1 00:00:00,920 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: Hi, everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:24,440 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford. He is my trusted colleague West Hodkoits. 3 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:27,320 Speaker 1: We're coming to you here from our studios at lambeau 4 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:30,240 Speaker 1: Field and West. Now that week one is out of 5 00:00:30,240 --> 00:00:32,640 Speaker 1: the way and a Thursday night opener and a different 6 00:00:32,680 --> 00:00:36,040 Speaker 1: schedule and all that, Okay, we're into week two. We 7 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:38,959 Speaker 1: need to start getting into our routine, which means our 8 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:43,960 Speaker 1: midweek show, our Wednesday is the official look at the 9 00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:47,839 Speaker 1: upcoming opponent, and in this case, that's the Minnesota Vikings 10 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 1: coming to lambeau Field Sunday afternoon four, the Packers home opener. 11 00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: And when you take a look at this Vikings team, 12 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:56,920 Speaker 1: I know we talked a couple of days ago about 13 00:00:56,960 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 1: their Week one victory over the Falcons, but I know 14 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:02,880 Speaker 1: last year when we were previewing the Vikings, it was 15 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:06,480 Speaker 1: all about Kirk Cousins, the new quarterback, the big contract 16 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 1: and all that. When you look at this Vikings offense, 17 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:12,880 Speaker 1: at least what we've seen through one game, it doesn't 18 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:15,680 Speaker 1: start with Kirk Cousins. It starts with Dalvin Cook. Yeah, 19 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:18,839 Speaker 1: and it's weird because it was funny. I was working 20 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:21,560 Speaker 1: on the game program for this week, and there's a 21 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 1: part of it called in the league rankings where it's 22 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 1: matching up how the Packers are faring against their opponent. 23 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 1: This is the first time in all my years doing 24 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 1: this where Kirk Cousins didn't throw enough passes to qualify 25 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:36,040 Speaker 1: for the ranking. So there's actually just an end queue 26 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:38,679 Speaker 1: next to the past or section for the Vikings with 27 00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 1: their offense. Yea ten pass attempts doesn't get you onto 28 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:44,640 Speaker 1: the leaderboard. Eight of ten for ninety eight yards ninety 29 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:47,520 Speaker 1: seven total passing yards to count in the minus one 30 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 1: yard sack. Not what you're expecting. But at the same time, 31 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:53,320 Speaker 1: you know, you look at the way that this offense 32 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 1: was structured in the opponent that they were facing. I think, 33 00:01:57,480 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 1: you know, Mike Zimmer and the Vikings, they felt like 34 00:01:59,560 --> 00:02:01,760 Speaker 1: there was a big opportunity there to run the football. 35 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:04,200 Speaker 1: Dalvin Cook is now a year removed from that a 36 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:07,560 Speaker 1: c L came back strong last season, and you know, 37 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 1: they hitch their wagon to him again. Regardless of who 38 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 1: the quarterback has been over the last years for the Vikings, 39 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:17,600 Speaker 1: the most effective teams have had a solid running back 40 00:02:17,639 --> 00:02:19,760 Speaker 1: in that backfield, and I think there's a lot of 41 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:22,239 Speaker 1: you know, hope that for Minnesota for years to come. 42 00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:24,680 Speaker 1: That guy's Delvin Cook. Well, it's interesting to me because 43 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:29,680 Speaker 1: it's almost as though Mike Zimmer, who's a defensive minded 44 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:32,760 Speaker 1: head coach. Obviously he's had his conflicts over the years 45 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 1: with his offensive coordinators as far as philosophy and play 46 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 1: calling and all of that. It's almost as though Mike 47 00:02:39,639 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 1: Zimmer maybe finally has the offense that he wants to run, 48 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 1: he wants to pound the ball on the ground, he 49 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:48,079 Speaker 1: wants to play defense, he doesn't want to get into 50 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 1: shootouts with teams that kind of thing. Now, can you 51 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 1: do that for an entire sixteen games? You know, I 52 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 1: don't know. We'll see how that goes. But the other 53 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:00,360 