1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:14,600 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:17,880 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I and Mike Spofford, joined as always 3 00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 1: by my trusted colleague Weston Hodkoits for coming to you 4 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:24,840 Speaker 1: here from socially distant locations at lambeau Field and west 5 00:00:24,920 --> 00:00:28,560 Speaker 1: We now know that the NFC Divisional playoff game at 6 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:33,800 Speaker 1: lambeau Field will be the Packers against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, 7 00:00:33,880 --> 00:00:37,840 Speaker 1: three pm Central Time kickoff in the Rams, the number 8 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:41,040 Speaker 1: six seed in the NFC, got to this stage by 9 00:00:41,320 --> 00:00:44,559 Speaker 1: knocking off the Seahawks in Seattle, and they did it 10 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 1: with defense, and they did it with navigating some difficult 11 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:51,440 Speaker 1: injury situations as well. They really did Mike in this game, 12 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:54,640 Speaker 1: I thought, really taught you exactly what the Los Angeles 13 00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:58,640 Speaker 1: Rams are all about. Sean McVeigh is a fantastic NFL coach. 14 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:01,440 Speaker 1: He's a brilliant offensive line. But the Rams have had 15 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:04,120 Speaker 1: to win with their defense this year, and that was 16 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 1: another example of how dominating l A can be when 17 00:01:07,880 --> 00:01:11,200 Speaker 1: they have to. Aaron Donald ended up suffering that rib 18 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:14,640 Speaker 1: cartilage injury, but you saw how impactfully was had, like 19 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:17,800 Speaker 1: back to back sacks on plays Jalen Ramsey their big 20 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 1: acquisition a couple of years ago, one of the best 21 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 1: shutdown cornerbacks in the league, you know, and then even 22 00:01:22,959 --> 00:01:25,400 Speaker 1: Darius Williams too. I mean, they have all these guys 23 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 1: that they can throw at you and really complicate things. 24 00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:31,480 Speaker 1: And then on the other side of it, John Wolford 25 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:34,120 Speaker 1: goes down with the stinger. You have Jared Goff playing 26 00:01:34,120 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 1: twelve days after the thumb surgery. It needed to be 27 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:40,760 Speaker 1: cam Akers, and it was cam Akers, that Seattle defense. 28 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:42,800 Speaker 1: We talked about it all year, Mike, they really aren't 29 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:45,960 Speaker 1: the Seattle defensive. Old cam Akers made them pay for it. 30 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:48,000 Speaker 1: And even though you know it was one of those 31 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:51,240 Speaker 1: you know, rough and ready NFC self duels, this was 32 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 1: our excuse me, NFC West duels. This was the type 33 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 1: of game I thought where the Los Angeles Rams showed 34 00:01:57,200 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 1: why they deserve to be a playoff team and why 35 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 1: exactly can't be a team that you sleep on. Yeah, 36 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:04,120 Speaker 1: it's interesting when you think just a few weeks ago, 37 00:02:04,160 --> 00:02:06,000 Speaker 1: maybe a month ago, less than a month ago, this 38 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 1: is a Rams team that lost to the New York Jets, 39 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:10,240 Speaker 1: and you just wonder, was that, you know, sort of 40 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:12,040 Speaker 1: the wake up call that they needed and they've been 41 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:14,919 Speaker 1: dealing with injuries, you know, with when Goff went down 42 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 1: with the thumb, they weren't really sure, you know, how 43 00:02:16,919 --> 00:02:19,680 Speaker 1: things were gonna go. They were going with Wolford as 44 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 1: the backup quarterback to start the playoff game. But he 45 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:25,440 Speaker 1: gets hit by Jamal Adams pretty early. Goff has to 46 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:27,239 Speaker 1: go in. He's got the you know, the pins in 47 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 1: his thumb and all of that. He actually ends up 48 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:32,280 Speaker 1: completing less than fifty of his passes. But you said it. 49 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:36,120 Speaker 1: Cam Akers was the guy that Seattle Seahawks defense did 50 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:39,480 Speaker 1: not have an answer for him. His running the ball, 51 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:42,560 Speaker 1: catching passes out of the backfield, and then combined with 52 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:46,959 Speaker 1: that Rams defense, which even without Aaron Donald still really 53 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 1: controlled things in the second half. And then also of 54 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:51,920 Speaker 1: course in the first half, got that pick six by 55 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:56,000 Speaker 1: Darius Darius Williams. Did I say that right? Um? On 56 00:02:56,120 --> 00:03:00,320 Speaker 1: the on the wide receiver screen. So um, this, uh, 57 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:03,519 Speaker 1: this really sets up Saturday afternoon at lambeau Field as 58 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:05,239 Speaker 1: as a whale of a matchup. And there are a 59 00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:07,560 Speaker 1: number of storylines we can try to touch on here 60 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:09,960 Speaker 1: in the limited time we have. But you have the 61 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 1: number one scoring offense in the league with the Packers 62 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:14,920 Speaker 1: against the number one scoring defense in the league. In 63 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:18,640 Speaker 1: the Rams, you have the longtime connection, the friendship between 64 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:22,079 Speaker 1: Matt Lafleur and Sean McVeigh. They coached for four years 65 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:25,960 Speaker 1: together with Washington, then also for a year when