1 00:00:00,880 --> 00:00:14,680 Speaker 1: Hi everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:18,000 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford, joined as always by my trusted 3 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:20,920 Speaker 1: colleague West Hodkowits were coming to you here from our 4 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:23,600 Speaker 1: studios at lambeau Field West. It is Thursday. We are 5 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:28,960 Speaker 1: another day closer to the two Packers Bears meeting. It 6 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 1: will be Sunday, a noon Central time kickoff at lambeau Field. 7 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:35,120 Speaker 1: Obviously a big game for both teams, as we've been 8 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 1: talking about all week long, and as usual, after Wednesday's practice, 9 00:00:39,760 --> 00:00:43,920 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers had his weekly media session at his locker, 10 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:48,080 Speaker 1: and he made no bones about it really was. He 11 00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:53,120 Speaker 1: in discussing what he termed the quote unquote deciding factor 12 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:56,120 Speaker 1: for this Packers team in terms of whether it's going 13 00:00:56,160 --> 00:00:58,520 Speaker 1: to make the playoffs, whether it's gonna win the division, 14 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:03,000 Speaker 1: how far this team will go, he said it will 15 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:07,319 Speaker 1: come down to consistency, and by that he means we've 16 00:01:07,360 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 1: all seen certain levels the Packers have played at at 17 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:14,640 Speaker 1: different times this season down the stretch and moving forward, 18 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:19,000 Speaker 1: it's about finding that level and then staying there for 19 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:21,240 Speaker 1: as long as you can, because that's been the challenge 20 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:24,440 Speaker 1: with this team is to is to get itself to 21 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:26,880 Speaker 1: that level and then stay there for an extended period 22 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:29,720 Speaker 1: of time. Yeah, we've seen a few games this year 23 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:32,680 Speaker 1: out of the thirteen to date where the Packers I think, 24 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:35,440 Speaker 1: have achieved that for the most part. Maybe it wasn't 25 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:38,920 Speaker 1: the cleanest defensively, but you've seen the performances where they've 26 00:01:38,959 --> 00:01:41,319 Speaker 1: dictated tempo. It's something I say a lot from the 27 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:45,039 Speaker 1: very beginning. Oakland defensively wasn't a gem of a game, 28 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:47,080 Speaker 1: But that's kind of the one that jumps out when 29 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:49,920 Speaker 1: I think back to that because of one how Rogers played, 30 00:01:50,120 --> 00:01:52,880 Speaker 1: but to just the different contributions they got in that game. 31 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:55,760 Speaker 1: This offense, I think one thing we all have to 32 00:01:55,760 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 1: step back and just realize for two thousand nineteen, this 33 00:01:58,520 --> 00:02:01,200 Speaker 1: offense is going to operate at its best when you 34 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:04,920 Speaker 1: have multiple people contributing. They can win games when it's 35 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones, they can win games when it's Aaron Rodgers, 36 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:10,040 Speaker 1: and you can win games in Davante Adams has a 37 00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 1: big hundred yard performance. But being able to get those 38 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 1: things to happen simultaneously during the course of a sixty 39 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:19,520 Speaker 1: minute game is going to be what ultimately propels them 40 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 1: into the playoffs and to make a championship run, and 41 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:25,640 Speaker 1: they've done it. They have that potential in them, and 42 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:28,080 Speaker 1: I think if there's anything that the Green May Packers 43 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:30,120 Speaker 1: can take from these last few weeks as they try 44 00:02:30,200 --> 00:02:34,160 Speaker 1: to build up a playoff resume, is that they're going 45 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 1: to have an opportunity here to really put that on display. 46 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:41,120 Speaker 1: The Chicago Bears are a different type of beast though, 47 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:44,200 Speaker 1: right it's not the Giants and it's not Washington. They're 48 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:46,519 Speaker 1: gonna have to raise their level another notch when you're 49 00:02:46,639 --> 00:02:48,840 Speaker 1: playing a team that's kind of coming off a recent 50 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:51,359 Speaker 1: hot streak. But all that being said, I think it's 51 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:53,959 Speaker 1: the perfect opponent for them because what is the one 52 00:02:54,080 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 1: game when you look at the course of this year 53 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:59,960 Speaker 1: where Green Bay, while they won, weren't able to find 54 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:02,440 Speaker 1: in their offensive rhythm. It was that Bears game. Because 55 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:04,680 Speaker 1: of how good they are defensively and because of some 56 00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 1: of the things the Packers are working through at that time, 57 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 1: I think there is a better feel of self in 58 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:12,600 Speaker 1: what they are now as opposed to Week one, and 59 00:03:12,639 --> 00:03:15,320 Speaker 1: when you look for areas of growth, while consistency still 60 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:17,919 Speaker 1: is the key, I think you've seen it over these 61 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:20,520 Speaker 1: last three months in the direction this offense is headed. Yeah, 62 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 1: and Rogers was primarily talking about the offense and his 63 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:26,120 Speaker 1: discussion of consistency. But I think, and this is what 64 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:29,560 Speaker 1: I wrote about a little bit on our website Wednesday evening, 65 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:33,840 Speaker 1: is his words really apply to all three phases of 66 00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:37,280 Speaker 1: the team, because we've seen the special teams have their 67 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:39,480 Speaker 1: ups and downs. And yes, it was a great step 68 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:43,480 Speaker 1: forward to find a punt return game against Washington, something 69 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:46,360 Speaker 1: the Packers hopefully will have now here the rest of 70 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:49,520 Speaker 1: the way. But one game does not mean your issue 71 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 1: is entirely fixed, right. You can't just you can't just 72 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:54,520 Speaker 1: say that You've got to continue to do it again. 