1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:20,320 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:22,840 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford sitting next to the one on 3 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:25,120 Speaker 1: only West Hodkowitz. Were coming to you here from our 4 00:00:25,160 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: studios ed lambeau Field and we's one of the big 5 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:30,800 Speaker 1: topics here with regards to the Packers and the defense 6 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:34,440 Speaker 1: since the draft is where are the Packers going to 7 00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:37,760 Speaker 1: get improvement in the pressure off the edge from the 8 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:40,200 Speaker 1: edge rushers Because they didn't draft one until the seventh 9 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:44,160 Speaker 1: round with Kendall Donnerson. There wasn't one signed in free agency, 10 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:46,280 Speaker 1: like with a Mod Brooks being brought in at the 11 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:48,400 Speaker 1: end of training camp last year. We haven't seen a 12 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:52,199 Speaker 1: move like that. One guy that uh the coaches have 13 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 1: mentioned him GM Brian Goudacunst has mentioned him. The guy 14 00:00:55,960 --> 00:00:57,560 Speaker 1: that is going to have a lot of eyes on 15 00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: him here is number ninety three, Reggie gil Albert. Um. 16 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:04,840 Speaker 1: I guess technically he's still a first year player in 17 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:07,119 Speaker 1: terms of service, but he's actually going to be going 18 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:10,920 Speaker 1: into his third year now in Green Bay. Tell us 19 00:01:10,920 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 1: about Gilbert because his path to this point has been 20 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:16,080 Speaker 1: a bit unusual. I don't like to get into the 21 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:19,360 Speaker 1: whole hyperbo League game. I think I've said that numerous 22 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:22,440 Speaker 1: times over the years on this show. Um, but Reggie 23 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 1: Gilbert has a chance, in my opinion, uh, to be 24 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:28,319 Speaker 1: one of, if not the best undrafted edge Russia that 25 00:01:28,360 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 1: the Packers have had. And I don't say that lightly 26 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:33,399 Speaker 1: because there have been guys that have come in and 27 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:36,720 Speaker 1: made impacts. You know, you look at Frank Zambo, Uh, 28 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 1: you know, Desmond Moses, Jaron Elliott, some guys that came 29 00:01:39,560 --> 00:01:43,640 Speaker 1: in and in short intermediate spurts, Andy Maleomba, Yeah, that 30 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:46,959 Speaker 1: came in, made the roster, made their presence. Felt. The 31 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:50,240 Speaker 1: thing I like about Gilbert is this is year three, 32 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 1: that was rookie Camp number three, and he had such 33 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:57,560 Speaker 1: a unique skill set coming out of Arizona, being a 34 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:01,240 Speaker 1: you know, hand in the dirt rusher, working inside as 35 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:03,680 Speaker 1: you know, that elephant type inside pass rusher on third 36 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:08,120 Speaker 1: down situations that he seemed to align with what the 37 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:11,760 Speaker 1: Packers like to do with their guys. It took time, uh, 38 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 1: you know that first year he pushed a little bit, 39 00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:17,000 Speaker 1: wasn't really in the conversation. Last year I thought he 40 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 1: pushed more. But they had so many of those guys, 41 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:21,760 Speaker 1: uh that that were in that running and then they 42 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:25,320 Speaker 1: claimed Chris owed him off waivers from Atlanta. But at 43 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 1: the end of last season he remained patient and he 44 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:30,919 Speaker 1: really bawled out those last two games. Now the hay 45 00:02:31,040 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 1: is not in the barn for him. He needs another 46 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:35,959 Speaker 1: good summer here to put himself in conversation for a 47 00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:38,920 Speaker 1: roster spot. If the Packers aren't going to go with 48 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 1: a high pick on an edge rushing position, I think 49 00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:43,960 Speaker 1: a guy like Reggie Gilbert looks at that and sees 50 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 1: that this is my opportunity to not only get a 51 00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:48,200 Speaker 1: chance at making the fifty three for the first time 52 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 1: out of camp, but making an impact once he gets there. Yeah. 53 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:53,520 Speaker 1: I do think if the draft had fallen a little 54 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 1: bit differently, I do think the Packers would have taken 55 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:58,400 Speaker 1: an edge rusher earlier than the seventh