1 00:00:00,920 --> 00:00:20,759 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:24,400 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford alongside Wes Hodkwits and special guest 3 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:27,440 Speaker 1: Larry McCarron. We are on location from the NFL Scouting 4 00:00:27,480 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 1: Combine in downtown Indianapolis and West I know we're here 5 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:34,760 Speaker 1: mostly to visit with the prospects and try to get 6 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:36,600 Speaker 1: a sense of maybe what the Packers are going to 7 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:39,400 Speaker 1: do in the draft. But before we get to the draft, 8 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:41,239 Speaker 1: there's going to be a period in the NFL that 9 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 1: they call free agency. And we heard earlier this week 10 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 1: from head coach Mike McCarthy and new general manager Brian 11 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:50,880 Speaker 1: gudacun Stabault wanting to maybe be a little bit more 12 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:54,440 Speaker 1: aggressive in free agency. Here. What form do you see 13 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:57,280 Speaker 1: this taking on for the Packers. Well, I think it 14 00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:00,120 Speaker 1: starts with research and development, Mike. And here's the thing. 15 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: It's not to say we don't know what this market's 16 00:01:02,360 --> 00:01:04,960 Speaker 1: gonna look like on March fourteen. Uh, this price of 17 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:06,880 Speaker 1: these players that the thing you have to understand is 18 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 1: when you have this small of a market of guys 19 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:11,400 Speaker 1: that are available, the guys that actually leak out that 20 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:14,520 Speaker 1: teams don't resign, that increases the price, and I think 21 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:16,479 Speaker 1: that's half the reason why you look at Ted Thompson, 22 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 1: the approach they took of why the Packers weren't always 23 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:21,679 Speaker 1: the most active in that regard. But the Packers want 24 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:23,840 Speaker 1: to be better prepared, and that's something that Brian Goodkins 25 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:26,440 Speaker 1: said since his very first news conference. They want to 26 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:28,759 Speaker 1: make sure that any scenario that plays out, they're ready 27 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:31,160 Speaker 1: to react to it. The challenge for him in this 28 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 1: first year as the GM is the fact that it 29 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:34,840 Speaker 1: is a little bit tighter as far as the salary 30 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:37,880 Speaker 1: caps are concerned after the extensions with Davante Adams and 31 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:40,160 Speaker 1: Corey Linsley, so they may have to get somewhat creative 32 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:42,679 Speaker 1: in that regard. But in terms of the guys that 33 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:44,959 Speaker 1: do actually get out into the free agent market, the 34 00:01:44,959 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 1: Packers want to be more involved to potentially react if 35 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:48,880 Speaker 1: one of those guys can make sense and make this 36 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:51,520 Speaker 1: team better. Yeah, that preparation part of it you mentioned 37 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:54,840 Speaker 1: is interesting because you can try to predict all the 38 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:58,560 Speaker 1: different scenarios. Players who may get cut for salary cap reasons, 39 00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 1: or players who become able because they don't get franchise 40 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:05,040 Speaker 1: tagged for instance, something like that. But there are always 41 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:08,160 Speaker 1: things that happened in this league, Larry, that surprised people. 42 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:10,320 Speaker 1: You things that you don't see coming. And it sounds 43 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:13,040 Speaker 1: to me like the Packers new general manager wants to 44 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:16,000 Speaker 1: be ready in case something surprises them and they can 45 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:19,840 Speaker 1: maybe pounce on a player. Well, I think the preparation 46 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 1: you guys are talked about so far, you do everything 47 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 1: you can to avoid WHOA what happened right there? We 48 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:32,520 Speaker 1: we were caught with you know what. We weren't just 49 00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:35,640 Speaker 1: we weren't just ready for that. And I think something 50 00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:38,400 Speaker 1: that I think Brian told me, and I think it 51 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:41,120 Speaker 1: was off camera, that I might lend to the party 52 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:44,839 Speaker 1: here is that they have treated they've tweaked the preparation 53 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:48,440 Speaker 1: process a little bit, and they've treated it a little 54 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 1: bit like the