1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:20,680 Speaker 1: Hi, everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:20,720 --> 00:00:23,239 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford and he is the one and 3 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:26,480 Speaker 1: only Wes Hodkowitz. We're coming to hear from our studios 4 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:29,680 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field and West As. We have to continue 5 00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 1: to wait, unfortunately, until the Packers coaching hires are official 6 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:36,199 Speaker 1: to talk about what is going on, particularly with the 7 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:38,879 Speaker 1: defensive coaching staff. I know the fans are very interested 8 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: to find out exactly how this is going to take shape. 9 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:46,159 Speaker 1: But in the meantime, let's talk about defense. Because the 10 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:49,760 Speaker 1: NFL playoffs are down to the final eight, uh, the 11 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:52,760 Speaker 1: last eight standing. And when you look at the teams 12 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 1: that are involved and you look at defensive rankings, you've 13 00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:59,120 Speaker 1: got five of these eight teams are ranked in the 14 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:02,560 Speaker 1: top ten in the league in defense. That says something 15 00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:06,000 Speaker 1: certainly about how to get this far, particularly for some 16 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:09,319 Speaker 1: teams that are in this position and they don't necessarily 17 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:12,959 Speaker 1: have that franchise Hall of Fame quarterback running the show 18 00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 1: on the other side. Minnesota first and total defense, Jacksonville 19 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:19,920 Speaker 1: second in total defense, the Philadelphi Eagles fourth in total defense. 20 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:23,440 Speaker 1: Of those eight teams, the top three defenses left in 21 00:01:23,480 --> 00:01:26,880 Speaker 1: the playoffs, all have questions at quarterback, and with all 22 00:01:26,959 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 1: due respect the case Keenum has had a magnificent run. 23 00:01:30,160 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 1: I don't know how many defensive coordinators out there right 24 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:36,560 Speaker 1: now are worried about case Keenum. I think he's shown 25 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:39,600 Speaker 1: that he can manage, he can make plays. But ultimately 26 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:41,920 Speaker 1: it's been that Minnesota defense that has put them in 27 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:44,360 Speaker 1: positions that even if he has an interception or two 28 00:01:44,400 --> 00:01:46,679 Speaker 1: in a game, or even if the the percentage, you know, 29 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:49,240 Speaker 1: completion percentage isn't where you needed to be, they can 30 00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 1: still find ways to win because that opposing passer rating 31 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:55,520 Speaker 1: is just so gosh darn lowe. Um. This is I 32 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:57,320 Speaker 1: think told you kind of a blueprint. Though. At the 33 00:01:57,320 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 1: same time, Mike more and more with these had coaching 34 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:02,560 Speaker 1: hires that are being made. For a while, it was 35 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:05,280 Speaker 1: kind of InVogue to go after the quarterback guru, and 36 00:02:05,320 --> 00:02:08,160 Speaker 1: it still is. I mean, you look at um Naggy 37 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:12,720 Speaker 1: now in Chicago, they're looking for him to develop Mitchell Trubisky. 38 00:02:12,720 --> 00:02:14,400 Speaker 1: But there's been some of these guys that have kind 39 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:17,560 Speaker 1: of gone against the grain, the Mike Zimmers of the world. Um, 40 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:20,520 Speaker 1: you look at what uh now, the way things have 41 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 1: developed in Atlanta UM and what they've put together over 42 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:26,600 Speaker 1: the last number of years. I think it says a 43 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 1: lot about the direction of the league right now that, yeah, 44 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:30,920 Speaker 1: you have these quarterback reeves, you have the Doug Peterson's 45 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:34,760 Speaker 1: of the world now that are leading the charge. But conversely, 46 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:37,280 Speaker 1: you also have teams that are trying to find the 47 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:41,240 Speaker 1: nice defensive coordinator to be able to offset that. It's 48 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 1: I think it's really an interesting cat and mosk and 49 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:44,959 Speaker 1: that's played out over the last three or four years. Yeah, 50 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:47,880 Speaker 1: I think the most interesting one, uh, to me when 51 00:02:47,880 --> 00:02:50,080 Speaker 1: I look at, as you say, over the last few years, 52 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:53,280 Speaker 1: is what's going on with the Atlanta Falcons. Because you 53 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 1: had Matt Ryan Uh, He's