round. But that 56 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:01,960 Speaker 1: being said, the fact that they didn't it does speak 57 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 1: a little bit to a vote of confidence they're giving 58 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 1: to Reggie Gilbert and what they're seeing in his development here. 59 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 1: His his transformation in a sense has been pretty remarkable, 60 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 1: because you mentioned it. He was sort of an interior 61 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 1: defensive lineman at times in college at Arizona. He's transitioned 62 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:21,399 Speaker 1: completely to outside linebacker. He's dropped about twenty pounds from 63 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:23,680 Speaker 1: the mid to high two seventies into the mid to 64 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:26,519 Speaker 1: high two fifties in order to play the position. Mike 65 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:29,520 Speaker 1: McCarthy has talked about, you know, the change in his 66 00:03:29,639 --> 00:03:31,799 Speaker 1: body and what he's done. I talked to him a 67 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:35,000 Speaker 1: little bit about it for for a story on our website. 68 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:38,040 Speaker 1: He really had to dedicate himself. He was kind of 69 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:40,040 Speaker 1: joking like, yeah, you know, I go back home out 70 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:41,880 Speaker 1: West and there's in and out Burger and all this 71 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 1: kind of stuff, and you know, he really he had 72 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 1: to stay dedicated to the to the plan that that 73 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 1: the team's nutritionist, Adam Cores and had him on in 74 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:52,760 Speaker 1: order to uh, to remake the body a little bit 75 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:55,600 Speaker 1: and everything. There's a lot that's gone into this for him. 76 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 1: And then, as it turned out, at the end of 77 00:03:57,480 --> 00:04:00,800 Speaker 1: last season, Nick Perry needed had to miss some time 78 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:03,000 Speaker 1: there with some injuries. At the end, he finally got 79 00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:05,200 Speaker 1: an opportunity to be on the active roster and then 80 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 1: wasn't just on the active roster, but was in the 81 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:10,400 Speaker 1: game and then that entire I believe it was a 82 00:04:10,440 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 1: Saturday night game Week sixteen, against Minnesota, it was like 83 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 1: he was spending the whole game in the Vikings backfield. 84 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:19,280 Speaker 1: I mean he he was. It was instant impact and 85 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:21,680 Speaker 1: and then he went on to get his first NFL 86 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:25,240 Speaker 1: sack the following week in Detroit in the finale. So 87 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:29,720 Speaker 1: flashes of what perhaps is to come. But as you said, 88 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:31,280 Speaker 1: the hey is not in the bar and there's more 89 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 1: development to go here. But definitely a promising guy to 90 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:36,119 Speaker 1: keep an eye. And here's the thing. He has played 91 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:37,880 Speaker 1: in two NFL games. I'm not trying to put this 92 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:39,880 Speaker 1: guy in Canton or anything like that. I just think 93 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:42,680 Speaker 1: it's important to remember this is not a new guy 94 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:45,159 Speaker 1: on the block. He was waiting for that opportunity. He 95 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:47,520 Speaker 1: finally got it. And I think from the Packers perspective, 96 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:49,840 Speaker 1: you have to be intrigued and touching on your other 97 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:52,679 Speaker 1: point earlier, Mike, the Packers could have easily the first 98 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:55,720 Speaker 1: and second round using outside linebacker draft pick on an 99 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:58,479 Speaker 1: outside edge rusher. It was obviously in the cards, it 100 00:04:58,520 --> 00:05:01,040 Speaker 1: was in the conversation you and I really speculated a 101 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:03,240 Speaker 1: lot about it in the day's leading up. But no 102 00:05:03,279 --> 00:05:06,599 Speaker 1: matter what or where they picked a guy, whether it 103 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:08,680 Speaker 1: was at number fourteen or in the seventh round, like 104 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 1: Kendall Donnerson. They needed this current group behind Nick Perry 105 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:16,200 Speaker 1: and Clay Matthews to take a jump. That's where they're 106 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 1: going to get the biggest impact, regardless of what they 107 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:21,640 Speaker 1: did going into two thousand and eighteen. So I look 108 00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:24,080 Speaker 1: at Reggie Gilbert, I look at Vince Bagel now coming 109 00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 1: back from both of those foot surgeries. Even a guy 110 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:28,640 Speaker 1: like Kyler Fackrel still trying to, you know, fill