73 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:59,560 Speaker 1: It's about that word consistency. Defensively, the Packers haven't really 74 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 1: returned earned to the form they were in in September, 75 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 1: where really against the Bears, against the Vikings for the 76 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:08,280 Speaker 1: most part in week to certainly against the Broncos in 77 00:04:08,320 --> 00:04:12,160 Speaker 1: Week three, the defensive side of the ball was dictating 78 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 1: tempo a lot for the Packers in those games. Against 79 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 1: Washington last week, we saw the defense allow less than 80 00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 1: two hundred yards total yards until Washington's final drive when 81 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:25,680 Speaker 1: it was twenty to nine and they were in the 82 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:27,880 Speaker 1: complete hurry up mode and they had to score twice 83 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 1: within the last couple of minutes of the ballgame. So 84 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:35,520 Speaker 1: again that's a sign, but that doesn't mean everything is 85 00:04:35,640 --> 00:04:37,680 Speaker 1: suddenly fixed, because you need to be able to stay 86 00:04:37,720 --> 00:04:40,159 Speaker 1: at that level for an extended period and and on 87 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:42,920 Speaker 1: the offensive side of the ball. I think it has 88 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 1: it has worked for this Packers team to have different 89 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:49,080 Speaker 1: guys step up at different times and for this team 90 00:04:49,120 --> 00:04:53,720 Speaker 1: overall to find different ways to win. But that but 91 00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:56,720 Speaker 1: we've seen the ups and downs of this as it's 92 00:04:56,760 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 1: gone along through nineteen and the Packers need to you 93 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:03,440 Speaker 1: want to still, I mean, everybody needs to be ready 94 00:05:03,480 --> 00:05:05,479 Speaker 1: for his opportunity, right if you're going to be the 95 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:07,359 Speaker 1: guy who's the star of that game, if you're going 96 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:09,280 Speaker 1: to be the guy who makes the key play at 97 00:05:09,279 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 1: the key time. And that's how this team has put 98 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:14,520 Speaker 1: together ten wins in thirteen games so far. But on 99 00:05:14,640 --> 00:05:17,200 Speaker 1: the whole, you have to find a certain level of 100 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:19,640 Speaker 1: play here. You've got all your division opponents coming up 101 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:22,359 Speaker 1: and then hopefully some more games in January. You have 102 00:05:22,400 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 1: to find a certain level of play here and then 103 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:28,679 Speaker 1: maintain that standard because at this stage of the season, 104 00:05:28,839 --> 00:05:33,600 Speaker 1: any significant dip can turn out to be really, really costly. Yeah, 105 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 1: it really can. Because even though the Packers said at 106 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:37,640 Speaker 1: ten wins it was funny. I was talking with John 107 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:39,599 Speaker 1: Coon yesterday about this, and you know some of the 108 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:41,640 Speaker 1: things that they've worked through in two thousand and eight, 109 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:43,720 Speaker 1: the first time that he was able to beat the Bears, 110 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 1: you know, that was a monumental moment for him, and 111 00:05:46,040 --> 00:05:48,240 Speaker 1: it's end up being what set him up for that 112 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:50,400 Speaker 1: for that run that they got on over the next 113 00:05:50,400 --> 00:05:53,240 Speaker 1: two years to win a Super Bowl. It all starts, 114 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 1: it always starts in the division, and the Packers this 115 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:58,440 Speaker 1: year have a chance for the first time since two 116 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:01,120 Speaker 1: thousand eleven to go six and oh the division since 117 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:05,120 Speaker 1: two thousand and eleven. And this matchup with the Bears 118 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:08,200 Speaker 1: represents so much more than just a game, just an 119 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:11,279 Speaker 1: NFC North of Black and Blue Division matchup. There there's 120 00:06:11,320 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 1: so much at stake here in terms of history and 121 00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:15,640 Speaker 1: also in terms of being able to feel really good 122 00:06:15,640 --> 00:06:19,200 Speaker 1: about yourself going into Minnesota the week after. But the 123 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:21,600 Speaker 1: game has changed a little bit. I look at two 124 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:23,920 Speaker 1: thousand four, I brought this up when I was kind 125 00:06:23,960 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 1: of paging through the thumbing through the media guide. It 126 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:29,760 Speaker 1: was incredible to me that the Packers they had beaten 127 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:32,960 Speaker 1: Minnesota to win the NFC North. They went ten and 128 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:35,720 Speaker 1: six that year, Minnesota got into the playoffs. I think 129 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:38,880 Speaker 1: at eight and eight as a wild card. It's remarkable 130 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:40,240 Speaker 1: when you go back and think about it now, the 131 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:44,400 Speaker 1: Packers in most years sitting at ten and three. As 132 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 1: as I said in yesterday's show, Mike McCarthy's old mantra, 133 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:49,920 Speaker 1: that's when you start thinking playoffs. This year, that's not 134 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:53,400 Speaker 1: the case. Ten wins may not get you in the playoffs. 135 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:56,600 Speaker 1: Eleven wins could potentially not get you in the playoffs. 