1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:10,800 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:14,040 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spofford. He is the 3 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:16,919 Speaker 1: one and only Weston hot Koitz. We're coming to you 4 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:20,360 Speaker 1: here from our studios at lambeau Field West. It is 5 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:27,840 Speaker 1: finally almost here, and of course I'm talking about the 6 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:31,320 Speaker 1: season opener for Packers Vikings. It will be a three 7 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:37,120 Speaker 1: pm kickoffs Sunday at us Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis. 8 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:41,519 Speaker 1: We will certainly be there from our perch in the 9 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:46,000 Speaker 1: press box. We're going to talk about keys to victory 10 00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:48,159 Speaker 1: and whatnot as we go along in the show. But 11 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:50,720 Speaker 1: right before we turn the cameras on here, we were 12 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:54,000 Speaker 1: kind of joking around about one of the keys of 13 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:56,959 Speaker 1: this whole thing is finally getting to this point, right 14 00:00:57,040 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: It's like there's going to be a game that's going 15 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:02,560 Speaker 1: to how it's going to matter. It's a big one 16 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 1: against the division rival, obviously, but the time has finally arrived. 17 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 1: It's finally arrived, and and it's time for football again. 18 00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 1: Even at the time you know that we're taping this, 19 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:15,199 Speaker 1: even the lead up to Buffalo and the Los Angeles Rams, 20 00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:19,199 Speaker 1: you can tell the world is ready for football again. 21 00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:22,360 Speaker 1: I think Packer fans, you know, training camps, fund the 22 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:24,720 Speaker 1: preseason is fun. I really do feel like it is 23 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:26,600 Speaker 1: the best build up and lead up in all of 24 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:31,480 Speaker 1: sport uh to to the definitive beginning of the season. 25 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 1: But the thing that's interesting about with this new world 26 00:01:36,480 --> 00:01:38,440 Speaker 1: we live in with the preseason is you do have 27 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:42,959 Speaker 1: a pretty substantial chunk of time here before we get 28 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:46,360 Speaker 1: to Week one. And you know, for that reason, I think, 29 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:48,800 Speaker 1: whether it's the media, whether it's the players, I think 30 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:51,520 Speaker 1: everybody is just sort of getting to the point where 31 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:54,200 Speaker 1: it's like, yeah, it's time to play football again. And 32 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 1: that was one of the big questions I had for guys. Really, 33 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 1: my only big question in Wednesday's locker room is what's 34 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:02,480 Speaker 1: the anticipation nation? Like, I mean, especially with the defense. 35 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 1: We talked all off season about this defense and how 36 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:07,840 Speaker 1: dominant can be and what is life going to be 37 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:10,440 Speaker 1: like without Davante Adams for the offense where it was 38 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:13,600 Speaker 1: Rich Besaccia going to be able to overhaul special teams. Well, 39 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:16,359 Speaker 1: now we finally be able to get some answers. Yeah, exactly, 40 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 1: We're going to find out exactly where things are headed. 41 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 1: This will be just the start. It's a marathon, as 42 00:02:22,720 --> 00:02:25,800 Speaker 1: we say many times, not a seventeen games, I mean 43 00:02:25,880 --> 00:02:29,680 Speaker 1: first of seventeen here. This regular season doesn't end until 44 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 1: almost the middle of changes. Trying to set off, trying 45 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:35,920 Speaker 1: to get me going here. All right, well, alright, alright, 46 00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:39,959 Speaker 1: we'll back up. We'll back up, because this show is 47 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,760 Speaker 1: about the keys to victory. And you just mentioned offense, defense, 48 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:45,880 Speaker 1: and special teams, a little note on each one. So 49 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 1: I will let you start wherever you would like to, 50 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:53,160 Speaker 1: whichever phase you want to begin with. What is the 51 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:55,920 Speaker 1: a number one key to victory in your mind for 52 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:58,560 Speaker 1: the Packers on Sunday against the Viking. This could apply 53 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:01,200 Speaker 1: to any phase. But for me, it's who has the 54 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:05,040 Speaker 1: better unscouted looks, who is able to disguise more of 55 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:07,000 Speaker 1: what they want to do. And I know when you 56 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:09,120 Speaker 1: look at that, you say, well, Kevin O'Connell has a 57 00:03:09,160 --> 00:03:11,600 Speaker 1: new scheme. You don't really know what DNA tell is 58 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:14,600 Speaker 1: gonna do with this defense. That's all true, But Green 59 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:19,000 Speaker 1: Bay it's just such a different look this year. Offensively, 60 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:22,240 Speaker 1: you know, green It's not going to run through Davontae Adams. 61 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 1: The plays aren't going to be tailored to number seventeen. 62 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 1: We're all on the same boat. You and I watched 63 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:32,360 Speaker 1: every single training camp practice that was available to the media, 64 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 1: Well you really did. I saw most of them, thank you, Canton. 