1 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:11,200 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:14,160 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spafford, joined by my 3 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:17,320 Speaker 1: partner in crime, Weston Hodkowitz. We're coming to you here 4 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:22,760 Speaker 1: from different locations at lambeau Field, wes OTAs for twenty 5 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 1: twenty three are officially over. There is one week left 6 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:29,920 Speaker 1: of the Packers' off season program and it is the 7 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:33,519 Speaker 1: mandatory mini camp coming up this week. We will have 8 00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:36,280 Speaker 1: access to practice when the Packers are on the field, 9 00:00:36,560 --> 00:00:40,960 Speaker 1: press conferences, locker room interviews, all of that stuff. So 10 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:44,200 Speaker 1: let's talk about maybe a couple of storylines to watch 11 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 1: here heading into Mini caamp as the off season program 12 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:48,720 Speaker 1: wraps up in a few days. What's on your mind? 13 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:51,440 Speaker 2: Well, first and foremost, we'll get Jay R, Alexander and 14 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:54,080 Speaker 2: Russell Douglas back in the building, and that's going to 15 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:57,600 Speaker 2: be such a pivotal piece of this defense with you know, 16 00:00:58,080 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 2: everything that the Packers accomplished late last season. Looking to 17 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:03,760 Speaker 2: kind of, you know, use that as a leap frog 18 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 2: now into twenty twenty three, I thought, you know, for 19 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:09,399 Speaker 2: as difficult of a mid season stretch as Green Bay 20 00:01:09,440 --> 00:01:12,760 Speaker 2: went through, they found some answers in the middle of 21 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 2: towards the final stretch that season. One of them was 22 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:18,039 Speaker 2: in a now two time All Pro Jyry Alexander, and 23 00:01:18,080 --> 00:01:21,080 Speaker 2: the other was in Rasoul Douglas, who ended up getting 24 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:23,720 Speaker 2: I think three more interceptions to his total in the 25 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:26,759 Speaker 2: month of December. There was actually a statistic that I saw, Mike. 26 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:29,200 Speaker 2: I believe it was from Pro Football Focus, want to 27 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:30,839 Speaker 2: make sure, or maybe it was a thirty third team, 28 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:35,880 Speaker 2: but both Jaiere and Rasul the last two seasons leading 29 00:01:35,920 --> 00:01:38,920 Speaker 2: the National Football League right now in the month of 30 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:42,520 Speaker 2: December interceptions, So it showed you I thought how far 31 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:44,800 Speaker 2: that secondary came during the final month of the season. 32 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:47,640 Speaker 2: And certainly having both of those two guys back here 33 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 2: for the mandatory practices, I think will increase in heightened 34 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:53,480 Speaker 2: sort of the sense of urgency there with the Packers defense. 35 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:55,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I think it'll provide a little bit more 36 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 1: of a challenge for Jordan Love as the Packers offense 37 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:02,400 Speaker 1: is continuing this trend position to a new starting quarterback 38 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 1: with the defense presumably at full strength. Although Vershan Gary 39 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:09,880 Speaker 1: is not expected to be back just yet. I don't 40 00:02:09,880 --> 00:02:14,200 Speaker 1: think Eric Stokes will be back on the fielder, certainly 41 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:17,320 Speaker 1: not in team drills if he. Matt Lafleurd indicated that 42 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:20,360 Speaker 1: maybe by the end of the offseason program Stokes might 43 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:23,200 Speaker 1: start doing some individual drills, but the eleven on eleven 44 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:26,560 Speaker 1: I'm sure is still quite a ways off for him. 45 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:29,359 Speaker 1: But that added challenge I think for Jordan Love will 46 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:32,840 Speaker 1: be interesting to watch in practice this week as well. 47 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:36,639 Speaker 1: And on top of that, then Keyshawn Nixon settling in 48 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:42,839 Speaker 1: as that primary nickel corner with as you said, Alexander 49 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 1: and Douglas both on the outside, another thing I'm going 50 00:02:46,280 --> 00:02:48,480 Speaker 1: to keep an eye on, just because you know, in 51 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:52,280 Speaker 1: the three practices during OTAs the one per week that 52 00:02:52,320 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 1: we were able to watch, we did not see any 53 00:02:55,639 --> 00:02:59,160 Speaker 1: field goal kicking periods with the new rookie