McVeigh 66 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:28,280 Speaker 1: first got the job with the Ramsey hired Lafleur as 67 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:32,120 Speaker 1: as offensive coordinator. You have the Davante Adams versus Jalen 68 00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:35,600 Speaker 1: Ramsey matchup on the perimeter. You have Aaron Donald against 69 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:39,000 Speaker 1: Corey Lindsley and others on the end. Here, those are 70 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:41,720 Speaker 1: those four guys I just mentioned, all first team All 71 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:45,440 Speaker 1: pros in the NFL in I don't know where you 72 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:47,880 Speaker 1: want to start west, but go ahead, my friend. When 73 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:49,760 Speaker 1: you have the reigning defensive Player of the Year and 74 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:52,480 Speaker 1: Aaron Donald, a guy that you know, it's so funny 75 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 1: when you go back and think about that draft six 76 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:57,320 Speaker 1: seven years ago. They were worried about his size. Size 77 00:03:57,360 --> 00:04:00,120 Speaker 1: doesn't matter, thirteen and a half sacks, size doesn't at 78 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 1: or You'll just take those numbers every day of the week. 79 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:05,480 Speaker 1: One of maybe arguably pound for pound, the strongest players 80 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:08,520 Speaker 1: to ever put on NFL pads, and he's been a 81 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:11,320 Speaker 1: problem for teams all season long. But the other side 82 00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 1: of it, as you mentioned, this isn't one specific guy, 83 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:17,080 Speaker 1: it isn't one specific thing that makes them go. It's 84 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:19,240 Speaker 1: a it's a sum of the whole for them. And 85 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:22,040 Speaker 1: I think when you look at this matchup for Green Bay, 86 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:25,360 Speaker 1: the Packers, top scoring offense in the league against the 87 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 1: top scoring defense in the league, in terms of what 88 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:31,640 Speaker 1: they prevented this season, it really shows you what the 89 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 1: NFL postseason is all about. I wrote about this an 90 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:37,200 Speaker 1: Insider Inbox this week. These are the eight best teams 91 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 1: left in the National Football League, and they've all done 92 00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 1: it in different ways. You have McVeigh and you have 93 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:44,800 Speaker 1: thea Fleur, who come from the same coaching tree. But 94 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 1: you see how different their offenses look, how different their 95 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 1: teams haven't been built, how differently they win games. But 96 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:53,479 Speaker 1: they both were still among the top and time of 97 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:55,800 Speaker 1: possession in the league this year. They both have been 98 00:04:55,839 --> 00:04:58,280 Speaker 1: able to win at times with all three phases of 99 00:04:58,279 --> 00:05:00,760 Speaker 1: this game. So I think when this game comes down 100 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 1: to it, you're looking at probably a twenty degree night 101 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:07,680 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field, the atmosphere being able to have six 102 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: thousand fans back in attendance. That's where This game really 103 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:13,920 Speaker 1: tilts towards Green Bay's advantage, and it's the reason why Mike. 104 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:16,720 Speaker 1: Ever since Mike Vrabel said it, I'm going to continue 105 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:19,360 Speaker 1: to say it. Games in which the Packers protect the football, 106 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 1: they win those games. This is a game that I 107 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:23,640 Speaker 1: think that's what it's gonna come down to. It doesn't 108 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:26,920 Speaker 1: matter what the health situation is of Donald, it doesn't 109 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:29,360 Speaker 1: matter what things are going on with Jared Goff's thumb. 110 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: The Packers need to protect the football and they need 111 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 1: to use this atmosphere, this thing that they've owned, that 112 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 1: they've earned, being able to get home field advantage at 113 00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:40,479 Speaker 1: Lambeau Field, that has to be towards their benefit. Yeah 114 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:43,159 Speaker 1: it At this point, it doesn't sound like Mother Nature 115 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:45,600 Speaker 1: is going to make this one of these crazy January 116 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:48,320 Speaker 1: games at Lambeau. It's sounding like a high temperature of 117 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:51,760 Speaker 1: around thirty degrees, but with a three thirty kickoff, you 118 00:05:51,760 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 1: know by halftime the temperature will be starting to drop. 119 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:57,600 Speaker 1: I'm guessing it's going to be mostly in the twenties 120 00:05:58,080 --> 00:06:01,240 Speaker 1: for the for the bulk of the games, So nothing, 121 00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:04,799 Speaker 1: nothing crazy cold. We'll have to see if maybe there's 122 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 1: a yeah, maybe we'll have to see maybe if there's 123 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:08,800 Speaker 1: a if there's a chance of snow. I did actually 124 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:11,440 Speaker 1: go back and check every single one of the Rams 125 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:14,680 Speaker 1: games this year and what the kickoff temperature was. The 126 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:18,360 Speaker 1: Rams did not play a game with a kickoff temperature 127 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:23,480 Speaker 1: of less than sixty degrees until Week sixteen against Seattle 128 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:26,040 Speaker 1: it was forty five degrees. Then this past week in 129 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: Seattle it was thirty nine degrees. Those are the two 130 00:06:28,600 --> 00:06:31,719 Speaker 1: coldest games they played. The Packers this year have played 131 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 1: seven games with the temperature at thirty eight degrees or less. 132 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:38,839 Speaker 1: So that this is, as you said, this is what 133 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 1: the Packers have earned, This is what they're built for. 134 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 1: This is what they were born for, is to play 135 00:06:43,440 --> 00:06:47,120 Speaker 1: playoff games at lambau Field in January, and they certainly 136 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:49,160 Speaker 1: hope that they can. They can take advantage of it. 137 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:52,239 Speaker 1: And you just wonder, from an injury standpoint, how close 138 00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:56,000 Speaker 1: will Donald be to what will the Rams do at quarterback? 