1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:21,200 Speaker 1: Hi, everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:24,400 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford, joined by my trusted colleague West 3 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:26,799 Speaker 1: hod Koitz, were coming to you here from our studios 4 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field and West. It's our Wednesday show, our 5 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:32,519 Speaker 1: middle of the week show, and that means a closer 6 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:34,920 Speaker 1: look at the Packers opponent. We started talking about the 7 00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:38,680 Speaker 1: Chicago Bears quite a bit on yesterday's show, but let's 8 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:42,080 Speaker 1: dive a little deeper because when when I look at this, 9 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 1: the first thing that jumps out to me is what 10 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:49,839 Speaker 1: I like to call something that falls into the something's 11 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 1: got to give category, And what I mean by that 12 00:00:52,479 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 1: is Aaron Rodgers has thrown three d and six consecutive 13 00:00:55,920 --> 00:01:00,400 Speaker 1: past attempts without without an interception, excuse me. And the 14 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 1: Chicago Bears lead the civilized world by a large margin 15 00:01:04,880 --> 00:01:08,720 Speaker 1: with twenty five interceptions on the season, including seven from 16 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:13,760 Speaker 1: Kyle Fuller at corner and five from Eddie Jackson at safety. 17 00:01:13,800 --> 00:01:17,200 Speaker 1: This is gonna be really really interesting here because if 18 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:20,480 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers can protect the ball, the Packers chances to 19 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:22,960 Speaker 1: win this game go up dramatically. If the Bears start 20 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:27,120 Speaker 1: taking it away, their chances rise dramatic, and I think 21 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:29,080 Speaker 1: it goes back to that old adage. You know, you 22 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:30,960 Speaker 1: get two takeaways a lot of times, it's going to 23 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:33,920 Speaker 1: translate into a win. And for the Packers, you know, 24 00:01:34,120 --> 00:01:36,319 Speaker 1: last week, it was exactly what they needed. They got 25 00:01:36,319 --> 00:01:39,040 Speaker 1: their two big takeaways, one late, but still help them 26 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:41,520 Speaker 1: put away the football game. Chicago Bears have been doing 27 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:43,119 Speaker 1: it all season long, Michael, and I mean you can 28 00:01:43,160 --> 00:01:46,200 Speaker 1: look at their stats right now where they're at. I 29 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:49,880 Speaker 1: mean they have one, two, three, four or five, six, eight, nine, ten, 30 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:54,280 Speaker 1: eleven different guys with an interception. Prince of Mukamara. Gotta 31 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:56,200 Speaker 1: give credit to him too. He's kind of turned back 32 00:01:56,240 --> 00:01:59,400 Speaker 1: the clock a little bit this season, been a really accountable, 33 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:03,120 Speaker 1: important piece of that defense. We learned yesterday. Looks like 34 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:05,600 Speaker 1: Bryce Callahan is gonna be out here with a foot injury, 35 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 1: So that's a that's a ding right there as far 36 00:02:07,720 --> 00:02:10,560 Speaker 1: as their nickel slot position. But I mean with what 37 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:13,600 Speaker 1: Kyle Fuller has done this season seven receptions, Eddie Jackson, 38 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:16,440 Speaker 1: I remember Eddie Jackson. I talked to him, was one 39 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:18,359 Speaker 1: of the only people at his podium at the NFL 40 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:22,200 Speaker 1: Scouting Combine talking to him and in his path from Alabama. 41 00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:25,640 Speaker 1: Breaking his leg probably would have been in early maybe 42 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:28,480 Speaker 1: not a first round, definitely a second day pick had 43 00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 1: he not broken his leg. At the end of his 44 00:02:30,200 --> 00:02:32,080 Speaker 1: his year at Alabama, he goes out for the draft, 45 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:33,960 Speaker 1: the Bears take him in the fourth round. Ha ha. 46 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 1: Clinton Dicks was singing his praises as far as what 47 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 1: this kid's potential is and now here he is with 48 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:42,519 Speaker 1: five interceptions this year to return for a touchdown, Yeah, 49 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:45,640 Speaker 1: something has to give. It's gonna be the you know, 50 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:48,200 Speaker 1: the security that Aaron Rodgers has had with the football 51 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:51,680 Speaker 1: this year against one of the league's top ball hawking defenses. Yeah. 52 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 1: You mentioned the foot injury to Bryce Callahan at their 53 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 1: nickel position. And that's an interesting one here because as 54 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 1: we see Sunday's game unfold, does that mean Randall Cobb 55 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:07,919 Speaker 1: in the slot becomes a big time key receiver here 56 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 1: because he's going to have maybe the most favorable matchup. 