kicker Anders 54 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:02,960 Speaker 1: Carlson around pick out of Auburn. Now that we're going 55 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:06,720 Speaker 1: to get multiple practices within the same week, I will 56 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:08,840 Speaker 1: be very curious if we do get to watch the 57 00:03:08,919 --> 00:03:12,480 Speaker 1: rookie from Auburn potentially kick some field goals or maybe 58 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 1: kick off in the special team's drill. Just you know, 59 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:19,240 Speaker 1: we haven't actually seen his legs so to speak, you know, 60 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:21,920 Speaker 1: just yet since he's put on a packer's uniform. So 61 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:27,280 Speaker 1: I think that's that's something to watch and as always, 62 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:29,080 Speaker 1: keep just keeping an eye on the depth chart with 63 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:33,720 Speaker 1: special teams as well, because with everybody that's presumably going 64 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:36,400 Speaker 1: to be here and on the field for the mini 65 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 1: camp this week, it sort of sets things up in 66 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 1: terms of how we can maybe expect to see the 67 00:03:41,560 --> 00:03:45,440 Speaker 1: special team's depth chart starting at training camp when the 68 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 1: players come back at the end of July. 69 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:49,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, and it stands to reason that if you look 70 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 2: at the safety position or maybe some of these other posts, 71 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 2: that you know, the rotation's just going to set up 72 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:55,760 Speaker 2: a certain way. And I could see the Packers coaching 73 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 2: staff saying that, but it is telling when you go 74 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:01,800 Speaker 2: on that first practice field and Rasul Douglas, Jyry, Alexander, 75 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:04,160 Speaker 2: you know the starters are going to be back there. 76 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:07,440 Speaker 2: How do all the pieces fit? What is who is 77 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 2: the sec the safety back there with Darnell Savage, What 78 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:14,120 Speaker 2: offensive line configuration do they go with. Is David Baktiari 79 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:16,280 Speaker 2: out there or is it going to be another situation 80 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:18,400 Speaker 2: where maybe Caleb Jones gets some work there and they 81 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:20,800 Speaker 2: want to focus on Joash Niman being at right tackle. 82 00:04:21,279 --> 00:04:23,240 Speaker 2: All those things are what we're going to have to 83 00:04:23,279 --> 00:04:26,200 Speaker 2: be monitoring. I think the most exciting part of the 84 00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:28,800 Speaker 2: off season program, or the end of the off season 85 00:04:28,880 --> 00:04:30,960 Speaker 2: program is, as you said, Mike, getting a feel of 86 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:33,040 Speaker 2: where this team is going to be at and what 87 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:36,520 Speaker 2: will amount to the final run through before we come 88 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 2: back at the end of July. And I always go 89 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:42,600 Speaker 2: back to thinking about, you know, Eddie Lacy in the 90 00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:45,000 Speaker 2: progress that he made during his first nine weeks in 91 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 2: Green Bay. I think about, you know, guys like Micah 92 00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 2: Hyde and Romeo Dobbs, guys that came out and impressed 93 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 2: right away as rookies, and then we're able to carry 94 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:56,560 Speaker 2: it over into the training camp. This is the starting 95 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:59,919 Speaker 2: point of everything. And in addition to that, guys on 96 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:02,160 Speaker 2: the offensive side of the ball, they've now had a 97 00:05:02,279 --> 00:05:06,039 Speaker 2: full program with Jordan Love their starting quarterback for twenty 98 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:06,839 Speaker 2: twenty three. 99 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:08,240 Speaker 3: I think that's really exciting. 100 00:05:08,320 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 2: And I think when you're building out the identity of 101 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 2: your football team for a season and everybody knows how 102 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 2: young Green Bay is gonna skew, everybody is on the 103 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:18,200 Speaker 2: same page and pulling in the right direction. 