been developed into that franchise quarterback, 54 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 1: had some playoff appearances. All of that. Dan Quinn comes 55 00:03:02,639 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 1: in as the head coach and revamps that defense and 56 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 1: then builds the builds the defense to go with the 57 00:03:09,919 --> 00:03:12,600 Speaker 1: franchise quarterback. You know, Mike Smith had a lot of 58 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 1: success as the head coach in Atlanta, but he didn't 59 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:18,440 Speaker 1: He never got them to a Super Bowl, and you know, 60 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:20,520 Speaker 1: they felt it was time to make a change and 61 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 1: they went from from um a guy like Smith to 62 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:28,279 Speaker 1: to Quinn brought in a lot of those Seattle defensive principles, 63 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:31,000 Speaker 1: all of that kind of stuff. And now we're seeing 64 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 1: the Falcons obviously get to the super Bowl last year, 65 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 1: should have won it. They're in position now, you know, 66 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:39,720 Speaker 1: they're they're going to Philadelphia to play what would arguably 67 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:43,560 Speaker 1: arguably be maybe the most vulnerable number one seed in 68 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:46,120 Speaker 1: the NFC playoffs in recent years, because Nick Foles is 69 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 1: at quarterback instead of Carson wentz Um. The Atlanta Falcons, 70 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: they they've they've got a legitimate shot here to make 71 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:54,040 Speaker 1: this even though they're a six seed, to make this 72 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: two super Bowl trips in a row. Yeah, and and 73 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:58,800 Speaker 1: that's an opportunity that you can't take lightly. And I 74 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:01,040 Speaker 1: just think you see, you know, there's some teams with 75 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 1: the counter balance, the New the New Orleans, New Orleans 76 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 1: PAGEOT New Orleans Saints haven't been one of the top 77 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:11,640 Speaker 1: ten defense in the league, but they're substantially significantly better 78 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:14,760 Speaker 1: than what they have. They have climbed, no doubt in 79 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:17,720 Speaker 1: that regard. New England has the top ranked offense, which 80 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:21,920 Speaker 1: allows them to survive. They ranked defense. So seeing how 81 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:24,279 Speaker 1: all these things line up, there's been years I always 82 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:27,119 Speaker 1: use the example of the two thousand six Colts, where 83 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 1: you know, Peyton Manning was at the peak of his 84 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,159 Speaker 1: powers and they were able to offset having the league's 85 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:35,839 Speaker 1: worst ranked run defense that season despite you know, you know, 86 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:37,919 Speaker 1: all the things working against them. Then you look at 87 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:41,880 Speaker 1: the two thousand fifteen Denver Broncos. How many teams in 88 00:04:41,920 --> 00:04:43,600 Speaker 1: the NFL would be able to win the Super Bowl 89 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:46,440 Speaker 1: with the way that Peyton Manning played that season? Not many? 90 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:50,760 Speaker 1: So uh, that's ultimately for me. Now that Julius Peppers 91 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 1: is out of this thing, some of the storylines I 92 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 1: was looking for in the first week are gone. After 93 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 1: the wild card round, I'm really interesting who prevails here 94 00:04:58,279 --> 00:05:00,440 Speaker 1: because I think I see this field as very even 95 00:05:00,480 --> 00:05:03,760 Speaker 1: across the board. So is it a defensive mindset, is 96 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:06,760 Speaker 1: it an offensive mindset like what the Patriots have, or 97 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:09,920 Speaker 1: is it somewhere in between? Right? And I think the 98 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:13,480 Speaker 1: conclusion to me out of this discussion is it makes 99 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 1: me wonder as far as on paper, and we know 100 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:18,520 Speaker 1: the games are not played on paper, But does it 101 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:21,840 Speaker 1: mean the Pittsburgh Steelers are maybe the favorites to win 102 00:05:21,920 --> 00:05:25,800 Speaker 1: it all? They've got Roethlisberger, Brown and Bell on offense, 103 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:28,680 Speaker 1: and they have the fifth ranked defense. Now that defense 104 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:31,440 Speaker 1: is missing Ryan Shazier from that unfortunate injury. That is 105 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:34,320 Speaker 1: a huge loss for a defense that is ranked in 106 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 1: the top five in the league. So maybe you look 107 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:38,960 Speaker 1: at that and say, well, their defense isn't going