136 00:06:56,720 --> 00:06:59,760 Speaker 1: There are mathematical there are mathematical scenarios where teams in 137 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 1: the NFC, the Packers included, could finish eleven and five 138 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 1: and still be on the outside looking at exactly and 139 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:08,919 Speaker 1: the Packers they want to win that. The intention once 140 00:07:08,960 --> 00:07:11,480 Speaker 1: you get past this game, win loser draw on Sunday 141 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:13,360 Speaker 1: against the Bears is they want to go into US 142 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:16,200 Speaker 1: Bank Stadium and get that victory against the Vikings. That's 143 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:19,640 Speaker 1: the litmus test, that's the barometer, because by all accounts, 144 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:23,280 Speaker 1: the Vikings look to be a playoff team. But with 145 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:26,240 Speaker 1: this game against Chicago, if you're able to win this 146 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:29,560 Speaker 1: and then you win Detroit in two weeks, your work 147 00:07:29,640 --> 00:07:32,400 Speaker 1: is cut out for you the division champion, and depending 148 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 1: on how much anarchy happens here in the NFC, you 149 00:07:34,960 --> 00:07:37,920 Speaker 1: could be something even more than that. I look at 150 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:41,280 Speaker 1: this matchup in terms of, yes, what it means historically, Yes, 151 00:07:41,320 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 1: what it means to this year's team, but also from 152 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 1: the standpoint of what's the best way to get hot 153 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:48,240 Speaker 1: late in the season in December. When you look at 154 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:51,680 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers numbers, it's to win these NFC North matchups 155 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 1: with how this division layout is played out in what 156 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:55,600 Speaker 1: better way to do it than a win against the 157 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:58,640 Speaker 1: Bears on Sunday. Yeah, And we saw what this exact 158 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:02,880 Speaker 1: NFC North gonet it did for the Packers in three 159 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:05,440 Speaker 1: years ago when they were in a different position where 160 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:07,440 Speaker 1: they were they were fighting to get into the playoffs, 161 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:10,680 Speaker 1: they were looking for help from elsewhere. But they had 162 00:08:10,720 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 1: all three division opponents lined up in weeks fifteen, sixteen seventeen, 163 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:17,160 Speaker 1: and they ran it, and they ran it all the 164 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:19,800 Speaker 1: way to the NFC Championship game before they before they 165 00:08:19,840 --> 00:08:22,680 Speaker 1: ran into a buzz on in Atlanta. And it's really coincidental, Mike, 166 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:24,880 Speaker 1: because that reason I was thumbing through the media guide 167 00:08:24,880 --> 00:08:26,600 Speaker 1: was because an inbox reader it asked, when was the 168 00:08:26,680 --> 00:08:28,680 Speaker 1: last time the Packers have finished with back to back 169 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 1: road games to finish a season? That is that is 170 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 1: a challenging aspect to this year's schedule, and it was 171 00:08:34,480 --> 00:08:37,480 Speaker 1: it was two thousand and four. And for the Packers 172 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 1: to be in a position here to have eleven wins 173 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:42,839 Speaker 1: entering that stretch that gives you a little bit more 174 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:46,280 Speaker 1: breathing room depending on crazy scenarios that could play out. 175 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:48,960 Speaker 1: And then, by the way, if you take care of 176 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:51,079 Speaker 1: business and you win all three of these things, well 177 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:53,720 Speaker 1: then you get a buy. So the stakes I wrote 178 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:55,520 Speaker 1: this in a Darnell Savage player on the Rise that 179 00:08:55,559 --> 00:08:58,440 Speaker 1: I put together on Thursday, the stakes are extremely high 180 00:08:58,559 --> 00:09:01,400 Speaker 1: right now. And when the NFL made this adjustment to 181 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:04,320 Speaker 1: finish the year against your division, this was the type 182 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:07,800 Speaker 1: of you know, drama they hope to create. And for 183 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:09,920 Speaker 1: the Packers to be back in this scenario where these 184 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:11,679 Speaker 1: things are meaningful and the Packers are looking to get 185 00:09:11,679 --> 00:09:13,480 Speaker 1: to the postseason for the first time since two thousand 186 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 1: and sixteen, doesn't get much more exciting than that. Yeah, 187 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:18,800 Speaker 1: just to clarify for folks too, if you're looking at, okay, 188 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:21,520 Speaker 1: how can the Packers win the division if they don't 189 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:24,720 Speaker 1: run it and win all three and finish thirteen and three. 190 00:09:24,920 --> 00:09:27,240 Speaker 1: A couple of different ways. You can beat the Bears 191 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:29,440 Speaker 1: and beat the Lions and get to twelve wins, and 192 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:32,280 Speaker 1: you'll be the division champs if the Packers were to 193 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:34,400 Speaker 1: happen to lose to the Bears and the Lions. But 194 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:37,960 Speaker 1: if they beat the Vikings next week, the Packers are 195 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 1: also division champs. Um with um because that would be 196 00:09:43,640 --> 00:09:46,280 Speaker 1: the Vikings fifth loss. Both teams would finish eleven and 197 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:49,360 Speaker 1: five in that potential scenario, and the Packers would have 198 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:50,800 Speaker 1: the head to head sweep. So there's a couple of 199 00:09:50,840 --> 00:09:54,200 Speaker 1: different ways here Green Bay can win the division. But 200 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:57,760 Speaker 1: you just mentioned the rookie set rookie safety. Excuse me, 201 00:09:57,840 --> 00:10:02,679 Speaker 1: Darnell Savage and and you uh later today or at 202 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:06,280 Speaker 1: some point after we're done taping here, a story as 203 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:09,160 Speaker 1: this week's Player on the Rise will be posted on 204 00:10:09,200 --> 00:10:11,800 Speaker 1: our website with regard to Savage. And what's interesting to 205 