65 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:40,320 Speaker 1: But I couldn't even if I was allowed to. I 66 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 1: don't think I could sit there and say, yeah, I mean, 67 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:44,800 Speaker 1: this is this is Davantae Adams offense. This is gonna 68 00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:47,240 Speaker 1: be the year of Jordy Nelson. This is no I mean, 69 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 1: they are going to be multiple, They're going to be 70 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:52,320 Speaker 1: diversified in a lot of this is going to really 71 00:03:52,320 --> 00:03:55,040 Speaker 1: come back to what is green Bay gonna do well 72 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 1: here the first few weeks of the season. So I 73 00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:01,040 Speaker 1: look at the known like the fact of this is 74 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:03,760 Speaker 1: that you have Aaron Rodgers and you have a plethora 75 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:06,160 Speaker 1: of weapons. They're gonna be going up against the hungry 76 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 1: that Vikings defense. We've heard all the stuff with said 77 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:12,680 Speaker 1: Arius Smith fair play, but green Bay, what they've cooked 78 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:15,440 Speaker 1: up and what they've concocted offensively, I'm really eager to 79 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:18,600 Speaker 1: see if they can stress this new Minnesota defense because 80 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 1: for me, without Mike Zimmer being there for the first 81 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:23,480 Speaker 1: time in eight years, there are a lot of question 82 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:25,840 Speaker 1: marks there for the Vikings. Despite the fact a lot 83 00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:28,480 Speaker 1: of their personnel remains the same. Yeah, I agree with you. 84 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:32,880 Speaker 1: The match up here with the Packers going up against 85 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:35,360 Speaker 1: this Vikings defense, it is it's the It's the first 86 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 1: time Aaron Rodgers is going to face a Vikings defense 87 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:41,000 Speaker 1: not being run by Mike Zimmer in nine years. It's 88 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:43,400 Speaker 1: going to be it's going to be a different feel 89 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:46,359 Speaker 1: and a different look in that regard with as we 90 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:48,280 Speaker 1: talked about on our last show, some of the same 91 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:51,200 Speaker 1: cast of characters. Eric Kendricks is still out there, Daniel 92 00:04:51,279 --> 00:04:54,200 Speaker 1: Hunter is still out there, Harrison Smith is still out there. 93 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:59,760 Speaker 1: But I think it's going to be interesting to see 94 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:01,840 Speaker 1: just what kind of start the Packers can get off too, 95 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:06,040 Speaker 1: not only because of the transition here without Davante Adams, 96 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 1: but also all of the the uncertainty right now on offense. 97 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:12,080 Speaker 1: At the time we're taping this from an injury standpoint, 98 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:15,760 Speaker 1: the Packers really don't know if Alan Lazard, who has 99 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:18,640 Speaker 1: an ankle injury, is going to be available, if David 100 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:23,000 Speaker 1: Bok tr e Elton Jenkins, Bobby Touny in a lot 101 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:26,160 Speaker 1: of key pieces on offense that we may not know 102 00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:29,920 Speaker 1: until potentially Friday or even right up until kickoff. Just 103 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:32,680 Speaker 1: how this is going to uh, how this is going 104 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:36,960 Speaker 1: to come together. So for me, I just I just 105 00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:39,480 Speaker 1: fall back on and I don't want to sound like 106 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:42,400 Speaker 1: a broken record, but what I've been saying all offseason, 107 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 1: all training camp leading up to this is I think 108 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:47,800 Speaker 1: the key to this Packers offense is going to be 109 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:50,200 Speaker 1: those two running backs. It's gonna be Aaron Jones and 110 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:52,919 Speaker 1: a J. Dillon. And and I'm not saying that the 111 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:55,080 Speaker 1: Packers are going to run the ball forty five times 112 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:58,240 Speaker 1: with their running backs, but if Aaron Jones and a J. 113 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 1: Dillon touched the ball combined forty five times with with 114 00:06:02,440 --> 00:06:06,280 Speaker 1: runs and screen passes and maybe wheel routes and check 115 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:10,679 Speaker 1: downs and whatever else, it wouldn't surprise me. Because these 116 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:13,360 Speaker 1: two guys are going to be on the field a 117 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:17,440 Speaker 1: lot together. And I think what the Packers are going 118 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:20,760 Speaker 1: to want to do, especially early in the season, is 119 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:24,160 Speaker 1: is established these are a couple of our bell cows 120 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 1: here offensively, and then they're going to see how defenses 121 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:29,120 Speaker 1: are going to react to what they want to do. 122 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:32,640 Speaker 1: I made history on Wednesday night Mike my fantasy football 123 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:35,000 Speaker 1: draft for the first time since I started covering the 124 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 1: team in two thousand and twelve. I drafted a Green 125 00:06:37,760 --> 00:06:40,559 Speaker 1: Bay Packer, and that's not because I had anything against 126 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:41,880 Speaker 1: him in the past. It's in the fact that I'm 127 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:43,320 Speaker 1: in a league with a bunch of homers that are 128 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:46,080 Speaker 1: always overdrafting Green Bay Packers that I can never get 129 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:49,680 Speaker 1: any of the top guys. I drafted AJ Dillon. I 130 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:51,520 Speaker 1: would have taken Aaron Jones too if I would had 131 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:53,840 Speaker 1: the opportunity to, but he was off the board already. 132 00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 1: But I took A J. Dillon as my flex because 133 00:06:56,920 --> 00:07:00,320 Speaker 1: I agree with you a hundred and fifty. I feel 134 00:07:00,360 --> 00:07:03,919 Speaker 1: like this offense could run with two backs. This offense 135 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 1: is going to be able to provide both of those 136 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:09,279 Speaker 1: guys touches. As good as Jamal Williams was, and he's 137 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:12,800 Speaker 1: an all time fan favorite, the offense wasn't structured in 138 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:14,960 Speaker 1: a way in which you're gonna be able to really 139 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 1: feed both guys. A lot of that fell on the unselfishness. 140 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:22,400 Speaker 1: Selfishness easy for me to say of Jamal Williams that 141 00:07:22,520 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 1: he was able to kind of take a back seat 142 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 1: a little bit, and to A. J. Dillon's credit, he's 143 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:28,880 Speaker 1: done that too at times the last couple of years. 144 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:31,040 Speaker 1: But this is the year, where I think you have 145 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:34,520 Speaker 1: two running backs kind of coming into the same orbit here, 146 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones still at the peak of his power if 147 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:39,240 Speaker 1: he could stay healthy, and a j Dillon kind of 148 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:42,120 Speaker 1: being on that come up. The Packers didn't throw him 149 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:43,640 Speaker 1: out there and say, hey, we're gonna run you three 150 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:45,679 Speaker 1: or thirty times a year like they did at Boston College. 