1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:20,320 Speaker 1: Hi everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:23,680 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford. He the one and only West 3 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:26,240 Speaker 1: Hog Kuits. We are coming to you here from our 4 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:30,280 Speaker 1: studios at lambeau Field West Week one. It is Bears 5 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:34,720 Speaker 1: Week Sunday Night football to kick off the season the 6 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:39,519 Speaker 1: Packers one season lambeau Field, a primetime game on our 7 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:42,279 Speaker 1: Wednesday show. Traditionally, we take a look at the opponent, 8 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 1: try to take a closer look at them on both 9 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:47,400 Speaker 1: sides of the ball. So with the Chicago Bears, I'll 10 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:49,720 Speaker 1: tell you what it doesn't just start with the fact 11 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:54,400 Speaker 1: that Mitch Trobinsky is in year two now as the 12 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:58,880 Speaker 1: supposed future franchise quarterback here for Chicago, given what they 13 00:00:58,920 --> 00:01:03,200 Speaker 1: invested in him. But he has an entirely new group 14 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:05,959 Speaker 1: of receivers to throw to. We talked about it last year, 15 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 1: the Bears were going to have to do something about 16 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:11,000 Speaker 1: their receiving corps. Well they did. They revamped the whole 17 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:13,280 Speaker 1: thing in the off season. I think, uh, if the 18 00:01:13,319 --> 00:01:15,479 Speaker 1: Bears were I think they'd say the same thing. There 19 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:17,440 Speaker 1: was a there was a dearth of talent there for 20 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:20,560 Speaker 1: about two three seasons these past few years, and I 21 00:01:20,600 --> 00:01:22,880 Speaker 1: think what they this past year, they feel like they 22 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:26,320 Speaker 1: saw enough from Mitchell Trubisky to convince them that they 23 00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:28,200 Speaker 1: can press forward. You know, we talked about the Cleil 24 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:31,160 Speaker 1: Mack trade earlier this week on defense, but offensively, that 25 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 1: was the biggest storyline this year, Mike is you know 26 00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 1: them bringing in alec Allen Robinson. Um, you know, Taylor 27 00:01:37,520 --> 00:01:41,480 Speaker 1: Gabriel's in this offense. Now, certainly you have Jordan Howard 28 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:44,360 Speaker 1: and Terak Coleman as there one two in the backfield, 29 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 1: but giving him more, given Troubisky more perimeter options was 30 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:51,080 Speaker 1: an obvious emphasis in the off season, and you know 31 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:53,760 Speaker 1: they're banking on Robinson being able to put his knee 32 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:56,520 Speaker 1: injury behind him and get back on the trajectory. It 33 00:01:56,560 --> 00:01:58,240 Speaker 1: looked like he was on in Jacksonville and also a 34 00:01:58,280 --> 00:02:01,040 Speaker 1: young guy like Kevin White they drafted, i believe now 35 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 1: three years ago and one of the number seven overall pick, 36 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:06,280 Speaker 1: top ten pick out of West Virginia. There's a there's 37 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:07,720 Speaker 1: a lot of hope there as well with him. So 38 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:11,080 Speaker 1: it's gonna be interesting now to see what Traubinsky, with 39 00:02:11,120 --> 00:02:13,160 Speaker 1: a little bit more experience and with some you know, 40 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:15,919 Speaker 1: bigger targets outside what he can do with all of it. Yeah, well, 41 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:19,079 Speaker 1: the Bears it just for whatever reason, it took them 42 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:22,679 Speaker 1: a couple of years to replace Brandon Marshall, el Shan 43 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:25,680 Speaker 1: Jeffrey because they did have a pretty good receiving corps 44 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:28,119 Speaker 1: not that long ago. But it's just taken a while 45 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:30,320 Speaker 1: to get back to this point. And one of the 46 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:33,480 Speaker 1: interesting facets I think of this group obviously Allen Robinson 47 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:38,200 Speaker 1: a big, big bodied receiver, um, you know, a real 48 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:41,160 Speaker 1: physical guy, as you said, coming back from the knee injury. 49 00:02:41,200 --> 00:02:43,639 Speaker 1: But the other aspect of this group when you look 50 00:02:43,639 --> 00:02:46,440 Speaker 1: at it now is the speed. Taylor Gabriel is one 51 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:50,200 Speaker 1: fast dude. And then they drafted Anthony Miller out of 52 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 1: Memphis with I believe was it third round or second round, 53 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:57,639 Speaker 1: second round? He was projected as a third round They 54 00:02:57,639 --> 00:02:59,640 Speaker 1: took him in the in the second round. But this 55 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:02,440 Speaker 1: is a speedy guy, deep threat type of receiver, at 56 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:05,920 Speaker 1: least that's what his profile was in college. So there's 57 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 1: a lot of speed now on the outside, uh and 58 00:03:09,160 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 1: in the slot for that matter. For the Chicago Bears. 