1 00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:21,000 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:23,759 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford, joined by the one and only 3 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:26,640 Speaker 1: West Hodkowitz. Were coming to you here from our studios 4 00:00:27,040 --> 00:00:30,200 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field West. Preseason game number two is upon 5 00:00:30,360 --> 00:00:35,080 Speaker 1: us Thursday night, lambeau Field Packers versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, 6 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:40,360 Speaker 1: and it's possible that number twelve quarterback Aaron Rodgers could 7 00:00:40,400 --> 00:00:42,199 Speaker 1: get a little bit of playing time here at the 8 00:00:42,240 --> 00:00:44,960 Speaker 1: start of this game. Some other factors may go into that, 9 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:46,960 Speaker 1: but give us the update, you know, it's interesting. So 10 00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:49,800 Speaker 1: obviously you were in the huddle with Rogers earlier this week. 11 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:51,599 Speaker 1: He said it is his intention to play in this game. 12 00:00:51,640 --> 00:00:53,559 Speaker 1: He wanted to huddle at his locker, not on the 13 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:57,520 Speaker 1: practice field, just to clarify differentiate that uh and and 14 00:00:57,560 --> 00:00:59,360 Speaker 1: he said he he really wants to get work in 15 00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 1: front of the land. Both field crowded. My mind immediately 16 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:04,119 Speaker 1: went to the fact that he hasn't played at lambeau 17 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:08,120 Speaker 1: Field since September of last season because then they went 18 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:10,040 Speaker 1: on the road for those games. Obviously, he got hurt 19 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:13,399 Speaker 1: in Minnesota and then came back in Week fifteen at Carolina, 20 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:15,880 Speaker 1: so that made me kind of look up the stats 21 00:01:15,920 --> 00:01:18,320 Speaker 1: a little bit, and I was really surprised when I've 22 00:01:18,319 --> 00:01:22,240 Speaker 1: realized that Rogers hasn't played a home preseason games since 23 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:25,160 Speaker 1: two thousand fourteen, just based on some of the corks 24 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 1: with the schedule. You know, the Packers opened, uh, some 25 00:01:28,120 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: on the road, or as some at home, closed some 26 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:33,520 Speaker 1: at home, So typically those second third games have been 27 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:36,240 Speaker 1: the games where he's played. But Mike McCarthy said, it's 28 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:38,040 Speaker 1: the goal for the Green Bay Packers to get him 29 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:40,800 Speaker 1: out there, get him on the field. There are factors 30 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:43,399 Speaker 1: that play into this, namely the offensive line and the 31 00:01:43,440 --> 00:01:46,360 Speaker 1: health there. Can Brian Belaga suit up at right tackle 32 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:48,360 Speaker 1: a little more than nine months after tearing his a 33 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:51,840 Speaker 1: c L last November? Can you know David Baktiari make 34 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:53,840 Speaker 1: his way back. Both of those guys look really good 35 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:56,200 Speaker 1: in practice the last week and a half since they've returned. 36 00:01:56,680 --> 00:01:59,680 Speaker 1: So if you can get them on the field, I 37 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 1: think the odds, you know, really do increase quite a 38 00:02:01,880 --> 00:02:03,960 Speaker 1: bit for Rogers being out there. But as Mike McCarthy 39 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:06,400 Speaker 1: also said, you go back two years ago, they played 40 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 1: a preseason game two with Rogers in there and Kyle 41 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:10,519 Speaker 1: Murphy a rookie at the time going up against Vonn 42 00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 1: Miller's So there's a lot of different things they have 43 00:02:12,360 --> 00:02:14,840 Speaker 1: to consider, but I think everybody would be in an 44 00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 1: agreement that for Rogers it's in his best interest to 45 00:02:17,200 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 1: at least get some snaps in this contest. Yeah, and 46 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:22,040 Speaker 1: I would imagine he would get the most of his 47 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:25,200 Speaker 1: preseason work would come in the third game at Oakland 48 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:28,440 Speaker 1: next week. But there have been some instances in other 49 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:32,160 Speaker 1: years where that second preseason game he's played a series, 50 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:35,240 Speaker 1: maybe two. We'll have to see how it goes. As 51 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 1: you said, the health of the offensive line. If David 52 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:40,760 Speaker 1: bak Try in his recovery from the ankle, if the 53 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 1: doctors are saying David Bakti is only going to play 54 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:46,840 Speaker 1: six snaps, those might be the only six napster Adaron 55 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:48,800 Speaker 1: Rodgers plays, and it might might not even be a 56 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 1: whole series if they're driving down. I mean, we don't 57 