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:13,640 Speaker 1: me is we we had talked about this at the 206 00:10:13,640 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 1: beginning of the season. I think we're starting to see 207 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:20,320 Speaker 1: it come to fruition now the combination of a rookie, 208 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:25,520 Speaker 1: very athletic, very talented young safety being paired with a 209 00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:28,480 Speaker 1: veteran who has been through a lot of battles, been 210 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:30,720 Speaker 1: through a lot of wars, so to speak, and and 211 00:10:30,800 --> 00:10:34,440 Speaker 1: kind of knows the landscape of the NFL. It took 212 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:36,240 Speaker 1: a little bit of a break when Savage had to 213 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:38,480 Speaker 1: miss a couple of games back in October with an 214 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:42,000 Speaker 1: ankle injury. But this, this pairing in the back end 215 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:44,800 Speaker 1: of the Packers secondary, I think is is really starting 216 00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 1: to become what they were hoping well. And it was 217 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:48,640 Speaker 1: tough for the Packers during that time too, because not 218 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:50,720 Speaker 1: only were they without Savage, then you also had to 219 00:10:50,760 --> 00:10:52,439 Speaker 1: take ad your names and move him up to being 220 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:56,439 Speaker 1: a box linebacker, playing that hybrid role next to Blake Martinez. Yeah, 221 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:58,680 Speaker 1: he's playing a little out of position there. I tip 222 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:00,679 Speaker 1: my cap to Amos for what he did. He did 223 00:11:00,679 --> 00:11:03,320 Speaker 1: not complain about it. He stepped up admirally. But as 224 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:05,800 Speaker 1: I mentioned to you back then to Mike, the Packers 225 00:11:05,840 --> 00:11:08,040 Speaker 1: didn't pay Adrian Amos the money that they did. They 226 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:10,760 Speaker 1: didn't bring him in from Chicago to be an inside 227 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 1: linebacker next to Blake Martinez. They had to do that 228 00:11:13,760 --> 00:11:16,160 Speaker 1: out of necessity trying to bridge the gap to when 229 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:20,000 Speaker 1: they got Ibraheim Campbell back after losing Raven Green. But 230 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:22,920 Speaker 1: they want him playing in that setting, that deep at 231 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:24,800 Speaker 1: the back end. They want him being able to rove 232 00:11:24,840 --> 00:11:27,400 Speaker 1: a little bit, you know, make plays as a strong safety, 233 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:29,880 Speaker 1: but not necessarily be a guy that's just lining up 234 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:33,400 Speaker 1: right five yards behind the defensive front. And I really 235 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:36,640 Speaker 1: from Amos's perspective starting there, I thought that Washington game 236 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 1: really illustrated his value to this defense. He made a 237 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:42,600 Speaker 1: clutch interception at the end of the first half that 238 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:45,920 Speaker 1: that ended a potential drive there for Washington. He had 239 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:49,240 Speaker 1: the sack early off of Blitz. He was uncovered, he 240 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:52,360 Speaker 1: was nobody covered his hat, but he still was able 241 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:55,120 Speaker 1: to finish it against an athletic quarterback against Haskins for 242 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:58,439 Speaker 1: negative yardists play got the big guy down. And even 243 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:00,920 Speaker 1: more than that, you just see how smart he is 244 00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:03,720 Speaker 1: and how he's utilized in the secondary. I mentioned this 245 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:05,960 Speaker 1: earlier this week. I'm gonna mention again so much wants 246 00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:07,719 Speaker 1: to be made out of Amos playing the Bears. I'm 247 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:10,120 Speaker 1: sure Clinton Dix is answering the questions about Green Bay 248 00:12:10,240 --> 00:12:12,480 Speaker 1: right now, but both of these guys for what's being 249 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 1: asked to them fit those secondary pictures really well. I 250 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:17,600 Speaker 1: don't think there's a winner and the loser in this case. 251 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:20,079 Speaker 1: If anything, the Packers got an extra fourth round pick 252 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:23,760 Speaker 1: out of this transaction. Okay, Now looking at Savage, a 253 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:26,120 Speaker 1: young man that came in, he rose up the boards 254 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:29,960 Speaker 1: four point three six forty time, which is just remarkable 255 00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 1: for a free safety. He he ends up being a 256 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:34,880 Speaker 1: first round pick, the first defensive pack off the board. 257 00:12:35,160 --> 00:12:37,360 Speaker 1: And how many times can you remember, Mike and all 258 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:40,120 Speaker 1: your years covering this team where we've mis stepped into 259 00:12:40,120 --> 00:12:42,600 Speaker 1: that first o t a practice and there's a rookie 260 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:44,680 Speaker 1: that's starting out there with the defense. It doesn't work 261 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:47,560 Speaker 1: like that. The story I always say is Eddie Lacey 262 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:49,679 Speaker 1: for his harolded as he was when they drafted him 263 00:12:49,679 --> 00:12:52,400 Speaker 1: in two thousand thirteen. He was still behind Alex Green 264 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:55,280 Speaker 1: and James Starks and in the veteran running backs. The 265 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 1: Packers thought so much of Savage in in what his 266 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:00,320 Speaker 1: role had to be this year, he was out there 267 00:13:00,360 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 1: from day one. He made two big plays the first 268 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 1: month of the season, became the first safety to start 269 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 1: the regular season opener since Morgan Burnett in two thousand 270 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 1: and ten, he has to work through the ankle injury. 