139 00:06:56,040 --> 00:06:58,919 Speaker 1: If Wolford is ready to go? Are they more comfortable 140 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:00,920 Speaker 1: with him than try to have a guy with a 141 00:07:01,360 --> 00:07:04,960 Speaker 1: surgically repaired thumb in the cold trying to make passes. 142 00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:07,359 Speaker 1: All of those kinds of things. Those are the storylines 143 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:09,560 Speaker 1: we're gonna be watching. Here is the week unfold. Well, 144 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:11,800 Speaker 1: the number one storyline to me on the offensive side 145 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:14,520 Speaker 1: of the ball is cam Akers because the Los Angeles 146 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:17,640 Speaker 1: Rams defense was excuse me, offense was different in the 147 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 1: second half of the year when they committed to Acres 148 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:22,880 Speaker 1: as they're back now, certainly Henderson, Malcolm Brown. They have 149 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:26,120 Speaker 1: a three headed approach. There in different guys that can 150 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:28,440 Speaker 1: handle it. They all know the offense, but Acres is 151 00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 1: the difference maker. He's the guy that they drafted. That's 152 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 1: the guy they wanted to build this thing around after 153 00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:36,360 Speaker 1: Todd Gurley was let go, and when he has been right, 154 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:39,239 Speaker 1: when he's been healthy, it's made an impact on everything. 155 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:42,040 Speaker 1: Wolford is an interesting guy because I know so many 156 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:44,559 Speaker 1: people made a big deal about, well, he hasn't played 157 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 1: in an NFL game before, he's not going to be 158 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 1: able to do this when he had to go into 159 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:52,040 Speaker 1: that postseason matchup with Golf injured. But the thing is 160 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:53,440 Speaker 1: is that if you go back and look at it, 161 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 1: he's had a lot of pelts on the wall. It 162 00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:57,360 Speaker 1: hasn't been at the NFL level, but he's played a 163 00:07:57,360 --> 00:07:59,960 Speaker 1: lot of football. And Sean McVeigh has said all along 164 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:01,920 Speaker 1: that this is a guy that's really impressed him, and 165 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:04,120 Speaker 1: I think when push comes to shove, he can manage 166 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:06,680 Speaker 1: the offense. So if he's able to go, it would 167 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:10,720 Speaker 1: be interesting to see him get that nod. Conversely, Goff 168 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:13,080 Speaker 1: is gonna be one week better knowing what he has 169 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:15,520 Speaker 1: to do to compensate for that thumb. He said, it's 170 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:18,480 Speaker 1: not a It's still gonna be something he has to 171 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:20,680 Speaker 1: deal with, but it is fixed. I mean he got 172 00:08:20,680 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 1: it surgically repaired. Now the question is just getting the 173 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:25,680 Speaker 1: comfort back. If you watch that game last week, there 174 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:27,560 Speaker 1: are a couple of moments where you just sort of 175 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:30,040 Speaker 1: saw him shot put the ball, just not get his 176 00:08:30,120 --> 00:08:32,520 Speaker 1: full throwing motion into it. He's going to be able 177 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:34,680 Speaker 1: to lean back on all those experiences if he does 178 00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:37,080 Speaker 1: get the start here against green Bay and be able 179 00:08:37,080 --> 00:08:39,480 Speaker 1: to make the adjustments. Jared Goff's a good enough quarterback. 180 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 1: He's gonna be able to do that. But you have 181 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:44,839 Speaker 1: to go back to the running game, and if green 182 00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:46,960 Speaker 1: Bay can do what it's done for the better part 183 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:50,400 Speaker 1: of six weeks now, containing Acres or whoever the Rams 184 00:08:50,440 --> 00:08:52,720 Speaker 1: throw at him, that's going to be the difference maker, 185 00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:56,480 Speaker 1: because then it changes the complexion of mcveigh's offense. Yeah. Absolutely, 186 00:08:56,559 --> 00:08:58,640 Speaker 1: And you certainly feel much better about the way the 187 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:01,280 Speaker 1: Packers are defending the run al than they were at 188 00:09:01,360 --> 00:09:03,840 Speaker 1: the tail end of last season where you were you 189 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:08,000 Speaker 1: were seeing the cracks in the in the defense and 190 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:10,640 Speaker 1: obviously it uh, you know, it bit the Packers in 191 00:09:10,640 --> 00:09:13,840 Speaker 1: the postseason in San Francisco where they just could not 192 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:17,040 Speaker 1: contain the running game. That's where I think on the 193 00:09:17,080 --> 00:09:19,040 Speaker 1: defensive side of the ball, that's where the Packers are 194 00:09:19,040 --> 00:09:21,400 Speaker 1: in so much better shape for this postseason than they 195 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:23,760 Speaker 1: were last postseason. As the way they're defending the run, 196 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:26,120 Speaker 1: and then on the offensive side of the ball, it's 197 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:29,280 Speaker 1: a it's about the balance and it's about the explosiveness. 