1 00:00:00,840 --> 00:00:14,160 Speaker 1: Hi everyone, Welcome to Packers unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford, joined by my trusted colleague West Hodkowitz. 3 00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:20,280 Speaker 1: Were coming to you here from our studios at lambeau Field. 4 00:00:20,280 --> 00:00:24,040 Speaker 1: Hope everyone had a happy New Year. West. It is Thursday, 5 00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:27,560 Speaker 1: the second day of the Packers. Will be back, will 6 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:30,680 Speaker 1: be back, excuse me on the practice field later today, 7 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 1: a couple of practices here at the end of the week, 8 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:36,599 Speaker 1: find out the postseason opponent for the divisional round over 9 00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:39,920 Speaker 1: the weekend, and then get back to work again on Monday. 10 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 1: What I want to do on today's show as the 11 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:44,559 Speaker 1: Packers head into the postseason, We'll try to take a 12 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:47,000 Speaker 1: bit of a bird's eye view here, not worrying about 13 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 1: specific opponents and how those different scenarios might play out, 14 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: but who are some of the the big time players 15 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 1: for the Packers who need to play big time in 16 00:00:57,240 --> 00:00:59,760 Speaker 1: the playoffs, And who are some of the lesser known 17 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:03,160 Speaker 1: eyes we don't talk about much, unsung hero types that 18 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:05,800 Speaker 1: maybe need to play a pretty big role here for 19 00:01:05,840 --> 00:01:08,119 Speaker 1: the Packers to make a postseason run. So let's start 20 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 1: on the offensive side of the ball. A big time 21 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:13,560 Speaker 1: guy who needs to play big time football. Who you 22 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:20,679 Speaker 1: got Aaron freaking Jones? And easy answer, right, I mean 23 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 1: everybody way to go out on a limb there, hot 24 00:01:23,200 --> 00:01:25,880 Speaker 1: coits being able to pick Aaron Jones. But I want 25 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:28,800 Speaker 1: to read you some statistics here A big stat guy 26 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 1: not like you, but I'm a relatively I'm like an 27 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:36,280 Speaker 1: apprentice stat guy. Aaron Jones. Games in which you went 28 00:01:36,319 --> 00:01:40,119 Speaker 1: over a hundred yards and rushing this year Minnesota week two, 29 00:01:40,959 --> 00:01:45,920 Speaker 1: Week five at Dallas, Week fourteen against Washington, Week sixteen 30 00:01:45,959 --> 00:01:49,639 Speaker 1: at Minnesota, and last week at Detroit. Got a hundred 31 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:53,800 Speaker 1: yards in that game. Packers were five and oh in 32 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:55,960 Speaker 1: those games. If you want to throw in the hundred 33 00:01:55,960 --> 00:01:59,560 Speaker 1: and fifty nine yard catch game, yeah the biggest seed 34 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:02,480 Speaker 1: for Orman's case, make it six and oh. I'm not 35 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:03,840 Speaker 1: gonna be able to draw that up on a Pro 36 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:06,640 Speaker 1: Football Focus or ESPN Stats and Info thing, but that's 37 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:09,920 Speaker 1: a wes Hotkoitz stat right there. Let's look at the 38 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:15,720 Speaker 1: losses really quickly. Thirteen carries twenty one yards against Philadelphia, 39 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 1: eight carries for thirty yards against Los Angeles Chargers, in 40 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:23,600 Speaker 1: thirteen carries for thirty eight yards against San Francisco. Aaron 41 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:25,800 Speaker 1: Jones needs to produce. He needs to have the football 42 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:28,679 Speaker 1: in his hands, because when he does, good things happen. Mike, 43 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:31,040 Speaker 1: We've known it for three years, and I think this 44 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 1: year seeing the way that he's taken on this role 45 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:36,079 Speaker 1: in this offense. He's not just a running back. He's 46 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:38,160 Speaker 1: not just a scat back. He's a third down back. 47 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:40,960 Speaker 1: He's a pass catcher. He's a guy that can motion 48 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:44,040 Speaker 1: out and actually catch slant passes, which I thought has 49 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:46,679 Speaker 1: been a real small, minor edition that a lot of 50 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:48,799 Speaker 1: people don't talk about, but something the Packers have done 51 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:51,520 Speaker 1: this year with their running backs. Aaron Jones is a 52 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:54,560 Speaker 1: ball player, and with having Jamal Williams hopefully getting him 53 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:56,960 Speaker 1: back here for this divisional playoff run, and seeing what 54 00:02:57,040 --> 00:03:00,120 Speaker 1: Tyler Irvin adds to this offense, Aaron Jones become is 55 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:04,640 Speaker 1: more and more dangerous. I can't disagree with that selection whatsoever, 56 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 1: but since I have to pick my own guy, I'm 57 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:12,600 Speaker 1: also going to be captain obvious here. It's Aaron Rodgers. 