104 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:19,160 Speaker 3: Now going into the. 105 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:22,279 Speaker 1: Month of July, Yeah, I think another thing to watch too, 106 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:26,000 Speaker 1: because it was with what we had witnessed last week 107 00:05:26,120 --> 00:05:31,920 Speaker 1: in practice with regard to the two minute drill, Sean Clifford, 108 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:34,000 Speaker 1: the rookie fifth round pick out of Penn State, led 109 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:38,120 Speaker 1: a very impressive two minute drive some clutch catches, including 110 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:41,279 Speaker 1: the touchdown to win the drill for the offense by 111 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 1: young receiver Jeff Cotton. And so I'll be curious this 112 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 1: week as we look at the reps. Obviously we're mostly watching, 113 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 1: you know, the first units, but where exactly is the 114 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:56,279 Speaker 1: backup quarterback situation? Is Sean Clifford, the number two? Is 115 00:05:56,400 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 1: Danny Eetling the number two? Where are things going to go? 116 00:06:00,279 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 2: Uh? 117 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:02,760 Speaker 1: What are things going to be looking like when that 118 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:05,280 Speaker 1: first training camp practice rolls around? And we may get 119 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:08,039 Speaker 1: a hint this week in these last few days of 120 00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:09,040 Speaker 1: the offseason work. 121 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:11,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I have to smirk a little bit, you know, 122 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:15,240 Speaker 2: as you mentioned the the part about Jeff Cotton being 123 00:06:15,240 --> 00:06:18,040 Speaker 2: a young receiver, You're You're absolutely right, there's nothing get 124 00:06:18,120 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 2: in their actorate. 125 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:22,160 Speaker 1: He's the oldest, the oldest receiver in Green Bay at 126 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 1: A I think, absolutely right. But yes, he's still a 127 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:27,479 Speaker 1: young RECEIVERI no, no, but I mean it's still like 128 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 1: twenty five years old or whatever. 129 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:31,120 Speaker 2: I mean just remarkable that that's where the Packers are 130 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:33,279 Speaker 2: right now. But but to get back to your point, 131 00:06:33,560 --> 00:06:36,280 Speaker 2: Sean Clifford, man, now you've seen him more. I know 132 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:38,520 Speaker 2: people that have watched the Badgers have seen him more. 133 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,360 Speaker 2: I haven't seen a lot of Sean Clifford to this point. 134 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 2: I was so impressed by that guy and how he 135 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:46,560 Speaker 2: handled the two minute period. I thought he showed a 136 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:49,240 Speaker 2: live arm and as Matt Lafleur said in his post 137 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:55,479 Speaker 2: practice press conference, say that five times fast or four uh. 138 00:06:55,520 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 2: The guy showed the ability to not only know where 139 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:01,040 Speaker 2: the sticks are make the right decisions, but then he 140 00:07:01,080 --> 00:07:03,200 Speaker 2: even tried a couple passes I think in that deep 141 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:06,360 Speaker 2: corner for twenty four yards I believe was was that 142 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:11,160 Speaker 2: the one to Heath? Yeah? Yeah, e Malik Heath, Malik Keith, Yeah, 143 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:13,160 Speaker 2: the guy going down the field. I think it was 144 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:16,600 Speaker 2: seven of nine on that series, and then being able 145 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 2: to cap it with the eight yard touchdown to Cotton. 146 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 2: That's what Sean Clifford has to do. You and I 147 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 2: got a chance to meet him a little bit be 148 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 2: around him. I mean, he is a very confident young man. 149 00:07:27,120 --> 00:07:29,360 Speaker 2: He's a guy that and I say confident, in every 150 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:31,360 Speaker 2: sense of the word correctly. A guy that has been 151 00:07:31,840 --> 00:07:35,480 Speaker 2: the face of a big ten Power five football conference 152 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:40,240 Speaker 2: team for three four years. So he is not going 153 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:43,480 Speaker 2: to be, you know, one that's gonna like be a 154 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 2: He's not going to want to shy away from the 155 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:48,320 Speaker 2: bright lights, even though it's just the training camp practice. 