57 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:13,960 Speaker 1: Or do the Packers move Davante Adams into the slot 58 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:15,920 Speaker 1: and then see how the Bears react. Are they going 59 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:19,440 Speaker 1: to have Kyle Fuller, for example, cover Davantae Adams even 60 00:03:19,480 --> 00:03:21,000 Speaker 1: when he's in the slot. Are they going to take 61 00:03:21,040 --> 00:03:24,240 Speaker 1: their chances with a backup nickel defender. There so kind 62 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 1: of an interesting piece to this chess match because of 63 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:29,840 Speaker 1: this new injury to Callahan. Yeah, and if you do that, 64 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:32,360 Speaker 1: how do the Bears want to defend it? Do you 65 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:34,079 Speaker 1: want to have one of the safety is dropping down 66 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:36,800 Speaker 1: into the box, you know, covering a receiver out of 67 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:38,839 Speaker 1: the slot. All things We're gonna have to figure out. 68 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 1: The important thing I think for the Packers as it's 69 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 1: related to Adams specifically, probably over the last six games, 70 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:47,960 Speaker 1: is they've moved him around a lot, and he's been 71 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:50,480 Speaker 1: effective from a lot of different positions. I don't have 72 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 1: all the stats and the splits as far as what 73 00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 1: is inside outside ratio has been in terms of catches 74 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:57,320 Speaker 1: this year, but I think the one thing he has 75 00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:00,200 Speaker 1: definitely demonstrated in year five is he can do it all. 76 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 1: So I'm sure when you look at Vic Fangio, he's 77 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:05,760 Speaker 1: been in this division for several years now, he's watched 78 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 1: the maturation and development of Adams, seeing the cat and 79 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:12,680 Speaker 1: mouse game there. How he wants to possibly defend him 80 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:15,360 Speaker 1: in What that means depending on how much attention you 81 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 1: give him, We're gonna have to wait and see. I 82 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 1: don't know Honestly, maybe you do. You're more intelligent than 83 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 1: I am. How Kyle Fuller has been exactly deployed this season, 84 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:27,279 Speaker 1: if he's played mostly outside, if they've moved him in 85 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:31,720 Speaker 1: in man situations, matching situations, all things we're gonna have 86 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:33,520 Speaker 1: to learn. At least I'm going to have to. Yeah. 87 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 1: I can't say I've watched the Bears enough this year, 88 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:38,760 Speaker 1: and certainly not watching enough of the All twenty two 89 00:04:38,839 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 1: type of film where you see exactly how a guy 90 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:44,479 Speaker 1: like Fuller is being deployed. But for everything that the 91 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:48,679 Speaker 1: Bears have done in the turnover category on defense this season, 92 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:53,120 Speaker 1: the transmission, so to speak, of this Bears defensive engine 93 00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 1: is that front uh seven, that front group and when 94 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 1: you're talking, when you're talking Khalil Mack and a Keem Hicks, 95 00:05:01,400 --> 00:05:04,240 Speaker 1: they've combined for sixteen sacks I believe it is on 96 00:05:04,279 --> 00:05:06,880 Speaker 1: the season. But it's not just those sixteen sacks West, 97 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 1: I mean, it's the the constant disruption. I'm not sure 98 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 1: how many forced fumbles the two of them have combined 99 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:15,239 Speaker 1: for they they seem to be pretty adept at getting 100 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 1: the ball out. Is at nine six by Mac five 101 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:22,560 Speaker 1: or three by Hicks? Yeah, I mean this, uh, those 102 00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:26,039 Speaker 1: two guys, and at this point we don't know exactly 103 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:28,479 Speaker 1: what the health status is. As we mentioned earlier in 104 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:30,800 Speaker 1: the week, as far as the Packers offensive line goes. 105 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:34,560 Speaker 1: But but Mac and Hicks boy that um, it's it's 106 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 1: a tandem unlike any other, unlike any that the Packers 107 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,240 