1 00:00:07,560 --> 00:00:11,200 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody, Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:14,960 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spafford, joined as always 3 00:00:15,040 --> 00:00:17,639 Speaker 1: by my trusted colleague Weston Hodkowitz. We're coming to you 4 00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:22,120 Speaker 1: here from different locations at lambeau Field, wes. We are 5 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:25,840 Speaker 1: in the final week of OTAs for the Packers, with 6 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:28,480 Speaker 1: the mandatory mini camp to follow next week. That will 7 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:32,519 Speaker 1: be the final week of the off season program, and 8 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:36,239 Speaker 1: we have been witness as members of the media to 9 00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:40,560 Speaker 1: three practices so far throughout OTAs. I wanted to share 10 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:44,040 Speaker 1: maybe some of us just our observations where something sit 11 00:00:44,120 --> 00:00:46,960 Speaker 1: on the depth chart, what we've noticed here and there, 12 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:49,760 Speaker 1: and again, as we talked about before OTA's even started, 13 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:51,199 Speaker 1: you take it a little bit with a grain of 14 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:54,000 Speaker 1: salt at this time of year, because coaches are trying 15 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:57,120 Speaker 1: out different guys in different spots, and nobody's put any 16 00:00:57,160 --> 00:01:00,840 Speaker 1: pads on yet, nothing's full contact. But that being said, 17 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 1: one thing, one competition that has certainly gotten under way 18 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:10,039 Speaker 1: and to a certain extent, lived up to its billing, 19 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:13,920 Speaker 1: at least so far, is what's been discussed with regard 20 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:18,640 Speaker 1: to the starting safety position alongside Darnell Savage. Because in 21 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:21,440 Speaker 1: the practices that we have been witnessed to, and we've 22 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:24,759 Speaker 1: only witnessed three of the of the eight or nine 23 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 1: or however many there have been so far. But we 24 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:30,880 Speaker 1: have seen Rudy Ford with the number one defense with Savage, 25 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:33,960 Speaker 1: We've seen Jonathan Owens in that spot, and most recently, 26 00:01:33,959 --> 00:01:36,959 Speaker 1: we've seen Tarvarius More in that spot. So you're talking 27 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:39,200 Speaker 1: about one hole over from last year, two guys who 28 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:43,959 Speaker 1: were brought in as free agents. That competition truly appears 29 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:46,919 Speaker 1: as wide open as it gets for a starting spot 30 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:48,400 Speaker 1: on this defense. 31 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:51,880 Speaker 2: As wide open as I can remember, Mike among basically 32 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,960 Speaker 2: veteran players. In a way, it almost reminds me of 33 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:58,200 Speaker 2: when Charles Woodson was moving back to safety and the 34 00:01:58,240 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 2: Packers were trying to figure out how they were going 35 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 2: to replace him as a perimeter cornerback. You know, you 36 00:02:03,280 --> 00:02:06,280 Speaker 2: obviously had I think Casey Hayward was coming in that year, 37 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:08,400 Speaker 2: but it was like Jared Bush and like all these 38 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 2: veteran players. Sam Shields was trying to get back into 39 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:15,640 Speaker 2: the conversation after a down year in twenty eleven. So 40 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 2: here we are a wide open race with Ruby Ford 41 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:22,160 Speaker 2: coming back started a handful of games last year Jonathan 42 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:24,919 Speaker 2: Owens started every game last year for the Houston Texans, 43 00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:28,120 Speaker 2: and then Tarvarius Moore is kind of this wild card. 44 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:30,520 Speaker 2: I don't know if it's because of Owens and you 45 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 2: know the connections with Simone Biles and that storyline, but 46 00:02:34,440 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 2: he's definitely been the more heralded, attention drawing signing for 47 00:02:39,040 --> 00:02:41,800 Speaker 2: the Packers. But Moore was actually like one of the 48 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:45,240 Speaker 2: first signings Green Bay made this offseason. I remember I 49 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:48,280 Speaker 2: was at actually the WA State Boys basketball tournament watching 50 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:52,840 Speaker 2: Rob Demowski's son play when we saw the message come 51 00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:55,080 Speaker 2: through that More was going to be signing, and I 52 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:57,400 Speaker 2: remembered a little bit about him from his time with 53 00:02:57,440 --> 00:02:59,200 Speaker 2: the forty nine ers. But I think the bigger thing 54 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 2: was he had that catastrophic injury, misses a full season 55 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:06,400 Speaker 2: and he came back, and it had always been a 56 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:10,120 Speaker 2: really solid, dependable, core special teams player fro him, but 57 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:12,320 Speaker 2: it seemed like he wasn't able to get that opportunity 58 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:15,520 Speaker 2: on defense again like he did before the injury. Well, 59 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:17,880 Speaker 2: if you look at his pedigree, mic a former third 60 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 2: round draft pick, a guy that you know did have 61 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:23,760 Speaker 2: a lot of speed and attributes you look for coming 62 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 2: into the NFL, a few years back. Now he gets 63 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:28,040 Speaker 2: a fresh starting Green Bay. And when you're talking about 64 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:30,720 Speaker 2: trying to make a positive impression that two minute drill 65 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 2: to end practice, you know, Jordan Love makes an ill 66 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:36,960 Speaker 2: advised throw across the middle late trying to hit Christian 67 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:39,960 Speaker 2: Watson for a twenty nine yard touchdown. Moore shows his 68 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:42,680 Speaker 2: veteran savviness, kind of hides in the background a little 69 00:03:42,680 --> 00:03:45,160 Speaker 2: bit back in the weeds, darts out, gets the pick, 70 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:47,080 Speaker 2: and that's what ended practice. So those are the type 71 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 2: of plays that you're going to need to make if 72 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 2: you're one of these safeties that wants to step up 73 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:52,520 Speaker 2: and grab that starting position. 