1 00:00:00,840 --> 00:00:20,759 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to Packers unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:24,800 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford, sitting alongside my trusted colleague West Hodkowitz. 3 00:00:24,840 --> 00:00:27,560 Speaker 1: We're coming to you here from our studios at lambeau 4 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 1: Field West. We had an opportunity yesterday to attend a 5 00:00:32,159 --> 00:00:34,959 Speaker 1: second O t A practice for the Green Bay Packers. 6 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:38,120 Speaker 1: I want to go back to something though, from about 7 00:00:38,159 --> 00:00:41,520 Speaker 1: a month and a half ago, when Aaron Rodgers spoke 8 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:44,560 Speaker 1: to reporters at the start of the off season program. 9 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 1: He made a comment, kind of an off handed comment 10 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:52,280 Speaker 1: in a way, mentioning that he thought Aaron Jones came 11 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:57,600 Speaker 1: back looking physically like a different player. Okay, so, now 12 00:00:57,720 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 1: the O t A practices, we got a chance to 13 00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:03,480 Speaker 1: see him. You can definitely see he does look different. 14 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:07,919 Speaker 1: He's done something different with his body. Yesterday you found 15 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:11,800 Speaker 1: out exactly how he did it. So give us the story. 16 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:13,759 Speaker 1: Well here's the thing. Okay, So I made a vow 17 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:17,240 Speaker 1: two years ago to myself. This was for my own credibility. 18 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:20,760 Speaker 1: I felt everybody writes the story about how so and 19 00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:24,479 Speaker 1: so changed their body during the off season. They put 20 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:27,360 Speaker 1: on five pounds, they took off five pounds, They cut 21 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 1: down their body fat, this, that, and the other, and 22 00:01:30,959 --> 00:01:33,240 Speaker 1: it's something to fill the time during the spring and summer, 23 00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 1: but realistically, does anything really change. So I made a vow, 24 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:39,400 Speaker 1: is like, I'm not going to do that this year. 25 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: Well then you see Blake Martinez come back looking like 26 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:46,919 Speaker 1: he's been lifting tires all off season and looks noticeably bigger. 27 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: And then you hear these comments from Aaron Rodgers. And 28 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:52,800 Speaker 1: at that time, Michael, we had not seen Aaron Jones. 29 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:55,400 Speaker 1: There were no public practices or anything of that sort. 30 00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:58,520 Speaker 1: But we had that mandatory minicamp the day of the 31 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:01,600 Speaker 1: draft where we got to see the Packers players out there, 32 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 1: and immediately my eyes went to Aaron Jones and immediately thought, 33 00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 1: this kid looks different. As you said, the big thing 34 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:11,800 Speaker 1: for him, it's obviously training his weightlifting program. He split 35 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:14,960 Speaker 1: his time between I should say Phoenix and also with 36 00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:18,440 Speaker 1: El Paso, where he's from. But the bigger sacrifice was 37 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 1: his diet. He loved eating cookies, He loved eating gummy bears, 38 00:02:22,040 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 1: that was his number one thing. Twizzlers, skittles, every type 39 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:28,079 Speaker 1: of junk food that you and I after a hard 40 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:31,280 Speaker 1: day's labor like to sit down and enjoy or even 41 00:02:31,320 --> 00:02:35,519 Speaker 1: after a hard day's half half day's labor exactly. But 42 00:02:35,639 --> 00:02:38,080 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones said, I can't do that anymore. I gotta 43 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:41,919 Speaker 1: make changes. So he always enjoyed eating healthy. He said 44 00:02:41,919 --> 00:02:43,400 Speaker 1: it wasn't a stretch for him to have to focus 45 00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:46,160 Speaker 1: on chicken and rice and in steak and keen wa. 46 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:49,480 Speaker 1: He's done all that stuff before. But it was the snacking, 47 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:52,640 Speaker 1: so he cut down on that. He mentioned some of 48 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:56,280 Speaker 1: these things. I mean almonds, I like almonds, uh, apples 49 00:02:56,280 --> 00:03:00,239 Speaker 1: with almond butter. Not as high on that. Rice cakes. Yeah, 50 00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:03,079 Speaker 1: I don't even throw those at me. But for him 51 00:03:03,120 --> 00:03:05,000 Speaker 1: it made a difference. He heloped a taste for it. 52 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:07,519 Speaker 1: He came back. He was at about eleven body fat 53 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:10,080 Speaker 1: at the end of last year, reported back at five 54 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:12,399 Speaker 1: point three. And if you just look at the young man, 55 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:16,000 Speaker 1: there are