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:55,080 Speaker 1: know necessarily how this is going to go. But there 58 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 1: are some other guys that we're kind of hoping maybe 59 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:02,520 Speaker 1: we'll see the first preseason action of the year. And 60 00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:06,960 Speaker 1: some of those guys I'm talking about, jayro Alexander, Jimmy Graham, 61 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:10,440 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones, who's back on the practice field from his 62 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:14,200 Speaker 1: hamstring injury. The whole Jimmy Graham Aaron Rodgers thing I 63 00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:17,680 Speaker 1: think is the most interesting thing from the offensive side, 64 00:03:18,160 --> 00:03:21,240 Speaker 1: because we've seen what they can do on the practice field. 65 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 1: It's definitely coming along and you know, you'd like to 66 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:27,280 Speaker 1: see them, you know, connect a couple of times against 67 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:29,480 Speaker 1: an opponent and whether it happens this week or next 68 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:31,720 Speaker 1: week in Oakland. I've often said, Mike, and you know 69 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:34,120 Speaker 1: you've read you've read me, you know, writing this an 70 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 1: inbox and what we've talked about it on shows in 71 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 1: the past. To me, tight end pound for pound is 72 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:41,240 Speaker 1: probably one of the most difficult positions to play in 73 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 1: today's NFL one because if you're a young guy, you're 74 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 1: not getting those reps in college in two. If you're 75 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 1: a veteran that's coming into a new location, it's not 76 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:53,080 Speaker 1: always just snap your fingers and ready set go and 77 00:03:53,120 --> 00:03:55,800 Speaker 1: everything's fine. Joe Philman kind of talked about that a 78 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 1: little bit when he met with the media on Tuesday, 79 00:03:57,720 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 1: and that Jimmy Graham's uh five times, six time All 80 00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:04,080 Speaker 1: Pro or Pro Bowl type player, Aaron Rodgers two time 81 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 1: m v P in isolation. It just seems like the 82 00:04:07,320 --> 00:04:10,000 Speaker 1: perfect marriage. But you know they need to get their 83 00:04:10,040 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 1: fades together. They need to know how to run the 84 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 1: route tree with each other and know what they're going 85 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:17,159 Speaker 1: to anticipate. I think Graham has done everything and more 86 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 1: that Rogers could ask of him so far to this point. 87 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 1: You and I see his competitiveness and practice every single 88 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:25,880 Speaker 1: time he's on the field. There's nobody, I think, on 89 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:29,200 Speaker 1: that field, maybe aside from Rogers himself, that really takes 90 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:31,919 Speaker 1: practice as seriously as Jimmy Graham. I mean, every touchdown 91 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:34,480 Speaker 1: he scores, it's a touchdown on game day, it almost 92 00:04:34,520 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 1: seems like and he made a spectacular one hand of 93 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:40,040 Speaker 1: grab earlier this week in practice, and those are the 94 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:42,520 Speaker 1: kind of plays you look for because it's not just 95 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:45,000 Speaker 1: beating your man and winning your route, it's all the 96 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:47,280 Speaker 1: other games that go along with that. Jared Cook was 97 00:04:47,320 --> 00:04:49,560 Speaker 1: able to accomplish that with Rogers late in the season. 98 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:52,960 Speaker 1: At times, Jamichael Finley did it. Now. Can Jimmy Graham 99 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:55,599 Speaker 1: come into this offense and sort of re emerge again. 100 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:58,080 Speaker 1: Is one of the NFL's top and most feared tight 101 00:04:58,160 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 1: ends in this league, and he feels like this is 102 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:01,760 Speaker 1: the place that do it. Yeah, that was quite the 103 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 1: the acrobatic catch and emphatic spike of the ball in 104 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:08,200 Speaker 1: the end zone there after that touchdown. He was pretty 105 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:10,159 Speaker 1: fired up on that one. What I've seen so far 106 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:13,080 Speaker 1: on the practice field from Rogers and Graham, it seems 107 00:05:13,120 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 1: to me like it didn't take long for the middle 108 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:19,400 Speaker 1: of the field, the between the twenties stuff too, for 109 00:05:19,440 --> 00:05:21,640 Speaker 1: them to connect and to really be on the same page. 110 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:24,440 Speaker 1: We've seen them hit the crossing routes, the seam routes, 111 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:26,720 Speaker 1: those kinds of thing. Not a hundred percent of the shine. 