1 00:00:01,120 --> 00:00:20,959 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted Social 2 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:24,640 Speaker 1: Distancing Style from Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spofford, 3 00:00:24,720 --> 00:00:28,640 Speaker 1: joined as always by my trusted colleague West Hodkowitz. Today 4 00:00:28,680 --> 00:00:32,680 Speaker 1: I'm coming to you from our new studio here at 5 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:35,760 Speaker 1: Lombardi Avenue West. You're going to get to join me 6 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:38,680 Speaker 1: in this studio. I think at some point we haven't 7 00:00:38,680 --> 00:00:41,640 Speaker 1: gotten there yet. You are still in the bonus room 8 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:43,520 Speaker 1: above your garage. But how are you doing, my friend? 9 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:46,159 Speaker 1: I'm doing fine. You know the best part about this 10 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:48,520 Speaker 1: whole scenario as you open up with Hey, we're doing 11 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:51,400 Speaker 1: this social distansing style. This is just the way it 12 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 1: is now for the last five months. I mean, it's 13 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 1: almost like we've had our own season of Distance Unscripted 14 00:00:57,360 --> 00:00:59,600 Speaker 1: as Uh, we're doing the best we can. I'm still 15 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:03,160 Speaker 1: safe and healthy. I hope the same to you and yours. Yeah, absolutely, well. 16 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:06,760 Speaker 1: The first practice of Packers training camp is still a 17 00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:09,640 Speaker 1: handful of days away. I think as the week goes 18 00:01:09,720 --> 00:01:12,600 Speaker 1: on and into next week, when practices get rolling, we'll 19 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:15,839 Speaker 1: start talking a little bit more about position battles and 20 00:01:15,920 --> 00:01:17,960 Speaker 1: how the roster might shake down. There are a lot 21 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:20,040 Speaker 1: of things to talk about over the next few weeks 22 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 1: in that regard. But I want to do today's show 23 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:26,080 Speaker 1: throwing a couple of questions at us. So question number 24 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:28,360 Speaker 1: one for you because I just I like to start 25 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 1: conversations this way. I hope it works for you. Um, 26 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:37,200 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones and the Smith Brothers were the individuals on 27 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:40,399 Speaker 1: the Packers offensively defensively who had what you would call 28 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 1: the breakout seasons in twenty nine. So my question to 29 00:01:44,360 --> 00:01:48,480 Speaker 1: you to start us off today is which of those guys, 30 00:01:48,720 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones or the Smith Brothers collectively has the tougher 31 00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 1: act to follow in too follow up what they did, 32 00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:59,280 Speaker 1: to potentially repeat or even improve on what they did. 33 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 1: You haven't thoughts there. That's a really good question, Mike. 34 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:03,440 Speaker 1: I think you and I probably could build a one 35 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:05,880 Speaker 1: hour radio show off of this, I mean alone, that's 36 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 1: a really smart one to think of. You know, I 37 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:10,600 Speaker 1: think I'll probably go with the Smith Bros. And the 38 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:12,600 Speaker 1: main reason for that is they set the bar so 39 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:15,799 Speaker 1: high for themselves in the year one. Uh that that's 40 00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:17,960 Speaker 1: not saying that you can't attain that. I mean, certainly 41 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:20,560 Speaker 1: precedents and Darius last week both said that's their goal. 42 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:21,960 Speaker 1: They want to be able to take this thing to 43 00:02:22,040 --> 00:02:24,920 Speaker 1: another level. But man, when you go out and you 44 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:27,720 Speaker 1: signed two unrestricted free agents, two guys that weren't even 45 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:30,839 Speaker 1: in this system, and they both fit so flawlessly into 46 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:34,000 Speaker 1: what Mike Petton wanted to do. It's incredible what those 47 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:36,480 Speaker 1: two were able to accomplish right off the bat. There 48 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:38,800 Speaker 1: wasn't one of these little lulls like where you had 49 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:42,080 Speaker 1: to write a story in September and October like, oh, 50 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:44,200 Speaker 1: you know, they haven't fit in yet, they aren't getting 51 