156 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 2: He's going to be able to go out there and 157 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:51,880 Speaker 2: do it. And honestly, Mike, I thought Danny Etling made 158 00:07:51,920 --> 00:07:54,200 Speaker 2: a couple of nice throws in this offseason program as well, 159 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:57,680 Speaker 2: So watching that competition because that's a big thing, man. 160 00:07:57,720 --> 00:07:59,920 Speaker 2: I mean, I know there's going to be the emergent 161 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:02,640 Speaker 2: see quarterback rule back this year. So it's not going 162 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 2: to be just okay, who's inactive, who's active, Yeah, but 163 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:08,040 Speaker 2: it still matters who that number two is and who's 164 00:08:08,040 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 2: the guy that's going to potentially be stepping up in 165 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 2: case of emergency, And I think Sean Clifford. When you 166 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:16,440 Speaker 2: look at guys like Matt Flynn and the number of 167 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:19,320 Speaker 2: rookies and young players that came into Green Bay, you 168 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:22,640 Speaker 2: know Brett Humley being one of them as well, there 169 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:24,720 Speaker 2: is a role to be had there right off the bat. 170 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:26,600 Speaker 2: If you can prove that that you're worthy of it. 171 00:08:27,040 --> 00:08:29,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm really interested to watch Clifford moving forward here, 172 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:31,720 Speaker 1: not only this week in mini camp, but then into 173 00:08:31,760 --> 00:08:34,360 Speaker 1: training camp. For all the talk during the draft about 174 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:37,000 Speaker 1: you know, well, did the Packers draft him too early? 175 00:08:37,120 --> 00:08:39,199 Speaker 1: Maybe they're you know, maybe they could have just gotten 176 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 1: him as an undrafted free agent, and all that, you 177 00:08:41,960 --> 00:08:45,320 Speaker 1: set all that aside. Sean Clifford played in a happy 178 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:47,720 Speaker 1: Valley in front of ninety five thousand people. He's played 179 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:50,199 Speaker 1: at the Horseshoe, He's played at Camp Randall. He's you know, 180 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:53,360 Speaker 1: this is not a young man who's going to shy 181 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 1: away from a challenge, and that the challenge put in 182 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:59,319 Speaker 1: front of him to nail down as best he can 183 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:03,360 Speaker 1: the number two job behind Jordan Love and potentially beat 184 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:07,400 Speaker 1: out Dannyettling, who's you know, who hasn't played regular season 185 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:10,280 Speaker 1: football yet but has certainly played his share in the 186 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:13,240 Speaker 1: preseason and impressed the Packers last year, which is why 187 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:14,600 Speaker 1: Dannyetling is still around. 188 00:09:14,920 --> 00:09:17,360 Speaker 2: Absolutely, you know, and again one of the older, more 189 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:19,920 Speaker 2: veteran players on this team. If that's the metric that 190 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:22,400 Speaker 2: you're trying to hit, I just want to close on 191 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:25,480 Speaker 2: this really quickly. If you're someone that actually is debating 192 00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:28,359 Speaker 2: whether or not a fifth round pick was drafted too high. 193 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:30,560 Speaker 2: I think you need to find a new hobby, would 194 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:35,120 Speaker 2: be my only suggestion. If we're going to critique day 195 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:38,560 Speaker 2: three picks and where guys went or didn't go, you 196 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 2: can take I mean, outside of what maybe a long 197 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:42,840 Speaker 2: snapper in the fifth round. I don't know if there's 198 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:45,120 Speaker 2: really a huge debate to be had there as far 199 00:09:45,160 --> 00:09:48,840 Speaker 2: as from fifth to seventh exactly where guys go. Other 200 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:51,680 Speaker 2: than to have something to complain about, I guess yeah. 201 00:09:51,679 --> 00:09:53,600 Speaker 1: And I can tell you who really doesn't care, and 202 00:09:53,640 --> 00:09:56,000 Speaker 1: that's Sean Clifford because he's here to just play some 203 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:58,840 Speaker 1: football and try to nail down a roster spot here 204 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:02,080 Speaker 1: with the Green Bay Packers as a rookie quarterback. So 205 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:05,439 Speaker 1: a little bit of sponsor business here. 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Another thing sort of topic of interest from 213 00:10:31,440 --> 00:10:33,520 Speaker 1: OTAs that we haven't had a chance to touch on yet, 214 00:10:33,559 --> 00:10:36,559 Speaker 1: although you have a story on our website for those 215 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:39,280 Speaker 1: who like to dive in and check out a few 216 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:44,200 Speaker 1: more details. But second year pro Tarique Carpenter drafted in 217 00:10:44,240 --> 00:10:47,480 Speaker 1: the seventh round a year ago as a safety. The 218 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:51,319 Speaker 1: Packers have actually moved him to inside linebacker. He's now 219 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:56,079 Speaker 1: part of the group of depth there behind starters Campbell 220 00:10:56,080 --> 00:11:01,320 Speaker 1: and Walker with Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson. Tarik Carpenter is 221 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:05,520 Speaker 1: now in that mix. He established himself last year as 222 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:09,000 Speaker 1: a rookie as a special teams regular, and