1 00:00:00,520 --> 00:00:11,480 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am Mike Spofford, joined by the 3 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:18,840 Speaker 1: one the only Western Hodkowits coming to you hear from 4 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: our studios at lambeau Field West. The first preseason game 5 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:27,960 Speaker 1: of one, the first preseason game in two years, is 6 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 1: upon us. The Packers will take on the Houston Texans 7 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:34,440 Speaker 1: Saturday night at lambeau Field. So I want to spend 8 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:37,519 Speaker 1: today's show just talking about, Hey, what are we going 9 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:42,080 Speaker 1: to be watching for here in this preseason opener? And 10 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:45,919 Speaker 1: I think it starts first and foremost with quarterback Jordan's love. 11 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:48,720 Speaker 1: First time Jordan's love hopping under center and an actual 12 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:52,239 Speaker 1: regulation football game in really twenty months is what it 13 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:55,200 Speaker 1: boils down to. You know, this is a young man 14 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 1: that he's done everything he can do over the virtual 15 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 1: zoom meetings. Last year he was he had three weeks 16 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:04,360 Speaker 1: worth of training camp where he saw a little bit 17 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 1: of snaps and some of those young guy developmental periods. 18 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:09,679 Speaker 1: Then he's holding the clipboard the rest of the the 19 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:12,760 Speaker 1: you know, the season, he's had to train, He's had 20 00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 1: to do all this other stuff, kind of like the 21 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 1: build up to Christmas. He's been waiting for that opportunity 22 00:01:18,400 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 1: to sort of put everything to work, and now it's 23 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:22,480 Speaker 1: before him. And you know, the thing I want to 24 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:24,360 Speaker 1: see the most from Jordan's love is just how he 25 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:27,960 Speaker 1: responds to the variables. Because he's had some really good days. 26 00:01:28,040 --> 00:01:31,000 Speaker 1: He's had some days to learn from in practice. But 27 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:33,920 Speaker 1: no matter what, you can see the intangibles, you can 28 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:36,000 Speaker 1: see the arm talent, and you can see the what 29 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:38,440 Speaker 1: you know, the characteristics that made him a first round pick. 30 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: Now can he apply them to an actual in game situation. Yeah? Absolutely, 31 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:45,880 Speaker 1: And you know, right or wrong, fair, unfair. The pressure 32 00:01:45,959 --> 00:01:47,600 Speaker 1: is going to be on him here. He knows the 33 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 1: spotlight is on him. Everybody is going to be watching 34 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 1: to see how he performs. I just hope that the 35 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:58,960 Speaker 1: general media, the fans, that they keep this in perspective 36 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 1: because this is this is one game. As you said, 37 00:02:01,520 --> 00:02:03,560 Speaker 1: it's his first game in twenty months. He's going to 38 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 1: have two more preseason games. Um. Just take a look 39 00:02:07,720 --> 00:02:12,079 Speaker 1: at almost any NFL quarterbacks first preseason game, like they 40 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:15,680 Speaker 1: don't They normally don't go very well or they're full 41 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:18,639 Speaker 1: of you know what, Whatever is good can be offset 42 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:21,120 Speaker 1: by the bad. That's just the way this goes. I'm 43 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:24,480 Speaker 1: very curious to see how he performs, but I think 44 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:26,680 Speaker 1: we all have to be careful not I mean this. 45 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:29,359 Speaker 1: I said this an insider inbox. This is not going 46 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:32,600 Speaker 1: This performance Saturday Night is not going to define Jordan's Love. 47 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:35,639 Speaker 1: It is just the beginning of this next chapter, the 48 00:02:36,080 --> 00:02:38,959 Speaker 1: beginning of this next piece of the story. We're all 49 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:42,119 Speaker 1: very excited and anxious and eager to see what it's 50 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:44,639 Speaker 1: going to be. But it's not going to be some 51 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:48,079 Speaker 1: sort of definitive statement on who Jordan's Love is or 52 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:51,040 Speaker 1: what kind of quarterback he's going to be in the NFL. 53 00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:53,440 Speaker 1: Until three weeks ago, no pack of fan and really 54 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:57,720 Speaker 1: ever seen him play at all, practice anything other than 55 00:02:57,760 --> 00:02:59,480 Speaker 1: maybe a few clips that they caught on the local 56 00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:03,760 Speaker 1: news or on our website. So the fact that he's 57 00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:05,720 Speaker 1: going to finally be in an in game situation, you 58 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:08,519 Speaker 1: know how society is, they're going to rush to conclusions. 