out 111 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:32,080 Speaker 1: his talent in that body. It's gonna be interesting to 112 00:05:32,120 --> 00:05:33,960 Speaker 1: watch even a guy like Chris Odom, you know, now 113 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:35,760 Speaker 1: with the full off season in this program to see 114 00:05:35,760 --> 00:05:38,200 Speaker 1: what he offers. But as far as Gilbert's concerned, I 115 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:40,040 Speaker 1: think what he proved at the end of last season 116 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:42,760 Speaker 1: was that he should have been in that conversation for 117 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:45,240 Speaker 1: a roster spot to begin with because of what he 118 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:46,680 Speaker 1: put out on the field. And I think that's something 119 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:48,719 Speaker 1: Packers are really gonna have to consider this summer. Yeah, 120 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:52,120 Speaker 1: a player whose arrow is definitely still pointing up. With that, 121 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:53,600 Speaker 1: we will go to a break back with more on 122 00:05:53,680 --> 00:06:15,839 Speaker 1: Packers Unscripted right after this. H Welcome back to Packers Unscripted. 123 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:18,320 Speaker 1: Mike Spofford in this chair. Wes Hodkowits in that one 124 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:20,599 Speaker 1: in West. A lot of times on this show, we 125 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:25,520 Speaker 1: talk about the perseverance of players, and those paths can 126 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:28,240 Speaker 1: take many different directions in terms of what players have 127 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:31,159 Speaker 1: to overcome through their careers to get to a certain spot, 128 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:32,760 Speaker 1: to get to the NFL, or to get to a 129 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:35,920 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl, or whatever the case might be. I'm not 130 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:38,880 Speaker 1: sure if I've ever seen or heard a story of 131 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:42,359 Speaker 1: perseverance quite like that of the Packers new long snapper 132 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:46,159 Speaker 1: and seventh round draft pick Hunter Bradley, because every time 133 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:47,919 Speaker 1: I hear his name, all I can think of is 134 00:06:48,080 --> 00:06:52,240 Speaker 1: one thing. Three A c l S. You've been working 135 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:54,479 Speaker 1: on a story on our website. You've talked to some people, 136 00:06:54,520 --> 00:06:57,719 Speaker 1: including Hunter his father. What more do you know about 137 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 1: this story? Because it's awfully intriguing it is, and the 138 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:02,640 Speaker 1: the hardest part of this is, you know, Hunters the 139 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:05,200 Speaker 1: only son of a football coach. He has a sister, 140 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 1: but I mean growing up his dad, who was a 141 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:11,480 Speaker 1: long snapper and offensive lineman at Delta State, Michael Uh. 142 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 1: They grew up football together every Friday night. Michael has 143 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:17,800 Speaker 1: been on assistant football coach Uh in their community in 144 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:21,600 Speaker 1: Collierville for twenty five years, so every Friday night Hunter 145 00:07:21,640 --> 00:07:23,480 Speaker 1: was at his games and then ended up playing for 146 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:26,440 Speaker 1: him once he got to high school. It was a 147 00:07:26,440 --> 00:07:30,800 Speaker 1: phenomenal tight end, terrific athlete, really good in baseball, but 148 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:33,720 Speaker 1: long snapping was just always something he did along the way, 149 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 1: but tight end was the position he thought he was 150 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 1: going to be able to get to the next level. 151 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:40,160 Speaker 1: His goal for so long, like so many kids growing 152 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:43,000 Speaker 1: up in the southern portion of the United States, Southeastern 153 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:44,600 Speaker 1: portion of the United States, wanted to play in the 154 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 1: SEC and he started getting recruited by Dan Mullen in 155 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:50,760 Speaker 1: Mississippi State. The interest started to pipe up, and then 156 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 1: right before two days his senior year, he pops the 157 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:57,400 Speaker 1: first A c L and that was just demoralizing one 158 00:07:57,680 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 1: that the kid didn't get to play senior season high 159 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 1: school for the football team. He was gonna be everything. 160 00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 1: He was gonna be tight end, he was gonna be fullback, 161 00:08:04,360 --> 00:08:07,440 Speaker 1: He was a really good defensive end. He played basically 162 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 1: every play of the game, and now he's gone. Um. 163 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:13,480 Speaker 1: But the thing that I think, talking to his dad, Mike, 164 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:15,800 Speaker 1: he mentioned is that even after he tore the A 165 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:17,520 Speaker 1: c L and then he ends up getting the preferred 166 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:20,240 Speaker 1: walk on deal in Mississippi State instead of the actual scholarship. 