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:46,799 Speaker 1: the production. Yet they did it right from the first 52 00:02:46,880 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 1: game in that in that matchup against Chicago, and they 53 00:02:50,160 --> 00:02:52,960 Speaker 1: carried it throughout the rest of the season. So I 54 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:55,000 Speaker 1: think the tougher act to follow is the Smith Bros. 55 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 1: Just because they set the bar so high for themselves, 56 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 1: Whereas with Aaron Jones, there's still so much out there 57 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 1: for him. Yet he had fifteen hundred total yards, he 58 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:06,640 Speaker 1: had a boatload of touchdowns, and there was a lot 59 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:08,839 Speaker 1: of records that he broke, but yet he still only 60 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:11,360 Speaker 1: did that on what two hundred some touches. I mean, 61 00:03:11,360 --> 00:03:13,239 Speaker 1: it's not even like he had this this year where 62 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:16,079 Speaker 1: he was just the predominant bell cow. So I look 63 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:17,760 Speaker 1: at the Smith Broses being the two that had the 64 00:03:17,760 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 1: toughest act of following now going into yeah, I think 65 00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 1: I would agree with you there. As far as making 66 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:25,360 Speaker 1: that choice, I do think it was rather remarkable how 67 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:28,919 Speaker 1: the system fit, the scheme fit of the Smith brothers 68 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 1: in Mike Patton's system was about as as smooth and 69 00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:37,119 Speaker 1: easy and almost perfect as you could get for two 70 00:03:37,160 --> 00:03:40,120 Speaker 1: guys as free agents coming into a brand new team 71 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:41,880 Speaker 1: and all that. You know, I like to throw a 72 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 1: lot of stats at you, the stats and info portion 73 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 1: of things. So here are a few things about the 74 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:49,800 Speaker 1: Smiths from nineteen that I think are interesting. Not only 75 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:52,560 Speaker 1: both of them with more that with a dozen sacks 76 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 1: or more on the season, which since sacks became an 77 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 1: official state in the first pair of teammates in the 78 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:01,840 Speaker 1: same season for the Packers to each have twelve or 79 00:04:01,840 --> 00:04:06,440 Speaker 1: more sacks, but individually a couple of interesting things. Darius 80 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:10,000 Speaker 1: Smith had four games in the regular season with two 81 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:12,360 Speaker 1: or more sacks. You have to go all the way 82 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:14,839 Speaker 1: back to two thousand and six and a pretty darn 83 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:18,840 Speaker 1: good pass rusher named Aaron Campman to find a regular 84 00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:22,440 Speaker 1: season where a Packers individual pass rusher had four games 85 00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 1: with two or more sacks, and then what did he 86 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:26,760 Speaker 1: do against Seattle in the playoffs? He had another two 87 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:29,920 Speaker 1: sack game and gave himself five. Okay, now, Preston Smith 88 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 1: twelve sacks in the regular season, seven of those twelve 89 00:04:34,279 --> 00:04:37,719 Speaker 1: sacks on third down, the money down. And then what 90 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:40,560 Speaker 1: does he do in the postseason. He has two sacks 91 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:42,719 Speaker 1: against Seattle and one of them being on a huge 92 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:46,280 Speaker 1: third down in the fourth quarter. You just you can't 93 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:51,039 Speaker 1: understate or overstate maybe it is, Yeah, you can't overstate 94 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 1: the impact that these two guys had and in their 95 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 1: first year here in Green Bay with Mike Patton's defense, 96 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:00,200 Speaker 1: and that's why I do think their act is a 97 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 1: little bit there. They've given themselves a little bit tougher 98 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:05,919 Speaker 1: active all well, And this was the biggest shift I 99 00:05:05,960 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 1: thought the Packers made with Mike Petton in this defense. Now, 100 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:12,000 Speaker 1: this is no disrespect to Dom Capers. He's one of 101 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:14,200 Speaker 1: the best that's ever done it, a guy