151 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 1: He said we're gonna gradually bring you up. And what happened, Mike. 152 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:51,760 Speaker 1: He became a better past protector, He became a better 153 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 1: past catcher. He became the well rounded back that Brian 154 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:57,040 Speaker 1: Goodkin's projected him to be back in two thousand and 155 00:07:57,040 --> 00:07:58,920 Speaker 1: twenty when they took him in the second round. This 156 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:01,040 Speaker 1: is a very exciting time for the Green Bay Packers 157 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:04,440 Speaker 1: offense because I feel like, whether it's the run, the past, whatever, 158 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 1: they have two backs, they are going to be able 159 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 1: to really get this team moving out of the gate. 160 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 1: And I think what Jones and Dillon give you the 161 00:08:10,880 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 1: opportunity to do as an offense is to force the 162 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:17,800 Speaker 1: defense to defend the whole field. And what I mean 163 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:22,120 Speaker 1: by that starting off is horizontally from sideline to sideline. 164 00:08:22,120 --> 00:08:24,720 Speaker 1: When if these two running backs are on the field, together, 165 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 1: and even if it is a pass play, you can 166 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:31,920 Speaker 1: have one of them be running a check beat being 167 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:35,080 Speaker 1: the checkdown receiver out to the left over by the sideline, 168 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:37,320 Speaker 1: and the other one running a wheel route down the 169 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:40,840 Speaker 1: right sideline. How is the how is the defense going 170 00:08:40,880 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 1: to match up to that? And and defend the entire 171 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:47,520 Speaker 1: field horizontally and you get them stressed horizontally, then okay, 172 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:50,640 Speaker 1: now let's take our shot down the seam where you 173 00:08:50,679 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 1: know the vikings, you know, the middle of their defense 174 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 1: with Kendricks and Harrison Smith. As we've talked about, it 175 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 1: can always it always seems like it's tough to attack 176 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:02,679 Speaker 1: the middle of the field. Again, it's Minnesota, so now, 177 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 1: and that could all look different with ed don Tell 178 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:07,559 Speaker 1: and them switching to the three four and all that. 179 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:11,719 Speaker 1: But these these two running backs, I think give the Packers, 180 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:17,440 Speaker 1: give the Packers an opportunity to to really challenge defenses 181 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:21,080 Speaker 1: in different ways that maybe we haven't necessarily seen when 182 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:23,520 Speaker 1: so much of the offense was running through Davante Adams. 183 00:09:23,520 --> 00:09:25,440 Speaker 1: And that's what I'm really curious to see what it 184 00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:29,680 Speaker 1: actually looks like out there on the field. Um, come 185 00:09:29,720 --> 00:09:32,040 Speaker 1: week one, and as we go through the entire season 186 00:09:32,040 --> 00:09:34,360 Speaker 1: and doing it in stereo with one another. I think 187 00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:36,080 Speaker 1: that's gonna be a big part of this thing too, 188 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:38,199 Speaker 1: because you know, a lot of years the Green Bay 189 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:40,520 Speaker 1: Packers it was it was a it was an offense 190 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:43,199 Speaker 1: that was kind of sitting on Aaron Rodgers shoulders a 191 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:45,040 Speaker 1: little bit. You had a running back. We saw it 192 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:47,400 Speaker 1: in two thousand fourteen with Eddie Lacy. You had you 193 00:09:47,400 --> 00:09:49,680 Speaker 1: did have backs at times that could shoulder the load, 194 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:52,679 Speaker 1: but a lot of it was letting Rogers sort of 195 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:55,679 Speaker 1: create and building the rest of the offense out from there. 196 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:57,880 Speaker 1: I think what is most exciting to me is I've 197 00:09:57,920 --> 00:09:59,960 Speaker 1: said it since the beginning of the off season program, 198 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:03,439 Speaker 1: since the time in which Davantams was traded. I love 199 00:10:03,520 --> 00:10:05,800 Speaker 1: that this is probably going to be a season in 200 00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:08,560 Speaker 1: which Matt Lafleur can get back to the principles of 201 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:12,200 Speaker 1: his offense and what him and Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVeigh, 202 00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 1: all these guys have done so well. If you have 203 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:17,840 Speaker 1: a superstar, you feed that superstar. But sometimes when you 204 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:20,600 Speaker 1: have a lot of talented players, you use that depth 205 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:22,319 Speaker 1: to your advantage. I think that's gonna be one of 206 00:10:22,360 --> 00:10:25,120 Speaker 1: the big hallmarks of this team. Yeah, well, switching gears 207 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:29,240 Speaker 1: to the defensive side of things as far as the 208 00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 1: keys here. I look back, and I don't I don't 209 00:10:31,480 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 1: want to dwell too much on Week one against New 210 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:37,080 Speaker 1: Orleans last year, but I did want to look. I 211 00:10:37,120 --> 00:10:38,760 Speaker 1: look back at a little bit of the play by 212 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 1: play on paper of that game of just how did 213 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 1: how did Joe Berry's defense get off to such a 214 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:48,880 Speaker 1: horrible start? Right? Because it wasn't a good look on 215 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:50,760 Speaker 1: either side of the ball, But certainly there were a 216 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:55,640 Speaker 1: lot more expectations defensively um with Joe Berry coming in 217 00:10:55,679 --> 00:10:59,160 Speaker 1: as the new coordinator. And and I was reminded in 218 00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 1: looking at things, is that they just they got off 219 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:06,600 Speaker 1: to a terrible start with third downs. There was in 220 00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:08,600 Speaker 1: the New Orleans game. There was there was a third 221 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:10,560 Speaker 1: and eight they gave up. Then there was a third 222 00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:13,120 Speaker 1: and thirteen that turned into a fourth and seven, which 223 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:15,719 Speaker 1: then the Saints still converted on fourth down. There was 224 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:18,960 Speaker 1: a fourth and goal where