167 00:08:20,840 --> 00:08:22,960 Speaker 1: He was up at five o'clock every morning, He did 168 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:25,520 Speaker 1: all of his PT all of his rehab before school 169 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 1: at seven to make sure that he was doing everything 170 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:29,840 Speaker 1: he could to get back on the right track. He 171 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:32,319 Speaker 1: goes to Mississippi State, tears the left a c L. 172 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 1: Then what happened with the right one? Is he actually 173 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:36,280 Speaker 1: at that time when he had done in high school, 174 00:08:36,280 --> 00:08:38,920 Speaker 1: they were still using cadaver uh, you know, a c 175 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:41,840 Speaker 1: L tendons at that point. History has shown that's not 176 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:43,680 Speaker 1: really great for an athlete you want to do graphs, 177 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:46,600 Speaker 1: So then they redid that. Just a long path he's 178 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:49,600 Speaker 1: been on, but really inspirational from the standpoint of this 179 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:51,680 Speaker 1: is not a guy who had a scholarship. He was 180 00:08:51,679 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 1: paying his way through college and then, as it turns out, 181 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:55,920 Speaker 1: now getting a chance to be drafted in the NFL 182 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 1: as the only long snapper taken in this year's class. Yeah, 183 00:08:58,559 --> 00:09:01,400 Speaker 1: and he'll be competing with Zach Trainer, who is the 184 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:04,160 Speaker 1: other long snap around the Packers roster. Here at this 185 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:08,080 Speaker 1: stage of the offseason. We'll see how that competition shakes 186 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:10,440 Speaker 1: out through O T A s, which begin next week. 187 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:13,320 Speaker 1: And then into a into training camp this summer. But 188 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:17,480 Speaker 1: going back to something that Bradley mentioned in his conference 189 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:21,600 Speaker 1: call with the Green Bay Media when he was first drafted, Um, 190 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:23,680 Speaker 1: I forget if it was after the second or the 191 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:26,080 Speaker 1: third a c L or what was it after the 192 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:29,400 Speaker 1: third one? The timeline where he's he's h he's in 193 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:32,440 Speaker 1: the training room at Mississippi State and uh and a 194 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:34,800 Speaker 1: player comes by, one of the star players on the team. 195 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 1: He wouldn't say who it was, but just looked at 196 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:39,280 Speaker 1: him and said, you know, what are you still doing here? 197 00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:42,680 Speaker 1: Like basically, you know, you've all you've been is hurt you. 198 00:09:42,679 --> 00:09:45,320 Speaker 1: You've been basically useless, Like get out of here, and 199 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:48,120 Speaker 1: you know, leave this to the rest of us. And uh, 200 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:50,760 Speaker 1: he just kind of swallowed it, brushed it off, and 201 00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 1: uh and lo and behold, look he got drafted. Well. 202 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:55,120 Speaker 1: And it's something too. This isn't a kid that goes 203 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:57,600 Speaker 1: home and cries to his mom and dad. Talking to Mike, 204 00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:00,160 Speaker 1: he said he never even Hunter never even mentioned to 205 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:02,960 Speaker 1: his parents that that incident had happened until way down 206 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:06,200 Speaker 1: the road. Uh. The thing that is interesting there was 207 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:09,320 Speaker 1: sort of the serendipitous sort of fate to this whole 208 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:11,800 Speaker 1: situation though, because one of the things that became clear, 209 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 1: they certainly were very intrigued in Mississippi State. Dan Mullen 210 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 1: was with his athleticism and his ability to play tight end, 211 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:20,720 Speaker 1: but there always was this underlying thinking that he could 212 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:22,840 Speaker 1: play snapper, and they wanted him at some point to 213 00:10:22,840 --> 00:10:25,520 Speaker 1: play snapper for them. So once that last a c 214 00:10:25,720 --> 00:10:28,320 Speaker 1: L happened, he went home with his dad. They started snapping. 215 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 1: His dad credits Chris Bono, who's in a special assistant 216 00:10:31,559 --> 00:10:35,800 Speaker 1: Mississippi State, the former Cowboys kicker, for for really helping 217 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:39,760 Speaker 1: him um and harnessing his technique. And as I don't 218 00:10:39,760 --> 00:10:41,280 Speaker 1: want to say his fortune would have it because it's 219 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 1: terrible for the guy in front of him, but the 220 00:10:42,840 --> 00:10:45,240 Speaker 1: long snapper before him ends up tearing his a c L. 221 00:10:45,760 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 1: That's what gave Hunter the chance to get on the field. 