that has 102 00:05:14,279 --> 00:05:17,320 Speaker 1: all of my respect and admiration. But one thing that 103 00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:20,159 Speaker 1: happened in the later years of the Caper era was 104 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:22,640 Speaker 1: that you get to those third down, those dime packages, 105 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 1: and I think there was this collective kind of everyone 106 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:28,200 Speaker 1: holding their breath about Okay, can you hold here? Are 107 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:29,839 Speaker 1: you gonna be able to get enough pressure? Are you 108 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:32,680 Speaker 1: gonna be able to really, you know, get the ball 109 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:35,880 Speaker 1: back to the offense in those situations when the off 110 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:37,960 Speaker 1: when the defense was probably at its best, they were 111 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:40,120 Speaker 1: able to do it. When they didn't, that's when you 112 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 1: saw them really struggle. One thing that I thought throughout 113 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:45,479 Speaker 1: the course of last year really made a difference with 114 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:48,479 Speaker 1: Mike petton scheme is once you got into third and 115 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:52,799 Speaker 1: seven plus, everybody just had this look on their face like, Yeah, 116 00:05:52,960 --> 00:05:55,279 Speaker 1: it's time to eat and this team is not going 117 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:57,600 Speaker 1: to get those six, seven, eight, nine, ten yards to 118 00:05:57,640 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 1: be able to get that first down. We're gonna try 119 00:05:59,839 --> 00:06:02,279 Speaker 1: to take even more from them with a sack. And 120 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:04,960 Speaker 1: obviously now they both the Smiths have talked about the 121 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:08,159 Speaker 1: emphasis on the forced fumbles this year as well. That's 122 00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:10,760 Speaker 1: where I thought they really hit the note in two 123 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:13,719 Speaker 1: thousand nineteen when it was third down, that was the 124 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:16,360 Speaker 1: Packers down. In a lot of times they were able 125 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:19,520 Speaker 1: to dominate. Yeah, and what you said about the forced fumbles, 126 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:21,919 Speaker 1: I think it's interesting maybe that's the next step for 127 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 1: this pass rushing duo because twenty five and a half 128 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 1: combined sacks in the regular season twenty nine and a 129 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 1: half including the Seattle playoff game. But yet on those 130 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 1: twenty nine and a half sacks only two forced fumbles, 131 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 1: one by each guy. That's the place where they can 132 00:06:36,760 --> 00:06:39,120 Speaker 1: take their game to the next level, because as impactful 133 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:43,320 Speaker 1: as sacks are, obviously turnovers are the types of plays 134 00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:46,440 Speaker 1: that change games. And I do think it's also interesting 135 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:49,839 Speaker 1: what you said about Aaron Jones and how much how 136 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:51,719 Speaker 1: much seems like it is still out there in front 137 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:54,200 Speaker 1: of him, and how Matt Lafleur can potentially use him 138 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:56,159 Speaker 1: in so many different ways in this offense. And it 139 00:06:56,200 --> 00:07:00,280 Speaker 1: sounds crazy to say that a guy who had yards 140 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:03,159 Speaker 1: from scrimmage, rushing and receiving combined piled up twenty three 141 00:07:03,160 --> 00:07:07,000 Speaker 1: touchdowns including the playoffs, which is a franchise record for 142 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 1: a full season including the postseason, to say that maybe 143 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:13,880 Speaker 1: there's more out there for him yet it just it 144 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 1: it sounds crazy, but it just it does feel that 145 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:19,960 Speaker 1: way in the sense that Aaron Jones maybe hasn't really 146 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:23,200 Speaker 1: hit his ceiling yet as incredible a season as he 147 00:07:23,240 --> 00:07:26,120 Speaker 1: had in Yeah, And I think that's where this thing 148 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:29,400 Speaker 1: goes to the next level now in we saw them 149 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:32,320 Speaker 1: really start to incorporate more of those two back concepts. 