58 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:17,720 Speaker 1: We've seen We've seen it west. The Detroit game last 59 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:20,960 Speaker 1: weekend was a perfect example. Aaron Rodgers went back and 60 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:25,839 Speaker 1: forth in that game between missing throws that we've seen 61 00:03:25,919 --> 00:03:28,320 Speaker 1: him making his sleep over the course of his career, 62 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:33,679 Speaker 1: and then making some absolutely incredible pinpoint throws that were 63 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:37,200 Speaker 1: a huge part of that comeback. I'm thinking about, you know, 64 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:39,880 Speaker 1: the fade to Davante Adams down the right sideline that 65 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 1: set up the field goal in the first quarter, the 66 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:45,160 Speaker 1: touchdown pass to Alan was Ard, phenomenal throw, the way 67 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:47,320 Speaker 1: he avoided the rush and got the ball to Aaron 68 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 1: Jones on the screen pass on the final drive, and 69 00:03:50,040 --> 00:03:53,400 Speaker 1: there were others, but we also saw the scramble to 70 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:55,840 Speaker 1: the right. Aaron Jones is wide open for a touchdown 71 00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 1: down the right sideline, he throws it over his head. 72 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:01,400 Speaker 1: Um Alan was Ard on a deep post over the middle, 73 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 1: completely splits the defense. He's wide open and the and 74 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:08,000 Speaker 1: the rocket laser type throws three yards over his head. 75 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:11,120 Speaker 1: Those are the kinds of throws that Aaron Rodgers has made. 76 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:14,400 Speaker 1: Those over the course of his career way more often 77 00:04:14,440 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 1: than not. And we've just seen these bouts of inaccuracy 78 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:22,080 Speaker 1: with him at different times, and I just think if 79 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:27,680 Speaker 1: he straightens out his game, if he becomes more consistent 80 00:04:27,839 --> 00:04:30,240 Speaker 1: with his throws, I think there are a lot of 81 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:33,160 Speaker 1: things about this Packers offense that can become more consistent 82 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:36,080 Speaker 1: in the postseason, and that's really what they've been searching 83 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:39,040 Speaker 1: for for so long, is some level of consistency on offense. 84 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 1: I think it really falls on number twelve. Yeah, I 85 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:43,240 Speaker 1: agree with you, Mike, because here's the thing. It is 86 00:04:43,240 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 1: a human game. It's a human element to this game. 87 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:47,840 Speaker 1: Very rarely you're going to see a guy go out 88 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:51,400 Speaker 1: there and just be perfect. Yeah. I guess technically Aaron 89 00:04:51,480 --> 00:04:53,680 Speaker 1: Rodgers was against the Raiders, and I think it was 90 00:04:53,720 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 1: what Drew was it Drew Brees thirty on that that 91 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:00,680 Speaker 1: Monday night football game. But in most cases, and even 92 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:03,159 Speaker 1: in those two specific instances, I bet both of those 93 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:05,080 Speaker 1: guys have certain plays and things that they want to 94 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:07,239 Speaker 1: have back. That's just the way that this game is played. 95 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:10,480 Speaker 1: It's incredibly human. It's the most difficult position in all sports. 96 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:13,040 Speaker 1: But I think what we learned in that game against 97 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:16,080 Speaker 1: the Lions is that if you start getting more of 98 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:19,640 Speaker 1: those big plays the Lazard pass, uh, you know that 99 00:05:19,839 --> 00:05:22,920 Speaker 1: being able to see Aaron Jones throw all the muck 100 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:27,039 Speaker 1: and and junk that was there and avoid throwing the 101 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:29,120 Speaker 1: ball and hitting one of the defensive lineman as he 102 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:33,640 Speaker 1: shoveled off that that screen pass when these things align 103 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 1: and you create more of those and cut back on 104 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:39,200 Speaker 1: those maybe plays here there where the ball is just 105 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:41,200 Speaker 1: a little bit too far, you didn't really step into 106 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 1: the throw properly. That's when Aaron Rodgers gets really dangerous. 107 00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:47,360 Speaker 1: And the question was asked this week, Mike. It was 108 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 1: masked to me, and I know it was asked of 109 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 1: you as well in inbox. Can the Packers? Is this sustainable? 110 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:54,600 Speaker 1: Can the Packers win a Super Bowl with the way 111 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 1: they're playing? And my answer was, well, there are two 112 00:05:56,440 --> 00:05:59,160 Speaker 1: games away from it at this point. Now, these are 113 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:00,839 Speaker 1: gonna be two very diff for gold games. I don't 114 00:06:00,839 --> 00:06:02,440 Speaker 1: care who comes out of the wild Card round to 115 00:06:02,440 --> 00:06:04,720 Speaker 1: come to Lambolefield, that's gonna be a tough opponent. And 116 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 1: whoever survives to get to that NFC title game should 117 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:09,839 Speaker 1: the Packers win, will also be a tough opponent. But 118 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:13,640 Speaker 1: as we've set all along here, if Aaron Rodgers gets hot, 119 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:19,800 Speaker 1: if you get those terrific throws on the regular, watch 120 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:23,120 Speaker 1: out for this team because this defense can be suffocating 121 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:26,159 Speaker 1: at times. These special teams are much vastly improved in 122 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:29,560 Speaker 1: the final quarter of the season, and offensively, you know 123 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:31,719 Speaker 1: what they can do with Aaron Jones when he's going 124 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:34,680 