222 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:50,600 Speaker 1: He thought he'd only be doing it one year. He 223 00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:52,680 Speaker 1: ends up doing it for two and a half because 224 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:56,200 Speaker 1: of that injury, ends up getting the scholarship, you know, 225 00:10:56,240 --> 00:10:58,800 Speaker 1: and his parents traveled to every game that he played 226 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:02,480 Speaker 1: in college just such an emotional I should say, every game, 227 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 1: with about two or three maybe exception South Carolina. They 228 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:06,839 Speaker 1: missed because there was a football game Friday night and 229 00:11:06,880 --> 00:11:09,359 Speaker 1: then they played at eleven the next morning in South Carolina. 230 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:12,600 Speaker 1: But whatever the case, maybe his kid's been through a 231 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 1: lot and he's fought through it in the nice thing 232 00:11:15,080 --> 00:11:18,600 Speaker 1: for him to put that injury history aside. He played 233 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:22,120 Speaker 1: those games at Mississippi State without incident after he made 234 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:24,840 Speaker 1: that transition to snapping. Yeah, it'll be interesting to see 235 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:28,320 Speaker 1: now as we go through the summer because it's been 236 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:30,720 Speaker 1: a few years now. The Packers have been looking for 237 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:34,000 Speaker 1: a long term replacement at long snapper for Brett Good, 238 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:37,000 Speaker 1: who has handled the duty, been the primary long snapper 239 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:39,520 Speaker 1: for about a decade now in Green Bay and done 240 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:42,600 Speaker 1: the job phenomenally. But when things haven't worked out with 241 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:45,640 Speaker 1: other guys, they have tried, whether whether because of performance 242 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:47,800 Speaker 1: or because of injury, whatever the case might be. Brett 243 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 1: Good keeps coming back over these last couple of years 244 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:53,360 Speaker 1: and he is still available now. But the Packers have 245 00:11:53,400 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 1: two long snappers in camp. They used a draft pick 246 00:11:55,679 --> 00:11:58,199 Speaker 1: on one. Maybe this is the year that that they 247 00:11:58,240 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 1: find potentially that long term replace. I think they're gonna 248 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:03,760 Speaker 1: let it play out. The nice thing too, as far 249 00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:06,560 Speaker 1: as what Bradley gives you. He's tremendous in coverage. If 250 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 1: you go back and watch some of his film. I mean, 251 00:12:08,280 --> 00:12:10,760 Speaker 1: he made a lot of tackles at Mississippi State as well. 252 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:12,720 Speaker 1: It's gonna be a little different because now you know, 253 00:12:12,760 --> 00:12:14,960 Speaker 1: the game changes for long snappers at the next level. 254 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:17,760 Speaker 1: But his athleticism is through the roof. Alright, with that, 255 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:19,439 Speaker 1: we're going to go to a breakback with more on 256 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:41,080 Speaker 1: Packers Unscripted right after this. Welcome back to Packers Unscripted. 257 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:44,439 Speaker 1: Mike Spofford right here, West Hodko wits over there. West. 258 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:46,319 Speaker 1: You mentioned earlier in the show you don't like to 259 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:49,480 Speaker 1: speak in hyperbole, and I don't like to either. But 260 00:12:50,520 --> 00:12:54,079 Speaker 1: this weekend, yeah, this past weekend, we may have seen 261 00:12:54,880 --> 00:12:58,680 Speaker 1: the birth of a new trend, certainly a social media trend. 262 00:12:59,320 --> 00:13:02,320 Speaker 1: In the NFL. We saw a couple of Green Bay 263 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:06,480 Speaker 1: Packers walk across the stage getting their college degrees, and 264 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:10,559 Speaker 1: they were wearing their NFL jerseys, their Packard jerseys underneath 265 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:14,600 Speaker 1: the graduation gowns. And it made a pretty big splash socially, 266 00:13:15,160 --> 00:13:19,199 Speaker 1: um across across the landscape with with football fans. I'm 267 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:22,680 Speaker 1: talking specifically about Aaron Jones, the running back from U 268 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:26,719 Speaker 1: TEP and first round draft pick Ji Year Alexander from 269 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:31,400 Speaker 1: Louisville UM. Alexander had his green number twenty three. Jones, 270 00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:34,480 Speaker 1: I believe had the white number thirty three. But they 271 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:36,960 Speaker 1: were showing they were they were they were showing those 272 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:39,520 Speaker 1: off and uh And I think I think this is 273 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:42,480 Speaker 1: something that could catch on with NFL players who after 274 00:13:42,520 --> 00:13:44,560 Speaker 1: they're