198 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:31,440 Speaker 1: I mean, as I mentioned, this team has played a 199 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:34,880 Speaker 1: ton of cold weather games this year, yet it led 200 00:09:34,920 --> 00:09:38,960 Speaker 1: the league in scoring at thirty one plus points per game. 201 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:41,720 Speaker 1: I mean, in the snow against Tennessee, the Packers put 202 00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:44,680 Speaker 1: up forty points. This is this is an offense that 203 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:47,240 Speaker 1: when it is balanced, when it has the running game, 204 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:50,160 Speaker 1: when it has the play action, you have Davantae Adams 205 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:54,160 Speaker 1: and Robert Tounyan. This this this offense is as good 206 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:57,320 Speaker 1: as it gets right now in the NFL, and you 207 00:09:57,400 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 1: can't ask for a better matchup here than this offense 208 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:03,240 Speaker 1: against Eli's defense. No, and then also that the aspect 209 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:06,080 Speaker 1: of Davante Adams versus Jalen Ramsey. We got a very 210 00:10:06,120 --> 00:10:08,920 Speaker 1: small appetizer of that back in two thousand six team, 211 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:11,640 Speaker 1: which I think might have been Jalen Ramsey's first NFL game. 212 00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:13,680 Speaker 1: He got a little bit of a taste of what 213 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:16,200 Speaker 1: it's like to match up with Adams before Davante Adams 214 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:18,319 Speaker 1: became the four time pro bowler that we know him 215 00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:20,640 Speaker 1: to be now. And seeing where both of these guys 216 00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:23,200 Speaker 1: have adapted, adjusted and grown in their game is really 217 00:10:23,240 --> 00:10:25,520 Speaker 1: interesting to watch because they're both all pros now, they're 218 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:28,840 Speaker 1: both top of their position. But the cat and mouse 219 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:31,320 Speaker 1: game that Lafleur tries to play with Adams is gonna 220 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:33,840 Speaker 1: be really interesting to watch. We saw him move around 221 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:35,839 Speaker 1: a little bit more of these last few weeks, being 222 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:37,800 Speaker 1: able to work him into the slot and those type 223 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:41,080 Speaker 1: of things, being able to really expand his his resume there, 224 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:44,199 Speaker 1: his repertoire, and and that's worked to Green Bay's advantage 225 00:10:44,200 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 1: in a lot of times. So you go back to 226 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:48,280 Speaker 1: what you do well this time of the year and 227 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:51,280 Speaker 1: for Green Bay, it's been a multifaceted running game approach, 228 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:54,040 Speaker 1: and it's by finding ways to get Davante Adams the ball. 229 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:56,000 Speaker 1: I think this game is very much the same in 230 00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:59,280 Speaker 1: that way, and seeing exactly how Green Bay can adapt 231 00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:01,400 Speaker 1: to what l A is giving them, Because it's going 232 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:03,439 Speaker 1: to be a strong defense, you know what's going to be. 233 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:05,679 Speaker 1: You have to protect the football and when you do 234 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:08,480 Speaker 1: get opportunities, it's going to be imperative that green Bay 235 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:12,120 Speaker 1: capitalizes them and turns them into explosive plays. Yeah. Absolutely, Well, 236 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:14,040 Speaker 1: I do want to review a little bit of what 237 00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:17,959 Speaker 1: else went on wild Card weekend. Super wild Card weekend 238 00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:21,480 Speaker 1: in the NFL. But first serious x M. NFL radio 239 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:25,160 Speaker 1: channel is the only radio outlet dedicated to the National 240 00:11:25,160 --> 00:11:29,480 Speaker 1: Football League seven days a week, sixty five days a year. Okay. 241 00:11:29,520 --> 00:11:33,200 Speaker 1: On the other half of the NFC bracket, we have 242 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:37,439 Speaker 1: an NFC South Showdown. New Orleans will be hosting the 243 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:39,959 Speaker 1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They will be meeting for the third 244 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:43,199 Speaker 1: time in The Saints won the first two meetings. The 245 00:11:43,240 --> 00:11:46,199 Speaker 1: second of those was an absolute blowout thirty eight to 246 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 1: three on National TV. Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, you talk, 247 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:53,320 Speaker 1: you talk, about an offense that is hot with the 248 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:56,360 Speaker 1: Green Bay Packers, the Buccaneers and Tom Brady. That is 249 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:59,480 Speaker 1: an offense that since they had their by in week 250 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:02,320 Speaker 1: thirteen in a very late bye week, but since that 251 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:04,760 Speaker 1: by in week thirteen, nobody has really been able to 252 00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:08,840 Speaker 1: slow down this Buccaneer's offense. And that includes a Washington 253 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:12,880 Speaker 1: defensive front that, regardless of Washington's record, that was a 254 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:16,199 Speaker 1: really really good defensive front and a passengers that really 255 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 1: had no impact on the Buccaneers offense. Tampa Bay controlled 256 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:22,679 Speaker 1: that game in the trenches and uh, you tip your 257 00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:25,640 Speaker 1: you tip your hat to Taylor Heineck. My goodness, what 258 00:12:25,760 --> 00:12:28,680 Speaker 1: an effort to keep Washington in that game. But Tampa 259 00:12:28,679 --> 00:12:31,400 Speaker 1: Bay was just too good. Yeah, first and foremost for 260 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:33,600 Speaker 1: a guy that was signed onto the practice squad, had 261 00:12:33,600 --> 00:12:35,959 Speaker 1: been going for think for his engineering degree, had kind 262 00:12:35,960 --> 00:12:37,679 Speaker 1: of been away from the game to come in in 263 00:12:37,720 --> 00:12:39,640 Speaker 1: the middle of December on the practice squad and then 264 00:12:39,679 --> 00:12:41,880 Speaker 1: end up playing in a in a postseason game with 265 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:45,920 Speaker 1: meaningful ramifications for Washington with everything they've had to weather 266 00:12:45,960 --> 00:12:47,960 Speaker 1: this year, I mean, just the craziest of two thousands 267 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:50,880 Speaker 1: and twenties. Alex Smith coming back and being a great 268 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:53,640 Speaker 1: story ron Rivera and his cancer battle. They've had to 269 00:12:53,679 --> 00:12:56,080 Speaker 1: deal with so many different aspects of this thing. And 270 00:12:56,120 --> 00:12:58,400 Speaker 1: for it to come down to Taylor Heineke, you got 271 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:00,320 Speaker 1: to give credit that this was even a ball game 272 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:03,040 Speaker 1: that being said. As cool of a story as Taylor 273 00:13:03,040 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 1: Heinek was, as many interesting throws that he made in 274 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 1: that game, the reason why Washington was in this position 275 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 1: was their defense, and the defense just didn't show up. 276 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:13,000 Speaker 1: I mean, it just didn't have an answer for Tom Brady. 277 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:15,400 Speaker 1: It wasn't able to pressure him. They kind of fell 278 00:13:15,440 --> 00:13:17,840 Speaker 1: into this pattern where they were just sort of stuck. 279 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:20,960 Speaker 1: And for the Buccaneers why they're so dangerous, Yes, it 280 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:23,760 Speaker 1: is Brady. It's he makes a massive difference. He's protecting 281 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:26,200 Speaker 1: the ball better than Jameis Winston did and and the 282 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:28,559 Speaker 1: Buccaneers had a good defensive year ago and they've gotten 283 00:13:28,559 --> 00:13:31,000 Speaker 1: better this season. But it really comes down to the 284 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 1: fact that Leonard for Nett ends up being called into action, 285 00:13:33,600 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: the guy that they acquired in season, because now Ronald 286 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:38,480 Speaker 1: Jones was down in this game, it becomes down to 287 00:13:38,559 --> 00:13:41,360 Speaker 1: Antonio Brown for as much as is people make the 288 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:43,360 Speaker 1: off the field situations, and we can debate that and 289 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:46,280 Speaker 1: talk about and everything. He's on the Buccaneers roster and 290 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 1: he made an impact in this game, and he's been 291 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:50,720 Speaker 1: a really good compliment to what they're doing with Mike Evans, 292 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 1: who's been throwing, been playing through some injuries of his own. 293 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:57,800 Speaker 1: They are dynamic and they've found themselves now this game, 294 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:00,200 Speaker 1: this one coming up. I know we're not previewing, but 295 00:14:01,040 --> 00:14:04,680 Speaker 1: the Buccaneers and the Saints, that's what this comes down to. 296 00:14:05,040 --> 00:14:07,560 Speaker 1: It's a division that has been powerful this year. It's 297 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:09,640 Speaker 1: two teams that I think have been at the top 298 00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:11,560 Speaker 1: of the NFC heat and now they're going to score 299 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:13,199 Speaker 1: off with each other, with the best one being able 300 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:16,360 Speaker 1: to get to the NFC title game. Yea and Brady 301 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:18,880 Speaker 1: and Breeze. That's certainly one that that people will look 302 00:14:18,920 --> 00:14:20,960 Speaker 1: forward to in the playoffs. We've seen it already twice 303 00:14:20,960 --> 00:14:22,960 Speaker 1: in the regular season. Go in New Orleans way, We'll 304 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:24,800 Speaker 1: see about that whole You know, can you beat a 305 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:29,280 Speaker 1: team three times in in one season? I don't know 306 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:32,080 Speaker 1: about you. I just don't take much out of the 307 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:35,560 Speaker 1: Saints wildcard victory at the Bears really didn't put up 308 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:38,920 Speaker 1: much of a fight. It felt like Chicago defensively was 309 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:41,000 Speaker 1: hanging in the game for quite a while. They were 310 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:43,960 Speaker 1: making some things difficult on Drew Brees and the Saints. 311 00:14:43,960 --> 00:14:47,760 Speaker 1: But offensively, Chicago was just trying to protect mitzch Drubisky 312 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 1: from making a mistake and you just you you can't 313 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:54,280 Speaker 1: go out and win a playoff game that way. Um, 314 00:14:54,320 --> 00:14:56,720 Speaker 1: So it felt inevitable in the second half that New 315 00:14:56,800 --> 00:14:58,800 Speaker 1: Orleans would start to run away with it. That being said, 316 00:14:58,840 --> 00:15:01,320 Speaker 1: I do think New Orleans has a really sound defense. 