Speaker 1: and when the balls in Davante Adams hands, Aaron Rodgers 125 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:37,240 Speaker 1: is the one thing right now that I think, if 126 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:41,040 Speaker 1: if that all ties together and the consistency is honed, 127 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:44,400 Speaker 1: the Green Bay Packers are a team to be reckoned 128 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 1: with here during the postseame. And and I want to 129 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:50,240 Speaker 1: clarify too, I'm not saying that Aaron Rodgers needs to 130 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:53,400 Speaker 1: go out and play the two thousand and ten Atlanta 131 00:06:53,480 --> 00:06:56,479 Speaker 1: Divisional Round playoff game at the Georgia Dome. I don't 132 00:06:56,520 --> 00:06:59,719 Speaker 1: think he necessarily needs to play like that, which was 133 00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:04,520 Speaker 1: otherworldly performance for the Packers to make a run here 134 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:07,240 Speaker 1: and and take a shot at a super Bowl. But 135 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 1: I do think that when it's just a throw here 136 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 1: or a throw there, that can be the difference between 137 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:15,680 Speaker 1: a touchdown or a field goal, or the difference between 138 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:18,520 Speaker 1: a big third down conversion across the fifty that gets 139 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:21,200 Speaker 1: you into scoring range versus having to punt and then 140 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:23,360 Speaker 1: you're just trying to pin the other team deep. Those 141 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:26,120 Speaker 1: are the things that one or two you know here 142 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:28,160 Speaker 1: there in a game can be the difference of another 143 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:30,960 Speaker 1: another six points, maybe another ten points, you know that 144 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:34,000 Speaker 1: kind of thing. And that's what That's what takes this 145 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 1: offense to another level and then takes a little bit 146 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:40,040 Speaker 1: more pressure off the defense where they maybe they don't 147 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:42,840 Speaker 1: have to hold somebody to seventeen in order to win 148 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:44,880 Speaker 1: a playoff game. You've got a little bit more margin 149 00:07:44,960 --> 00:07:47,800 Speaker 1: for error there. I think Aaron Rodgers is the guy 150 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:51,720 Speaker 1: who creates the margin for error for this Packers team 151 00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 1: going into January. Yeah, and and that's a guy that 152 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 1: you want in that position because he just he manages 153 00:07:56,840 --> 00:07:59,040 Speaker 1: the game so effectively and that that is such a 154 00:07:59,080 --> 00:08:01,520 Speaker 1: negative contentation to things. But let's be honest, Mike, if 155 00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:04,800 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers doesn't manage that game on Sunday the way 156 00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 1: he did, Packers don't have a chance to come back. 157 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:09,400 Speaker 1: If the turnovers are there, if the takeaways are there, 158 00:08:09,520 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 1: doesn't matter how many incompletions there. If you don't protect 159 00:08:12,320 --> 00:08:15,000 Speaker 1: the football, it's gonna be difficult to put yourself in 160 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:16,800 Speaker 1: a position to win that game, right. And he talked 161 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:20,040 Speaker 1: about even after the Minnesota game, which you know, there 162 00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 1: there were obviously some some plays that got away, some 163 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:24,480 Speaker 1: thrills that got away, this and that and other really 164 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 1: good plays. But he talked about being you know, on 165 00:08:27,160 --> 00:08:29,120 Speaker 1: his p's and queues with the checks at the line 166 00:08:29,120 --> 00:08:31,480 Speaker 1: of scrimmage and the adjustments and getting the offense into 167 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:34,040 Speaker 1: the right play and stuff. And that's what he does 168 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:37,000 Speaker 1: really well in this Matt Lafleura offense. Now it's just 169 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:39,680 Speaker 1: a matter of him obviously continuing to do that and 170 00:08:39,679 --> 00:08:43,200 Speaker 1: then taking it to another level that we've seen before 171 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 1: with regard to his accuracy and the playmaking ability. And 172 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 1: this is the part that I've kind of had problems 173 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:50,320 Speaker 1: with with Packer fans this year and even some of 174 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:53,719 Speaker 1: the media narratives with this, because so much they try 175 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:56,400 Speaker 1: to tie together. Okay, well, he has twenty six touchdowns 176 00:08:56,400 --> 00:08:59,240 Speaker 1: and four interceptions in his yards per pass are this 177 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:03,520 Speaker 1: and YadA, YadA, YadA. It's it's a difference between understanding 178 00:09:03,559 --> 00:09:05,719 Speaker 1: that there's certain throws I'm sure Rodgers wants to make 179 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:08,040 Speaker 1: it feels like he can make better and also understanding 180 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:10,480 Speaker 1: what his role is right now. The Packers had a 181 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:13,760 Speaker 1: running back that scored sixteen rushing touchdowns this year. This 182 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:16,720 Speaker 1: is a much more dynamic and versatile red zone offense 183 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:19,720 Speaker 1: than we've seen in the last ten years in Green Bay. 184 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 1: It doesn't always have to be on him finding Davante 185 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:26,199 Speaker 1: Adams or finding Geronio Allison, or throwing or scrambling for 186 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:29,200 Speaker 1: rushing touchdowns when they get into the red area. He 187 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:32,480 Speaker 1: has weapons out of the backfield that he can utilize. Now, 188 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:35,640 Speaker 1: this very easily could have been a thirty five touchdown 189 00:09:35,720 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 1: year for him if you don't have an Aaron Jones 190 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:40,360 Speaker 1: behind you. But the key is and where you've got 191 00:09:40,360 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 1: to be able to disseminate all this information and understand, 192 00:09:43,960 --> 00:09:46,600 Speaker 1: you know, the areas of improvement versus the areas of reality. 