to 108 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:41,159 Speaker 1: be able to perform the way it has for the 109 00:05:41,160 --> 00:05:43,280 Speaker 1: bulk of the regular season, So it's hard to peg 110 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:46,359 Speaker 1: them as the the on paper favorites. Just really interesting 111 00:05:46,400 --> 00:05:48,560 Speaker 1: to see how this plays out, especially I think in 112 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:52,280 Speaker 1: the NFC, you've got these four teams that you can 113 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:55,599 Speaker 1: have any one of several different NFC Championship game matches, 114 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:57,880 Speaker 1: and I think I think any one of them is 115 00:05:57,480 --> 00:06:01,440 Speaker 1: is is certainly possible. This is why this particular year, 116 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:04,800 Speaker 1: I'm so interested to see his Steelers Patriots AFC Championship 117 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:07,359 Speaker 1: game because this year New England's had a lot of 118 00:06:07,400 --> 00:06:09,720 Speaker 1: problems on defense getting they haven't been able to get 119 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 1: home with their pass rush. I think some of the 120 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:13,799 Speaker 1: things they were hoping for at the cornerback position haven't 121 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:16,039 Speaker 1: really come to pass. They've been saved in a lot 122 00:06:16,080 --> 00:06:18,160 Speaker 1: of ways by the fact that they can basically outgun 123 00:06:18,279 --> 00:06:23,520 Speaker 1: everybody offensively. The Steelers. While it's incredibly tragic and you 124 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:25,880 Speaker 1: hope that Ryan Cheezier is gonna be able to walk again, 125 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:30,400 Speaker 1: live comfortably beyond what happens with football. But Pittsburgh, you know, 126 00:06:30,440 --> 00:06:32,720 Speaker 1: he had some injury issues in the past, so Pittsburgh's 127 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:35,640 Speaker 1: had to learn how to play without him. You know, 128 00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 1: you have, I believe it it's Vince Williams inside. They 129 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:40,880 Speaker 1: have options at that position. They're just so deep at 130 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:44,600 Speaker 1: that on defense that I'm very interested to see if 131 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:47,719 Speaker 1: they can have that unit come together. Be the compliment 132 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 1: that Ben Roethlisberg needs to go and get that third 133 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 1: Super Bowl title. Yeah. Well, well, we've got these these 134 00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:54,920 Speaker 1: playoff games coming up. We'll talk about them more as 135 00:06:54,960 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 1: the week continues, but for now, we're gonna go to 136 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:00,000 Speaker 1: a break back with more and Packers Unscripted, Red Eye 137 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:20,360 Speaker 1: to this Welcome back to Packers Unscripted. Mike Spofford in 138 00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:23,360 Speaker 1: this chair, Wes Hodkowitz in that one, and west Um 139 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 1: shifting gears here a little bit to go back to 140 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:30,040 Speaker 1: the Packers of GM front office situation. We've seen a 141 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 1: lot of changes, obviously, and a lot of things to 142 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:36,400 Speaker 1: be excited about as we see Brian Goodakunst have to 143 00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:38,720 Speaker 1: try to fill the very big shoes of Ted Thompson. 144 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:42,880 Speaker 1: But in the meantime, the Packers have also lost um 145 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:47,280 Speaker 1: highly ranked personnel executives in Elliott wolf and Alonso Highsmith. 146 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:49,840 Speaker 1: They've gone to the Cleveland Browns to work with with 147 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 1: former Packers personnel executive John Dorsey to uh to rebuild 148 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:58,560 Speaker 1: the Browns the own sixteen team here from there are 149 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 1: some big shoes to fill just under new GM Brian 150 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 1: goodacun stren't there. Yeah, there are, And I mean you 151 00:08:04,360 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 1: look at the combined years that Elliott um wolf In 152 00:08:08,040 --> 00:08:11,080 Speaker 1: Alonzo Highsmith had here. I mean high Smith again is 153 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:13,760 Speaker 1: another one of those proteges for Ron Wolfe that got 154 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:17,400 Speaker 1: an opportunity in the late nineties and and really made 155 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:19,080 Speaker 1: the most of it. You know, we we talked so 156 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:21,480 Speaker 1: often about the Donald Driver's story his first couple of 157 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:24,320 Speaker 1: years and being able to to scout and you know, 158 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 1: see the talent in him when they sent him down 159 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:29,080 Speaker 1: to Elkhorn State. I mean, some of these remote places 160 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 1: when you hear Brian Gooduns talk about, you know, they 161 00:08:32,280 --> 00:08:35,240 Speaker 1: want to leave no stone unturned. That's why, because you 162 