1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:20,800 Speaker 1: Hi, everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:23,319 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford. He is the one and only 3 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:26,400 Speaker 1: West Hodkoits were coming to you here from our studios 4 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field West. It's the middle of the week. 5 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:31,960 Speaker 1: I know we spent yesterday's show talking about the big 6 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 1: change with the head coaching position here with the Green 7 00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:37,479 Speaker 1: Bay Packers. We're going to try to turn the page 8 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:40,760 Speaker 1: forward here and get back into our routine, which is 9 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:43,800 Speaker 1: to talk about the upcoming opponent, and that's the Atlanta Falcons. 10 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:46,519 Speaker 1: And I tell you what, West, all you have to 11 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:50,879 Speaker 1: do is look at this team as an illustration of 12 00:00:50,920 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 1: just how I guess unpredictable and fleeting success can be 13 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:57,920 Speaker 1: in the NFL. Because I was thinking about this the 14 00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:02,120 Speaker 1: other day. Two months ago, the Atlanta Falcons were leading 15 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 1: a Super Bowl twenty nine to three, and about eleven 16 00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:12,640 Speaker 1: months ago, they were gold to go at Lincoln Financial 17 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:15,720 Speaker 1: Field in Philadelphia with a chance to return to the 18 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:18,959 Speaker 1: NFC Championship game if they could get it in the 19 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:21,039 Speaker 1: end zone in a goal to ghost situation. They did 20 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:23,880 Speaker 1: not get that. They did not get the title from 21 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 1: that Super Bowl against the Patriots, and now they're sitting 22 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:29,040 Speaker 1: at four and eight and they are playing out the string, 23 00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:31,240 Speaker 1: just like the Green Bay Packers are. Yeah, and the 24 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:34,399 Speaker 1: the real tough situation here for the Falcons as you 25 00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:36,680 Speaker 1: look at them going into this game. Now. They had 26 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:39,560 Speaker 1: a big emotional win over Washington thirty eight to fourteen. 27 00:01:39,640 --> 00:01:42,319 Speaker 1: That was on November four, and since then they've dropped 28 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:47,440 Speaker 1: games to Cleveland, Dallas, New Orleans in Baltimore to bring 29 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:49,920 Speaker 1: a four game losing straight. Yeah, four losses in a 30 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:52,440 Speaker 1: row after a four and four record at the midway point, 31 00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:55,320 Speaker 1: So sitting at four and eight. My biggest takeaway from 32 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:58,040 Speaker 1: this mic, and I said it the night of that 33 00:01:58,200 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 1: Super Bowl, is that it is so difficult. The road 34 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 1: is so hard, and so many things have to fall 35 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 1: your way for you to not only win a Super Bowl, 36 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 1: but make it there. This is why it's gut wrenching, 37 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:15,000 Speaker 1: I think because there is no guarantees. It doesn't Just 38 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 1: because you're the best team one year doesn't mean everything's 39 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:19,000 Speaker 1: gonna line up and you're gonna be the best team 40 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:21,440 Speaker 1: the next Look at the Packers in two thousand ten 41 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:23,720 Speaker 1: to two thousand eleven. Just because you have an m 42 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:26,160 Speaker 1: v P quarterback doesn't mean it's always going to fall 43 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:29,639 Speaker 1: into place. What's really peculiar about this particular team, though, 44 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:32,120 Speaker 1: is they've had some terrible injuries this year. They lose 45 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:34,919 Speaker 1: Devonte Freeman. I think when you look at Kian O'Neil, 46 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:38,240 Speaker 1: one of the top hybrid type linebacker safety types in 47 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:40,480 Speaker 1: the league and do a multitude of different things. So 48 00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 1: injuries have you know, wage