193 00:09:46,679 --> 00:09:49,360 Speaker 1: Is that there are throws in that game against Detroit 194 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:51,840 Speaker 1: that Rogers knows he can make better. He talked about it. 195 00:09:52,840 --> 00:09:55,800 Speaker 1: If those things get shored up, if sent of those 196 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 1: passes get made, this is really a team that can 197 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:03,200 Speaker 1: be demonstrative force here in the postseason. That's the only 198 00:10:03,280 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: argument I want to make. Yeah, I agree with you 199 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 1: all right on staying on offense. Give me an unsung hero, 200 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:10,760 Speaker 1: a lesser talked about guy here that you think could 201 00:10:10,840 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 1: play a really big role in the postseason for Green Bay. 202 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:16,959 Speaker 1: A lot of great candidates this, you know, Alan Lazard 203 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:18,880 Speaker 1: is the name that probably jumps off as quickly as 204 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 1: than most, just based on the way he's come on 205 00:10:21,880 --> 00:10:24,120 Speaker 1: for this offense. You know, if you pro rade out 206 00:10:24,160 --> 00:10:26,839 Speaker 1: his numbers since Week five, I mean he basically have 207 00:10:26,920 --> 00:10:28,640 Speaker 1: been on pace for like a seven, seven or fifty 208 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 1: yard receiving season. Has been a huge addition to this offense. 209 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:35,120 Speaker 1: I want to probably go even smaller though than even that, 210 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:37,319 Speaker 1: And I want to just focus on Lucas Patrick for 211 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:40,520 Speaker 1: a moment, because we're talking about a guy he stepped 212 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:44,160 Speaker 1: in admirably for Corey Linsley. But right now, the way 213 00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:47,160 Speaker 1: that the Packers are structured, with the injury to Lane 214 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:49,440 Speaker 1: Taylor earned the season and the fact that Elton Jenkins 215 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:52,080 Speaker 1: ended up having to be a starter basically off Week three, 216 00:10:52,120 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 1: on Lucas Patrick has not only been the backup to 217 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 1: Corey Lindsley, he's been the backup to Billy Turner and 218 00:10:58,160 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 1: Elton Jenkins, all three of those bots. And if you 219 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:03,120 Speaker 1: look at the way this this fifty three man roster 220 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:06,600 Speaker 1: is set right now, Mike, there really isn't another quote 221 00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:10,240 Speaker 1: unquote backup in those interior positions now. Alex like can 222 00:11:10,280 --> 00:11:13,320 Speaker 1: play it. John Leglue was just signed off a practice squad, 223 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:16,960 Speaker 1: but they haven't really taken those reps as much as 224 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 1: Lucas Patrick does through this postseason. You hope that the 225 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:22,959 Speaker 1: only thing Lucas has to do is play on the 226 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:25,240 Speaker 1: field goal unit and he gets to collect a Super 227 00:11:25,280 --> 00:11:27,199 Speaker 1: Bowl ring at the end of all this. But as 228 00:11:27,240 --> 00:11:29,480 Speaker 1: we saw last week, it can happen just like that 229 00:11:29,520 --> 00:11:32,000 Speaker 1: where he has to go into a football game, and honestly, 230 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:35,640 Speaker 1: you probably could bring up maybe I'm being a victim 231 00:11:35,679 --> 00:11:37,959 Speaker 1: of recency bias here, but I think that was the 232 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:39,880 Speaker 1: best game he's played as a Green Bay Packer, and 233 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 1: he did it in a really critical situation. I think 234 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:44,240 Speaker 1: there's no question about it, especially when you look at 235 00:11:44,280 --> 00:11:46,760 Speaker 1: the number of snaps, the fact that he came in 236 00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 1: early in the second quarter and the number of snaps 237 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:51,480 Speaker 1: he ended up playing. This was not just you know, 238 00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:54,640 Speaker 1: subbing in and taking snaps, and he played sixties some 239 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:57,679 Speaker 1: I think, you know, essentially a full game. But because 240 00:11:57,679 --> 00:11:59,760 Speaker 1: the Packers had more than eighty players in the game, 241 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:02,160 Speaker 1: it is just that that's the way it played out. 242 00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:04,120 Speaker 1: And just to throw him one more thing, Elton Jenkins 243 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 1: was a two year starting center in college. I mean 244 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 1: that tells you how highly they think of Lucas Patrick, 245 00:12:09,520 --> 00:12:12,199 Speaker 1: a guy who never played that position in college, only 246 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:13,959 Speaker 1: learned it when he got to Green Bay and started 247 00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:17,079 Speaker 1: working with James Camping and obviously with Adam Stanovic. They 248 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 