150 00:07:32,360 --> 00:07:34,200 Speaker 1: You know, I've been beating the drum all off season 151 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 1: for I think we're going to see more of that 152 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:40,240 Speaker 1: in especially adding ah J Dellon in that equation. That 153 00:07:40,280 --> 00:07:43,440 Speaker 1: doesn't necessarily take snaps away from Aaron Jones. I think 154 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:47,320 Speaker 1: it allows Matt Lafleur, Nathaniel Hackett, Luke Getzi, everybody that's 155 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 1: involved with the passing game to get a little bit 156 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:52,920 Speaker 1: more creative with how they utilize him. His carries may 157 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,480 Speaker 1: look very similar this year, his touchdowns, well, I'm sure 158 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 1: the Packers will be happy if that look very similar 159 00:07:57,480 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 1: this year. But I just think you're gonna see him 160 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:01,680 Speaker 1: became more of a difference maker in the past and 161 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:04,240 Speaker 1: game and how they utilize him there. Let's be honest 162 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:06,040 Speaker 1: about something, Mike. You know, Aaron Jones is in a 163 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 1: contract year. A lot of running backs that are looking 164 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:10,480 Speaker 1: to get paid. In this league, you have to be 165 00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:11,840 Speaker 1: able to catch the ball and you have to be 166 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 1: able to produce an open space. Aaron Jones has shown 167 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 1: he can do that. So I think the skies the ceiling, 168 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:20,920 Speaker 1: the sky is the limit for him. Excuse me, no 169 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:24,119 Speaker 1: ceilings you hear, but I think I think he really 170 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:27,760 Speaker 1: every year about him has been about maturation and improvement. 171 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:30,360 Speaker 1: He went from being a more consistent ball carrier on 172 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:33,000 Speaker 1: year two, year three, he became a better pass protector, 173 00:08:33,559 --> 00:08:36,680 Speaker 1: he became a better pass catcher. And seeing him bring 174 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:40,080 Speaker 1: all those tools together, uh that that's that's where this 175 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:42,200 Speaker 1: thing is going to get really interesting for him. You 176 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:44,040 Speaker 1: want to be one of the top ten, top five 177 00:08:44,160 --> 00:08:46,679 Speaker 1: running backs in this league. That's what you have to do. 178 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:49,320 Speaker 1: And the more that he does that, and you also 179 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:51,440 Speaker 1: touch on the force fumbles with the Smiths, the more 180 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:53,560 Speaker 1: that that happens for those guys, the more that you 181 00:08:53,640 --> 00:08:57,880 Speaker 1: get those accolades, you get that adulation from the pundits 182 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:00,080 Speaker 1: in this country that you know, punch a lot of 183 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:03,040 Speaker 1: those Pro Bowl ballots and the All Pro teams. That's 184 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:06,160 Speaker 1: the difference, because if you're in Green Bay, you know, 185 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:08,840 Speaker 1: unfortunately that doesn't always mean you're gonna be in the biggest, 186 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:11,840 Speaker 1: brightest spotlight, but it does give you a platform with 187 00:09:11,880 --> 00:09:14,040 Speaker 1: this offense and defense in the direction that they're heading, 188 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:16,360 Speaker 1: to make you a really good player and to give 189 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:19,680 Speaker 1: you an opportunity to prove it. Yeah, well, you mentioned 190 00:09:19,720 --> 00:09:22,200 Speaker 1: accolades and Pro Bowl ballots, so I want to throw 191 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:24,240 Speaker 1: another question at you here. It's a little bit of 192 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:26,920 Speaker 1: a continuation. We'll be talking about some of the same players, 193 00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:30,440 Speaker 1: but looking back to a year ago, Zadarius Smith and 194 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:34,120 Speaker 1: Kenny Clark were both both ultimately made their first Pro 195 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 1: Bowl as NFL players. They were selected off the alternate 196 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:40,800 Speaker 1: list when other guys dropped out for various reasons. There 197 00:09:40,840 --> 00:09:43,200 Speaker 1: were a handful of other guys for the Packers who 198 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:46,280 Speaker 1: were named alternates last year, but they did not get 199 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:49,560 Speaker 1: selected and they they still have yet to to go 200 00:09:49,679 --> 00:09:52,080 Speaker 1: to a Pro Bowl. And that list from last year 201 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:57,319 