59 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:13,480 Speaker 1: This is going to be a different type of matchup 60 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 1: for the Packers DVS. I'm glad you brought that up 61 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:17,240 Speaker 1: too much because obviously you can look at you know, 62 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:20,320 Speaker 1: Robinson and Gabriel and the veteran weapons that are there now, 63 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:22,600 Speaker 1: but it is they put a lot of resources through 64 00:03:22,639 --> 00:03:25,440 Speaker 1: the draft in the offense as well. Anthony Miller, for 65 00:03:25,480 --> 00:03:27,400 Speaker 1: my money, he was one of the prospects I was 66 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:30,360 Speaker 1: most intrigued by. If you're familiar with his story, he 67 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:33,000 Speaker 1: was a walk on at Memphis. He's from the Memphis area, 68 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:36,320 Speaker 1: had no division one offers whatsoever, and then he ends 69 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 1: up putting together a record breaking career I believe broke 70 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 1: most of, if not all of like Tory whatnot? Who 71 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:45,560 Speaker 1: was who was it? Isaac Bruce's records that sounds at Memphis, 72 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:48,440 Speaker 1: And you know, he was a guy you talked about, 73 00:03:48,440 --> 00:03:50,600 Speaker 1: a guy that remember at the NFL scouting combine, I 74 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:52,800 Speaker 1: talked to him and being a part of his podium, 75 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:54,480 Speaker 1: and at that time, people are thinking maybe third or 76 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:58,720 Speaker 1: fourth round, and he just kept climbing and climbing and climbing. Uh. 77 00:03:58,760 --> 00:04:00,880 Speaker 1: And there's a lot of hope there. So I think 78 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:03,600 Speaker 1: the biggest thing that they're looking for with with him. 79 00:04:03,920 --> 00:04:06,560 Speaker 1: Adam Shaheen also they drafted, but then he ended up 80 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:09,600 Speaker 1: getting hurt the really big tight end. Yeah, from I 81 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:13,080 Speaker 1: believe the FCS Router Division two route, um, whatever the 82 00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:14,960 Speaker 1: case may be. They have some veterans there and some 83 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:16,880 Speaker 1: young guys that they're looking to complement them with well. 84 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:19,440 Speaker 1: And this is interesting because when you talk about Packers Bears, 85 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 1: obviously there's all the history and everything that goes into 86 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:24,400 Speaker 1: the rivalry, but with what the Bears have done at 87 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 1: wide receiver and what the Packers have done at cornerback, 88 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:32,680 Speaker 1: you're looking at a whole new setup of matchups in 89 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:36,880 Speaker 1: this rivalry. Now, Kevin King is really the only the 90 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:39,120 Speaker 1: only member of the Packers as far as the top 91 00:04:39,200 --> 00:04:42,520 Speaker 1: four cornerbacks who has played against the Bears in the 92 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:45,400 Speaker 1: last three years. Because you have Tremont Williams who hasn't 93 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:49,039 Speaker 1: played for the Packers since, and you have Jure Alexander 94 00:04:49,120 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 1: Josh Jackson being the rookie draft picks. And we've talked 95 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 1: about all these new receivers for the Bears. So these 96 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:57,919 Speaker 1: matchups on the perimeter here with Mitch Drabinsky calling the 97 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:01,919 Speaker 1: shots at quarterback, just a co fletely new set of 98 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:06,920 Speaker 1: um of confrontations in this matchup. And we saw during camp, 99 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 1: you know, Mike Petton. You started to get a sense 100 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 1: for what he's gonna do with the defensive front, what 101 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:14,479 Speaker 1: he's looking for from those inside linebackers. The secondary, to me, 102 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:17,320 Speaker 1: is still the biggest unknown, uh not because there isn't 103 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:20,760 Speaker 1: enough talent there. I think now they've really renovated that spot, 104 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:25,040 Speaker 1: and there's so many options both at cornerback slot, nickel cornerback, 105 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:27,400 Speaker 1: what they want to do with their safeties. I think 106 00:05:27,480 --> 00:05:29,159 Speaker 1: Josh Jones is a guy that could be moving a 107 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:32,159 Speaker 1: lot around this defense this year. Um maybe not necessarily 108 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:34,200 Speaker 1: is that hybrid linebacker, but even in the slot of 109 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:37,440 Speaker 1: the nickel and dimes sub packages. So yeah, it's gonna 110 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:39,720 Speaker 1: be interesting to see a guy like Trumont Williams now 111 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:42,240 Speaker 1: at thirty five years old, twelve years into his NFL career. 