1: feel comfortable enough that you know what, you're going to 249 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:20,920 Speaker 1: be the guy they're snapping the ball to Aaron Rodgers 250 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:22,840 Speaker 1: and we're gonna keep Jenkins in the position that he's 251 00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:24,719 Speaker 1: played all year. I just think that said a lot 252 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:27,240 Speaker 1: about Lucas and how he settled into a position that 253 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 1: he really never played until he got to Green Bay. Yeah, 254 00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:32,319 Speaker 1: I'm gonna take a little bit different tack on this one. 255 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:34,240 Speaker 1: I am going to stay on the offensive line, though, 256 00:12:34,280 --> 00:12:36,000 Speaker 1: because the guy that I want to talk about here 257 00:12:36,040 --> 00:12:38,560 Speaker 1: is David Baktiari at left tackle. And the reason I 258 00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:41,319 Speaker 1: bring him up is because in the first half of 259 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:44,720 Speaker 1: the season, we're talking about bok tr being a three 260 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:49,360 Speaker 1: time All Pro, and we saw a lot more penalty 261 00:12:49,400 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 1: flags being thrown in his direction than we're accustomed to. 262 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:54,880 Speaker 1: He wasn't playing at the level that we had seen 263 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:59,320 Speaker 1: him play at for the bulk of the previous three years. 264 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:02,280 Speaker 1: But I think you can make a pretty strong argument 265 00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 1: here that over these last five regular season games, with 266 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:07,679 Speaker 1: the Packers going five and oh heading into the playoffs, 267 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 1: that the old David Baktiari is back. Now he's going 268 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:13,600 Speaker 1: to say, of course that you know he didn't go anywhere. 269 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:15,959 Speaker 1: He's still the same guy, and yeah he is. There 270 00:13:15,960 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 1: were there were some flags I think that were questionable. 271 00:13:18,440 --> 00:13:21,480 Speaker 1: He was trying to work through some things with regard 272 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:24,480 Speaker 1: to the point of points of emphasis with offensive holding 273 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:29,199 Speaker 1: and that kind of stuff. But we've seen David Bactieri 274 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 1: play some really solid, clean football against some top notch 275 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:36,360 Speaker 1: opponents here down the stretch and when you're heading into 276 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:38,800 Speaker 1: the postseason where he might be lined up across from 277 00:13:39,240 --> 00:13:42,959 Speaker 1: a Cameron Jordan's, or he might be lined up across 278 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:46,280 Speaker 1: from a Jadeveon Clowney, or you know, a pass rusher 279 00:13:46,360 --> 00:13:49,480 Speaker 1: like that on the edge. If David Baktieri very quietly 280 00:13:49,559 --> 00:13:52,560 Speaker 1: as he's done this, keeps doing what he's doing, I 281 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:55,680 Speaker 1: think that can be a really big part here of 282 00:13:55,679 --> 00:13:58,200 Speaker 1: of what the Packers might accomplish in the playoffs. One 283 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:00,520 Speaker 1: thing that doesn't get talked a lot about with XR 284 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:04,640 Speaker 1: is his communication skills. Certainly he's an all pro left tackle. 285 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:07,719 Speaker 1: He is arguably, I think pound for pound you can 286 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 1: make an argument he is right up there with Aaron 287 00:14:10,960 --> 00:14:13,680 Speaker 1: Rodgers in terms of the best draft picks Ted Thompson 288 00:14:13,760 --> 00:14:15,880 Speaker 1: ever made, and he did make the Pro Bowl this year. 289 00:14:15,920 --> 00:14:18,080 Speaker 1: I will throw that in. But as we had discussed 290 00:14:18,120 --> 00:14:21,160 Speaker 1: at the time, I over the bulk of the season, 291 00:14:21,280 --> 00:14:24,320 Speaker 1: box tr was not necessarily a player he was in 292 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:27,640 Speaker 1: previous years. The Pro Bowl recognition was just long overdue 293 00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:30,280 Speaker 1: because he hadn't gotten it previous Yeah, and and Ted 294 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:32,840 Speaker 1: Thompson being able to find a franchise left tackle on 295 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:35,360 Speaker 1: the fourth round, that is that is something I think really, 296 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:39,080 Speaker 1: you know, doesn't get enough a conversation about, especially from 297 00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:41,280 Speaker 1: and from a college program that at the time was 298 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:43,440 Speaker 1: kind of bottom of the barrel. I mean, the Colorado 299 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:46,600 Speaker 1: Buffaloes were not winning, they were, you know, at the 300 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:50,760 Speaker 1: bottom of their conference. And Ted Thompson found, you know, 301 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:53,760 Speaker 1: the West Coast guys, scouts, they found this guy, and 302 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:56,000 Speaker 1: they made the fourth round investment in him, and it 303 00:14:56,120 --> 00:14:57,920 Speaker 1: was it's been huge for Green Bay. But what a 304 00:14:57,920 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 1: lot of people don't talk about despite all of his 305 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:02,600 Speaker 1: acolades on the field, he's a really good communicator off 306 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:05,280 Speaker 1: of it. How many times have we seen Elton Jenkins 307 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:07,200 Speaker 1: and him to talking in the locker room, talking on 308 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:08,840 Speaker 1: the sideline. I think that's had a lot to do 309 00:15:08,920 --> 00:15:11,120 Speaker 1: with that young man being able to to play as 310 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:13,640 