271 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:12,680 Speaker 1: But I think now these last few weeks, you're seeing 272 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:15,600 Speaker 1: a guy that's getting comfortable. He's still only twenty two 273 00:13:15,640 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 1: years old, and he's making plays at a critical position 274 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:20,960 Speaker 1: in this defense. If the Packers defense the things that 275 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:23,280 Speaker 1: you were outlining that they need to do to return 276 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:25,840 Speaker 1: to form here and to make a real presence this 277 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:28,400 Speaker 1: last month in the season and into the postseason, it 278 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:31,120 Speaker 1: starts with that safety position. I think you're seeing Amos 279 00:13:30,920 --> 00:13:33,839 Speaker 1: and Savage both being healthy and playing their natural roles, 280 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:36,600 Speaker 1: being able to bring that dimension to the secondary. Yeah. 281 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:39,120 Speaker 1: I mean, I think we've certainly seen some of the 282 00:13:39,200 --> 00:13:41,920 Speaker 1: expected ups and downs with the rookie safety and needed 283 00:13:41,920 --> 00:13:43,840 Speaker 1: to have the injury to deal with the middle of 284 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:46,600 Speaker 1: the season and all that. I'd like to also comment 285 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:48,880 Speaker 1: though on Amos for those who like to check out 286 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:51,120 Speaker 1: my what you Might Have Missed feature with a little 287 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 1: bit of the game film which was posted on the 288 00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:56,400 Speaker 1: website on Tuesday. Going through the defensive film from the 289 00:13:56,400 --> 00:13:58,960 Speaker 1: Washington game, I was really really impressed with Amos and 290 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:00,680 Speaker 1: I got a couple of snap on there. I'm not 291 00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:05,000 Speaker 1: showing his interception and the unblocked, you know, sack on 292 00:14:05,040 --> 00:14:10,520 Speaker 1: the blitz. You're like, yeah, did anybody miss that? Like 293 00:14:10,559 --> 00:14:13,200 Speaker 1: that was pretty obvious, right, But I put a couple 294 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:17,160 Speaker 1: of snaps in there that showed that, Uh, that showed 295 00:14:17,200 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 1: both both against run and pass some of the players 296 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:22,760 Speaker 1: that Amos was making in that game. His run support 297 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:26,560 Speaker 1: against Adrian Peterson in that Washington game was really really key. 298 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:30,480 Speaker 1: Just played disciplined, disciplined football where where it was like 299 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 1: he wasn't necessarily like, oh, I've got to rush up 300 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:34,680 Speaker 1: and make the tackle. There were a couple of instances 301 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:36,680 Speaker 1: he had to do that, but sometimes it was I 302 00:14:36,720 --> 00:14:39,040 Speaker 1: need to rush up and get into the right spot 303 00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:42,120 Speaker 1: to funnel him, to funnel the running back back to 304 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:45,000 Speaker 1: where the pursuit is to bring him down, and his 305 00:14:45,080 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 1: job was to make sure Peterson couldn't bounce outside and 306 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:49,600 Speaker 1: get to the sideline. Things like that. He also had 307 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 1: another play where he chased down um chased down a 308 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:56,160 Speaker 1: pass play the he came up to try to to 309 00:14:56,680 --> 00:14:58,880 Speaker 1: potentially take the tight end. The tight end leaked into 310 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:01,160 Speaker 1: the flat Kyler Facker want with him. There was an 311 00:15:01,200 --> 00:15:04,560 Speaker 1: over route coming from coming behind Amos. He just turned 312 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:06,840 Speaker 1: his back and sprinted over to the sideline and for 313 00:15:06,880 --> 00:15:08,880 Speaker 1: folks who remember that was the past that basically hit 314 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:11,240 Speaker 1: him in the back of the head, But he beat 315 00:15:11,280 --> 00:15:13,760 Speaker 1: the receiver to the spot in in that instance, and 316 00:15:13,800 --> 00:15:15,880 Speaker 1: that's why that's why he was there to make the play. 317 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:18,680 Speaker 1: So I was just really really impressed with his game. 318 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:21,320 Speaker 1: And obviously we all remember that he was the hero 319 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:23,880 Speaker 1: in Chicago in Week one with the interception in the 320 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:26,280 Speaker 1: end zone in the fourth quarter. But he's a guy 321 00:15:26,320 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 1: who continues to play down this whole thing about playing 322 00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:31,240 Speaker 1: against his former team and all that kind of stuff. 323 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:33,280 Speaker 1: That's not what it's about for him, especially here in 324 00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:36,320 Speaker 1: week fifteen. This is about where this Packers team has 325 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:38,640 Speaker 1: potentially had. I don't know if Adrian has ever met 326 00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:40,920 Speaker 1: Morgan Burnett, but I mean, like there's a lot of 327 00:15:40,920 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 1: similarities between those two, and I always I got along 328 00:15:43,680 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 1: really well with Morgan. So maybe that's why I really 329 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 1: like what Amos brings. Because he's not a demonstrative person. 330 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:52,200 Speaker 1: He's very even keel and he'll respectfully answer your question. 