they jumped offside. So the 225 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:22,400 Speaker 1: third and fourth down situations that they got off to 226 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:26,240 Speaker 1: a terrible start there. But then not just in the 227 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 1: first game, but over the first several weeks. Remember the 228 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:32,080 Speaker 1: red zone problems. I mean, however, whatever it ended up being, 229 00:11:32,120 --> 00:11:34,160 Speaker 1: I don't know, nineteen or twenty times in a row 230 00:11:34,280 --> 00:11:36,920 Speaker 1: or something, and I may be exaggerating. I don't remember 231 00:11:36,960 --> 00:11:38,760 Speaker 1: the exact number because I've tried to put it out 232 00:11:38,760 --> 00:11:42,280 Speaker 1: of my brain. But the Packers defense couldn't get a 233 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: stop in the red zone for the longest time at 234 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:47,040 Speaker 1: the start of last season. I think those those are 235 00:11:47,080 --> 00:11:50,319 Speaker 1: always two key areas for any defense at any time. 236 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:53,240 Speaker 1: But the way the season started last year, for Green 237 00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:56,280 Speaker 1: Bay to get off to a at least a solid 238 00:11:56,360 --> 00:12:00,200 Speaker 1: start with third downs and with red zone, um, I 239 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:02,319 Speaker 1: think it's going to be a big key in this 240 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:04,400 Speaker 1: game and for the entire first month of the season. 241 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:07,800 Speaker 1: I agree because people want to make jokes about Kirk Cousins, 242 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:10,280 Speaker 1: and I don't know where all that comes from. It's 243 00:12:10,280 --> 00:12:11,880 Speaker 1: been something that's kind of followed him. I think, even 244 00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 1: going back to his Washington days, Kirk Cousins is a 245 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:17,199 Speaker 1: good NFL quarterback and you can I don't care where 246 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:18,800 Speaker 1: you rank him in the hierarchy, but if you look 247 00:12:18,800 --> 00:12:20,559 Speaker 1: at his stats against Green Bay Packers, he's had a 248 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:22,800 Speaker 1: fair amount of success. Maybe not if you look at 249 00:12:22,800 --> 00:12:24,200 Speaker 1: the wins and losses, but when you look at the 250 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:27,440 Speaker 1: completion percentage, when you look at the accuracy the throws 251 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:29,600 Speaker 1: that he's able to make him when they're in rhythm, 252 00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:32,840 Speaker 1: there is a big difference between that Vikings offense in 253 00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 1: the one in which they're not. So I agree with 254 00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:37,440 Speaker 1: you in terms of the red zone. In terms of 255 00:12:37,440 --> 00:12:40,360 Speaker 1: the situational offense, that's going to be key, But for me, 256 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:44,440 Speaker 1: it's also making sure in those early situations, early downs, 257 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:47,240 Speaker 1: you don't let those six yard runs kind of crease 258 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:50,000 Speaker 1: to a Delvin Cook because once you start getting in 259 00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:53,160 Speaker 1: those second and short, third and short opportunities, I feel 260 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:55,440 Speaker 1: like that's where Cousins has really thrived, because yeah, he's 261 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:58,200 Speaker 1: been sacked fifteen times against Green Bay in these six meetings, 262 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:00,760 Speaker 1: but you can't really sit there and say, well, this 263 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:02,640 Speaker 1: game he was sacked five times and they got their 264 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:06,480 Speaker 1: butts kick. The Packers have gotten pressure on the guy before. 265 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 1: He's sort of a stationary type quarterback. You're going to 266 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 1: be able to get some sacks, but it's about whether 267 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:12,640 Speaker 1: or not you're actually able to get him out of 268 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:15,280 Speaker 1: that rhythm. He gets into that rhythm and they start 269 00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:17,719 Speaker 1: being able to penetrate down in the red area. That's 270 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:20,280 Speaker 1: where you start to find yourselves in trouble, and realistically, 271 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:22,480 Speaker 1: the Packers did last November. Yeah, And that was the 272 00:13:22,520 --> 00:13:24,640 Speaker 1: other thing I noticed too, as much as some of 273 00:13:24,679 --> 00:13:27,720 Speaker 1: those long yarded situations I mentioned from Week one against 274 00:13:27,720 --> 00:13:30,440 Speaker 1: New Orleans last year, the early part of that game, 275 00:13:30,480 --> 00:13:33,800 Speaker 1: when the Saints jumped out seventeen to nothing first three drives, 276 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:36,360 Speaker 1: three scores, a field goal, and two touchdowns, there were 277 00:13:36,400 --> 00:13:41,000 Speaker 1: also several third and one, third and two's in those which, 278 00:13:41,559 --> 00:13:43,839 Speaker 1: as the defense, you can't live there, right, I mean 279 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:46,880 Speaker 1: that that's going to be a high percentage conversion rate 280 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:48,640 Speaker 1: for the offense. It's very tough to get off the 281 00:13:48,679 --> 00:13:50,760 Speaker 1: field on third and one and third and two, But 282 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:52,720 Speaker 1: then when you do get them in third and seven 283 00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:54,400 Speaker 1: and third and eight, that is when you have to 284 00:13:54,440 --> 00:13:56,960 Speaker 1: get off the field. And and the Packers just out 285 00:13:56,960 --> 00:13:59,680 Speaker 1: of the gates last year really struggled in that regard. 286 00:13:59,800 --> 00:14:02,840 Speaker 1: Now that being said, as much as we've talked about 287 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:05,760 Speaker 1: the injury issues and a lot of uncertainty on the 288 00:14:05,800 --> 00:14:09,520 Speaker 1: offensive side, defensively, the Packers are about as healthy as 289 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:12,319 Speaker 1: you could ask for right here. I think the only 290 00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:15,480 Speaker 1: starter who's listed on the injury report is Darnell Savage. 