Speaker 1: have seen all years, since week one when Mac made 108 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:42,680 Speaker 1: his Bears debut. You know, and obviously I'm not privy 109 00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 1: to the conversations that the Bears have, but I can 110 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:48,000 Speaker 1: only imagine at some point Ryan Pace and Vic Fangio 111 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:50,679 Speaker 1: and that coaching staff sat down and figured out, Okay, 112 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:53,279 Speaker 1: what pieces do we need for this defense? Because Mike, 113 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:56,040 Speaker 1: if you go from what this unit looked like the 114 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:59,239 Speaker 1: day that Vic Fangio was hired onto John Fox's staff 115 00:05:59,560 --> 00:06:02,000 Speaker 1: to what they look like today, it's pretty incredible. I 116 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:04,040 Speaker 1: actually got into a major fight with a fan and 117 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:07,400 Speaker 1: insider inbox recently. You had to edit it. Who was 118 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:10,239 Speaker 1: who was complaining to me about the Packers draft classes 119 00:06:10,279 --> 00:06:12,239 Speaker 1: from two thousand and eleven to two thousand and fifteen. 120 00:06:12,400 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 1: In addition to that being just a completely wide ranging, 121 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:18,320 Speaker 1: uh you know, scheme to be trying to figure out, 122 00:06:18,640 --> 00:06:21,320 Speaker 1: you know, whether or not drafts were successful or unsuccessful 123 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:24,039 Speaker 1: based upon whether those players are still on the roster. 124 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: I immediately threw that back in their face and I 125 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:30,719 Speaker 1: mentioned that, well, if you look at the Bears drafts 126 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 1: during that time, Bears have like three guys left from 127 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:35,880 Speaker 1: those draft classes on the roster right now. I think 128 00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:38,279 Speaker 1: the Packers had like eight or seven or something like that. 129 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 1: Bears had some lean years where they were not getting productivity. 130 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:44,360 Speaker 1: In these last two and a half years for them 131 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:47,120 Speaker 1: have been so important because, yeah, you found your Kyle 132 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 1: Fuller's who had to bounce back from an injury to 133 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 1: to become the player he's become. You drafted ro Kuan Smith. 134 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:53,599 Speaker 1: It looks like he's going to be a player in 135 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:56,560 Speaker 1: this league for years to come. You had Danny Trevathan 136 00:06:56,640 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 1: sign over from Denver. Now also you had Darrell Freeman 137 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:02,520 Speaker 1: that didn't work out. But they sort of did this 138 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:06,200 Speaker 1: paint splatter approach where we're just gonna throw resources. We 139 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:09,080 Speaker 1: have a ton of cap space, we're gonna see what sticks. 140 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:12,200 Speaker 1: Resigned some of our own guys, maybe trade for Khalil Mack. 141 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:14,440 Speaker 1: Have the room to be able to absorb that contract, 142 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:17,360 Speaker 1: and they're beginning to see the fruits of that labor. 143 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:21,120 Speaker 1: I don't want to disrespect Mitchell Trobisky at all and 144 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:23,840 Speaker 1: what they're doing offensively, but in so many ways, Mike, 145 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:26,080 Speaker 1: this really does remind me of that two thousand one 146 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:29,080 Speaker 1: Bears team, where they have a suffocating defense and an 147 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:31,240 Speaker 1: offense that's going to get them as far as they 148 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:34,240 Speaker 1: need to go. If you go back, Mike, over the 149 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:36,680 Speaker 1: last ten fifteen years, that's been the blueprint for the 150 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:39,680 Speaker 1: Bears when they've made runs. They've never had this completely 151 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:42,640 Speaker 1: unstoppable offense. It's always been based around being able to 152 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 1: score more points than the other team. And this year, 153 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:46,960 Speaker 1: this defense has allowed them to do that. Yeah, and 154 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:48,400 Speaker 1: and I don't want to get too far off the 155 00:07:48,440 --> 00:07:50,600 Speaker 1: track here in the conversation, but I think what we're 156 00:07:50,640 --> 00:07:54,160 Speaker 1: seeing here as the regular season winds down two teams 157 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 1: in particular in the NFC, the Chicago Bears and the 158 00:07:57,040 --> 00:08:01,040 Speaker 1: Seattle Seahawks. What these two teams are doing offensively now, 159 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:04,840 Speaker 1: I think Russell Wilson has a little bit more explosiveness 160 00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:08,800 Speaker 1: in that Seahawks offense than Drabinsky does with the Bears, 161 00:08:08,840 --> 00:08:12,840 Speaker 1: but the Seahawks also are focused on running the football. 