59 00:03:08,960 --> 00:03:11,280 Speaker 1: If he has a hundred fifty eight points re pass rating, 60 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:14,480 Speaker 1: this guy's the goat. If it doesn't work out that way, 61 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:17,400 Speaker 1: what the heck are the Packers doing the difference here 62 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:20,040 Speaker 1: with Love as opposed to any other quarterback I've covered 63 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:22,160 Speaker 1: You can't say this. Your situation was a little bit 64 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 1: different with Aaron Rodgers, But there actually are expectations. Really 65 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:28,480 Speaker 1: weren't a whole lot of expectations on these quarterbacks, these 66 00:03:28,480 --> 00:03:31,239 Speaker 1: backups during my time covering the Packers. People wanted to 67 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 1: see Brett Hunley, but Brett Huntley was a fifth round pick. 68 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:35,680 Speaker 1: People wanted to see if Graham Harold could hold onto 69 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:37,800 Speaker 1: the backup job, but grand Harold was a former undrafted 70 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:41,080 Speaker 1: free agent. Taysom Hill was a pleasant surprise. Nobody really 71 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 1: expected a lot from Tim Boyle. Well, this young man 72 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:45,640 Speaker 1: has a lot of expectations on him. But the thing 73 00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:47,400 Speaker 1: about it that I think people have to realize is 74 00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:49,080 Speaker 1: Jordan's love. This isn't a guy that just flew into 75 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:51,080 Speaker 1: Green Bay and decided to play quarterback. He's been playing 76 00:03:51,160 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 1: quarterback his entire life. And while he isn't the most 77 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 1: you know, expressive guy when it comes to being in 78 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 1: a news conference or wanting to speak his mind, he 79 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:03,360 Speaker 1: goes about his business in a very professional manner. In 80 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:05,680 Speaker 1: this sport means a lot to him. So I have 81 00:04:05,760 --> 00:04:07,800 Speaker 1: to imagine he's champing at the bid here to get 82 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:09,720 Speaker 1: out there to show what he has to offer, and 83 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:11,920 Speaker 1: then you know, getting these bulk of the reps, we'll 84 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 1: see what that first team offensive line looks like. You know, 85 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:16,560 Speaker 1: I don't know if we're gonna see Elton Jenkins or not, 86 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:18,039 Speaker 1: but I mean there's gonna probably be a lot of 87 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:20,400 Speaker 1: guys that will be on the NFL roster here at 88 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:21,840 Speaker 1: the start of the season that will be blocking for 89 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 1: him at the beginning of the game. So a really 90 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:26,039 Speaker 1: good opportunity for him to come out and show what 91 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:27,880 Speaker 1: he has to offer. I think one thing we are 92 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:30,360 Speaker 1: going to see on the offensive line more than likely 93 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:34,400 Speaker 1: is the continued rotation of those three guards that are 94 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:38,279 Speaker 1: battling essentially for the two spots at guard while Elton 95 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:41,599 Speaker 1: Jenkins is playing left tackle with the number one line 96 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:44,680 Speaker 1: here during training camp. And of course I'm talking about 97 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:49,240 Speaker 1: Lucas Patrick, John Runyon, and Ben Braden, And you know, 98 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:53,360 Speaker 1: really there's other than the fact that on Family Night 99 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:58,159 Speaker 1: last weekend, the coaches went with Runyan and Patrick for 100 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:00,720 Speaker 1: pretty much all of the snap with the number one 101 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:03,719 Speaker 1: offensive line. Now, there were some practice periods that were 102 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:06,119 Speaker 1: canceled and all that kind of stuff because of the weather, 103 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 1: so we don't know if they were planning to rotate, 104 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:11,080 Speaker 1: But as far as the practices we've seen at Ray 105 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 1: Nitchky Field, it has been a steady rotation of those 106 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:16,840 Speaker 1: three guys in the two spots with the number one line. 107 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:19,080 Speaker 1: I think that's going to continue here in the preseason 108 00:05:19,160 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 1: and we'll see if somewhere