112 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:30,080 Speaker 1: It seems like the red zone, the you know, the 113 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:32,599 Speaker 1: tight quarters type of stuff in the red zone around 114 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:35,119 Speaker 1: the goal line is what has taken some more work 115 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:37,440 Speaker 1: and some more reps. And so you'd like to see, 116 00:05:37,640 --> 00:05:39,800 Speaker 1: you know, the Packers get down there, say first down 117 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 1: from the fifteen yard line. Okay, let's throw the fade 118 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:44,760 Speaker 1: to Jimmy Graham. Let's see if that get you get 119 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:48,560 Speaker 1: that timing down with a with a an opposing defensive 120 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 1: back on the field, did you play Saturday like sixth 121 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:54,920 Speaker 1: grade basketball at all? I was right, and I've always 122 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 1: been short, but I always remember in those specific specific 123 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:00,839 Speaker 1: instances there would always be that one kid that was 124 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:02,680 Speaker 1: like six two and it's like a sixth or seventh 125 00:06:02,680 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 1: grade and just towers over everybody. You just put him 126 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:07,960 Speaker 1: in the middle of the court and he just you know, 127 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:11,359 Speaker 1: not quite dunks, but it's basically scoring on everybody. To me, 128 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:13,040 Speaker 1: that's what it kind of looks like a little bit 129 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 1: at times with Jimmy Graham, not just in Green Bay, 130 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:17,800 Speaker 1: but over the course of his career, and that he's 131 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:19,359 Speaker 1: able to be a presence in the middle of the 132 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:21,600 Speaker 1: field because he is as tall as he is, as 133 00:06:21,680 --> 00:06:24,480 Speaker 1: let athletic as he is. I mean when you factor 134 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:28,400 Speaker 1: in his his speed, his vertical jump, everything that that 135 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 1: makes Jimmy Graham who he is, that catch radius is 136 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:33,839 Speaker 1: just ginormous and and I think you've seen some of 137 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:36,359 Speaker 1: those signs so far. Yes, you know, he is thirty 138 00:06:36,440 --> 00:06:38,560 Speaker 1: thirty one, now he's in that that back you know, 139 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:41,560 Speaker 1: nine of his careers what we always talk about, but 140 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:44,599 Speaker 1: you've seen guys like Tony Gonzalez and and other players 141 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:47,160 Speaker 1: around this league be really effective into their thirties. And 142 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:50,080 Speaker 1: you know, the thing that's interesting about Graham is as 143 00:06:50,160 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 1: much as was made of him not maybe having the 144 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:56,360 Speaker 1: explosive plays as much in Seattle, very underrated was how 145 00:06:56,640 --> 00:06:59,360 Speaker 1: efficient and effective he was in the red zone and 146 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:01,280 Speaker 1: how many tough stones he ended up scoring. I think 147 00:07:01,279 --> 00:07:02,960 Speaker 1: you've seen a guy evolved. I think you've seen him 148 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:06,040 Speaker 1: get smarter and again getting into an offense that Taylor 149 00:07:06,160 --> 00:07:07,960 Speaker 1: is a little more tailored to him like it was 150 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:10,600 Speaker 1: in New Orleans. I think it's ultimately going to make 151 00:07:10,640 --> 00:07:13,520 Speaker 1: him the player that the Packers think he can still be. Yeah, 152 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:16,880 Speaker 1: moving on to some other players, Jaire Alexander, Aaron Jones, 153 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 1: a couple other guys I mentioned. We saw Josh Jackson 154 00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:23,200 Speaker 1: quite frankly take advantage of the fact that Alexander and 155 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:26,080 Speaker 1: Kevin King did not play in the opening preseason game. 156 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 1: Neither did Tremont Williams, and Josh Jackson, you know, lining 157 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:32,400 Speaker 1: up in the slot sometimes on the boundary really performed 158 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:37,200 Speaker 1: quite quite well. Excuse me, and maybe a little little 159 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 1: bit of a fire under Jaire Alexander, not in the 160 00:07:39,840 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 1: not in the necessarily the competitive sense, but in in 161 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 1: the sense of, you know, hey, I want I want 162 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:46,120 Speaker 1: to get out there. I want to I want to, 163 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 1: you know, really get ready for this season. And and 164 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:52,080 Speaker 1: you know, Alexander, another guy that the packers have lined 165 00:07:52,160 --> 00:07:55,440 Speaker 1: up in some different spots. He seems pretty comfortable wherever 166 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:57,720 Speaker 1: they put him. So now let's see