Speaker 1: well as he has right off the bat, much similar 311 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:15,760 Speaker 1: to what Josh Sitton did with Box t R Six 312 00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:18,880 Speaker 1: seven years ago. Now. Absolutely, but the other thing is too, Mike, 313 00:15:18,920 --> 00:15:20,800 Speaker 1: if you watch these games enough. The point I want 314 00:15:20,840 --> 00:15:23,040 Speaker 1: to circle this all back to us back Tar is 315 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 1: doing the same thing with officials when some of that 316 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:28,160 Speaker 1: stuff was getting called earlier this year. He was asking officials, 317 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:31,280 Speaker 1: you know, talking to them after these plays, trying to 318 00:15:31,320 --> 00:15:34,120 Speaker 1: get some clarification on it. And I think he's found ways. 319 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:35,680 Speaker 1: I haven't asked him this, I haven't talked to him 320 00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:38,440 Speaker 1: about it, but I think you've seen him taylor his 321 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:41,240 Speaker 1: game to understanding what's being emphasized and what he needs 322 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:42,880 Speaker 1: to do. Because of the second half of the year, 323 00:15:43,160 --> 00:15:45,120 Speaker 1: I'll be honest with you, I'd be hard pressed to 324 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:47,160 Speaker 1: find an offensive lineman that's played as well as he 325 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:49,720 Speaker 1: has since the bye week. Yeah, I think he's been awfully, 326 00:15:49,760 --> 00:15:51,760 Speaker 1: awfully good here down the stretch. And as we've talked 327 00:15:51,800 --> 00:15:54,120 Speaker 1: about a lot box tr on one side, Bolaga on 328 00:15:54,160 --> 00:15:56,200 Speaker 1: the other, I think Brian Blagus should be in the 329 00:15:56,280 --> 00:15:59,360 Speaker 1: running for for All Pro when those there's a real 330 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:02,320 Speaker 1: chance un Um and we'll we'll see what happens there. 331 00:16:02,360 --> 00:16:05,240 Speaker 1: So I'm not taking anything away from Blaga season, but 332 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:07,520 Speaker 1: I think box tr is the one who's gone about 333 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:09,480 Speaker 1: a little bit quieter because he didn't get off to 334 00:16:09,560 --> 00:16:11,840 Speaker 1: a great start this year. If he keeps doing what 335 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 1: he's doing, this Packers offense is in good shape. Yeah, 336 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:16,680 Speaker 1: the AP made that adjustment two or three years ago 337 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:18,920 Speaker 1: where the actual right tackle is what gets picked for 338 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:21,440 Speaker 1: the all protein, not just two left tackles. Yeah, he 339 00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:24,120 Speaker 1: has a real shot at it. Yeah, all right, defensive 340 00:16:24,160 --> 00:16:25,840 Speaker 1: side of the ball. Give me a big time guy 341 00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:28,080 Speaker 1: who needs to play big time football. It has to 342 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:31,000 Speaker 1: be Zadarius Smith right now, just because it isn't just 343 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:33,080 Speaker 1: about his pressures, which he led the league in this 344 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:35,640 Speaker 1: past year. You can go by ESPNS metric and go 345 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:38,800 Speaker 1: by Pro Football Focus. Everybody says nobody brushed with the 346 00:16:38,840 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 1: quarterback more than Zadarius Smith did. But it's the way 347 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:44,560 Speaker 1: they're moving him around. It's how you can't really play 348 00:16:44,720 --> 00:16:47,480 Speaker 1: for him at a specific spot. He can go down 349 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:48,920 Speaker 1: with his hand and the dirt is a three tech. 350 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:50,800 Speaker 1: He can stand up and go between the A gap 351 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:53,040 Speaker 1: the B gap. He can rush from the outside I 352 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 1: think it has led to that whole defensive front. Really, 353 00:16:56,640 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 1: it's it's just been this Pandora's box that has opened 354 00:16:59,640 --> 00:17:03,280 Speaker 1: for them. Kenny Clark has been more effective. Preston Smith, 355 00:17:03,320 --> 00:17:05,080 Speaker 1: I think, is doing a really good job doing what 356 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:07,560 Speaker 1: he's asked to do. You're seeing Kyler Facto and Rashawn 357 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:11,040 Speaker 1: Gary step up the heart and soul. This defense right 358 00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:13,920 Speaker 1: now is a Darius Smith. They've known that since September 359 00:17:13,960 --> 00:17:16,600 Speaker 1: when they put that c on his chest, and he 360 00:17:16,680 --> 00:17:18,680 Speaker 1: has lived up to that every bit of the way. 361 00:17:18,680 --> 00:17:20,520 Speaker 1: If the Packers are going to make a Super Bowl run, 362 00:17:20,560 --> 00:17:23,240 Speaker 1: if this defense is can can continue to be on 363 00:17:23,280 --> 00:17:26,560 Speaker 1: the streak of holding defense or offenses underneath twenty or 364 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:29,080 Speaker 1: fewer points, it has to be Zadarius Smith in the 365 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 1: middle of that orbit. My guy in this category. I'm 366 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:34,760 Speaker 1: going with Preston Smith. Actually, and the reason I'll say 367 00:17:34,760 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 1: that for a couple of reasons. One, I think we're 368 00:17:37,560 --> 00:17:41,320 Speaker 1: going to see these teams in the postseason makes some 369 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:46,240 Speaker 1: adjustments to how the Packers are moving Zadarius around and 370 00:17:46,280 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 1: having him attack from some different angles and you know, 371 00:17:48,880 --> 00:17:51,600 Speaker 1: maybe attack the a gaps here and there. I think 372 00:17:51,640 --> 00:17:54,480 Speaker 1: because of adjustments, we're going to see an opposing offense 373 00:17:54,560 --> 00:17:57,000 Speaker 1: make to that. I think Preston Smith needs to be 374 00:17:57,560 --> 00:18:00,159 Speaker 1: a bigger force off the edge. And I also that 375 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:03,000 