significant changes in his body structure. Yeah, and 56 00:03:16,160 --> 00:03:19,840 Speaker 1: he's taken it seriously. Really both of his off season 57 00:03:19,960 --> 00:03:23,079 Speaker 1: since his year in the NFL when because he's had 58 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:27,000 Speaker 1: he's had injury issues, primarily with his knees. He's been 59 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 1: forced to miss games. He's been very frustrated at the 60 00:03:30,320 --> 00:03:34,640 Speaker 1: games that he's missed. He has spent his two full 61 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:38,480 Speaker 1: off seasons as an NFL player, working on his body 62 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:42,680 Speaker 1: and building his body to withstand the long haul at really, 63 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 1: let's be honest, is the most in my opinion, the 64 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 1: most physically punishing position there is in the NFL. So 65 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 1: he knew from his rookie year that he that he 66 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:55,000 Speaker 1: needed to make changes. He made some going into his 67 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:58,320 Speaker 1: second year. Unfortunately, he had another knee injury that cost 68 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:01,200 Speaker 1: him a few games. Nothing serious in terms of those injuries, 69 00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 1: but they do keep him out for a couple three 70 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 1: weeks at a time. So his goal, in addition to 71 00:04:07,760 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 1: other things we talked about this offseason about wanting to 72 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:12,960 Speaker 1: be more involved in the passing game and being that 73 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:15,520 Speaker 1: reliable three down back that doesn't have to come off 74 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 1: the field, and all that, he's got that sixteen game 75 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:21,640 Speaker 1: schedule in his mind that he wants to be on 76 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:24,560 Speaker 1: the field every single week for this offense. Three things 77 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:26,480 Speaker 1: I want to point out. One, when he said he's 78 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:27,920 Speaker 1: had some issues, I thought you were going to say 79 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:30,320 Speaker 1: Soldier Field, and I honestly didn't know if you're gonna 80 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:33,280 Speaker 1: say that that is that is true if you take 81 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:35,920 Speaker 1: away Soldier Field. He's not missed the game yet for injuries. 82 00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:39,479 Speaker 1: There are, Yeah, there aren't necessarily just coincidences in life, right, 83 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 1: But be that as it may, it is interesting, and 84 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:44,279 Speaker 1: you know what, it was sort of an eye open 85 00:04:44,279 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 1: I mean, this is kind of turning the topic a 86 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:49,279 Speaker 1: little bit. But this year the Packers draft Dexter Williams 87 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:52,839 Speaker 1: in the sixth round, right if notre dame. I was 88 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 1: going through his bio on NFL dot com. They list 89 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:58,080 Speaker 1: the strengths and the weaknesses. One of the strengths that 90 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:00,440 Speaker 1: scouts had for Dexter Williams, I never he's seen this. 91 00:05:00,480 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 1: Maybe I wasn't reading closely enough. They said a light 92 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:07,400 Speaker 1: workload in college, not a lot of wear and tear. 93 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:10,039 Speaker 1: They believe that that will be a positive thing for 94 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 1: him going in the NFL. That's becoming a strength now 95 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:15,960 Speaker 1: of players. The reason I bring that up is Aaron 96 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 1: Jones has had two knee sprains. He wants to put 97 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 1: those in the back, but he only has two fourteen 98 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:24,680 Speaker 1: carries in the NFL so far. It's not it's not 99 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 1: a lot for two full years in the league. If 100 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:29,719 Speaker 1: he can stay healthy here, if the changes he's made 101 00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:32,080 Speaker 1: with his diet, with the changes he's made with his workout, 102 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:35,680 Speaker 1: regimen to develop his lower body strength, his leg strength. 103 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:39,080 Speaker 1: If all of that lines up for him, this is 104 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:42,520 Speaker 1: a guy that can be a force for years to come. Yeah, 105 00:05:42,560 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 1: the game has changed. It's not two and fifty touches 106 00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:47,560 Speaker 1: a year for these guys, four d touches the year. 107 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:49,880 Speaker 1: When you think of like Larry Johnson back in the day, 108 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:54,479 Speaker 1: Sean Alexander, Sean Alexander, there is more longevity with these players. 