what happens against 167 00:07:57,760 --> 00:08:00,320 Speaker 1: an opponent. Earlier this week in the locker room, Alexander 168 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:02,520 Speaker 1: was asked if there was any feeling of fomo at 169 00:08:02,560 --> 00:08:04,680 Speaker 1: all with him not being in that game. Now, fomo 170 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:06,600 Speaker 1: is an acronym that I probably hate more than any 171 00:08:06,600 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 1: other in the end of in that really the world 172 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:11,520 Speaker 1: right now or in the English language. Uh, but you know, 173 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:13,400 Speaker 1: he said, while there isn't. He didn't feel like he 174 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:16,559 Speaker 1: was missing out on anything. He was motivated to see 175 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:19,320 Speaker 1: Josh Jackson have that success and to be like, Okay, 176 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:21,080 Speaker 1: he did it. I can want to go in there 177 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:23,320 Speaker 1: and try to do it too. That's cool. Let's see 178 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:25,560 Speaker 1: what I can do. What I love the most about 179 00:08:25,640 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 1: Jackson is I think a lot of people pigeonholed him 180 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:32,840 Speaker 1: till being a boundary outside cornerback and that's all he 181 00:08:32,880 --> 00:08:35,520 Speaker 1: did because, as we talked about on the show earlier 182 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:38,040 Speaker 1: this week, that's what he did. In that one season 183 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 1: where he started at Iowa. They didn't move him around. 184 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:41,960 Speaker 1: He wasn't a guy that started in the slot and 185 00:08:41,960 --> 00:08:43,880 Speaker 1: then worked his way to the boundary like Kevin King 186 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:47,880 Speaker 1: did during his time at Washington. But I don't think 187 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:50,880 Speaker 1: you really can say what a guy's really capable of 188 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 1: until you see it, unless it's already been shown in 189 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:55,439 Speaker 1: the college levels to extent, like what Alexander did a 190 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:58,240 Speaker 1: little bit at Louisville. I was really impressed by what 191 00:08:58,280 --> 00:09:00,240 Speaker 1: I saw with Jackson when he pushed inside. I think 192 00:09:00,280 --> 00:09:03,640 Speaker 1: he can be a press man boundary cornerback. You know why, 193 00:09:03,679 --> 00:09:06,880 Speaker 1: because he looks like a press man boundary cornerback. And 194 00:09:06,920 --> 00:09:10,600 Speaker 1: getting Alexander and his athleticism in this defense. Now again, 195 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:12,599 Speaker 1: you'll have to make sure everything checks out with a 196 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:15,440 Speaker 1: groin injury, but if he's on the field, whether it's 197 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:17,959 Speaker 1: on defense, whether it's even on special teams, punt returns 198 00:09:17,960 --> 00:09:20,720 Speaker 1: potentially with ron zook Uh, he has a lot of 199 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 1: ability and and it's gonna be interesting and fun to 200 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:24,360 Speaker 1: finally see it kind of get put to work a 201 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:27,120 Speaker 1: little bit. Yeah, and potentially some important snaps here in 202 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:29,800 Speaker 1: the preseason coming up for Aaron Jones. He's missed some 203 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:32,920 Speaker 1: time with a hamstring injury. DeVante Mays is still out 204 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:36,720 Speaker 1: with a hamstring injury. Saw Jamal Williams score touchdown on 205 00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 1: a swing pass last week against Tennessee. But as we 206 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 1: all know, Aaron Jones is going to miss the first 207 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:45,960 Speaker 1: two games of the regular season. He needs some work 208 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 1: in the preseason. You have to get the other guys 209 00:09:47,960 --> 00:09:50,160 Speaker 1: ready for weeks one and two, but you also want 210 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones to be ready when he's back in week three. 211 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:56,000 Speaker 1: It's kind of a delicate balance the Packers have to 212 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,360 Speaker 1: to uh to figure out here in terms of the 213 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:01,760 Speaker 1: reps and and the distribution. But I'm interested to see 214 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:04,040 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones get back into some game action. Yeah, I 215 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:06,320 Speaker 1: am too, And out of those three options that you gave, 216 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:07,679 Speaker 1: I think he's the one right now. I think it's 217 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:09,280 Speaker 1: probably the most up in the air as far as 218 00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:11,960 Speaker 1: whether he's on the field against Pittsburgh. But that being said, 219 00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:15,560 Speaker 1: him getting back into practice week was huge. So regardless 220 00:10:15,559 --> 00:10:18,480 Speaker 1: of his availability on Thursday night, he plays, he doesn't play, 221 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 1: I really want to see him in these next two 222 00:10:20,400 --> 00:10:22,720 Speaker 1: games really try to build up some momentum there so 223 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:25,280 Speaker 1: that he has a base when he goes into that break. 