74 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:56,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, Moore is a really intriguing prospect. And I say 75 00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 1: that not because he's a young guy, but prospect for 76 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:03,600 Speaker 1: the tent starting role because as you said, he you know, 77 00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:06,840 Speaker 1: he he's had some opportunities to start and get playing 78 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 1: time on defense. Then he's dealt with injuries. He's been 79 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 1: anytime he's been healthy. With the forty nine ers, he 80 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 1: was a core special teamer and obviously the Packers are 81 00:04:16,080 --> 00:04:19,719 Speaker 1: going to be looking for that experience as well. Maybe 82 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 1: the most interesting factoid about him, I think that has 83 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:26,640 Speaker 1: always stuck out to me, since the Packers signed him 84 00:04:26,640 --> 00:04:28,839 Speaker 1: and we put some information on the website about him, 85 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:32,400 Speaker 1: is he has one interception in his career in his 86 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:35,400 Speaker 1: very limited playing time on defense, and it was in 87 00:04:35,440 --> 00:04:40,120 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl against Patrick Mahomes at all of all moments, right, 88 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:44,159 Speaker 1: So officially he doesn't have a regular season interception as 89 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:46,239 Speaker 1: a defensive player, but he's got one in the Super 90 00:04:46,240 --> 00:04:50,039 Speaker 1: Bowl against a future Hall of Famer, So he's got 91 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:53,040 Speaker 1: that going for him, as we like to say. But yeah, 92 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:57,599 Speaker 1: which is nice. This competition though, to me, it has 93 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 1: all the markings of one of these that that very 94 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:05,039 Speaker 1: well might not be decided until the first couple, maybe 95 00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:08,360 Speaker 1: all three of the preseason games are played in terms 96 00:05:08,360 --> 00:05:10,920 Speaker 1: of who will be starting next to Darnel Savage and 97 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:14,800 Speaker 1: who knows, depending on how Matt Lafleur wants to, you know, 98 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:17,600 Speaker 1: work things as far as the playing time in the preseason. 99 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:22,080 Speaker 1: If Savage is is for sure you know the starter 100 00:05:22,200 --> 00:05:25,600 Speaker 1: there as it appears to be, then maybe you know 101 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:28,600 Speaker 1: the preseason games, a couple of these guys will will 102 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:31,120 Speaker 1: start in those games and the end there'll be an 103 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:34,800 Speaker 1: even greater rotation of the reps with with some of 104 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:37,440 Speaker 1: the top line guys who are out there. So this 105 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 1: one is is a long ways from over, but we've 106 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 1: certainly seen in the early stages of twenty twenty three 107 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:48,080 Speaker 1: here that the Packers are going to explore all their 108 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 1: options to fill this starting role that has been vacated 109 00:05:51,839 --> 00:05:53,239 Speaker 1: by Adrian Amos. 110 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 2: Well, keep one thing in mind, too, Mike. We've seen 111 00:05:55,400 --> 00:05:57,479 Speaker 2: so many times now that the safety it's not just 112 00:05:57,520 --> 00:05:59,720 Speaker 2: about who are the two back safeties, it's also about hey, 113 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 2: who's potentially playing in the dime, who's gonna play in 114 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:06,560 Speaker 2: dollar If they go really defensive back heavy, there always 115 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 2: is these opportunities. I think of how last year ended 116 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 2: for Green Bay. You know, some injuries at cornerback. You're 117 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:13,800 Speaker 2: seeing in his Gains playing the slot late in the season. 118 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:16,360 Speaker 2: You saw Darnell Savage playing closer to the line of scrimmage. 119 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:19,600 Speaker 2: So certainly, the safety body type I think that historically 120 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:21,960 Speaker 2: has been one that lends itself well to special teams. 121 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:23,560 Speaker 2: You know, I think that's a really big reason why. 122 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:25,359 Speaker 2: You know, down Levitt, you look at the path he 123 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 2: took as an undrafted free agent Utah State, becoming a 124 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 2: core player for the Raiders, and then last year becoming 125 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:34,400 Speaker 2: a core special teamer here for Green Bay. It's not 126 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:36,359 Speaker 2: just about who wins that safety spot. It's about the 127 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 2: other roles that they could potentially fill, and then all 128 00:06:39,040 --> 00:06:41,400 Speaker 2: very quickly throw out Trek Carpenter and there at that 129 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:44,840 Speaker 2: as well. Now Tarik is playing now with the inside linebackers, 130 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:48,120 Speaker 2: learning from Devondre Campbell and Kirk O Lividatti at that position. 