along the line there's some 109 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:24,360 Speaker 1: kind of a decision, some kind of a separation as 110 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:26,120 Speaker 1: to how the coaches want to want to go with this. 111 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:28,360 Speaker 1: The part I love the most about this. All three 112 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:30,320 Speaker 1: of those guys are gonna play this season. If they 113 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:32,880 Speaker 1: get through healthy through training camp, they're all gonna play. 114 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 1: One of my favorite stories was three two years ago now, 115 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:39,560 Speaker 1: Lane Taylor competing with Elton Jenkins for what I think 116 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:41,360 Speaker 1: was a starting right guard job. At that time, we're 117 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:44,560 Speaker 1: starting left graf remember how that worked out, But it 118 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:46,760 Speaker 1: was this whole camp competition. We talked about it the 119 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 1: entire way, and ultimately Taylor ended up starting. But then 120 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 1: they started working in Elton Jenkins for some snaps. Uh. 121 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 1: They bring him in for a series or two, and 122 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:55,960 Speaker 1: unfortunately then Lane ends up having I believe it was 123 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:58,920 Speaker 1: the biceps injury, and he misses the whole season. Elton 124 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:03,479 Speaker 1: Jenkins had to be the eyes. So John Runyon, Lucas Patrick, 125 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:05,920 Speaker 1: Ben Braden, Packers are going to need those dudes. I 126 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:08,159 Speaker 1: don't want to put Braden on the roster, but where 127 00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:10,560 Speaker 1: he's been taking snaps, you would think that he's definitely 128 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:13,360 Speaker 1: in this equation for the fifty three. In the other 129 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:15,719 Speaker 1: aspect of this too, to keep in mind, Packers don't 130 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:20,600 Speaker 1: have a proven, natural, established veteran backup center to Josh Myers. 131 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:23,000 Speaker 1: They do have Jake Hansen, former sixth round pick who 132 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:24,960 Speaker 1: played that position at Oregon, but he was on the 133 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:28,279 Speaker 1: practice squad last year. So Lucas Patrick and John running 134 00:06:28,279 --> 00:06:31,239 Speaker 1: have both been rotating in that number two spot at center. 135 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 1: So there's a lot of snaps to go around. There's 136 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 1: gonna be a lot of guys playing in a lot 137 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:38,080 Speaker 1: of different positions, I would imagine during that game against 138 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 1: the Texans and seeing who those guys are and how 139 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:43,320 Speaker 1: they adapt to it, that's ultimately going to be the 140 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:45,880 Speaker 1: big indicator I think on that first game against the Saints, 141 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:50,920 Speaker 1: who's starting? Yeah? Absolutely? Um serious. X M NFL Radio 142 00:06:50,960 --> 00:06:53,799 Speaker 1: West delivers hard hitting analysis and up to the minute 143 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:58,640 Speaker 1: NFL news that true football fanatics need seven three, six 144 00:06:59,160 --> 00:07:02,400 Speaker 1: and at Cousins subs. We have something for everyone, like 145 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:05,599 Speaker 1: our Wisconsin Cheese kurds, mac and Cheese, golden fries, and 146 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:08,720 Speaker 1: creamy shakes. I know you like those shakes, all paired 147 00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:11,880 Speaker 1: with your favorite sub or sub in a bowl. Cousin subs. 148 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:16,400 Speaker 1: We believe in better Well. We've heard from head coach 149 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 1: Matt Lafleur that we know they're going to be several starters, 150 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:23,480 Speaker 1: if not the vast majority of the veteran starters on 151 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 1: this team will not be playing in this first preseason game, 152 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 1: and they may not play many snaps, if any at all, 153 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:34,600 Speaker 1: in these three preseason games. It sounds like A. J. 154 00:07:34,840 --> 00:07:37,320 Speaker 1: Dillon is going to start at running back and maybe 155 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 1: get the opening series, but then after that, here we 156 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 1: go West. The competition for the number three running back 157 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 1: spot really gets going between Patrick Taylor Kyl and Hill 158 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:52,120 Speaker 1: Dexter Williams. I think this is and this is not 159 00:07:52,160 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 1: going to be decided in one game either, but this 160 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:57,720 Speaker 1: is where this is where it really kind of gets rolling. 