162 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 1: We're seeing what is essentially developing as the counter to 163 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:20,800 Speaker 1: the Rams and the Saints and this explosive offenses. So 164 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 1: whether the Bears, the Bears are just one victory or 165 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:26,520 Speaker 1: one Minnesota loss away from clinching the NFC North of 166 00:08:26,560 --> 00:08:29,280 Speaker 1: being a division champ in the playoffs and the Seahawks, 167 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:33,120 Speaker 1: Seahawks obviously have the inside inside track on that first 168 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:35,880 Speaker 1: wild card spot. So we're gonna see these matchups in 169 00:08:35,880 --> 00:08:38,880 Speaker 1: the postseasons in in one way or another. As far 170 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:42,520 Speaker 1: as these defenses and what they've built over the years, 171 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:45,680 Speaker 1: over over the course of the year, versus these explosive offense. 172 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:47,520 Speaker 1: I kind of like that where you had the Seahawks. 173 00:08:47,559 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 1: It's like the Boston Mike sid kind of coming out 174 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:53,360 Speaker 1: a little bit like voice cracks. It's exciting to talk about. No, 175 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:55,400 Speaker 1: I mean the fact that you and I even discussed 176 00:08:55,440 --> 00:08:59,320 Speaker 1: we started this, this breakdown of the Bears with the defense. 177 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:01,640 Speaker 1: Every week, we always talked about the offense. It just 178 00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:04,000 Speaker 1: tells you what they bring to the table and what 179 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:06,679 Speaker 1: they present. And before I'm sure there's a scattered amount 180 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:08,120 Speaker 1: of people out there are still like, well, why didn't 181 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 1: the Packers trade for Khalil Mack. I've said this since 182 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 1: day one. I give Ryan Pays a lot of credit. 183 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:15,560 Speaker 1: He he put his hat out there, he said, this 184 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:17,040 Speaker 1: is going to be the move, This is gonna be 185 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 1: probably what sinks or swims my time here as the GM, 186 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:21,960 Speaker 1: It's worked out great for them. They also had the 187 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:24,120 Speaker 1: cap room to be able to make him the highest 188 00:09:24,120 --> 00:09:26,480 Speaker 1: paid pass Russia in the NFL. You got to tip 189 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:28,400 Speaker 1: your cap in some of those instances because I think 190 00:09:28,520 --> 00:09:31,440 Speaker 1: Vic Fangio's defense was close. I think Mac has put 191 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:33,560 Speaker 1: them over the top. And even with that Mike you 192 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 1: see it make a guy like a Cheam Hicks better. 193 00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:37,600 Speaker 1: I mean Hicks. His stats are going to jump off 194 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:39,840 Speaker 1: the page. He has forty seven tackles in six sacks. 195 00:09:40,320 --> 00:09:43,200 Speaker 1: But if you watch him operate within that defense and 196 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:45,280 Speaker 1: how those two guys play off each other at that 197 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:48,920 Speaker 1: front level of the trenches, it fits them really well. Yeah. Well, 198 00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:50,320 Speaker 1: I want to get back to what you were just 199 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 1: talking about with GM Ryan pace in the moves he's made, 200 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:54,240 Speaker 1: But I need to take care of a little bit 201 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:58,080 Speaker 1: of business here. The powerful noise canceling technology that helps 202 00:09:58,160 --> 00:10:01,360 Speaker 1: NFL coaches block out eight and screaming fans can get 203 00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 1: you closer to the music. You love learn more at 204 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:09,000 Speaker 1: www dot bos dot com, Slash Packers Bows the official 205 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:12,080 Speaker 1: headphones of the Green Bay Packers, and at homer Here 206 00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:13,960 Speaker 1: in the stands. We all know that Green Bay fans 207 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:15,960 Speaker 1: give it their all and that takes a lot of energy. 