131 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:51,800 Speaker 2: But he's six foot three, six foot, you know, two 132 00:06:51,920 --> 00:06:54,360 Speaker 2: hundred and thirty pounds somewhere in that range. I mean, 133 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:57,560 Speaker 2: those type of hybrid body types. Even though the league 134 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:00,320 Speaker 2: has gone back to more of a traditional breakdown between 135 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:03,640 Speaker 2: inside linebackers and safeties, they're still going to be in 136 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:06,039 Speaker 2: that conversation when you look at sub packages and where 137 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:09,960 Speaker 2: players could potentially fit. But obviously you want to be 138 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:13,640 Speaker 2: a starter. Ruby Ford has tasted it to various more 139 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:16,400 Speaker 2: has seen some of it. Jonathan Owens did it last 140 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:19,640 Speaker 2: year for the Houston Texans. That is a hungry, hungry 141 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:21,600 Speaker 2: group for somebody to grab that opportunity. 142 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:24,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, no question about it. I wanted to share a 143 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:26,880 Speaker 1: little bit too, as far as what we've seen, what 144 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 1: we've observed with regard to the offensive line, because people, 145 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:32,000 Speaker 1: you know, folks are asking a lot of questions in 146 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:34,400 Speaker 1: terms of how this is going to shake out again, 147 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:37,600 Speaker 1: no definitive answers at this point, but in what we 148 00:07:37,720 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 1: have observed in the practices we've been able to attend. 149 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:45,560 Speaker 1: We've seen Zach tom the second year fourth round pick, 150 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 1: a year ago second year player out of Wake Forest. 151 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 1: We've seen him take some snaps with the number one 152 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 1: offense at right tackle. We've seen him take snaps with 153 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:59,480 Speaker 1: the number two offensive line at center. We've also seen 154 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:06,000 Speaker 1: Yash Nyman earlier in OTAs was taking snaps at left 155 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:09,640 Speaker 1: tackle when David Baktiari was not doing eleven on eleven drills. 156 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: But we've also seen Nyman obviously take his share of 157 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:17,960 Speaker 1: snaps at right tackle. Yester, I'm sorry. On Tuesday, I 158 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 1: gotta get my days straight here. On Tuesday, when Baktiari 159 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 1: was not taking eleven on eleven snaps, we saw both 160 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 1: Rashid Walker and Caleb Jones taking taking snaps at left 161 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:33,280 Speaker 1: tackle with the number one offensive line. When Elton Jenkins 162 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:35,880 Speaker 1: took a break at left guard, we saw Royce Newman 163 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:38,480 Speaker 1: step in with the number one offensive line there. So 164 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:41,360 Speaker 1: there's a lot, there's a lot going on. There's still 165 00:08:41,360 --> 00:08:44,120 Speaker 1: a lot to sort out on the offensive line in 166 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:47,920 Speaker 1: terms of what what the pecking order is is going 167 00:08:47,960 --> 00:08:50,560 Speaker 1: to be. But with that, I'll turn it over to 168 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:53,439 Speaker 1: you and if you have any other observations as far 169 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:55,560 Speaker 1: as things you've seen with regard to the depth chart 170 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:57,880 Speaker 1: as mandatory MENI caamp is right around the corner. 171 00:08:58,040 --> 00:09:00,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, it's funny how it's a year later, 172 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:02,920 Speaker 2: but yet it's still very much the same where you're 173 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:08,559 Speaker 2: seeing Zach Tom play right tackle, center, left tackle, all 174 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:11,000 Speaker 2: these different spots that he's sort of been immersed in, 175 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:16,040 Speaker 2: and continuing that because as both you know, Luke Buckiss 176 00:09:16,120 --> 00:09:19,160 Speaker 2: and Matt Lafleur and certainly Adam Senovich have talked about, 177 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:20,760 Speaker 2: they want to give him an opportunity to compete for 178 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:24,080 Speaker 2: a starting job this year and and with the very least, 179 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 2: you know, you need to have a backup center. If 180 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:27,599 Speaker 2: it is Josh Myers again, who's going to be the 181 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:30,160 Speaker 2: next guy up there? That could be Tom because I 182 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:32,720 Speaker 2: think it does feel like Elton Jenkins. They kind of 183 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:34,920 Speaker 2: want to stop that circle that Mary go around a 184 00:09:34,920 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 2: little bit, keep him at left guard, let him get 185 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:38,839 Speaker 2: settled there and be the Pro Bowl player that we've 186 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 2: learned him to be. But the right side is such 187 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:46,079 Speaker 2: an interesting spot because as much rotation as we're talking 188 00:09:46,080 --> 00:09:49,679 Speaker 2: about John Runyon Junior, as John Runyon Junior is wont 189 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:53,440 Speaker 2: to do, it just continues to hold down that position, 190 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:56,000 Speaker 2: and I think he's turned out to be a really 191 00:09:56,760 --> 00:09:58,760 Speaker 2: a big pillar there. He kind of reminds me a 192 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:00,720 Speaker 2: little bit of a Lane Taylor where it's just as 193 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:03,679 Speaker 2: steady as they go type of player that you can 194 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:06,640 Speaker 2: sort of hitch your offensive line to and then try 195 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:08,400 Speaker 2: to figure out what's happened at right tackle. That's not 196 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:10,560 Speaker 2: to say that he won't be competing to shoot. He's 197 00:10:10,600 --> 00:10:13,840 Speaker 2: been doing some snapping as well. But the fact is 198 00:10:13,840 --> 00:10:16,840 Speaker 2: is that the Packers know they have David Baktiari Elton 199 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:19,800 Speaker 2: Jenkins and a lot of opportunity. They want to give 200 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:22,559 Speaker 2: that opportunity to a group that has so