Speaker 1: part of it is, obviously any head coach would love 54 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 1: to get out to a twenty one nothing lead with 55 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:05,080 Speaker 1: five minutes left in the second quarter and from that 56 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:07,799 Speaker 1: point on the rest of the game, Kirk Cousins only 57 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:10,240 Speaker 1: through three passes. He had seven pass attempts through the 58 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:11,960 Speaker 1: first quarter and a half, and then they just didn't 59 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:14,959 Speaker 1: throw the ball at all after that. So the game 60 00:03:15,280 --> 00:03:18,080 Speaker 1: against the Falcons, the flow of the game dictated some 61 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:20,680 Speaker 1: of the way the statistics went and how it all 62 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:25,040 Speaker 1: got skewed. But I do think Mike Zimmer with Dalvin 63 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:27,799 Speaker 1: Cook has his number one and with the rookie from 64 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:31,639 Speaker 1: Boise State Madison, I forget his Alexander. I was trying 65 00:03:31,639 --> 00:03:34,639 Speaker 1: to remember his first name, Alexander Madison, third round draft pick, 66 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 1: I believe from Boise State. Those two guys as a 67 00:03:37,640 --> 00:03:41,160 Speaker 1: very young, dynamic one two punch in the backfield. This 68 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 1: is this is how Mike Zimmer wants to play off. 69 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:44,680 Speaker 1: And well, I'm glad you brought that up. Because Delvin 70 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:47,080 Speaker 1: Cook had twenty one carries for a hundred and eleven yards. 71 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:49,440 Speaker 1: His only his longest was only twenty two, So that 72 00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: shows he was just really steady production. He wasn't getting halted. 73 00:03:52,560 --> 00:03:54,880 Speaker 1: But when Madison came in to spell him nine forty 74 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:57,880 Speaker 1: nine in average four point three yards per clip. That's 75 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:00,360 Speaker 1: a solid average, and you can see why if you're 76 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,360 Speaker 1: getting that kind of ground production and consistent ground production, 77 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 1: you don't want to put the ball back in the air. 78 00:04:05,760 --> 00:04:07,400 Speaker 1: If you're gonna give you, if they're gonna give you 79 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 1: five six yards a run, you're going to take that. Now, 80 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:12,920 Speaker 1: the other side of it is there has to be 81 00:04:12,960 --> 00:04:15,320 Speaker 1: given take. They aren't going to throw the ball hundred 82 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 1: sixty times this year with Kirk Cousins. There are going 83 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 1: to be games where they're gonna need to rely on that. 84 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:22,720 Speaker 1: So that, to me is still the biggest question mark 85 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:25,240 Speaker 1: right now for this Vikings offense is that you know, 86 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:29,000 Speaker 1: Cousins statistically was fine last season, but I think there 87 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:30,599 Speaker 1: was a lot of people when you talked about the 88 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 1: play calling earlier in the season last year, there's a 89 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:34,640 Speaker 1: lot of folks that just thought he was going to 90 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:37,080 Speaker 1: go into Minnesota with all the hype, you know, all 91 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 1: the four thousand, you know, five d six hundred yard 92 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 1: passing years in Washington and just like the you know, 93 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:45,279 Speaker 1: the night sky on fire, and it didn't work out 94 00:04:45,320 --> 00:04:47,760 Speaker 1: that way. Speaking for a number of different factors, but 95 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:50,919 Speaker 1: if they have I think everybody understands Kirk Cousins is 96 00:04:50,920 --> 00:04:53,239 Speaker 1: the starting quarterback in this league. Is he an elite 97 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:56,600 Speaker 1: one that's a different debate. But if you compare a 98 00:04:56,680 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 1: running game with him, that's gonna, you know, be what 99 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:01,760 Speaker 1: give is the Vikings their biggest chance here in the 100 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:03,920 Speaker 1: long run? Yeah. Well, and we've seen in the past, 101 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:06,760 Speaker 1: whether it's been Kirk Cousins or Sam Bradford or other 102 00:05:06,839 --> 00:05:10,239 Speaker 1: quarterbacks for the Vikings. This pair of wide receiver Stefon 103 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:12,400 Speaker 1: Diggs and Adam Theland, I don't know you can rank 104 00:05:12,440 --> 00:05:15,240 Speaker 1: them however you want one to to one, but those 105 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:17,520 Speaker 1: two guys, and I take nothing away from the Packers 106 00:05:17,520 --> 00:05:19,760 Speaker 1: and