208 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:18,880 Speaker 1: So grab a warm bowl of Campbell's Chunky Soup. It's 209 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:22,080 Speaker 1: meaty goodness fuels the greatness of Packers fans everywhere. Try 210 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:24,800 Speaker 1: the delicious classic chicken noodle soup. Just visit your local 211 00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:28,480 Speaker 1: supermarket and asked for Campbell's Chunky Sup Official sup partner 212 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:31,760 Speaker 1: of the Green Bay Packers. Okay, returning to the discussion 213 00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:33,680 Speaker 1: of Ryan Pace, you said how much he kind of 214 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:36,560 Speaker 1: stuck his neck out there on the Khalil Mac move. 215 00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:39,840 Speaker 1: He did the same thing with Mr Rubisky. He traded up, 216 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 1: just trading up one spot, but it cost him a 217 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:45,280 Speaker 1: fair amount of draft capital trading up from the three 218 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:49,839 Speaker 1: spot to the two spot to draft Trubisky. And I 219 00:10:49,880 --> 00:10:52,760 Speaker 1: was asked in Insider inbox about Okay, so, just how 220 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:56,880 Speaker 1: sustainable is this for the Bears? Uh? Because they're obviously 221 00:10:56,920 --> 00:10:58,559 Speaker 1: they put together a good team. They're going to be 222 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:01,840 Speaker 1: in the playoffs this year. What's the what's the longevity 223 00:11:01,880 --> 00:11:06,040 Speaker 1: of this potential competitive run for them, And I said 224 00:11:06,080 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 1: it comes down to two things. One, Ryan Pace is 225 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 1: going to have to start drafting better than a lot 226 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:14,520 Speaker 1: of other teams because the Bears don't have a first 227 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:17,599 Speaker 1: round draft pick now until the next two drafts, no 228 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:20,440 Speaker 1: first round picks because of the Mac trade. But the 229 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:22,840 Speaker 1: other thing that really is going to be potentially even 230 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:26,880 Speaker 1: the bigger piece to how long the Bears can sustain 231 00:11:26,920 --> 00:11:30,680 Speaker 1: this is what is Mr Trubisky ceiling his development. He's 232 00:11:30,679 --> 00:11:32,600 Speaker 1: only in his second season. He's got a lot of 233 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:36,000 Speaker 1: games under his belt for a second year quarterback. But 234 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:39,319 Speaker 1: if his arrow continues to point up and he continues 235 00:11:39,360 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 1: to become the guy that Ryan Pace was so enamored 236 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:46,360 Speaker 1: with and so convinced was his guy that he made 237 00:11:46,400 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 1: that trade to get up to number two in the 238 00:11:48,200 --> 00:11:50,400 Speaker 1: draft in order to take him a couple of years ago, 239 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:53,200 Speaker 1: then this can be a This can be sustained for 240 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:55,800 Speaker 1: the Chicago Bears. But as it is with any team 241 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:58,679 Speaker 1: in the NFL West, it hinge it hinges on the quarterback. 242 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:01,640 Speaker 1: The Bears right now have one who is not at 243 00:12:01,640 --> 00:12:04,640 Speaker 1: his ceiling yet. The question is what is that ceiling? Yeah, 244 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 1: it's a great question. It's the thing. If you have 245 00:12:06,440 --> 00:12:08,320 Speaker 1: a quarterback under three or four years in the league, 246 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:10,559 Speaker 1: you're still trying to figure out I honestly, I think 247 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:13,040 Speaker 1: there's some teams. You look at Miami, it's been six 248 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:14,760 Speaker 1: years now, they're still trying to see what they have 249 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:17,800 Speaker 1: in Ryan Tanner. That's just the game you play if 250 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:20,160 Speaker 1: you don't have Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees and these 251 00:12:20,160 --> 00:12:22,440 Speaker 1: guys that are just on their famous way to the 252 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:25,280 Speaker 1: Hall of Fame. Trabinsky to me, you know, if you 253 00:12:25,320 --> 00:12:27,080 Speaker 1: go back to Week one, Mike and we did our 254 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:31,480 Speaker 1: our preview ended up being the regular season premier. I 255 00:12:31,559 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 1: was really hesitant about him to some regard. I still 256 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:36,560 Speaker 1: am someone hesitant about him. But the one thing I'll 257 00:12:36,559 --> 00:12:38,200 Speaker 1: give him credit for, and I will also give Matt 258 00:12:38,240 --> 00:12:41,160 Speaker 1: Naggie credit for, is he's playing a lot more free 259 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:43,840 Speaker 1: this season. Um. Now, that also goes with a you know, 260 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:46,240 Speaker 1: there's more interceptions this year. There's been some turnovers. I 261 00:12:46,240 --> 00:12:48,200 Speaker 1: think he's tied for third right now in the NFL, 262 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:54,960 Speaker 1: tied for fourth with twelve picks the most last week, right, Yeah, exactly. 