331 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:53,960 Speaker 1: He's just he doesn't buy into that, and it's not 332 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:56,560 Speaker 1: because he doesn't want to create headlines. He legitimately doesn't 333 00:15:56,560 --> 00:16:00,120 Speaker 1: care now and if anything, We're we've already got on 334 00:16:00,200 --> 00:16:01,520 Speaker 1: through what he knew he was gonna have to go 335 00:16:01,560 --> 00:16:03,240 Speaker 1: through that week one. Why would that still be a 336 00:16:03,280 --> 00:16:05,720 Speaker 1: conversation now, I mean, are we We're just gonna sit 337 00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 1: here and just keep asking guys about Therefore, you know, 338 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 1: should we ask some questions about Zadarius Smith and Baltimore 339 00:16:10,320 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 1: like next year? I mean, it is what it is, 340 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:16,160 Speaker 1: But in terms of his impact, I think it needs 341 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:19,280 Speaker 1: to be put out there too, that Eddie Jackson had 342 00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 1: a terrible injury coming out of Alabama, but they asked 343 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:26,520 Speaker 1: Aimos to be the compliment to him. This rookie that was, 344 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:28,160 Speaker 1: you know, wasn't able to do a lot of stuff 345 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: during the offseason program, was not able to do stuff 346 00:16:30,280 --> 00:16:33,000 Speaker 1: during the pre draft process. They asked him to partner 347 00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:35,360 Speaker 1: with this kid, and and you see, Jackson has kind 348 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 1: of flourished into an All Pro player. And I think 349 00:16:37,920 --> 00:16:40,000 Speaker 1: when you look at the intangibles, there's a lot of 350 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:42,800 Speaker 1: those same parallels that can be drawn with Darnell Savage 351 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:45,000 Speaker 1: and being able to get on a run with two 352 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:48,080 Speaker 1: safeties at the same position, being able to play off 353 00:16:48,120 --> 00:16:50,320 Speaker 1: each other. That's when these secondaries have been at their best. 354 00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:53,000 Speaker 1: I mean, yeah, The Packers lost Morgan Burnett to an 355 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 1: a C L in two thousand and ten and that 356 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 1: forced them to have to pivot to Charlie Pepper. But 357 00:16:57,040 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 1: then you had Collins and Pepper kind of working off 358 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:02,040 Speaker 1: each other. When you get two guys that can play 359 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:05,679 Speaker 1: their natural spots and be able to understand the responsibilities together, 360 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:08,200 Speaker 1: that's going to be what helps you out on those 361 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:11,000 Speaker 1: deep balls, on those explosive plays. And I love that 362 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:13,560 Speaker 1: you had illustrated that play that that Amos had made 363 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:16,679 Speaker 1: because those are the somewhat off script type things that 364 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:19,159 Speaker 1: a safety of free safety is strong safety. They just 365 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:21,280 Speaker 1: have to be accountable for you see that a guy 366 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:23,600 Speaker 1: has covered. Okay, go find work. Where can you make 367 00:17:23,600 --> 00:17:26,040 Speaker 1: yourself useful? It's on the trick that they're trying to 368 00:17:26,040 --> 00:17:28,280 Speaker 1: pull behind you with the with the outroute. So it's 369 00:17:28,400 --> 00:17:31,359 Speaker 1: it's it's it's it's making those it's making those reactions. 370 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:35,200 Speaker 1: I'm sure part of it was film study that he recognized, 371 00:17:35,560 --> 00:17:39,040 Speaker 1: he recognized in the proper moment where the ball was 372 00:17:39,080 --> 00:17:42,080 Speaker 1: potentially going to go, and so so he got himself there. 373 00:17:42,119 --> 00:17:44,520 Speaker 1: And that those are the kinds of things that veterans 374 00:17:44,520 --> 00:17:47,000 Speaker 1: can do and can help teach a young guy like 375 00:17:47,080 --> 00:17:49,280 Speaker 1: Savage so that he gets to that level as well. Yeah, 376 00:17:49,320 --> 00:17:50,800 Speaker 1: and and the other thing is too that I don't 377 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:52,480 Speaker 1: think you can discount about this, and we'll be able 378 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:54,879 Speaker 1: to discuss this all offseason. I imagine it's going to 379 00:17:54,960 --> 00:17:56,800 Speaker 1: be a huge storyline when we go to the combine 380 00:17:56,800 --> 00:17:59,439 Speaker 1: and maybe even through to the owners meetings, how healthy 381 00:17:59,560 --> 00:18:03,119 Speaker 1: this team has been this year. Matt Lafleur keeps he 382 00:18:03,240 --> 00:18:06,040 Speaker 1: keeps cushioning all that by saying, you have to be fortunate, lucky, 383 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:08,640 Speaker 1: and there is truth to that. There's just strange things 384 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:10,560 Speaker 1: that happened. Guys get hurt and you have to play 385 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:13,080 Speaker 1: through it. But the thing that I think is underrated 386 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:16,240 Speaker 1: about all this is that again on Wednesday's practice practice 387 00:18:16,280 --> 00:18:18,760 Speaker 1: it was modified, but you had all fifty three guys 388 00:18:18,760 --> 00:18:20,960 Speaker 1: out there. Last week, they had all fifty three guys 389 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:24,040 Speaker 1: out there. When these guys can work like that, especially 390 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:27,480 Speaker 1: in this defense, I don't think it is any type of, 391 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:31,120 Speaker 1: you know, coincidence that you've seen the defense, relatively speaking, 392 00:18:31,160 --> 00:18:33,920 Speaker 1: have two strong performances back to back out of any 393 00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:36,400 Speaker 1: particular phase or unit that probably needed to be able 394 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:39,800 Speaker 1: to get some confidence back. It's Mike Petton's team and 395 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:42,760 Speaker 1: being able to, you know, have everybody out there and 396 00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:46,200 Speaker 1: everybody participating. Trumon Williams has been a veteran rusk guy, 397 00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 1: but for the most part, they've been able to just 398 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:50,639 Speaker 1: kind of work with those pieces together. That goes a 399 00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:52,320 Speaker 1: long way. Yeah, And the other thing I wanted to 400 00:18:52,359 --> 00:18:55,120 Speaker 1: mention also with the defense, when I mentioned Washington's total 401 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 1: yards under two d until the final drive last week, 402 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:03,000 Speaker 1: only really two explosive plays allowed until that final drive 403 00:19:03,080 --> 00:19:05,119 Speaker 1: late in the fourth quarter, Darius Guys had a twenty 404 00:19:05,119 --> 00:19:07,160 Speaker 1: three yard run. They hit a thirty yard pass over 405 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:10,720 Speaker 1: the middle on a on a third and long situation. Otherwise, 406 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:14,800 Speaker 1: the gains the progress Washington was make was was in 407 00:19:14,880 --> 00:19:17,239 Speaker 1: much smaller chunks. It was kept more manageable. I think 408 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:20,639 Speaker 1: that's also a very good sign for this defense going forward. 