291 00:14:15,760 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 1: If I'm not mistaken with he had the hamstring from 292 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:21,920 Speaker 1: back on family and all indications are he's going to 293 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:25,560 Speaker 1: be ready to go. He certainly has has indicated he 294 00:14:25,640 --> 00:14:29,320 Speaker 1: plans to play health wise. The Packers are where they 295 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:31,080 Speaker 1: want to be on the defensive side of the ball, 296 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:33,680 Speaker 1: and Joe Barry has to be pretty happy about that. 297 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:36,120 Speaker 1: And I know for Packer fans you can't take the 298 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:38,880 Speaker 1: emotion of it, because it is emotional pay. You want 299 00:14:38,920 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 1: your team to win, and there are big steaks with 300 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 1: the division game right off the bat in Week one 301 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 1: on the road, But it's also going to be an 302 00:14:45,840 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 1: entertaining ball game in terms of what the Vikings have 303 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:52,040 Speaker 1: offensively and how that's going to match up with Green 304 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:55,000 Speaker 1: Bay's defense. When you talk about the justin Jefferson's and 305 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 1: who potentially could be covering him, what is JayR Alexander 306 00:14:57,920 --> 00:14:59,240 Speaker 1: going to be doing. Who is going to be in 307 00:14:59,240 --> 00:15:01,840 Speaker 1: the slot. Although you know we've seen Rasseul Douglas, there's 308 00:15:01,880 --> 00:15:04,479 Speaker 1: so much in the camp they've talked about the flexibility 309 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:07,520 Speaker 1: of that spot, and certainly, as I already mentioned earlier, 310 00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:10,600 Speaker 1: Delvin Cook is a difference maker. Kenny Clark was very 311 00:15:10,640 --> 00:15:13,560 Speaker 1: complimentary of the offensive line that that Minnesota has been 312 00:15:13,560 --> 00:15:16,600 Speaker 1: building and it's been a long long process for the 313 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:19,360 Speaker 1: Vikings trying to get more stability there, but they've put 314 00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:24,480 Speaker 1: in the resources to that position. So to me, I 315 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:26,680 Speaker 1: feel like this is gonna be a game and there's 316 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:29,200 Speaker 1: always gonna be you know, fits and starts. There's never 317 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:31,280 Speaker 1: really been a big blowout. I can't think of one 318 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:34,760 Speaker 1: during the Cousins era with the Vikings, but it is 319 00:15:34,760 --> 00:15:37,040 Speaker 1: going to be about attacking early on and seeing who 320 00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 1: who is able to to kind of get their early 321 00:15:39,960 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 1: first momentum. But the Packers, if if it is the 322 00:15:42,800 --> 00:15:45,600 Speaker 1: Packers and you have the Jr. Alexander's and the Devandry 323 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 1: Campbell's and some of these guys that are Shawn Garry 324 00:15:49,560 --> 00:15:53,040 Speaker 1: everything we talked about during training camp. The Packers have 325 00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:56,520 Speaker 1: skies with a lot of swagger, and the better they play, 326 00:15:56,640 --> 00:15:58,840 Speaker 1: I feel like that's gonna be a self fulfilling prophecy. 327 00:15:58,960 --> 00:16:00,880 Speaker 1: So it's gonna be excit. Need to watch. Yeah. And 328 00:16:00,880 --> 00:16:03,360 Speaker 1: on the special team side of things, you mentioned Rich 329 00:16:03,440 --> 00:16:07,840 Speaker 1: Bisaccia earlier. Obviously the Packers brought him into to create 330 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:11,200 Speaker 1: a culture change. We talked on previous shows about how 331 00:16:11,240 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 1: some of the roster decisions. Final roster decisions were geared 332 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 1: towards special teams. Packers are looking to get off to 333 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:21,880 Speaker 1: a good start in that area obviously, and but they're 334 00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:23,760 Speaker 1: gonna have a heck of a challenge thrown at him 335 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:27,840 Speaker 1: right away because at roster cut down time, the Vikings 336 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:31,440 Speaker 1: picked up Jalen Reagor and it sounds like the Vikings 337 00:16:31,480 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 1: special teams coordinator is putting him back thereund punt return. 338 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:36,840 Speaker 1: This is his guy. And I know it was two 339 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:39,480 Speaker 1: years ago and it was two special teams coordinators ago 340 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:42,440 Speaker 1: for the Packers, but Jalen Reagor ran one back against 341 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:44,880 Speaker 1: Green Bay when he was playing for the Philadelphia Eagles 342 00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:47,840 Speaker 1: on a long punt return. So they know all about him, 343 00:16:47,880 --> 00:16:50,640 Speaker 1: about about his speed, his ability in that phase, and 344 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:52,360 Speaker 1: the Packers are going to be challenged right out of 345 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:55,040 Speaker 1: the gate here. It was really interesting listening to Chris 346 00:16:55,080 --> 00:16:57,360 Speaker 1: Barnes and and Chris is such a thoughtful guy. We 347 00:16:57,360 --> 00:16:59,160 Speaker 1: didn't get a chance to talk to him much in training, 348 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:01,480 Speaker 1: Cambinet not for his own perspective that just the media 349 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:03,320 Speaker 1: didn't really chat with them too much with quay Walker 350 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:05,960 Speaker 1: coming in. But one of the things I asked him 351 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:09,480 Speaker 1: on Wednesday was about the Special Teams unit that Green 352 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 1: Bay has assembled here. Because we've talked so much about 353 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:15,040 Speaker 1: Rich pisacci and Keishaan Nixon and you know down Levett, 354 00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:17,720 Speaker 1: you know Pat o'donald, all the changes they've made with 355 00:17:17,760 --> 00:17:20,960 Speaker 1: incoming personnel, you kind of forget about the guys who 356 00:17:20,960 --> 00:17:23,359 Speaker 1: were here last year, the guys that do have a 357 00:17:23,440 --> 00:17:25,280 Speaker 1: chip on their shoulder, the guys that do want to 358 00:17:25,280 --> 00:17:27,520 Speaker 1: that that are kind of tired of hearing about how 359 00:17:27,560 --> 00:17:30,679 Speaker 1: Special Teams was sort of a you know, it was 360 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:35,240 Speaker 1: holding green Bay back and they're hungry to to rectify that. 361 00:17:35,520 --> 00:17:39,160 Speaker 1: And I just I go back to those offseason practices, Mike, 362 00:17:39,240 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 1: and just the sense of urgency that Rich Pisaccia coached with. 363 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:45,280 Speaker 1: There was no coasting. It didn't matter if it was 364 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 1: organized team activities, training camp, probably even if they were 365 00:17:49,320 --> 00:17:52,760 Speaker 1: getting in line for the cafeteria. He had these guys 366 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:59,679 Speaker 1: really really tightly, efficiently coached. And I feel like that 367 00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:02,240 Speaker 1: shift you've seen. Aaron Rodgers has talked about it, Matt 368 00:18:02,280 --> 00:18:05,199 Speaker 1: Lafloor has talked about it. That's going to translate in 369 00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:08,000 Speaker 1: these settings. And I was the story I did on 370 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:10,640 Speaker 1: on Jack Coco earlier this week. One of the things 371 00:18:10,640 --> 00:18:12,160 Speaker 1: that kind of hit home for me a little bit 372 00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:17,120 Speaker 1: was how Bisaccia tests these players. He gets after them, 373 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:19,400 Speaker 1: not because he wants to look like a tough guy, 374 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:21,879 Speaker 1: not because he he wants to sit here and be 375 00:18:21,920 --> 00:18:24,600 Speaker 1: the loudest guy in the room. He wants to put 376 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 1: them through that type of chaos. He wants to see 377 00:18:27,119 --> 00:18:32,120 Speaker 1: how it tests them from a fundamental standpoint, because once 378 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:35,119 Speaker 1: that game starts, they're all on the same team, and 379 00:18:35,119 --> 00:18:37,720 Speaker 1: whatever happens out there is going to be reflect back 380 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:40,960 Speaker 1: on the entire team. So I just I think the 381 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:43,760 Speaker 1: mental side of this thing and the way Bisaccia coaches 382 00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:46,160 Speaker 1: is just so next level. It's something I haven't seen 383 00:18:46,200 --> 00:18:48,960 Speaker 1: before on special teams during my time covering the team, 384 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:51,480 Speaker 1: and I'm excited to see what those guys, specifically the 385 00:18:51,480 --> 00:18:54,120 Speaker 1: ones that returned from last season, the Maori Rodgers, how 386 00:18:54,200 --> 00:18:58,440 Speaker 1: they respond with wanting to prove they are better than 387 00:18:58,480 --> 00:19:01,320 Speaker 1: what everybody said they were last Yeah, you're exactly right. 