112 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:45,080 Speaker 1: By all accounts, Mike, the Packers are ready to play 113 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:49,080 Speaker 1: him at boundary cornerback. We've covered this league a lot 114 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:51,200 Speaker 1: longer than I have. I was talking to him about 115 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:52,520 Speaker 1: this a couple of weeks ago. I don't know if 116 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:54,280 Speaker 1: I recall that a lot of times when guys getting 117 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 1: to their middle later thirties, they're still playing that position 118 00:05:56,680 --> 00:06:01,120 Speaker 1: there in the slot, like Charles Woodson, was. Trumon Williams 119 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:02,480 Speaker 1: is a different kind of guy though. He's a different 120 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:04,159 Speaker 1: kind of football player, and it's gonna be interesting to 121 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:06,440 Speaker 1: see what he can do. Kevin King came back with 122 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:09,480 Speaker 1: the shoulder injury from the shoulder injury in that preseason 123 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:11,960 Speaker 1: finale against Kansas City. Appears have checked out fine there, 124 00:06:12,279 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 1: and then Jare Alexander and Josh Jackson balled out the 125 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:17,880 Speaker 1: entire preseason. A lot from Mike Petton to play with, Yeah, 126 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:19,839 Speaker 1: no question about it. Well, I want to get to 127 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:21,960 Speaker 1: talking a little bit about the Bears on the defensive 128 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:24,560 Speaker 1: side of the ball, But first a little sponsored business 129 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:26,240 Speaker 1: at home or here in the stands. We all know 130 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:28,120 Speaker 1: that Green Bay fans give it their all and that 131 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:30,280 Speaker 1: takes a lot of energy. So grab a warm bowl 132 00:06:30,520 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 1: of Campbell's Chunky Soup. It's meaty goodness fuels the greatness 133 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:36,840 Speaker 1: of Packers fans everywhere. Try the delicious classic chicken noodle soup. 134 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:40,440 Speaker 1: Just visit your local supermarket and ask for Campbell's Chunky 135 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:43,520 Speaker 1: super official sup partner of the Green Bay Packers. Okay, 136 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:46,080 Speaker 1: defensive side of the ball for the Bears, all the 137 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:50,400 Speaker 1: talk is about Khalil Mack obviously, for obvious reasons, but 138 00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:52,279 Speaker 1: you know what, this is a guy, This is a 139 00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:55,920 Speaker 1: pass rusher who's coming into a defense that's actually been 140 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:58,880 Speaker 1: pretty good at getting after the quarterback. A Keem Hicks, 141 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:02,000 Speaker 1: Leonard Floyd. You throw in a top ten draft pick 142 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:05,920 Speaker 1: in ro Kwan Smith at linebacker there. Uh, this this 143 00:07:05,960 --> 00:07:08,839 Speaker 1: is an interesting mix now when you add Mac to 144 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 1: the bunch, because I think the Bears were feeling pretty 145 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:15,280 Speaker 1: good about their defense and now they're really excited about 146 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:18,160 Speaker 1: their defense when they add the pass rusher from Oakland. Yeah, 147 00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:20,200 Speaker 1: and with all due respect to that defense and what 148 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:23,120 Speaker 1: they have, you know, they're considering what Vic Fangio has 149 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:25,240 Speaker 1: done with that unit the last two years when it 150 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:27,240 Speaker 1: just didn't seem like they really had a consistent number 151 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 1: one pass rusher, when there was a lot of questions 152 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:32,360 Speaker 1: in their secondary. They've they've had a really good marriage 153 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:34,840 Speaker 1: right here between what Ryan Pace has been able to 154 00:07:34,880 --> 00:07:37,160 Speaker 1: bring in as far as prospects. When you look at 155 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:41,680 Speaker 1: Eddie Jackson coming in a protege of of Hahaklinton Dix 156 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:44,720 Speaker 1: and another safety product out of Alabama. The impact he 157 