161 00:07:57,920 --> 00:07:59,960 Speaker 1: It does, and I want to talk about the running 162 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 1: x but before we do, I want to mention one 163 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 1: thing about the preseason. There's a lot of ways in 164 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:07,119 Speaker 1: which I thought Madden Football the video game was actually 165 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:09,560 Speaker 1: ahead of the NFL some of the trends I thought 166 00:08:09,640 --> 00:08:11,800 Speaker 1: you saw with with you know, play calls and the 167 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:14,680 Speaker 1: way guys go about their offenses. Remember Mike McCarthy kind 168 00:08:14,680 --> 00:08:17,280 Speaker 1: of talking about that, that that that generation is starting 169 00:08:17,280 --> 00:08:20,840 Speaker 1: to have its impact on the actual game. Preseason allocation 170 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 1: of starters is also a part of that. When I 171 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:26,480 Speaker 1: was a kid, Brett Farve, I'm on Green, none of 172 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 1: those guys ever saw action in the preseason. It's funny 173 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 1: to me now that in two thousand twenty one we 174 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 1: are getting to this place that, yeah, you're not gonna 175 00:08:33,640 --> 00:08:36,280 Speaker 1: see it was all in all likelihood, you won't see 176 00:08:36,280 --> 00:08:39,400 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers. I wonder if you'll see Devontas I wonder 177 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:41,520 Speaker 1: if you see Jaire Alexander those type of players because 178 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:43,959 Speaker 1: he needs them for Week one. It has been really 179 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:46,960 Speaker 1: interesting watching that shift. I want everyone at lambeau Field 180 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:48,679 Speaker 1: to have a fantastic time. There's gonna be some great 181 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:50,320 Speaker 1: battles and we're gonna talk about one of them here 182 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:52,600 Speaker 1: in a second, but that's really the biggest thing. Can 183 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 1: you get your guys to Week one? Because we saw 184 00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:56,440 Speaker 1: what happened with Jordy Nelson six years ago, and that's 185 00:08:56,440 --> 00:08:59,679 Speaker 1: not the scenario you want. That being said, the number 186 00:08:59,679 --> 00:09:02,360 Speaker 1: three back competition is as fun as I can remember 187 00:09:02,360 --> 00:09:04,920 Speaker 1: it because there's a legitimate spot there. The Packers need 188 00:09:04,960 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 1: three running backs. It's not like, Okay, these guys are 189 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:10,080 Speaker 1: gonna compete, we'll see if any of them stick. No, 190 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:12,240 Speaker 1: I mean one of those guys is sticking, and each 191 00:09:12,280 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 1: guy brings something different to the party. Kylan Hill has 192 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:19,800 Speaker 1: tremendous one cut ability. His explosiveness is something that really 193 00:09:19,880 --> 00:09:22,439 Speaker 1: jumped off the page to me. Certainly was an ultra 194 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:26,559 Speaker 1: ultra productive running back in the SEC at Mississippi State, 195 00:09:26,600 --> 00:09:28,960 Speaker 1: but trying to kind of get things back going again 196 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:32,239 Speaker 1: after sort of that that that weird last year under 197 00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:36,040 Speaker 1: Mike Leach. But I wrote about Patrick Taylor, and Patrick 198 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:37,760 Speaker 1: Taylor's a guy who had my eye on since the 199 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 1: Packers signed him last year. Because he had the List 200 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:43,400 Speaker 1: Frank injury. He basically tried to do a six to 201 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:45,320 Speaker 1: eight weeks surgery to get back, which he did but 202 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:48,040 Speaker 1: just ended up making it worse, ends up having to 203 00:09:48,120 --> 00:09:51,560 Speaker 1: have another surgery. Dr Robert Anderson here in Green Bay 204 00:09:51,559 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 1: a month before the draft wipes out his rookie season. 205 00:09:54,520 --> 00:09:57,600 Speaker 1: The Packers still like this kid's a talent enough to 206 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 1: sign him, to keep him on the roster and give 207 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:02,640 Speaker 1: him that red shirt. Ear Well, now I think we're 208 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:04,440 Speaker 1: starting to see what they liked about him. Now it's 209 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:06,560 Speaker 1: gonna be different once you get into a game. But 210 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:10,480 Speaker 1: his build, his makeup, what he brings as an athlete, Uh, 211 00:10:10,559 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 1: it's not something that's your typical undrafted free agent. There's 212 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:16,400 Speaker 1: a lot to make this guy tick. Yeah, That's what's 213 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:20,120 Speaker 1: so intriguing to me about Taylor is we we've talked 214 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:22,200 Speaker 1: a lot about Kyle and Hilen. As you said, we 215 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:25,800 Speaker 1: can see the that one cut, explosive nous on the 216 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 