224 00:10:25,679 --> 00:10:28,800 Speaker 1: Unlike before probably about five six years ago, players who 225 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:30,520 Speaker 1: are going to be placed on the suspended list, they're 226 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:32,520 Speaker 1: able to stay with the team. Now they can't practice 227 00:10:32,559 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 1: with them, they're not in meetings, but they can use 228 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:37,080 Speaker 1: the facilities. They can stay in the rotation, whereas before 229 00:10:37,120 --> 00:10:39,200 Speaker 1: you basically got shipped off to a training center or 230 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:41,680 Speaker 1: something until you are allowed to come back. I think 231 00:10:41,679 --> 00:10:44,040 Speaker 1: that's really gonna help Jones a lot. And one other thing, 232 00:10:44,080 --> 00:10:46,480 Speaker 1: just to touch on with Jamal Williams. We talked so 233 00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:49,520 Speaker 1: much about Time Montgomery and his receiving ability, and rightfully so. 234 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:52,559 Speaker 1: Jamal Williams is sneaky good and sneak effective as a 235 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:54,640 Speaker 1: pass catcher, and I think when you look at him 236 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:56,880 Speaker 1: in his skill set, I don't know how this is 237 00:10:56,880 --> 00:10:58,439 Speaker 1: going to shape out. I don't know who's going to 238 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:01,080 Speaker 1: get the reps once the regular season start. But Williams 239 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:03,520 Speaker 1: is proficient as a pass blocker and he's profession as 240 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:05,320 Speaker 1: a ball catcher. So in addition to what he does 241 00:11:05,360 --> 00:11:07,480 Speaker 1: as a running back, that's ultimately what keeps you in 242 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:09,959 Speaker 1: that that plans for being a three down guy down 243 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:12,000 Speaker 1: the line. Yeah, and what I pointed out this week 244 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 1: in our Insider Inbox column that I really liked about 245 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:17,959 Speaker 1: that touchdown play of Jamal Williams against Tennessee is he 246 00:11:18,040 --> 00:11:20,520 Speaker 1: made a guy miss in the open field. That was 247 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:23,480 Speaker 1: if there was one thing that was missing from a 248 00:11:23,559 --> 00:11:26,680 Speaker 1: very impressive rookie season from Jamal Williams, it was making 249 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:29,319 Speaker 1: guys miss And to see that in the first preseason game, 250 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:31,040 Speaker 1: really the first time he catches a pass out of 251 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:33,840 Speaker 1: the backfield, I thought that was a really good sign. Um, 252 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:36,199 Speaker 1: we got more to talk about. But before we get 253 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:38,480 Speaker 1: to that, west a little sponsor business at home or 254 00:11:38,559 --> 00:11:40,520 Speaker 1: here in the stands. We all know that Green Bay 255 00:11:40,520 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 1: fans give it their all and that takes a lot 256 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:45,440 Speaker 1: of energy. So grab a warm bowl of Campbell's Chunky Soup. 257 00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:48,600 Speaker 1: It's meaty goodness fuels the greatness of Packers Fans everywhere 258 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:52,000 Speaker 1: tried the delicious classic chicken noodle soup. Just visit your 259 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 1: local supermarket and ask for Campbell's Chunky Soup, the official 260 00:11:55,679 --> 00:11:59,320 Speaker 1: sup partner of the Green Bay Packers. Okay, moving on 261 00:11:59,440 --> 00:12:01,440 Speaker 1: to some other guys here that we're going to have 262 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:05,319 Speaker 1: our eyes on Thursday night at lambeau Field. I mentioned 263 00:12:05,320 --> 00:12:08,400 Speaker 1: this in our Final Thoughts video that that's on our 264 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:11,679 Speaker 1: website that previews the game in a in a much 265 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:15,000 Speaker 1: more condensed fashion than we do here on Unscripted. But 266 00:12:15,679 --> 00:12:19,040 Speaker 1: one thing I always look for in the preseason. When 267 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:22,160 Speaker 1: you see a young player make a player too in 268 00:12:22,240 --> 00:12:24,880 Speaker 1: a game, it gives them a headline, It gets them 269 00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:26,760 Speaker 1: a lot of attention. You know, they're making a bid 270 00:12:26,760 --> 00:12:29,320 Speaker 1: for roster spot all that stuff. What do they do 271 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:31,439 Speaker 1: the next game? Can they follow it up? Can they 272 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:33,640 Speaker 1: make some plays again? And in that respect, I'm talking 273 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:38,000 Speaker 1: about guys like Mark Quez Valdez, Scantling, Jake Kumero, Kendall 274 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:40,840 Speaker 1: Donnerson who had the strip of the running back, created 275 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:43,920 Speaker 1: a turn over there, Reggie Gilbert, you know, did some 276 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 1: nice things. So now it's about following it up. It's 277 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 1: it's it's about not just to being that flash player, 278 00:12:50,559 --> 00:12:52,880 Speaker 1: you know, who makes that splash