388 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:06,640 Speaker 1: The motivation, the motivation is certainly there, and the culture 389 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:09,560 Speaker 1: has changed in in that phase for the Packers on 390 00:19:09,640 --> 00:19:13,280 Speaker 1: special teams. I still think it'll be a work in progress. Uh, 391 00:19:13,320 --> 00:19:15,520 Speaker 1: you know, as we talked about through training camp, the 392 00:19:15,520 --> 00:19:18,680 Speaker 1: preseason games, it was about finding the right guys. Now, 393 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:21,560 Speaker 1: rich Basacci feels like he has his guys, so now 394 00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:25,200 Speaker 1: he's going to coach and mold and direct and lead 395 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:28,400 Speaker 1: those guys to play the way he wants them to play. 396 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:30,320 Speaker 1: And it's not going to be perfect in week one, 397 00:19:30,640 --> 00:19:34,320 Speaker 1: but the Packers certainly need to at least break at 398 00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:36,800 Speaker 1: least try to break even in that phase and then 399 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:40,200 Speaker 1: work toward um as this evolves over the course these 400 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:42,119 Speaker 1: over the course of the season. Work to be a 401 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:44,680 Speaker 1: special teams unit that can win that phase at least 402 00:19:44,680 --> 00:19:46,440 Speaker 1: a fair amount of the time. And don't head to 403 00:19:46,480 --> 00:19:48,760 Speaker 1: the bathroom during a punt. Don't go to the bathroom 404 00:19:48,800 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 1: if you're gonna be looking at a kickoff. Look at 405 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:52,920 Speaker 1: the personnel on these units. I'm not saying you're gonna 406 00:19:52,920 --> 00:19:55,919 Speaker 1: see adrianame Is playing all four course special teams units, 407 00:19:55,960 --> 00:19:58,159 Speaker 1: but the Packers there are going to be veterans on 408 00:19:58,240 --> 00:20:00,439 Speaker 1: these units. There's going to be guys that play offense 409 00:20:00,480 --> 00:20:03,520 Speaker 1: and defense, the wefense sort of movement. Keep an eye 410 00:20:03,560 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 1: on that because I think that's a very important thing. 411 00:20:05,440 --> 00:20:07,600 Speaker 1: Early last season when greenbo is having problems with the 412 00:20:07,600 --> 00:20:09,959 Speaker 1: field goal protection. How many times did I mentioned you? 413 00:20:09,960 --> 00:20:12,080 Speaker 1: I'm like Mike, they don't have any starting offensive linemen 414 00:20:12,119 --> 00:20:14,640 Speaker 1: out there. No disrespect to anybody, but that's the way 415 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:16,800 Speaker 1: they're doing. That's not the case this year. You're seeing 416 00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:19,480 Speaker 1: Josh Meyers as a wing. That's the part I'm excited 417 00:20:19,520 --> 00:20:21,280 Speaker 1: to see, because, as you mentioned, it's gonna be a 418 00:20:21,280 --> 00:20:23,919 Speaker 1: work in progress. Reagor is going to test them and 419 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:26,760 Speaker 1: stress them in a lot of ways on Sunday. But 420 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:29,320 Speaker 1: there's going to be guys out there on that field 421 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:32,119 Speaker 1: that have seen justin Jefferson, There's gonna be guys on 422 00:20:32,119 --> 00:20:34,200 Speaker 1: that field that have had to deal with some of 423 00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:36,560 Speaker 1: the elite players in this league on offense and defense, 424 00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:39,560 Speaker 1: and it's gonna be fun to watch. Alright. Well, I'll 425 00:20:39,560 --> 00:20:41,479 Speaker 1: take care of a little sponsor business here and then 426 00:20:41,520 --> 00:20:43,880 Speaker 1: I want to take a look around at what's going 427 00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:46,520 Speaker 1: on elsewhere in the league. In Week one, Serious x 428 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:49,679 Speaker 1: M NFL Radio delivers hard hitting analysis and up to 429 00:20:49,720 --> 00:20:53,600 Speaker 1: the minute NFL news that true football fanatics need seven 430 00:20:54,040 --> 00:20:57,040 Speaker 1: three six and at Cousin Subs, we have something for everyone, 431 00:20:57,080 --> 00:21:00,240 Speaker 1: like our Wisconsin Cheese Curds, Mac and Cheese Golden Some 432 00:21:00,240 --> 00:21:02,800 Speaker 1: creamy shakes all paired with your favorite sub or sub 433 00:21:02,800 --> 00:21:06,840 Speaker 1: in a bowl. Cousin subs fifty years of better like 434 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:10,960 Speaker 1: fired Up. I got on special teams there. Yeah, Besacchi 435 00:21:11,040 --> 00:21:16,240 Speaker 1: is rubbing off on you man. There you go. Um. 436 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:19,840 Speaker 1: Week one always an interesting and what I always consider 437 00:21:20,080 --> 00:21:23,560 Speaker 1: hands down the most unpredictable week in what is always 438 00:21:23,560 --> 00:21:27,639 Speaker 1: an unpredictable league in general. Start with what else is 439 00:21:27,680 --> 00:21:31,480 Speaker 1: going on in the NFC North, and that is the 440 00:21:31,480 --> 00:21:35,600 Speaker 1: the Bears and the Lions are both hosting games. Chicago 441 00:21:36,200 --> 00:21:40,359 Speaker 1: at home against San Francisco Detroit, coming off of the 442 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:44,399 Speaker 1: summer of hard knocks. Every everyone, everyone in the country 443 00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:49,720 Speaker 1: got to look into their their training camp. I saw 444 00:21:50,200 --> 00:21:53,360 Speaker 1: maybe one or one and a half about it. Detroit 445 00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:57,560 Speaker 1: at home against the Philadelphia Eagles. Now both the road 446 00:21:57,560 --> 00:21:59,919 Speaker 1: teams here, the forty Niners and the Eagles, both teams 447 00:22:00,080 --> 00:22:05,320 Speaker 1: with with high hopes with young quarterbacks, um run oriented 448 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:10,520 Speaker 1: offenses to a certain extent um big challenges here at 449 00:22:10,560 --> 00:22:13,520 Speaker 1: home for the other two teams in the NFC North, 450 00:22:13,560 --> 00:22:15,840 Speaker 1: the Bears and Alliance. Yeah, I mean forty Niners and 451 00:22:15,840 --> 00:22:19,879 Speaker 1: Eagles are gonna win. So it's about it. Okay, No, 452 00:22:20,520 --> 00:22:22,920 Speaker 1: it's it is gonna be tough sledding coming out of 453 00:22:22,960 --> 00:22:25,080 Speaker 1: the gate. I love what I've read so far though 454 00:22:25,080 --> 00:22:26,879 Speaker 1: about Detroit. I mean the fact that it sounds like 455 00:22:26,880 --> 00:22:28,919 Speaker 1: it's a sellout at ford Field already. I mean, I 456 00:22:28,920 --> 00:22:31,359 Speaker 1: think people have really rallied around Dan Campbell and the culture. 