409 00:19:20,680 --> 00:19:23,120 Speaker 1: But as I said, one game doesn't mean that your 410 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:25,960 Speaker 1: issue is fixed. So before we go here, West, I 411 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:27,800 Speaker 1: want to I started the show by saying, it's the 412 00:19:27,840 --> 00:19:31,879 Speaker 1: two Packers Bearers game coming up this Sunday. Do you 413 00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:37,399 Speaker 1: have a specific Packers Bears rivalry memory from your youth? 414 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:39,560 Speaker 1: I mean, before we got into all this, Like, that's 415 00:19:39,560 --> 00:19:42,800 Speaker 1: a great question. All that is there one? Is there 416 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:45,040 Speaker 1: one from your youth that sticks out? You know which 417 00:19:45,119 --> 00:19:47,600 Speaker 1: one always? I kind of remember. I think it was 418 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:51,160 Speaker 1: oh one, right when they went thirteen and three under 419 00:19:51,200 --> 00:19:54,920 Speaker 1: Dick Drawn Yes, and Jim Miller was the quarterback, Jim 420 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:59,040 Speaker 1: Jim Miller and Shane Matthews. Shane Matthews started at the beginning, 421 00:19:59,080 --> 00:20:00,879 Speaker 1: and then it became Miller. I think this was mostly 422 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:03,520 Speaker 1: because Kate McNown really didn't work out for them, and 423 00:20:03,680 --> 00:20:06,280 Speaker 1: Miller the journeyman, Jim Miller ends up being their starter, 424 00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:10,119 Speaker 1: if I remember correctly. Uh, the Bears went thirteen and 425 00:20:10,200 --> 00:20:12,480 Speaker 1: three that year, and I believe the Packers handed them 426 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 1: their two losses, right, two of those two of those 427 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:17,399 Speaker 1: three losses. Yes, we're to Green Bayes. That is correct, 428 00:20:17,440 --> 00:20:19,960 Speaker 1: And that was kind of always fun for me I 429 00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:21,920 Speaker 1: as a kid. I just thought that was really cool 430 00:20:21,960 --> 00:20:24,240 Speaker 1: because it's like even when the Bears like had their 431 00:20:24,440 --> 00:20:26,919 Speaker 1: good year, Uh, the Packers still ended up getting the 432 00:20:26,920 --> 00:20:30,240 Speaker 1: better of them. That season. Was a great defense, much 433 00:20:30,320 --> 00:20:33,280 Speaker 1: like what they had in two thousand six, very defensive 434 00:20:33,280 --> 00:20:35,600 Speaker 1: heavy team. Um, that's one that stands out to me. 435 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:38,000 Speaker 1: I remember there was some some solid performances that Edgar 436 00:20:38,040 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 1: Bennett had against the Bears when I was really young. Um, 437 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:42,520 Speaker 1: but yeah, those are those are the ones. Like you 438 00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:44,239 Speaker 1: asked me a question like that, that's the first thing 439 00:20:44,240 --> 00:20:46,520 Speaker 1: that pops off on my mind. Well, I'll tell a story, 440 00:20:46,520 --> 00:20:48,840 Speaker 1: and I've mentioned this story and Insider in Box. Actually 441 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:50,520 Speaker 1: I've got two stories for you if you got some time. 442 00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:54,480 Speaker 1: I think. Um, I've told this story and Insider Inbox before. 443 00:20:54,640 --> 00:20:58,040 Speaker 1: When I was a kid. Four was the first year 444 00:20:58,080 --> 00:21:00,840 Speaker 1: the Chicago Bears held their training up in Platteville in 445 00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:03,840 Speaker 1: my hometown. Okay, I've never been to an NFL game 446 00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:10,240 Speaker 1: in my life. My father that year for Christmas got um, 447 00:21:10,440 --> 00:21:13,800 Speaker 1: got us tickets to Packers Bears at Soldier Field. There 448 00:21:13,840 --> 00:21:16,040 Speaker 1: was like a fan bus type thing leaving from our 449 00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:20,840 Speaker 1: hometown to go to Chicago. Back then, it was about 450 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:24,560 Speaker 1: a four hour about a four hour car. So this 451 00:21:24,680 --> 00:21:26,840 Speaker 1: and this is a This is a late December game 452 00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:31,399 Speaker 1: Packers Bears at Soldier Field. Lind Dicky was injured. Whoever 453 00:21:31,440 --> 00:21:33,800 Speaker 1: the Bear starting quarterback was at the time was injured. 454 00:21:33,840 --> 00:21:37,879 Speaker 1: This was Rich Campbell against Greg Landry Okay at quarterback, 455 00:21:39,080 --> 00:21:42,000 Speaker 1: and Landry actually gets hurt in the game and Walter 456 00:21:42,119 --> 00:21:45,000 Speaker 1: Payton plays quarterback for a couple of series. It was 457 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:48,200 Speaker 1: before the wildcat had ever been invented. Walter Payton's taken 458 00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:51,440 Speaker 1: shotgun snaps trying to throw it, actually through an interception 459 00:21:51,480 --> 00:21:53,840 Speaker 1: at the end of the first half. The Packers end 460 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:57,400 Speaker 1: up winning the game on essentially a hail Mary type 461 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:00,919 Speaker 1: of pass from Rich Campbell to Philip Epps the final minute. 462 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:03,280 Speaker 1: The Packers pull it out. The Bears ended up going 463 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:05,600 Speaker 1: to the playoffs that year. The Packers weren't going anywhere, 464 00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:08,240 Speaker 1: but it was definitely a feather in the cap of 465 00:22:08,240 --> 00:22:10,840 Speaker 1: the Packers to knock off the Bears late in the season. 466 00:22:10,840 --> 00:22:13,600 Speaker 1: That's the first NFL game I ever attended in my life. 467 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:16,040 Speaker 1: I was twelve years old at the time, and I'll 468 00:22:16,040 --> 00:22:17,800 Speaker 1: never forget it. The other story I want to tell 469 00:22:17,840 --> 00:22:21,800 Speaker 1: you quickly, my first year in the newspaper business. I'm 470 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:23,720 Speaker 1: at the wa Saw Daily Herald. It's the fall of 471 00:22:24,840 --> 00:22:28,639 Speaker 1: I had just gotten out of school and it was 472 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:32,679 Speaker 1: November and I'm working Saturday night. We're putting putting together 473 00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:35,159 Speaker 1: the sports pages for the Sunday morning paper and everything, 474 00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:38,680 Speaker 1: working late, make deadline, the presses start running and everything. 475 00:22:38,880 --> 00:22:42,280 Speaker 1: The next day. That that Sunday, the Packers were hosting 476 00:22:42,320 --> 00:22:45,520 Speaker 1: the Bears, and both teams were, you know, right in 477 00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:47,879 Speaker 1: the hunt. You know, it was mid November at that time. 478 00:22:48,480 --> 00:22:52,280 Speaker 1: And our city editor just comes walking by my desk 479 00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:54,080 Speaker 1: as he's about to walk out of the building after 480 00:22:54,119 --> 00:22:55,440 Speaker 1: the end of the long night of work. He's like, 481 00:22:55,480 --> 00:22:57,639 Speaker 1: what are you doing tomorrow? I'm like, nothing, I got 482 00:22:57,720 --> 00:23:00,520 Speaker 1: the day off, and he drops two tickets to lambeau 483 00:23:00,560 --> 00:23:03,960 Speaker 1: Field on my desk for the Packers Bears game in uh. 484 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:05,960 Speaker 1: And I and one of my best friends was actually 485 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:07,879 Speaker 1: coming up to visit. We were going out for drinks 486 00:23:07,880 --> 00:23:11,000 Speaker 1: when I got off of work. So we get to 487 00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:13,160 Speaker 1: the bar and I slapped the tickets down and front 488 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:15,240 Speaker 1: and go, look where we're going tomorrow, pal, you know, 489 00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:18,320 Speaker 1: and and so we and that ends up being the 490 00:23:18,400 --> 00:23:24,000 Speaker 1: Brett Farve Ankle game with the five touchdown passest eight. 