draft, where they go through the possibilities 55 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:55,920 Speaker 1: and of course we're talking about individual names and things 56 00:02:55,960 --> 00:02:59,600 Speaker 1: like that, but they go through the possibilities and everybody 57 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 1: gets seer say it's not like, okay, this guy's available. Now. 58 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:06,360 Speaker 1: Now everybody has had their say, they've looked at it, 59 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 1: they kind of judged it, They've gone through it much 60 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:11,920 Speaker 1: like the draft process. And like I said, I think 61 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:14,239 Speaker 1: that's a little tweak from what they've done in the past. Yeah, 62 00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:16,480 Speaker 1: And I think one thing that definitely is not going 63 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:19,400 Speaker 1: to change in terms of the approach to free agency 64 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:22,360 Speaker 1: is players that they may go out and sign are 65 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 1: going to have to be the right fit for Green Bay, 66 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 1: for the locker room, and for the culture we saw. 67 00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:28,760 Speaker 1: I guess what you could chalk up as a mistake 68 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:32,240 Speaker 1: last year with Martelli Spennett when things didn't work, when 69 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:34,880 Speaker 1: things didn't work out with Jared Cook, the Packers went 70 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:38,440 Speaker 1: to Plan B and it didn't work out. But that 71 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: that's going to happen once in a while. But I 72 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 1: think the Packers are going to take the same approach. 73 00:03:42,640 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 1: What I'm also interested in is, uh are they going 74 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:47,640 Speaker 1: to be able to keep things as quiet in some 75 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 1: ways as they have in the past. I remember when 76 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:54,000 Speaker 1: Julius Peppers was saying, nobody knew that that was happening, 77 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 1: Nobody saw it coming. I remember, actually I was in 78 00:03:57,080 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 1: Florida on vacation with my family when I heard the 79 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 1: news that Julius Peppers was a green Bay Packer. I 80 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 1: don't know when the Packers are talking about wanting to 81 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:06,400 Speaker 1: be more aggressive in free agency, if they'll be able 82 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:09,120 Speaker 1: to keep that many things close to the vest. What 83 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:11,400 Speaker 1: do you think, Well, that's such a unique situation because 84 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:14,280 Speaker 1: Carl Carey his agent, that's his one client. So I mean, 85 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 1: if Julius Peppers didn't want that getting out there, it 86 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:19,160 Speaker 1: wasn't going to get out there. But to your original point, 87 00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:21,040 Speaker 1: you're right, Julius Peppers was out of Green Bay by 88 00:04:21,080 --> 00:04:22,920 Speaker 1: the time anyone had even known that the the ink 89 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:25,159 Speaker 1: was dry on the contract. It's tough to do that 90 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:27,000 Speaker 1: in this day and age. There's so many different variables 91 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:30,159 Speaker 1: from that regard, but interest is there, and you look 92 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:32,599 Speaker 1: at how these markets shape and now that they have 93 00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:35,040 Speaker 1: the legal tampering period basically what they call it, that 94 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:37,320 Speaker 1: forty eight hour window where teams are able to start 95 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:40,640 Speaker 1: negotiating and start hammering out contracts before they can actually 96 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:43,160 Speaker 1: sign them. The packers have actually used that to their 97 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:45,000 Speaker 1: benefit the past few years and being able to work 98 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:47,480 Speaker 1: deals with the likes of Brian balag On, Randall Cobb. 99 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 1: But you know, potentially, what does Brian Goodquins think about 100 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:52,840 Speaker 1: getting into those other phrase with players that are outside 101 00:04:52,839 --> 00:04:55,120 Speaker 1: of Green Bay and outside of that realm. A lot 102 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:57,840 Speaker 1: to figure out from that regard, But sometimes I think 103 00:04:57,839 --> 00:05:00,760 Speaker 1: fans get this idea that you know, free agency, it's 104 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 1: just such a given, it's such a guarantee. You're gonna 105 00:05:02,760 --> 00:05:04,640 Speaker 1: sign this guy, and this is the production. You're gonna get. 106 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:06,400 Speaker 1: A lot of the risk and a lot of reward 107 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:08,160 Speaker 1: that goes along with the draft carries over to free 108 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:10,359 Speaker 1: agency as well. And that's the same risk, you know, 109 