00:07:44,760 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 1: made last year coming off the broken leg Kyle Fuller 158 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 1: obviously meant enough to them for them to match the 159 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 1: offer sheet that he'd signed with Green Bay. He's still 160 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:56,280 Speaker 1: in their plans. He's still in their secondary. Prince and Mukamara, 161 00:07:56,360 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 1: I mean he signed a couple of years ago. Uh, 162 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:01,760 Speaker 1: so you've seen it settle a little bit. But I 163 00:08:01,760 --> 00:08:03,360 Speaker 1: think they were looking for that one guy to kind 164 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:05,440 Speaker 1: of put them over the top, and they feel like 165 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:07,240 Speaker 1: that guy is gonna be Klail Mack. And if you 166 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 1: go off track record, it would indicate that this is 167 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:12,240 Speaker 1: the type of playmaker that they probably did need to 168 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 1: take them to another level. So the football fan of 169 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:17,120 Speaker 1: me is really excited to see how this is going 170 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:19,160 Speaker 1: to play out. But but certainly, you know, for the 171 00:08:19,240 --> 00:08:21,480 Speaker 1: NFC North and the NFC in general, that's a that's 172 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:23,800 Speaker 1: a big guy, that's a big target, and you know 173 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:25,920 Speaker 1: he's obviously going to be gunning for your quarterback. Yeah. 174 00:08:25,920 --> 00:08:28,200 Speaker 1: I mean, if I'm the Packers, obviously I'm looking at, 175 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:30,920 Speaker 1: you know, figuring out how to protect Aaron Rodgers and 176 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 1: whatnot with with these pass rushers the Bears have, because 177 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:36,400 Speaker 1: they are rather formidable. But I'm also looking at that 178 00:08:36,480 --> 00:08:40,160 Speaker 1: Chicago secondary and saying, maybe that dark question that might 179 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 1: be that might be where the question marks are on 180 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:45,920 Speaker 1: this defense. Kyle Fuller, a veteran cornerback. Now, the Packers 181 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:47,920 Speaker 1: tried to sign him in the off season. They signed 182 00:08:47,960 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 1: him to an offer sheet as a restricted free agent, 183 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 1: but the Bears matched it, and uh and he stayed 184 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 1: in Chicago. And then you mentioned Eddie Jackson, I think, 185 00:08:56,640 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 1: a young up and coming talent at safety, but the 186 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:03,559 Speaker 1: other as a Mukamara and Adrian Amos who's the other 187 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 1: safety along with Jackson and a Mukamara at corner. A 188 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 1: couple of different types of guys there. And that Mukamara 189 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 1: some people would say maybe he's passed his prime, you know, 190 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:14,960 Speaker 1: maybe on the downside of his career. And then Amos, 191 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:18,280 Speaker 1: you know, still somewhat a young guy, but rather unknown 192 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:20,920 Speaker 1: in terms of maybe just where his career is headed. 193 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:23,640 Speaker 1: So some question marks there. The Bears are going to 194 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:25,960 Speaker 1: be counting on those guys to hold up, you know, 195 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:28,320 Speaker 1: on the back end, with the with the real the 196 00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 1: full strength of that defense being in the front seven, 197 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:32,959 Speaker 1: it's going to be interesting to see how it plays. Yeah, 198 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:35,199 Speaker 1: it's that's the ultimate question going into this time of year. 199 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 1: But it is interesting though too, and that I got 200 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:40,080 Speaker 1: to give them credit. While there are questions there. They've 201 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:42,960 Speaker 1: stuck with their guys, I mean, McManus, Callahan, Fuller, They've 202 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:45,640 Speaker 1: all been in this defense for years now, so they're 203 00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:48,560 Speaker 1: they're basing their their potential for this group off that 204 00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 1: experience and also seeing where a guy like Rocan Smith 205 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:53,920 Speaker 1: can go throughout the course of a year. It seemed 206 00:09:53,960 --> 00:09:55,840 Speaker 1: to me, going back to the draft last year, that 207 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,760 Speaker 1: was probably the biggest unkept secret that that he would 208 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:02,160 Speaker 1: potentially be fitting in there because yeah, they'd signed, you know, 209 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:04,960 Speaker 