their ugly head there. But 49 00:02:45,639 --> 00:02:47,880 Speaker 1: on the other side of it, you look at the 50 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 1: defense in the primary playmakers, your Vic Beasley's of the world. Uh, 51 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:55,560 Speaker 1: you know, you look at Desmond Truffont, They've had a 52 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 1: lot of those guys there. The defense just hasn't responded 53 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:02,240 Speaker 1: and offensively they haven't consistent enough to be able to 54 00:03:02,480 --> 00:03:04,240 Speaker 1: get past it. So I think you look at where 55 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:05,880 Speaker 1: the Packers are at and where the Falcons are at, 56 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 1: there's a lot of parallels between those two teams that 57 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 1: are going to meet at Lambeufield at New and Central 58 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:13,640 Speaker 1: time on Sunday. Yeah. When I look at this Falcons offense, 59 00:03:14,320 --> 00:03:17,160 Speaker 1: you look at the statistics Matt Ryan is completing around 60 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:22,240 Speaker 1: his passes, Julio Jones statistically having a monster season. They 61 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 1: added the rookie Calvin Ridley out of Alabama to the 62 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:30,040 Speaker 1: receiving corps he's got I believe eight touchdown receptions. I don't. 63 00:03:30,320 --> 00:03:33,040 Speaker 1: I don't know how this team has scored less than 64 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 1: twenty points four games in a row, in this four 65 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 1: game losing streak with this offense, it's it's and yes, 66 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:41,800 Speaker 1: the loss of DeVante Freeman, I don't want to diminish that, 67 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 1: but you still have Tevin Coleman in the backfield and 68 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:47,960 Speaker 1: all of these weapons, Mohammed Sanu, Austin Hooper, all of 69 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:51,000 Speaker 1: these other guys to go with Jones and Ridley in 70 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:53,080 Speaker 1: the passing game. With a quarterback who just won an 71 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:56,520 Speaker 1: m v P and deservedly so in two thousand and sixteen, 72 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 1: it's it's a head scratcher in a sense. West as 73 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:01,800 Speaker 1: to out early in the season, they lost a couple 74 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:04,240 Speaker 1: of shootouts. They lost a shootout to the Bengals, they 75 00:04:04,240 --> 00:04:06,960 Speaker 1: lost an overtime shootout to the Saints that was part 76 00:04:06,960 --> 00:04:09,200 Speaker 1: of the four and four start. But now in the 77 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:11,640 Speaker 1: four game losing streak that's dropped him to four and eight, 78 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:14,800 Speaker 1: they can't even get to twenty points. It's it's it's amazing, 79 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:17,880 Speaker 1: quite frankly. Yeah, And then also to mention their offensive line. 80 00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:21,680 Speaker 1: I mean Jake Matthews, Uh, you know, Alex Mack and 81 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:24,520 Speaker 1: Ryan Schrader are all there this year as well, So 82 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:26,560 Speaker 1: I mean Andy Leavitri has been out for the year, 83 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:29,640 Speaker 1: but they still have most of those big components are 84 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:31,640 Speaker 1: offensive line. So it has been a head scratcher. But 85 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 1: when I was going and doing my research before we 86 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:36,600 Speaker 1: hopped in here to talk about the Falcons, I couldn't 87 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:38,719 Speaker 1: help but look at their record, look at their schedule, 88 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:41,599 Speaker 1: and not draw some of those those comparisons in my 89 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 1: head that Joe Philbin had talked about at the podium 90 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 1: on Monday about sometimes that self fulfilling prophecy a little 91 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:50,359 Speaker 1: bit when the winds aren't going your way, when the 92 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:52,640 Speaker 1: production isn't going your way, when the wind just isn't 93 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:56,120 Speaker 1: quite blowing in the direction you needed to blow, you 94 00:04:56,240 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 1: start to fall into a rut. And then that rut 95 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:02,120 Speaker 1: ends up leading a fewer big plays and fewer you know, 96 00:05:02,279 --> 00:05:05,559 Speaker 1: capitalized opportunities, and then you start getting in a losing streak. 