'll have our work cut out for us this week.

Q: What have you seen from Ty Montgomery after making the transition from wide receiver to running back?

A: It's no doubt about it, he's really turned into a good running back for them and schematically for what they do with getting the back out into routes and those types of deals. He's done a real nice job for them catching the ball out of the backfield, having the ability to line up out there in spread formation. Of course he's a receiver, so his skill-set helps him there. He'll be a tough matchup for us. 

Q: How rare is it for a player to make a midseason switch like that?

A: It's pretty rare. You don't see a lot of guys do it throughout the course of the year. Of course you've got defensive backs who do switch around some. But, offensively for a guy to go to running back that's a different mindset.  

Q: Aaron Rodgers, another new wrinkle probably playing the best football of his season…

A: Yeah, he is. You mentioned it, everything he can do. He can move in the pocket, buy time and they get their routes down the field. So, we've got to stay matched up on the routes and when he's pulled it down to run he's done a good job running. He can make every throw whether he's on the run or if he's back there stationary in the pocket.  

Q: Does he look hampered?

A: You can tell a couple of times maybe you didn't see the finish of it, but he had no problems escaping and running last week. When you look at the tape he had three runs in there that he really got out and picked up good yardage against them scrambling.      

Q: Is a chess match against Aaron Rodgers different without a guy like Harrison Smith?

A: Again, we just package-wise as we try to personnel it we look at the matchups and then we try to do what we think is the best matchup for the personnel that we have at that game. We don't look at it like it's just Harrison. I told you before Harrison is really good football player that we miss, but at the same time we have Anthony (Harris). We expect him to step in and be able to do the things that he can do and do those things well.  

Q: How have you evaluated Barr the last few weeks?

A: He has been just – Barr has been Barr. A lot of times, where last year, we haven't seen as many splash plays out of him and that kind of thing, but systematically, what we're asking him to do, he's doing. I think matching up with running backs, matching up with tight ends, he has done that. Blitz-wise, a lot of times, people are very conscientious of where he's at in what we're trying to do blitz-wise. So, a lot of times, he gets protection to him. But we're looking for him to play better, and I know he will play better.

Q: How do you go about replacing what Tom Johnson has given you on the interior?

A: Tom did an excellent job coming in on our sub packages, whether it was run or pass. He had turned in a regular run player for us too. So, again, the next guy up in our different packages that we'll use. We'll rotate some guys in there and use them in the different packages and expect them to be able to use their skillsets to help us, whether it's rusher the passer or in the run game, first and second down.

Q: Do you lean more on Brian Robison?

A: I can't tell you exactly how we'll do it. We'll see how it goes when we get to Saturday.

Q: What has Toby Johnson shown you if he gets in there?

A: Toby has been with us all year, so he understands what we're trying to do fundamental and technique-wise and what we're trying to do from a schematic stand point. He understands those different things and what we try to do in the pass rush game. So, it's an opportunity for him to step up. We'll see how it goes Saturday when we get in.

Q: What have you seen from Jordy Nelson as far as finding his grove since you played him Week 2?

A: You can tell, he's a lot more comfortable. It looks like their timing is a lot better. He has always been able to go up and catch the ball, but it looks like he's a lot more in sync with what they've done, and he has been very productive for them. [He's] their leading receiver, so he has done a good job here the last couple weeks.

*Vikings Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer *

So last time I talked to you about having a homecoming it worked out pretty well for us. So this is kind of a homecoming of sorts for me going back to Green Bay. Graduated high school there, I guess I can tell you, 1985, that's a long time ago. Received my appointment to the Naval Academy from Senator [William] Proxmire, which is also a good memory. That being said, we've got a huge game on Saturday. Cause it's the division, because it's Green Bay. We beat them earlier in the year but they're playing really well right now. We've got to turn it back around and win these last two and it starts with Green Bay.

Q: Is there a situation where you would call for a player to hurdle the long snapper?