Davante Adams as a number one, but you know, 107 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:23,920 Speaker 1: not necessarily a fully proven Pro Bowl caliber number two. 108 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:26,839 Speaker 1: The Vikings have this pair that I I think is 109 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:30,240 Speaker 1: clearly the top one two in the NFC North in 110 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:33,600 Speaker 1: terms of that position. And uh and we've seen each 111 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:36,599 Speaker 1: of these guys have big games against Green Bay in 112 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:39,839 Speaker 1: the past. If I mean the Packers can, you can't. 113 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:42,640 Speaker 1: My point is you can't just completely sell out to 114 00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:46,200 Speaker 1: stop Dalvin Cook because Theeling and Diggs and tight end 115 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 1: Kyle Rudolph, with an experienced quarterback like Cousins, they'll find 116 00:05:49,279 --> 00:05:51,760 Speaker 1: another way to move the football. I did a interview 117 00:05:51,839 --> 00:05:54,720 Speaker 1: with the wonderful people over at Vikings dot com this week, 118 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:57,360 Speaker 1: and I said, my biggest key to victory in this game, 119 00:05:57,400 --> 00:05:59,440 Speaker 1: and we'll talk about the defense and everything for the 120 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:02,400 Speaker 1: Packers here shortly, uh here in terms of the Vikings 121 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 1: defense versus Davante Adams. But my biggest thing is going 122 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:07,839 Speaker 1: to be Adam Feeling versus what Mike Petton wants to 123 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:10,160 Speaker 1: do to defend him, and then Mike Zimmer and how 124 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:12,760 Speaker 1: he wants to defend Davante Adams. Which cornerback is going 125 00:06:12,800 --> 00:06:14,480 Speaker 1: to see him? How much shade are you're gonna be 126 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:16,720 Speaker 1: throwing his way with the with the coverage over the top. 127 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:19,960 Speaker 1: To me, you ask one A one B Stefon Diggs 128 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:22,080 Speaker 1: is a fine receiver. He's a good receiver and he 129 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:25,120 Speaker 1: fits this offense well. Adam Feeling is on the border 130 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:27,760 Speaker 1: of elite now with the season he had a year ago, 131 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:31,920 Speaker 1: a hundred and thirteen catches, seventy two yards, nine touchdowns. 132 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 1: Michael the guy has over two catches the last two 133 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:38,720 Speaker 1: years combined. He's been durable. Um. You know when you 134 00:06:38,800 --> 00:06:42,480 Speaker 1: talk about undrafted success stories and you know in guys 135 00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 1: coming from small schools, um, you know, kind of coming 136 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 1: out of nowhere. I mean, Adam Feeling is that guy Minnesota, 137 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:51,919 Speaker 1: and it's sort of one of those things where you 138 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 1: almost wonder if he was in a state school with 139 00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:57,039 Speaker 1: the Vikings have even taken a look. I mean, where 140 00:06:57,080 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 1: would this guy have ended up? The cream ultimately rise 141 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:01,720 Speaker 1: to the top in this league. But the Vikings gave 142 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:03,800 Speaker 1: him that opportunity. They allowed him to grow for two 143 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:07,280 Speaker 1: seasons and he's really blossomed into a special receiver. And 144 00:07:07,320 --> 00:07:09,520 Speaker 1: I think the ultimate credit to both him and Diggs 145 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 1: as they've been able to have success regardless of who 146 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:14,720 Speaker 1: the quarterback has been, you know, regardless of as if 147 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:19,560 Speaker 1: it was case Keenum uh Sam Bradford, Kirk Cousins, Teddy Bridgewater. 148 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:23,280 Speaker 1: They've found ways to be effective and it's definitely gonna 149 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:24,720 Speaker 1: be something that the Packers are gonna have to take 150 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 1: a big look at with how they want to defend 151 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 1: those two guys. Yeah, well, as much as the Vikings 152 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:33,760 Speaker 1: have put together obviously their skill positions, their perimeter guys, 153 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:36,200 Speaker 1: and Stefon Diggs being a fifth round draft pick wasn't 154 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:39,840 Speaker 1: exactly highly thought of coming out of college either, But 155 00:07:39,840 --> 00:07:42,239 Speaker 1: but the Vikings have put it together there. The question 156 00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:45,320 Speaker 1: with this offense is always the offensive line. They've had 157 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:48,240 Speaker 1: changes in personnel over the years. They've had some good years, 158 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:50,760 Speaker 1: they've had some bad years. They've they've dealt with injuries, 159 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:53,480 Speaker 1: just like every team does. You look at how things 160 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:56,480 Speaker 1: went last week. Obviously they ran the ball really really well. 161 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 1: Credit to their offensive line for that. But even in 162 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:02,800 Speaker 1: just the ten past attempts that Kirk Cousins had, he 163 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:07,000 Speaker 1: was sacked once. I believe PFF had had like five 164 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 1: pressures from Atlanta's defensive front on just the ten pass attempts. 