97 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:08,000 Speaker 1: So yeah, that's where the Falcons are at. This is 98 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:10,120 Speaker 1: a fascinating match up on a number of levels, though, 99 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:12,080 Speaker 1: because I think when both of these two teams are 100 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:17,040 Speaker 1: playing at their absolute best. Yeah, they're they're playoff contending teams. 101 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:19,120 Speaker 1: They have that kind of ability, they have that kind 102 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:22,159 Speaker 1: of talent on both sides of the ball. But I 103 00:05:22,200 --> 00:05:24,040 Speaker 1: think it's been an issue of just not getting enough 104 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:27,920 Speaker 1: big plays out of your playmakers. Looking specifically at Atlanta 105 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:30,839 Speaker 1: twenty six right now. In total defense, when they have 106 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 1: the resources that they've invested into that defense, you need 107 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 1: more production that you need more pressure on the quarterback 108 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:38,200 Speaker 1: than they've been getting, and it just hasn't been there 109 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 1: this season. Yeah. Now this is the rematch obviously of 110 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:43,840 Speaker 1: the two thousand and sixteen NFC title game that was 111 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:47,159 Speaker 1: down in Atlanta, which the Falcons won, but I believe 112 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:49,720 Speaker 1: it was three touchdowns or so. They clearly were the 113 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:52,520 Speaker 1: class of the NFC that year and as we know, 114 00:05:52,560 --> 00:05:55,400 Speaker 1: they should have won the Super Bowl. But when you 115 00:05:55,400 --> 00:05:58,960 Speaker 1: look at this Packers team, certainly on the defensive side 116 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 1: of the ball, this is a very different Packers team 117 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:03,960 Speaker 1: than the one that went to Atlanta for that NFC 118 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:07,679 Speaker 1: championship game. But the Falcons personnel wise offense and defense, 119 00:06:07,839 --> 00:06:10,279 Speaker 1: aside from you know, the addition of Ridley from the 120 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:12,880 Speaker 1: draft and maybe one or two others, it kind of 121 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:15,440 Speaker 1: still looks like the same team, you know, yet the Packers, 122 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:17,120 Speaker 1: at least on the defensive side of the ball, are 123 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:19,240 Speaker 1: very different. Yeah, no, it is. I mean, like I said, 124 00:06:19,279 --> 00:06:23,120 Speaker 1: they lost two of their big playmakers offensively and defensively 125 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:25,840 Speaker 1: with DeVonta Freeman going down. But before Devonte Freeman became 126 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:28,080 Speaker 1: a thing in the NFL, Tevin Coleman was there starting 127 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:30,920 Speaker 1: running backs. Injuries that sort of pushed Freeman to the 128 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:33,839 Speaker 1: lineup and let him become the kind of difference maker 129 00:06:33,920 --> 00:06:36,360 Speaker 1: every down back that he became. And I think when 130 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 1: you look at what Neil had done, and especially in 131 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:42,480 Speaker 1: that NFC Championship game, what he and and some of 132 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:44,360 Speaker 1: the players that they had in that defense, the way 133 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:47,279 Speaker 1: that they were able to really gel and galvanize themselves 134 00:06:47,520 --> 00:06:51,440 Speaker 1: during the final stretch of that season propelled the Falcons 135 00:06:51,480 --> 00:06:54,680 Speaker 1: to being, you know, a Super Bowl contending team. And 136 00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:57,280 Speaker 1: then you said you mentioned Austin Hooper earlier. I've been 137 00:06:57,279 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 1: following Hooper all season, just a young and that has 138 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:02,520 Speaker 1: really come into his own the last two seasons, has 139 00:07:02,560 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 1: become more in each week, it seems like more and 140 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:09,520 Speaker 1: more of a primary target for Matt Ryan and Kelvin Ridley. Well, 141 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 1: he did have a kind of a lull there mid season, 142 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 1: has had a resurgence here the last couple of weeks 143 00:07:14,360 --> 00:07:16,280 Speaker 1: has been a big end zone target, as you mentioned, 144 00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 1: with a touchdown. So there's a lot of weapons the 145 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:22,320 Speaker 1: Packers are going to have to take into account defensively 146 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 1: to be able to hold Matt Ryan and check because 147 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:27,640 Speaker 1: like many of these other top flight quarterbacks they've seen 148 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 1: this season, Ryan gets the ball out quickly, he lets 149 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:34,400 Speaker 1: things develop down field, but isn't afraid to work underneath. 