1: practice field. Patrick Taylor is a completely different body type 217 00:10:30,360 --> 00:10:34,120 Speaker 1: from Kyle and Hill, you know. And there's uh, we 218 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:36,559 Speaker 1: we've you know, we've we chat on the sidelines as 219 00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 1: as practice goes along. That you see and I don't 220 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 1: want to draw to um Strong a comparison, but you 221 00:10:42,840 --> 00:10:46,280 Speaker 1: see a little bit of of James Starks in in 222 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:48,960 Speaker 1: in Patrick Taylor, just in terms of in terms of 223 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:51,360 Speaker 1: the size and and the body lean and the way 224 00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:53,559 Speaker 1: you know, the way he moves his shoulders to protect 225 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 1: the ball and this and that. Now we'll see because 226 00:10:56,760 --> 00:10:58,600 Speaker 1: you know a lot of this, a lot of this 227 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:01,040 Speaker 1: starts to look different when the brackling is for real 228 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 1: and these guys have the ball in their hands. They're 229 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:06,080 Speaker 1: trying to break tackles, you know, trying to you know, 230 00:11:06,120 --> 00:11:08,480 Speaker 1: shed guys. They have to take a hit, protect the ball, 231 00:11:08,520 --> 00:11:12,320 Speaker 1: all of that um and and that's where the separation 232 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:16,640 Speaker 1: is going to come here in these preseason games to see, 233 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 1: you know, who's going to be that number three guy. 234 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:20,920 Speaker 1: But the other thing we've got going on here to 235 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:25,360 Speaker 1: West with these running backs is we have heard that 236 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:28,960 Speaker 1: both Hill and Taylor are being looked at as possible 237 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 1: kickoff return options for Maury Straight and the new special 238 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 1: teams coordinator. We're expecting obviously a Marii Rodgers, the third 239 00:11:36,960 --> 00:11:39,000 Speaker 1: round draft pick, to be the number one part returner, 240 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:42,559 Speaker 1: but the kickoff return and l granted, there's whatever percentage 241 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:45,319 Speaker 1: of kickoffs or touchbacks these days, and to get that, 242 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:48,839 Speaker 1: but um, but there are going to be some opportunities 243 00:11:48,880 --> 00:11:51,040 Speaker 1: to to return some kicks. And the Packers want to 244 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 1: try out these running backs and see and see if 245 00:11:53,120 --> 00:11:54,959 Speaker 1: one of these guys is the right fit for that spot. 246 00:11:55,120 --> 00:11:57,720 Speaker 1: You gotta remember, one of their big core special teamers 247 00:11:57,840 --> 00:12:00,640 Speaker 1: I mean he was the number two, but Paul Williams 248 00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:03,320 Speaker 1: did a lot on teams four years in Green Bay, 249 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:07,360 Speaker 1: including returning kickoffs. There's something about the running back position. 250 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:09,200 Speaker 1: I haven't quite put my finger on it yet, but 251 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:11,960 Speaker 1: Mike McCarthy used to always talk about this too. They 252 00:12:12,160 --> 00:12:14,720 Speaker 1: liked back in McCarthy's time. They liked having that number 253 00:12:14,760 --> 00:12:17,800 Speaker 1: three guy as a kickoff return option. Remember Dawan Harris 254 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:20,440 Speaker 1: did it a little bit, Jonathan Franklin did it, unfortunately 255 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:23,839 Speaker 1: up until his neck injury. They liked incorporating that guy, 256 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:27,280 Speaker 1: and obviously swerved last year. They like having them involved 257 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:29,520 Speaker 1: in that. And the cool thing that I think it's 258 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:31,400 Speaker 1: gonna be really fun to watch in the preseason because 259 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:34,000 Speaker 1: you have to imagine they're gonna get some opportunities if 260 00:12:34,040 --> 00:12:35,959 Speaker 1: it's safe and it makes sense. I can see them 261 00:12:35,960 --> 00:12:37,440 Speaker 1: being a couple of steps in the end zone and 262 00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:38,960 Speaker 1: bringing it out to try to make a play and 263 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:41,199 Speaker 1: make an impression. If the situation calls for it, well, 264 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 1: and they want to evaluate those other guys on the unit, 265 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:45,720 Speaker 1: the blockers, all that kind of stuff. They want to 266 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:48,160 Speaker 1: they want to take those opportunities. But I've never seen 267 00:12:48,200 --> 00:12:50,280 Speaker 1: a scenario in which one of the guys has returned 268 00:12:50,280 --> 00:12:52,960 Speaker 1: one kickoff in college. I don't know if the other guy, 269 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:55,200 Speaker 1: kyl and Hill even did it. I mean, there this 270 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:56,959 Speaker 1: is a little bit of a new era for them, 271 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:00,360 Speaker 1: so to speak. But you know, as Patrick Taylor are said, 272 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:02,080 Speaker 1: I'm sure Kyle and Old say it again when he 273 00:13:02,120 --> 00:13:04,240 Speaker 1: talks to us, is this is what you have to 274 00:13:04,280 --> 00:13:05,800 Speaker 1: do when you're trying to make the league as a 275 00:13:05,880 --> 00:13:07,839 Speaker 1: late round pick or as an undrafted free agent. You've 276 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:10,560 Speaker 1: got to offer more than just what your natural position. 