109 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 1: And I just I think Aaron Jones also understands, and 110 00:05:57,400 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 1: in Jamal Williams does two. Jamal Williams talked about this 111 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:02,719 Speaker 1: as well. He came back looking very lean. If those 112 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 1: guys can put their body in the best physical position possible, 113 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:09,719 Speaker 1: if they're going to have platoon situations, you want to 114 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:11,839 Speaker 1: be able to extend your career. You want to be 115 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 1: able to make sure that your agility, your quickness, your speed, 116 00:06:15,200 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 1: your strength indoors. And these are the type of decisions 117 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:22,400 Speaker 1: you want to see third year running backs making. So 118 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:25,159 Speaker 1: from that perspective and with everything else that entails with 119 00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:27,800 Speaker 1: this Packer season coming up, in the emphasis that there 120 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:29,960 Speaker 1: appears to be on the running game under Matt Lafleur, 121 00:06:30,320 --> 00:06:32,120 Speaker 1: I think both of those guys have put themselves in 122 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:34,279 Speaker 1: a position for success. Yeah, and it's good that you 123 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 1: mentioned Williams too, because he certainly came back with a 124 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:41,159 Speaker 1: little bit of a reshaped body. He did it, you know, 125 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:43,600 Speaker 1: somewhat for different reasons. I think he did it in 126 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 1: part to maybe try to fit this outside zone scheme 127 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 1: a little bit better, because durability has not been an 128 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 1: issue with Williams. This is a guy who has been 129 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 1: out there all the time, and whether it's been in 130 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:57,240 Speaker 1: a complimentary role or being the feature guy in certain 131 00:06:57,279 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 1: situations and in certain games, Williams is a guy who's 132 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 1: answered the call throughout his his two years in the league. 133 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 1: So far, he has. And the thing is is that 134 00:07:05,920 --> 00:07:07,560 Speaker 1: we don't know how this is going to shuffle out. 135 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:09,640 Speaker 1: Is there going to be a platoon, are they gonna 136 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:11,120 Speaker 1: look to have one guy. Those things are gonna have 137 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:12,640 Speaker 1: to be sorted out in training camp and then going 138 00:07:12,680 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 1: into that opener against Chicago, which is in Chicago, by 139 00:07:15,520 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 1: the way. But you did have to mention at least 140 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:20,320 Speaker 1: you get that out of the way though right off, 141 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:22,320 Speaker 1: that the grass is going to be in as good 142 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:24,080 Speaker 1: as condition is it's going to be in at that point. 143 00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 1: Let's hope for Aaron's sake. But the bigger thing is 144 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:29,240 Speaker 1: that they're going to need all these guys to be 145 00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:31,000 Speaker 1: able to play. And the other thing I took away 146 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:32,880 Speaker 1: from listening to Jones a little bit as well as 147 00:07:32,880 --> 00:07:35,680 Speaker 1: the fact that you know he understands the long game. Here. 148 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 1: He knows that in order to not only just stay 149 00:07:38,280 --> 00:07:40,160 Speaker 1: on the field, but to break away from tacklers, he 150 00:07:40,200 --> 00:07:42,600 Speaker 1: doesn't want anyone chasing him down. And if these are 151 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 1: the things that he had to do to make himself 152 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:48,240 Speaker 1: not just a really strong, explosive football player, but a 153 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:50,480 Speaker 1: guy that can play all three downs, he was only 154 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:52,560 Speaker 1: to make those sacrifices. Yeah, I think we're all really 155 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:55,200 Speaker 1: excited to see what Aaron Jones is going to do 156 00:07:55,240 --> 00:07:57,520 Speaker 1: in this offense, provided he can stay healthy and be 157 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:00,680 Speaker 1: out there for the long haul. Quickly here the powerful 158 00:08:00,720 --> 00:08:04,960 Speaker 1: noise canceling technology that helps NFL coaches block out eighty 159 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:07,800 Speaker 1: thou screaming fans can get you closer to the music 160 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:10,920 Speaker 1: you love. Learn more at www dot bows dot com, 161 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:15,360 Speaker 1: slash Packers Bows the official headphones of the Green Bay Packers, 162 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:17,280 Speaker 1: and at Homer Here in the stands. We all know 163 00:08:17,320 --> 00:08:19,120 Speaker 1: that Green Bay fans give it their all and that 164 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:21,160 Speaker 1: takes a lot of energy. So grab a warm bowl 165 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:24,679 