1 00:00:00,920 --> 00:00:15,040 Speaker 1: Hi, everyone, Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted Social 2 00:00:15,120 --> 00:00:18,680 Speaker 1: Distancing Style from Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spoffer, 3 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:22,120 Speaker 1: joined as always by my trusted colleague west Hodkowitz, who 4 00:00:22,160 --> 00:00:25,880 Speaker 1: is no longer in the bonus room above his garage. 5 00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:31,040 Speaker 1: Weston from whence do you come? I upgraded, Mike. I 6 00:00:31,080 --> 00:00:35,320 Speaker 1: am now inside my office here at lambeau Field, and 7 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:37,120 Speaker 1: I'm happy to be here. I know who am I kidding? 8 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:39,240 Speaker 1: I don't have an office, I have a cubicle. I'm 9 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:43,159 Speaker 1: in my boss's office, Duke Bobber who is still socially 10 00:00:43,159 --> 00:00:46,440 Speaker 1: distancing at home. So if you have a free room, 11 00:00:46,520 --> 00:00:48,960 Speaker 1: you take the free room. And here I come to 12 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:51,479 Speaker 1: you live from lambeau Field. Well, I am here in 13 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: our studio and I think we got some of the 14 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 1: lighting issues figured out in here. Look good? Um yeah, 15 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:00,480 Speaker 1: starting to look a little bit better. These zoom cameras 16 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:03,720 Speaker 1: are not quite the same as your professional high tech cameras, 17 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:06,200 Speaker 1: so we've had to make adjustments along the way. But 18 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:09,040 Speaker 1: more importantly, Wes you know what, the Packers have two 19 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:13,240 Speaker 1: training camp practices in the books. Here at the time 20 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:15,920 Speaker 1: we are taping this, and shortly after we are done 21 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:18,520 Speaker 1: taping this show. There will be practice number three, which 22 00:01:18,520 --> 00:01:20,840 Speaker 1: will be the first one in pads, and we will 23 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 1: get to more of that later in the week. But 24 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:26,080 Speaker 1: through these first two practices, a lot going on, a 25 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:28,640 Speaker 1: lot to keep an eye on. Let's break things down 26 00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:31,360 Speaker 1: here in terms of our key observations on the offensive 27 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:34,319 Speaker 1: and then the defensive side. So starting on offense, what 28 00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:37,280 Speaker 1: jumped out to you from days one and two, Well, 29 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:39,720 Speaker 1: both days that you and I walked back from practice 30 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:43,480 Speaker 1: again from a socially acceptable distance, Uh, I said to you. 31 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:45,080 Speaker 1: I mean, I don't know if it's just because you 32 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:47,520 Speaker 1: and I didn't have an offseason program, although you've covered 33 00:01:47,520 --> 00:01:51,080 Speaker 1: those years before, I haven't. But it just seems like 34 00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:54,800 Speaker 1: there's been more happening in these first two practices than 35 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:59,440 Speaker 1: I can remember in the past. And and you know, offensively, 36 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:03,560 Speaker 1: what is really stuck up stood out to me one? Uh, 37 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 1: it has to start with Tim Boyle. The conversation all 38 00:02:06,480 --> 00:02:08,880 Speaker 1: off season has been once again about Jordan's love being 39 00:02:08,919 --> 00:02:12,480 Speaker 1: the first round pick, Aaron Rodgers, YadA, YadA, YadA, YadA, 40 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 1: get your clicks, everybody, have a great day. But Tim 41 00:02:16,280 --> 00:02:18,200 Speaker 1: Boyle has sort of been the forgotten guy. And all 42 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:20,960 Speaker 1: this in Boil, as I wrote in our what we 43 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:24,639 Speaker 1: Learned from Monday's Practice story on packers dot Com, every 44 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 1: single year he starts off really strong to camp and 45 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 1: for the most part, he's always sustained it. And this 46 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:31,760 Speaker 1: year has been no exception. I thought he's made some 47 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 1: really terrific throws. You know, you go back to two 48 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:38,360 Speaker 1: thousand eighteen, Mike, it was all about the big throwing ability. 