150 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 1: And with having Ridley Sanu who had a big game 151 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 1: against the Packers two years ago, uh, Jones and and 152 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:44,560 Speaker 1: Hooper certainly don't have to keep in mind the the 153 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:47,320 Speaker 1: receiving aspect that Freeman provides. But still, that's a lot 154 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:49,360 Speaker 1: of weapons to shut down. Yeah, and I've always felt 155 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:52,200 Speaker 1: that Mohammed Sanu is one of the more underrated and 156 00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:55,480 Speaker 1: under the radar type of receivers in this league. Yes, 157 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:58,200 Speaker 1: he benefits from the attention that Julio Jones gets and 158 00:07:58,240 --> 00:08:01,040 Speaker 1: now that Calvin Ridley is getting. But Mohammed Sanu is 159 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:03,200 Speaker 1: a guy who can he he can do some damage 160 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 1: in his own right, and he can win his one 161 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 1: on one matchups so I mean if if they're giving 162 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 1: extra attention to Jones Freeman, uh those other weapons. He's 163 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:12,560 Speaker 1: a guy, as we saw in the NFC title game 164 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 1: two years ago. When you give him one on one look, 165 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:17,640 Speaker 1: he's going to take advantage of it. Yeah, alright, well 166 00:08:17,720 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 1: quickly was before I forget because I have a tendency 167 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:22,440 Speaker 1: to do that once in a while. Packers fans be 168 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:24,320 Speaker 1: sure to stopped in at your local quick Trip and 169 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 1: pick up your Packers cup today. Get eighty nine cent 170 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:31,520 Speaker 1: refills on your Cafe Karuba coffee all season long, and 171 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: the deadline here is coming up quickly. For the Cousin 172 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:37,120 Speaker 1: Subs Best Seats in the House promotion, you and a 173 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 1: guest could win a chance to kick back on the 174 00:08:39,040 --> 00:08:42,120 Speaker 1: fifty yard line in style. Two pairs of lucky Packers 175 00:08:42,160 --> 00:08:44,720 Speaker 1: fans will be chosen prior to each home game for 176 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:47,640 Speaker 1: this v I P experience. Enter daily now through December 177 00:08:47,679 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 1: sixteen by completing the entry form and submitting. For complete 178 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:54,040 Speaker 1: rules and eligibility, go to Packers dot com slash Best 179 00:08:54,080 --> 00:08:57,360 Speaker 1: Seats Cousin Subs. We believe in better. You know it's funny. 180 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 1: I'm certain almost create this like West overtime period when 181 00:09:00,800 --> 00:09:02,240 Speaker 1: you're coming out of it is now where I jumped 182 00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 1: back in. I just wanted to point this out because 183 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 1: we'll get in on Friday. Two keys to victory, but 184 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:09,480 Speaker 1: a very quirky stat that worked out, and I'd be 185 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:12,160 Speaker 1: very interested if like Alias or somebody else could figure 186 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:14,959 Speaker 1: this out. The Packers last week face the thirty two 187 00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:18,240 Speaker 1: ranked rushing offense in the league right right this week now, 188 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 1: Atlanta is now last ranked in rushing offense in the NFL. Now, 189 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:24,880 Speaker 1: to make a point in terms of the key to victory, 190 00:09:24,920 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 1: the Packers for the most part, Blake Martinez. I was 191 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:29,240 Speaker 1: talking with him about this after the game. They did 192 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:31,760 Speaker 1: a good job of being able to shut down David 193 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 1: Johnson consistently, but that third quarter kind of got away 194 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:37,160 Speaker 1: from them. They're going to need to put that kind 195 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:40,319 Speaker 1: of complete performance together against Atlanta because we know, unlike 196 00:09:40,320 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 1: with Josh Rosen, who was kind of you know, in 197 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:46,600 Speaker 1: you know, inaccurate, you could say, you know, Matt Ryan's 198 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:47,920 Speaker 1: gonna be able to cut you up there if you 199 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:50,160 Speaker 1: if you'd let them be two dimensional. Well, it was 200 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 1: interesting with the Packers run defense against the Cardinals, as 201 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:56,520 Speaker 1: good a job, I thought as they did against David Johnson. 