play every once in 279 00:12:52,920 --> 00:12:56,120 Speaker 1: a while, but it's doing that on a consistent basis, 280 00:12:56,160 --> 00:12:59,839 Speaker 1: because that's that's when everybody starts to really notice your performance, 281 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:01,960 Speaker 1: that hey, we can count on this guy to maybe 282 00:13:01,960 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 1: make something happen every time we put him out there. Yeah, 283 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:06,640 Speaker 1: and Velda's Scandling And there's been a lot of receivers 284 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:08,880 Speaker 1: that have come through here, uh in the last five 285 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 1: six years, young guys, you know, trying to make this roster, 286 00:13:11,280 --> 00:13:13,760 Speaker 1: trying to find roles on this offense. He has a 287 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:15,320 Speaker 1: long way to go. I'm not trying to say like 288 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:17,320 Speaker 1: he's finished product. I think he's had some you know, 289 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:20,440 Speaker 1: there was some drops before. There's some obviously the you know, 290 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:23,200 Speaker 1: different things that happened with being a rookie player. But 291 00:13:23,280 --> 00:13:26,040 Speaker 1: I love his skill set. I just the speed and 292 00:13:26,120 --> 00:13:28,520 Speaker 1: his size and uh, I know the story was written 293 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:30,000 Speaker 1: a few weeks ago about you know, him working with 294 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 1: Randy Monster in the off season. He's just a guy 295 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:35,959 Speaker 1: who takes this incredibly seriously. And you know the work 296 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:38,439 Speaker 1: he put in this offseason, both on and off the field. 297 00:13:38,440 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 1: I think you're seeing some of that translate now again though, 298 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:45,480 Speaker 1: much like with Jake Kumero too, it is really showing that, Okay, 299 00:13:45,559 --> 00:13:47,719 Speaker 1: you had five catches for hundred and ten yards or 300 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:50,720 Speaker 1: whatever it was, can you have another performance, maybe not 301 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:53,120 Speaker 1: necessarily hundred ten yards, but can you have another you know, 302 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 1: four catches sixty yards something that just shows the consistency 303 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:58,679 Speaker 1: factor of it, where you just don't appear and disappear 304 00:13:59,080 --> 00:14:04,320 Speaker 1: some reliability, right exactly. For Kumero, he's in a position, Michael, 305 00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:05,960 Speaker 1: you know what this is like for an undrafted guy, 306 00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:08,600 Speaker 1: especially a guy that's coming off the practice squad. There's 307 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:11,120 Speaker 1: no room for error. There just isn't. You you have 308 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:13,560 Speaker 1: to be able to do it every single practice, every 309 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:16,360 Speaker 1: single preseason game. There just isn't a lot of time 310 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:18,840 Speaker 1: to take a breath. The thing that's impressive about him 311 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:21,680 Speaker 1: is he understands that he's been in Cincinnati, he's had 312 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:23,800 Speaker 1: a little bit of time in New England. He gets 313 00:14:23,840 --> 00:14:25,800 Speaker 1: where he's coming from and what he needs to do 314 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:27,640 Speaker 1: to show that, you know what, I'm worthy of a 315 00:14:27,640 --> 00:14:30,560 Speaker 1: spot on the fifty three man roster in last week, 316 00:14:30,640 --> 00:14:32,920 Speaker 1: finishing that game with that big play. I know he 317 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:34,960 Speaker 1: lamented about the place, he felt like he didn't make 318 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:37,080 Speaker 1: over the course of the game, But to me, that 319 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 1: just screamed the type of player, the type of playmaker 320 00:14:40,080 --> 00:14:42,600 Speaker 1: that is going to find a way to make something happen. 321 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:45,000 Speaker 1: And he's done that all throughout the preseason. Yeah, and 322 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:47,160 Speaker 1: he knows, as you said, he's got the experience in 323 00:14:47,200 --> 00:14:50,280 Speaker 1: previous training camps, previous preseasons. He knows he can't just 324 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:53,480 Speaker 1: disappear now. He can't just ride on the coattails of 325 00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:56,120 Speaker 1: a fifty two yard touchdown catch. As impressive as it was, 326 00:14:56,200 --> 00:14:58,880 Speaker 1: great play by both the quarterback and the receiver, Tim 327 00:14:58,920 --> 00:15:01,480 Speaker 1: Boyle hitting him right in stride there down the left 328 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 1: side line at lambeau Field. But don't disappear. Now, go 329 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:07,120 Speaker 1: out and do something more and getting back to Veldes 330 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:10,760 Speaker 1: scantling just for a second. Heard it from two different players, 331 00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:13,600 Speaker 1: very respected players, obviously in the locker room. Davantae Adams 332 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:15,760 Speaker 1: and Aaron Rodgers have both said the same thing about 333 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:19,480 Speaker 1: number