49 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:40,639 Speaker 1: We you know, I play around with my friend Michael 50 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 1: Cohen and the Tim Boil Laser show deal. But what 51 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:47,760 Speaker 1: has impressed me is how over the years, uh, he's 52 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:51,560 Speaker 1: becoming a pretty good pinpoint precision pass or two in 53 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:54,120 Speaker 1: these practices. And that's how he has enabled himself as 54 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 1: an undrafted rookie two years ago to now be going 55 00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:58,400 Speaker 1: into his third NFL season last year, is the primary 56 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:01,400 Speaker 1: backup to Aaron Rodgers. A couple throws of note that 57 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:04,919 Speaker 1: he already had Markquez Valdes scantling the very first practice 58 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 1: puts one right where only his receiver can catch it, 59 00:03:07,480 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 1: probably forty yards down field. And then he's also made 60 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 1: some really nice intermediate throws too. I think about the 61 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 1: one that he had in the slot to Darius Shephard 62 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:17,800 Speaker 1: on Monday, and then also a nice one that he 63 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:21,320 Speaker 1: had delivering the ball in stride through traffic to a J. 64 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:23,400 Speaker 1: Dillon who was coming out of the backfield on kind 65 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:26,840 Speaker 1: of a wheel route. So, Tim Boyle, you can in 66 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:29,200 Speaker 1: Jordan Love. Certainly there's gonna be a lot made about that, 67 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:33,000 Speaker 1: and he's an exceptional prospect. But there's a reason Tim 68 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:35,240 Speaker 1: Boyle's here, And I thought through the first two practices 69 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 1: he reminded every one of that. Yeah, I've been really 70 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:40,840 Speaker 1: impressed with Boil as well, and you everybody knows about 71 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:43,080 Speaker 1: his arm strength. You mentioned the deep ball to MVS. 72 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 1: Those kinds of things don't necessarily surprise me. But I 73 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:48,800 Speaker 1: think what stood out to me in addition to what 74 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 1: you said, is that through these first two practices, just 75 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:56,360 Speaker 1: the the overall command and comfort and the sharpness and 76 00:03:56,360 --> 00:03:59,000 Speaker 1: the smoothness of everything. You can tell. Okay, he's in 77 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 1: his third year in the NFL. Now he's in his 78 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:04,080 Speaker 1: second year in Matt Lafleurs system, and it's some of 79 00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 1: the little things like just when he takes a checkdown throw, 80 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 1: the timing of taking the check down is much quicker 81 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:14,120 Speaker 1: and sharper as opposed to maybe holding too long onto 82 00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:16,320 Speaker 1: those first couple of reads before you just check it 83 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:18,840 Speaker 1: down and give the checkdown guy a chance to make 84 00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:21,039 Speaker 1: a play. It's it's hard to describe. I don't know 85 00:04:21,040 --> 00:04:23,960 Speaker 1: if I'm describing that quite right, but those are the things, 86 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:26,200 Speaker 1: those are the things that I've recognized these first couple 87 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,960 Speaker 1: of practices. And that's where I the word I keep 88 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:31,200 Speaker 1: coming back to his command. He just seems to have 89 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:34,599 Speaker 1: a command of the offense that is at another level. 90 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:37,880 Speaker 1: Now we're not really we're not obviously not going to 91 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:40,520 Speaker 1: get to see that in the preseason games as we've 92 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:43,520 Speaker 1: done in the past, but um, but certainly he's off 93 00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:46,839 Speaker 1: to uh to a strong start. And you know, we 94 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:49,320 Speaker 1: talked about with with as far as Jordan's Love has 95 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: to go, having not had any on field work in 96 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:55,000 Speaker 1: the off season as a rookie and being thrown into 97 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:57,479 Speaker 1: the new system and everything like that. I mean, the 98 00:04:57,520 --> 00:05:00,200 Speaker 1: odds are very strong, and they were even before these 99 00:05:00,279 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 1: last before training camp started that Tim Boyle is going 100 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:05,479 Speaker 1: to be the number two quarterback I think behind Aaron Rodgers. 