165 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 1: So probably what Zimmer is going to be trying to 166 00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:18,239 Speaker 1: figure out, along with his offensive coaches, is Okay, can 167 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:20,440 Speaker 1: we run the ball the way we want to and 168 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:22,760 Speaker 1: have that type of offensive line, but can we also 169 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:25,720 Speaker 1: protect our quarterback when we need to throw the ball. 170 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:28,240 Speaker 1: They weren't challenged in that way because they didn't need 171 00:08:28,280 --> 00:08:31,520 Speaker 1: to throw it against Atlanta. UM we'll find out here 172 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:33,839 Speaker 1: on Sunday at Lambo if that changes. Nobody will ever 173 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:36,679 Speaker 1: talk about what their weaknesses are. Teams just don't use 174 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 1: that kind of language. But you can always tell where 175 00:08:39,800 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 1: the emphasis is based on how teams draft. In the Vikings, 176 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 1: there has been a heavy emphasis on the offensive line 177 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:48,200 Speaker 1: over the last few years. Certainly Riley Reef was a 178 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:50,840 Speaker 1: big signing from them coming over from Detroit, but you 179 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:53,080 Speaker 1: look at him like Garrett Bradberry this past year was 180 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:55,240 Speaker 1: a first round pick. Pat alf Line was a third 181 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:58,000 Speaker 1: round or two years ago. Brian O'Neil they're starting right 182 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:01,240 Speaker 1: tackle was a second rounder last year, Drew Samia. They 183 00:09:01,320 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 1: drafted this year in the fourth round. They took four offensive, 184 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:08,160 Speaker 1: three offensive linemen in this draft, and they want to 185 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:11,760 Speaker 1: be able to give Kirk Cousins, give Dalvin Cook the 186 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:14,800 Speaker 1: type of line that's gonna allow them to make plays. Now, 187 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:16,719 Speaker 1: it's gonna be a work in progress. It's a very 188 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:19,040 Speaker 1: young line for the most part. This isn't that veteran 189 00:09:19,040 --> 00:09:21,640 Speaker 1: group that you saw from five six years ago. So 190 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:25,079 Speaker 1: seeing how they weather this season, especially early on here, 191 00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:27,120 Speaker 1: if they do give up some pressures, is going to 192 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:30,280 Speaker 1: be something to watch. But certainly from the Packers perspective, 193 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 1: after the performance that they had last week with you know, 194 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:35,840 Speaker 1: all the sacks, all the pressures, all the quarterback hits 195 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:38,880 Speaker 1: on Mitchell Trubisky, the Smith's Kenny Clark, they want to 196 00:09:38,880 --> 00:09:40,560 Speaker 1: be able to keep that momentum in this game now 197 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:42,719 Speaker 1: against Minnesota. All right, Well, before we get to the 198 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:45,800 Speaker 1: Vikings defense, will take care of a little sponsor business here. 199 00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:49,960 Speaker 1: Select Cousin Subs locations are now offering delivery. Whether you're 200 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:53,200 Speaker 1: ordering catering or your favorite sub They're delivering right to 201 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:56,360 Speaker 1: you when you order online at cousin subs dot Com 202 00:09:56,400 --> 00:10:01,520 Speaker 1: cousin Subs. We believe in better. Okay, Minneso does defense. Wes. 203 00:10:01,559 --> 00:10:05,000 Speaker 1: We've talked over the years on this show about Xavier 204 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:08,360 Speaker 1: Rhodes and Harrison Smith in that secondary. I think you 205 00:10:08,400 --> 00:10:11,640 Speaker 1: know two guys who at cornerback and safety respectively, are 206 00:10:11,679 --> 00:10:15,440 Speaker 1: two of the elite players in this entire league. Suddenly, 207 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:19,160 Speaker 1: now Anthony Harris two interceptions of Matt Ryan, he's the 208 