491 00:23:24,080 --> 00:23:26,640 Speaker 1: The Packers end up beating the Bears. Eric Kramer actually 492 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:28,760 Speaker 1: converted like a hail Mary pass at the end of 493 00:23:28,800 --> 00:23:31,440 Speaker 1: the first half, and it was just a great, great 494 00:23:31,480 --> 00:23:33,760 Speaker 1: football game. And uh and you know, the roar of 495 00:23:33,800 --> 00:23:36,360 Speaker 1: the crowd when Farve came out because he hadn't practiced 496 00:23:36,359 --> 00:23:38,240 Speaker 1: all week and nobody knew if he was going to play. 497 00:23:38,560 --> 00:23:40,879 Speaker 1: I ended up being at that game in the stands 498 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:44,159 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field by an absolute stroke of luck, and 499 00:23:44,359 --> 00:23:46,639 Speaker 1: uh yeah, and it's it goes down as one of 500 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:49,000 Speaker 1: the great Packers Bears games of all time because of 501 00:23:49,040 --> 00:23:51,520 Speaker 1: far throwing the five touchdowns on the bad ankle with 502 00:23:51,600 --> 00:23:53,919 Speaker 1: the big rap on it and everything, and I was 503 00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:56,360 Speaker 1: fortunate enough to be there. So those are my Packers 504 00:23:56,359 --> 00:23:58,720 Speaker 1: Bears memories. As we get set for game number two 505 00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:00,760 Speaker 1: hundred on Sunday and want to just throw in one 506 00:24:00,760 --> 00:24:03,760 Speaker 1: of mine that was from my actual work experience, I 507 00:24:03,840 --> 00:24:05,679 Speaker 1: have to do a shout out to the two thousand 508 00:24:05,720 --> 00:24:09,199 Speaker 1: thirteen game and the Rogers to Cob catch because the 509 00:24:09,200 --> 00:24:12,199 Speaker 1: Soldier Field press box is good for nothing. It is 510 00:24:12,240 --> 00:24:16,000 Speaker 1: a terrible, terrible view of a game. Terrible location, yes, 511 00:24:16,080 --> 00:24:17,880 Speaker 1: and if it wasn't for the location wasn't bad enough, 512 00:24:17,960 --> 00:24:20,800 Speaker 1: they got like these weird like white like things that 513 00:24:20,840 --> 00:24:23,040 Speaker 1: are on there that like block certain parts of Oh yeah, 514 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:25,600 Speaker 1: the whole the whole window frames set up and everything 515 00:24:25,640 --> 00:24:28,159 Speaker 1: like that. I mean, forget about I mean, it's like 516 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:30,120 Speaker 1: trying to cover a game out of your grandmother's house. 517 00:24:30,160 --> 00:24:32,680 Speaker 1: But yeah, it's a terrible view. All that being said, 518 00:24:32,960 --> 00:24:35,480 Speaker 1: it actually was a great view for the Randall Cob 519 00:24:35,560 --> 00:24:40,640 Speaker 1: play and watching and watching that develop the way it did. 520 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:43,919 Speaker 1: There aren't too many moments, Detroit, and fifteen is certainly 521 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:46,000 Speaker 1: one of them. There aren't too many moments that you 522 00:24:46,040 --> 00:24:49,560 Speaker 1: actually remember I remember from just watching the game visibly, 523 00:24:50,200 --> 00:24:52,359 Speaker 1: but that's one of them, because it's just it was 524 00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:56,560 Speaker 1: incredible watching that develop in understanding what had just happened, 525 00:24:56,560 --> 00:24:58,639 Speaker 1: how there would have been that breakdown and coverage and 526 00:24:58,760 --> 00:25:01,440 Speaker 1: Rogers just having that lazy or focus on Cobb. They're 527 00:25:01,720 --> 00:25:03,520 Speaker 1: being able to extend that play. It was one of 528 00:25:03,520 --> 00:25:06,280 Speaker 1: those that's so easy that you could drop it right 529 00:25:06,480 --> 00:25:08,600 Speaker 1: and cop comes through and it comes right at us. Well, 530 00:25:08,600 --> 00:25:10,320 Speaker 1: and I don't know if you remember, I don't know 531 00:25:10,359 --> 00:25:13,399 Speaker 1: if your ears recall this, but our good friend Jason Wildy, 532 00:25:13,440 --> 00:25:15,680 Speaker 1: who's been covering the Packers for a long time, I 533 00:25:15,720 --> 00:25:18,280 Speaker 1: will never forget because he was I was in the 534 00:25:18,280 --> 00:25:21,040 Speaker 1: second row of the press box. Jason Wilde is in 535 00:25:21,080 --> 00:25:24,800 Speaker 1: front of me at that particular time, and before Rogers 536 00:25:24,800 --> 00:25:28,119 Speaker 1: throws the ball, all I hear is Willdi's voice go, 537 00:25:28,480 --> 00:25:31,479 Speaker 1: He's wide open, you know. And that's before anybody on 538 00:25:31,560 --> 00:25:34,360 Speaker 1: TV could see it, because on television you don't see 539 00:25:34,440 --> 00:25:36,760 Speaker 1: that Cob is wide open until the ball is coming 540 00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:39,080 Speaker 1: and uh, and I just remember that because the press 541 00:25:39,080 --> 00:25:41,520 Speaker 1: box was completely quiet, and of course, you know, everybody 542 00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:44,280 Speaker 1: is supposed to be professional and we are and uh 543 00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:46,080 Speaker 1: and it was just funny. It was. It was, yeah, 544 00:25:46,160 --> 00:25:48,560 Speaker 1: it was. It was just this sort of stunned small 545 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:51,640 Speaker 1: outbursts like he's wide open, and it was like everybody 546 00:25:51,680 --> 00:25:53,320 Speaker 1: in the press box heard it. And then of course 547 00:25:53,359 --> 00:25:55,720 Speaker 1: the ball gets caught in the touchdown and the Packers 548 00:25:55,760 --> 00:25:58,240 Speaker 1: go to the playoffs, So yeah, they're there are certainly 549 00:25:58,240 --> 00:26:01,639 Speaker 1: memories from being in US boxes as well as sitting 550 00:26:01,640 --> 00:26:03,280 Speaker 1: in this and that one's just one that's always going 551 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:04,960 Speaker 1: to be seared on my brain, just because of how 552 00:26:05,080 --> 00:26:07,000 Speaker 1: terrible it usually is trying to watch a game there, 553 00:26:07,119 --> 00:26:10,400 Speaker 1: and in that particular instance, it was absolutely perfect. Yeah, 554 00:26:10,400 --> 00:26:12,280 Speaker 1: we had a great view of that play. Well, we've 555 00:26:12,320 --> 00:26:14,600 Speaker 1: gone a little bit over time today, but we will 556 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:16,920 Speaker 1: sign off on this edition of Packers Unscript, but be 557 00:26:16,960 --> 00:26:19,240 Speaker 1: sure to follow all of our coverage of the team 558 00:26:19,240 --> 00:26:21,639 Speaker 1: on Packers dot com, Subscribe to us like us on 559 00:26:21,680 --> 00:26:25,240 Speaker 1: iTunes and other podcast services, and check out the Packers 560 00:26:25,280 --> 00:26:28,400 Speaker 1: YouTube channel for all kinds of great video content for West. 561 00:26:28,480 --> 00:26:31,320 Speaker 1: I'm Mike, Thanks for tuning in, everybody, See you next time.