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:36,960 Speaker 1: never know when you're gonna find a Donald Driver in 163 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:39,000 Speaker 1: the seventh round. You never know where you're gonna get 164 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:41,599 Speaker 1: that next diamond that can make a Super Bowl championship 165 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:45,240 Speaker 1: team at a playoff contending team. From Ellie Wolf's perspective, 166 00:08:45,280 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 1: I mean the word wonder kind has been thrown out 167 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:49,439 Speaker 1: there a lot in terms of you hear the stories 168 00:08:49,480 --> 00:08:51,840 Speaker 1: of him at fourteen years old, you know, going through 169 00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:54,760 Speaker 1: cut ups with his dad. Uh. And the one thing 170 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:57,400 Speaker 1: I think Ron has always talked about since day one 171 00:08:57,480 --> 00:09:00,360 Speaker 1: is that Ellie didn't do this on the back of 172 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:02,319 Speaker 1: Ron Wolfe. It may have helped him get a foot 173 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:04,839 Speaker 1: in the door, but everything he did since two thousand four, 174 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:06,640 Speaker 1: since he guy came on board as a as a 175 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:10,160 Speaker 1: scout and personality assistant, he's worked his way up the 176 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 1: ladder ever since then. Two guys that had a lot 177 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 1: to do with what the Packers were able to do, 178 00:09:14,800 --> 00:09:17,480 Speaker 1: not only in building that Super Bowl forty five team, 179 00:09:17,559 --> 00:09:19,920 Speaker 1: but every year when a draft and developed system being 180 00:09:19,960 --> 00:09:22,560 Speaker 1: able to find that next gem that the Packers are 181 00:09:22,559 --> 00:09:24,600 Speaker 1: going to be able to develop it is it's a 182 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:27,719 Speaker 1: big hole for green Bay to to fill now. And 183 00:09:27,920 --> 00:09:30,079 Speaker 1: Brian Goodkin said when he was meeting with the media 184 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:32,080 Speaker 1: on Monday, he hoped to have Elliott back as his 185 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:33,880 Speaker 1: right hand man, but wasn't going to hold him back 186 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:37,439 Speaker 1: from any other opportunity. You look at where they're at 187 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:39,560 Speaker 1: right now. He has confidence, he said right from that 188 00:09:39,600 --> 00:09:42,600 Speaker 1: moment that if Elliott does move on, if they do 189 00:09:42,679 --> 00:09:45,560 Speaker 1: need to make changes there, he likes the Rolodex. He 190 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:47,559 Speaker 1: has a list of scouts that he's already looking at 191 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:49,800 Speaker 1: and feels like they'll still be able to keep this 192 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:52,960 Speaker 1: train moving. Yeah. And let's just say too that that 193 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:57,200 Speaker 1: opportunity in Cleveland, as I said on on our website 194 00:09:57,240 --> 00:10:01,360 Speaker 1: this week, that's a talent evaluator's dream what Dorsey and 195 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:04,200 Speaker 1: high Smith and Wolf are are walking into there. You've 196 00:10:04,280 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 1: got a young roster already, you have a ton of 197 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 1: cap space to be able to uh, to be able 198 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 1: to build around. And in this upcoming draft, they have 199 00:10:13,040 --> 00:10:15,800 Speaker 1: five picks in the first two rounds. I mean, what 200 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:17,560 Speaker 1: more could you ask for? I mean, yes, it's an 201 00:10:17,559 --> 00:10:21,560 Speaker 1: own sixteen team, we get that, But this is this 202 00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:24,320 Speaker 1: is a franchise that is that is set up for 203 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:26,800 Speaker 1: a quick turnaround. In my opinion, you hit on some 204 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 1: draft picks, you have cap money to spend on free agents, 205 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:32,520 Speaker 1: and you find a quarterback. Now, those are all big tasks, 206 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:36,200 Speaker 1: but the Cleveland Browns are not as far away as 207 00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:39,559 Speaker 1: an Owen sixteen team you would think. Yeah, And I 208 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:41,320 Speaker 1: was talking to a talent of value in the league 209 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:43,680 Speaker 1: earlier this week and the phrase that they used to 210 00:10:43,679 --> 00:10:46,320 Speaker 1: describe it as it's a sleeping giant in Cleveland because 211 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:49,880 Speaker 1: they did. They had a top ten, top twelve defense 212 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:52,720 Speaker 1: this year. They really were hurting at the quarterback position. 213 00:10:52,760 --> 00:10:55,959 Speaker 1: That's nothing against de Shaun Kaiser. Tough situation for him 214 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:58,400 Speaker 1: to be thrown into, but a lot of people think 215 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:01,640 Speaker 1: if you can get a quarterback there, and John Dorsey 216 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:04,720 Speaker 1: is one of the best when it comes to seeking 217 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:07,840 Speaker 1: out quarterback help in finding a way to get a 218 00:11:07,880 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 1: team really in fourth year in terms of a turnaround. 