317 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:04,080 Speaker 1: I'm curious to see how that defense matches up with 318 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:06,960 Speaker 1: Brady and the Buccaneers a third time. But it's really 319 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:08,840 Speaker 1: hard to It's really hard to get a feel for 320 00:15:08,920 --> 00:15:12,840 Speaker 1: just where the Saints are right now because frankly, they 321 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:15,440 Speaker 1: didn't get that big of a challenge last weekend. Yeah, 322 00:15:15,480 --> 00:15:16,920 Speaker 1: to me, it came down to the Saints kind of 323 00:15:16,920 --> 00:15:18,840 Speaker 1: playing with their food a little bit. Uh. This game 324 00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:20,880 Speaker 1: really shouldn't have been as close as it ended up being, 325 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:23,040 Speaker 1: especially in the first half. They just they weren't able 326 00:15:23,040 --> 00:15:24,960 Speaker 1: to really find the rhythm. But once they did, I mean, 327 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 1: the decision was at hand. For me, it came down 328 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:30,200 Speaker 1: to two things. The Bears stopped being able to run 329 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:32,040 Speaker 1: the ball. That was the reason they had the resurgence. 330 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:34,360 Speaker 1: David Montgomery and in Green Bay kind of had a 331 00:15:34,360 --> 00:15:36,120 Speaker 1: blueprint for that, for what they wanted to do to 332 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:38,840 Speaker 1: defend them and the Saints and how powerful their defense 333 00:15:38,840 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 1: has been this season. Uh, they followed that to a t. 334 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:43,080 Speaker 1: They couldn't break anything on the ground and when it 335 00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:46,320 Speaker 1: is put in Mitchell Robinski's hands, and I don't mean 336 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:48,640 Speaker 1: a dog on the guy. We've talked about him at nauseum, 337 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:51,520 Speaker 1: but it just wasn't gonna work out for the Bears. 338 00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:53,320 Speaker 1: So here they are. I mean now that the Saints 339 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:55,680 Speaker 1: took care of business there the number two seed, it 340 00:15:55,760 --> 00:15:59,160 Speaker 1: was exactly what the two verse seven matchups should look like, 341 00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:02,400 Speaker 1: and now are in the divisional round. So uh, it 342 00:16:03,040 --> 00:16:06,040 Speaker 1: is one of those things where I think the Saints 343 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 1: are gonna have to find themselves a little bit. You know, 344 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:11,600 Speaker 1: if Michael Thomas gets going again, you know Camara certainly 345 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:14,200 Speaker 1: you have the Taysom Hill factor. But it just kind 346 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:16,240 Speaker 1: of feels like they've been sort of you know, they've 347 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 1: had moments and they've had setbacks. Now can they get 348 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:21,320 Speaker 1: back into that offensive rhythm that everybody's known about and 349 00:16:21,360 --> 00:16:23,840 Speaker 1: can they turn back of Tampa Bay defense that's been 350 00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:26,400 Speaker 1: pretty darn good all season long. Well, on the a 351 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 1: f C side of things, your two divisional round matchups 352 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:33,200 Speaker 1: will have the Kansas City Chiefs the top seed, hosting Cleveland, 353 00:16:33,440 --> 00:16:38,320 Speaker 1: and on the other side, Baltimore traveling to Buffalo. Both 354 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:41,840 Speaker 1: of those really interesting from the standpoint of Cleveland just 355 00:16:42,080 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 1: puts up a boatload of points against the Pittsburgh Steelers 356 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:47,400 Speaker 1: to win the wild Card game, and then on the 357 00:16:47,440 --> 00:16:52,440 Speaker 1: other side, Buffalo and Baltimore both playing getting pretty solid efforts. 358 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:54,160 Speaker 1: I would say on both sides of the ball, I 359 00:16:54,160 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 1: thought maybe if I were to pick one team out 360 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,880 Speaker 1: of all of the wild card participants over the weekend 361 00:17:00,880 --> 00:17:03,560 Speaker 1: that looked the most impressive to me on both sides 362 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:05,360 Speaker 1: of the ball, I think I'd have to say Baltimore. 363 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:08,120 Speaker 1: They fell behind, tend to nothing, and then just completely 364 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:11,720 Speaker 1: dominated and controlled the Tennessee Titans the rest of the 365 00:17:11,760 --> 00:17:14,359 Speaker 1: way in that game. What it's impressed me about Baltimore 366 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:16,199 Speaker 1: this year is last year they had the m v P. 367 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:19,520 Speaker 1: Lamar Jackson was an enigma, no one knew how to 368 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:21,479 Speaker 1: defend him, and they won a lot of games on 369 00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:23,560 Speaker 1: his shoulders. This year, it hasn't been that way. Teams 370 00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:25,440 Speaker 1: have had a counter they've had a plan for Jackson, 371 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:28,640 Speaker 1: but over the course of the year, Baltimore has learned 372 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:30,919 Speaker 1: how to win, uh not in spite of him. He's 373 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 1: still a very talented quarterback, but they've had to learn 374 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:34,760 Speaker 1: how to win as a team again. And I think 375 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:37,080 Speaker 1: that's where when you look at the final stretch of 376 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:38,920 Speaker 1: the year, when you want to build to a crescendo, 377 00:17:38,960 --> 00:17:41,840 Speaker 1: when you want to be able to be an impactful unit, 378 00:17:42,440 --> 00:17:45,440 Speaker 1: that's where Baltimore is. And defensively, they've had some really 379 00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:48,320 Speaker 1: strong performances. Obviously a big challenge with Derrick Henry there, 380 00:17:48,359 --> 00:17:50,520 Speaker 1: but you know, being able to get Mark Andrew's going 381 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:52,840 Speaker 1: again and in their running game and those type of things. 