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:23,640 Speaker 1: reigning NFC defensive Player of the Week. Um, that's uh, 209 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:27,319 Speaker 1: that's a pretty nice addition to uh, some really established 210 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:31,160 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl caliber players. Rick Spielman. Offensively, they've gone through 211 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:33,240 Speaker 1: a lot in the last few years, trying to find 212 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:36,200 Speaker 1: the right quarterback, trying to find their running back. Obviously, 213 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:39,320 Speaker 1: as we just talked about the offensive line. To me, though, 214 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 1: I don't know if there's a better blueprint right now 215 00:10:41,559 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 1: in the NFL. Maybe it's what Chicago has done, but 216 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:46,599 Speaker 1: for the most part, a better blueprint than what Minnesota 217 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:50,240 Speaker 1: has done with their defense over the last five six years. Um, 218 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:52,680 Speaker 1: you look at their their starters, Mike, you see a 219 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:54,760 Speaker 1: lot of numbers. You don't see a lot of FA's. 220 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:57,679 Speaker 1: I mean, these they found guys, they developed guys and 221 00:10:57,720 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 1: they become playmakers. And then you get Anthony Harris who 222 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:02,200 Speaker 1: was a college free agent four years ago and now 223 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 1: he's making big plays next to Harrison Smith. That's what 224 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:06,800 Speaker 1: you want to do, That's how you want to draw 225 00:11:06,840 --> 00:11:09,520 Speaker 1: it up. And again, it's just it's not an easy out. 226 00:11:09,760 --> 00:11:11,600 Speaker 1: I was again that same interview I was doing with 227 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:14,240 Speaker 1: the Vikings people. You know, last week was tough for 228 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:16,880 Speaker 1: the Packers, trying to get the offense going, trying to 229 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:19,600 Speaker 1: get the ground game moving, getting some of the downfield 230 00:11:19,600 --> 00:11:23,560 Speaker 1: past stuff going. This week doesn't get any easier. The 231 00:11:23,679 --> 00:11:26,559 Speaker 1: Vikings are veteran. You have a you have a group 232 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:28,439 Speaker 1: that has worked together and played together for so long. 233 00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:30,760 Speaker 1: I mean, look at Anthony Barr Mike. I mean, there 234 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:32,360 Speaker 1: was the reports that he was out of town and 235 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:34,640 Speaker 1: then he wanted to come back. You don't see that 236 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:37,560 Speaker 1: kind of stuff every year because of the culture, the chemistry, 237 00:11:37,880 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 1: and the success that that defense has built. And he 238 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:42,560 Speaker 1: goes and buries Matt Ryan like early in the game, 239 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:44,679 Speaker 1: gets a big sack and you know, kind of kind 240 00:11:44,679 --> 00:11:46,679 Speaker 1: of the big welcome back, We're glad you're still here 241 00:11:46,760 --> 00:11:48,720 Speaker 1: kind of thing from the Vikings fans. And you've got 242 00:11:48,720 --> 00:11:51,880 Speaker 1: the maestro in Mike Zimmer, still coordinating this whole thing, 243 00:11:51,960 --> 00:11:54,040 Speaker 1: still calling the plays a defensively one of the most 244 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:56,480 Speaker 1: difficult jobs I think in all event at the NFL, 245 00:11:57,080 --> 00:12:01,120 Speaker 1: and the Vikings are still who everyone thinks there. Yeah. 246 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:04,720 Speaker 1: The the interesting thing to me because I was asked 247 00:12:04,760 --> 00:12:07,120 Speaker 1: this in our inside or inbox and I'll give you 248 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:09,120 Speaker 1: what my take on it was, and you can either 249 00:12:09,160 --> 00:12:11,920 Speaker 1: agree or disagree. But one of the readers asked me, Okay, 250 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 1: so what's the difference between the Bears defense and the 251 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:17,199 Speaker 1: Vikings defense. Everybody said, you know, everybody knows both units 252 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:19,120 Speaker 1: are good. You know this and that. The way I 253 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:22,520 Speaker 1: characterize it is, I feel like the Bears are a 254 00:12:22,559 --> 00:12:26,640 Speaker 1: defense that plays everything much more straight up. Uh, they 255 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:29,240 Speaker 1: don't blitz a lot. It's they rely on their front 256 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:33,080 Speaker 1: four to get pressure. But with the Vikings and this 257 00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:35,200 Speaker 1: isn't I'm not saying this is like a knock on them, 258 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:38,400 Speaker 1: because they get the results they're looking for. But the Vikings, 259 00:12:38,440 --> 00:12:40,360 Speaker 1: to me, they always strike me as a much more 260 