many players 201 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:25,160 Speaker 2: returning this season. Michael, and you know, even a guy 202 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:27,680 Speaker 2: like Caleb Jones that I don't think he's necessarily in 203 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:30,560 Speaker 2: the conversation for a starting spot right now, but the 204 00:10:30,559 --> 00:10:32,160 Speaker 2: fact that he's been able to work a little bit 205 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 2: at left tackle when yosh Niman is concentrating on right tackle, 206 00:10:35,720 --> 00:10:37,600 Speaker 2: those are valuable reps for a guy that was an 207 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:40,360 Speaker 2: undrafted free agent and on college rookie last year out 208 00:10:40,360 --> 00:10:44,280 Speaker 2: of Indiana. That's what camp is all about. And you know, 209 00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 2: we're going to talk about some of these other things 210 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 2: that are going on right now, and not to shift 211 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 2: it away from the offensive line, but I asked Matt 212 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 2: Lafleur about the cornerback situation during our media availability with 213 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:59,280 Speaker 2: him on Tuesday, because here's Carrington Valentine. Where a guy 214 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:02,560 Speaker 2: that otherwise a rookie, seventh round pick, who would not 215 00:11:02,679 --> 00:11:04,720 Speaker 2: get reps with the number ones this time of year 216 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:07,480 Speaker 2: while Jay Ry, Alexander Rasoul Douglas aren't here. So here 217 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:10,280 Speaker 2: he is working against Romeo Dobbs getting a pass deflection. 218 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:14,560 Speaker 2: Who stands out, who makes an impression for my eye, 219 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:18,400 Speaker 2: whether it's offensive line defense, any of these positions, you've 220 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:20,640 Speaker 2: seen a lot of young guys sort of grab the 221 00:11:20,679 --> 00:11:23,280 Speaker 2: brass ring, I feel like in the three practices that 222 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:26,720 Speaker 2: we've been exposed to and really make a case for themselves. 223 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:29,200 Speaker 2: Because at the end of the day, when you have 224 00:11:30,480 --> 00:11:34,160 Speaker 2: less proven experience in your lineup, you want to see 225 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:36,280 Speaker 2: the young guys that really step up and grab that 226 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:38,640 Speaker 2: To bring it full circle, I think Zach Tom has 227 00:11:38,679 --> 00:11:41,319 Speaker 2: been the epitome of that. I think a few years earlier, 228 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:44,200 Speaker 2: John Runyan was a great example of that. In the 229 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:47,359 Speaker 2: more guys that kind of step up and grab those opportunities, 230 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:51,320 Speaker 2: and in allow that twelve person offensive line that returned 231 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:55,120 Speaker 2: from last year, the cream rises to the top and 232 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:59,120 Speaker 2: the Packers have plenty of opportunity and options to look at, 233 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:01,000 Speaker 2: you know, when you're trying to formulate who's going to 234 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:02,880 Speaker 2: be those starting five come this summer. 235 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:05,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, and you have to believe, as you talked about, 236 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:07,320 Speaker 1: with the opportunity on the right side, that that is 237 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:09,920 Speaker 1: something that is going to continue all through training camp 238 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:14,280 Speaker 1: and through the three preseason games as the Packers make 239 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 1: their way toward final roster decisions and then obviously starting 240 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:21,520 Speaker 1: lineup decisions for Week one. So a couple other topics 241 00:12:21,520 --> 00:12:23,440 Speaker 1: to get to here, West, but I'll take care of 242 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:27,439 Speaker 1: some sponsor business. First. Serious XM NFL Radio delivers hard 243 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:30,240 Speaker 1: hitting analysis and up to the minute NFL news that 244 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:33,760 Speaker 1: true football fanatics need twenty four to seven, three sixty five. 245 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:35,960 Speaker 1: And at Cousin Subs, we have something for everyone like 246 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 1: our Wisconsin Cheese Kurts, mac and Cheese, Golden Fries and 247 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:41,800 Speaker 1: creamy shakes, all paired with your favorite sub or sub 248 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:43,480 Speaker 1: and a bowl cousin subs. 249 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:45,760 Speaker 2: Fifty years of better. 250 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:49,760 Speaker 1: All right, A bit of a follow up that was, 251 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:52,600 Speaker 1: you know, maybe a couple of weeks in the making. 252 00:12:54,520 --> 00:12:58,080 Speaker 1: A while back, we had a media availability with the 253 00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:02,800 Speaker 1: whole gamut of assistant coach and one of the interesting 254 00:13:03,360 --> 00:13:06,760 Speaker 1: topics that came out of that was when the media 255 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:13,400 Speaker 1: was discussing with Ben Sermons AJ Dillon's twenty twenty two season, 256 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 1: and Sermons sort of, you know, opened the door a 257 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:21,600 Speaker 1: little bit to some discussions that he's had with Dylan 258 00:13:21,640 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 1: in terms of, you know, Dylan not being satisfied with 259 00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:28,680 Speaker 1: how he played, looking to uh, you know, looking to 260 00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:31,760 Speaker 1: take some major steps forward here in his in his 261 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:35,840 Speaker 1: fourth season with the Packers. And then after practice on Tuesday, 262 00:13:35,880 --> 00:13:40,000 Speaker 1: you were a part of a group of reporters talking 263 00:13:40,040 --> 00:13:43,360 Speaker 1: with Dylan at his lockers. So I'm interested in what 264 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:46,760 Speaker 1: you learned from that conversation and what you can share 265 00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:47,600 Speaker 1: with us on the show. 266 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 2: First and foremost, Mike, I just want to say how 267 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:53,080 