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:14,160 Speaker 1: cost benefit analysis that they run in that regard that 110 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:15,680 Speaker 1: they're gonna have to run in free agency as well. 111 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 1: And Brian Gudcoon is very upfront about that, honest. Yeah. 112 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:20,400 Speaker 1: And that's where the fit in the locker room and 113 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:22,640 Speaker 1: the fit in the culture and Green Bay comes into play, 114 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 1: doesn't it. Larry Sure does. But I gotta tell you 115 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 1: guys about that day they signed Julius. There was a 116 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 1: Saturday when there was brook. It was a Saturday. So, 117 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:35,000 Speaker 1: like all good Catholics who want to get church out 118 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 1: of the way, I was going to four st Agnes 119 00:05:39,360 --> 00:05:41,479 Speaker 1: and okay, you know what the start? Are you guys Catholic? 120 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:43,320 Speaker 1: By the way, I know a lot of you are Catholic, 121 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 1: But anyway, okay, right before the start of the Mass, 122 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 1: when the priest and the altar boys and the elector 123 00:05:49,120 --> 00:05:51,000 Speaker 1: and the dance and girls, you're all lined it up 124 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:52,960 Speaker 1: in the back, you know, and they're and they're starting 125 00:05:52,960 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 1: to march out. And I'm standing in the back of church, 126 00:05:56,920 --> 00:05:59,600 Speaker 1: just in the back. That's where I usually hang out 127 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:03,200 Speaker 1: during assen I'm standing back there and okay, the procession 128 00:06:03,320 --> 00:06:09,640 Speaker 1: for mass has started. Suddenly, Father Patrick breaks ranks, rakes 129 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:13,240 Speaker 1: ras and hustles over to me. You Starmy in the 130 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:16,520 Speaker 1: corner over there, hustles over. He walks up to me, 131 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:20,479 Speaker 1: goes Peppers. Yeah, and then he runs back and joins 132 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 1: the procession on the mask. Win. But that's how big 133 00:06:23,279 --> 00:06:26,480 Speaker 1: the signing of Julius Peppers was in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Yeah. Well, 134 00:06:26,520 --> 00:06:28,640 Speaker 1: we'll see if we've got another one like that coming up. 135 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:30,440 Speaker 1: But with that, we'll go to a break back with 136 00:06:30,520 --> 00:06:34,200 Speaker 1: more on Packers Unscripted from the NFL Scouting Combine right 137 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:50,360 Speaker 1: after this. Welcome back to Packers Unscripted Larry, Mike and 138 00:06:50,520 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 1: West in downtown Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine. And 139 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:57,360 Speaker 1: what's one of the prospects. One of the first prospects 140 00:06:57,400 --> 00:07:01,760 Speaker 1: we heard from yesterday here in in Ish an offensive 141 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 1: lineman from Texas l Passo, who was one of the 142 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:08,680 Speaker 1: key blockers that helped make Packers running back Aaron Jones 143 00:07:09,080 --> 00:07:12,560 Speaker 1: college career awfully productive. And Jones was a fifth rone 144 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 1: pick last year for the Packers, as we know. But 145 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 1: Will Hernandez, this offensive lineman from UTEP, is being talked 146 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:20,480 Speaker 1: about a little bit higher in the draft order. Yeah. 147 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:22,480 Speaker 1: The thing you gotta remember to Aaron Jones last year 148 00:07:22,520 --> 00:07:24,160 Speaker 1: when the Packers picked him in the fifth round, that 149 00:07:24,200 --> 00:07:26,200 Speaker 1: was the first time in nine years that a player 150 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:28,320 Speaker 1: from UTEP had been drafted. It was a big deal 151 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 1: for them. Will Hernandez very easily could be a second rounder, 152 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:33,000 Speaker 1: if not a first rounder, in this draft class. His 153 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 1: thirty seven bench reps on Thursday, I think are really 154 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:38,520 Speaker 1: helping solidify his case. To put that in context, I 155 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 1: think Larry had pointed it out. Quentin Nelson had thirty five. 156 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:43,400 Speaker 1: It's the most bench reps that anyone's had, i think 157 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 1: going back to two thousand four team with Russell bow 158 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:48,040 Speaker 1: Dyne who now is a center for the Cincinnati Bengals. 159 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:51,040 Speaker 1: So really put some in, you know, really elite category. 160 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:53,040 Speaker 1: But the thing that was interesting talking to him about 161 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 1: is just the relationship that him and Aaron Jones have. 162 00:07:55,160 --> 00:07:58,400 Speaker 1: And I had tweeted out a comment right after Hernandez 163 00:07:58,520 --> 00:08:00,600 Speaker 1: got off the podium just him mentioned thinking how much 164 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:02,880 Speaker 1: Jones really had been coaching him through this whole week 165 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:06,040 Speaker 1: at the Combine, and Jones immediately, i think within it 166 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 1: was like five or six seconds, retweeted it already. I 167 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:10,640 Speaker 1: mean he was sitting there on his phone watching the 168 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:13,239 Speaker 1: news conference, paying attention everything. That guys are very close. 