263 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:56,480 Speaker 1: I mean that was a rough showing, but yet they 264 00:12:56,520 --> 00:12:58,719 Speaker 1: still did enough to to win that game fifteen to 265 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:03,560 Speaker 1: six Trubisky. I think the best thing that they did, 266 00:13:04,040 --> 00:13:06,679 Speaker 1: and I can't get into all the what played into it, 267 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:08,839 Speaker 1: but the fact that Jordan Howard finally had a hundred 268 00:13:08,920 --> 00:13:11,959 Speaker 1: yard game last week, his first performance of that nature 269 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:15,800 Speaker 1: this season. Tera Cohen has been his number one target 270 00:13:15,840 --> 00:13:18,320 Speaker 1: out of the backfield. You can sign Allen Robinson, you 271 00:13:18,320 --> 00:13:20,920 Speaker 1: can sign Taylor Gabriel, you can do all these different 272 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:23,040 Speaker 1: things as far as the perimeter weapons, but I think 273 00:13:23,040 --> 00:13:25,640 Speaker 1: it's pretty obvious that his best friends right now or though, 274 00:13:25,760 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 1: is his backfield. When they get how Weard going, when 275 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:31,240 Speaker 1: they get Cohen involved, good things happen for the Bears. 276 00:13:31,640 --> 00:13:33,559 Speaker 1: That's where the big emphasis, I think for Mike Petton 277 00:13:33,559 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: and this defense has to be being able to show up, 278 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:39,880 Speaker 1: not allow, you know, Howard to be able to gush you, 279 00:13:39,880 --> 00:13:41,960 Speaker 1: you know, kind of bleed you for yards, and keep 280 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:45,320 Speaker 1: Derek Cohen away from those big play opportunities. Because as 281 00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:47,280 Speaker 1: much as we've talked about all those perimeter weapons and 282 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 1: everything they added Anthony Miller through the draft, it's still 283 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:53,680 Speaker 1: about the tight end Trey Burton in those two running backs, 284 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:55,080 Speaker 1: and you've got to start there if you're gonna stop 285 00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:58,680 Speaker 1: your Bisky. Yeah, and you mentioned Cohen is is the 286 00:13:58,679 --> 00:14:01,400 Speaker 1: Bears leading receiver year in terms of yardage. But I 287 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:04,199 Speaker 1: would say the other thing that does make this Bears 288 00:14:04,240 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 1: offense a little bit difficult, not only some of the 289 00:14:07,440 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 1: creative motioning and this and that, and and a handful 290 00:14:10,280 --> 00:14:14,200 Speaker 1: of trick plays that Matt Naggi has has run throughout 291 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:16,240 Speaker 1: the course of this season, but it's kind of an 292 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:19,240 Speaker 1: equal opportunity passing game. When you just look at the numbers, 293 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:23,080 Speaker 1: I believe it's five different guys with at least thirty 294 00:14:23,120 --> 00:14:27,920 Speaker 1: receptions and four hundred yards essentially. Um. Those uh, five 295 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:30,680 Speaker 1: different guys with with those kind of numbers, And and 296 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:32,760 Speaker 1: you said it. You know, there's Cohen, there's the tight 297 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 1: end Burton, you have Gabriel Robinson, and Anthony Miller the 298 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:40,960 Speaker 1: rookie wide receiver. We had talked last year the Bears 299 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:43,680 Speaker 1: had to do something at wide receiver because as a rookie, 300 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:46,160 Speaker 1: Trubisky really didn't have anybody to throw the ball too. 301 00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:50,080 Speaker 1: They did that, They completely revamped their receiving corps. And 302 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:53,320 Speaker 1: as these guys have continued to to work in this 303 00:14:53,440 --> 00:14:56,600 Speaker 1: offense and and understand what Naggie wants them to do, 304 00:14:56,680 --> 00:15:01,320 Speaker 1: and and Traubinsky understanding what his role is. It's it's 305 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:04,160 Speaker 1: not an explosive offense, but it's not exactly easy to 306 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 1: defend either because the ball can go to so many 307 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:08,600 Speaker 1: different guys. Yeah. Absolutely, And again not to keep throwing 308 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 1: comparables back to two thousand one with Jim Miller and 309 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:13,520 Speaker 1: what the Bears did that season with Anthony Thomas, but 310 00:15:13,760 --> 00:15:16,160 Speaker 1: there are I think some of those those direct correlations 311 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:18,560 Speaker 1: because it's not like they have a Pro Bowl all 312 00:15:18,640 --> 00:15:21,520 Speaker 1: Pro type difference maker in this offense. But they get 313 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:23,680 Speaker 1: it done and they can win close games, and if 314 00:15:23,720 --> 00:15:25,960 Speaker 1: you're going to win and make a playoff run, that's 315 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:27,480 Speaker 1: what you have to do. And to be quite honest 316 00:15:27,560 --> 00:15:30,240 Speaker 1: with you, with Trubisky only being in his second year 317 00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:32,960 Speaker 1: at twenty four years old, this is the trajectory you expected. 