202 00:09:56,920 --> 00:10:00,400 Speaker 1: It was when the Cardinals turned to Edmonds, that's suddenly 203 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:03,520 Speaker 1: the explosive plays were happening, and and the Packers really 204 00:10:03,559 --> 00:10:05,960 Speaker 1: didn't adjust to that very well. And Edmonds became a 205 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:09,000 Speaker 1: huge part of that offense in Arizona pulling out that victory. Yeah, 206 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:10,920 Speaker 1: it was. I mean, he was the difference baker for them, 207 00:10:10,960 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 1: and I don't think you and I said his name 208 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:14,920 Speaker 1: once in the lead up to that game. So from 209 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:16,800 Speaker 1: this perspective that I'd be really interested to see the 210 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:20,040 Speaker 1: last time the Packers have faced back to back rushing 211 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:21,959 Speaker 1: offenses that we're dead last in the league, and then 212 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:24,000 Speaker 1: three weeks ago it was Minnesota who was thirty one. 213 00:10:24,160 --> 00:10:26,200 Speaker 1: So kind of a weird stretch that they've kind of 214 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 1: underwentire in this final half of the season. Yeah. Well, 215 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:31,319 Speaker 1: on the defensive side of the ball, that's really where 216 00:10:31,559 --> 00:10:34,280 Speaker 1: the Falcons have had the majority of their injuries. As 217 00:10:34,280 --> 00:10:36,439 Speaker 1: you said, some of their key guys have certainly been 218 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:39,320 Speaker 1: there throughout the season, but they do have a guy 219 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 1: with a half dozen interceptions in the secondary here. He's 220 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:45,320 Speaker 1: a playmaker year. You have to pay attention to tell 221 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:48,560 Speaker 1: us about him. Yeah, So Demonte CAZy, second year player 222 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:50,360 Speaker 1: for them fifth round draft pick a year ago. It's 223 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:52,720 Speaker 1: really coincidental the way this works out. He has six 224 00:10:52,760 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 1: picks on the year, the Falcons in general only have nine. Uh, 225 00:10:57,320 --> 00:10:59,160 Speaker 1: So he's stepped up in that way and has sort 226 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,800 Speaker 1: of been become a big playmaker for them. They don't 227 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:04,600 Speaker 1: have Ricardo Lamas this year, so it's been basically him 228 00:11:04,679 --> 00:11:07,839 Speaker 1: and obviously with Neil being out, so he's been kind 229 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:09,880 Speaker 1: of the big playmaker for them on the back end 230 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 1: so far this season out of San Diego State. UM 231 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:17,000 Speaker 1: from San Bernardino, California, So I'd be curious. I have 232 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:19,280 Speaker 1: to ask Kenny Clark if he has a background with 233 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:23,840 Speaker 1: him at all. Um, But it's been a big play 234 00:11:23,880 --> 00:11:25,880 Speaker 1: target for them this year. It's been kind of interesting 235 00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:28,400 Speaker 1: how that's worked out. Only has fifty to receive like 236 00:11:28,760 --> 00:11:31,400 Speaker 1: interception return yards, but as you and I have both 237 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:33,320 Speaker 1: seen Mike over the years, when you have a player 238 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:35,640 Speaker 1: that gets over five six interceptions, the kind of difference 239 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:39,400 Speaker 1: it makes for a secondary Yeah. Absolutely. Um. Interestingly, with 240 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:42,880 Speaker 1: the Falcons we saw you know again, we keep referring 241 00:11:42,920 --> 00:11:46,439 Speaker 1: to that two thousand sixteen NFC Championship game because that's 242 00:11:46,520 --> 00:11:51,120 Speaker 1: really our reference point with the Falcons. Vick Beasley was 243 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:53,600 Speaker 1: was kind of tough to