169 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:16,920 Speaker 1: They played together for three years. Hernandez forty nine starts 170 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:19,640 Speaker 1: with you tap. Just an amazing run that he had there, 171 00:08:19,640 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 1: and it was very complimentary the season that Aaron Jones 172 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:23,800 Speaker 1: had with the Packers. Yeah, and that rookie season for 173 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:27,760 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones was awfully productive and awfully exciting, was interrupted 174 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 1: by injuries here and there. But Larry, I'm interested in 175 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:33,439 Speaker 1: your perspective calling those games on the radio. A couple 176 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:36,560 Speaker 1: of breakaway runs in some big moments for Aaron Jones 177 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:38,040 Speaker 1: as a rookie. What do you think of what he 178 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:42,040 Speaker 1: did in there was an explosive nature to his game. 179 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:45,280 Speaker 1: You look at big plays out of the backfield. For 180 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 1: the amount of attempts he had, he had an ordinate 181 00:08:50,440 --> 00:08:53,720 Speaker 1: a number of big plays and he can break it. 182 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:57,000 Speaker 1: He can break it, and uh, it was interesting between 183 00:08:57,080 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 1: him and Jamal Williams seeing those young fellows that as 184 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:05,600 Speaker 1: they got repetitions, as they got playing experience or icely 185 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:09,600 Speaker 1: not just experience, but playing time opportunity, shall we say, 186 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:12,600 Speaker 1: is that there were real deal running backs. They could 187 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:14,880 Speaker 1: find it and they could get after it. And and 188 00:09:14,920 --> 00:09:18,200 Speaker 1: I look at a number of situations where, in particular 189 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:21,200 Speaker 1: Jones he cracked that line of scrimmage. He was going, 190 00:09:21,280 --> 00:09:23,720 Speaker 1: he was picking up some yards. Good to see. The 191 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:27,839 Speaker 1: Packers certainly have options coming up this season with what 192 00:09:27,880 --> 00:09:30,360 Speaker 1: they do in the backfield. When you got Jamal, you 193 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:33,240 Speaker 1: got air and of course you got time Montgomery. As 194 00:09:33,280 --> 00:09:36,679 Speaker 1: they figure out as they retool the playbook from page one, 195 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:39,440 Speaker 1: as Mike mccaffy said, as they do those things, how 196 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:42,400 Speaker 1: they're going to incorporate all those guys because, as the 197 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:45,880 Speaker 1: coaches and Brian Gudaksa said, you can't have enough good 198 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:47,959 Speaker 1: players and it's up to the coaches to figure out 199 00:09:47,960 --> 00:09:50,200 Speaker 1: ways to employ them. Yeah, And I think if there's 200 00:09:50,280 --> 00:09:53,280 Speaker 1: one play from Aaron Jones rookie year that stands out 201 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:55,280 Speaker 1: in my mind more than any other, it was that 202 00:09:55,640 --> 00:09:59,040 Speaker 1: overtime touched on run against the Tampa Big Yeah. It 203 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:01,280 Speaker 1: was his one carry the day and not only because 204 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:03,760 Speaker 1: it won the game, but because it was a make 205 00:10:03,880 --> 00:10:06,040 Speaker 1: something out of nothing kind of play. I mean, where 206 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:08,320 Speaker 1: the play was designed to go, it wasn't really there. 207 00:10:08,559 --> 00:10:11,800 Speaker 1: He very quickly bounces it to the other direction, takes 208 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 1: off and uh and he's gone for the touchdown and 209 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:16,160 Speaker 1: the Packers have a victory. It's amazing. And I mean, 210 00:10:16,160 --> 00:10:17,840 Speaker 1: you look at the season that he put together five 211 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:20,280 Speaker 1: point five yards per carry, that was the most in 212 00:10:20,400 --> 00:10:23,199 Speaker 1: terms of a yard average in the NFL other than 213 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:25,640 Speaker 1: Alvin Kamara, the offensive Rookie of the Year, kind of 214 00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:27,720 Speaker 1: tells you the company that he was in. And really 215 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 1: the thing I kept going back to on Thursday when 216 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 1: we were here and bouncing around the eight podiums or 217 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:34,400 Speaker 1: prospects are at last year, I was like a b 218 00:10:34,840 --> 00:10:36,920 Speaker 1: just one to another trying to figure out, Okay, who 219 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:38,439 Speaker 1: could potentially be a fit for the Packers in the 220 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:41,120 