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:43,320 Speaker 1: exotic unit. They're gonna give you, They're gonna give you 261 00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 1: crazy fronts and different looks. And when you're talking about 262 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:49,520 Speaker 1: those guys up front, Everson Griffin and Daniel Hunter and 263 00:12:49,960 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 1: Anthony Barr and all those guys in the in the 264 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:56,440 Speaker 1: front seven. They just do a lot more of the 265 00:12:56,520 --> 00:12:59,880 Speaker 1: different stuff with all those guys, whereas the whereas the Bears, 266 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:02,079 Speaker 1: you know, play it kind of straight. The other thing 267 00:13:02,080 --> 00:13:03,880 Speaker 1: that I would say is a difference when you look 268 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:06,800 Speaker 1: at last year in particular, the Vikings only had I 269 00:13:06,880 --> 00:13:09,199 Speaker 1: believe it was about twenty takeaways last year, which was 270 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:12,199 Speaker 1: a low number for them, and defensively that was part 271 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:14,160 Speaker 1: of the reason they weren't able to get back to 272 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:19,080 Speaker 1: the playoffs and repeat their success from seventeen, whereas the 273 00:13:19,120 --> 00:13:21,880 Speaker 1: Bears defense obviously was was tops in the league and 274 00:13:22,080 --> 00:13:25,960 Speaker 1: takeaways a year ago. But don't sleep on this Vikings 275 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:29,120 Speaker 1: defense when it comes to turnovers because they can certainly, 276 00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:31,360 Speaker 1: they certainly done that in the past, and they have 277 00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:34,520 Speaker 1: the veteran players who have the track record over a 278 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:36,840 Speaker 1: long period of time of doing that. Yeah, it's organized 279 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:39,520 Speaker 1: chaos is the way I've always described Mike zimmers scheme, 280 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:41,800 Speaker 1: and that goes back to his time with Cincinnati. The 281 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 1: Packers saw him plenty back then as well, and then 282 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:46,959 Speaker 1: certainly he became a fixture in this division due in 283 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:49,679 Speaker 1: part to the fact that they you know, if you're 284 00:13:49,679 --> 00:13:52,040 Speaker 1: the Vikings, if you're the Lions, if you're the Bears, 285 00:13:52,080 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 1: you know you need to have a good, solid defense 286 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:56,440 Speaker 1: and a good scheme when you're facing here in Rodgers 287 00:13:56,440 --> 00:13:58,360 Speaker 1: twice a year and you're competing with him and his 288 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:01,880 Speaker 1: teams to win a division title. What I really like though, 289 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:04,679 Speaker 1: that I think we've seen the last few years with 290 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 1: Minnesota with them being able to cultivate their talent. You know, 291 00:14:08,559 --> 00:14:10,960 Speaker 1: when they had a hole, they went and signed Lenville Joseph. 292 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:13,040 Speaker 1: That worked out great for them at nose tackle the 293 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:15,960 Speaker 1: last four years now. But what I really like is 294 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:18,360 Speaker 1: now you have a bunch of players that are immersed 295 00:14:18,360 --> 00:14:21,360 Speaker 1: in Mike Zimmer's scheme, much like where the Cincinnati Bengals 296 00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:23,320 Speaker 1: were at before we got the head coaching job. With 297 00:14:23,360 --> 00:14:26,200 Speaker 1: the Vikings, they just they got guys that believe in it, 298 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:28,440 Speaker 1: they understand it. And Yeah, I think you laid that 299 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:31,520 Speaker 1: out perfectly to the common earn that is asking that question. 300 00:14:31,880 --> 00:14:33,240 Speaker 1: We'll see in the longer and what they want to 301 00:14:33,280 --> 00:14:36,040 Speaker 1: do with Chuck Pagano and how what his influence is 302 00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:38,680 Speaker 1: going to be on that defense. But Dick Fangio's whole 303 00:14:38,720 --> 00:14:41,040 Speaker 1: thing was to get pressure with your front, not have 304 00:14:41,120 --> 00:14:43,520 Speaker 1: to sell out and keep guys back. The thing that 305 00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:45,080 Speaker 1: you're going to see with the Vikings that we see 306 00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:47,360 Speaker 1: every single time is that pressure is gonna come from everywhere. 