457 00:22:31,359 --> 00:22:33,399 Speaker 1: I remember remember saying that to you last year. I'm like, 458 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:36,200 Speaker 1: the wins and losses really don't matter. It's about what 459 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:37,919 Speaker 1: what are they kind of building there? What's what's the 460 00:22:37,960 --> 00:22:40,840 Speaker 1: culture like? I mean, you saw that clip again. I 461 00:22:40,880 --> 00:22:42,480 Speaker 1: didn't watch Hard Knocks this here, but that clip. But 462 00:22:42,560 --> 00:22:45,560 Speaker 1: Jamal Williams just, you know, almost in tears telling those 463 00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:48,119 Speaker 1: guys he's sick of losing that he experienced winning for 464 00:22:48,160 --> 00:22:50,680 Speaker 1: four years here. They were better than what people thought 465 00:22:50,720 --> 00:22:53,000 Speaker 1: they were last year, and you gotta admit. I mean 466 00:22:53,040 --> 00:22:54,760 Speaker 1: that win over Green Day to end the season, that 467 00:22:54,880 --> 00:22:57,400 Speaker 1: put them into the off season feeling okay about themselves, 468 00:22:57,400 --> 00:23:00,359 Speaker 1: like we finished strong to be able to kind stay 469 00:23:00,760 --> 00:23:03,240 Speaker 1: you know, mentally with it. I mean, I'm on Ross st. Brown. 470 00:23:03,280 --> 00:23:05,240 Speaker 1: I think is gonna be a talented player in this league. 471 00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:07,680 Speaker 1: I think they found some young pieces there to build around. 472 00:23:08,280 --> 00:23:10,800 Speaker 1: I just feel like if Jalen hurts is as dynamic 473 00:23:10,880 --> 00:23:13,840 Speaker 1: as everybody thinks he is, and what they've built around him, 474 00:23:14,240 --> 00:23:16,640 Speaker 1: I feel like Philly is going to be a team 475 00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:18,560 Speaker 1: that's gonna push Dallas for the top of that division. 476 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:21,320 Speaker 1: I would expect them to roll. I love Trey Lance, 477 00:23:21,359 --> 00:23:24,639 Speaker 1: I always have. I'm excited about him. I wouldn't say it. 478 00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:27,720 Speaker 1: I was on the gate with Justin Herbert right away. 479 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:30,120 Speaker 1: I love Justin Herbert. I'm not saying I'm that high 480 00:23:30,119 --> 00:23:33,479 Speaker 1: on him, but everything I've seen from the guy, I 481 00:23:33,520 --> 00:23:35,400 Speaker 1: feel like this is the chosen one. You know, North 482 00:23:35,440 --> 00:23:37,919 Speaker 1: Dakota State has produced a few quarterbacks now, but this 483 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:40,160 Speaker 1: is There's just something about him. There's an in factor 484 00:23:40,200 --> 00:23:42,919 Speaker 1: and I love the fact that kind of like the 485 00:23:42,960 --> 00:23:46,280 Speaker 1: Packers did with Aaron Rodgers and Brett Farve, didn't wait 486 00:23:46,320 --> 00:23:48,640 Speaker 1: as long, but it just was sort of this commitment 487 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:50,480 Speaker 1: of now this is our guy. We're gonna We're gonna 488 00:23:50,520 --> 00:23:52,200 Speaker 1: commit to him. He's gonna be the one we're gonna 489 00:23:52,240 --> 00:23:55,320 Speaker 1: run with. And I feel like that's the better play. Yeah. Well, 490 00:23:55,440 --> 00:23:58,840 Speaker 1: year two for Dan Campbell in Detroit and then the 491 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:02,879 Speaker 1: debut of Matt Eberflus in Chicago as the head coach 492 00:24:02,920 --> 00:24:06,520 Speaker 1: and with Luke Getzi, the former Packers assistant running the 493 00:24:06,600 --> 00:24:12,160 Speaker 1: Chicago Bears offense with uh their young quarterback in Justin Fields, 494 00:24:12,160 --> 00:24:14,960 Speaker 1: the first round pick from Ohio State from a year ago. 495 00:24:15,080 --> 00:24:17,200 Speaker 1: That's the X factor. I mean, honestly, I think that's 496 00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:19,320 Speaker 1: what it all comes down to. If Justin Fields is 497 00:24:19,359 --> 00:24:22,080 Speaker 1: the truth, if he's as talent as they thought he 498 00:24:22,160 --> 00:24:25,320 Speaker 1: was coming out. Um, I feel like that the Bears 499 00:24:25,320 --> 00:24:26,920 Speaker 1: are going to go as far as he goes this season. 500 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:30,679 Speaker 1: They aren't the most talented team, but if they have 501 00:24:30,800 --> 00:24:33,480 Speaker 1: something there with Fields, I think they're going to be 502 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:36,840 Speaker 1: able to surprise some people. Two interesting games as far 503 00:24:36,880 --> 00:24:40,720 Speaker 1: as cross conference, a f C versus NFC that that 504 00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:43,719 Speaker 1: I wanted to touch on briefly. Cleveland is a Carolina 505 00:24:43,800 --> 00:24:46,720 Speaker 1: the Baker Mayfield revenge game or what I love the 506 00:24:46,720 --> 00:24:50,680 Speaker 1: way the schedule makers It's crazy how that how that 507 00:24:51,119 --> 00:24:55,440 Speaker 1: um worked itself out. And then Kansas City at Arizona 508 00:24:55,560 --> 00:24:59,479 Speaker 1: a very interesting a f C versus NFC matchup Patrick 509 00:24:59,560 --> 00:25:06,200 Speaker 1: Mahomes Kyler Murray Um. Those those those are two games, UM, 510 00:25:06,440 --> 00:25:10,920 Speaker 1: two games that that are interesting for for different reasons. 511 00:25:11,000 --> 00:25:13,840 Speaker 1: The Baker Mayfield storyline is obviously the one that's going 512 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:19,160 Speaker 1: to dominate the first one. The other one the Arizona Cardinals, 513 00:25:19,200 --> 00:25:22,600 Speaker 1: a lot of high hopes playing in a really tough division. 514 00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:25,959 Speaker 1: The end with what happened last year, they they started 515 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:28,359 Speaker 1: out so strong, they were seven and oh they were 516 00:25:28,359 --> 00:25:31,240 Speaker 1: the last undefeated team in the league. But then by 517 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:33,879 Speaker 1: season's end they were flaming out in the wild card 518 00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:39,240 Speaker 1: round with an absolutely dreadful January performance against UH, their 519 00:25:39,359 --> 00:25:43,040 Speaker 1: division rival Rams. So, you know, the Cardinals a team 520 00:25:43,080 --> 00:25:45,000 Speaker 1: with a lot of high hopes, but yet a fan 521 00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:48,439 Speaker 1: base that's a little skeptical perhaps as too as to 522 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:51,399 Speaker 1: just how much to buy into this team because of 523 00:25:52,040 --> 00:25:55,080 Speaker 1: UH such an up and down roller coaster ride, so 524 00:25:55,119 --> 00:25:57,040 Speaker 1: to speak, last year. It seems like to me it's 525 00:25:57,080 --> 00:26:01,359 Speaker 1: Humpty dumpty sitting on the wall. I mean, they I 526 00:26:01,359 --> 00:26:03,880 Speaker 1: wouldn't be surprised if Arizona makes a deep playoff run. 527 00:26:04,040 --> 00:26:06,000 Speaker 1: I wouldn't be surprised if it falls apart this year. 528 00:26:06,040 --> 00:26:07,440 Speaker 1: You know, Like that's kind of the way I've sort 529 00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:10,080 Speaker 1: of been sitting with this thing, because, you know, Cliff Kingsbury, 530 00:26:10,119 --> 00:26:12,960 Speaker 1: there's definitely some I don't want to say fire on them, 531 00:26:12,960 --> 00:26:15,520 Speaker 1: but I mean it wasn't great how it ended last season. 