277 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:13,600 Speaker 1: Is an incredible opportunity for them. If anything, I thought 278 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:15,480 Speaker 1: it was more telling that they are not looking at 279 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:17,920 Speaker 1: Amori Rodgers in that scenario. They see him as like 280 00:13:17,960 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 1: the starting punt returner guy, but you know, kickoff returns, 281 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:25,280 Speaker 1: and maybe there's something because that way, if it's the 282 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:27,040 Speaker 1: number three guy, then all they have to do is 283 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:29,319 Speaker 1: focus on returning, and it's not a guy having a 284 00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:32,079 Speaker 1: return gas himself and then come out for the next play. 285 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:33,920 Speaker 1: All those things kind of fluttered through my mind. But 286 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:36,920 Speaker 1: either way, Uh, certainly some big opportunities for those young 287 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:39,400 Speaker 1: men in that game. Yeah, and special teams in general. 288 00:13:39,440 --> 00:13:41,360 Speaker 1: This is really the start of the new era with 289 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:45,400 Speaker 1: with modrat and they don't really do any live, fully 290 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:49,720 Speaker 1: live special teams periods and practice. So whether it's the punt, 291 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:52,280 Speaker 1: the punt return, the kickoff, the kickoff return, all of 292 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:55,040 Speaker 1: these live reps that they're going to get in these 293 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:57,600 Speaker 1: preseason games, guys are going to be evaluated. They want 294 00:13:57,640 --> 00:14:00,160 Speaker 1: to change the culture on special teams. The rankings past 295 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:02,200 Speaker 1: year weren't good, as guys have talked about, as we 296 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:05,680 Speaker 1: all know, they want to turn those things around. And 297 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:07,800 Speaker 1: and it starts with finding the right players. And those 298 00:14:07,880 --> 00:14:11,320 Speaker 1: right players are going to step step up, step forward 299 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:14,120 Speaker 1: in the preseason too, uh, to make a name for 300 00:14:14,160 --> 00:14:16,480 Speaker 1: themselves and and to get noticed. I want to ask 301 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:21,720 Speaker 1: you a lot of a lot of players will be 302 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:25,160 Speaker 1: essentially putting on a Packers uniform in a game situation 303 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:30,000 Speaker 1: for the first time new Packers in who's the guy 304 00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:32,680 Speaker 1: that you're most interested to see play for the Green 305 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 1: Bay Packers for the first time. Well, I'm not gonna 306 00:14:35,880 --> 00:14:38,000 Speaker 1: I go myself, but Patrick Taylor is one of them, 307 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:40,520 Speaker 1: just because there's so much intrigue I think when guys 308 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:42,760 Speaker 1: haven't played for this long and you've been wanting even 309 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 1: wanting to actually see him out there. Um, this is 310 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:47,520 Speaker 1: also kind of a copo. But I really want to 311 00:14:47,520 --> 00:14:50,400 Speaker 1: see Joe side Deguara. And I know he played a 312 00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:52,680 Speaker 1: little bit for them last year, but what but we 313 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:54,920 Speaker 1: didn't We only saw those few reps in the regular season. 314 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:56,800 Speaker 1: We never really got to see him in a featured role, 315 00:14:57,160 --> 00:14:58,680 Speaker 1: which is probably what more of what he would have 316 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,440 Speaker 1: done in the preseason. So Deguar is one that I 317 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:03,680 Speaker 1: really want to see. And then you know, you look 318 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:06,480 Speaker 1: at these other positions like Eric Stokes. I mean, you 319 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:08,320 Speaker 1: have to imagine Eric Stokes is gonna play a lot. 320 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:11,400 Speaker 1: You got to be careful with it because we don't 321 00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 1: know what the scenario is going to be or what 322 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:16,000 Speaker 1: the timeline is for Kevin King. Eric Stokes might legitimately 323 00:15:16,040 --> 00:15:18,360 Speaker 1: have to play in Week one, but you just want 324 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 1: to see that guy after going up against Davante Adams 325 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:23,920 Speaker 1: and Davante Adams and more Davante Adams. What does he 326 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:26,200 Speaker 1: do when he's going up against other rookies, other guys 327 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 1: that are maybe number four or five on a depth chart. 