1: a couple of years ago, they had Danny Trevathan, They 210 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:07,720 Speaker 1: made some moves there, but they really wanted a guy 211 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:09,640 Speaker 1: for the future at that spot, and they feel like 212 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:12,120 Speaker 1: Smith could be that guy. So seeing how that young 213 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 1: talent meshes and how quickly Vick fanj you have can 214 00:10:14,240 --> 00:10:15,840 Speaker 1: give them up to speed, not only in this game 215 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:17,920 Speaker 1: but going on the rest of the season. As much 216 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 1: as we've make out of Mac and Rabinsky and those 217 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:24,160 Speaker 1: main facets, it's ultimately going to come down a lot 218 00:10:24,160 --> 00:10:26,800 Speaker 1: of times to those complementary pieces. Yeah, what's your sense 219 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 1: of how this Packers offensive line matches up past protection 220 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:34,240 Speaker 1: wise against this front, because we saw in out in Oakland. 221 00:10:34,280 --> 00:10:38,560 Speaker 1: Brian Bulaga held his own absolutely just fine against Khalil Mac. Now, 222 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:40,880 Speaker 1: Bolag is coming back from an a c L. Now, 223 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:43,440 Speaker 1: you know limited a little bit through training camp in 224 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:45,840 Speaker 1: the preseason obviously, but this is a veteran guy who's 225 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 1: come back from an a c L before, and he's 226 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:51,319 Speaker 1: faced Khalil Mac before. You have the All Pro and 227 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:54,360 Speaker 1: David back try at left tackle, and uh, you know, 228 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:57,680 Speaker 1: the Packers feel really good about their interior with Lindsley 229 00:10:57,720 --> 00:11:01,400 Speaker 1: flanked by Taylor and McCrae, they're at guards. You know 230 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:03,480 Speaker 1: this is going to be a big challenge for them, 231 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:06,000 Speaker 1: but certainly not one that they're going to blink by 232 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:08,440 Speaker 1: all indications of Packers will have all five those starting 233 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:11,280 Speaker 1: offensive linemen together. I know so much gets made out 234 00:11:11,280 --> 00:11:13,800 Speaker 1: of the reps during the preseason, the reps during training camp. 235 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:15,840 Speaker 1: They didn't get a lot of those together as a 236 00:11:15,880 --> 00:11:18,240 Speaker 1: full group. But at the same time, the story I 237 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:20,840 Speaker 1: always go back to his Corey Linsley in two thousand fourteen, 238 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:23,760 Speaker 1: the expectations for that team and J. C. Treader was 239 00:11:23,800 --> 00:11:26,400 Speaker 1: supposed to be the man at center. Well Treader ends 240 00:11:26,440 --> 00:11:29,560 Speaker 1: up having an injury, he's wiped out. Lindsley never even 241 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:31,960 Speaker 1: ends up taking a snap with Aaron Rodgers until that 242 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:34,280 Speaker 1: first game against Seattle, and then you see where that 243 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:36,080 Speaker 1: offensive line went the rest of the year. Well, and 244 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 1: even look at ten Josh Sitton ends up getting released 245 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:40,800 Speaker 1: right at the end of training camp and Lane Taylor 246 00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:43,800 Speaker 1: steps in it it was like nothing happened. There's there's 247 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:46,920 Speaker 1: there's been some smooth transitions in what looked like some 248 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:49,680 Speaker 1: potentially rocky spots. Absolutely, and I'm glad you asked that 249 00:11:49,760 --> 00:11:52,400 Speaker 1: question about Mac because it was asked to me an Inbox, like, well, 250 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:55,440 Speaker 1: what is Brian Blaga? Is he ready for for Khalil Mack? 251 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:57,920 Speaker 1: And the thing I came back with is is Khalil 252 00:11:57,960 --> 00:11:59,959 Speaker 1: Mac ready for Brian Bla Because I mean, if you 253 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:02,559 Speaker 1: go back to what happened in Oakland, I think people 254 00:12:02,559 --> 00:12:05,800 Speaker 1: forget that storyline a little bit. Uh. Khalil Mack was 255 00:12:05,920 --> 00:12:08,600 Speaker 1: lighting the world on fire. He had nine sacks and 256 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:12,040 Speaker 1: three games going into the Raiders game. Before that game, 257 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 1: the question was being asked of Box tri and Bologa, 258 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:17,480 Speaker 1: what are you anticipating with this guy? And the Packers 259 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:20,560 Speaker 1: end up winning that contest, and while Mac did end 260 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:23,720 Speaker 1: up with one sack, he was pretty much negated most 261 00:12:23,760 --> 00:12:26,360 Speaker 1: of that contest Brian Blaga being able to get those 262 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:28,560 Speaker 1: reps last week. I wrote about it our our Locker 263 00:12:28,640 --> 00:12:30,560 Speaker 1: Room Report. I just think that's so valuable for him 264 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 1: to at least get a little bit of a taste 265 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:33,920 Speaker 1: of what it's gonna be like next to Justin McCrae. 