219 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:14,960 Speaker 1: He did exactly that in Kansas City that particular year 220 00:11:15,040 --> 00:11:17,600 Speaker 1: draft when he went there, there wasn't a bona fide 221 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:20,880 Speaker 1: number one overall quarterback trades the second round pick to 222 00:11:20,880 --> 00:11:23,120 Speaker 1: get Alex Smith and then this last year trading for 223 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:25,480 Speaker 1: Patrick Mahomes, who very well may end up being their 224 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:28,040 Speaker 1: quarterback of the future. They're gonna look to do the 225 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 1: same thing and he's gonna have two really good talent 226 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:32,640 Speaker 1: evaluators and Alonso high Smith and Elliott Wolf to help 227 00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:35,200 Speaker 1: him find that next guy. Two picks in the first four, 228 00:11:35,559 --> 00:11:38,680 Speaker 1: they'll have options. Yeah, absolutely, And with regards to the 229 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:41,559 Speaker 1: Packers and trying to fill those shoes, the fans are asking, well, 230 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:43,840 Speaker 1: you know, who are the next guys coming up the pipeline. 231 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:47,000 Speaker 1: We'll see what Brian Gudacunts decides. As you said, you know, 232 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:49,719 Speaker 1: he's got that rolodex, all kinds of contacts around the 233 00:11:49,760 --> 00:11:52,920 Speaker 1: league people he might look at bringing in people in house. 234 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:55,400 Speaker 1: Right now, you have John Eric Sullivan who's the director 235 00:11:55,440 --> 00:11:57,840 Speaker 1: of college Scouting. He's been with the Packers since two 236 00:11:57,840 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 1: thousand three or four right around it doesn't for and 237 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:04,440 Speaker 1: then uh um, and then you also have John Wojahowski 238 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:07,480 Speaker 1: if I'm saying that name correctly. He's only been with 239 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:10,480 Speaker 1: the Packers for about five or six years now, but 240 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:13,960 Speaker 1: he is a he's a longtime scout who began his 241 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 1: scouting career around the same time that good Kins did. 242 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:20,400 Speaker 1: So um a lot of experience there in the next 243 00:12:20,440 --> 00:12:23,320 Speaker 1: two lieutenants so to speak, who are who are in 244 00:12:23,320 --> 00:12:25,840 Speaker 1: the pipeline and we'll just see what We'll see what 245 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:27,920 Speaker 1: the new GM decides to do in terms of how 246 00:12:27,960 --> 00:12:30,440 Speaker 1: he wants to uh to structure. What's going to be 247 00:12:30,520 --> 00:12:32,520 Speaker 1: his personnel department? Yeah, and I mean you look even 248 00:12:32,520 --> 00:12:34,959 Speaker 1: further down that list to Matt Malispina has a lot 249 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:37,440 Speaker 1: of experience in the NFL. He's now a college scout, 250 00:12:37,520 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 1: joined the Packers last year. Alonzo Dotson has been with 251 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:42,560 Speaker 1: them now for the past five season. The scouting up 252 00:12:42,559 --> 00:12:45,040 Speaker 1: here in the Midwest, and uh, you know Sam cel 253 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:46,839 Speaker 1: we talked about every year in the draft. Their their 254 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:50,720 Speaker 1: West Coast regent scout does a tremendous job. Definitely options 255 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:52,599 Speaker 1: from that regard. I think the other thing that he 256 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:55,319 Speaker 1: consider too, in sort of that Mike Spofford, let's be 257 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:58,840 Speaker 1: real moment of the week, these are scenarios, Brian goodiuntz 258 00:12:58,880 --> 00:13:01,560 Speaker 1: was going to have to talk out with Mark Murphy 259 00:13:01,720 --> 00:13:04,559 Speaker 1: because you knew what the domino effect might be of 260 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:07,640 Speaker 1: him becoming GM Elliot Wolf might leave. You didn't know 261 00:13:07,679 --> 00:13:09,760 Speaker 1: what was going to happen with some of those personnel people. 262 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 1: So I have a feeling, while I do not know this, 263 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:14,480 Speaker 1: I have a feeling that there is a plan laid out. 264 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:17,440 Speaker 1: There is an agenda, much like when a college head 265 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:21,440 Speaker 1: coach moves in kind of letting people know, you know 266 00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:23,559 Speaker 1: who I might be looking at to join me. I 267 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:26,880 Speaker 1: feel pretty comfortable if I'm a Packers fan right now. 268 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:28,520 Speaker 1: And what Brian Goodocus is going to be able to 269 00:13:28,559 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 1: do to rearrange that up front office. Yeah, you know, 270 00:13:30,679 --> 00:13:33,360 Speaker 1: he's been thinking through these scenarios because the bottom line 271 00:13:33,400 --> 00:13:37,599 Speaker 1: is the Packers went into this with four people perfectly 272 00:13:37,960 --> 00:13:41,679 Speaker 1: highly qualified to be general managers in this league. Alonzo Highsmith, 273 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:45,600 