that you 223 00:11:09,040 --> 00:11:12,080 Speaker 1: would expect is going to continue. But in terms of 224 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:16,280 Speaker 1: his opportunity to get potentially get snaps on defense, sounds 225 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:18,160 Speaker 1: like the Packers are going to see what he brings 226 00:11:18,200 --> 00:11:20,559 Speaker 1: a little bit closer to the line of scrimmage than 227 00:11:20,559 --> 00:11:22,640 Speaker 1: where we saw him last year. Yeah. 228 00:11:22,720 --> 00:11:25,040 Speaker 2: I remember back in ten years ago now when they 229 00:11:25,120 --> 00:11:29,480 Speaker 2: got Sean Richardson as an undrafted free agent former teammate 230 00:11:29,520 --> 00:11:34,199 Speaker 2: of Casey Hayward at the Vanderbilt University. I remember thinking, man, 231 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 2: this is a really big safety. Tarik Carpenter is like 232 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:41,880 Speaker 2: a bigger version of Sean Richardson. I remember there was 233 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:43,319 Speaker 2: a couple times. I think I even said it to 234 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:45,640 Speaker 2: you in the locker room, some of the availabilities last season. 235 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:49,240 Speaker 2: I'm like that guy that's not a safety. I mean, 236 00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:53,520 Speaker 2: the rules have changed, certainly, there's more hybrids at that position, 237 00:11:53,559 --> 00:11:56,400 Speaker 2: and in a box safety versus inside linebacker, what's really 238 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:59,840 Speaker 2: the difference, right? But he just he looks like aligned 239 00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:01,960 Speaker 2: in terms of just his frame. Maybe he has to 240 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:03,320 Speaker 2: put some more weight on. I don't know what the 241 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:05,240 Speaker 2: Packers are going to ask for him in that department, 242 00:12:05,679 --> 00:12:09,800 Speaker 2: but the size is prototypical I think for an inside 243 00:12:09,800 --> 00:12:12,360 Speaker 2: backer and you go buy listed weights, which isn't everything, 244 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:15,400 Speaker 2: but from a size and weight perspective, he's basically smaller 245 00:12:15,440 --> 00:12:18,360 Speaker 2: than Devondre Campbell and that's pretty much it in terms 246 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:20,480 Speaker 2: of the inside linebackers. You know, he has three inches 247 00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:23,440 Speaker 2: on Isaiah McDuffie and also a couple pounds in the 248 00:12:23,520 --> 00:12:26,200 Speaker 2: listed category. And McDuffie, as we've seen, is a more 249 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:28,960 Speaker 2: than capable special teamer and then also been the MIC 250 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:31,760 Speaker 2: in a few instances too, So I get what the 251 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:34,040 Speaker 2: Packers we're getting at with this guy. The thing you 252 00:12:34,040 --> 00:12:36,160 Speaker 2: have to understand with the Packers, And I was thinking 253 00:12:36,160 --> 00:12:38,440 Speaker 2: about this long and hard when I was writing the story. 254 00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:42,440 Speaker 2: Whether it was Mike McCarthy or Matt Lafleur, I think 255 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 2: it's probably maybe a little bit more symblematic of the. 256 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:47,000 Speaker 3: Front office as well. 257 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 2: When the Packers bringing a guy that could potentially be 258 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 2: a tweener, they're going to play him at his college 259 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:53,920 Speaker 2: position first. That's just been the way they've done it, 260 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:55,560 Speaker 2: and then if they feel like there needs to be 261 00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:59,440 Speaker 2: an adjustment made, they'll do it after that and give 262 00:12:59,520 --> 00:13:02,480 Speaker 2: him an oppertunity to get comfortable at a new spot. 263 00:13:02,720 --> 00:13:05,679 Speaker 2: And for Touri Carpenter's standpoint, this has been a completely 264 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:08,679 Speaker 2: new language and education. He's in the same playbook, but 265 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:11,800 Speaker 2: he's basically reading it differently and there have been some 266 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:13,560 Speaker 2: rough times that have come along with that. But he 267 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:16,840 Speaker 2: credited Devondre Campbell for being an excellent resource for him, 268 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:19,320 Speaker 2: somebody that he can go to, whether it's just trying 269 00:13:19,320 --> 00:13:20,839 Speaker 2: to get advice, whether it's getting a little bit of 270 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:23,600 Speaker 2: a confidence boost, feeling like, you know, this can be 271 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:26,760 Speaker 2: his position. Because the other aspect of it is I 272 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:31,320 Speaker 2: think the Packers have a really elite prospect with special teams. 