101 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:08,839 Speaker 1: His experience level is just too hard to ignore, and 102 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:12,760 Speaker 1: he's certainly proving that he's out to lockdown that job. Yeah, 103 00:05:12,839 --> 00:05:14,800 Speaker 1: totally and and this is the thing too. I mean 104 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:17,480 Speaker 1: last year he was in that number two role that 105 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:19,279 Speaker 1: that is a job in and of itself. People just 106 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:21,400 Speaker 1: think it's the guy sitting there holding the clipboard waiting 107 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:23,080 Speaker 1: for the quarterback to get hurt and then he enters 108 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:25,679 Speaker 1: the game. It's not like that. As Tim Boyle even said, 109 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:27,880 Speaker 1: there's so much that goes into it. During the week, 110 00:05:27,920 --> 00:05:30,480 Speaker 1: he is one of the primary guys responsible for helping 111 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 1: Rogers and the quarterback coach Luke GETSI, you know, game 112 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:37,279 Speaker 1: plan to understand what tendencies are of the cornerbacks that 113 00:05:37,320 --> 00:05:39,039 Speaker 1: they're gonna be facing too, you know, pick up on 114 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:42,080 Speaker 1: little nuances that could potentially help Rogers to be an 115 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:45,200 Speaker 1: extra set of eyes when he's on the sideline. That 116 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 1: that all plays into this and it's something that you know, 117 00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:50,239 Speaker 1: Jordan's love is going to be learning in this process. 118 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:52,280 Speaker 1: I mean, this is still a very young quarterback in 119 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:56,160 Speaker 1: exceptional prospect. Like I said, but Rome wasn't built in 120 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 1: a day. And I think the NFL, the way that 121 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:02,480 Speaker 1: this has trended over the last ten years, everybody wants 122 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:05,120 Speaker 1: to draft a quarterback in five minutes later, they want 123 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:09,120 Speaker 1: to have that guy in the system. Playing starting and 124 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:12,000 Speaker 1: sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. But if you're 125 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:13,920 Speaker 1: not in a position where you're trying to save a 126 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:16,960 Speaker 1: head coach's job or you're not trying to change a culture, 127 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 1: heck even sells season tickets, if you're not in one 128 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:21,800 Speaker 1: of those spots, I still think there's a lot to 129 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 1: be said for allowing a guy to develop. Patrick Mahomes 130 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:28,039 Speaker 1: certainly wasn't behind Alex Smith as long as you know, 131 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:30,960 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers is behind Brett Farve. But still even that 132 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:32,839 Speaker 1: one year I thought made all the difference for that 133 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:35,320 Speaker 1: young man in what is now turned into a twenty 134 00:06:35,360 --> 00:06:38,040 Speaker 1: four year old m VP of this league. So one 135 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 1: of those things that consider, but beyond that, Mike uh 136 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 1: in order for Boyle to look good, that means the 137 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:45,960 Speaker 1: offense has to have moments and and through these first 138 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 1: two practices, whether it's been a J. Dillon, the way 139 00:06:48,960 --> 00:06:52,159 Speaker 1: that the Packers have used Tyler Irvin, the you know 140 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:54,280 Speaker 1: this cat back that they claimed last year, and the 141 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:57,760 Speaker 1: returner Alan Lazar Darius Shepard, there's been a lot of 142 00:06:57,760 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 1: guys that have stepped up and made plays, and you know, 143 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:01,480 Speaker 1: you've have been able to see some of the depth 144 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:04,840 Speaker 1: at these positions that have some question marks. Well as 145 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:08,360 Speaker 1: far as the starting offense, the number one unit is concerned, 146 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:11,960 Speaker 1: there is a competition underway. It was underway right from 147 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 1: the get go in the first practice on Saturday. And 148 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 1: what I'm talking about is the right side of the 149 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:20,360 Speaker 1: offensive line. The Packers, Matt Lafleur, the offensive coaches are 150 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:23,840 Speaker 1: are shuffling things around in the different eleven on eleven 151 00:07:23,840 --> 00:07:26,400 Speaker 1: reps as they go through practice. There are times that 152 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 1: Billy Turner is at right tackle with Lane Taylor. The 153 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:33,160 Speaker 1: whole Turner Taylor thing. I know I'm going to screw 154 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:35,200 Speaker 1: that up at some point, but anyway, Billy Turner at 155 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:38,200 Speaker 1: right tackle, Lane Taylor at right guard. There are other 156 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 1: times when Rick Wagner is at right tackle and Billy 157 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 1: Turner is at right guard. Obviously the other combination is 158 00:07:44,800 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 1: Taylor at guard and Wagner at tackle. So the coaches 159 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:52,680 Speaker 1: are trying to find what is the best combination