Speaker 1: would be Adrian Amos, Jayear, Alexander Preston, Smith, Aaron Jones, 202 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:01,040 Speaker 1: and Corey Lindsley. I knew I was forgetting one other 203 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:02,960 Speaker 1: one in there. So five other guys for the Packers 204 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:05,520 Speaker 1: who were alternates a year ago who have yet to 205 00:10:05,640 --> 00:10:07,880 Speaker 1: be in a Pro Bowl. So my question to you 206 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:11,079 Speaker 1: is which of those five guys and all throw another 207 00:10:11,080 --> 00:10:12,679 Speaker 1: one in the mix too, even though he wasn't an 208 00:10:12,679 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 1: alternate last year. But I'll say kicker Mason Crosby will 209 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:18,760 Speaker 1: make it a half dozen. Which of those six guys 210 00:10:18,800 --> 00:10:22,840 Speaker 1: do you think is on the verge of making his 211 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:27,080 Speaker 1: first Pro Bowl in Well, Aaron Jones is there because 212 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:28,880 Speaker 1: you saw he was number thirty three in the top 213 00:10:28,960 --> 00:10:31,280 Speaker 1: one hundred. I'm not saying that that top one hundred 214 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:34,760 Speaker 1: carries any water whatsoever with with the league, but it 215 00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 1: does show you that there's a lot of people, a 216 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:39,600 Speaker 1: lot of players that know his name. And also I've 217 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:41,800 Speaker 1: seen him on the you know, the screen in the 218 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:44,600 Speaker 1: film room and understand how dynamic he is. I think 219 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:47,280 Speaker 1: he's on the precipice of potentially being a Pro Bowl player. 220 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 1: The one that I think is going to be the 221 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:52,960 Speaker 1: guy to watch though throughout this whole equation is going 222 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:55,760 Speaker 1: to be Gyr Alexander Um. This is a dude that 223 00:10:55,880 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 1: is still only twenty three years old. He still has 224 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 1: his best years ahead of him, and he's just oftenite 225 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:02,439 Speaker 1: as any player that I think I've ever covered at 226 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:04,720 Speaker 1: his age. And the other thing too, he met with 227 00:11:04,760 --> 00:11:09,280 Speaker 1: the media. Excuse me on Monday with our zoom call. 228 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:11,760 Speaker 1: I'm saying this to a bunch of people. You think 229 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:14,160 Speaker 1: you gotta understand is Jaire is not a great camera guy. 230 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:17,240 Speaker 1: He doesn't like the cameras he loves. He loves. He's 231 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 1: a gregarious, outgoing guy. He's not a big dude about 232 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:22,920 Speaker 1: sitting in front of a camera and having twelve people 233 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:24,960 Speaker 1: around him. So being in front of a zoom, I 234 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:27,120 Speaker 1: have to imagine also was kind of, you know, kind 235 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:30,320 Speaker 1: of like an eye opener here for him. But you know, 236 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:32,719 Speaker 1: he's you know, people can think he's goofy, they can 237 00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:35,680 Speaker 1: think he's being funny. There is nobody that takes his 238 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:38,040 Speaker 1: job more serious I think in that locker room than 239 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:40,960 Speaker 1: Jire Alexander. He has a chip on his shoulder. I've 240 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,400 Speaker 1: been saying this for years now. If you understand who 241 00:11:43,400 --> 00:11:45,120 Speaker 1: he is and where he comes from, this is a 242 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:47,200 Speaker 1: guy that's very motivated to prove that he is the 243 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:49,959 Speaker 1: best cornerback in the National Football League. Matt and already 244 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:51,880 Speaker 1: agreed with it. I saw all the stats that Madden 245 00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:54,199 Speaker 1: and all the respect they put on his name. But 246 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:58,520 Speaker 1: he feels like he has all everything he needs, especially 247 00:11:58,559 --> 00:12:00,520 Speaker 1: now working with you know, Jerry Gray. He was very 248 00:12:00,559 --> 00:12:03,160 Speaker 1: complimentary of him and in the time that they've had together, 249 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 1: Gire Alexander's right there and he I think he's just 250 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:09,800 Speaker 1: a few splash plays away, a few interceptions here, a 251 00:12:09,800 --> 00:12:13,439 Speaker 1: few big pass deflections there. Away from being a cornerback 252 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:16,280 Speaker 1: that everybody can look at is being Okay, you have 253 00:12:16,360 --> 00:12:18,679 Speaker 1: your you know, your Gilmore's and everybody else that's at 254 00:12:18,800 --> 00:12:21,680 Speaker 1: the top of that level right now. But Alexander is 255 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:24,400 Speaker 1: fast on their heels. Is that next generation? Yeah, I'm 256 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:26,560 Speaker 1: totally with you on both of the guys you talked 257 00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:28,800 Speaker 1: about there. I do think Aaron Jones is right there. 