Speaker 2: much I love Ben Sermons, and you know, in the NFL, 268 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 2: how many times have you and I when we look 269 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:56,800 Speaker 2: at a new incoming coach coming in or maybe just 270 00:13:56,840 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 2: looking around the NFL. Do we see these Wikipedia pages 271 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:02,200 Speaker 2: where these guys that in God bless them, but they 272 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:05,480 Speaker 2: have these long resumes where it's been at this place 273 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:07,320 Speaker 2: and then this place in two years here and one 274 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:10,439 Speaker 2: year there. Ben Sermons has been the Packers running backs 275 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:13,640 Speaker 2: coach now for seven years, very quietly, has just done 276 00:14:13,679 --> 00:14:17,280 Speaker 2: his job, developed Aaron Jones and Jamal Williams and made 277 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:19,960 Speaker 2: the transition with time Montgomery to running back and now 278 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:24,120 Speaker 2: his latest pupil has been AJ Dillon, longest tendered member 279 00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:27,440 Speaker 2: of the Packers' offensive staff right now. Second longest tendered 280 00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:29,920 Speaker 2: I think to Jerry Montgomery on the entire team in 281 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:32,800 Speaker 2: terms of the coaching staff, and when you have a 282 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:35,520 Speaker 2: relationship with the player when you've been around them for 283 00:14:35,560 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 2: three years, I think you can speak frankly, even in 284 00:14:38,120 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 2: the media about where you feel like they need to grow. 285 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 2: And listening to AJ Dillon, it reminded me a lot 286 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:45,640 Speaker 2: of the conversation you had with Kenny Clark last year too, 287 00:14:45,640 --> 00:14:48,880 Speaker 2: where there's this self awareness that is involved with it 288 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:51,920 Speaker 2: that says, hey, listen, last year wasn't a bad year 289 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:55,240 Speaker 2: for AJ Dillon. It was fine. But he has big goals, 290 00:14:55,680 --> 00:14:58,760 Speaker 2: and I think what his thought process was is that 291 00:14:58,840 --> 00:15:02,800 Speaker 2: he focused too much much on twenty twenty four when 292 00:15:02,800 --> 00:15:05,200 Speaker 2: he needed to be in the present. And he mentioned 293 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:07,600 Speaker 2: a line that Sermons talks about with the running backs, 294 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:12,120 Speaker 2: which is if you think you stink, and it's true. 295 00:15:12,400 --> 00:15:14,400 Speaker 2: It's true for a lot of positions, but especially at 296 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 2: the running back position where everything is so instinctual. And 297 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:19,600 Speaker 2: I think when AJ Dillon is at his best, he's 298 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:23,240 Speaker 2: playing powerful and instinctual. You know, he mentioned Neil. There's 299 00:15:23,280 --> 00:15:25,120 Speaker 2: a lot of things. Not to make excuses, but he 300 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 2: was just kind of letting us in on his world 301 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:29,440 Speaker 2: a little bit. He's a new husband, he has a 302 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:31,840 Speaker 2: son coming, you know, he has a lot of things 303 00:15:31,840 --> 00:15:33,800 Speaker 2: he's thinking about off the field. That's he's trying to 304 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:37,080 Speaker 2: set himself up for the future. Wants to come out dominate, 305 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:39,840 Speaker 2: be a powerback and a thousand yard rusher and all 306 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:42,200 Speaker 2: these different things. He just needed to focus on the 307 00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:43,880 Speaker 2: play that was in front of him. And I think 308 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:46,080 Speaker 2: you can tell there's a weight lifted off his shoulders 309 00:15:46,120 --> 00:15:48,320 Speaker 2: a little bit going into year two, because Mike, you 310 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:49,960 Speaker 2: and I have said it for the last two years. 311 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 2: This offense is at its best when it runs through 312 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:55,400 Speaker 2: Aaron Jones in AJ Dillon. Doesn't matter if it's Aaron Rodgers, 313 00:15:55,560 --> 00:15:59,200 Speaker 2: Jordan Love or freaking you know, Mike Tomzak back there. 314 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 2: When they are able to get their running game going, 315 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:05,760 Speaker 2: they're playing premium football. That's what they need to get 316 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:08,880 Speaker 2: back to, and I think AJ Dillon appreciates that, listening 317 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:11,440 Speaker 2: to some of his self reflection and being able to 318 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:14,000 Speaker 2: sort of break down what happened last year and put 319 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 2: his best foot forward because now there is no next year. 320 00:16:17,480 --> 00:16:20,080 Speaker 2: This is all about this year and then whatever happens 321 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:23,000 Speaker 2: happens in terms of his contract. But he wants to 322 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:25,280 Speaker 2: be able to really maximize his potential and show that 323 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 2: he is the type of running back the Packers thought 324 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:29,600 Speaker 2: they were getting in twenty twenty when they use that 325 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:31,960 Speaker 2: second round pick on him out of Boston College. 326 00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:35,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's interesting to hear that and hear his perspective 327 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:37,800 Speaker 1: because we've talked to a lot of young players and 328 00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 1: watched their development and chronicled their development over the years, 329 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:43,600 Speaker 1: and you hear all the time, you know, guys going 330 00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:46,120 Speaker 1: from that first year to the second year where it's like, hey, 331 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:48,320 Speaker 1: you know, yeah, I don't have to think as much 332 00:16:48,320 --> 00:16:50,520 Speaker 1: about the playbook. You know, I can just play. I 333 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:54,840 Speaker 1: just I just react. It's not a thinking man's game 334 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:56,760 Speaker 1: anymore the way it can be as a rookie when 335 00:16:56,760 --> 00:16:59,520 Speaker 1: you're trying to figure everything out. Well, it almost sounds 336 00:16:59,560 --> 00:17:02,560 Speaker 1: like Age Dylan, you know, he he did that in 337 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:05,160 Speaker 1: his second year, but then in his third year sort 338 00:17:05,160 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 1: of got caught up in the in the thinking again. 