drafted, or after they've been in the league a 275 00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:47,080 Speaker 1: year or two, like Jones, go back to college and 276 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:50,120 Speaker 1: get their degrees. Maybe this is the new fashion trend here. Well, 277 00:13:50,120 --> 00:13:52,400 Speaker 1: first and foremost, I love the fact that you look 278 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:55,640 Speaker 1: at Alexander wearing his jersey underneath his his you know, 279 00:13:55,679 --> 00:13:59,320 Speaker 1: graduation goun He signed it to a signed jersey. I 280 00:13:59,360 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 1: mean that that takes him swagger to do that. I 281 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:04,360 Speaker 1: know I've thrown that that we're out there a couple 282 00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:06,640 Speaker 1: of times now to describe him. But he just has it. 283 00:14:06,760 --> 00:14:09,520 Speaker 1: He has that in factor, he has that confidence. Uh 284 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:12,199 Speaker 1: And and I'm impressive to him. I mean, you tipped 285 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 1: your cap to him. He graduated in three years after 286 00:14:14,160 --> 00:14:17,199 Speaker 1: being an early in role, after early rolling at Louisville, 287 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 1: getting his criminal justice degree. As far as Aaron Jones 288 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 1: is concerned, This is really emotional for him and his 289 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:25,160 Speaker 1: family because he completed his degree. I believe he was 290 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:29,240 Speaker 1: the last sibling of Elvin Sr. In Virgus his children 291 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:31,880 Speaker 1: to to get his degree. His brother Elvin Jr. Got 292 00:14:31,920 --> 00:14:34,440 Speaker 1: it as a graduate, not a graduate, but as being 293 00:14:34,480 --> 00:14:37,960 Speaker 1: a red shirt fifth year player at Tip. And when 294 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:41,600 Speaker 1: he declared, when Aaron declared early last year, made that 295 00:14:41,640 --> 00:14:43,680 Speaker 1: commitment to his parents. I remember talking to his dad 296 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:46,280 Speaker 1: last year, but how important it was for him to 297 00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:48,280 Speaker 1: go back to school eventually. I don't know if they 298 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:50,440 Speaker 1: planned on him doing it in a year, but for 299 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:53,120 Speaker 1: him to go back complete his degree, gets his degree 300 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:56,360 Speaker 1: in Multidisciplinary Studies uh and and now going back to 301 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:59,000 Speaker 1: focus on his NFL career pretty pretty emotional imagine for 302 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:01,920 Speaker 1: their family. Yeah. Well worked out conveniently for Jones. He 303 00:15:01,960 --> 00:15:05,520 Speaker 1: was able to work with an advisor um at U 304 00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:08,960 Speaker 1: TEP to essentially take the remainder of the classes that 305 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:11,040 Speaker 1: he needed. He was able to take them remotely through 306 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:14,920 Speaker 1: through u TEPS online system. Another um you know, another 307 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:18,240 Speaker 1: another way in which technology changes changes the game in 308 00:15:18,240 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 1: some respects. But we also should mention ha Clinton Dix 309 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:25,000 Speaker 1: recently a week or two ago, he also walked across 310 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:27,520 Speaker 1: the stage at Alabama got his degree, something that he 311 00:15:27,560 --> 00:15:29,880 Speaker 1: had been talking about, and we talked about his off 312 00:15:29,880 --> 00:15:32,960 Speaker 1: the field stuff with getting the internship at the Brown 313 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:36,280 Speaker 1: County Courthouse and the work that he's been, you know, 314 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:40,000 Speaker 1: furthering his own studies in criminal justice while he's been 315 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:42,720 Speaker 1: while he's been here in Green Bay. And then also 316 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 1: seventh roundraft pick Kendall Donnerson earned his degree from Southeast 317 00:15:46,760 --> 00:15:50,560 Speaker 1: Missouri and graduated as well. Always good to see these guys, 318 00:15:50,760 --> 00:15:54,240 Speaker 1: you know, taking um taking that step to finish things. 319 00:15:54,280 --> 00:15:57,160 Speaker 1: I remember even talking to uh to Casey Hayward after 320 00:15:57,240 --> 00:15:59,000 Speaker 1: he'd been in Green Bay for a year, had this 321 00:15:59,080 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 1: great rookie season with the Packers, he went back to 322 00:16:01,680 --> 00:16:04,640 Speaker 1: Vanderbilt and and finished up. So a lot of these 323 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:07,400 Speaker 1: guys they take it very seriously. Whether it's a promise 324 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:09,400 Speaker 1: they made to themselves, a promise they made to other 325 00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:12,800 Speaker 1: family members, it's a big deal when when they do 326 00:16:12,840 --> 00:16:14,480 Speaker 1: it and they know they've always got that in their 327 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:16,840 Speaker 1: back pocket no matter what happens with football. Yeah, and 328 00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 1: and the Randall Cobb going back two years ago to 329 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:23,360 Speaker 1: finish a Kentucky as well. Uh, the how Clinton dicksone 330 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:27,720 Speaker 1: is is special because it was something that how Clintics 331 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:29,760 Speaker 1: is gonna be really successful in the game of football. 