Bakhtiari: Anything can happen in playoffs
Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari co-hosted Monday's Clubhouse Live, Gannett Wisconsin Media's live weekly football show. Packers quarterback Brett Hundley was Bakhtiari's guest.
Among the topics they touched on were Josh Sitton, gearing up for the playoffs and learning under an NFL MVP. The show can be seen live at The Clubhouse Sports Pub & Grill in downtown Appleton or at clubhouselive.com.
Here are select and edited answers from the interview:
REPLAY: Clubhouse Live with Bakhtiari, Hundley
Q: Josh Sitton started in your place at left tackle during Sunday's game against the Vikings. How difficult of a move is that for Sitton in going from left guard to left tackle? And how do you think he fared?
Bakhtiari: (He was) fantastic, to say the least. It's tough, man. He's a hell of a player. For him to go out there and perform the way he did with — when was the last time he took a tackle rep? The transition from guard to tackle is two completely different animals. That's a reason why one is called a guard and the other one is called tackle. ... I think he did a great job for what he was presented, with the obstacles in front of him. ... When you think about it, in the realm of the game, he's at guard and the fight's happening right there. Everything's in front of you. At tackle, it's more of a vertical game.
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Q: Why can the Packers make a deep playoff run?
Bakhtiari: One, we're the Green Bay Packers. Two, I remember a 10-6 Green Bay Packers (team in 2010), and they had a pretty good run. If they already (won a Super Bowl) once, who says they can't do it again? And three, it's the playoffs. Anything can happen. It doesn't matter what seed you are. All I need is a ticket to the dance. And then once you get there, anything goes.
Q: How beneficial has it been for you to work alongside a quarterback as accomplished as Aaron Rodgers? What have you learned by working with and watching him?
Hundley: First off, it has been a blessing to be under him and learn from him. He's a great guy on and off the field. And for me personally, to be in the position I'm in - getting drafted and understanding that I get to learn from the best to ever do it I think is something every quarterback dreams to do. When you can say that's Aaron Rodgers, that's even better. So, it has been fun. And everything I've learned - it's hard to put into words because a lot of the stuff I've learned isn't from me asking questions, it's from me just watching him.
Brett Christopherson: 920-993-7117, or brett.christopherson@gannettwisconsin.com; on Twitter @PCBrettC