339 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:11,280 Speaker 1: And and that's where a veteran player who knows a 340 00:17:11,320 --> 00:17:13,920 Speaker 1: lot perhaps then is trying to do too much. He's 341 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:17,560 Speaker 1: trying to he's trying to do everything perfectly. And all 342 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 1: that does, all that does for an NFL player because 343 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:23,280 Speaker 1: this game is so fast and and holes, you know, 344 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:25,720 Speaker 1: for a running back, a hole is open for you know, 345 00:17:26,320 --> 00:17:29,000 Speaker 1: zero point six two seconds. You know, I mean that 346 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 1: the holes close quickly. You can't you can't think because 347 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:34,879 Speaker 1: it slows you down too much. It's you know, you 348 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 1: and I are big fans of the movie Bull Durham, 349 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:42,200 Speaker 1: and you know there's the great line where Crash Davis 350 00:17:42,240 --> 00:17:45,040 Speaker 1: says to Nuke l Loosh, don't think meat, just throw, 351 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:48,720 Speaker 1: you know, And that that's how NFL player, the best 352 00:17:48,840 --> 00:17:52,200 Speaker 1: NFL players, they aren't out there thinking. They because every 353 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:54,720 Speaker 1: all of the mental part of it is automatic. It's 354 00:17:54,760 --> 00:17:58,000 Speaker 1: all it's all reactionary. It's all second nature to them. 355 00:17:58,240 --> 00:18:00,200 Speaker 1: They just go out and play the game, and they 356 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:04,280 Speaker 1: play it extremely, extremely fast. And the fact that the 357 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:07,560 Speaker 1: fact that aj Dillon recognized that in terms of his 358 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:09,760 Speaker 1: own season, in terms of watching the film, in terms 359 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:13,119 Speaker 1: of working with his head coach, I thought that I 360 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:15,640 Speaker 1: find that very revealing because you know how I am 361 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:18,680 Speaker 1: about talking about guys being, you know, being self aware, 362 00:18:19,080 --> 00:18:21,680 Speaker 1: because that's more than half the battle in this league 363 00:18:21,720 --> 00:18:24,960 Speaker 1: in terms of improving yourself is knowing who you are, 364 00:18:25,080 --> 00:18:26,840 Speaker 1: what you've done, and what you need to do to 365 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:30,359 Speaker 1: get better. And it looks like it looks like AJ 366 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:34,000 Speaker 1: Dillon is perfectly aware of what he wants to do here. 367 00:18:34,119 --> 00:18:36,639 Speaker 2: And that's what I love about Matt Lafleuur's philosophy too, 368 00:18:36,680 --> 00:18:38,879 Speaker 2: because it's not like Lafleur came in in nineteen and 369 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:41,520 Speaker 2: was like, Hey, we're gonna reset everything. I'm going to 370 00:18:41,560 --> 00:18:44,040 Speaker 2: bring in a new running backs coach. No, he saw 371 00:18:44,080 --> 00:18:47,640 Speaker 2: the work that Ben Simmons was doing with Jamal Williams 372 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:49,399 Speaker 2: and Aaron Jones and was like, Yeah, we're going to 373 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:52,560 Speaker 2: stay on that path now. You have aj Dillon coming 374 00:18:52,600 --> 00:18:55,640 Speaker 2: into that equation, and he's he's shown big flashes at times. 375 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:58,560 Speaker 2: I still think back to that game in December against 376 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:00,639 Speaker 2: Tennessee a number of years ago where he looked like 377 00:19:00,960 --> 00:19:02,600 Speaker 2: this is going to be one of the top running 378 00:19:02,600 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 2: backs in the National Football League. I still think it 379 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:07,439 Speaker 2: can be. But it's just about making sure that he 380 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:09,680 Speaker 2: gets back to playing the way he did at Boston 381 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:11,880 Speaker 2: College when he is the featured guy, when he gets 382 00:19:11,880 --> 00:19:14,320 Speaker 2: the opportunities. Because here's the thing he said, you know, 383 00:19:14,359 --> 00:19:17,080 Speaker 2: there is times and I visualize this when he said it. 384 00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:19,800 Speaker 2: You know, he gets an outside zone and he gets 385 00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:22,040 Speaker 2: the ball and he's thinking about, Okay, this is what 386 00:19:22,080 --> 00:19:23,560 Speaker 2: I'm gonna do with it. I'm gonna be able to 387 00:19:24,119 --> 00:19:27,679 Speaker 2: and you're trying to do the math too quickly. You 388 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:30,400 Speaker 2: just got to know that four times two is eight sometimes. 389 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:33,399 Speaker 2: And that's basically where he's trying to get back to. 390 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:36,200 Speaker 2: The cool thing about it is, though, the foundation with sermons, 391 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:38,199 Speaker 2: the fact that he has the friendship and relationship that 392 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:40,480 Speaker 2: he does with Aaron Jones. It's all still out there 393 00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:43,280 Speaker 2: for these guys and trying to show that this year, 394 00:19:43,359 --> 00:19:46,320 Speaker 2: especially in a transitionary period with Jordan Love at quarterback 395 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:49,680 Speaker 2: guy that he's incredibly close with, that they can be 396 00:19:49,760 --> 00:19:52,720 Speaker 2: the bell Cows that the Packers have really wanted them 397 00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:52,919 Speaker 2: to be. 398 00:19:53,440 --> 00:19:57,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, Well, one more little anecdote to get to that 399 00:19:57,800 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 1: I think will be fun to share before we go today, 400 00:20:00,640 --> 00:20:04,160 Speaker 1: and it has to do with veteran defensive lineman Kenny 401 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:08,080 Speaker 1: Clark and that that position group that he's dealing with. 402 00:20:08,119 --> 00:20:11,040 Speaker 1: And we've talked already this offseason about you know, Dean 403 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:14,840 Speaker 1: Lowry is gone, Jeron Jaren Reid excuse me as gone, 404 