handle that day, But um, 244 00:11:53,679 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 1: he's not having the type of season at this point 245 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:59,360 Speaker 1: that that the Falcons were counting on. He's not, I said, 246 00:11:59,480 --> 00:12:03,080 Speaker 1: Ricardo Amas, not Ricardo Allen. Who's who I meant to say. 247 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:06,280 Speaker 1: Ricardo Lamas is a UFC fighter, So I apologize. I 248 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:09,120 Speaker 1: knew her, I knew who you meant, but Allen, I 249 00:12:09,160 --> 00:12:12,240 Speaker 1: missed the miss miss speaking. I'm glad I caught myself 250 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 1: on that. Ricardo Allen has been a big presence there 251 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 1: was in that NFC Championship game, a starter for them 252 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 1: for many season. He's been out for the year. So 253 00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:21,480 Speaker 1: I was just making the point here out since Week 254 00:12:21,559 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 1: four whatever it is that that Casey has kind of 255 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:27,199 Speaker 1: been thrown in the lineup because of that. Your question again, Sorry, 256 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:29,120 Speaker 1: I was distracted. No, I was just talking about Vick 257 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 1: Beasley and that when when the type of postseason that 258 00:12:33,600 --> 00:12:35,800 Speaker 1: he had when the Falcons made that run to the 259 00:12:35,800 --> 00:12:38,840 Speaker 1: Super Bowl a couple of years ago, he was he 260 00:12:38,920 --> 00:12:41,800 Speaker 1: was a big time player on that defense and they've 261 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:44,520 Speaker 1: been looking for a lot out of him, and so 262 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:47,520 Speaker 1: far this year they haven't really gotten what they were 263 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:49,440 Speaker 1: hoping for Yeah, so I don't I can't give you 264 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:52,040 Speaker 1: a full scouting report on what Vic Beasley's two thousand 265 00:12:52,120 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 1: eighteen season has been like, but I will say this, 266 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 1: I was really taken aback when I brought up the 267 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:00,560 Speaker 1: statistics and saw that, Okay, he was there an injury 268 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:02,679 Speaker 1: or something. No, He's played in twelve games for them, 269 00:13:02,720 --> 00:13:06,800 Speaker 1: he started eight thirteen tackles, three sacks. In the past deflection, 270 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 1: you go back to the NFC Championship game when he 271 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 1: was on the tail end of his Pro Bowl season 272 00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:14,400 Speaker 1: fifteen and a half sacks, six force fumbles in the 273 00:13:14,400 --> 00:13:17,160 Speaker 1: regular season, the place he made during the postseason. It 274 00:13:17,240 --> 00:13:19,240 Speaker 1: looked like this young man was going to become the 275 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:21,920 Speaker 1: next you know, Khalil Mack like that, that type of 276 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:25,280 Speaker 1: difference maker in this league. And over the last two seasons, 277 00:13:25,320 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 1: five sacks for him last year in fourteen games, three 278 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 1: in twelve this year. Two of those came against Dallas 279 00:13:31,559 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 1: two weeks ago. So it's been really interesting how this 280 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:36,720 Speaker 1: has worked out. And I think one of the issues 281 00:13:36,760 --> 00:13:39,480 Speaker 1: so far this year for the Falcons with their twenty 282 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:43,359 Speaker 1: six ranked defense, they only have twenty three sacks tack McKinley, 283 00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:46,120 Speaker 1: who is a former teammate of of some of these 284 00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:48,679 Speaker 1: used former u c l A players on the Packers roster. 285 00:13:49,160 --> 00:13:51,079 Speaker 1: He currently leads them right now with five and a 286 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 1: half sacks, but just getting after the quarterback has been 287 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 1: kind of a problem for them this year and something 288 00:13:56,480 --> 00:13:57,960 Speaker 1: the Packers are gonna have to keep in mind in 289 00:13:57,960 --> 00:14:01,800 Speaker 1: this matchup. Yeah, well, the Falcons. Falcons looking to snap 290 00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:04,679 Speaker 1: a four game losing streak. As we mentioned, the Packers 291 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:07,080 Speaker 1: been on the skids as we know since the bye week, 292 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:09,560 Speaker 1: losing five out of six. Looking to turn things around 293 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 1: under interim head coach Joe philbin Um. Dan Quinn, the 294 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 1: head coach of the Falcons. You know, it's inevitable that 295 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:21,400 Speaker 1: they're always gonna be discussions of job security and whatnot. 