273 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:34,800 Speaker 2: His size is speed, everything you look for in a 274 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:38,240 Speaker 2: coverage in a flexible body type that can help you 275 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 2: in multiple phases, it's there With Touri Carpenter. It's mostly 276 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,360 Speaker 2: about now figuring out, Okay, where can we rep him 277 00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 2: defensively and as we learned with him playing a little 278 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:51,280 Speaker 2: bit outside linebacker last year, some of the techniques that 279 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:53,480 Speaker 2: you teach him at those defensive positions and how that 280 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:56,760 Speaker 2: can potentially help you on special teams, case in point, 281 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 2: outside linebacker, edge rush, also being a potential punt blocker. 282 00:14:00,320 --> 00:14:01,800 Speaker 3: All that stuff is married together. 283 00:14:01,920 --> 00:14:05,479 Speaker 2: So he's taken it right on head on this offseason, 284 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:08,160 Speaker 2: and if you look at it with them on of 285 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:11,040 Speaker 2: depth and experience, now that they have its safety in 286 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:13,599 Speaker 2: the fact in the inside linebacker room Chris Barnes was 287 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:16,520 Speaker 2: non tendered, the case can be made that the better 288 00:14:16,559 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 2: opportunity with making this fifty three resides in that ILB room. 289 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think so, and we certainly expect to see 290 00:14:23,520 --> 00:14:27,760 Speaker 1: Carpenter continue that special teams role. But it sounds like 291 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:31,040 Speaker 1: the young man is very excited about the positions which 292 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:33,840 Speaker 1: and the opportunity that maybe in front of him here 293 00:14:33,880 --> 00:14:37,440 Speaker 1: in his second season with Green Bay. One other player 294 00:14:37,440 --> 00:14:40,880 Speaker 1: I want to touch on before we sign off and 295 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:44,720 Speaker 1: get ready to head out to cover practice for a 296 00:14:44,760 --> 00:14:48,200 Speaker 1: mini camp, a veteran player. We haven't talked about him 297 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:51,640 Speaker 1: much this offseason. He's been, you know, somewhat quiet, but 298 00:14:51,680 --> 00:14:54,840 Speaker 1: he's always been a little bit quiet since he got here. 299 00:14:55,360 --> 00:14:59,520 Speaker 1: But now he's he really has established himself. He's an 300 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:02,480 Speaker 1: entrench defensive leader on this team. And we've talked about 301 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:05,360 Speaker 1: other guys in that regard, Kenny Clark j R. Alexander, 302 00:15:06,040 --> 00:15:09,680 Speaker 1: but Preston Smith is a guy I tell you. He 303 00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 1: spoke to reporters after practice last week, the one that 304 00:15:14,760 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 1: we attended, and there's absolutely nothing about Preston Smith that 305 00:15:20,200 --> 00:15:23,000 Speaker 1: would indicate that a he will shy away at all 306 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:27,200 Speaker 1: from the leadership responsibilities that are thrust upon him. But 307 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:32,240 Speaker 1: he also doesn't shy away from acknowledging that the defense 308 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:35,200 Speaker 1: came up short last year. And while he's not going 309 00:15:35,280 --> 00:15:38,800 Speaker 1: to go into you know what went wrong, chapter and verse, 310 00:15:38,840 --> 00:15:41,160 Speaker 1: he's not interested in the details and talking about it. 311 00:15:41,200 --> 00:15:43,240 Speaker 1: The players have all gone over it, they've gone over 312 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:49,880 Speaker 1: it with the coaches they know, and he's acknowledged the 313 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:54,800 Speaker 1: shortcomings on defense. But it's all about looking forward. It's 314 00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 1: not even it's not just putting last year in the 315 00:15:57,680 --> 00:16:00,480 Speaker 1: review mirror. It's like the review mirror doesn't even exist. 316 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:06,280 Speaker 1: And I can appreciate that approach because because Preston's Preston 317 00:16:06,320 --> 00:16:09,280 Speaker 1: Smith has has been there, done that in this league, 318 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:13,440 Speaker 1: right and he came in he you know, was sort 319 00:16:13,480 --> 00:16:16,560 Speaker 1: of second fiddled as Darius Smith and all the Smith bros. 320 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:18,560 Speaker 1: Things for a couple of years, which was which was 321 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:21,160 Speaker 1: great and all, but he's had to grow into a 322 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:23,840 Speaker 1: new role here in Green Bay and one that he 323 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:26,880 Speaker 1: didn't really have in Washington in the four years that 324 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:29,840 Speaker 1: he was there. And uh, and I think the young 325 00:16:29,880 --> 00:16:33,120 Speaker 1: players in that locker room, you know, appreciate where Preston 326 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:36,160 Speaker 1: Smith is coming from. And he even says that he 327 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 1: appreciates guys, you know, whether it's Kings, LeAnn Igbari or 328 00:16:40,640 --> 00:16:42,920 Speaker 1: Lucas van Ness, the new first round draft pick at 329 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:45,920 Speaker 1: his position coming to him and asking him questions, and 330 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 1: he feels good about being able to help these guys 331 00:16:48,400 --> 00:16:50,360 Speaker 1: out and not just send them back to the coach, 332 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:53,960 Speaker 1: uh to get to to get their answers. We're seeing 333 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:57,400 Speaker 1: that the evolution of a of a of a veteran 334 00:16:57,440 --> 00:17:01,080 Speaker 1: player who's embracing everything that the coaching staff and the 335 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:05,080 Speaker 1: front office is asking him to do. And it's been 336 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:07,359 Speaker 1: fun to watch and fun to get to know Preston Smith. 