328 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:30,960 Speaker 1: How do his skills apply there? Sometimes you gotta get 329 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:33,520 Speaker 1: some wins, you know, get your confidence up. And I 330 00:15:33,520 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 1: think for Stokes, this is gonna be a really good opportunity. Yeah, 331 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:39,120 Speaker 1: definitely excited to see Stokes. Interested to see a Mari Rodgers. 332 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:41,280 Speaker 1: As we talked about, I mean, he's he's gonna be 333 00:15:41,360 --> 00:15:43,480 Speaker 1: he's gonna be running the jet sweeps, he's gonna be 334 00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:47,280 Speaker 1: slot receiver as we talked about, he's gonna be returning punts. 335 00:15:47,280 --> 00:15:50,400 Speaker 1: Here's the other guy I'm interested in and I'm not. 336 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:52,680 Speaker 1: I can't say for sure how much he's going to play. 337 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:56,880 Speaker 1: We really don't know for certain. But Devandre Campbell the 338 00:15:56,920 --> 00:16:00,480 Speaker 1: new linebacker, veteran linebacker that the Packers science find him in, 339 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:03,240 Speaker 1: you know, early to mid June, right towards the end 340 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:06,160 Speaker 1: of the offseason program, bringing in to have that one 341 00:16:06,280 --> 00:16:09,960 Speaker 1: veteran presence in in the room that has Chris Barnes, 342 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:14,280 Speaker 1: Comal Martin, although Martin is injured right now, Ty Summers 343 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 1: and Oran Burke's who are your reserve guys at that 344 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:20,960 Speaker 1: position and your leaders on special teams. But Campbell is 345 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:23,760 Speaker 1: really intriguing to me because, as we've talked about, it's 346 00:16:23,800 --> 00:16:27,040 Speaker 1: a he's a body type at inside linebacker the Packers 347 00:16:27,080 --> 00:16:29,960 Speaker 1: really have not had around here. And when you look 348 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:33,560 Speaker 1: at his production where he's been with Atlanta, with Arizona, 349 00:16:33,920 --> 00:16:36,920 Speaker 1: you look at his production. You just wonder, is there 350 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:39,840 Speaker 1: is there another level with a guy like Campbell if 351 00:16:39,880 --> 00:16:42,360 Speaker 1: he if he gets he's in a new setting, maybe 352 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:44,640 Speaker 1: the scheme ends up being the right fit for him. 353 00:16:44,640 --> 00:16:47,720 Speaker 1: The way he gets used. You wonder if there's another level, right, 354 00:16:47,760 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 1: I mean, indulge me for a second year. Charles Woodson 355 00:16:51,800 --> 00:16:54,680 Speaker 1: Hall of Fame talent in Oakland, became a Hall of 356 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:58,880 Speaker 1: Fame player in Green Bay, right, Wes Hodkowitz Hall of 357 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:01,680 Speaker 1: Fame talent at the Green Bay Press because that having 358 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:07,159 Speaker 1: a Hall of Fame career with Packers dot Com? All right, now, sorry, 359 00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:09,920 Speaker 1: I just you gotta do it. You do it. I'm 360 00:17:09,960 --> 00:17:12,359 Speaker 1: not saying Devandre Campbell is the next Hall of Famer, 361 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:15,399 Speaker 1: but you get what I'm saying that sometimes sometimes the 362 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:18,960 Speaker 1: change of the change of scenery, the right environment, the 363 00:17:19,119 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 1: right scheme for a guy. Maybe there's another level to 364 00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:25,119 Speaker 1: Devandre Campbell's career that the Packers are going to find here. 365 00:17:25,160 --> 00:17:28,200 Speaker 1: And I don't know. I don't want to oversell it 366 00:17:28,960 --> 00:17:30,960 Speaker 1: because there's a part of me like I've been wondering, 367 00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:33,560 Speaker 1: like am I too excited about this guy? Just because 368 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:36,440 Speaker 1: the Packers have been looking for that guy at inside 369 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:40,320 Speaker 1: linebackers seemingly for so long now that that just because 370 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:42,720 Speaker 1: that possibility is there, maybe I'm getting a little bit 371 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:45,440 Speaker 1: too excited, so I'm trying to temper it a little bit. 372 00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:48,280 Speaker 1: But I am really interested to see because they a 373 00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:51,359 Speaker 1: six three six four inside linebacker just is not something 374 00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:54,400 Speaker 1: we have seen around here, and I'm really interested what 375 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:56,399 Speaker 1: he can do. The last time I remember a body 376 00:17:56,440 --> 00:17:59,000 Speaker 1: type like that playing that position, it was Brad Jones, 377 00:17:59,160 --> 00:18:01,199 Speaker 1: and when they first made that switch, I believe in 378 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:03,280 Speaker 1: two thousand and thirteen, Jones end up having the best 379 00:18:03,280 --> 00:18:05,439 Speaker 1: season of his career in that role just because he 380 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:07,320 Speaker 