258 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:32,000 Speaker 1: There's no reason really he shouldn't have gotten some sort 259 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:34,240 Speaker 1: of Pro Bowl recognition a year ago. I think that 260 00:12:34,360 --> 00:12:37,240 Speaker 1: was unfortunate, but you know, as they say, it is 261 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 1: what it is. And yeah, getting ranked number thirty three 262 00:12:40,280 --> 00:12:44,160 Speaker 1: in the NFL's Top one um certainly uh an achievement 263 00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:46,840 Speaker 1: there to make your debut on that top one hundred 264 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:50,320 Speaker 1: list in a spot that high. But I'm totally with 265 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:52,720 Speaker 1: you on Gire Alexander. I think this is the guy 266 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:55,760 Speaker 1: to watch the as I wrote about on our website 267 00:12:56,080 --> 00:12:58,480 Speaker 1: and the story is available on packers dot com. The 268 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 1: trajectory of his rear has been has been sort of 269 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:05,120 Speaker 1: clear and obvious to anybody who's been watching. He's a 270 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:07,360 Speaker 1: first he's an up and coming first round pick. Then 271 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:10,119 Speaker 1: he gets named to the p p f W A 272 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:14,520 Speaker 1: All Rookie team. He leads the Packers in past deflections. 273 00:13:14,559 --> 00:13:16,679 Speaker 1: Each of his first two years, he has fifteen as 274 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:20,640 Speaker 1: a rookie, has twenty three in his second season. He 275 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:23,880 Speaker 1: becomes a bona fide number one cornerback and then a 276 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:28,200 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl alternate. As I mentioned uh in nineteen, the 277 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 1: arrow seems to just keep pointing up with this guy. Now, 278 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:33,319 Speaker 1: what does he have to do to get the Pro 279 00:13:33,400 --> 00:13:37,120 Speaker 1: Bowl recognition? Probably crank up that interception number. He's only 280 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:40,480 Speaker 1: had three interceptions over his first two seasons in the league. 281 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:43,280 Speaker 1: And I thought one of the more interesting answers of 282 00:13:43,480 --> 00:13:46,440 Speaker 1: several interesting answers in his Zoom call was when he 283 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:48,840 Speaker 1: was asked, Okay, what do you do to get more interceptions? 284 00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:50,319 Speaker 1: And he was just like, I just have to catch 285 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:53,680 Speaker 1: the ball. And I think, and yeah, he's being funny 286 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:56,280 Speaker 1: and he's being a little snide, but he's also saying 287 00:13:56,320 --> 00:13:59,680 Speaker 1: he feels he's had the opportunities to get the interceptions 288 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:02,320 Speaker 1: that he needs for that kind of recognition. He just 289 00:14:02,360 --> 00:14:05,199 Speaker 1: has to cash in. He has to finish those plays, 290 00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:08,079 Speaker 1: and then I think the rest takes care of itself 291 00:14:08,080 --> 00:14:11,000 Speaker 1: for Alexander. I love the guy's attitude and yeah, some 292 00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:13,840 Speaker 1: people will say he crosses the line to maybe the 293 00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:17,520 Speaker 1: cockiness versus just confidence. Whatever. You can analyze him anyway 294 00:14:17,559 --> 00:14:20,280 Speaker 1: you want to, but his mentality, in my mind, is 295 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:23,440 Speaker 1: exactly what you need at a position like cornerback, because 296 00:14:23,640 --> 00:14:25,840 Speaker 1: in this game, you're gonna get beat you're gonna give 297 00:14:25,920 --> 00:14:28,040 Speaker 1: up completions, you're gonna give up first downs, and there 298 00:14:28,040 --> 00:14:30,480 Speaker 1: are times you're gonna give up touchdowns. But it's a 299 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:33,600 Speaker 1: sixty minute game out there every Sunday, and there's nobody 300 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:36,640 Speaker 1: who can flush a bad play and then get out 301 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:39,480 Speaker 1: there and stay on the attack for sixty minutes in 302 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:43,160 Speaker 1: my mind, like Jaire Alexander. Yeah, And