337 00:17:07,720 --> 00:17:08,600 Speaker 3: It really has Mike. 338 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:11,359 Speaker 2: And he's the guy too that he will be a captain, 339 00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:13,840 Speaker 2: he'll be a leader, and he doesn't necessarily just need 340 00:17:13,840 --> 00:17:15,600 Speaker 2: to wear the sea on his chest. Who knows, maybe 341 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 2: he will this season, but I mean he's a guy 342 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:20,600 Speaker 2: that I think silently behind closed doors, without drawing much 343 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:23,280 Speaker 2: attention to himself. He's been doing this since twenty nineteen. 344 00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:25,600 Speaker 2: I think we just caught onto it a little bit later. 345 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:28,439 Speaker 2: And now at this point in time, as you mentioned 346 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:30,800 Speaker 2: with that interview with media, he recognizes he is the 347 00:17:30,840 --> 00:17:34,240 Speaker 2: oldest player on defense and I think now what probably 348 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:37,440 Speaker 2: the third longest tenured player on the defensive side of 349 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:40,720 Speaker 2: the ball, behind Kenny Clark and jyr Alexander. So the 350 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:43,240 Speaker 2: responsibilities that go with that, he does not shy away 351 00:17:43,240 --> 00:17:45,440 Speaker 2: from them. And also, you know, just seeing the way 352 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 2: he interacts with the guys, you know, I'm working on 353 00:17:47,320 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 2: a little bit of a story on him right now 354 00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:51,120 Speaker 2: that I was waiting down the locker room to talk 355 00:17:51,160 --> 00:17:56,119 Speaker 2: with him about four about four, yeah, whatever, before I 356 00:17:56,200 --> 00:17:59,200 Speaker 2: came up here, and just seeing how he interacts with 357 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:04,160 Speaker 2: Darnell Savig and young players, veteran players. The guy really 358 00:18:04,200 --> 00:18:07,919 Speaker 2: can step into any conversation and hold his own and 359 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:11,040 Speaker 2: I think the relatability of him has been such a 360 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:12,080 Speaker 2: breath of fresh air for. 361 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:12,760 Speaker 3: This locker room. 362 00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:15,240 Speaker 2: And when you talk about making a big transition both 363 00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 2: defensively and as a football team, Preston Smith's gonna be 364 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:20,119 Speaker 2: a big part of that. The other thing I think 365 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:22,199 Speaker 2: that needs to be talked about very quickly is he's 366 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:23,879 Speaker 2: a guy that, when you look at the totality of 367 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:26,840 Speaker 2: his career, can be really hard to can be really easy, 368 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:29,920 Speaker 2: I should say, to overlook everything he's accomplished and achieved. 369 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:33,879 Speaker 2: When you talk about signing a free agent Mike, the 370 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 2: investment you're making and a guy coming into the building 371 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:39,000 Speaker 2: and you don't really maybe know him, I don't know 372 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:41,480 Speaker 2: if there's a better investment than Preston Smith. I mean 373 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:45,520 Speaker 2: a guy that has been in historically durable at a 374 00:18:45,560 --> 00:18:50,080 Speaker 2: position in which durability isn't always doesn't always go hand 375 00:18:50,119 --> 00:18:52,280 Speaker 2: in hand. And he's missed one game I think, and 376 00:18:52,359 --> 00:18:54,239 Speaker 2: during his time with the Packers to break up his 377 00:18:54,720 --> 00:18:56,879 Speaker 2: consecutive games played streak, which I think was around one 378 00:18:56,960 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 2: hundred or hundred and two. 379 00:18:58,080 --> 00:19:00,440 Speaker 1: So yeah, and that's the only game he missed in 380 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:03,639 Speaker 1: his entire career, including the four years and what and 381 00:19:03,680 --> 00:19:05,639 Speaker 1: he didn't he didn't want to miss it either. It 382 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:08,280 Speaker 1: you know, it really hurt him to have to miss 383 00:19:08,280 --> 00:19:10,560 Speaker 1: the game. Yeah, because he he takes he takes a 384 00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:12,920 Speaker 1: heck of a lot of pride in in that durability 385 00:19:12,920 --> 00:19:16,120 Speaker 1: and showing up for his teammates and his coaches every Sunday. 