Speaker 1: bright field. That wasn't a conversation this year. That's not 221 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:43,000 Speaker 1: to say that they won't go and find one. Brian 222 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:45,080 Speaker 1: Goodcouins has been very open that they're keeping all their 223 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:47,479 Speaker 1: options on the table. But the fact that the backfield 224 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:49,440 Speaker 1: isn't an issue like it was going into the combine 225 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:51,440 Speaker 1: last year is a test in it to both him 226 00:10:51,559 --> 00:10:53,880 Speaker 1: and Jamal Williams really stepping up last season. Yeah, it's 227 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:56,520 Speaker 1: a different, different feel in that respect for the Packers 228 00:10:56,559 --> 00:10:59,080 Speaker 1: going into the draft this year. But Larry, when it 229 00:10:59,120 --> 00:11:01,959 Speaker 1: comes to that, you making something out of nothing kind 230 00:11:01,960 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 1: of thing, we've seen. We've seen Time Montgomery do it. 231 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:07,079 Speaker 1: We've seen Aaron Jones do it. What What is it? 232 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:10,880 Speaker 1: What is it that that allows guys to make plays 233 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:15,280 Speaker 1: like that? If I knew, I wouldn't be seen here, 234 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:19,439 Speaker 1: I probably be over on ESPN's thing or something like that. 235 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 1: But you talk about making something out of nothing, and 236 00:11:22,600 --> 00:11:25,160 Speaker 1: that play you refer to to win the Tampa Bay 237 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:28,400 Speaker 1: game and overtime, that was a power play called off 238 00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:32,720 Speaker 1: the right side and he ends up breaking it off 239 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:36,199 Speaker 1: the left side, I mean breaks the perimeter on the 240 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:39,400 Speaker 1: left side, and he did that kind of bouncing off 241 00:11:39,480 --> 00:11:43,320 Speaker 1: the garbage in the middle. It was an amazing, amazing run. 242 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:45,440 Speaker 1: And I forget what your question was, Mike, what was 243 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:48,720 Speaker 1: it was just a whole making something out of nothing? 244 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 1: Like what I was going to get at is that 245 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:53,720 Speaker 1: you know, you're talking about the lineman here and stuff 246 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:56,559 Speaker 1: like that, And we'll talk about them more as the 247 00:11:56,640 --> 00:12:00,520 Speaker 1: week progressive. But this may surprise you considering my bad background, 248 00:12:00,880 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 1: But I would think, and I always thought, and I 249 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:07,440 Speaker 1: still do, a back will do more for a line 250 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:10,720 Speaker 1: than a line will do for a bet. That's just 251 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:13,360 Speaker 1: the way it is. I mean, you can block them 252 00:12:13,400 --> 00:12:16,240 Speaker 1: all to death, but that I was that little special 253 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 1: something something. He's the guy that's going to make the 254 00:12:19,480 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 1: running game first and foremost. Yeah, And I want to 255 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:23,920 Speaker 1: mention that too, because Will Hernandez talked about that, the 256 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:26,240 Speaker 1: fact that when he left, when Aaron Jones went to 257 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:28,320 Speaker 1: the NFL last year, that changed the game for him 258 00:12:28,360 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 1: and to change their scheme and the running you know, 259 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:32,679 Speaker 1: the running patterns, and he said, I mean it probably 260 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:34,680 Speaker 1: made him a better guard in the long run what 261 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:36,240 Speaker 1: he was asked to do on the left side there 262 00:12:36,280 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 1: for you tep, but you know, the holes had to 263 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:40,600 Speaker 1: be a little bit wider. He had to hold onto 264 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:42,880 Speaker 1: his blox just a little bit longer. With Aaron Jones, 265 00:12:42,920 --> 00:12:45,480 Speaker 1: with how explosive he was, that made the ultimate difference 266 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:46,840 Speaker 1: for them, and it's the reason why he ended his 267 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:49,600 Speaker 1: career there as the French the school's all time leading rusher. 268 00:12:49,679 --> 00:12:52,040 Speaker 1: Y Lineman certainly know when they have a special back 269 00:12:52,160 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 1: running behind him. With that, we'll go to a break 270 00:12:54,280 --> 00:13:10,880 Speaker 1: back with more and Packers Unscripted right after this. Welcome 271 00:13:10,920 --> 00:13:14,360 Speaker 1: back to Packers Unscripted on location from the NFL Scouting 272 00:13:14,400 --> 00:13:18,520 Speaker 1: Combine in downtown Indianapolis, West and Mike and Larry with 273 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:21,840 Speaker 1: you and guys. Yesterday we heard from the first round 274 00:13:21,880 --> 00:13:24,080 Speaker 1: of prospects meeting with the media, and two of the 275 00:13:24,120 --> 00:13:27,400 Speaker 1: guys that were available are guys who are both in 276 00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:32,480 Speaker 1: the conversation for top five status overall in this NFL draft. 