there's a huge difference, Mike, 303 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:46,600 Speaker 1: between cocky and being disrespectful. In all the years I've 304 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 1: covered I've covered JR. Alexander, I've never felt like he's disrespectful. Um. 305 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:54,200 Speaker 1: You look at the battles he had with Davante Adams 306 00:14:54,200 --> 00:14:56,840 Speaker 1: when he was a rookie and practice. Adams took a 307 00:14:56,920 --> 00:14:59,280 Speaker 1: liking to this guy right away for that reason because 308 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:01,400 Speaker 1: of how he can he did, how he came back 309 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:03,680 Speaker 1: play after play, and how he didn't want to be beaten, 310 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:06,120 Speaker 1: didn't matter if it was over at Nichke Field or 311 00:15:06,160 --> 00:15:08,400 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field or a T and T stadium. This 312 00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:10,400 Speaker 1: is a guy that just wants to play football and 313 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:12,720 Speaker 1: he wants to do it at a high level. Now, 314 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:16,400 Speaker 1: bringing that all together, the play that always will stand 315 00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:18,320 Speaker 1: out to me goes back to two thousand eighteen and 316 00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:20,440 Speaker 1: it was that interception that got taken away from him 317 00:15:20,480 --> 00:15:23,440 Speaker 1: because of that agregious call on Clay Matthews for roughing 318 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:26,040 Speaker 1: in the passer. But the reason I bring that point 319 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:29,320 Speaker 1: up again is that was the play where I was like, Yeah, 320 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:31,600 Speaker 1: that guy's a ball howg He's a guy that just 321 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:34,400 Speaker 1: has a magnet for it. Now, as he said, there's 322 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:36,840 Speaker 1: been he was fourth in the league and past deflections 323 00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 1: or passes defense last year. He needs to start catching 324 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:42,240 Speaker 1: more of those balls. But he just puts himself in 325 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:44,560 Speaker 1: a position at all times to be around that thing. 326 00:15:44,920 --> 00:15:48,120 Speaker 1: And he just has a sticky ability, especially with some 327 00:15:48,160 --> 00:15:49,640 Speaker 1: of the stuff that I think, you know, the ways 328 00:15:49,680 --> 00:15:51,200 Speaker 1: that you can use him in his own coverage and 329 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:56,040 Speaker 1: this deceptive nous of his speed and his athleticism. Alexander's 330 00:15:56,040 --> 00:15:57,560 Speaker 1: a guy that I don't think as far away from 331 00:15:57,560 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 1: being in that Pro Bowl conversation. Yeah, and this is 332 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:02,080 Speaker 1: a He's not just a cover guy either. You mentioned 333 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:04,600 Speaker 1: the plays in your mind that that stick out his 334 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:08,120 Speaker 1: rookie year, that play in Minnesota at US Bank Stadium, 335 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 1: on the slip screen, bubble screen, wherever you want to 336 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:13,480 Speaker 1: call it, where he just blew up. I think it 337 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:16,520 Speaker 1: was Adam Feeling and chases down Stefon Diggs in the 338 00:16:16,520 --> 00:16:19,600 Speaker 1: backfield for a loss. You don't see cornerbacks make plays 339 00:16:19,640 --> 00:16:21,680 Speaker 1: like that every day. That was That was a really 340 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:24,560 Speaker 1: impressive one. But before we go here, West, I just 341 00:16:24,640 --> 00:16:26,600 Speaker 1: need to say too. And we talk a lot about, 342 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 1: you know, the Pro Bowl as as a measure and whatnot, 343 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:31,680 Speaker 1: and yeah, it's it. Maybe it's not the greatest measure 344 00:16:31,720 --> 00:16:35,360 Speaker 1: of everything. But if there's a guy, if there's a 345 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:38,280 Speaker 1: guy who deserves a Pro Bowl bid as a sort 346 00:16:38,280 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 1: of career achievement award, can we get Mason Crosby to 347 00:16:41,320 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 1: the Pro Bowl at some point here? I mean, seriously, 348 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:45,880 Speaker 1: look at what this guy has done over the course 349 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:48,960 Speaker 1: of his career. He's put the Green Bay Packers are 350 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:51,240 Speaker 1: about to embark on their one hundred and second season, 351 00:16:51,280 --> 00:16:55,000 Speaker 1: and Mason Crosby has every scoring record in the book 352 00:16:55,040 --> 00:16:58,240 Speaker 1: for this historic franchise and he's continuing to put them 353 00:16:58,320 --> 00:17:01,480 Speaker 1: completely out of reach. Yet this guy has never been 354 