Speaker 1: Elliott Wolf, Brian goodacunstant Russ Ball you knew. I mean, 274 00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:47,320 Speaker 1: when you're in a situation like that and you have 275 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:49,720 Speaker 1: that many qualified people, they are not all going to 276 00:13:49,760 --> 00:13:52,080 Speaker 1: stay if they don't get the job. And the Packers 277 00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:54,160 Speaker 1: managed to keep two of them and the other two 278 00:13:54,280 --> 00:13:57,200 Speaker 1: left and moved on to another opportunity. So, um, lots 279 00:13:57,240 --> 00:13:58,880 Speaker 1: of lots of change going on, but lots to be 280 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:01,720 Speaker 1: excited about it. Yeah, absolute, definitely. With that, we'll toss 281 00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 1: to a break back with more on Packers Unscripted right 282 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:24,680 Speaker 1: after this. Welcome back to Packers Unscripted. Mike Spofford here, 283 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 1: Wes Hodkowitz over there, and West Packers new GM. Brian 284 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 1: Goodkins wasted uh no time, I guess with uh with 285 00:14:31,880 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 1: inking his first player, his first official transaction as general manager, 286 00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:40,520 Speaker 1: occurs on Wednesday, he signs a young running back Northern 287 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 1: Illinois product, and I'll try to pronounce the name correctly. 288 00:14:43,360 --> 00:14:48,520 Speaker 1: It's Joel Juan yo and UH, an undrafted player from 289 00:14:48,560 --> 00:14:50,520 Speaker 1: a year ago who tried to make it with the 290 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:54,080 Speaker 1: Chicago Bears but then was injured and placed on i R. 291 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:56,640 Speaker 1: Packers are going to give him a shot. And if 292 00:14:56,680 --> 00:15:00,520 Speaker 1: you haven't seen the picture of of Gouda Kunst and 293 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:03,560 Speaker 1: his UH and his first signing, it's on packers dot com. 294 00:15:03,640 --> 00:15:06,480 Speaker 1: It's also on the Packers Twitter account. One of those 295 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:10,640 Speaker 1: historical things, you know, moments in time you just never know, right, Yeah, 296 00:15:10,680 --> 00:15:12,760 Speaker 1: And it was funny. I had the same reaction. I 297 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:14,760 Speaker 1: saw it on Twitter quite a bit too. And Packers 298 00:15:14,760 --> 00:15:18,160 Speaker 1: announced a transaction. They always say okay, the Packers have 299 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:20,880 Speaker 1: signed so and so the transaction was announced by who 300 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:24,680 Speaker 1: the GM was. So it was very interesting that first 301 00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:27,600 Speaker 1: time seeing Brian Brian Gooda Kun's name there and not 302 00:15:27,640 --> 00:15:31,760 Speaker 1: Ted Thompson. First time in thirteen years that that happened. Um. Yeah, 303 00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:34,280 Speaker 1: it's interesting. For the young man, a great opportunity and 304 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:37,680 Speaker 1: for for Gooda kun'st this shows you that he's thinking. 305 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:40,120 Speaker 1: You know that that they're they're always considering those u 306 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:41,880 Speaker 1: f A s and we'll see what this young man 307 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:44,280 Speaker 1: can do. He'll have an opportunity to come in this offseason. 308 00:15:44,800 --> 00:15:47,360 Speaker 1: You know probably you know, something can always happen, but 309 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:49,400 Speaker 1: I mean otherwise he'll be back in April and a 310 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:51,960 Speaker 1: chance to compete and make this roster. I think the 311 00:15:52,040 --> 00:15:53,680 Speaker 1: thing that stands out to me the most. And sometimes 312 00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:56,960 Speaker 1: people ask this question, well, why why do these transactions matter? Who? 313 00:15:57,080 --> 00:15:59,960 Speaker 1: Who cares? You know? Who they signed a futures contracts. Well, 314 00:16:00,040 --> 00:16:02,240 Speaker 1: the end of March last year, nobody was talking about 315 00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:05,400 Speaker 1: Justin McCrae. I even somewhat wrote that off. Other than 316 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 1: the fact that his brother had been here before. Justin 317 00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 1: McCrae ends up starting at games. You don't know where 318 00:16:10,760 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 1: you're gonna get contributions. And that's why when you have 319 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:16,360 Speaker 1: a ninety man roster, you'll see these teams really maximize 320 00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:18,480 Speaker 1: that they'll sign guys from their practice squad, but they'll 321 00:16:18,480 --> 00:16:20,760 Speaker 1: also go and find other guys that maybe they brought 322 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:23,520 Speaker 1: in for a pre draft visit. Bueno was one of 323 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 1: those guys last year the Packers had in for a 324 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:27,960 Speaker 1: pre draft visit. So there is a history there It's 325 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:29,480 Speaker 1: not that they just are like throwing a dart at 326 00:16:29,480 --> 00:16:31,360 Speaker 1: the board and being like, yeah, let's bring that young 327 00:16:31,360 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 1: who who's my first signing. Let's just sign somebody. That's 328 00:16:34,200 --> 00:16:36,480 Speaker 1: not how it works. So it's it's a thought process 329 00:16:36,520 --> 00:16:39,280 Speaker 1: that they're constantly going through. Obviously, the Bears thought enough 330 00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 1: of them to bring him into camp, give him that chance. 