277 00:13:32,559 --> 00:13:35,480 Speaker 1: I want to start with running back se Kwon Barkley 278 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:38,320 Speaker 1: from Penn State. We talked about the Packers rookie running backs. 279 00:13:38,360 --> 00:13:41,320 Speaker 1: We've seen young running backs in the NFL the last 280 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 1: few years making a huge splash, not just in Green Bay, 281 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:46,680 Speaker 1: but you talk about Ezekiel Elliott. You mentioned Alvin Kamar 282 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 1: for the New Orleans Saints last year. This whole idea 283 00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:52,760 Speaker 1: from a few years ago of don't take a running 284 00:13:52,760 --> 00:13:55,040 Speaker 1: back too high in the draft, that's kind of gone 285 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:57,200 Speaker 1: by the wayside now and sa Kwon Barkley is a 286 00:13:57,200 --> 00:13:59,679 Speaker 1: guy who will benefit from that. Yeah, it's really funny. 287 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:02,080 Speaker 1: The game changed in some ways in that regard. I 288 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:04,559 Speaker 1: really thought, going back about four or five years ago, 289 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:06,560 Speaker 1: I was wondering when we'd see if if it would 290 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 1: even happen again after Trent richardson a running back being 291 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 1: taken in the top ten, just because of how the 292 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:14,320 Speaker 1: game is spread out. You need passers, you need catchers. 293 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:17,480 Speaker 1: But I think this past year has really proven that 294 00:14:17,480 --> 00:14:19,120 Speaker 1: that the running game is still alive and well. And 295 00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:20,720 Speaker 1: I know there are a number of different backs that 296 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:23,400 Speaker 1: we're talking about that Zeke Elliott effect. I mean, even 297 00:14:23,440 --> 00:14:26,320 Speaker 1: this passionate with Leonard for Nette. The number of guys 298 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:28,640 Speaker 1: that are coming to league and making an immediate impact 299 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:33,240 Speaker 1: and really showing teams what a Marquee three down, you know, 300 00:14:33,280 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 1: two and fifty touch running back can do for an offense. 301 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:38,320 Speaker 1: So that's what they're banking on. It's interesting with Barkley 302 00:14:38,320 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 1: two because I was standing up on the podium or 303 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:43,760 Speaker 1: the one area over here next to Mike Vanderschniker photographer, 304 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:46,280 Speaker 1: and there was just a massive media is probably the 305 00:14:46,280 --> 00:14:48,280 Speaker 1: biggest one I've seen so far, the amount of buzz 306 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:51,280 Speaker 1: surrounding this guy, uh and exactly where he's gonna fall. 307 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:53,040 Speaker 1: A lot of people believe this is a guy that 308 00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 1: will make a difference in every level of the game, 309 00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 1: and you can now see that that buzz really forming 310 00:14:57,160 --> 00:14:59,640 Speaker 1: for him. Yeah. An interesting comment that I heard from 311 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:02,280 Speaker 1: lyon As general manager Bob Quinn the other day. He 312 00:15:02,320 --> 00:15:05,400 Speaker 1: was talking about rookie running backs making an impact in 313 00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:07,480 Speaker 1: the league because the Lions are, you know, looking at 314 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:11,359 Speaker 1: maybe drafting a running back fairly high and retooling their backfield. 315 00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:14,600 Speaker 1: Is that one of the benefits of the spread offenses 316 00:15:14,840 --> 00:15:17,720 Speaker 1: in colleges that running backs are coming into the NFL 317 00:15:18,160 --> 00:15:21,320 Speaker 1: with more experience and pass protection picking up those blitzers 318 00:15:21,360 --> 00:15:23,760 Speaker 1: and stuff than maybe they did in years past. Do 319 00:15:23,760 --> 00:15:27,200 Speaker 1: you think that's a factor, Larry, I would think so 320 00:15:27,360 --> 00:15:29,920 Speaker 1: to some extent, although the people will be picking up 321 00:15:29,920 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 1: on the blitzers in the NFL are are quite a 322 00:15:32,160 --> 00:15:35,440 Speaker 1: bit stouter, quicker, and all that good stuff. But I 323 00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:39,000 Speaker 1: think a couple of things are at work here. Football 324 00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:43,440 Speaker 1: is a cycle, Okay, as everybody heads, as you guys 325 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:46,840 Speaker 1: were documenting heads towards the passing games, spread things out 326 00:15:47,240 --> 00:15:50,680 Speaker 1: and so forth, and then people start defending and start 327 00:15:50,800 --> 00:15:55,000 Speaker 1: drafting and start building their defensive teams to stop that. 328 00:15:55,680 --> 00:16:00,400 Speaker 1: And as the cycle unfolds, suddenly the running back position 329 00:16:00,560 --> 00:16:03,640 Speaker 1: and a strong running game that combats some of that 330 00:16:03,800 --> 00:16:06,480 Speaker 1: spread out, some of that defend the past stuff. And 331 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:09,440 Speaker 1: one other mention when you talk about players like Berkeley, 332 00:16:09,560 --> 00:16:13,520 Speaker 1: he may be the most talented player in this draft, 333 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:16,600 Speaker 1: now really go number one. Probably not because it is 334 00:16:16,640 --> 00:16:18,880 Speaker 1: a running back and not a quarterback, but he may 335 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:21,600 Speaker 1: be the most talented. And the thing about the running 336 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:26,960 Speaker 1: back position, you can contribute a lot right away if 337 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:30,160 Speaker 1: you've got the right stuff, because it's an instinctive position. 