Speaker 1: of Campbell's Chunky Soup. It's meaty goodness fuels the greatness 166 00:08:24,680 --> 00:08:28,320 Speaker 1: of Packers fans everywhere. Try the delicious classic chicken noodle soup. 167 00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:31,559 Speaker 1: Just visit your local supermarket and ask for Campbell's Chunky 168 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 1: Sup Official Sup partner of the Green Bay Packers. Okay, 169 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:38,440 Speaker 1: moving on to another area of the offense um. The 170 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 1: first Open O t A practice last week, Davante Adams 171 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:44,840 Speaker 1: was not on the field for the Packers. He was 172 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:49,760 Speaker 1: back on the field yesterday, and we saw a little 173 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:52,720 Speaker 1: bit of an interesting dynamic here. And as you wrote 174 00:08:52,720 --> 00:08:55,000 Speaker 1: about Aaron Jones on our website, of folks want to 175 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:57,880 Speaker 1: check out that story I wrote about Davante Adams, and 176 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:02,400 Speaker 1: that story is available as well. There was a play 177 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:05,720 Speaker 1: and I don't even remember the specifics of it necessarily, 178 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 1: but right after the play was over, as Adams is 179 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 1: walking back towards the huddle, Matt Lafleur is walking alongside 180 00:09:12,280 --> 00:09:16,680 Speaker 1: of him, talking into his ear, and you know, the 181 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 1: two of them kind of acknowledge whatever the conversation was. Okay, good, 182 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:23,280 Speaker 1: you know, we we move on. This is a first 183 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:25,480 Speaker 1: year head coach kind of in the year of a 184 00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:30,520 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl wide receiver, and Davante Adams didn't flinch. Not 185 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:35,160 Speaker 1: only did he not flinch or um show any you know, 186 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 1: displeasure with being singled out like that by the head coach. 187 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:43,559 Speaker 1: He talked to reporters afterwards. He welcomes it. He says, hey, 188 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:47,000 Speaker 1: he's told Matt Lafleur, He's told the other offensive coaches. 189 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:49,960 Speaker 1: If you see something with a route, something that I'm 190 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:52,160 Speaker 1: not doing right in this offense as we're trying to 191 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 1: learn things, I want you to tell me, just because 192 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:57,880 Speaker 1: I'm the elder statesman, the veteran in the wide receiver room. 193 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:00,560 Speaker 1: You know, he takes that very seriou lee in the 194 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:03,960 Speaker 1: sense that that it's not for any kind of special treatment. 195 00:10:04,240 --> 00:10:06,920 Speaker 1: It's because he knows he's the example setter for all 196 00:10:06,960 --> 00:10:10,559 Speaker 1: of these other guys and if he if he needs 197 00:10:10,559 --> 00:10:12,200 Speaker 1: to be told to do it right, then he's going 198 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:13,960 Speaker 1: to be able to pass that down to the rest 199 00:10:13,960 --> 00:10:16,960 Speaker 1: of the guys. It's an interesting dynamic here that's developing 200 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 1: West Because my point is that we've seen Davante Adams 201 00:10:20,480 --> 00:10:24,360 Speaker 1: very naturally and smoothly progress into a leadership role as 202 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:28,800 Speaker 1: Jordy Nelson departed, and now Randall Cobb has departed, and uh, 203 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:32,720 Speaker 1: this is a guy who's really coming into his own 204 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:36,320 Speaker 1: in so many facets here as an NFL player, as 205 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:39,280 Speaker 1: a leader, as a guy that a lot of people 206 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:41,160 Speaker 1: in that locker room are looking up to. What I 207 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:43,400 Speaker 1: thought about when I read your article and saw that 208 00:10:43,520 --> 00:10:46,440 Speaker 1: quote in his thoughts about this and and seeing the 209 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:48,400 Speaker 1: big picture there with listening to the floor and his 210 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:52,520 Speaker 1: coaches in that regard, Elvis Wooded obviously a well accomplished 211 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:55,320 Speaker 1: guy that spent nine years in this league. It goes 212 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:56,840 Speaker 1: back to obviously, you know, there's not a lot of 213 00:10:56,880 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 1: route runners out there in the population. Okay, there are 214 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:02,000 Speaker 1: a lot of golfers though, And one of the things 215 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 1: I thought about it almost reminded me of when you 216 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 1: when you know, you do a stroke or you know, 217 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:09,880 Speaker 1: you have your drive time after time after time, and 218 00:11:09,880 --> 00:11:11,840 Speaker 1: then you start to develop that hitch and you start 219 00:11:11,880 --> 00:11:13,600 Speaker 1: to maybe get a little bit of a slice in there. 