307 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:48,800 Speaker 1: It's gonna come from the safety is, it's going to 308 00:14:48,880 --> 00:14:51,200 Speaker 1: come from the inside. Linebackers all built out of a 309 00:14:51,240 --> 00:14:55,760 Speaker 1: four three front. It's it's something that has given every 310 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:59,080 Speaker 1: quarterback in this league fits and and certainly been a 311 00:14:59,160 --> 00:15:01,880 Speaker 1: challenge here for the past with you know this first 312 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:05,560 Speaker 1: or the second game now for offense. Yeah, well, certainly 313 00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 1: in looking at the turnover department the Atlanta Falcons I 314 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:11,840 Speaker 1: mentioned a couple of days ago, they had chances to 315 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:14,520 Speaker 1: get back into that game in the second half. They 316 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:17,360 Speaker 1: were putting drives together and moving the ball, and then 317 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:20,320 Speaker 1: Matt Ryan made a couple of really poor decisions that 318 00:15:20,360 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 1: resulted in interceptions, and and then they couldn't get back 319 00:15:23,360 --> 00:15:26,520 Speaker 1: in the game, um to give themselves a shot there. 320 00:15:26,560 --> 00:15:30,600 Speaker 1: So the turnover thing is uh is definitely something with 321 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:34,120 Speaker 1: with this Vikings defense. They've always seemed to be more 322 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:37,040 Speaker 1: of a turnover type defense when they play at home 323 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:40,160 Speaker 1: versus on the road for whatever reason. But that being said, 324 00:15:40,520 --> 00:15:43,920 Speaker 1: the way Aaron Rodgers protected the football. Got sacked a 325 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:46,040 Speaker 1: handful of times against the Bears, but for the most 326 00:15:46,040 --> 00:15:48,200 Speaker 1: party protected the football. I think it only came out 327 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:52,160 Speaker 1: maybe the one time on the scramble from from ha ha. 328 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:55,240 Speaker 1: But but aside from that, you know, the Packers really 329 00:15:55,240 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 1: did protect the football well against the Bears, and and 330 00:15:57,720 --> 00:15:59,920 Speaker 1: that needs to continue. One other thing I need to 331 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:03,160 Speaker 1: ask you about, though, Get me up to date on 332 00:16:03,280 --> 00:16:06,520 Speaker 1: where the kicking situation is with the Minnesota Vikings, both 333 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:09,840 Speaker 1: both kicker and punter, because the news over the last 334 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:12,320 Speaker 1: couple of days now in the NFL is the guy 335 00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:15,040 Speaker 1: that the Vikings traded a fifth round pick four in 336 00:16:15,160 --> 00:16:18,840 Speaker 1: training camp and then they cut. He ended up getting 337 00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:21,720 Speaker 1: cut now by the New York Jets, and now the 338 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:24,720 Speaker 1: Jets have signed Sam Ficken, who was in Green Bay 339 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:26,960 Speaker 1: and training camp and trying to win the job for 340 00:16:27,080 --> 00:16:29,640 Speaker 1: Mason Crosby. He's now the kicker for the New York 341 00:16:29,720 --> 00:16:34,960 Speaker 1: Jets and the Vikings stuck with Dan Bailey. All right, Hey, 342 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:38,200 Speaker 1: I'm keeping up. Anyone that ever bothers me, I should say, 343 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:40,600 Speaker 1: bothers that has such a negative connotation. Anybody that ever 344 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:44,240 Speaker 1: asked me about making a change at kicker in the 345 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:47,280 Speaker 1: middle of training camp and was Mason Crosby and Jeopardy. 346 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:49,960 Speaker 1: I just want to roll that fifteen second clip there. 347 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:53,480 Speaker 1: You explain what happened with the Vikings, with the Jets 348 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:56,120 Speaker 1: and everybody else in between. When you make a change 349 00:16:56,120 --> 00:16:59,280 Speaker 1: that late in the process. I'll say this about the Vikings. 350 00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:02,280 Speaker 1: They traded the a fround pick for I think it's 351 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:06,520 Speaker 1: carry vedvik He was a really sought after, highly regarded 352 00:17:06,840 --> 00:17:09,560 Speaker 1: kicker slash punter from the Baltimore Ravens. But if you 353 00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:12,000 Speaker 1: know anything about Baltimore, they probably have the best special 354 00:17:12,040 --> 00:17:13,680 Speaker 1: teams in the leagues. There wasn't a place for him. 355 00:17:13,840 --> 00:17:16,760 Speaker 1: He gets traded to Minnesota. It doesn't work out. Dan 356 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:19,920 Speaker 1: Bailey hit of his kicks last year. They decided to 357 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:21,840 Speaker 1: keep stick with them this year. I think they made 358 00:17:21,880 --> 00:17:24,800 Speaker 1: the right decision sticking with him now. But the domino 359 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:27,600 Speaker 1: effect of all that was that now Sam Ficken ends 360 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:30,359 Speaker 1: up in New York because Vedvick ended up there and 361 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:32,480 Speaker 1: it didn't work out. Oh and then, by the way, 362 00:17:32,560 --> 00:17:35,760 Speaker 1: Britain cole Quit now is the punter for They made 363 00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:37,600 Speaker 1: They made a change that right at the end of 364 00:17:37,640 --> 00:17:39,879 Speaker 1: the preseason. Right, Yeah, So the guy that they had 365 00:17:39,880 --> 00:17:41,959 Speaker 1: to think. It was Matt Wiley. They cut him when 366 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:45,119 Speaker 1: cole Quit became available, and now Britain cole kits their punter. 