00:20:14,880 --> 00:20:17,639 Speaker 1: they both left in free agency. Kenny Clark is the 405 00:20:17,720 --> 00:20:20,360 Speaker 1: leader of a group now that has TJ. Slayton, who 406 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:22,440 Speaker 1: is a fifth round draft pick a couple of years ago, 407 00:20:22,520 --> 00:20:24,960 Speaker 1: DeVante Wyatt, who was a first round draft pick a 408 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:27,920 Speaker 1: year ago. Then you have a fourth round pick in 409 00:20:27,960 --> 00:20:30,720 Speaker 1: Colby Wooden and a sixth round pick if I have 410 00:20:30,800 --> 00:20:34,800 Speaker 1: that right, I believe six round in Carl Brooks. Kenny 411 00:20:34,800 --> 00:20:37,879 Speaker 1: Clark is the is the man. He is, He is 412 00:20:37,920 --> 00:20:41,359 Speaker 1: the real leader of a very very young group on 413 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:45,360 Speaker 1: the defensive line. And well, it just so happens that 414 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:48,680 Speaker 1: one of those rookie draft picks that came in this 415 00:20:48,800 --> 00:20:53,720 Speaker 1: year has has actually sort of been Kenny Clark in 416 00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:56,880 Speaker 1: the whole Lake video game thing. You're the one who found. 417 00:20:56,720 --> 00:20:57,760 Speaker 2: That audio game thing. 418 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:00,480 Speaker 1: You're the one who found that out for I'm from 419 00:21:00,560 --> 00:21:02,600 Speaker 1: kolbe Wood, and so I'll let you tell the story 420 00:21:02,640 --> 00:21:03,440 Speaker 1: better than I can. 421 00:21:03,680 --> 00:21:05,159 Speaker 2: Mike, when was the last time you picked up a 422 00:21:05,240 --> 00:21:10,040 Speaker 2: video game controller and played like football game techno ball? Yeah? 423 00:21:10,040 --> 00:21:12,359 Speaker 1: Probably probably right around there. 424 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:14,520 Speaker 2: No, But hey, that's what I loved about the story, 425 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:17,119 Speaker 2: because hey, dude, I'm getting older now too. But I 426 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:20,080 Speaker 2: thought it was such a fitting analogy and anecdote that 427 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:23,000 Speaker 2: Colby Wood And here's Colby Wood in fresh face, you know, 428 00:21:23,320 --> 00:21:27,600 Speaker 2: Auburn senior coming in, new member of the Packers defensive 429 00:21:27,600 --> 00:21:30,359 Speaker 2: line room, and you know he obviously you're going to 430 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:32,560 Speaker 2: know Kenny Clark is if you played defensive line, two 431 00:21:32,560 --> 00:21:34,320 Speaker 2: time Pro Bowl and everything. But he said, He's like, 432 00:21:34,320 --> 00:21:36,280 Speaker 2: oh no, I'm very familiar with this game. I played 433 00:21:36,280 --> 00:21:40,160 Speaker 2: with the Packers a lot in Madden. And I think 434 00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:43,800 Speaker 2: that speaks to not only the fact that Kenny is 435 00:21:43,840 --> 00:21:46,679 Speaker 2: a veteran now here in Green Bay, but also it 436 00:21:46,840 --> 00:21:48,840 Speaker 2: sort of shows that even a twenty seven year old 437 00:21:48,840 --> 00:21:53,399 Speaker 2: defensive lineman, there is this this age of Madden in 438 00:21:53,520 --> 00:21:56,520 Speaker 2: video games that you're now this is how guys are 439 00:21:56,520 --> 00:21:58,520 Speaker 2: going to know you coming into the league a little bit. 440 00:21:58,640 --> 00:22:02,800 Speaker 2: And the thing that I when I was going through 441 00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:07,680 Speaker 2: story ideas for the spring, when I realize that, Yeah, 442 00:22:07,760 --> 00:22:10,240 Speaker 2: Kenny's been a multiple time team captain, He's been a leader, 443 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:12,399 Speaker 2: he's been you know what two times, He's won the 444 00:22:12,440 --> 00:22:15,160 Speaker 2: Media Good Guy Award here in Green Bay. He's never 445 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:17,800 Speaker 2: been the oldest member of his position room. Even after 446 00:22:17,920 --> 00:22:20,720 Speaker 2: Mike Daniels and Detroit guy on Ricky, John Franzoon, all 447 00:22:20,720 --> 00:22:23,240 Speaker 2: these guys, even Jaron Reed, they all moved on. Dean 448 00:22:23,320 --> 00:22:25,800 Speaker 2: Lowry was a year older than him when they both 449 00:22:25,920 --> 00:22:29,800 Speaker 2: arrived here in twenty sixteen. Kenny was twenty true junior. 450 00:22:29,920 --> 00:22:34,480 Speaker 2: Dean was a you know, full fledged Northwestern senior. And 451 00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:37,000 Speaker 2: now here he is one hundred and fourteen NFL games. 452 00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:40,800 Speaker 2: The rest of the room combined has fifty played in those. 453 00:22:41,119 --> 00:22:43,359 Speaker 2: Of those eight players, only two have actually played in 454 00:22:43,359 --> 00:22:48,439 Speaker 2: a regular season game, you know, TJ. Slayton and Devonte Wyatt. 455 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:52,320 Speaker 2: And Kenny is embracing that role like he doesn't look 456 00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:54,080 Speaker 2: at himself as the old head in the room. He 457 00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:56,919 Speaker 2: looks at himself as a guy that can really be 458 00:22:56,960 --> 00:22:59,760 Speaker 2: an extension of Jerry Montgomery and helped relate to these 459 00:22:59,800 --> 00:23:01,840 Speaker 2: guys what is going to be needed of them this season, 460 00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:04,520 Speaker 2: because here, Mike, the fact of the matter is, much 461 00:23:04,640 --> 00:23:08,159 Speaker 2: like Kenny in twenty sixteen, especially twenty seventeen, the Packers 462 00:23:08,200 --> 00:23:10,840 Speaker 2: need these young guys to play. One of the analogies 463 00:23:10,880 --> 00:23:12,679 Speaker 2: I threw in there was the fact that, well, why 464 00:23:12,760 --> 00:23:14,560 Speaker 2: were we talking to Kobe wood in the first place, 465 00:23:14,600 --> 00:23:16,359 Speaker 2: because last week he was in there with the first 466 00:23:16,400 --> 00:23:19,880 Speaker 2: team defense when DeVante Wyatt dropped out of practice. Why 467 00:23:19,920 --> 00:23:22,320 Speaker 2: it ended up being fine. He was back on Tuesday. 468 00:23:22,320 --> 00:23:25,480 Speaker 2: He is making a couple of plays. But that's the 469 00:23:25,520 --> 00:23:27,880 Speaker 2: next man up for Green Bay right now. It's Brooks, 470 00:23:28,320 --> 00:23:31,480 Speaker 2: it's Wooden. Maybe it's a Chris Slayton, maybe it's Jonathan Ford. 471 00:23:31,520 --> 00:23:33,240 Speaker 2: But none of these guys had played in the National 472 00:23:33,240 --> 00:23:36,639 Speaker 2: Football League before, So Clark is bringing them along and 473 00:23:36,720 --> 00:23:38,960 Speaker 2: letting them know that the standard and sense of urgency 474 00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:41,399 Speaker 2: involved with that. And then the last thing, I'll just 475 00:23:41,480 --> 00:23:44,199 Speaker 2: leave you with the challenge that Kenny has brought on 476 00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:47,600 Speaker 2: himself to be more vocal this year. Now, Kenny is 477 00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:49,600 Speaker 2: one of the more affable people you're going to find 478 00:23:49,600 --> 00:23:52,040 Speaker 2: in the locker room. But again, kind of like Romeo 479 00:23:52,119 --> 00:23:54,240 Speaker 2: Dobbs you were talking about earlier this week, He's not 480 00:23:54,280 --> 00:23:55,919 Speaker 