220 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:16,000 Speaker 1: You get that golf prow behind you. Sometimes it's even 221 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:18,680 Speaker 1: your dad for that matter, and they kind of tell, yeah, 222 00:11:18,679 --> 00:11:20,480 Speaker 1: you're leaving your club face open, your your you know, 223 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:22,800 Speaker 1: your hips aren't quite where they need to be. You 224 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:25,480 Speaker 1: can get into such a regiment, in such a routine 225 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:28,400 Speaker 1: that sometimes those fundamentals, even when you are honing them, 226 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:30,600 Speaker 1: can start to slip off, and you don't want to 227 00:11:30,679 --> 00:11:33,480 Speaker 1: let that continue to slide. That's kind of what I 228 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:36,440 Speaker 1: took away from that conversation is Davante Adams knows what 229 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:38,040 Speaker 1: he has to do, he knows what's going to be 230 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:40,439 Speaker 1: expected of him, and he's always up to that challenge. 231 00:11:40,960 --> 00:11:43,200 Speaker 1: But there are so many things mentally you have to 232 00:11:43,200 --> 00:11:46,160 Speaker 1: think about, especially when you're learning a new offense, that 233 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:48,800 Speaker 1: those moments I think are important for Matt Lafleur to 234 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:50,560 Speaker 1: step in and say, well, this is what we're looking for, 235 00:11:50,559 --> 00:11:52,880 Speaker 1: for Elvis Witted to say this is the player you 236 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 1: need to be. But as you also pointed out the 237 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:57,360 Speaker 1: article that I thought is so important is by setting 238 00:11:57,440 --> 00:12:00,199 Speaker 1: that example, by being open to those ideas and being 239 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:03,680 Speaker 1: open to those conversations. There is a roster of young 240 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:06,640 Speaker 1: receivers there that are going through the same thing. If 241 00:12:06,679 --> 00:12:10,440 Speaker 1: I'm a young guy, a young sportswriter, and there's somebody 242 00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:13,480 Speaker 1: else that's on my list, you know, my employment list, 243 00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:16,200 Speaker 1: a guy that's been there for ten, fifteen years and 244 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:19,320 Speaker 1: has written award winning pieces and there's things that he 245 00:12:19,400 --> 00:12:21,720 Speaker 1: needs to work on. Yeah, I mean that tells you 246 00:12:21,760 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 1: that you can't ever get complacent. That's way. So I 247 00:12:25,559 --> 00:12:28,680 Speaker 1: just think that's very important with with his open mindedness 248 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:30,559 Speaker 1: to be in a situation where he's willing to take 249 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 1: that coaching, but also understanding he's the number one guy 250 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:35,440 Speaker 1: in the depth chart, there's a lot of young guys 251 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:37,000 Speaker 1: are gonna be looking up to him. Well, in the 252 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 1: other understanding part of it, Davante Adams is no fool. 253 00:12:40,840 --> 00:12:43,120 Speaker 1: He knows he's going to get the ball. He knows 254 00:12:43,160 --> 00:12:45,000 Speaker 1: he's going to get his numbers. Now, whether he's going 255 00:12:45,080 --> 00:12:48,480 Speaker 1: to have a hundred eleven catches plus yards and double 256 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:51,920 Speaker 1: touchdowns again, I mean, who knows what it ultimately is 257 00:12:51,960 --> 00:12:53,960 Speaker 1: at the end of the season. But he knows he's 258 00:12:53,960 --> 00:12:55,440 Speaker 1: going to get the ball, and he knows he's gonna 259 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:57,840 Speaker 1: put up the stats and all that. But he also 260 00:12:57,920 --> 00:13:02,439 Speaker 1: knows that the wide receiver group a whole, the success 261 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:05,719 Speaker 1: of the group is going to be more defined by 262 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 1: what Valde is Scantling and st Brown and Jamon Moore 263 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:11,720 Speaker 1: and Jake Kumero and maybe Trevor Davis or you know, 264 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:15,199 Speaker 1: all those guys. Whoever makes the team out of training camp, 265 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:17,000 Speaker 1: the success of the group is going to be more 266 00:13:17,080 --> 00:13:20,440 Speaker 1: defined by what they produced. Geronimo Allison obviously in that 267 00:13:20,559 --> 00:13:22,840 Speaker 1: in that mix as well, then by what he does 268 00:13:22,880 --> 00:13:25,000 Speaker 1: and whether he makes the Pro Bowl again or not. 269 00:13:25,120 --> 00:13:29,679 Speaker 1: So that's where the taking the leadership part of things 270 00:13:29,800 --> 00:13:34,480 Speaker 1: very seriously is is. Uh, it's an honest approach on 271 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:38,080 Speaker 1: his part, and it is big picture thinking on his 272 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:40,520 Speaker 1: part as far as what is best for the team, 273 00:13:40,600 --> 00:13:43,280 Speaker 1: not just what is best for Davante Adams to maybe 274 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:45,679 Speaker 1: try to break Jordy Nelson's records this year, to get 275 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 1: to another Pro Bowl or make get an All Pro 276 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:51,200 Speaker 1: recognition or whatever it might be. He's looking at that 277 00:13:51,240 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 1: receiver group as a whole and how it's