Speaker 1: with because he's a guy, he's had a career year 376 00:18:03,080 --> 00:18:06,160 Speaker 1: twelve sacks, best season that he's had in his five 377 00:18:06,240 --> 00:18:08,359 Speaker 1: year NFL career, But the last month of the season 378 00:18:08,359 --> 00:18:11,080 Speaker 1: he's been a little bit quieter. He hasn't necessarily kept 379 00:18:11,160 --> 00:18:14,560 Speaker 1: up the pace of the high impact plays that he 380 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 1: was making earlier on. I think if Preston Smith gets 381 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:20,240 Speaker 1: back to, you know, maybe the guy that we saw 382 00:18:20,280 --> 00:18:23,320 Speaker 1: in October and November, especially in October, I think when 383 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:25,920 Speaker 1: he was really dominant, I think if he gets back 384 00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:28,600 Speaker 1: to that guy, combined with what sa Darius Smith is doing, 385 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:31,480 Speaker 1: this Packers defense has a lot going. Yeah, I agree, Mike. 386 00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:33,520 Speaker 1: And the one thing that's nice about Preston and Sadarius 387 00:18:33,560 --> 00:18:35,480 Speaker 1: to when he's outside that really has probably been the 388 00:18:35,520 --> 00:18:38,400 Speaker 1: biggest surprise for me. Maybe not so much with Preston, 389 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:40,760 Speaker 1: but both of those guys can defend the edge really well. 390 00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:43,040 Speaker 1: There was a number of years there were Green Bay 391 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:44,800 Speaker 1: against the run. If if you know, it wasn't Clay 392 00:18:44,840 --> 00:18:48,200 Speaker 1: Matthews getting home, they sometimes let stuff open on the outside. 393 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:51,359 Speaker 1: Packers have been really sure in being able to protect 394 00:18:51,440 --> 00:18:54,040 Speaker 1: to the sideline. The key and will probably bleed into 395 00:18:54,119 --> 00:18:57,920 Speaker 1: what I'm talking about for the underrated defensive player is 396 00:18:57,960 --> 00:18:59,800 Speaker 1: going to be what the Packers can do between the 397 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:03,399 Speaker 1: handshes you saw Blake Martinez being able to break the 398 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:07,720 Speaker 1: franchise record two three tackles and the coaches statistics. Uh, 399 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:10,520 Speaker 1: Dean Lowry. I think this run defense goes as as 400 00:19:10,560 --> 00:19:13,800 Speaker 1: Dean goes a lot of times. Um, if they're able 401 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:16,439 Speaker 1: to close those gaps here, that is going to be 402 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:19,320 Speaker 1: so critical because from here on out it doesn't really 403 00:19:19,359 --> 00:19:22,800 Speaker 1: matter unless maybe it's Seattle. Uh. The Packers are gonna 404 00:19:22,840 --> 00:19:28,359 Speaker 1: be facing really potent running offenses, versatile, dynamic, a multitude 405 00:19:28,359 --> 00:19:30,879 Speaker 1: of different guys that can do things. You need Dean Lowry, 406 00:19:30,880 --> 00:19:34,080 Speaker 1: they signed him an extension earlier before the season. Kenny 407 00:19:34,119 --> 00:19:36,160 Speaker 1: Clark has been playing really well. You need those guys 408 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:38,080 Speaker 1: to set the tone in the middle of the field 409 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:40,560 Speaker 1: because that is the area where I think a lot 410 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:42,920 Speaker 1: of these teams, knowing that you can't always stretch against 411 00:19:42,960 --> 00:19:44,840 Speaker 1: Green Bay, you have to hit them north and south, 412 00:19:44,840 --> 00:19:48,480 Speaker 1: They're gonna want to attack. Yeah, so is is Lowry. Yeah. 413 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:50,199 Speaker 1: For the unsung here a part of it. Okay, I 414 00:19:50,280 --> 00:19:52,679 Speaker 1: like I like that choice a lot because I agree 415 00:19:52,680 --> 00:19:54,439 Speaker 1: with you when you look at when you look at 416 00:19:54,480 --> 00:19:57,639 Speaker 1: these potential opponents in the playoffs, as you say, aside 417 00:19:57,640 --> 00:20:00,399 Speaker 1: from Seattle, Packers are going to have to step up 418 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:02,880 Speaker 1: and stop the run like they did the final month 419 00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:06,040 Speaker 1: of the season minus the first half in Detroit. They're 420 00:20:06,040 --> 00:20:08,199 Speaker 1: gonna need to play that kind of run defense in 421 00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:10,280 Speaker 1: the postseason. And I agree that Lowry is a big 422 00:20:10,359 --> 00:20:13,400 Speaker 1: key to it. The guy I'm gonna mention here as 423 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:16,080 Speaker 1: far as the lesser talked about who could play a 424 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:20,960 Speaker 1: really big role is Darnell Savage, the rookie safety. Because 425 00:20:22,280 --> 00:20:26,800 Speaker 1: safeties are going to have opportunities to make plays. And 426 00:20:27,840 --> 00:20:31,720 Speaker 1: taking nothing away from Adrian Amos, who is your assignment sure, 427 00:20:31,960 --> 00:20:35,760 Speaker 1: your solid tackler, your big time communicator back there gets 428 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:39,280 Speaker 1: everybody lined up in the right space. Darnell Savage is 429 00:20:39,320 --> 00:20:41,440 Speaker 1: the guy with the speed, He's the guy with the 430 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:46,080 Speaker 1: physical dynamics in that back end of the Packers defense. 431 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:48,720 Speaker 1: I just think there's going to be there's gonna be 432 00:20:48,800 --> 00:20:51,560 Speaker 1: that deep shot, whether it's a whether it's a deep 433 00:20:51,600 --> 00:20:54,879 Speaker 1: post of you know, a deep over route towards the 434 00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:58,040 Speaker 1: sideline where he's going to get an opportunity to to 435 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:01,399 Speaker 1: jump something and use that speed to make a play, 436 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:05,199 Speaker 1: and he's going to have to make it for two potentially, 437 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:07,320 Speaker 1: you know, turn the tide here in a playoffs. It's 438 00:21:07,359 --> 00:21:09,360 Speaker 1: a great point and it kind of ties into something 439 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:11,479 Speaker 1: I've been saying over this last week. I mean, and 440 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:13,280 Speaker 1: this is probably the thirtieth time I brought it up, 441 00:21:13,280 --> 00:21:16,879 Speaker 1: but again, I think another reason why Brian Goodicuins deserves 442 00:21:16,960 --> 00:21:22,959 Speaker 1: really significant attention and and praise and really should be 443 00:21:22,960 --> 00:21:27,920 Speaker 1: on the front runner for these Executive Year Awards. This overhaul. 