367 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 1: So some changes there, some shifting tides. I'll say this, 368 00:17:48,920 --> 00:17:51,359 Speaker 1: and I remember talking with Mason Crosby about this several 369 00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:54,359 Speaker 1: years ago, when you know, Tim Masty was was playing 370 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:55,760 Speaker 1: the way he was and Brett good was in the 371 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:58,719 Speaker 1: middle of his career. When you have stable special teams 372 00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:02,000 Speaker 1: that goes so far in terms of the specialist position, 373 00:18:02,040 --> 00:18:05,040 Speaker 1: that goes so far and solidifying your entire unit, I 374 00:18:05,080 --> 00:18:06,960 Speaker 1: feel like the Vikings are trying to get there, but 375 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:09,919 Speaker 1: they're still trying to find ways to improve. How that 376 00:18:09,960 --> 00:18:11,720 Speaker 1: is gonna end up shuffling out is gonna be really 377 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:13,640 Speaker 1: interesting to watch because I think if you go back 378 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:17,400 Speaker 1: over these last four years now from Minnesota, it's been 379 00:18:17,440 --> 00:18:20,120 Speaker 1: their defense, it's been their offense, and then it's been 380 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:23,360 Speaker 1: special teams way down below in terms of what phases 381 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:25,879 Speaker 1: have been in like the pecking order. They want to 382 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:28,679 Speaker 1: get more consistency there. I think Mike Zimmers trying to 383 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:31,080 Speaker 1: display more patients with it. Did they get a new 384 00:18:31,119 --> 00:18:35,080 Speaker 1: coordinator on special teams believe so? I can also hiring 385 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:37,239 Speaker 1: like a kicking specialist too. Yeah. They I think they 386 00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:39,360 Speaker 1: were working on that as well. Ye be that as 387 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:41,560 Speaker 1: it may. This is where things stand right now. Dan 388 00:18:41,600 --> 00:18:43,720 Speaker 1: Bailey will be the kicker, certainly, the Packers have seen 389 00:18:43,720 --> 00:18:46,240 Speaker 1: a lot of him over the years, and Britain coule 390 00:18:46,280 --> 00:18:48,880 Speaker 1: Quick as the punter. Well, when you mentioned special teams 391 00:18:48,880 --> 00:18:51,560 Speaker 1: in general, the Vikings did start that game against the 392 00:18:51,600 --> 00:18:54,800 Speaker 1: Falcons with a block punt they did not, which which 393 00:18:54,840 --> 00:18:57,480 Speaker 1: got them off to a great start in that phase. So, 394 00:18:57,520 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 1: as you say, if they're trying to bring their special 395 00:19:00,200 --> 00:19:02,760 Speaker 1: teams back up to another level, regardless of who's doing 396 00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 1: the kicking and the punting, when you get a block 397 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:08,879 Speaker 1: punt in week one, that puts everybody on notice that 398 00:19:08,880 --> 00:19:11,359 Speaker 1: that is playing you. That's like, hey, all right, we 399 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:13,600 Speaker 1: gotta we gotta see what they're doing scheme wise here. 400 00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:16,359 Speaker 1: We gotta figure this out because those are those those 401 00:19:16,359 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 1: types of plays on special teams are just as good 402 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:20,479 Speaker 1: as turnovers, absolutely. Yeah. And the other thing to keep 403 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:22,960 Speaker 1: an eye on two uh. They you know so many 404 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:25,000 Speaker 1: years you when the Packers would play the Vikings are 405 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:27,800 Speaker 1: always concerned about the returner. Not saying that you aren't now, 406 00:19:27,840 --> 00:19:30,000 Speaker 1: but a mere Abdulah is actually resurfaced now is their 407 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:32,800 Speaker 1: kickoff and punt returner. That's right, he's their number three 408 00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:35,680 Speaker 1: running back. Former Detroit Lions running back is now their 409 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:38,800 Speaker 1: their returner. After so many years of the Packers, you know, 410 00:19:38,880 --> 00:19:41,440 Speaker 1: obviously having some big battles there as well in that 411 00:19:41,640 --> 00:19:44,040 Speaker 1: phase of the game with Minnesota. All right, Well, with that, 412 00:19:44,359 --> 00:19:46,159 Speaker 1: we will call it a wrap on this edition of 413 00:19:46,240 --> 00:19:49,200 Speaker 1: Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of our coverage 414 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:52,000 Speaker 1: of the team on Packers dot com. You can subscribe 415 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:55,040 Speaker 1: to us like us on iTunes and other podcast services. 416 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:58,679 Speaker 1: If you'd prefer not to look at our faces on Twitter, 417 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:01,480 Speaker 1: he's a West Hot I'm at Mike Spofford at Packers 418 00:20:01,520 --> 00:20:04,040 Speaker 1: for the team account. Thanks for tuning in, everybody. We'll 419 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:06,080 Speaker 1: see you next time. H