going to 278 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:55,040 Speaker 1: be viewed. It's such a great way to look at 279 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:56,640 Speaker 1: it too, because if you if you look at the 280 00:13:56,640 --> 00:13:59,800 Speaker 1: two thousand eighteen season, Davante Adams was as sharp as 281 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:02,280 Speaker 1: a receiver could be. I mean, he came into his own, 282 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:05,240 Speaker 1: lived up to that contract, and was everything that Aaron 283 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:07,880 Speaker 1: Rodgers needed him to be in this offense. The results 284 00:14:07,920 --> 00:14:10,440 Speaker 1: are still what they were from a team perspective, though 285 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:13,840 Speaker 1: there weren't enough wins. There wasn't enough production and changes 286 00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:15,960 Speaker 1: had to be made. So yeah, it goes back to 287 00:14:15,960 --> 00:14:18,080 Speaker 1: that old adage of you know, you are only as 288 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:20,880 Speaker 1: strong as your weakest link. They need Marquez Valdes scant 289 00:14:20,920 --> 00:14:22,720 Speaker 1: link to be making big plays. We saw one of 290 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:26,160 Speaker 1: them in the first team period during Wednesday's practice when 291 00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:28,880 Speaker 1: he was able to beat the cornerback down the sideline, 292 00:14:28,920 --> 00:14:30,880 Speaker 1: beat the over the top safety help and have a 293 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 1: nice connection with Aaron Rodgers for it would have been 294 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 1: like a fifty five yard touchdown. They need Geronimo Allison 295 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:38,400 Speaker 1: to be the player they think he can become. Uh, 296 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:44,760 Speaker 1: you know, versatile, accountable, explosive. Those are the fixtures of 297 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:48,200 Speaker 1: this offense. It's multiplicity. It's being able to go three 298 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:50,440 Speaker 1: or four deep on your depth chart at receiver. They 299 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:52,880 Speaker 1: need young guys to step up. There's a good competition 300 00:14:52,920 --> 00:14:55,600 Speaker 1: brewing there. The more guys that are pushing for those snaps, 301 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:58,040 Speaker 1: that are pushing for those targets, the better it's gonna 302 00:14:58,040 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 1: be for this offense in the long run. Yeah. Well, 303 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 1: another guy I want to talk about from a leadership standpoint, 304 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:04,880 Speaker 1: and this is a little bit different conversation because he's 305 00:15:04,880 --> 00:15:07,520 Speaker 1: in a different place in his career. But we've talked 306 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:10,120 Speaker 1: a lot about Tremont Williams since he came back to 307 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:13,800 Speaker 1: Green Bay last season after spending three years in a 308 00:15:13,800 --> 00:15:17,440 Speaker 1: combination of Cleveland and Arizona, comes back to the Packers 309 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:20,440 Speaker 1: and as actually last week during the open locker room session, 310 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:24,480 Speaker 1: I just decided to walk up to him and ask him, Okay, 311 00:15:24,920 --> 00:15:27,960 Speaker 1: so why are you still doing this like you don't 312 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:29,800 Speaker 1: have I mean, he's got a Super Bowl ring, he's 313 00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:32,920 Speaker 1: been to a Pro Bowl, he's got twelve years of 314 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:38,560 Speaker 1: service under his belt. There's there's no there's no practical reason, 315 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:40,560 Speaker 1: so to speak, that he needs that he needs to 316 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 1: keep doing this. And it turned into an interesting conversation 317 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:47,600 Speaker 1: because he mentioned one of his one of his primary 318 00:15:47,680 --> 00:15:50,560 Speaker 1: motivations right now that and you could see the smile 319 00:15:50,640 --> 00:15:52,840 Speaker 1: that it brings to his face. And Tremont smiles a lot, 320 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:55,720 Speaker 1: but it brought maybe a little bit bigger smile to 321 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:57,960 Speaker 1: his face as he was talking about his kids and 322 00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:01,400 Speaker 1: specifically his son, Tremont June Year, who is going to 323 00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:04,320 Speaker 1: turn nine years old this fall, and he started talking 324 00:16:04,320 --> 00:16:08,560 Speaker 1: about how his son now understands the game of football, 325 00:16:08,640 --> 00:16:13,359 Speaker 1: understands what dad, does you know? Talks to dad about 326 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:16,000 Speaker 1: this and that with the defensive scheme and you know 327 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:17,680 Speaker 1: what you did on this play or what you did 328 00:16:17,720 --> 00:16:21,239 Speaker 1: on that play, and Tremon just absolutely loves it. He's 329 00:16:21,320 --> 00:16:24,520 Speaker 1: just he and you know, as anybody would, you know, 330 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:28,120 Speaker 1: he loves the fact that his son now is to 331 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:30,800 Speaker 1: the point where he can have those conversations at home 332 00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:33,320 Speaker 1: and it it puts him in a different place in 333 00:16:33,400 --> 00:16:36,400 Speaker 1: his career when you look back at the fact that say, 334 00:16:36,440 --> 00:16:39,840 Speaker 1: the most famous play that everybody's going to remember Packers 335 00:16:39,880 --> 00:16:42,240 Speaker 1: fans as far as what Tremont Williams did, the pick 336 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:44,600 Speaker 1: six in Atlanta in the playoffs in two thousand ten. 337 00:16:44,840 --> 00:16:47,240 Speaker 1: Tremont Jr. Was just a couple of months old at 338 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:50,640 Speaker 1: that time, you know. So he's in a completely different 339 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:55,160 Speaker 1: place now, and he's absolutely relishing the relationship that he 340 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:57,720 Speaker 1: has with his son and with the game of football. 