that 160 00:07:52,840 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 1: is going to work on the right side of that 161 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:58,680 Speaker 1: offensive line for the Packers. And uh, this is not 162 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 1: something that's going to be decide did tomorrow where the 163 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:03,120 Speaker 1: next day was. I think this is a competition that 164 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:05,960 Speaker 1: the coaches are gonna let this play out pretty much 165 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:08,160 Speaker 1: through the majority of camp, at least for the first 166 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:11,800 Speaker 1: couple of weeks before they they settle on what that 167 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:14,400 Speaker 1: starting lineup is going to be in Week one. Yeah, 168 00:08:14,440 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 1: and and once they made the decision to to keep 169 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:19,880 Speaker 1: Lane Taylor and to figure that thing out for this season, 170 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:22,520 Speaker 1: I felt pretty confident that he was going to be 171 00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:25,000 Speaker 1: in a competition for a starting job. I mean, he 172 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:27,520 Speaker 1: brings a lot of versatility. He can play both guard spots. 173 00:08:27,520 --> 00:08:30,040 Speaker 1: He can play right tackle. Um, heck, I mean he 174 00:08:30,040 --> 00:08:31,960 Speaker 1: played left tackle. He started a game at left tackle 175 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:34,959 Speaker 1: in this league already in a bitch So uh, certainly, 176 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:36,280 Speaker 1: this is a guy that you just didn't want to 177 00:08:36,280 --> 00:08:38,719 Speaker 1: see him walk out the door. But at the same time, 178 00:08:38,720 --> 00:08:41,520 Speaker 1: when you lose somebody like Brian Balaga, Mike that that's 179 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 1: one of the best tackles that has ever walked in 180 00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:47,200 Speaker 1: the doors at lambeau Field in this franchise's history. So 181 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:49,080 Speaker 1: to go ten years with him and then to try 182 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 1: to replace him, you can't just have one remedy. You 183 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:55,080 Speaker 1: have to have multiple options. Rick Wagner was a part 184 00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 1: of that. Keeping Lane Taylor was a part of that, 185 00:08:57,240 --> 00:09:00,240 Speaker 1: and keeping in mind Billy Turner's versatility is also something 186 00:09:00,280 --> 00:09:02,880 Speaker 1: the Packers are considering. Going back to last year, it 187 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:04,360 Speaker 1: made a lot of sense for him to come in 188 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:07,200 Speaker 1: and probably take that right guard spot. But one of 189 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:09,080 Speaker 1: the reasons why Green Bay went out and signed him 190 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:11,920 Speaker 1: was because he can play multiple positions. The green Bay 191 00:09:11,960 --> 00:09:13,920 Speaker 1: Packers when they go to Minnesota and Week one, they 192 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 1: want to have their best five offensive lineman on the field, 193 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 1: and this is gonna be an opportunity for those three 194 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:20,920 Speaker 1: guys to show that they can be that guy. Yeah, well, 195 00:09:20,920 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 1: shifting gears to the defensive side. There was a big 196 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:26,560 Speaker 1: piece of news on the first day of practice, and 197 00:09:26,600 --> 00:09:28,600 Speaker 1: that is the uh I guess you'd call it the 198 00:09:28,679 --> 00:09:32,600 Speaker 1: long awaited contract extension for Kenny Clark because GM Brian 199 00:09:32,600 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 1: Goodakounts had been talking about this, you know, even dating 200 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:38,680 Speaker 1: back more than a year, that he wanted to get 201 00:09:38,760 --> 00:09:42,120 Speaker 1: Kenny Clark in the fold long term for this defense. 202 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:44,840 Speaker 1: It took a while. Everything with the pandemic and salary 203 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:48,080 Speaker 1: cap ramifications and all that maybe delayed things a little 204 00:09:48,120 --> 00:09:51,320 Speaker 1: bit in terms of finally reaching an agreement. But that 205 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:54,280 Speaker 1: agreement has been reached and the contract is official and 206 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 1: Kenny Clark will be a centerpiece literally and figuraively in 207 00:09:58,840 --> 00:10:01,440 Speaker 1: a lot of ways for the Green Bay Packers defense 208 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:04,040 Speaker 1: for the next several years. Yeah, and a remarkable signing 209 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 1: and a remarkable job by Clark and his team to 210 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:09,439 Speaker 1: get this thing done before the start of training camp. 211 00:10:09,720 --> 00:10:12,000 Speaker 1: Twenty four years old, Mike, he doesn't turn twenty five 212 00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:16,200 Speaker 1: until October. Uh. An incredible rise he's made. You know, 213 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:18,160 Speaker 1: this is a guy. You know, we're gonna talk about 214 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:20,679 Speaker 1: Rashan Gary here in a little bit, But Kenny Clark 215 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:23,280 Speaker 1: came in as a twenty year old rookie. He had 216 00:10:23,320 --> 00:10:25,000 Speaker 1: to go through his you know, kind of bumps and 217 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:28,120 Speaker 1: bruises along the way. But man, in the December of 218 00:10:28,320 --> 00:10:31,760 Speaker 1: two thousand, uh seventeen when he really started to come 219 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:34,560 Speaker 1: on there and that last month of the season, you 220 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:38,400 Speaker 1: saw exactly what Ted Thompson and this personel department liked 221 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:40,560 Speaker 1: about him and where they thought his career was headed. 