382 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:55,720 Speaker 1: I just feel like when you look at a three 383 00:17:55,720 --> 00:17:59,400 Speaker 1: phase approach, Baltimore is heading the direction that they want 384 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:03,000 Speaker 1: to head in. And and obviously a huge win over 385 00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:05,680 Speaker 1: a Tennessee team that looked good early on in that matchup, 386 00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:07,680 Speaker 1: it just so happened that that the Ravens were kind 387 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 1: of able to outlast them. Yeah, there's a lot of 388 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:14,520 Speaker 1: bitterness between those two teams, I guess to put it mildly, 389 00:18:14,680 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 1: and um, those uh there were a lot of a 390 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:19,480 Speaker 1: lot of bad blood you could say, on the field 391 00:18:19,480 --> 00:18:22,960 Speaker 1: and uh in Nashville there, but Baltimore ends up getting 392 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:26,160 Speaker 1: the win and moving on and the Ravens now back 393 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:28,919 Speaker 1: to the stage they were last year where they flamed 394 00:18:28,920 --> 00:18:31,040 Speaker 1: out in the division around as the one seed with 395 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:33,600 Speaker 1: the by uh you know when Tennessee beat them. So 396 00:18:33,640 --> 00:18:35,320 Speaker 1: now the Ravens are going to try to be the 397 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:38,680 Speaker 1: road Warriors to to make that run at a Super Bowl. 398 00:18:38,880 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 1: One other topic that I want to get to here 399 00:18:40,840 --> 00:18:43,600 Speaker 1: West before we sign off for today. Didn't get to 400 00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:45,960 Speaker 1: it last week and that's my fault. But a big 401 00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:49,679 Speaker 1: congratulations to go out to two of the best defensive 402 00:18:49,680 --> 00:18:53,119 Speaker 1: backs to ever put on a Packers uniform. Charles Woodson 403 00:18:53,160 --> 00:18:57,880 Speaker 1: and Leroy Butler were officially announced as finalists for Pro 404 00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:01,200 Speaker 1: Football Hall of Fame induction. The class one day will 405 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:04,520 Speaker 1: find out the night before the Super Bowl if they 406 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:09,320 Speaker 1: are going into Canton. And while I believe it's pretty 407 00:19:09,400 --> 00:19:12,120 Speaker 1: much a given that Charles Woodson is going to get 408 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:15,000 Speaker 1: in in his first year of eligibility, we'll have to 409 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:17,679 Speaker 1: see what happens with Butler. He's he's in a tough spot, 410 00:19:17,800 --> 00:19:20,520 Speaker 1: but he's gotten back to this finalist stage. Now he's 411 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:23,240 Speaker 1: been there before, and you know, if you can kind 412 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:25,840 Speaker 1: of keep getting on this role, however many years it takes. 413 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:28,720 Speaker 1: I think Larroy doesn't really care. He just wants it 414 00:19:28,760 --> 00:19:31,080 Speaker 1: to happen at some point, right. It's it's so funny. 415 00:19:31,080 --> 00:19:33,160 Speaker 1: I even wrote this an inbox. I think I care 416 00:19:33,240 --> 00:19:36,719 Speaker 1: more about Leroy being a modern era UH inductee into 417 00:19:36,760 --> 00:19:38,680 Speaker 1: the Hall of Fame than he does. He said it 418 00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:40,640 Speaker 1: time and time again, and all the interviews I've done 419 00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:42,520 Speaker 1: with him, going back to my days at the Press Becausette. 420 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:45,119 Speaker 1: He just wants to get in. It doesn't matter to 421 00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:47,320 Speaker 1: him which rope. But the realistic thing is Mike, because 422 00:19:47,320 --> 00:19:48,840 Speaker 1: he has five more years to make it as a 423 00:19:48,880 --> 00:19:51,639 Speaker 1: modern era nominee. I want to see the Pro Football 424 00:19:51,640 --> 00:19:54,120 Speaker 1: Hall of Fame voters do that give him that honor, 425 00:19:54,200 --> 00:19:56,960 Speaker 1: because he deserves it. I was listening to to Ron 426 00:19:56,960 --> 00:20:00,320 Speaker 1: Wolf on Mark Daniel's show on Monday night, and you know, 427 00:20:00,359 --> 00:20:02,640 Speaker 1: Wolf said, when you go back to it, he said 428 00:20:02,640 --> 00:20:04,760 Speaker 1: this before, but it always really rings true to me, 429 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:06,760 Speaker 1: is that when he was looking at that team and 430 00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:09,280 Speaker 1: what they were accomplishing in nineties six and ninety seven, 431 00:20:09,560 --> 00:20:11,520 Speaker 1: he thought about it. He's like, we have multiple Hall 432 00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:13,479 Speaker 1: of famers on this team. And he wasn't just talking 433 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:16,160 Speaker 1: about Brett Farvan, Reggie White. He was talking about Leroy 434 00:20:16,240 --> 00:20:20,280 Speaker 1: Butler and on this on this medium, on unscripted. I've 435 00:20:20,280 --> 00:20:24,280 Speaker 1: stated his case before, I've been angry before. I'm trying 436 00:20:24,280 --> 00:20:27,160 Speaker 1: to take a new approach, at least until the votes 437 00:20:27,200 --> 00:20:30,119 Speaker 1: come down next month, and saying that this is a 438 00:20:30,119 --> 00:20:34,040 Speaker 1: guy that deserves this honor. Again, the only guy first 439 00:20:34,080 --> 00:20:38,240 Speaker 1: team offense or defense from the All Decade nineties team 440 00:20:38,280 --> 00:20:39,760 Speaker 1: that is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, 441 00:20:40,119 --> 00:20:42,159 Speaker 1: a team that was selected by the Pro Football Hall 442 00:20:42,200 --> 00:20:44,120 Speaker 1: of Fame voters. I want to see them right that wrong. 443 00:20:45,160 --> 00:20:48,000 Speaker 1: John Lynch also up for it, and Ronde Barber, a 444 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:50,159 Speaker 1: first time nominee, a guy that I think really should 445 00:20:50,160 --> 00:20:53,320 Speaker 1: here have his case heard as well. It's not Lynch's fault, 446 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:55,480 Speaker 1: it's not Butler's fault, it's not Barber's fault. It wasn't 447 00:20:55,520 --> 00:20:57,919 Speaker 1: Steve Atwater's fault. For a lot of years, the Pro 448 00:20:57,960 --> 00:21:00,800 Speaker 1: Football Hall of Fame really neglected the safety position, and 449 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:03,239 Speaker 1: kind of like your mail getting bunched up, if you 450 00:21:03,359 --> 00:21:05,520 Speaker 1: don't get that all streamline, there's gonna be kind of 451 00:21:05,520 --> 00:21:07,720 Speaker 1: a log jam there so you have to be able 452 00:21:07,760 --> 00:21:09,879 Speaker 1: to usher these things in. I think the Pro Football 453 00:21:09,920 --> 00:21:11,560 Speaker 1: of Fame has done a good job that the last 454 00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:14,080 Speaker 1: three or four years. But at the end of the day, 455 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:15,959 Speaker 1: we have five more years here, Mike, this is how 456 00:21:15,960 --> 00:21:17,760 Speaker 1: I worded it in my tweet. We have five more 457 00:21:17,840 --> 00:21:20,640 Speaker 1: years to write a really big wrong. I know it's 458 00:21:20,640 --> 00:21:23,240 Speaker 1: a big class. I understand that it's very difficult to 459 00:21:23,240 --> 00:21:26,639 Speaker 1: get multiple