318 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:35,400 Speaker 1: You expected them to take a step, but probably still 319 00:15:35,440 --> 00:15:37,000 Speaker 1: not to be on the cutting edge of a lot 320 00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:39,440 Speaker 1: of this stuff. So they're doing it the right way 321 00:15:39,440 --> 00:15:41,360 Speaker 1: in that regard. I think Anthony Miller and used to 322 00:15:41,400 --> 00:15:44,200 Speaker 1: come is gonna be a real problem for the NFC North. Um. 323 00:15:44,240 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 1: You know, Allen Robinson has been okay for the majority 324 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:50,000 Speaker 1: of this season. Taylor Garbriel has been a safety valve 325 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:52,600 Speaker 1: of sorts for him coming out of the slot. But 326 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:54,800 Speaker 1: but getting back to what I said originally, I just 327 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 1: think that Howard and Cohen, the one thing that they 328 00:15:57,680 --> 00:15:59,040 Speaker 1: were able to do last year when they didn't have 329 00:15:59,080 --> 00:16:01,720 Speaker 1: those perimeter weapons as they were really able to establish 330 00:16:01,800 --> 00:16:04,080 Speaker 1: them as there one to punch. That's your threat. That's 331 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:06,720 Speaker 1: where Trubisky is going to be his most comfortable, the 332 00:16:06,760 --> 00:16:08,720 Speaker 1: fact that he's been using Cohen. And it's not like 333 00:16:08,720 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 1: he's just getting six yard completions here either, sixty three catches, 334 00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:15,680 Speaker 1: six seventy nine yards, four touchdowns, a long of seventy. 335 00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:20,120 Speaker 1: He can make plays. So yeah, that it isn't exactly 336 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 1: I think what Atlanta possesses in terms of just the 337 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:25,880 Speaker 1: across the board explosiveness, but there's enough there that if 338 00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:28,440 Speaker 1: the Bears are suffocating you defensively, they're going to be 339 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 1: able to get enough points to win. Yeah. And the 340 00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:33,200 Speaker 1: one thing that I would say is the X factor 341 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 1: with this Bears offense that you really have to pay 342 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:38,240 Speaker 1: attention to because there's certainly plenty of film on it 343 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:41,480 Speaker 1: to this point as we get into December, and that's 344 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:44,680 Speaker 1: the scrambling of Mistrud that's right too. Yes, absolutely, he's 345 00:16:44,680 --> 00:16:47,440 Speaker 1: got I believe he's closing in on four hundred rushing 346 00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:49,960 Speaker 1: yards on the season. I think he has three rushing 347 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:53,920 Speaker 1: touchdowns to go with his passing touchdowns. And like I said, 348 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:57,120 Speaker 1: I haven't watched a ton of Chicago Bears football this year, 349 00:16:57,160 --> 00:16:59,840 Speaker 1: but when the Packers were on their bye week, I 350 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:02,600 Speaker 1: did sit and watch pretty much start to finish the 351 00:17:02,640 --> 00:17:05,320 Speaker 1: Bears game against the Patriots. That was that Soldier field 352 00:17:05,680 --> 00:17:08,359 Speaker 1: and Mr Rubisky just kept tucking the ball and running 353 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:10,840 Speaker 1: and I just kept waiting like, Okay, when is this 354 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:13,960 Speaker 1: Bill Belichick defense going to adjust and take away the 355 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:17,240 Speaker 1: scrambling Trubisky. Now, the Patriots eventually did win that game, 356 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:20,720 Speaker 1: but Trubisky with his scrambling was single handedly keeping the 357 00:17:20,720 --> 00:17:22,560 Speaker 1: Bears in it and gave them a chance to win 358 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:26,200 Speaker 1: that game all the way up until the end. This guy, 359 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 1: this guy is dangerous when he runs with the football. 360 00:17:28,560 --> 00:17:31,920 Speaker 1: He's a good athlete. He's he's savvy and smart with 361 00:17:32,200 --> 00:17:35,560 Speaker 1: where he runs and when he slides. And I think 362 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:38,440 Speaker 1: from the Packers point of view, defensive game plan wise, 363 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:41,640 Speaker 1: you don't want to rush Mitch Trubisky to sack him. 364 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:44,159 Speaker 1: You want to rush him to make him throw the ball, 365 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:46,439 Speaker 1: because if you try to go after the sacks, he 366 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:48,480 Speaker 1: will get away and he will burn you and move 367 00:17:48,520 --> 00:17:50,359 Speaker 1: the chains with his legs. Yeah, it's incredible, and I'm 368 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:52,159 Speaker 1: glad you point that out because I was. I was 369 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:54,280 Speaker 1: meaning too about ten minutes ago when I forgot to 370 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:56,560 Speaker 1: bring this aspect up of his game, because I think 371 00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:58,320 Speaker 1: that's when you look at the two running backs and 372 00:17:58,359 --> 00:18:00,560 Speaker 1: what they do there. He's the counter to at He 373 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:02,240 Speaker 1: can check it down to Cohen, he can tuck it 374 00:18:02,280 --> 00:18:04,320 Speaker 1: and scramble it, he can find a guy on the perimeter. 