222 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:42,320 Speaker 1: And to be honest with you, Mike, I feel like 223 00:10:42,360 --> 00:10:45,480 Speaker 1: this kind of completes, uh, you know, a five six, 224 00:10:45,520 --> 00:10:49,720 Speaker 1: seven year of evolution of this defensive front. When I 225 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 1: started covering this team, as Kenny Clark alluded to in 226 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:54,440 Speaker 1: his press conference with the media, it was all about 227 00:10:54,480 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 1: you know, gap filling defensive tackles, and they had one job, 228 00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:01,079 Speaker 1: and that was really to take some blockers and allow 229 00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 1: the people behind them to make plays. It's not like 230 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:05,680 Speaker 1: that anymore. Kenny Clark can do it all. And when 231 00:11:05,679 --> 00:11:09,720 Speaker 1: the Packers drafted him six ft three pounds, he wasn't 232 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 1: a Ryan Pickett type, but he also wasn't like a 233 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 1: Mike Daniels type. He was right in the middle, and 234 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:16,439 Speaker 1: he can pretty much give you everything that you want 235 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:19,360 Speaker 1: out of that one nose tackle position and allows him 236 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:22,680 Speaker 1: also to have some pass rushing opportunities. The closest distance 237 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:26,320 Speaker 1: between the defensive line and the quarterback is right up 238 00:11:26,320 --> 00:11:28,360 Speaker 1: the middle, and I think Kenny Clark has shown the 239 00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 1: value in that, and certainly Brian goodcouins this organization wanting 240 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:35,040 Speaker 1: to maintain that commitment to him and keep him in 241 00:11:35,080 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 1: the fold now with a defense, mind you, that has 242 00:11:37,679 --> 00:11:39,400 Speaker 1: a lot of key pieces in place now for the 243 00:11:39,400 --> 00:11:42,079 Speaker 1: next three, four or five seasons. Yeah, I'm really curious 244 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:43,640 Speaker 1: to see what the next step is going to be 245 00:11:43,679 --> 00:11:47,440 Speaker 1: for Kenny Clark in the past rushing world, because he's 246 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:49,720 Speaker 1: had six sacks each of the last two years, which 247 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:52,559 Speaker 1: is a real solid number for an interior defensive lineman 248 00:11:52,559 --> 00:11:54,680 Speaker 1: in this league. But here's the thing, West, you know 249 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:56,840 Speaker 1: this as well as I do. He's had a couple 250 00:11:56,880 --> 00:11:59,959 Speaker 1: of different months in his career where he's had three 251 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:02,480 Speaker 1: and a half or four sacks just in the span 252 00:12:02,520 --> 00:12:04,560 Speaker 1: of a month. So if a guy can do that 253 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:07,640 Speaker 1: from an interior D line position, then you wonder can 254 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:10,600 Speaker 1: he get double digit sacks a dozen sacks in a 255 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:13,840 Speaker 1: regular season like the guys on the outside are used 256 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:16,720 Speaker 1: to getting. And I'm I'm really curious to see if 257 00:12:16,960 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 1: if Kenny Clark starts to h to push those sack 258 00:12:19,760 --> 00:12:23,320 Speaker 1: numbers up as as he really comes into his own 259 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:25,440 Speaker 1: here in the NFL. Yeah, I'm with you on that, 260 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 1: because the thing is, if you look at all those 261 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:29,520 Speaker 1: Next Gen stats and Pro Football Focus, i mean, they're 262 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:31,600 Speaker 1: talking about this guy's had I think it was something 263 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:34,840 Speaker 1: around fifty pressures last year. He was around the quarterback 264 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:37,040 Speaker 1: a lot. It's just so happens that well, he had 265 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:40,920 Speaker 1: two pretty decent outside linebackers chasing after that same quarterback. Yeah, 266 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:43,640 Speaker 1: those other guys were finishing off the edges and you know, 267 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:46,360 Speaker 1: and but Kenny Clark was definitely involved in a lot 268 00:12:46,400 --> 00:12:48,600 Speaker 1: of that. But as Clark said, I mean, one of 269 