341 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 1: Because he's in his mid thirty's, he's still able to 342 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:03,360 Speaker 1: play right now and and is a guy who's going 343 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:06,320 Speaker 1: to play an important role on this defense. It was 344 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:08,880 Speaker 1: funny too, because another point of he talked, He's talked 345 00:17:08,920 --> 00:17:11,480 Speaker 1: in his first two locker rooms for an extended amount 346 00:17:11,520 --> 00:17:12,800 Speaker 1: of time. One of the Huddles that I was, and 347 00:17:12,920 --> 00:17:15,400 Speaker 1: he was even asked about, you know, you ever run 348 00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 1: a Ford anymore? Just for funny. He's like, no, but 349 00:17:17,840 --> 00:17:20,000 Speaker 1: I don't need to because I'm running with Jackie, Alexander, 350 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:22,639 Speaker 1: all these other cornerbacks and I know I'm still fast. 351 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:25,240 Speaker 1: So he says he can keep up the way he's 352 00:17:25,280 --> 00:17:27,639 Speaker 1: invested in himself. And I've written about it numerous times 353 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:29,440 Speaker 1: now I give it again last season when he played 354 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:32,120 Speaker 1: all but five snaps in that defense. Is the fact 355 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:35,600 Speaker 1: that he just puts such a heavy emphasis on his 356 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:38,520 Speaker 1: body making sure he's in the right spot. But let's 357 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:42,040 Speaker 1: be honest though, too, Mike. You can do everything right physically, 358 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:46,359 Speaker 1: if you don't mentally evolve with the game, you're not 359 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:48,880 Speaker 1: going to last. That's why Truman Williams is still here. 360 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:52,040 Speaker 1: He's smart, he's intelligent, and he's proven that he can 361 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:54,000 Speaker 1: do a number of different things in this defense. I 362 00:17:54,040 --> 00:17:56,520 Speaker 1: just felt from day one it was the right move 363 00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:58,440 Speaker 1: for the Packers to get him back when he had 364 00:17:58,440 --> 00:18:01,520 Speaker 1: the resurgence he did with Arizona in two thousand seventeen. 365 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:04,320 Speaker 1: That's the type of player this team was missing when 366 00:18:04,359 --> 00:18:06,359 Speaker 1: they didn't have that older veteran that can you know, 367 00:18:06,440 --> 00:18:08,680 Speaker 1: kind of guide and bring guys along. But the great 368 00:18:08,720 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 1: thing was is he was still motivated to compete with 369 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:13,440 Speaker 1: those young guys, that he still wanted those snaps. He 370 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:15,480 Speaker 1: still wanted to be out there, and here we are, 371 00:18:15,880 --> 00:18:18,600 Speaker 1: you're thirteen or fourteen for him now, he's still taking 372 00:18:18,640 --> 00:18:21,560 Speaker 1: snaps with the number one defense. Truman Williams is going 373 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:23,280 Speaker 1: to help this defense get to where it wants to be. 374 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:25,919 Speaker 1: He's going to help this secondary be the secondary that 375 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:28,000 Speaker 1: the Packers field, that the potential is there to be 376 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:31,320 Speaker 1: the big thing. I think that special is that the 377 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:35,040 Speaker 1: longer that he can continue this on. Truly, I mean this, 378 00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:37,919 Speaker 1: and I don't want to sound somewhat you know, cheesy, 379 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:40,640 Speaker 1: but the memories that that's going to form for for 380 00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:44,400 Speaker 1: his kids, for his family, you don't get that a lot, Mike. 381 00:18:44,440 --> 00:18:46,800 Speaker 1: We see it so often, especially in this game. It's 382 00:18:46,840 --> 00:18:49,080 Speaker 1: these guys don't play twenty years. It's not Lebron and 383 00:18:49,160 --> 00:18:51,200 Speaker 1: Kobe and things like that. And his his daughter, his 384 00:18:51,640 --> 00:18:54,320 Speaker 1: daughter Trinity just turned seven years old too, so she's 385 00:18:54,359 --> 00:18:57,040 Speaker 1: getting to the point where she's gonna start she's starting 386 00:18:57,040 --> 00:18:59,760 Speaker 1: to understand what's what what dad does for a living 387 00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:02,359 Speaker 1: now and everything and and all of that. That dynamic 388 00:19:02,400 --> 00:19:05,520 Speaker 1: with his kids is is completely different and he wants 389 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:07,080 Speaker 1: to keep it going as long as he can. It's 390 00:19:07,080 --> 00:19:09,320 Speaker 1: always baby