eighty three. He plays fast, and you don't hear 334 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:22,640 Speaker 1: that about rookies, because rookies are usually kind of swimming 335 00:15:22,640 --> 00:15:24,800 Speaker 1: in the playbook and trying to figure things out, and 336 00:15:25,120 --> 00:15:28,040 Speaker 1: all the thinking slows them down. Both of those guys 337 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:30,960 Speaker 1: have been impressed, not to say that he hasn't made 338 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:34,120 Speaker 1: any mental mistakes or has been perfect or anything out there, 339 00:15:34,120 --> 00:15:36,760 Speaker 1: but they've both been impressed with the fact that he 340 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:39,360 Speaker 1: plays fast. He gets off the line of scrimmage and 341 00:15:39,560 --> 00:15:42,080 Speaker 1: uh and that's a heck of a start in you 342 00:15:42,120 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 1: know what, is not a simple offense. And it seems 343 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:46,880 Speaker 1: to me, just watching that first preseason game, he's always 344 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:49,320 Speaker 1: looking to make a play. Uh If and if that 345 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:51,840 Speaker 1: play is just a ten yard hitch route or something 346 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:54,080 Speaker 1: like that, that's what the play is. But it just 347 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:57,360 Speaker 1: seems like there's something about him just watching him even 348 00:15:57,360 --> 00:16:00,920 Speaker 1: in practice too, that you're only one mistackle away off 349 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 1: something really special happening. Now has to work on some 350 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 1: of the downfield stuff. Obviously the route running is something 351 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:08,400 Speaker 1: that's going to come with him in time, But in 352 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 1: terms of just being able to to show your skill set, 353 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 1: I thought that debut against the Titan showed exactly what 354 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:16,800 Speaker 1: he was all about. Yeah, I would agree. One other 355 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:19,560 Speaker 1: guy I want to talk about here west before before 356 00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:23,160 Speaker 1: we call it a show, Davante Adams. If there was 357 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:25,680 Speaker 1: a play obviously with the starters or the bulk of 358 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:28,680 Speaker 1: the starters in the game last Thursday night, that that 359 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,400 Speaker 1: was the highlight, real play. It was the over the 360 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:34,920 Speaker 1: top throw Brett Hunley Malcolm Butler in coverage. You know, 361 00:16:34,960 --> 00:16:37,320 Speaker 1: I looked back at it a couple of times. I 362 00:16:37,360 --> 00:16:39,320 Speaker 1: thought this when I saw it, and then I wanted 363 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:41,840 Speaker 1: to confirm it by looking back at the film. But 364 00:16:41,960 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 1: two things really really stood out to me about that 365 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:47,760 Speaker 1: play that illustrate just how good Davante Adams is. One 366 00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:52,280 Speaker 1: he knew exactly where the ball was and but did 367 00:16:52,320 --> 00:16:55,680 Speaker 1: not change his route and start fading towards the ball, 368 00:16:55,720 --> 00:16:59,160 Speaker 1: because that allows the defender to get more into the path. 369 00:16:59,280 --> 00:17:01,440 Speaker 1: He still eight on the path that he was on, 370 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:04,320 Speaker 1: knowing that he would sort of catch it over the 371 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:06,960 Speaker 1: outside shoulder. But by staying on the path he was on, 372 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:10,240 Speaker 1: he shielded Butler from having any chance of making a 373 00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:12,400 Speaker 1: play on the ball. And then the other thing, which 374 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 1: is something I've heard from a lot of the receivers 375 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:16,960 Speaker 1: and I've talked to Adams about this too, the technique 376 00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:19,520 Speaker 1: right at the end what they call late hands, where 377 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:21,720 Speaker 1: he doesn't stick his hands out to catch the ball 378 00:17:21,840 --> 00:17:25,520 Speaker 1: until the last possible second, because again that's a signal 379 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:27,840 Speaker 1: to the defensive back, is to when the ball is 380 00:17:27,920 --> 00:17:30,879 Speaker 1: arriving and and when you you look at that play 381 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:32,960 Speaker 1: and the two things that he did in order to 382 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:35,440 Speaker 1: in order to make that catch. Heck of a throw 383 00:17:35,480 --> 00:17:38,320 Speaker 1: by Brett Hunley. But what Davante Adams did to make 384 00:17:38,359 --> 00:17:40,640 Speaker 1: that play work and to make it look so smooth 385 00:17:40,720 --> 00:17:43,840 Speaker 1: and so easy, it's just another example of where he 386 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:46,639 Speaker 1: is right now in his career compared to a couple 387 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:49,560 Speaker 1: of years for me, pound pound for pound to throw 388 00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:52,119 Speaker 1: that termount. Again, I think Davante Adam has had the 389 00:17:52,119 --> 00:17:55,359 Speaker 1: best camp of anybody. What he's done consistently in a 390 00:17:55,440 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 1: daily basis and practice has been fun to watch and 391 00:17:58,600 --> 00:17:59,920 Speaker 1: and you know, to be honest with you, I think 392 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:02,480 Speaker 1: surprise some people to some extent that Davante was out 393 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:05,760 Speaker 1: there for that first preseason game, considering the eighteen players 394 00:18:05,760 --> 00:18:09,040 Speaker 1: that were scratches of majority of those guys healthy starters, 395 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:10,600 Speaker 1: they just didn't want to just didn't want to put 396 00:18:10,640 --> 00:18:13,160 Speaker 1: out there. Adams went out there and he bawled out 397 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:16,479 Speaker 1: and you know it was even the the forty eight 398 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:18,239 Speaker 1: yard is going to draw all the attention, but just 399 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:20,240 Speaker 1: that first catch for eight yards, I think it was 400 00:18:20,280 --> 00:18:22,359 Speaker 1: just on a quick stop route. I believe it was 401 00:18:22,720 --> 00:18:24,520 Speaker 1: with Brett Hunley to kind of get the drive moving. 402 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:28,280 Speaker 1: We talked so often Michael about you know it's about 403 00:18:28,320 --> 00:18:31,520 Speaker 1: that first series. It's about that first first down. To me, 404 00:18:31,720 --> 00:18:34,560 Speaker 1: Davante Adams is just instant energy in that way and 405 00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:36,760 Speaker 1: and the one thing I just want to throw out there. 406 00:18:36,800 --> 00:18:39,240 Speaker 1: I know he's always looked at at James Jones is 407 00:18:39,240 --> 00:18:41,119 Speaker 1: a big brother of his and and those two are 408 00:18:41,160 --> 00:18:43,479 Speaker 1: incredibly close. They got to spend that two thousand fifteen 409 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:46,879 Speaker 1: season together. To me, when I see Davante Adams, I 410 00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:49,640 Speaker 1: see James Jones I see it taken to another level. 411 00:18:49,640 --> 00:18:52,639 Speaker 1: I see the accountability, I see the catching, but just 412 00:18:52,720 --> 00:18:55,640 Speaker 1: the athleticism of Davante Adams is just through this roof. 413 00:18:55,720 --> 00:18:57,640 Speaker 1: And and for him to be able to be at 414 00:18:57,640 --> 00:18:59,440 Speaker 1: this point in his career to work through what he's 415 00:18:59,480 --> 00:19:01,840 Speaker 1: worked through and now be on the cusp of what 416 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 1: appears to be becoming a superstar type player in a 417 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:07,800 Speaker 1: in a huge leader in that locker room. I just 418 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:09,639 Speaker 1: I'm really excited about I'm excited to see what he 419 00:19:09,680 --> 00:19:11,639 Speaker 1: can do. I'm just excited to see where the trajectory 420 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:14,119 Speaker 1: of his career takes him. Because he's always had that confidence, 421 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:16,800 Speaker 1: in that mentality, and now that the health thing has 422 00:19:16,840 --> 00:19:18,880 Speaker 1: kind of worked out for him, you're really being able 423 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:21,359 Speaker 1: to see his his star really shine. Yeah. And as 424 00:19:21,359 --> 00:19:25,240 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers pointed out this week, his confidence in his swag. 425 00:19:25,320 --> 00:19:28,360 Speaker 1: As Rogers put it, it's it's all natural. It's not 426 00:19:28,680 --> 00:19:32,600 Speaker 1: it's not manufactured, it's not artificial. It's just who he is. 427 00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:35,159 Speaker 1: But he also has the drive and the desire to 428 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:38,639 Speaker 1: back up the confidence that he naturally has in himself. 429 00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:40,359 Speaker 1: And that's what I think makes him a special person, 430 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:43,119 Speaker 1: a special player. And for those who have you know, 431 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:46,200 Speaker 1: been fortunate enough to be at the practice field this summer, 432 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:48,920 Speaker 1: if you've gotten a chance to see him, like leap 433 00:19:48,960 --> 00:19:51,080 Speaker 1: frog the referee, the thing that he does where he 434 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:54,760 Speaker 1: jumps over top of the I mean, I don't know 435 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:57,280 Speaker 1: he and he does it when nobody's suspecting it, you know, 436 00:19:57,320 --> 00:20:00,200 Speaker 1: the guy who the the official who gets jumped over 437 00:20:00,520 --> 00:20:03,040 Speaker 1: like has no idea that it's coming. But but you know, 438 00:20:04,080 --> 00:20:06,720 Speaker 1: after the Packer the Packers Titans preseason game, I tried 439 00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:12,199 Speaker 1: jumping over garbage can in the concourse. There's video out there. 440 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:13,640 Speaker 1: We're not going to give it to Marvin to play, 441 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:16,280 Speaker 1: but let it be known I just didn't quite make 442 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:19,119 Speaker 1: it o Marvin. Marv may have to find that for us. 443 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:22,600 Speaker 1: But with that, we're going to sign off on this 444 00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:25,280 Speaker 1: edition of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of 445 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:28,040 Speaker 1: our coverage of the team and of Thursday nights preseason 446 00:20:28,119 --> 00:20:31,280 Speaker 1: game on Packers dot com on Twitter. He's at west 447 00:20:31,320 --> 00:20:34,640 Speaker 1: Hot I'm at Mike Spofford at Packers for the team account. 448 00:20:34,640 --> 00:20:37,080 Speaker 1: Thanks for tuning in, everybody, See you next time.