386 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:18,439 Speaker 1: And he's he's done that. He's done that now for 387 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:21,320 Speaker 1: eight years with only missing one game along the way. 388 00:19:21,359 --> 00:19:24,400 Speaker 1: It's pretty remarkable. And on top of that, I think 389 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:27,679 Speaker 1: including playoffs now he had I think he's up to 390 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:30,280 Speaker 1: sixty two sixty three sacks in his career if you 391 00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:34,560 Speaker 1: include his postseason numbers. So he's, uh, he's put together 392 00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:37,360 Speaker 1: quite a career. And and he's still going strong here 393 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:38,359 Speaker 1: in Green Bay by all. 394 00:19:38,280 --> 00:19:42,040 Speaker 2: Accounts, and as steady as they go from a performing standpoint. 395 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:45,160 Speaker 2: So the Packers obviously last year they lost for Sean Gary. 396 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:47,679 Speaker 2: That was a big hit. Preston stepped his game up, 397 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:50,080 Speaker 2: he stepped his leadership up to get the young guys 398 00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:52,560 Speaker 2: up to you know, to par being able to welcome 399 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:54,840 Speaker 2: in a guy like Justin Hollins and get him producing. 400 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:57,800 Speaker 2: And now this year you get Lucas Fanes in that room. 401 00:19:57,840 --> 00:19:59,360 Speaker 2: And as you said, Michael, when you want to learn 402 00:19:59,359 --> 00:20:01,760 Speaker 2: how to be a professor the National Football League and 403 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:04,240 Speaker 2: a young twenty one year old and impressiable kid like that, 404 00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:06,159 Speaker 2: I don't think you could find a better guy to 405 00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:08,040 Speaker 2: learn from than present Smith. Yeah. 406 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:11,239 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and I'll be excited to watch him. He did. 407 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:15,080 Speaker 1: He did also talk about sort of breaking that the 408 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:17,840 Speaker 1: curse of the even year odd year thing because of 409 00:20:17,880 --> 00:20:19,680 Speaker 1: the way his sacks attistic. 410 00:20:19,720 --> 00:20:22,440 Speaker 3: He said he was gonna do it his career and yeah. 411 00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:24,960 Speaker 1: And he did, because in twenty twenty two he had 412 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:26,880 Speaker 1: eight and a half sacks and he had not had 413 00:20:27,280 --> 00:20:30,359 Speaker 1: I believe his his high water mark in an even 414 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:33,280 Speaker 1: numbered year was like four and a half in his career, 415 00:20:33,320 --> 00:20:35,560 Speaker 1: and then all of his like nine sack and his 416 00:20:35,880 --> 00:20:38,119 Speaker 1: career high twelve sacks in Green Bay, those were all 417 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:41,680 Speaker 1: in the odd numbered years. Well, he finally got over 418 00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:43,840 Speaker 1: that hump, and he followed up a nine sacks season 419 00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:46,240 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty one with eight and a half sacks 420 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:48,840 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty two, So he feels like the curse 421 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:51,960 Speaker 1: is broken. That's it. It's it's done and over. 422 00:20:51,800 --> 00:20:53,760 Speaker 2: With, dude. And if you ever want a better example 423 00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:55,879 Speaker 2: of why sacks aren't the only thing to measure a 424 00:20:55,880 --> 00:20:58,560 Speaker 2: pass rusher on, go back to twenty nineteen and Brian 425 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:01,880 Speaker 2: Goodikuin signing him to a pretty lucrative contract right after 426 00:21:01,920 --> 00:21:03,960 Speaker 2: a four sack season in Washington. 427 00:21:03,880 --> 00:21:06,840 Speaker 1: One of the first free agents to sign. Yeah, amongst 428 00:21:06,920 --> 00:21:07,800 Speaker 1: amongst all of them. 429 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:10,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, Packers weren't. They weren't concerned about the sack total 430 00:21:10,840 --> 00:21:13,000 Speaker 2: that year. They liked what they saw from the pressure standpoint, 431 00:21:13,040 --> 00:21:15,159 Speaker 2: And certainly I think he's a guy that you know, 432 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:17,159 Speaker 2: you can always count on pressed and first production, in 433 00:21:17,160 --> 00:21:18,800 Speaker 2: addition to the fact that he always sets a pretty 434 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:19,400 Speaker 2: good edge too. 435 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:20,080 Speaker 3: Yeah. 436 00:21:20,119 --> 00:21:22,960 Speaker 1: Absolutely, he's uh, he's an all around player against the 437 00:21:23,040 --> 00:21:25,520 Speaker 1: run and against the pass. And as you said, steady 438 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:28,760 Speaker 1: as h steady as they come. So with that, we 439 00:21:28,880 --> 00:21:31,560 Speaker 1: will call it a rap on this edition of Packers Unscript. 440 00:21:31,560 --> 00:21:33,359 Speaker 1: You'd be sure to follow all of our coverage of 441 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:36,200 Speaker 1: the team's mini camp this week as the offseason program 442 00:21:36,240 --> 00:21:38,520 Speaker 1: wraps up. We will have it all for you on 443 00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:41,480 Speaker 1: packers dot com for wes I and Mike. Thank you 444 00:21:41,560 --> 00:21:44,359 Speaker 1: for tuning in everybody, and we will see you next time.