332 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:32,840 Speaker 1: I think he, you know, if health provided, he's going 333 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:35,120 Speaker 1: to play for a long time in this league. And 334 00:16:35,240 --> 00:16:37,480 Speaker 1: I just thought last year doing that story on him 335 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:40,120 Speaker 1: and his internship at the Brown County Courthouse, the fact 336 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 1: that he was coming off in All Pro year. He 337 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 1: was coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance, but it 338 00:16:44,040 --> 00:16:46,520 Speaker 1: meant that much to him to finish off that degree, 339 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:48,800 Speaker 1: a promise that he made to his mom, he made 340 00:16:48,840 --> 00:16:51,600 Speaker 1: to his friends, and obviously his coach, Nick Saban was 341 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 1: very adamant too about him going back as soon as 342 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 1: he completed or at least enrolled and declared early for 343 00:16:57,240 --> 00:16:59,560 Speaker 1: the NFL draft. UM. So for him to get it 344 00:16:59,600 --> 00:17:01,440 Speaker 1: done while he's in school, I think says a lot 345 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:03,880 Speaker 1: about him. Kendall Donnerson, I didn't get a chance to 346 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:06,000 Speaker 1: talk to him yet. We haven't had, uh, you know, 347 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 1: the access at O t As. I remember hearing him 348 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:10,639 Speaker 1: speak at the rookie camp about how when he was 349 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:13,719 Speaker 1: going out, I was trying to get into college, academics 350 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 1: were an issue for him. That's one of the reasons 351 00:17:15,119 --> 00:17:18,280 Speaker 1: why he landed at Southeast Missouri UM so I have 352 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:20,199 Speaker 1: to imagine, just based on his Instagram and some of 353 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:22,000 Speaker 1: those things, that was very emotional for him and his 354 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:24,040 Speaker 1: family to be able to complete that degree and now 355 00:17:24,119 --> 00:17:26,000 Speaker 1: have that in his back pocket as well as he 356 00:17:26,040 --> 00:17:28,439 Speaker 1: tries to make the NFL dream come, no doubt about it. 357 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:30,280 Speaker 1: With that, we're gonna go to another break back with 358 00:17:30,320 --> 00:17:52,240 Speaker 1: moren Packers unscripted right after this Welcome Back to Packers 359 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:55,760 Speaker 1: Unscripted Mike Spofford joined by wes Hodkwits and West. There's 360 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:58,320 Speaker 1: some information we should get out there for fans because 361 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:01,720 Speaker 1: if you cannot wait until the start of training camp 362 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:04,080 Speaker 1: to get your Packers fixed and you want to see 363 00:18:04,560 --> 00:18:08,080 Speaker 1: some of these players in person. The the upcoming schedule 364 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:11,879 Speaker 1: of o t a S, which stands for organized team activity. 365 00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:14,320 Speaker 1: If I'm not mistaken, I've been call him o t 366 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:16,560 Speaker 1: as for so long you forget what it actually means. 367 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:20,639 Speaker 1: But the Packers have a handful of those practices that 368 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:24,440 Speaker 1: will be open to the public at UM I believe 369 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:30,280 Speaker 1: on Clark Kinkle Fields actually gonna okay typically nik Field, Yeah, 370 00:18:30,280 --> 00:18:32,960 Speaker 1: behind uh behind the Don Hudson Center there and the 371 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:39,359 Speaker 1: dates to keep in mind May May thirty one, June four, 372 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:43,240 Speaker 1: and then also the mandatory minicamp from June twelfth to 373 00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:47,240 Speaker 1: the four Those are all days that the packers will 374 00:18:47,280 --> 00:18:52,400 Speaker 1: be on the practice field around midday. Hasn't been settled yet. Yeah, 375 00:18:52,440 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 1: eleven thirty for the O t A. So you know, 376 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:57,160 Speaker 1: if you're in the area, come on out to come 377 00:18:57,160 --> 00:18:59,200 Speaker 1: on out to Nisky Field and and get a look 378 00:18:59,200 --> 00:19:02,200 Speaker 1: at your Green May pack whether permitting, just to throw 379 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:04,480 Speaker 1: that out there, Yes, and there have been there have 380 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:07,520 Speaker 1: been some spring rains that have moved those practices inside 381 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:09,520 Speaker 1: in the past years, for sure. I was talking to 382 00:19:09,520 --> 00:19:12,440 Speaker 1: one of my beat writing friends who shall remain nameless 383 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:15,200 Speaker 1: about this, and the nice thing is, I think probably 384 00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:18,040 Speaker 1: the beat writers get more excited about when these dates 385 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:20,960 Speaker 1: come out than the actual fans to some extent, because 386 00:19:21,119 --> 00:19:23,760 Speaker 1: we can start to plan our summers a little bit. Yeah, 387 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:25,440 