375 00:18:04,760 --> 00:18:06,879 Speaker 1: There's all those different assets than he has available in 376 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:09,520 Speaker 1: his fingertips. In a credit to Trabisky, he seems to 377 00:18:09,520 --> 00:18:12,640 Speaker 1: do a pretty good job of not panicking and being like, Okay, 378 00:18:12,640 --> 00:18:15,159 Speaker 1: I got aboard the play and scramble. He looks at 379 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:17,359 Speaker 1: it much like Aaron Rodgers looks like at it is 380 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:19,760 Speaker 1: that if your guy's covered, you're the you're the hat, 381 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:22,639 Speaker 1: you're the unclaimed guy. You know, go and get your yards. 382 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:24,960 Speaker 1: And he's been able to do that. The Bears like 383 00:18:25,080 --> 00:18:27,520 Speaker 1: that about him when they drafted him out of North Carolina. 384 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:29,879 Speaker 1: They saw that playmaking ability with him, and it's the 385 00:18:29,880 --> 00:18:31,639 Speaker 1: thing that can really give you headaches for a defense 386 00:18:31,680 --> 00:18:34,040 Speaker 1: as the game goes on. So how the Packers planned 387 00:18:34,040 --> 00:18:36,560 Speaker 1: to attack that? Do you have someone spying him? What 388 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:38,480 Speaker 1: kind of concepts are you looking at all things that 389 00:18:38,520 --> 00:18:40,600 Speaker 1: Mike Petton's gonna have on the table. But to your 390 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:43,560 Speaker 1: original point, rushing to contain him and keeping him in 391 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:45,000 Speaker 1: the pocket is going to be one of the big 392 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:46,680 Speaker 1: keys I think for the Packers to pull out a 393 00:18:46,720 --> 00:18:49,480 Speaker 1: victory here. Yeah, I think if the Packers can contain 394 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:51,840 Speaker 1: that running game as you mentioned before, and not let 395 00:18:51,920 --> 00:18:54,879 Speaker 1: Jordan Howard really kind of get rolling downhill, so to speak. 396 00:18:55,280 --> 00:18:58,480 Speaker 1: You limit the explosive plays of Cohen, whether that's in 397 00:18:58,520 --> 00:19:01,240 Speaker 1: the running game or the passing game, and you make 398 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:04,640 Speaker 1: Mits Rubinsky throw the ball. And if in December weather 399 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:06,520 Speaker 1: in Chicago, now I understand it's not going to be 400 00:19:06,560 --> 00:19:09,000 Speaker 1: too awfully cold for the middle of December down there 401 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:11,840 Speaker 1: on Sunday, But if Mitch Drubisky is going to beat 402 00:19:11,880 --> 00:19:14,120 Speaker 1: you with his arm, then you tip your cap to him, 403 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:16,719 Speaker 1: but you don't let him. Don't don't let him just 404 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:19,960 Speaker 1: bail himself out by running for first down. The Packers 405 00:19:19,960 --> 00:19:23,919 Speaker 1: have to be smart with uh with how they rush him. 406 00:19:23,960 --> 00:19:25,520 Speaker 1: And how they get pressure on him. And I think 407 00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:27,639 Speaker 1: the big thing too is the pressure Mike. I mean 408 00:19:27,720 --> 00:19:29,520 Speaker 1: you look at some of these matchups. I'm gonna take 409 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:32,320 Speaker 1: for example, that Detroit game from a little over a 410 00:19:32,359 --> 00:19:35,000 Speaker 1: month ago. Now, he threw for three five yards and 411 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:37,120 Speaker 1: three touchdowns and the Lions were only able to get 412 00:19:37,119 --> 00:19:40,000 Speaker 1: to him once in that game. Uh. The Bears are 413 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:42,200 Speaker 1: banged up on their offensive line. They lost Kyle Long 414 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:43,880 Speaker 1: for the year that they've had to weather. I think 415 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:46,359 Speaker 1: Eric cushes out too, So I mean being able to 416 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:49,440 Speaker 1: generate some pressure against that front and make things uncomfortable 417 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:52,560 Speaker 1: for Rubinsky. Um, this is a big challenge for Mike Petton. 418 00:19:52,560 --> 00:19:54,879 Speaker 1: As much as we're gonna talk about Joe Philbin and 419 00:19:54,920 --> 00:19:57,120 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers and to find ways to get to Vic 420 00:19:57,119 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 1: Fangio's defense defensively, the Packers doing this same thing too, 421 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:02,960 Speaker 1: Trabiski and company is going to be really important. Yeah, 422 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:04,680 Speaker 1: well it's I think it's going to be a whale 423 00:20:04,680 --> 00:20:06,919 Speaker 1: of a football game Packers Bears in December, with as 424 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:08,879 Speaker 1: much on the line as there is, it should be 425 00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:11,159 Speaker 1: a fun one. But for now we're gonna call it 426 00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:13,560 Speaker 1: a wrap on this edition of Packers unscripted. Be sure 427 00:20:13,560 --> 00:20:15,760 Speaker 1: to follow all of our coverage of the team on 428 00:20:15,880 --> 00:20:18,520 Speaker 1: Packers dot com on Twitter, He's at west Hot I'm 429 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:21,520 Speaker 1: at Mike Spofford at Packers for the team account. Thanks 430 00:20:21,520 --> 00:20:23,640 Speaker 1: for tuning in, everybody, See you next time.