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:50,319 Speaker 1: the things that he's talked with Mike Petton about and 270 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:52,439 Speaker 1: Matt Laflour is they want to probably move him around 271 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:54,839 Speaker 1: a little bit more this year, create more opportunities for him. 272 00:12:55,160 --> 00:12:57,920 Speaker 1: The major question I have is when push comes to shove, 273 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:01,200 Speaker 1: when the regular season starts, you you're gonna have Kenny Clark, 274 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:04,280 Speaker 1: assuming he's healthy, for X amount of snaps. Do you 275 00:13:04,320 --> 00:13:06,960 Speaker 1: want those snaps dedicated to help stopping the run where 276 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:09,520 Speaker 1: he can help you a lot, or getting some pressure 277 00:13:09,559 --> 00:13:11,640 Speaker 1: on the quarterback where he also can help you a lot. 278 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:13,800 Speaker 1: That's where the Packers have to be cognizant of this 279 00:13:13,880 --> 00:13:16,600 Speaker 1: because he's played over the snaps here the last couple 280 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:19,040 Speaker 1: of seasons when he's been on the field. That's a 281 00:13:19,120 --> 00:13:23,280 Speaker 1: really tough number for a three fifteen pound body to fit. Fortunately, 282 00:13:23,280 --> 00:13:25,360 Speaker 1: he's been young and productive and been able to do it. 283 00:13:25,679 --> 00:13:27,920 Speaker 1: But it's going to be incumbent on those other defensive 284 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:29,920 Speaker 1: linemen in that room to help take some snaps out 285 00:13:29,920 --> 00:13:32,160 Speaker 1: of him, because I really think that sweet spot is 286 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 1: probably around se That's where you're gonna get the most 287 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:37,720 Speaker 1: out of a really well conditioned defensive tackle, but also 288 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:40,240 Speaker 1: still allow Kenny Clark to have the explosiveness that everyone 289 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:42,880 Speaker 1: really likes about his game. Yeah, well, you mentioned Rashan 290 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:46,600 Speaker 1: Gary earlier, and he's another guy who's uh, certainly making 291 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:50,080 Speaker 1: some noise here in the early portion of camp. You 292 00:13:50,120 --> 00:13:51,800 Speaker 1: and I've been doing this for a while. West. You 293 00:13:52,160 --> 00:13:54,719 Speaker 1: look at the first couple of practices, especially when you're 294 00:13:54,760 --> 00:13:56,959 Speaker 1: into August here like we are, even though the pads 295 00:13:57,000 --> 00:14:00,120 Speaker 1: are only going on for the first time later today. 296 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:03,520 Speaker 1: But when a guy is getting a lot of reps 297 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:06,679 Speaker 1: with a first unit, that's sort of that sends a 298 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:09,560 Speaker 1: signal that the coordinator, in this case, Mike Petton, the 299 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:13,920 Speaker 1: defensive coordinator, he's definitely got plans for Rashawn Gary in 300 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:17,120 Speaker 1: this defense in because we have seen Gary on the 301 00:14:17,160 --> 00:14:20,000 Speaker 1: field a lot with the number one defense, with both 302 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 1: of the Smiths out there as well, all three of 303 00:14:22,520 --> 00:14:27,000 Speaker 1: those guys officially listed as outside linebackers, but all taking 304 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:29,920 Speaker 1: the field together with the number one unit, And those 305 00:14:29,960 --> 00:14:31,760 Speaker 1: are the kinds of things that, as I say, they 306 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:35,760 Speaker 1: send signals for what the defensive coordinator is has in 307 00:14:35,880 --> 00:14:37,720 Speaker 1: mind for later down the road, and we just have 308 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 1: to see what those plans are going to be as 309 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:41,960 Speaker 1: they unfold. Yeah, I think this has been the truest 310 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:44,240 Speaker 1: testament of the Packers trying to get their best eleving 311 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:46,200 Speaker 1: guys on the field. I think they feel like Rashan 312 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:48,240 Speaker 1: Gary is one of them and they need to find 313 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:51,360 Speaker 1: ways to create for him. Uh. The thing I keep 314 00:14:51,360 --> 00:14:54,520 Speaker 1: telling people one the kids twenty one years old, he 315 00:14:54,680 --> 00:14:57,120 Speaker 1: was twenty one years old. I know he's the twelfth 316 00:14:57,160 --> 00:15:00,000 Speaker 1: overall pick. I know people are super excited about that selection, 317 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:02,000 Speaker 1: and you need to have some patience with them. I mean, 318 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:05,480 Speaker 1: much like I even made this thing in an insider inbox. Uh. 319 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:08,640 Speaker 1: You know Rashawn Garry's twenty two ZA Darius Smith didn't 320 00:15:08,680 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 1: even take his first NFL snaps he was twenty three, 321 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 1: and it was a few years after that where he 322 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:16,280 Speaker 1: really became a difference maker for Baltimore. This is a 323 00:15:16,280 --> 00:15:18,840 Speaker 1: tough game. You need to be able to develop and 324 00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 1: you know, really find yourself as a pass rusher. Now 325 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:23,800 Speaker 1: that being said, I thought he checked all the boxes 326 00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:25,680 Speaker 1: you wanted him to check. This offseason. You know, he 327 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:27,720 Speaker 1: looked to tone up his body a little bit more. 328 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:30,480 Speaker 1: As he said, he still is around that to seventies six. 329 00:15:30,520 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 1: Market's not like he's had like this huge uh you know, 330 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:37,360 Speaker 1: you know, just he looked drastically different from last season. 