players of positions unless you're first ballot nominees 460 00:21:26,680 --> 00:21:28,919 Speaker 1: into the Hall of Fame the same year. But I 461 00:21:28,960 --> 00:21:32,080 Speaker 1: really hope they take a long, deep look at at 462 00:21:32,080 --> 00:21:35,480 Speaker 1: Butler's candidacy and understand that this isn't just about a 463 00:21:35,560 --> 00:21:38,159 Speaker 1: guy that had some cool numbers. It's about how he 464 00:21:38,280 --> 00:21:40,840 Speaker 1: changed the defense in green Bay and really is one 465 00:21:40,840 --> 00:21:44,119 Speaker 1: of the most beloved Packers players on an era in 466 00:21:44,160 --> 00:21:47,840 Speaker 1: which is one of the most dominant times in the NFL. 467 00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:49,600 Speaker 1: When you look at what green Bay did over those 468 00:21:49,640 --> 00:21:53,199 Speaker 1: three seasons. Yeah, absolutely, Well, you know me, West, I'm 469 00:21:53,280 --> 00:21:55,200 Speaker 1: kind of a math guy. I look at the numbers 470 00:21:55,200 --> 00:21:57,600 Speaker 1: a lot, and this is what I've continued to say. 471 00:21:57,760 --> 00:22:00,000 Speaker 1: Not that I don't want Leroy Butler to get into 472 00:22:00,040 --> 00:22:01,960 Speaker 1: the Pro Football Hall of Fame as soon as possible, 473 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:04,119 Speaker 1: and I am all with you that he is. He 474 00:22:04,240 --> 00:22:06,639 Speaker 1: is absolutely deserving and he he was a Hall of 475 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:09,520 Speaker 1: Famer on those back to back Super Bowl teams for 476 00:22:09,600 --> 00:22:13,679 Speaker 1: the Packers in the nineties. But if Charles Woodson, Peyton 477 00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:18,200 Speaker 1: Manning and and uh Megatron the wide receiver for the Lions, 478 00:22:18,280 --> 00:22:20,720 Speaker 1: if they all get in as first ballot Hall of 479 00:22:20,760 --> 00:22:24,760 Speaker 1: Famers this year out of the fifteen finalists, that leaves 480 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:27,320 Speaker 1: only two other spots in this year's class for the 481 00:22:27,359 --> 00:22:30,920 Speaker 1: other twelve finalists. And so that's why I say, I'm 482 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:33,440 Speaker 1: just not sure if this is really the year that 483 00:22:33,440 --> 00:22:37,360 Speaker 1: that Butler can you know, can can crack that from 484 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:40,080 Speaker 1: a math perspective, you know, if you say, wait another 485 00:22:40,160 --> 00:22:42,000 Speaker 1: year and if you can become a finalist again, if 486 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,520 Speaker 1: there's only one maybe first ballot guy that's going to 487 00:22:44,600 --> 00:22:47,919 Speaker 1: get in, then suddenly there's four spots open for fourteen 488 00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:50,640 Speaker 1: other finalists. You know, four out of fourteen is better 489 00:22:50,640 --> 00:22:52,760 Speaker 1: odds than two out of twelve. That's just the way 490 00:22:52,800 --> 00:22:55,879 Speaker 1: I look at it. So, UM, I do I really 491 00:22:55,880 --> 00:22:57,760 Speaker 1: do hope Llroy Butler gets in, And I'm with you, 492 00:22:57,800 --> 00:22:59,760 Speaker 1: I hope he doesn't have to wait for the senior 493 00:22:59,800 --> 00:23:01,720 Speaker 1: can Itty? I hope he can do it in the 494 00:23:01,920 --> 00:23:04,760 Speaker 1: in the modern error process. But we'll we'll just have 495 00:23:04,840 --> 00:23:07,080 Speaker 1: to wait and see it. When you look at the 496 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:10,679 Speaker 1: last two Packers defensive backs to get into the Hall 497 00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:12,720 Speaker 1: of Fame, you're talking about her bad Early and Willie 498 00:23:12,760 --> 00:23:16,199 Speaker 1: wood from the Lombardi Packers, and now the Packers have 499 00:23:16,320 --> 00:23:20,480 Speaker 1: two others from defensive secondary and Charles Woodson and the 500 00:23:20,560 --> 00:23:22,520 Speaker 1: Roy Butler who are both up for the Hall of 501 00:23:22,520 --> 00:23:24,480 Speaker 1: Fame the same year. It's a pretty special time no 502 00:23:24,520 --> 00:23:26,920 Speaker 1: matter how it shakes out. Well, even though Mike, everybody 503 00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:29,239 Speaker 1: tells me I look like Steve KORNACKI I am not 504 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:32,280 Speaker 1: a numbers guy. I am not a math guy. I 505 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:34,879 Speaker 1: am just a guy that goes by the seat of 506 00:23:34,920 --> 00:23:37,959 Speaker 1: his pants just by emotion, Mike, and my emotion tells me, 507 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:40,199 Speaker 1: I don't care if there was four people that are 508 00:23:40,200 --> 00:23:42,119 Speaker 1: gonna be first ballot Hall of Famers this year. I 509 00:23:42,160 --> 00:23:44,840 Speaker 1: don't care if it's gonna be three. Leroy Butler deserves 510 00:23:44,840 --> 00:23:46,720 Speaker 1: to get his case hurt. And I will say this 511 00:23:47,280 --> 00:23:50,520 Speaker 1: without any argument whatsoever. The other two guys, let's say 512 00:23:50,560 --> 00:23:53,600 Speaker 1: Megatron is a first ballot I have no doubt about 513 00:23:54,160 --> 00:23:58,000 Speaker 1: um Manning and Woodson. I'm guessing Megatron also is. His 514 00:23:58,080 --> 00:23:59,880 Speaker 1: numbers are just too good for the air in which 515 00:23:59,880 --> 00:24:03,480 Speaker 1: he played. But whoever, those other two are gonna be 516 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:05,880 Speaker 1: really interesting names because there is kind of a log jam. 517 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:08,240 Speaker 1: There are multiple guys that have been up numerous years. 518 00:24:08,240 --> 00:24:11,119 Speaker 1: And then, by the way, Clay Matthews Jr. Also in 519 00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:14,639 Speaker 1: his last year of eligibility, finally becomes first time a finalist. 520 00:24:14,680 --> 00:24:17,359 Speaker 1: Now that doesn't necessarily bode well for him making it, 521 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:20,280 Speaker 1: but that probably does suggest there will be you know, 522 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:24,960 Speaker 1: if he doesn't get in the uh, senior senior nominee, 523 00:24:25,040 --> 00:24:27,480 Speaker 1: I'm losing my mind nose senior nominee the next year. 524 00:24:27,680 --> 00:24:30,240 Speaker 1: So there are options here, but those two other guys, 525 00:24:30,240 --> 00:24:31,680 Speaker 1: If those other three get in, it's gonna be really 526 00:24:31,680 --> 00:24:33,800 Speaker 1: interesting names to watch. Hopefully one of them is little 527 00:24:33,840 --> 00:24:36,160 Speaker 1: Royal Butler. Yeah, well, we will have to wait until 528 00:24:36,240 --> 00:24:39,000 Speaker 1: Super Bowl weekend to find out for sure. But uh, 529 00:24:39,440 --> 00:24:41,399 Speaker 1: with that, we will call it a wrap on this 530 00:24:41,520 --> 00:24:44,000 Speaker 1: edition of Packers Unscripted. You should follow all of our 531 00:24:44,040 --> 00:24:47,360 Speaker 1: coverage of the team here during Divisional playoff week all 532 00:24:47,400 --> 00:24:50,720 Speaker 1: week long on Packers dot com for Wes, I am Mike. 533 00:24:50,840 --> 00:24:53,240 Speaker 1: Thank you for tuning in everybody. We will see you 534 00:24:53,280 --> 00:24:53,680 Speaker 1: next time.