331 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:45,000 Speaker 1: Injury happens, he's out. But I think this shows you 332 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:48,560 Speaker 1: again that that problem. We're two months away from free agency, 333 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:51,440 Speaker 1: we're a month and a half away from basically the 334 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:54,720 Speaker 1: you know, NFL scouting combine. But if you're a GM 335 00:16:54,720 --> 00:16:56,520 Speaker 1: in the league, you're always thinking, You're always trying to 336 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:58,680 Speaker 1: find that next guy. Yeah, and it is about building 337 00:16:58,720 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 1: that most competitive ninety man roster that you can. I'm 338 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:05,199 Speaker 1: curious that you know that this first transaction happens at 339 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:08,360 Speaker 1: running back because obviously the Packers have a young stable 340 00:17:08,359 --> 00:17:10,840 Speaker 1: of backs and uh and let's let's talk about that 341 00:17:10,840 --> 00:17:12,480 Speaker 1: a little bit more. But we'll go to a break 342 00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:14,840 Speaker 1: for now back with more on Packers Unscripted. Right up 343 00:17:14,840 --> 00:17:35,920 Speaker 1: to this, Welcome back to Packers Unscripted. Mike Spofford here, 344 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:38,840 Speaker 1: Wes Hodku. It's all the way over there and west. 345 00:17:38,840 --> 00:17:41,400 Speaker 1: With regards to the running back situation, as I said, 346 00:17:41,440 --> 00:17:44,719 Speaker 1: it's kind of curious that that new GM Brian Gudin's 347 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:49,240 Speaker 1: first signing is a running back because if there's one area, 348 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:52,800 Speaker 1: that one position that you think Um may not get 349 00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:54,840 Speaker 1: a whole lot of attention from the Packers in this 350 00:17:54,960 --> 00:17:58,120 Speaker 1: upcoming draft, it's running back. Because of what green Bay 351 00:17:58,119 --> 00:18:01,879 Speaker 1: did last year drafting three Um fourth round, fifth round, 352 00:18:02,160 --> 00:18:05,880 Speaker 1: seventh round. You also have Time Montgomery in the mix there. 353 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:09,400 Speaker 1: Um Packers really like what they have at the position, 354 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:12,320 Speaker 1: and certainly the young young man from northern Illinois will 355 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:16,359 Speaker 1: will add to the competition amongst a bunch of young prospects. 356 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:19,800 Speaker 1: But Green Bay ends up this season with two rookie 357 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 1: running backs who both surpassed four hundred rushing yards in 358 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:25,440 Speaker 1: a season. That's the first time in franchise history that's 359 00:18:25,440 --> 00:18:29,080 Speaker 1: ever happened with two rookies. UM a lot of promise 360 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:32,040 Speaker 1: at the position. And if all these guys stay healthy, 361 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:34,080 Speaker 1: you almost get the feeling that they're not all going 362 00:18:34,119 --> 00:18:35,800 Speaker 1: to be happy, but that will be a good thing 363 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:37,520 Speaker 1: in a sense. One thing I just want to point 364 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:41,840 Speaker 1: out two carries one thousand six yards, eight touchdowns. If 365 00:18:41,840 --> 00:18:44,840 Speaker 1: that would have been one player we would have been 366 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:47,920 Speaker 1: talking about a potential offensive Rookie of the Year candidate. Yep, 367 00:18:48,040 --> 00:18:50,800 Speaker 1: but that is what Jamal Williams and Aaron Jones gave 368 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:54,560 Speaker 1: the Packers in combination this year, thunder and lightning. Unfortunately, 369 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:56,719 Speaker 1: due to injury situation really weren't able to see them 370 00:18:56,720 --> 00:18:59,639 Speaker 1: work in tandem very often, but they both came up 371 00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:03,280 Speaker 1: for the team at very important times. You're right if 372 00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:08,560 Speaker 1: you're probably a fantasy football owner in this isn't your 373 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:11,080 Speaker 1: favorite situation. But I think the thing I really like 374 00:19:11,200 --> 00:19:13,040 Speaker 1: about what the Packers are doing at this position, I 375 00:19:13,080 --> 00:19:16,719 Speaker 1: said an insider in box very recently. I actually I 376 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:19,200 Speaker 1: was always very critical of what the Patriots did and 377 00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:21,200 Speaker 1: the fact that they never really settled other than maybe 378 00:19:21,240 --> 00:19:23,359 Speaker 1: when Corey Dillon was there. They've never really settled on 379 00:19:23,359 --> 00:19:26,439 Speaker 1: a running back. They always used three four different guys. 380 00:19:26,960 --> 00:19:29,200 Speaker 1: But you start to see, as I cover the league 381 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:31,800 Speaker 1: more the method to their madness in New England and 382 00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:36,520 Speaker 1: why I think it benefits the group. I'm really interested 383 00:19:36,520 --> 00:19:38,320 Speaker 1: if the Packers can keep these guys healthy, if they 384 00:19:38,359 --> 00:19:41,520 Speaker 1: could take a similar approach because Jamal Williams, Aaron Jones, 385 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:44,159 Speaker 1: time Montgomery and then obviously Davante may still in that 386 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:47,480 Speaker 1: equation as well. They all give you something different. And 387 00:19:47,520 --> 00:19:49,359 Speaker 1: if you can get a healthy Montgomery with the kind 388 00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:51,640 Speaker 1: of playmaker he is, and the way that Jamal Williams, 389 00:19:51,640 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 1: how well rounded he is, the explosiveness of Aaron Jones, 390 00:19:55,040 --> 00:19:57,360 Speaker 1: I think the possibilities are really endless for that position. 