331 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:40,200 Speaker 1: It's just as he was saying, you know, eating clean, 332 00:15:40,560 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 1: a little bit more conditioning, you know, doing a little 333 00:15:42,520 --> 00:15:44,760 Speaker 1: bit more of those high school drills of running bleachers 334 00:15:44,760 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 1: and gas ers because of the restriction in place because 335 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:50,240 Speaker 1: of the quarantine. But also, Mike, it's a twenty one 336 00:15:50,320 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 1: year old man going to a twenty two year old man, 337 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:55,800 Speaker 1: and then there's just certain maturation that goes along with that. 338 00:15:56,440 --> 00:15:58,400 Speaker 1: But the one thing I think we're gonna learn this 339 00:15:58,520 --> 00:16:01,040 Speaker 1: year is I think I think Rashawn Gary is gonna 340 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:03,520 Speaker 1: be more than just a dime rusher, which is what 341 00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:07,000 Speaker 1: the role he predominantly played last season when the Smiths 342 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:09,880 Speaker 1: needed a breather and often was Kyler Facrol going in there. 343 00:16:10,240 --> 00:16:12,240 Speaker 1: And I think Gary is going to be that guy 344 00:16:12,320 --> 00:16:14,240 Speaker 1: this season that's going to be able to compliment them 345 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 1: and then potentially even have some opportunities to be on 346 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:19,320 Speaker 1: the field with them together. But he's a part of 347 00:16:19,360 --> 00:16:22,280 Speaker 1: that trio and the Packers. They last year was the 348 00:16:22,320 --> 00:16:24,440 Speaker 1: emergence of the Smiths. I think this year the Packers 349 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:26,840 Speaker 1: want to be able to give more of those opportunities 350 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:29,040 Speaker 1: to Gary as well. Yeah, and one stad to throw 351 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:31,400 Speaker 1: out there about Gary too. Yes, he only had two 352 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:33,520 Speaker 1: sacks as a rookie, but this is the stat west. 353 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 1: He had nineteen quarterback pressures in approximately two d forty 354 00:16:37,880 --> 00:16:42,360 Speaker 1: defensive snaps. That's that's actually pretty good production for limited 355 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:44,360 Speaker 1: playing time, and I think I think the Packers are 356 00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:47,120 Speaker 1: are looking for him to build on that. Okay, one 357 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:51,720 Speaker 1: last thing before we go. A very interesting development on Monday. 358 00:16:51,720 --> 00:16:55,760 Speaker 1: In Monday's practice, the first interception of training camp in 359 00:16:55,840 --> 00:16:59,400 Speaker 1: the eleven on eleven work was turned in by none 360 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:03,160 Speaker 1: other than the new guy on defense, Christian Kirksey at 361 00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:06,520 Speaker 1: inside linebacker. He took a deep zone drop and picked 362 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:10,280 Speaker 1: off and Aaron Rodgers past that was intended for Davante Adams. 363 00:17:10,320 --> 00:17:12,200 Speaker 1: Just kind of neat that the it was the new 364 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 1: guy on defense that that you know, got the old 365 00:17:15,320 --> 00:17:17,600 Speaker 1: man at quarterback so to speak. Yeah, And it was 366 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:20,440 Speaker 1: off a zone drop into coverage. He was probably about 367 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:22,639 Speaker 1: fifteen yards deep and they were trying to hit Davante 368 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:25,239 Speaker 1: Adams on a crosser. Just a really good job of 369 00:17:25,280 --> 00:17:27,520 Speaker 1: recognizing what was in front of him and reacting to it. 370 00:17:28,119 --> 00:17:30,560 Speaker 1: We didn't get a chance to talk to Kirksy after 371 00:17:30,600 --> 00:17:33,120 Speaker 1: this practice. We actually talked to him after Saturday's practice. 372 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:35,840 Speaker 1: But you gotta imagine that that was a feel good 373 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:38,000 Speaker 1: moment for him. This is a guy that again, mind you, 374 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:41,120 Speaker 1: he's only played in nine games the last two seasons. Uh. 375 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:43,600 Speaker 1: The fact that he's just in there calling this defense 376 00:17:43,720 --> 00:17:46,160 Speaker 1: right now. You see when the plays gets re relayed 377 00:17:46,200 --> 00:17:49,160 Speaker 1: from Mike Petton from the sideline. Uh, Kirksy is already 378 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:51,520 Speaker 1: the general. He's already stepping into that role and they 379 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:53,680 Speaker 1: need him to step into that role. He's the only 380 00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:56,600 Speaker 1: proven commodity that they have at this time at inside linebacker. 