338 00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 1: I mean, all you can really say to him, Okay, 339 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:34,360 Speaker 1: we're going to hand you the ball. You're aiming point 340 00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:36,920 Speaker 1: is there, and after that it's up to the guy. 341 00:16:37,240 --> 00:16:39,280 Speaker 1: It's up to the coach, you know, Like coach can't 342 00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:41,160 Speaker 1: be out there, Okay, now cut back. You know, it 343 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:44,080 Speaker 1: just doesn't work that way. So you've got a situation 344 00:16:44,160 --> 00:16:47,080 Speaker 1: where the cycle is kind of running its course. And yeah, 345 00:16:47,160 --> 00:16:50,320 Speaker 1: the running game not a bad idea against defenses that 346 00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:53,320 Speaker 1: are set up to defend the past. And then also 347 00:16:53,440 --> 00:16:57,800 Speaker 1: these young fellows, they can't have an instant impact. And 348 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:00,520 Speaker 1: with Barkley, you look at his numbers from Penn State, 349 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 1: over five thousand total yards from scrimmage in three seasons. 350 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:07,080 Speaker 1: When you combine thirty hundred rushing yards and almost twelve 351 00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:12,760 Speaker 1: hundred receiving yards fifty Yeah, Oh my gosh. Yeah, the guy, 352 00:17:12,800 --> 00:17:14,800 Speaker 1: I mean, the thing about is two in a quarter 353 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:26,840 Speaker 1: to quarter for a running bad look nothing maybe one? Yeah, 354 00:17:26,920 --> 00:17:30,119 Speaker 1: And it was interesting. He talked also, you know, about 355 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:33,439 Speaker 1: going to a team, because he very well will be 356 00:17:33,520 --> 00:17:36,679 Speaker 1: drafted high, going to a team that's been struggling, and 357 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:38,840 Speaker 1: he's like, hey, yeah, I want to be part of 358 00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:41,280 Speaker 1: something bigger than myself. I want to leave a legacy. 359 00:17:41,320 --> 00:17:43,840 Speaker 1: He's left a legacy at Penn State helping to pull 360 00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:46,480 Speaker 1: that program back and get to a Rose Bowl after 361 00:17:46,520 --> 00:17:49,520 Speaker 1: everything that had happened a handful of years ago. So this, uh, 362 00:17:49,800 --> 00:17:51,399 Speaker 1: this kid seems to have the right at it. And 363 00:17:51,440 --> 00:17:52,800 Speaker 1: do you know another guy that went to a team 364 00:17:52,840 --> 00:17:55,359 Speaker 1: that was struggling, Leonard for Net. I mean, that's just 365 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:57,239 Speaker 1: how quickly this thing can change when you go from 366 00:17:57,240 --> 00:17:59,320 Speaker 1: the fourth overall pick to becoming the type of type 367 00:17:59,359 --> 00:18:01,760 Speaker 1: of playmaker he was for them. That offense was different 368 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:03,720 Speaker 1: when he was going. It's set up the passing game 369 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:05,920 Speaker 1: for Blake Bortles. Now Barkley going to the next level 370 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:07,080 Speaker 1: is going to try to do the same thing and 371 00:18:07,960 --> 00:18:12,920 Speaker 1: something Barkley whoever takes them, suddenly their offensive line got better. 372 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:17,840 Speaker 1: No matter what they got, suddenly their offensive line got better. Yeah, 373 00:18:17,880 --> 00:18:20,040 Speaker 1: no question about it. Well, there's another top five guy 374 00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:22,199 Speaker 1: that we want to talk about, but we'll do that 375 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:25,000 Speaker 1: after the breakback with more on Packers Unscripted right after 376 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:41,960 Speaker 1: this Welcome back to Packers Unscripted from the NFL scouting 377 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:45,520 Speaker 1: combine in Indianapolis, Larry Mike and West. And another top 378 00:18:45,560 --> 00:18:49,320 Speaker 1: five guy that we heard from yesterday Fellas was Notre 379 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:53,080 Speaker 1: Dame guard Quintin Nelson. Now, guards don't always get talked about, 380 00:18:53,119 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 1: not very often with this sort of lofty draft status, 381 00:18:56,840 --> 00:18:59,280 Speaker 1: but Nelson's being talked about as a guy you can 382 00:18:59,320 --> 00:19:01,320 Speaker 1: plug in from day one and he can play for 383 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:04,680 Speaker 1: ten or twelve years in this league. Really impressive guy. 384 00:19:04,840 --> 00:19:06,719 Speaker 1: Be interesting to see just how high he goes well, 385 00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:09,000 Speaker 1: and it's obviously been a chess match there when you're 386 00:19:09,040 --> 00:19:10,920 Speaker 1: looking at drafting guards over the years. I think two 387 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:12,600 Speaker 1: thousand third team was a big year. That was the 388 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:15,520 Speaker 1: Jonathan Cooper chance Warmack year, and I think if both 389 00:19:15,520 --> 00:19:16,879 Speaker 1: of those teams could have that back, they would have 390 00:19:16,920 --> 00:19:19,040 Speaker 1: liked to have David back tr three rounds later. It's 391 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:21,199 Speaker 1: just the way that sometimes this things goes. It's a 392 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:24,720 Speaker 1: guessing game. But really the best prospect I can think of, 393 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:26,879 Speaker 1: I think was also out of Notre Dame in Zach Martin. 