pictures, right when you see the family night, 391 00:19:09,320 --> 00:19:11,640 Speaker 1: it's it's guys with their for one and two year olds, 392 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:13,720 Speaker 1: and those are going to be great someday. But the 393 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:16,000 Speaker 1: fact that Tremon Junior can enjoy that ride too with 394 00:19:16,040 --> 00:19:18,720 Speaker 1: his dad, I think it's exceptional and it probably sets 395 00:19:18,720 --> 00:19:20,280 Speaker 1: a little bit of a standard for him too that hey, 396 00:19:20,280 --> 00:19:22,040 Speaker 1: maybe I want to be able to do that someday 397 00:19:22,080 --> 00:19:24,639 Speaker 1: as well. So I just think it's great. You know, 398 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:26,880 Speaker 1: listen to Jaire Alexander and Kevin King and these guys 399 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:29,920 Speaker 1: talk about what Williams has meant to that locker room. 400 00:19:29,960 --> 00:19:33,840 Speaker 1: At some point, Father time is undefeated, collects us all. 401 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:36,439 Speaker 1: It's going to collect us as sports writers some day too, 402 00:19:36,480 --> 00:19:38,520 Speaker 1: when there's young people asking why are you still here? 403 00:19:39,040 --> 00:19:41,560 Speaker 1: But no question the fact that Tremon has been able 404 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:43,280 Speaker 1: to extend this as long as he did. He's on 405 00:19:43,320 --> 00:19:45,400 Speaker 1: what his fifth contract now in the NFL. I mean, 406 00:19:45,800 --> 00:19:48,080 Speaker 1: it's just impressive to see that kind of work ethic 407 00:19:48,160 --> 00:19:50,719 Speaker 1: allow him to still have those opportunities today. Yeah, and 408 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:54,359 Speaker 1: his as we've talked about his versatility, his knowledge of 409 00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:57,240 Speaker 1: Mike Patton's defense, and his versatility. Being able to play 410 00:19:57,280 --> 00:19:59,679 Speaker 1: safety last year when the injuries hit and whatnot was 411 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:03,080 Speaker 1: obviously valuable. But he made it pretty clear he's like, 412 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:06,520 Speaker 1: I'm I'm here to play corner. Hey, if stuff happens, 413 00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:09,560 Speaker 1: I'm open minded. I'm always a team guy first, I'll 414 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:12,679 Speaker 1: do what needs to be done. But you kind of 415 00:20:12,720 --> 00:20:14,600 Speaker 1: get the sense that and he doesn't know how many 416 00:20:14,680 --> 00:20:16,600 Speaker 1: years he has left, whether it's this year or another 417 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:18,800 Speaker 1: year beyond whatever, but you kind of get the sense 418 00:20:18,840 --> 00:20:22,120 Speaker 1: that he wants to play corner here as he finishes out, 419 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:24,879 Speaker 1: because it's what he grew up on in this league. 420 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:26,960 Speaker 1: It's what he knows best. It's where he feels he 421 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:30,320 Speaker 1: can make the best impact, not just filling in somewhere, 422 00:20:30,359 --> 00:20:33,400 Speaker 1: but actually be an impact player. And I think that's 423 00:20:33,440 --> 00:20:35,359 Speaker 1: what the Packers are going to look for him at corner. 424 00:20:35,640 --> 00:20:38,119 Speaker 1: With the way they revamped the safety position in the 425 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:40,240 Speaker 1: off season. I think you look at Terrence Newman, how 426 00:20:40,320 --> 00:20:42,600 Speaker 1: long he held on too at the cornerback position without 427 00:20:42,600 --> 00:20:45,320 Speaker 1: making a natural transition to safety. It's pretty impressive too. 428 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:47,080 Speaker 1: Here's the other thing too, Mike, that I just I 429 00:20:47,119 --> 00:20:49,200 Speaker 1: know some people last year we're talking about safety play 430 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:52,520 Speaker 1: and things like that. Charles Woodson, to be quite honest 431 00:20:52,560 --> 00:20:55,680 Speaker 1: with you, was not an All World All Pro safety 432 00:20:55,680 --> 00:20:59,119 Speaker 1: in two thousand twelve. He settled into that spot with 433 00:20:59,200 --> 00:21:01,760 Speaker 1: Oakland and he came in All Pro in his last season, 434 00:21:02,119 --> 00:21:04,479 Speaker 1: But it wasn't that way for day one. For Tremont 435 00:21:04,520 --> 00:21:06,600 Speaker 1: Williams not to have a training camp and then have 436 00:21:06,680 --> 00:21:08,840 Speaker 1: to start there for some seven games or whatever it 437 00:21:08,920 --> 00:21:12,119 Speaker 1: was nine games, that's a tall ask. So for him 438 00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:14,080 Speaker 1: to be back at cornerback now with those young guys 439 00:21:14,080 --> 00:21:15,760 Speaker 1: in that room, I just think that that's still his 440 00:21:15,840 --> 00:21:18,560 Speaker 1: best spot. That's where he gives the Packers their best chance. 441 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:21,440 Speaker 1: And you know, we're gonna see how long that you 442 00:21:21,520 --> 00:21:23,720 Speaker 1: can push off Father time to stay in the lake. Yeah, 443 00:21:23,720 --> 00:21:27,360 Speaker 1: it's definitely one to watch as nineteen goes. Along with that, 444 00:21:27,640 --> 00:21:29,320 Speaker 1: we're going to call it a wrap on this edition 445 00:21:29,320 --> 00:21:31,520 Speaker 1: of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of our 446 00:21:31,560 --> 00:21:34,879 Speaker 1: coverage of the team on Packers dot com. Subscribe to 447 00:21:34,960 --> 00:21:37,960 Speaker 1: us on iTunes and other podcast services like us there 448 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:40,800 Speaker 1: as well if you don't mind. On Twitter, he's a 449 00:21:40,920 --> 00:21:43,760 Speaker 1: West hot I'm at Mike Spofford at Packers for the 450 00:21:43,760 --> 00:21:46,280 Speaker 1: team account. Thanks for tuning in, everybody, We'll see you 451 00:21:46,320 --> 00:21:46,720 Speaker 1: next time.