1: was a little bit more of a longer range year 381 00:18:07,359 --> 00:18:09,760 Speaker 1: athlete who could kind of trail on running backs and 382 00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:13,000 Speaker 1: things of that nature. But ever since then and credited 383 00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:15,560 Speaker 1: you know, Blake Martinez and Jake Ryan and these guys 384 00:18:15,560 --> 00:18:18,720 Speaker 1: they've had in here, Packers really have been searching for 385 00:18:18,760 --> 00:18:21,400 Speaker 1: a coverage type linebacker. I'm not saying that the mike. 386 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:23,320 Speaker 1: I'm not saying a guy who's gonna play all three downs, 387 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:24,879 Speaker 1: but I'm saying a guy that can allow them to 388 00:18:24,920 --> 00:18:27,359 Speaker 1: stay in Nickel Moore than what they've done the last 389 00:18:27,359 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 1: few seasons. And the other thing you got to keep 390 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:31,760 Speaker 1: in mind too, Mike. For a number of years there, 391 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:33,800 Speaker 1: they would get to the end of training camp and 392 00:18:34,320 --> 00:18:36,679 Speaker 1: whether it was you know, b J Goodson or they 393 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:40,560 Speaker 1: had to make that trade for Antonio Morrison, they found 394 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:42,760 Speaker 1: themselves for one reason or another having to bring in 395 00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:44,639 Speaker 1: a guy like a week before the start of the 396 00:18:44,640 --> 00:18:47,359 Speaker 1: regular season, and that guy ended up being that first 397 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:50,880 Speaker 1: down and second down linebacker. Devandre Campbell is a guy 398 00:18:50,880 --> 00:18:53,320 Speaker 1: that I think, in most seasons would have gotten a 399 00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:55,520 Speaker 1: nice contract. He would have been able to you know, 400 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:57,560 Speaker 1: maybe multiple years. Maybe it would have been another one year, 401 00:18:57,640 --> 00:19:00,560 Speaker 1: proven deal like he got in Arizona. But with the 402 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:02,680 Speaker 1: way that this cap went, as we've talked about before, 403 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 1: the same thing with Dennis Kelly, there are these mid 404 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:07,479 Speaker 1: level free agents and there's no mid level exemption like 405 00:19:07,520 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 1: the NBA. I mean, these guys that probably deserved a 406 00:19:10,320 --> 00:19:12,159 Speaker 1: couple more bucks and they got that sat on the 407 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:14,399 Speaker 1: market a little bit longer than he should have. And 408 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:16,960 Speaker 1: I that's what I'm excited about with Devandre Campbell. This 409 00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:19,119 Speaker 1: is a guy that appears to me not to be 410 00:19:19,160 --> 00:19:20,880 Speaker 1: a stop gap, not to be a guy that they're 411 00:19:20,880 --> 00:19:23,199 Speaker 1: just bringing into Philip position because of an injury or 412 00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:25,960 Speaker 1: somebody's departure. This is a guy that actually makes a 413 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:27,800 Speaker 1: lot of sense for what Joe Berry wants to do, 414 00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:31,960 Speaker 1: and it allows Chris Barnes kind of focus on what 415 00:19:32,040 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 1: he's been the best at so far, which is communicating 416 00:19:34,280 --> 00:19:37,240 Speaker 1: the defense and getting after running backs. Yeah, it seems 417 00:19:37,280 --> 00:19:40,119 Speaker 1: like we've been talking about it. Those two Campbell and 418 00:19:40,119 --> 00:19:43,080 Speaker 1: Barnes have been the pair when there's two inside linebackers 419 00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:45,000 Speaker 1: on the field with the number one defense. That has 420 00:19:45,040 --> 00:19:47,320 Speaker 1: been the Paris since day one of training camp. That 421 00:19:47,359 --> 00:19:49,360 Speaker 1: hasn't changed. I think we're going to see at least 422 00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:51,600 Speaker 1: a little bit, maybe not this first preseason game, but 423 00:19:51,680 --> 00:19:54,479 Speaker 1: at some point in the preseason those two guys, you know, 424 00:19:54,560 --> 00:19:57,280 Speaker 1: playing side by side as they as they sort some 425 00:19:57,280 --> 00:19:59,520 Speaker 1: some things out here before the regular season. And I'll 426 00:19:59,520 --> 00:20:01,720 Speaker 1: say this too. You mentioned Kamal Martin's injury. That's why 427 00:20:01,720 --> 00:20:04,600 Speaker 1: they went and got Campbell because in case something happens, 428 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:06,080 Speaker 1: whether it was Martin weather, it was Burke's where it 429 00:20:06,119 --> 00:20:08,399 Speaker 1: was Summer's weather, it was Barnes, they needed to have 430 00:20:08,440 --> 00:20:11,280 Speaker 1: another veteran in the fold after losing Christian Kirksy and Devandra. 431 00:20:11,359 --> 00:20:14,119 Speaker 1: Campbell's that guy. Yeah, all right, Well, With that, we 432 00:20:14,119 --> 00:20:16,639 Speaker 1: will call it a wrap on this edition of Packers Unscripted. 433 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:19,160 Speaker 1: Be sure to follow all of our coverage of training camp, 434 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:21,720 Speaker 1: coverage of the preseason game on Saturday night. It's all 435 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:24,840 Speaker 1: for you on Packers dot com for West, I'm Mike. 436 00:20:24,880 --> 00:20:27,320 Speaker 1: Thank you for tuning in. Everybody. We will see you 437 00:20:27,359 --> 00:20:27,800 Speaker 1: next time.