532 00:26:15,560 --> 00:26:17,760 Speaker 1: I think everybody from the top down in Arizona talked 533 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:20,720 Speaker 1: about that. Kyler Murray, You you've definitely put your way 534 00:26:20,800 --> 00:26:22,720 Speaker 1: into this young man. Now, this is going to be 535 00:26:22,760 --> 00:26:24,960 Speaker 1: the face of your franchise, and you hope that he 536 00:26:25,040 --> 00:26:28,159 Speaker 1: takes those necessary steps. But you're going up against one 537 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:31,080 Speaker 1: of the the pre eminent teams in the National Football 538 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:33,320 Speaker 1: League right now. And I look at Kansas City where 539 00:26:33,359 --> 00:26:35,359 Speaker 1: they sit right now. It reminds me a lot of 540 00:26:35,400 --> 00:26:38,280 Speaker 1: the Packers and sort of that aftermath of the Super 541 00:26:38,320 --> 00:26:41,119 Speaker 1: Bowl forty five, where Kansas City is gonna be a 542 00:26:41,119 --> 00:26:43,239 Speaker 1: team that's just gonna threaten for twelve wins a year. Now, 543 00:26:43,320 --> 00:26:46,080 Speaker 1: thirteen wins a year, uh, and that's a lot for 544 00:26:46,119 --> 00:26:48,359 Speaker 1: Arizona to deal with out of the gates. I'm not 545 00:26:48,400 --> 00:26:50,520 Speaker 1: saying Arizona has to absolutely win this thing, but you've 546 00:26:50,520 --> 00:26:52,320 Speaker 1: gotta have a nice performance. You've gotta have something to 547 00:26:52,359 --> 00:26:55,159 Speaker 1: give yourself some confidence. Um. And then I want to 548 00:26:55,160 --> 00:26:58,160 Speaker 1: just touch on quickly. Yeah, it's just crazy how Cleveland 549 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:01,280 Speaker 1: Carolina worked out. But then Monday night football Denver going 550 00:27:01,320 --> 00:27:06,439 Speaker 1: to Seattle. Yeah, Hey, you gotta it's like professional wrestling, right, 551 00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:08,600 Speaker 1: you gotta build the feuds. You gotta build the rivalry's 552 00:27:08,600 --> 00:27:11,280 Speaker 1: gotta get the interest up. What a better way to 553 00:27:11,800 --> 00:27:15,520 Speaker 1: Nathaniel Hackett, former Packers offensive coordinator, makes his head coaching 554 00:27:15,640 --> 00:27:20,640 Speaker 1: debut with the the Russell Wilson Revenge Game or whatever 555 00:27:20,680 --> 00:27:23,200 Speaker 1: you want to call it, with the longtime Seahawks quarterback 556 00:27:23,280 --> 00:27:25,240 Speaker 1: going up against his old team right out of the 557 00:27:25,280 --> 00:27:29,320 Speaker 1: gate in Week one on Monday Night Football. UM Packers 558 00:27:29,440 --> 00:27:31,679 Speaker 1: Vikings is obviously a big division game in Week one. 559 00:27:31,760 --> 00:27:36,160 Speaker 1: Another one that's interesting the Las Vegas Raiders at the 560 00:27:36,200 --> 00:27:39,600 Speaker 1: Los Angeles Chargers, the game that the game that was 561 00:27:39,680 --> 00:27:44,040 Speaker 1: the final primetime game in Week eighteen last year is 562 00:27:44,640 --> 00:27:47,720 Speaker 1: now a rematch in Week one. It will be obviously 563 00:27:47,720 --> 00:27:51,080 Speaker 1: the Davante Adams debut with the Raiders, but um a 564 00:27:51,160 --> 00:27:54,320 Speaker 1: big game in the a f C West, a division 565 00:27:54,359 --> 00:27:57,600 Speaker 1: that a lot of analysts are calling the best in uh, 566 00:27:58,280 --> 00:28:01,840 Speaker 1: the best in the NFL as far as the depth 567 00:28:01,880 --> 00:28:04,200 Speaker 1: of it and uh the way the way that Week 568 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:07,199 Speaker 1: eight team game went last year with the overtime and 569 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:09,040 Speaker 1: maybe they were going to tie and both go to 570 00:28:09,080 --> 00:28:11,639 Speaker 1: the playoffs and all that. Well, now here they are 571 00:28:11,680 --> 00:28:14,000 Speaker 1: squaring off again in Week one. Should be interesting. Yeah, 572 00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:15,920 Speaker 1: And Herbert like I just just talking about I mean, 573 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:18,240 Speaker 1: is I think a guy that's definitely on the the 574 00:28:18,320 --> 00:28:20,720 Speaker 1: incline here and seeing where his career is going to 575 00:28:20,800 --> 00:28:24,800 Speaker 1: go in the Raiders. Raiders are an interesting spot MIC because, Yeah, 576 00:28:24,960 --> 00:28:27,760 Speaker 1: Davante Adams thing is a really interesting storyline and obviously 577 00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:31,600 Speaker 1: him reconnecting with Derek Carr. They have had a lot 578 00:28:31,680 --> 00:28:33,600 Speaker 1: of trouble here though, with the last three years of 579 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:36,400 Speaker 1: their draft classes. Like, I still wonder about the overall 580 00:28:36,480 --> 00:28:40,720 Speaker 1: depth of that football team because you can't basically miss 581 00:28:40,760 --> 00:28:44,800 Speaker 1: on everybody and expect your yourselves to be in a 582 00:28:44,840 --> 00:28:48,920 Speaker 1: super Bowl type form. It's difficult to do that. Um, 583 00:28:48,920 --> 00:28:50,680 Speaker 1: this is not Major league Baseball. You can't just go 584 00:28:50,760 --> 00:28:53,280 Speaker 1: buy everybody. You gotta you gotta be able to have 585 00:28:53,320 --> 00:28:57,520 Speaker 1: some homegrown talents. So the Raiders are very peculiar team 586 00:28:57,600 --> 00:28:59,240 Speaker 1: to me. But for me, I look at the Chargers 587 00:28:59,320 --> 00:29:02,360 Speaker 1: as in a very deep division, as probably the one 588 00:29:02,400 --> 00:29:05,000 Speaker 1: that's going to be able to push the Chiefs the most. Yeah, 589 00:29:05,080 --> 00:29:10,040 Speaker 1: I thought, Um, I thought the Chargers were a potential 590 00:29:10,080 --> 00:29:13,080 Speaker 1: threat if they had gotten into the playoffs last year 591 00:29:13,080 --> 00:29:15,000 Speaker 1: in the a f C because of the way Herbert 592 00:29:15,040 --> 00:29:17,080 Speaker 1: was playing, and then it didn't work out that way. 593 00:29:17,120 --> 00:29:19,800 Speaker 1: For them. So Um, as you said, the arrow definitely 594 00:29:19,800 --> 00:29:23,000 Speaker 1: pointing up for a quarterback like Justin Herbert. Last but 595 00:29:23,040 --> 00:29:26,520 Speaker 1: not least Sunday night football, which unfortunately we probably won't 596 00:29:26,520 --> 00:29:28,440 Speaker 1: be able to watch because we'll be working on all 597 00:29:28,480 --> 00:29:31,480 Speaker 1: of our postgame stuff for Packers Vikings. But it turns 598 00:29:31,520 --> 00:29:33,640 Speaker 1: out the first Sunday night football game of the year 599 00:29:34,200 --> 00:29:38,040 Speaker 1: is a repeat of the Thursday night kickoff opener from 600 00:29:38,160 --> 00:29:41,120 Speaker 1: last year. And of course I'm talking about Buccaneers against 601 00:29:41,120 --> 00:29:44,320 Speaker 1: the Cowboys. This time it's in Dallas. But two teams 602 00:29:44,320 --> 00:29:48,480 Speaker 1: in the NFC, both considered contenders, potential favorites in their division. 603 00:29:49,080 --> 00:29:52,120 Speaker 1: And uh um, you know, with everything that happened in 604 00:29:52,200 --> 00:29:54,600 Speaker 1: Tampa Bay with training camp and Tom Brady being gone 605 00:29:54,640 --> 00:29:56,480 Speaker 1: for a while, and then all the talk in Dallas 606 00:29:56,560 --> 00:29:59,240 Speaker 1: of where things are with Mike McCarthy and all the 607 00:29:59,280 --> 00:30:03,360 Speaker 1: expectations that are on the Cowboys heading into this season. Um, 608 00:30:03,440 --> 00:30:07,600 Speaker 1: you can't ask for a bigger Week one NFC matchup 609 00:30:07,720 --> 00:30:10,920 Speaker 1: than than Tampa Bay at Dallas. Yeah. No, And in 610 00:30:11,080 --> 00:30:14,560 Speaker 1: for Dallas, as you mentioned, the stakes don't get any higher. Um. 611 00:30:14,600 --> 00:30:17,440 Speaker 1: You know, whether it's true or not, whether it's just 612 00:30:17,560 --> 00:30:20,320 Speaker 1: suft refuge or just stuff that the media is kind 613 00:30:20,320 --> 00:30:23,680 Speaker 1: of conjuring up. Um, certainly these are questions Mike McCarthy's 614 00:30:23,720 --> 00:30:25,880 Speaker 1: had to continually answer, So it's going to be interesting 615 00:30:25,920 --> 00:30:28,920 Speaker 1: to see where that thing goes. Um a big win 616 00:30:29,000 --> 00:30:31,760 Speaker 1: over Tampa I think that's probably the outcome that would 617 00:30:31,800 --> 00:30:34,960 Speaker 1: increase the most stock for either of these teams. But 618 00:30:35,040 --> 00:30:38,040 Speaker 1: certainly there's questions to answer about Tom Brady to forty 619 00:30:38,080 --> 00:30:39,640 Speaker 1: five years old. I mean, you can talk about the 620 00:30:39,680 --> 00:30:42,160 Speaker 1: off the field stuff whatever, but I mean, you know, 621 00:30:42,240 --> 00:30:44,560 Speaker 1: he's trying to hold back Father Time one more season 622 00:30:44,640 --> 00:30:47,280 Speaker 1: here and and if he can. I think Tampa Bay 623 00:30:47,320 --> 00:30:49,520 Speaker 1: feels really good about their chances. Yeah, well, it's a 624 00:30:50,040 --> 00:30:52,480 Speaker 1: it's gonna be a dynamite Week one and certainly the 625 00:30:52,680 --> 00:30:55,840 Speaker 1: Packers vikings at US Bank Stadium takes a backseat to 626 00:30:55,920 --> 00:30:58,440 Speaker 1: No to No game in terms of the intensity and 627 00:30:58,440 --> 00:31:00,840 Speaker 1: the stakes. But with that we will call it a 628 00:31:00,840 --> 00:31:02,920 Speaker 1: wrap on this edition of Packers on Script and be 629 00:31:03,000 --> 00:31:05,200 Speaker 1: sure to follow all of our coverage of the team 630 00:31:05,240 --> 00:31:09,000 Speaker 1: and everything with the big Week one matchup in Minneapolis. 631 00:31:09,080 --> 00:31:11,640 Speaker 1: Will have it all for you on Packers dot Com. 632 00:31:11,760 --> 00:31:14,520 Speaker 1: For Wes, I'm Mike, Thanks for tuning in everybody. We'll 633 00:31:14,520 --> 00:31:15,240 Speaker 1: see you next time.