2: the type of guy that's just trying to start the 481 00:23:55,920 --> 00:23:57,919 Speaker 2: party with everybody. You come and you want to talk 482 00:23:57,960 --> 00:23:59,679 Speaker 2: to him, have a nice conversation, he'll have that. But 483 00:23:59,680 --> 00:24:03,199 Speaker 2: he's now the biggest, extroverted, most boisterous player in the 484 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:06,399 Speaker 2: locker room. But yet he knows that he needs to 485 00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:08,320 Speaker 2: be a guy that's going to tell guys, this is 486 00:24:08,359 --> 00:24:10,040 Speaker 2: the way we got to do it, this is why 487 00:24:10,080 --> 00:24:12,800 Speaker 2: we need you to do it that way, because ultimately 488 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:16,120 Speaker 2: it's on him and that defensive front to improve because 489 00:24:16,119 --> 00:24:18,080 Speaker 2: even though you lost Dean Lowry and Jaren Reed, there 490 00:24:18,160 --> 00:24:20,840 Speaker 2: is still a huge jump that Green Bay is expected 491 00:24:20,840 --> 00:24:23,000 Speaker 2: to make this year with the defense, and that's going 492 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:25,320 Speaker 2: to start up front with Kenny Clark and those young 493 00:24:25,440 --> 00:24:26,320 Speaker 2: defensive linemen. 494 00:24:26,680 --> 00:24:29,000 Speaker 1: Yeah. What I think is so important too about having 495 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:32,000 Speaker 1: a guy like Kenny Clarks as the leader of that 496 00:24:32,040 --> 00:24:36,520 Speaker 1: position group. It's not just about his personality and his 497 00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:39,280 Speaker 1: production and how he goes about his business as a pro, 498 00:24:39,400 --> 00:24:41,840 Speaker 1: because all of that is very important, but as a 499 00:24:41,920 --> 00:24:44,400 Speaker 1: leader of that group, he can also say to these 500 00:24:44,440 --> 00:24:48,680 Speaker 1: young guys, hey, look at my stats for my rookie year, Like, yeah, 501 00:24:48,720 --> 00:24:50,720 Speaker 1: I've developed a career where I've you know, I've gone 502 00:24:50,720 --> 00:24:52,280 Speaker 1: to a couple of Pro Bowls, and I, you know, 503 00:24:52,359 --> 00:24:55,040 Speaker 1: get four or five sacks a year as an interior 504 00:24:55,080 --> 00:24:55,960 Speaker 1: defensive lineman. 505 00:24:56,200 --> 00:24:57,200 Speaker 2: But go look look. 506 00:24:57,080 --> 00:24:59,280 Speaker 1: At the stats from my rookie year. I wasn't set 507 00:24:59,280 --> 00:25:00,800 Speaker 1: in the world on fire, and I was a first 508 00:25:00,880 --> 00:25:04,400 Speaker 1: round pick, you know, drafted, you know, mid twenties overall 509 00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:09,679 Speaker 1: out of UCLA. Kenny knows what it takes to progress 510 00:25:09,840 --> 00:25:12,919 Speaker 1: and to get to where you want to be in 511 00:25:12,920 --> 00:25:16,680 Speaker 1: this league. And he's not a guy whoever doubted himself, 512 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:19,080 Speaker 1: but yet to a certain extent, he still had to 513 00:25:19,119 --> 00:25:21,359 Speaker 1: prove himself because he didn't come in and set the 514 00:25:21,400 --> 00:25:23,600 Speaker 1: world on fire as a rookie. And I think as 515 00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:26,879 Speaker 1: an example as a guy who went through that himself, 516 00:25:27,080 --> 00:25:29,680 Speaker 1: whether you're talking about DeVante Wyatt as a first round 517 00:25:29,720 --> 00:25:32,639 Speaker 1: pick last year or a guy like TJ. Slayton who's 518 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:34,560 Speaker 1: now in his third year and is going to be 519 00:25:34,720 --> 00:25:37,480 Speaker 1: expected to take on a lot more snaps and play 520 00:25:37,560 --> 00:25:41,159 Speaker 1: a lot bigger role. Kenny Clark is as close to 521 00:25:41,359 --> 00:25:43,640 Speaker 1: the perfect type of leader as you could ask for 522 00:25:43,640 --> 00:25:44,240 Speaker 1: for that group. 523 00:25:44,720 --> 00:25:47,800 Speaker 2: And he was the perfect mentor for Wyatt too, because 524 00:25:47,800 --> 00:25:51,240 Speaker 2: Wyatt talked about, you know, he understood coming in where 525 00:25:51,280 --> 00:25:53,120 Speaker 2: he was being drafted, in the fact that they had 526 00:25:53,160 --> 00:25:55,280 Speaker 2: all this veteran talent there, that he wasn't going to 527 00:25:55,280 --> 00:25:57,680 Speaker 2: be a day one starter. But it does get tough 528 00:25:57,920 --> 00:25:59,520 Speaker 2: when you get into the dog days of the year 529 00:25:59,520 --> 00:26:02,080 Speaker 2: and you're only playing ten defensive snaps on a Sunday. 530 00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:05,440 Speaker 2: You feel like you want to be able to do more. 531 00:26:05,720 --> 00:26:08,160 Speaker 2: But it was actually Kenny kind of relaying his story 532 00:26:08,160 --> 00:26:10,119 Speaker 2: to DeVante. I didn't write about that this time, but 533 00:26:10,160 --> 00:26:11,680 Speaker 2: it was a story at the end of last year. 534 00:26:11,920 --> 00:26:13,960 Speaker 2: It was Kenny kind of telling him his path and 535 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:16,439 Speaker 2: how he didn't really come on until really towards the 536 00:26:16,560 --> 00:26:19,000 Speaker 2: end of his second NFL season where he really busted 537 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:22,480 Speaker 2: on the scene. That type of message resonated really well 538 00:26:22,480 --> 00:26:25,080 Speaker 2: with DeVante White because I think you could see the 539 00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:26,800 Speaker 2: weight of the world kind of come off the young 540 00:26:26,840 --> 00:26:29,560 Speaker 2: man's shoulders and understand, Okay, this is a process. I 541 00:26:29,600 --> 00:26:31,640 Speaker 2: am a first round pick. I'm going to be expected 542 00:26:31,640 --> 00:26:34,760 Speaker 2: to produce, but this rome has not been built in 543 00:26:34,800 --> 00:26:37,200 Speaker 2: a day. It's going to take some time to be 544 00:26:37,240 --> 00:26:39,320 Speaker 2: able to become that type of difference maker, just like 545 00:26:39,359 --> 00:26:41,200 Speaker 2: he was at Georgia in the path that he took 546 00:26:41,240 --> 00:26:44,359 Speaker 2: with the Bulldogs. So Kenny Clark Man Casey a bolt 547 00:26:44,359 --> 00:26:46,840 Speaker 2: that life. He's been a huge, huge anchor for this 548 00:26:46,880 --> 00:26:49,360 Speaker 2: football team the last seven years, and certainly going into 549 00:26:49,400 --> 00:26:51,640 Speaker 2: year eight, in addition to his own individual goals, will 550 00:26:51,640 --> 00:26:53,560 Speaker 2: again be a big focal point of this defense. 551 00:26:53,840 --> 00:26:56,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, no question about it. He's a guy that He's 552 00:26:56,240 --> 00:26:58,920 Speaker 1: a guy we've come to know and love, but we 553 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:02,240 Speaker 1: also enjoy watching him on the football field, and he's 554 00:27:02,280 --> 00:27:04,760 Speaker 1: going to be a vital part of this Packers defense 555 00:27:04,800 --> 00:27:07,800 Speaker 1: as he always is in twenty twenty three. So with that, 556 00:27:07,840 --> 00:27:10,880 Speaker 1: we'll call it a rap on this edition of Packers Unscripted. 557 00:27:10,920 --> 00:27:12,679 Speaker 1: Be sure to follow all of our coverage of the 558 00:27:12,720 --> 00:27:16,200 Speaker 1: team OTAs we got mini camp next week. We've got 559 00:27:16,200 --> 00:27:19,119 Speaker 1: it all for you on Packers dot com. For Wes, 560 00:27:19,160 --> 00:27:21,680 Speaker 1: I'm Mike. Thank you for tuning in everybody. We will 561 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:22,879 Speaker 1: see you next time.