Speaker 1: you can figure out how I'm gonna take a day 388 00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:27,720 Speaker 1: off here and get off here because because the practice 389 00:19:27,760 --> 00:19:29,479 Speaker 1: is closed, I don't want to go when you need 390 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:31,960 Speaker 1: to be reporting back to Green Bay for training camp. 391 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:35,200 Speaker 1: But be that as it may. Yeah, in training camp 392 00:19:35,359 --> 00:19:40,360 Speaker 1: starting July. Shareholders meetings is actually gonna be July now 393 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:43,080 Speaker 1: with them doing that at night. Yeah, first time, first time. 394 00:19:43,119 --> 00:19:44,919 Speaker 1: The shareholders meeting will be at night, and it will 395 00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:47,720 Speaker 1: be on the eve of the first practice of training camp. 396 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:50,960 Speaker 1: Quick turnaround from Mike Spofford and West Hogcoitz. Yeah, we'll 397 00:19:50,960 --> 00:19:53,240 Speaker 1: off to see who ends up writing the story on 398 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:56,560 Speaker 1: deadline that night. But regardless, I think this is an 399 00:19:56,600 --> 00:19:59,399 Speaker 1: exciting time getting a chance to you know, obviously, fans 400 00:19:59,480 --> 00:20:02,200 Speaker 1: usually the dissipation for these things, the amount of people 401 00:20:02,240 --> 00:20:05,359 Speaker 1: that turn out for them is always quite incredible. Uh. 402 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:07,359 Speaker 1: And from the packers perspective, this is it. This is 403 00:20:07,359 --> 00:20:08,760 Speaker 1: as you we were talking about before, and this is 404 00:20:08,760 --> 00:20:10,720 Speaker 1: where you have your final installs, you get ready for 405 00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:13,880 Speaker 1: training camp, the final push for these rookies before they 406 00:20:13,920 --> 00:20:15,720 Speaker 1: really are going to be thrown into the fire. So 407 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:18,280 Speaker 1: a very valuable asset for the packers and and now 408 00:20:18,320 --> 00:20:20,520 Speaker 1: they know exactly when it's going to take place. Yeah, 409 00:20:20,560 --> 00:20:22,719 Speaker 1: and just a just a tip for those who are 410 00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:25,359 Speaker 1: maybe trying to plan a little spring outing to catch 411 00:20:25,359 --> 00:20:27,640 Speaker 1: the packers. If you're looking at that mini camp June 412 00:20:27,680 --> 00:20:32,119 Speaker 1: twelve to past experience would tell us that one of 413 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:35,199 Speaker 1: the last two days of that mini camp, either or 414 00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:38,600 Speaker 1: the team is not going to have practice, They're going 415 00:20:38,600 --> 00:20:41,399 Speaker 1: to have a team activity that will be often a 416 00:20:41,480 --> 00:20:45,240 Speaker 1: private location not for public viewing. So if you're looking 417 00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:47,360 Speaker 1: at the mini camp, just be aware that you're probably 418 00:20:47,359 --> 00:20:49,879 Speaker 1: not going to see the packers all three of those days. 419 00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 1: You'll have an opportunity to potentially see them two out 420 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:54,600 Speaker 1: of the three. Your best bet is going to be 421 00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:57,719 Speaker 1: on day one, June twelve and twelve to catch that 422 00:20:57,800 --> 00:21:00,600 Speaker 1: because typically, um, let's say, the Kers would have that 423 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:04,080 Speaker 1: team building exercise in the middle day there. Um sometimes 424 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:06,600 Speaker 1: they end up dismissing the veterans for the last day, 425 00:21:06,640 --> 00:21:08,880 Speaker 1: even though that practice is open to the public. So 426 00:21:09,600 --> 00:21:10,920 Speaker 1: it's just one of those things. I know, one of 427 00:21:10,920 --> 00:21:12,800 Speaker 1: the things I got to on inbox. Um. There will 428 00:21:12,960 --> 00:21:15,159 Speaker 1: be no bike riding either. I know some people always 429 00:21:15,160 --> 00:21:18,280 Speaker 1: ask about that spike riding. Spike riding is training camp 430 00:21:18,320 --> 00:21:21,960 Speaker 1: only the players take their cars over to Nisky Field 431 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:23,760 Speaker 1: during O t A. If you want to turn out 432 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:26,320 Speaker 1: and bring your bike and wait for Mike Spofford at 433 00:21:26,320 --> 00:21:28,960 Speaker 1: the gate, I'm not saying that he won't ride your bike. 434 00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:31,679 Speaker 1: There's a possibility there, but if you're wanting an actual player, 435 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:34,160 Speaker 1: it's gonna be a little bit more difficult to find. Yeah, 436 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:37,280 Speaker 1: that'll be that'll be a little tricky, but again uh um. 437 00:21:37,480 --> 00:21:40,199 Speaker 1: The start of training camp will be July, with the 438 00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:43,400 Speaker 1: shareholders meeting the night before on that on that Wednesday. 439 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:45,720 Speaker 1: It's going to be an interesting start to training camp 440 00:21:45,720 --> 00:21:48,000 Speaker 1: this year, will be all right? With that, we've got 441 00:21:48,000 --> 00:21:50,680 Speaker 1: to sign off on Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow 442 00:21:50,920 --> 00:21:53,360 Speaker 1: all of our coverage of the team on Packers dot 443 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:55,600 Speaker 1: com on Twitter. He's at west hot I'm at Mike 444 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:59,360 Speaker 1: Spofford at Packers for the team account. Thanks for tuning in, everybody. 445 00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:09,600 Speaker 1: We'll see next time. M HM.