266 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:37,800 Speaker 1: McCrae played Bolog's position for the second half of last season, 267 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:40,120 Speaker 1: so he knows what Bolag is gonna one out of 268 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:43,319 Speaker 1: him now being at right guard. I just I think 269 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:45,280 Speaker 1: it's gonna be a really good chess match. It's gonna 270 00:12:45,280 --> 00:12:47,560 Speaker 1: be great to see Bok t R And bologging together again. 271 00:12:48,160 --> 00:12:50,199 Speaker 1: Because really, Mike, as much as we make out of 272 00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:52,440 Speaker 1: the quarterback in the pass rusher in the safeties and 273 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:55,719 Speaker 1: cornerbacks and the importance in today's game about that, you 274 00:12:55,760 --> 00:12:58,680 Speaker 1: need two bookends. Now, the Packers were ahead of that curve. 275 00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:02,200 Speaker 1: They understood that going back two and fourteen, and they've 276 00:13:02,200 --> 00:13:04,480 Speaker 1: benefited from that now with a you know, their franchise 277 00:13:04,559 --> 00:13:06,800 Speaker 1: quarterback behind it. Well, it's quite a way to kick 278 00:13:06,840 --> 00:13:09,679 Speaker 1: off the season. Sunday night Football prime time under the 279 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:12,840 Speaker 1: lights at Lambeulfield. The new led lights at both Field 280 00:13:12,880 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 1: will throw that in as well. But um one other 281 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 1: thing I want to get to as a little bit 282 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 1: of a wrap up to training camp here before we 283 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:24,520 Speaker 1: go today. You've made it a tradition here since you 284 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:27,160 Speaker 1: joined us at packers dot com and in your days 285 00:13:27,240 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 1: at the newspaper as well, writing a one of those 286 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:34,040 Speaker 1: training camp bike riding stories every summer. And it took 287 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:36,080 Speaker 1: a little while for this one to come together, but 288 00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: you got one. You've got one up on our website 289 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:40,439 Speaker 1: now is kind of a wrap up to training camp 290 00:13:40,679 --> 00:13:43,640 Speaker 1: with regards to Mason Crosby and a couple of really 291 00:13:43,679 --> 00:13:45,920 Speaker 1: special bike riders that he got to know. Tell us 292 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:47,920 Speaker 1: about it well. First off, I have to actually give 293 00:13:47,920 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 1: credit to Haley Helmley from our Brandon marketing department on 294 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:52,640 Speaker 1: this when she actually came up with the story idea. 295 00:13:52,679 --> 00:13:55,120 Speaker 1: I can't claim it, but she had mentioned to me 296 00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:58,959 Speaker 1: on the first day Crosby every year at first Practice, 297 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:02,720 Speaker 1: he always rides down with the Dream Drive initiative with 298 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:05,640 Speaker 1: a child with a physical disability, and typically it's with 299 00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:08,720 Speaker 1: a modified bike where you don't use your feet for pedaling. 300 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:11,840 Speaker 1: Usually you'll use your hands. And Haley had mentioned and 301 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:15,679 Speaker 1: she's like, you know, it's really incredible seeing Crosby at 302 00:14:15,720 --> 00:14:17,800 Speaker 1: this juncture of his career is still doing this because, 303 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:20,320 Speaker 1: as you know, when veterans reach a certain point, they're 304 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:22,840 Speaker 1: no longer obligated to be out there. And to some extent, 305 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:24,520 Speaker 1: I don't think you want Aaron Rodgers out there because 306 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:27,480 Speaker 1: he's just gonna get mobbed by people. But but Crosby 307 00:14:27,520 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 1: it's an important thing for him. And he mentioned, you know, 308 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:32,800 Speaker 1: his children now come out. He's ridden with his children. 309 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:34,840 Speaker 1: I know. I believe Lane Taylor has done that as well. 310 00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:38,240 Speaker 1: It's emotional, you know, and and what a way to 311 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:40,400 Speaker 1: start off camp. What a way to start off you know, 312 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:42,960 Speaker 1: the summer. And basically what happened is I ended up 313 00:14:42,960 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 1: finding two different families. One of them was Francis Collie. 