391 00:19:57,400 --> 00:19:59,439 Speaker 1: The fact that the Packers did set that record this 392 00:19:59,520 --> 00:20:02,600 Speaker 1: year with two running backs over four hundred yards rushing individually, 393 00:20:02,680 --> 00:20:05,920 Speaker 1: first time ever, I think that actually speaks to what 394 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:09,840 Speaker 1: they've built coming out of that two thousand seventeen NFL draft. Yeah, 395 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:11,919 Speaker 1: I think. I think the thing that I like the 396 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:14,840 Speaker 1: most about the stable of running backs, and particularly the 397 00:20:15,119 --> 00:20:17,919 Speaker 1: two rookies and Jones and Williams that produced so well 398 00:20:18,320 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 1: for Green Bay when they were called upon. You hear 399 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:22,880 Speaker 1: a lot of times about running backs that that they 400 00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:24,760 Speaker 1: need to get into a rhythm, get into a flow, 401 00:20:24,880 --> 00:20:26,919 Speaker 1: get lathered up, what however you want to say it. 402 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:30,159 Speaker 1: In a game. These guys were able to produce without 403 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:34,959 Speaker 1: necessarily needing that constant attention, that constant feeding. They go 404 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:37,359 Speaker 1: in the game, they get their they get their number called, 405 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:40,720 Speaker 1: and they produce for the offense. They helped provide the balance. 406 00:20:40,760 --> 00:20:43,479 Speaker 1: Whether it was for Aaron Rodgers at quarterback or Brett Hunley, 407 00:20:43,800 --> 00:20:46,320 Speaker 1: there was some balance there and it wasn't about necessarily 408 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:49,080 Speaker 1: having to feed the same guy, you know, six or 409 00:20:49,119 --> 00:20:51,639 Speaker 1: seven times on one ten play drive or something to 410 00:20:51,680 --> 00:20:53,760 Speaker 1: get him going, to get him in the flow. These 411 00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:56,120 Speaker 1: guys just took what they were given and they got 412 00:20:56,119 --> 00:20:58,320 Speaker 1: some results. Yeah. And the thing that's oppressive about it 413 00:20:58,359 --> 00:21:00,600 Speaker 1: too is that when there were instances in which they 414 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:02,320 Speaker 1: had to be the every down back basically out of 415 00:21:02,359 --> 00:21:05,880 Speaker 1: attrition at the position, both of those guys stepped up too. 416 00:21:06,119 --> 00:21:08,440 Speaker 1: So that's that says a lot about them in terms 417 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:10,080 Speaker 1: of what their future is going to be in this league. 418 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:12,399 Speaker 1: Because you have to have that dual mindset. You have 419 00:21:12,480 --> 00:21:14,440 Speaker 1: to be ready to handle the ball eight percent of 420 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:16,439 Speaker 1: the time if that's what ends up happening due to 421 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:19,080 Speaker 1: the game situation, but you also need to be able 422 00:21:19,119 --> 00:21:21,280 Speaker 1: to be a fast starter if you're only getting that 423 00:21:21,440 --> 00:21:25,000 Speaker 1: third offensive possession, to make the most out of that. Uh. 424 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:28,200 Speaker 1: That is a critical critical part of being an NFL 425 00:21:28,280 --> 00:21:30,920 Speaker 1: running back. First dound, second on third down. Whenever you're 426 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:33,320 Speaker 1: sent in there, you're able to actually, you know, make 427 00:21:33,359 --> 00:21:35,200 Speaker 1: the most event produced. Yeah, when you look at these 428 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:37,760 Speaker 1: guys heading into their second year, Jimal Williams, I think 429 00:21:37,760 --> 00:21:40,439 Speaker 1: would like to get you know, maybe more explosive, be 430 00:21:40,520 --> 00:21:42,560 Speaker 1: able to to to take some of those eight yard 431 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:45,719 Speaker 1: runs and make them more explosive plays. Whereas Aaron Jones, 432 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:47,720 Speaker 1: he knows if he can work on his past protection, 433 00:21:47,760 --> 00:21:50,080 Speaker 1: he'll get on the field more and be more reliable 434 00:21:50,080 --> 00:21:52,560 Speaker 1: in an every down sense. But with that, we've got 435 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:54,919 Speaker 1: to call it a wrap on this edition of Packers Unscripted. 436 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:56,639 Speaker 1: Be sure to follow all of our coverage of the 437 00:21:56,680 --> 00:21:59,520 Speaker 1: team on Packers dot com on Twitter, you can still 438 00:21:59,560 --> 00:22:01,880 Speaker 1: find him Matt west Hodd I am still at Mike 439 00:22:01,960 --> 00:22:05,760 Speaker 1: Spofford at Packers for the team account. Thanks for tuning in, everybody. 440 00:22:05,920 --> 00:22:07,760 Speaker 1: We'll see you next time. H