394 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:29,679 Speaker 1: He was moving from tackle, but everybody kind of acknowledged 395 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:31,760 Speaker 1: he was looking like a guard in the NFL, And 396 00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:33,679 Speaker 1: now you see what he's done with the Dallas Cowboys 397 00:19:33,720 --> 00:19:35,240 Speaker 1: over the years, might be the best one in the game. 398 00:19:35,760 --> 00:19:37,720 Speaker 1: It's a It's a really interesting thing to see what 399 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:40,399 Speaker 1: exactly is going to happen with Nelson because he's so strong, 400 00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:43,760 Speaker 1: thirty five reps on the bench, his his pedigree. You know, 401 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:46,520 Speaker 1: he's even listening to one of his teammates, Mike McGlinchey 402 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:48,840 Speaker 1: yesterday talking about him and exactly what he brings to 403 00:19:48,880 --> 00:19:51,439 Speaker 1: the table and weekend and week out, how consistent he 404 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 1: was for that line. Now, where does that translate? How 405 00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:56,480 Speaker 1: does that translate the NFL? We have to wait and see, 406 00:19:56,520 --> 00:19:58,960 Speaker 1: but he certainly has the intangibles you look for. Yeah, 407 00:19:59,040 --> 00:20:01,640 Speaker 1: Nelson really stri me Larry as your kind of guy, 408 00:20:01,720 --> 00:20:04,120 Speaker 1: because when he was talking to the media, he said, 409 00:20:04,680 --> 00:20:07,159 Speaker 1: I like to dominate. I like to take away my 410 00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:11,159 Speaker 1: opponent's will to play each play, and I consider myself 411 00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:13,800 Speaker 1: a nasty player that that that's your kind of guy, 412 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:16,240 Speaker 1: not only a go for the throw player, but a 413 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:20,080 Speaker 1: go for the throat player with ability. Like it's one thing, 414 00:20:20,119 --> 00:20:23,080 Speaker 1: all those things you mentioned. It's one thing to want 415 00:20:23,119 --> 00:20:26,119 Speaker 1: to do those things. It's quite another to be able 416 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:28,880 Speaker 1: to do them at the next level. And Nelson can 417 00:20:28,960 --> 00:20:31,320 Speaker 1: do that. And I gotta tell you this, So, could 418 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:38,359 Speaker 1: you imagine the collective side of disappointment If Brian good 419 00:20:38,840 --> 00:20:41,920 Speaker 1: came down after the Packers make their first back and 420 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:48,080 Speaker 1: say we selected an offensive guard. People will go, I 421 00:20:48,240 --> 00:20:52,920 Speaker 1: mean everybody they want to start up pass rush or 422 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:57,320 Speaker 1: or a kid have been intercept passes right line. But 423 00:20:57,440 --> 00:21:03,760 Speaker 1: could you imagine the collective breath of the support. Yeah. Well, 424 00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:07,479 Speaker 1: and and if if Quentin Nelson is there at number fourteen, 425 00:21:07,520 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 1: I think that would be a shock. And I would 426 00:21:09,600 --> 00:21:12,360 Speaker 1: actually be surprised if the Packers would pass on him, 427 00:21:12,359 --> 00:21:14,800 Speaker 1: But I'd be even more surprised if he's even there 428 00:21:14,920 --> 00:21:16,879 Speaker 1: for the opportunity. And you look at the history of 429 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:19,000 Speaker 1: his Larry points out, I mean Lane Taylor one of 430 00:21:19,040 --> 00:21:21,000 Speaker 1: the best in the business right now. At left guard 431 00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:23,639 Speaker 1: was as written about numerous times. I believe it was 432 00:21:23,680 --> 00:21:26,200 Speaker 1: the forty one offensive there was forty one of them 433 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:28,280 Speaker 1: taken into those A thirteen and he wasn't even one 434 00:21:28,280 --> 00:21:31,280 Speaker 1: of those. And sometimes you just find guys that just 435 00:21:31,359 --> 00:21:34,199 Speaker 1: fit in in. From Taylor's perspective back then, I think 436 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:36,479 Speaker 1: one of the concerns was the athleticism side of it, 437 00:21:36,680 --> 00:21:39,360 Speaker 1: but also the fact that most of your top offensive 438 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:41,880 Speaker 1: lineman in college are playing a tackle position. You look 439 00:21:41,880 --> 00:21:43,679 Speaker 1: at t J. Lang when he was at Eastern Michigan, 440 00:21:43,760 --> 00:21:46,520 Speaker 1: Josh Sitton, guys that ended up making that switch, so 441 00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:49,040 Speaker 1: you don't always look for the prototype in terms of 442 00:21:49,080 --> 00:21:52,040 Speaker 1: that guard position. Yeah. Well, with that, we've got to 443 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:54,560 Speaker 1: call it a wrap on this edition of Packers Unscripted 444 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 1: from the NFL Scouting Combine. We will have one more 445 00:21:57,920 --> 00:22:00,760 Speaker 1: on location episode for you, so be sure to stay 446 00:22:00,800 --> 00:22:04,520 Speaker 1: tuned for that. For Larry and Mike and West. Thanks 447 00:22:04,560 --> 00:22:08,960 Speaker 1: for tuning in everybody. We'll see you next time. H 448 00:22:10,880 --> 00:22:11,280 Speaker 1: m hm