314 00:14:46,280 --> 00:14:49,320 Speaker 1: His family. He was the child that that road with 315 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:53,040 Speaker 1: Mason during the first camp practice UM from the Milwaukee area, 316 00:14:53,080 --> 00:14:57,200 Speaker 1: from Wallatosa, Milwaukee, and he he was diagnosed at an 317 00:14:57,200 --> 00:14:59,720 Speaker 1: early age UM he has the syndrome I believe referred 318 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:03,400 Speaker 1: to tetra amelia, which is where you're born without basically 319 00:15:03,400 --> 00:15:06,280 Speaker 1: your limbs. And I was talking to his father John 320 00:15:06,320 --> 00:15:08,600 Speaker 1: about it and how emotional that was for him and 321 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:11,120 Speaker 1: his wife. That was their firstborn at the time. The 322 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:15,200 Speaker 1: first ultrasound confirmed that diagnosis, and they worried what life 323 00:15:15,240 --> 00:15:17,200 Speaker 1: was going to be like for him. But if you've 324 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:19,360 Speaker 1: seen photos of him and just videos of him, he 325 00:15:19,440 --> 00:15:21,920 Speaker 1: is such a cute personality. He's such a go getter 326 00:15:22,280 --> 00:15:24,960 Speaker 1: and he doesn't let anything stop him. The one thing 327 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:26,800 Speaker 1: that was kind of inhibiting him though a little bit, 328 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:29,480 Speaker 1: was that he couldn't ride a bike. So through a 329 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:32,960 Speaker 1: partnership with a number of different entities, I'm not gonna 330 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:34,440 Speaker 1: have time to get into all of them, they were 331 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:36,480 Speaker 1: able to create a modified bike for him. He was 332 00:15:36,520 --> 00:15:38,800 Speaker 1: able to go down with practice with Crosby. And the 333 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 1: coolest story that John told was that, you know, they 334 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:44,080 Speaker 1: were watching a preseason game later in training camp in 335 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:46,520 Speaker 1: in you know Francis who's four years old. I was like, oh, 336 00:15:46,560 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 1: there's there's Mason Crosby, like he recognized them and has 337 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:51,960 Speaker 1: a new favorite player there. And then I also talked 338 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:55,560 Speaker 1: to Jenny Dickens in the Dickens family, who's actually from 339 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:59,040 Speaker 1: Wisconsin but they transplanted down to Tennessee and her son, 340 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 1: nine year old Matthew made it a goal. After seeing 341 00:16:02,360 --> 00:16:04,200 Speaker 1: one of the live streams on packers dot Com of 342 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:06,080 Speaker 1: the bike riders coming down that he wanted to come 343 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:09,520 Speaker 1: up to Wisconsin. He wanted to ride bikes with Mason Crosby, 344 00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:12,120 Speaker 1: his favorite player, because about four years ago he asked 345 00:16:12,120 --> 00:16:15,400 Speaker 1: some family members, well, who who's who scores the most points? 346 00:16:15,840 --> 00:16:17,840 Speaker 1: They said Crosby, and he had a new fan and 347 00:16:18,040 --> 00:16:19,840 Speaker 1: and if you go on you can go on packers 348 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:21,840 Speaker 1: dot Com. Read the whole story and his experience. But 349 00:16:22,320 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 1: again one of the reasons that and this goes back 350 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:25,840 Speaker 1: to I think two thousand fifteen, I was still at 351 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:27,640 Speaker 1: the Press Gazette and it was Shaun Smith I was 352 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:31,920 Speaker 1: working with on her agency XM Sports with Casey Hayward. 353 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:34,240 Speaker 1: I did this for the first time in his background, 354 00:16:34,520 --> 00:16:36,880 Speaker 1: in the connection he had with his rider, it's such 355 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 1: a special special connection that those guys have. And well 356 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:43,040 Speaker 1: Crosby doesn't have a set rider, and he also doesn't 357 00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 1: ride any day every day anymore. It's still very important 358 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:47,600 Speaker 1: to him and and obviously got a got a lot 359 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:49,560 Speaker 1: out of it. Yeah, I just love the images I 360 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:52,040 Speaker 1: was reading through your story and with regards to the 361 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:54,880 Speaker 1: Dickens family in Tennessee, I love the image of this 362 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:57,760 Speaker 1: family tossing their kids bike in the in the back 363 00:16:57,760 --> 00:16:59,600 Speaker 1: of the band or the truck or whatever it is. 364 00:16:59,640 --> 00:17:01,520 Speaker 1: And you know, trucking all the way up to Green 365 00:17:01,560 --> 00:17:04,960 Speaker 1: Bay from Tennis. I mean what that has to be. Yeah, 366 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:07,360 Speaker 1: it's gonna say at least at least eight hours each 367 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:10,639 Speaker 1: way driving all the way up here. And uh and 368 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:13,760 Speaker 1: he the kid, Matthew, he made a sign right so 369 00:17:13,960 --> 00:17:17,440 Speaker 1: to to try to let Crosby know that that, hey, 370 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:19,320 Speaker 1: I'm here all the way from Tennessee so that you 371 00:17:19,359 --> 00:17:22,040 