381 00:17:57,040 --> 00:18:00,280 Speaker 1: But he even said it's been a long journey for him. 382 00:18:00,320 --> 00:18:02,640 Speaker 1: It's been a long road back and then obviously having 383 00:18:02,680 --> 00:18:04,959 Speaker 1: to wait through this quarantine to be able to get 384 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:08,120 Speaker 1: into Green Bay and start to meet these guys in person. Uh, 385 00:18:08,240 --> 00:18:09,840 Speaker 1: that that had been a big moment for him, and 386 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:11,359 Speaker 1: it did you a lot of good moments for the 387 00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:15,040 Speaker 1: defense so far. I thought, Vernon Davis, excuse me, Vernon Davis, 388 00:18:15,080 --> 00:18:18,600 Speaker 1: Vernon Scott. Vernon Davis was not at practice on Monday. 389 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:22,000 Speaker 1: Vernon Scott was the rookie seventh round pick out a TCU. 390 00:18:22,119 --> 00:18:24,880 Speaker 1: He had a couple of past deflections. I thought you've 391 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:28,000 Speaker 1: seen some really nice play recognition so far from you know, 392 00:18:28,040 --> 00:18:30,200 Speaker 1: some of those defensive backs trying to make a run 393 00:18:30,240 --> 00:18:33,600 Speaker 1: for a roster spot. In addition to Zadarius Smith and 394 00:18:33,640 --> 00:18:36,160 Speaker 1: Preston Smith, they were saying after Saturday's practice they felt 395 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:38,439 Speaker 1: like the defense set the tone and they wanted to 396 00:18:38,520 --> 00:18:41,119 Speaker 1: keep it that way. So watching this battle between especially 397 00:18:41,160 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 1: now that we're gonna see more ones verse ones in 398 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:45,680 Speaker 1: these eleven and eleven periods, Uh, these battles are gonna 399 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:47,199 Speaker 1: be terrific to watch, and I think you're really going 400 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:48,800 Speaker 1: to get a good sense for where both of these 401 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:51,159 Speaker 1: sides of the field are. Well. One last thing on 402 00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:53,800 Speaker 1: Kirksey before we go, and you mentioned kind of his 403 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:56,000 Speaker 1: long road to these last couple of years, dealing with 404 00:18:56,040 --> 00:18:58,840 Speaker 1: a lot of injuries and everything. He just looks and 405 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:01,720 Speaker 1: sounds like a guy who's having a blast being back 406 00:19:01,800 --> 00:19:04,200 Speaker 1: on the football field and being the guy in command 407 00:19:04,200 --> 00:19:06,560 Speaker 1: of the defensive huddle and running things. And obviously he 408 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:09,239 Speaker 1: knows pett and system from earlier in his career. Just 409 00:19:09,480 --> 00:19:13,399 Speaker 1: a veteran guy who really seems to have rediscovered the 410 00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:16,000 Speaker 1: joy of the game that he loves and it's fun 411 00:19:16,040 --> 00:19:18,080 Speaker 1: to watch. Yeah, and I gotta mention too. I want 412 00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:21,119 Speaker 1: to get your thought on this. Uh. And Broyke Martinez 413 00:19:21,119 --> 00:19:23,280 Speaker 1: is terrific and I wish him well with the Giants. 414 00:19:23,320 --> 00:19:25,080 Speaker 1: It's not this is not has nothing to do with Blake, 415 00:19:25,160 --> 00:19:28,919 Speaker 1: but considering Blake is gone and seeing Kirksey for the 416 00:19:28,960 --> 00:19:32,159 Speaker 1: first time, I mean, since fans are not able to 417 00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:33,880 Speaker 1: watch this right now, I just need to say. I mean, 418 00:19:34,119 --> 00:19:36,440 Speaker 1: this is a guy that looks like a three down 419 00:19:36,520 --> 00:19:39,720 Speaker 1: inside linebacker. He just he has a certain presence about him. 420 00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:41,560 Speaker 1: I think you look at his physique and the way 421 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:45,000 Speaker 1: that he carries his weight very evenly. I I just 422 00:19:45,119 --> 00:19:46,919 Speaker 1: I think when you see a guy like Christian Kirksey, 423 00:19:46,960 --> 00:19:49,040 Speaker 1: when fans finally get a chance to actually see him 424 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:50,920 Speaker 1: on the field, Uh, and not just a couple of 425 00:19:50,960 --> 00:19:52,680 Speaker 1: photos here and there are a couple, you know, two 426 00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:55,760 Speaker 1: second videos. Uh, this guy is gonna impress you just 427 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:59,120 Speaker 1: based on the way that you know he brings He's 428 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:01,280 Speaker 1: exactly what you think think that position should look like 429 00:20:01,359 --> 00:20:03,800 Speaker 1: in in this time and age. Yeah, I would absolutely 430 00:20:03,840 --> 00:20:06,720 Speaker 1: agree with you. But with that we do have to go. 431 00:20:06,960 --> 00:20:10,199 Speaker 1: So thank you for tuning in everybody for West I 432 00:20:10,240 --> 00:20:12,240 Speaker 1: am Mike. We will be back again later this week. 433 00:20:12,280 --> 00:20:15,879 Speaker 1: To talk more Packers Training Camp West. We're talking about practice. 434 00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:20,879 Speaker 1: Does it feel good? Mike feels as it feels awesome. 435 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:24,040 Speaker 1: Thanks again for tuning in, everybody, We'll see you next time.