296 00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:24,840 Speaker 1: It's it's it's astounding to me that, as I said, 297 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:27,160 Speaker 1: even last year, coming off the Super Bowl loss, they 298 00:14:27,160 --> 00:14:29,720 Speaker 1: were goal to go against Philadelphia on the road in 299 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:33,080 Speaker 1: the Divisional playoffs with a chance to get a touchdown 300 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:36,120 Speaker 1: and get back to the NFC Championship game. And now 301 00:14:36,160 --> 00:14:39,280 Speaker 1: suddenly they're they're even rumblings about how secure dan Quinn 302 00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:41,480 Speaker 1: is in is that land? I don't know how seriously 303 00:14:41,520 --> 00:14:43,880 Speaker 1: to take those when it's just one down year. But 304 00:14:43,960 --> 00:14:46,400 Speaker 1: we've been talking about the personnel and everything on the team. 305 00:14:46,640 --> 00:14:49,600 Speaker 1: They are. They are a hard team to figure out 306 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:52,560 Speaker 1: this year, and hopefully, for the Packer's sake, they can 307 00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:56,080 Speaker 1: the Packers can keep them on the the downside of 308 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:58,240 Speaker 1: things at least for another week, because Green Bay needs 309 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:00,840 Speaker 1: a victory just as badly as these guys. They really do, Mike, 310 00:15:00,880 --> 00:15:03,000 Speaker 1: and I'm really interested to see. You know, dan Quinn 311 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:06,040 Speaker 1: is a defensive mastermind, right. I mean that's how he 312 00:15:06,240 --> 00:15:08,760 Speaker 1: cut his teeth in this league where he didn't built 313 00:15:08,760 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 1: that Seattle defense and then and then that's how he 314 00:15:10,920 --> 00:15:12,920 Speaker 1: got the head coaching job in at Lane. Yeah, so 315 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:15,200 Speaker 1: I'm sure there is that aspect that he really does 316 00:15:15,240 --> 00:15:17,320 Speaker 1: want to get this defense back on track. I think 317 00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:18,960 Speaker 1: one thing that is going to help them, I you know, 318 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 1: last week Dion Jones. They finally got him back. He 319 00:15:21,760 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 1: had fifteen tackles in that game against Baltimore, and again 320 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:27,800 Speaker 1: not to keep referencing two thousand and sixteen, but you 321 00:15:27,840 --> 00:15:29,760 Speaker 1: saw him in that game and as a hybrid type 322 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:32,480 Speaker 1: player what he provides that defense. So there was a 323 00:15:32,520 --> 00:15:35,320 Speaker 1: little bit of a uh, you know, comeback there from 324 00:15:35,320 --> 00:15:37,560 Speaker 1: one of their top guys. But that being said, the 325 00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:39,640 Speaker 1: statistics still are what they are. And I'm sure we 326 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:41,040 Speaker 1: haven't had a chance to talk to him at this 327 00:15:41,080 --> 00:15:43,360 Speaker 1: point in time, but I'm sure that's something that's that's 328 00:15:43,400 --> 00:15:44,960 Speaker 1: kind of grinding at him a little bit, is that 329 00:15:45,040 --> 00:15:47,480 Speaker 1: the defense hasn't been what I think they thought they 330 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:50,080 Speaker 1: were going to be in terms of having Matt Ryan, 331 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:53,440 Speaker 1: having that offense and having the explosiveness there, but also 332 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:55,760 Speaker 1: a defense to compliment that. It's been a little in 333 00:15:55,840 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 1: balance for the Falcons so far this season, and then 334 00:15:58,280 --> 00:16:00,720 Speaker 1: in the times in which the offense isn't able to 335 00:16:00,720 --> 00:16:04,280 Speaker 1: point put points up. You've seen teams like Cleveland, You've 336 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:06,400 Speaker 1: seen teams like Baltimore be able to have the success 337 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:08,720 Speaker 1: that they've had. Yeah, all right, well I've got a 338 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:10,320 Speaker 1: run and I know you do too, So we're going 339 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:12,800 Speaker 1: to call it a wrap on this edition of Packers Unscripted. 340 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:14,480 Speaker 1: Be sure to follow all of our coverage of the 341 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:17,320 Speaker 1: team on Packers dot com on Twitter. You can still 342 00:16:17,320 --> 00:16:19,600 Speaker 1: find him at west Hot I'm at Mike Spofford at 343 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:22,200 Speaker 1: Packers for the team account. Thanks for tuning in, everybody, 344 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 1: We'll see you next time.