Speaker 1: can ride my bike. Not just anybody, but you, you're 372 00:17:22,119 --> 00:17:25,440 Speaker 1: my favorite player. And um, and then from your story, 373 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:28,760 Speaker 1: it sounds like Crosby Crosby didn't actually come out the 374 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:33,720 Speaker 1: first day that Matthew was there. But but Hunter Bradley, 375 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:37,200 Speaker 1: the long snapper, saw the sign and either during practice 376 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:39,679 Speaker 1: after practice at some point mentioned it to Crosby that 377 00:17:39,960 --> 00:17:42,960 Speaker 1: somebody was here from Tennessee to to get him to 378 00:17:43,080 --> 00:17:45,919 Speaker 1: ride his bike. And uh so then Crosby and the 379 00:17:45,960 --> 00:17:48,680 Speaker 1: mom connected on Twitter and then and they arranged it 380 00:17:48,720 --> 00:17:50,840 Speaker 1: so that the next day they could make it happen. 381 00:17:50,880 --> 00:17:52,960 Speaker 1: I just, I just I love stories like that. I 382 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:54,840 Speaker 1: think it's really cool. You told it very well. But 383 00:17:55,080 --> 00:18:00,359 Speaker 1: uh and and as you mentioned the ride with um, 384 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:04,600 Speaker 1: I'm forgetting the college boys. First name Francis. Yes, the ride, 385 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:07,760 Speaker 1: the ride with Francis with the specialized bike and everything 386 00:18:07,800 --> 00:18:10,520 Speaker 1: like that, only in Green Bay, right west. Yeah. And 387 00:18:10,760 --> 00:18:12,800 Speaker 1: if you know anything about Crosby and just where he's 388 00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:14,960 Speaker 1: come from, and you know, his brother was a massive 389 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 1: Packers fan when he got drafted here in two thousand seven. Uh, 390 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:20,040 Speaker 1: you know, Reese is the one that kind of opened 391 00:18:20,040 --> 00:18:21,880 Speaker 1: his eyes to all the traditions and gave him sort 392 00:18:21,880 --> 00:18:25,680 Speaker 1: of the background on everything. So there was a foundation 393 00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:27,920 Speaker 1: there to begin with. But it just with with Crosby 394 00:18:27,960 --> 00:18:29,960 Speaker 1: now a father of five, and I'd asked him about that. 395 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:31,720 Speaker 1: You know, when he sees some of these children dealing 396 00:18:31,720 --> 00:18:36,719 Speaker 1: with you know, difficulties and you know, special special disabilities. Um, 397 00:18:36,760 --> 00:18:38,800 Speaker 1: you know, it makes him grateful for what he has 398 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:41,400 Speaker 1: and also um makes him want to, you know, give 399 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:43,280 Speaker 1: back in those situations too, because he knows what it's 400 00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:45,440 Speaker 1: like to be a father. And I thought the coolest 401 00:18:45,720 --> 00:18:48,479 Speaker 1: quote the whole story was John mentioning, you know, him 402 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:50,040 Speaker 1: and his wife worried for so many years what it 403 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:52,320 Speaker 1: would be like for Francis and school, what it would 404 00:18:52,359 --> 00:18:54,040 Speaker 1: be like for him in just daily life, you know, 405 00:18:54,119 --> 00:18:55,960 Speaker 1: if he'd ever be able to ride a bike and 406 00:18:56,119 --> 00:18:58,600 Speaker 1: seeing him now now that he's going into pre K 407 00:18:58,760 --> 00:19:02,159 Speaker 1: and everything, he doesn't worry anymore. And I think at 408 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:04,080 Speaker 1: the end of the day, that's uh, that's everything he 409 00:19:04,119 --> 00:19:06,840 Speaker 1: could ever hope for. And these are stories that inspire 410 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:10,080 Speaker 1: the players. They total these guys and professional football who 411 00:19:10,119 --> 00:19:13,080 Speaker 1: have reached the top of their profession. They get inspired 412 00:19:13,119 --> 00:19:15,639 Speaker 1: by seeing what what these kids do and how and 413 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 1: how dedicated they are to their own lives. Yeah, and 414 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:20,480 Speaker 1: I don't think there's anyone probably more grounded on the 415 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:22,520 Speaker 1: team than Crosby. Um, you know, he knows what it 416 00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:24,719 Speaker 1: was like going through two thousand and twelve. He understands 417 00:19:25,320 --> 00:19:27,880 Speaker 1: how fleeting this moment is. Um, So to be able 418 00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:30,600 Speaker 1: to embrace that is obviously really big for him. And 419 00:19:30,640 --> 00:19:32,439 Speaker 1: it also keeps things in perspective too. If he has 420 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:35,280 Speaker 1: a bad practice or a you know, a missfield goal, that, um, 421 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:37,280 Speaker 1: you know there's a bigger picture to everything too, and 422 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:39,280 Speaker 1: no question about it. Well with that, we will call 423 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:41,960 Speaker 1: it a rap on this edition of Packers Unscripted. Would 424 00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:43,520 Speaker 1: be sure to follow all of our coverage of the 425 00:19:43,560 --> 00:19:46,760 Speaker 1: team on Packers dot com on Twitter. He's at West Hot, 426 00:19:46,800 --> 00:19:49,880 Speaker 1: I'm at Mike Spofford at Packers still the team account. 427 00:19:49,880 --> 00:19:52,200 Speaker 1: Thanks for tuning in, everybody, We'll see you next time.