444 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:30,199 Speaker 1: We can talk so much about Zadarius present Smith what 445 00:21:30,200 --> 00:21:32,760 Speaker 1: they brought, but this overhaul of the secondary in the 446 00:21:32,840 --> 00:21:35,640 Speaker 1: last two years, over the last two years exactly, it's 447 00:21:35,760 --> 00:21:38,520 Speaker 1: it's really noteworthy because they've added a lot of speed, 448 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:41,000 Speaker 1: and they've added a lot of playmaking ability and and 449 00:21:41,160 --> 00:21:45,080 Speaker 1: Darnell Savage encapsulates both of those things. He's a guy 450 00:21:45,119 --> 00:21:46,520 Speaker 1: that if the Packers need him to, I mean, you 451 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:48,119 Speaker 1: can have him play stuff well what they used to 452 00:21:48,119 --> 00:21:50,880 Speaker 1: refer to his star the nickel cornerback spot. You can 453 00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:53,359 Speaker 1: move him around, I mean, he can play in the box. 454 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:57,000 Speaker 1: He can play center field, and when he's healthy, I 455 00:21:57,040 --> 00:21:59,160 Speaker 1: just think you've seen a guy that is really an 456 00:21:59,160 --> 00:22:03,720 Speaker 1: incredibly future in this league. And and he is by far. 457 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:06,440 Speaker 1: I mean the two guys I always go back to him, 458 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:10,000 Speaker 1: and it was what um Layton vander Esh from Dallas, 459 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:12,680 Speaker 1: the two guys that I think about over the last 460 00:22:12,680 --> 00:22:15,360 Speaker 1: ten five ten years where we're talking about these high 461 00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:17,960 Speaker 1: risers in the pre draft process, guys that were maybe 462 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:21,359 Speaker 1: second or third round process climbing the climbing climb right up. 463 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:25,159 Speaker 1: That doesn't always work out. Sometimes the hype train starts 464 00:22:25,160 --> 00:22:27,240 Speaker 1: going a little too fast and it gets off the tracks. 465 00:22:27,560 --> 00:22:29,919 Speaker 1: And I think Vanderesh was the first guy that kind 466 00:22:29,920 --> 00:22:31,440 Speaker 1: of opened my eyes with it that this guy can 467 00:22:31,440 --> 00:22:34,000 Speaker 1: play and he deserved everything that he got. And Darnell 468 00:22:34,040 --> 00:22:36,159 Speaker 1: Savage to be the first defensive back taken in this 469 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:38,720 Speaker 1: past year's draft out of Maryland after a late kind 470 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:41,680 Speaker 1: of resurgence in the in the draft process and after 471 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:43,679 Speaker 1: his pro day, I just think that this guy is 472 00:22:43,720 --> 00:22:46,600 Speaker 1: special and he is the perfect compliment to Adrian Amos. 473 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:49,440 Speaker 1: Amos came in, he worked alongside Eddie Jackson, had the 474 00:22:49,480 --> 00:22:51,920 Speaker 1: success that they did in Chicago. I see the same 475 00:22:51,960 --> 00:22:54,040 Speaker 1: type of potential with that back end now in green back. 476 00:22:54,320 --> 00:22:56,679 Speaker 1: And as much as I see the potential for a 477 00:22:56,800 --> 00:22:59,479 Speaker 1: play that Savage can make here in the playoffs, he 478 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:02,880 Speaker 1: also needs to stick with being assignment. Sure, we saw 479 00:23:03,080 --> 00:23:05,159 Speaker 1: miss the tackle on the running play late in the 480 00:23:05,160 --> 00:23:07,840 Speaker 1: first half against Detroit. Those are the kind of mistakes 481 00:23:07,880 --> 00:23:09,960 Speaker 1: that you know, the rookie. Not to say that you 482 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:12,800 Speaker 1: can make rookie mistakes in the playoffs, but they can happen, 483 00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:15,760 Speaker 1: and uh, you know that those are the kinds of 484 00:23:15,800 --> 00:23:17,920 Speaker 1: things that he needs that he needs to shore up 485 00:23:18,200 --> 00:23:20,560 Speaker 1: to make sure those types of things don't happen. Because 486 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:22,920 Speaker 1: you look at Hah on the four teen NFC Championship. 487 00:23:22,960 --> 00:23:24,360 Speaker 1: I mean it's those type of things. And you look 488 00:23:24,359 --> 00:23:27,479 Speaker 1: at Damarius in in Arizona the following year when he 489 00:23:27,520 --> 00:23:29,960 Speaker 1: was a rookie and overtime, big mistake and the Packers 490 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:32,080 Speaker 1: got knocked out. So those are the kinds of things 491 00:23:32,119 --> 00:23:34,040 Speaker 1: you gotta watch out. Yeah. The beautiful thing for him 492 00:23:34,080 --> 00:23:36,440 Speaker 1: though he has Amos there. He's healthy, he's back in 493 00:23:36,520 --> 00:23:38,879 Speaker 1: his normal spot. And the more that those four to 494 00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:40,960 Speaker 1: work together with Kevin King thrown in there as well, 495 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:42,320 Speaker 1: I think the better that that group is going to 496 00:23:42,400 --> 00:23:44,359 Speaker 1: be here, especially being as young as they are. Yeah, 497 00:23:44,400 --> 00:23:46,679 Speaker 1: all right, Well, on tomorrow's show, as we wrap up 498 00:23:46,720 --> 00:23:48,440 Speaker 1: the week, we'll take a look at this wild card 499 00:23:48,480 --> 00:23:51,840 Speaker 1: weekend here these four games obviously interesting contest too in 500 00:23:51,880 --> 00:23:54,480 Speaker 1: the a f C Saturday too in the NFC on Sunday. 501 00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:57,080 Speaker 1: We'll give our thoughts and see how we think maybe 502 00:23:57,160 --> 00:23:59,280 Speaker 1: this is going to shake out, but for now we'll 503 00:23:59,320 --> 00:24:01,679 Speaker 1: call it a wrap on this edition of Packers Unscripted. 504 00:24:01,720 --> 00:24:03,760 Speaker 1: Be sure to follow all of our coverage of the 505 00:24:03,760 --> 00:24:06,159 Speaker 1: team on Packers dot com. You can subscribe to us 506 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:09,480 Speaker 1: like us on iTunes and other podcast services, and be 507 00:24:09,520 --> 00:24:12,160 Speaker 1: sure to check out the Packers YouTube channel for all 508 00:24:12,200 --> 00:24:15,120 Speaker 1: sorts of great video content for West I'm Mike. Thank 509 00:24:15,119 --> 00:24:17,000 Speaker 1: you for tuning in. We'll see you next time.