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 1: to a Pro Bowl. And I, you know, you and 355 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:05,680 Speaker 1: I have both known Mason for a long time. I've 356 00:17:05,720 --> 00:17:07,720 Speaker 1: covered his entire career here since he was a sixth 357 00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:10,439 Speaker 1: round draft pick in two thousand and seven, and I 358 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:12,480 Speaker 1: just think it's I just think it's a shame that 359 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 1: he doesn't have at least, you know, one of those 360 00:17:15,119 --> 00:17:18,159 Speaker 1: little Pro Bowl logos you know, in his in his 361 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:21,560 Speaker 1: bio as a career achievement, you know. And here's another 362 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:24,439 Speaker 1: thing for you, Mike, Mason Crosby going into this season 363 00:17:24,520 --> 00:17:28,480 Speaker 1: two d and eight consecutive games played, the most among 364 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:32,520 Speaker 1: active kickers. Actually, it's probably right up there. Gosh, he's 365 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:35,000 Speaker 1: the Is that the most? Yeah, that's that's the most 366 00:17:35,040 --> 00:17:40,919 Speaker 1: among active players? Oh no, um, Sam Cook from Baltimore. Um. 367 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:43,680 Speaker 1: But two d and eight games, he is sixty games 368 00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:47,639 Speaker 1: ahead of uh Steven Hauska in Buffalo right now for 369 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:50,960 Speaker 1: most consecutive games played by a kicker. So what is that, Mike? 370 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:55,119 Speaker 1: That's four seasons, Yeah, almost four seasons. Uh. Yeah, just 371 00:17:55,160 --> 00:17:58,560 Speaker 1: an incredible career he's had. The problem is two things 372 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:02,000 Speaker 1: with kickers. They're never hurt. Uh, really. So if a 373 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: guy goes to the Pro Bowl, if he's not the guy, 374 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:06,360 Speaker 1: because there's only one that gets to go for each conference, 375 00:18:06,440 --> 00:18:09,000 Speaker 1: if he's not the guy, or he's not in the 376 00:18:09,080 --> 00:18:11,640 Speaker 1: super Bowl, or that guy isn't in the super Bowl, 377 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:13,919 Speaker 1: well the guy's gonna go. Every kicker wants to go 378 00:18:13,960 --> 00:18:16,600 Speaker 1: to the Pro Bowl. Unfortunately for him, he's just never 379 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:18,840 Speaker 1: had like that one year where it's just been like, 380 00:18:20,040 --> 00:18:23,159 Speaker 1: you know, Billykndiff. No disrespect to Billy Condiff. I'm not 381 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:25,440 Speaker 1: trying to, you know, disrespect him at all, but Billy 382 00:18:25,480 --> 00:18:28,560 Speaker 1: Kundiff was a kind of a journeyman kicker. He has 383 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:31,879 Speaker 1: that one seven percent year with Baltimore and goes to 384 00:18:31,880 --> 00:18:35,800 Speaker 1: the Pro Bowl. Everybody, their mother, their cousin, even their 385 00:18:35,880 --> 00:18:38,840 Speaker 1: child would agree that Mason Crosby has been a better 386 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:41,440 Speaker 1: NFL kicker than Billy Condiff. But it's just the rubb 387 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:44,520 Speaker 1: of the green. And if you look at, you know, 388 00:18:44,640 --> 00:18:47,439 Speaker 1: ten years down the line, you know he's going to 389 00:18:47,480 --> 00:18:49,520 Speaker 1: be in the Packers Hall of Fame. Someday he's gonna 390 00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:51,920 Speaker 1: end up being he's gonna put that scoring record so 391 00:18:51,960 --> 00:18:54,159 Speaker 1: far into a different stratosphere. No one's ever gonna be 392 00:18:54,200 --> 00:18:57,159 Speaker 1: able to touch it with his longevity. But it's just 393 00:18:57,280 --> 00:18:59,400 Speaker 1: the way that that position goes that sometimes those guys 394 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:02,359 Speaker 1: don't get that spect There's still time though, uh, you know, 395 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:05,160 Speaker 1: guys in his late thirties at that position, there's there's 396 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:07,119 Speaker 1: definitely an opportunity if he's able to have one of 397 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:10,000 Speaker 1: those seasons, one of those special seasons where he does 398 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:13,120 Speaker 1: all the right things and the right people are watching. Yeah, 399 00:19:13,240 --> 00:19:15,080 Speaker 1: I think it'd be great if if that were to 400 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:17,960 Speaker 1: happen here sooner rather than later for Mason Crosby. But 401 00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:20,159 Speaker 1: with that we will call it a rap on this 402 00:19:20,320 --> 00:19:22,880 Speaker 1: edition of Packers on Scripted. Be sure to follow all 403 00:19:22,880 --> 00:19:24,840 Speaker 1: of our coverage of the team and the goings on 404 00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 1: at training camp on Packers dot com. For Wes, I 405 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:30,840 Speaker 1: am Mike. Thanks for tuning in everybody. We'll see you 406 00:19:30,880 --> 00:19:31,240 Speaker 1: next time.