A: No, we really haven't worked on that. A couple guys, I think about 20 guys, have told me they could do that. They have the athletic ability to do that. That wasn't called. Linval [Joseph], I love coaching Linval because he cares so much. He was trying to make a play and he made a mistake, that's going to happen.  Like I told him, he's going to learn from it and he's going to move on. It cost us four points early in the game and that can't happen. I think im going to do studies in the offseason on the timing of it and all that sort of thing. We think we're pretty good with a good push, we've had a good push all year. I know we've only got one block but we've put a lot of pressure on kickers this year and coming off the edges as well. Because of the new rules now in the league, they're allowing guys to push the guards down. I think the league is going to look at it and say what's going to be a consistent call. Because right now I don't think it's called as consistently as it could be. But they're going to figure it out in the offseason and then im going to try to take advantage of what we do based on the rules.

Q: Has Kai Forbath kicked at Lambeau Field?

A: He told me, I asked him that earlier this week, and he said he was hurt, it may have been with New Orleans or Washington maybe when they played there. But he has not kicked at that stadium, no. 

Q: How did Kai kick today?

A: He did a good job, made all eight field goals. We only backed him up to 43, he was kicking into a little bit of a wind. But he hit the ball well, four of his five kickoffs were very good. We've just got to go out there and be consistent, just like anything else. Jeff [Locke] kicked in cold weather, Kevin [McDermott] snapped in cold weather, our returners are used to it. So hopefully we'll get used to it quick. The big thing with Green Bay is Lambeau has always been a slippery field, so it's going to be the footing more than anything else and that's what we've told our guys this week.

Q: What did you see from Marcus Sherels last week?

A: There was no limitations. We did not get an opportunity, Pat [McAfee] is a pro bowl punter, obviously, and he did a great job against us. Just had the three opportunities, we could've blocked up the gunner a little bit better and maybe had one opportunity but we didn't. He went out there and he at least caught the ball. He's got more confidence going into this week.

Q: What has it been like to see Adam Thielen evolve into a starting wide receiver?

A: The cool thing for me is working with the whole team and then working with them when they're young players and then seeing them grow. Everson Griffen was a great special teams player for me and now he's an All-Pro defensive end. Guys like Adam Thielen and guys like Charles Johnson this year has been playing on offense and then contributing more on special teams. Just to see the success that these guys have on offense and defense as they grow older is very rewarding for me. I tease the other coaches that I get these young guys ready to play on offense and defense. It's a lot of fun to see how much success that he's had and other guys have had in that role.

Q: Do you plan on being a little more aggressive this week?

A: Yeah, we're going to be aggressive. Coach Zimmer has allowed us to be aggressive on special teams every week. We've had fakes in pretty much every week. I think it's one of those things that you have to pick and choose your spots. You've got to be smart about it. In the return game, we brought several back from seven-eight yards deep last week against Indianapolis. We're going to continue that because we think we have big-play ability across the board. Punt return, kickoff return, kickoffs, surprise onsides, punt fakes, those sorts of things. You always have to have those things in so you're ready for them when the time arises or that situation arises where you see something that our opponent's doing that we can take advantage of what they're doing and hopefully get a big play for our team. 

Q: What have you seen from Kentrell Brothers on special teams?

A: Kentrell, like I've mentioned many times the last few weeks, he just continues to get better. He made a great play on kickoff last week. Two guys tried to block him in the back line, two big defensive lineman. He did exactly what he was supposed to technique-wise, head and shoulder fake and then got separation and split them and ending up making the tackle. That's a very hard play. When people see it they say, 'Oh hey, that's a good play.' But it's extremely difficult. He's come a long way since this spring when we drafted him. I really like his progress and I think he's starting to feel that he's really helping our team win games and contribute on special teams. Like a lot of our young guys. It's nice to see Jayron Kearse continue to get better and guys like Kentrell and some of the other young players that we have.

Q: How has the rookie class been as a whole?

A: They've been great. Laquon [Treadwell] even made a tackle against Jacksonville before he got hurt. He was starting to rise as a gunner on the kickoff team.  Kickoff return, punt return, bringing him off the edge because he's such a great athlete. If they're not going to be used as much on offense or defense, I'm going to use them. Because these good athletes are hard to find.