1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:20,800 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford. He is the one and only 3 00:00:23,480 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 1: West hod Kuitz. We're coming to you here from our 4 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:29,040 Speaker 1: studios at lambeau Field and West one day closer to 5 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:33,920 Speaker 1: the Packers Week three matchup in Washington, the nation's capital. 6 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:37,720 Speaker 1: It is a noon Central time kickoff at FedEx Field, 7 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:40,960 Speaker 1: and the Packers are going to be getting a player 8 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:44,280 Speaker 1: back on their active roster this week for this game. 9 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:47,720 Speaker 1: And I'm talking about second year running back Aaron Jones, 10 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:52,520 Speaker 1: one of the three running backs drafted in by Green 11 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:55,720 Speaker 1: Bay and um, as we've talked about a lot, he's 12 00:00:55,760 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 1: a young guy who brings a different explosive to mentioned. 13 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:04,200 Speaker 1: You might say to the Packers running game Jamal Williams 14 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:07,280 Speaker 1: time Montgomery, they've done a fantastic job I think the 15 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:10,240 Speaker 1: first two weeks of the season, particularly in past protection. 16 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:12,280 Speaker 1: I highlighted some of those in my what you might 17 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:15,520 Speaker 1: have Missed segment this week on the website, so if 18 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 1: you missed it, check it out. But um, but Aaron Jones, 19 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:22,960 Speaker 1: this is uh, this is not only another option for 20 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:26,319 Speaker 1: the Packers in the backfield, but the potential game breaker 21 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:28,520 Speaker 1: type of guy, don't you think, Yeah, Mike, And and 22 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:32,520 Speaker 1: there's some incredible statistics about him and in the times 23 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:34,360 Speaker 1: in which he played last year. And you know, I 24 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:36,840 Speaker 1: was looking at a couple of things, and I mean 25 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:39,280 Speaker 1: just the productivity when he was on the field when 26 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:41,840 Speaker 1: he did get touches um even in a game. I 27 00:01:41,880 --> 00:01:43,840 Speaker 1: think it was what Tampa Bay, correct me if I'm 28 00:01:43,880 --> 00:01:45,679 Speaker 1: wrong there where you only had that one carry for 29 00:01:46,560 --> 00:01:49,520 Speaker 1: yards in overtime. Yeah, the twenty yard touchdown in overtime, 30 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:51,480 Speaker 1: first time he touched the ball all day long, right, 31 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 1: And it's things like that where Jamal Williams got going 32 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 1: in that game as well. I wrote about this an 33 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 1: inbox for Wednesday and that or for Thursday, excuse me, 34 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:02,320 Speaker 1: and at all three of those guys when they have 35 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 1: them all healthy, and that hasn't always happened so far, 36 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:08,400 Speaker 1: but that's when this backfield has at its best. You're right, 37 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:12,079 Speaker 1: Jamal Williams time Montgomery have been phenomenal in past protection. 38 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:15,280 Speaker 1: I asked Aaron Rodgers about that, and he mentioned how 39 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:18,520 Speaker 1: Williams the game tape that he put together just fantastic 40 00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:21,119 Speaker 1: as far as from a teaching element. In that game 41 00:02:21,160 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 1: against the Vikings, but Aaron Jones does bring a different dimension. 42 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:27,359 Speaker 1: He's an explosive football player. He's a guy that if 43 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:29,200 Speaker 1: you give him an inch, he's going to take a yard. 44 00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:32,200 Speaker 1: And he the way he really came on at the 45 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:34,680 Speaker 1: end of midway through last season and seeing him really 46 00:02:35,160 --> 00:02:38,200 Speaker 1: flourish when he did get the opportunities, and then also 47 00:02:38,360 --> 00:02:40,519 Speaker 1: the fact that you know, he dealt with that hamstring 48 00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 1: injury and training camp where he didn't really get a 49 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:44,320 Speaker 1: lot of shots until the end of it. But I 50 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:48,360 Speaker 1: thought that Kansas City game in specific really showed you 51 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:50,040 Speaker 1: that Aaron Jones is still the player that we saw 52 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:52,840 Speaker 1: last season. Yeah, you mentioned the hamstring injury he dealt 53 00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:55,240 Speaker 1: with in training camp. I think that's the reason in 54 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:57,920 Speaker 1: a lot of ways that Jones is going to have 55 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:00,639 Speaker 1: to earn his snaps. He's going to have to kind 56 00:03:00,639 --> 00:03:04,200 Speaker 1: of steal that playing time back from Montgomery and Williams, 57 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:07,320 Speaker 1: just strictly from a preparation standpoint in terms of that 58 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:10,160 Speaker 1: making that jump from year one to year two, particularly 59 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:13,360 Speaker 1: in past protection, which is the toughest thing for a 60 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:17,080 Speaker 1: young running back coming into the NFL from college to learn. 61 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:20,400 Speaker 1: He missed a lot of valuable preparation time Let's be honest. 62 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:22,320 Speaker 1: That hamstring injury kept him out of a lot of 63 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:25,239 Speaker 1: padded practices during training camp. He missed the first two 64 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:28,480 Speaker 1: preseason games, was just kind of getting back into things 65 00:03:28,480 --> 00:03:30,840 Speaker 1: in the third preseason game. In the fourth one in 66 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:35,000 Speaker 1: Kansas City, he showed us that same Aaron Jones that 67 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:36,760 Speaker 1: we saw as a rookie when the ball was in 68 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:39,400 Speaker 1: his hands. But then now it's also going to be 69 00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:42,000 Speaker 1: picking up those blitzes and doing all those other things 70 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 1: that go into being a three down back. He's going 71 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:48,360 Speaker 1: to have to earn it because Time Montgomery and Jamal 72 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 1: Williams haven't done anything necessary to necessarily to lose the 73 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 1: playing time that they have earned. Yeah, and it came 74 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:55,760 Speaker 1: up an inbox too. When I was going through some 75 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:57,840 Speaker 1: of the questions, somebody mentioned, you know, everyone talks about 76 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:00,160 Speaker 1: Aaron Jones, what about Time Montgomery getting more opportunit these 77 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: in Montgomery's averaging five point five yards a clip right 78 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:04,840 Speaker 1: now as a rusher and then obviously what he offers 79 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:07,920 Speaker 1: as a pass catcher. Um. The downside to having all 80 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 1: three of those guys available as you can't get all 81 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:11,200 Speaker 1: three of them on the field at the same time. 82 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 1: So there's gonna be some juggling the packers are going 83 00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:15,880 Speaker 1: to have to do. But I just like the home 84 00:04:15,960 --> 00:04:19,119 Speaker 1: run threat that that Aaron Jones provides, especially in early 85 00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 1: down situations. He's the kind of guy that can take 86 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:23,919 Speaker 1: those third and sevens and make him third and fives 87 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:26,360 Speaker 1: or third and fours. Uh, and you know, shorten things 88 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 1: up for an offense. So uh. The the other aspect 89 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:32,120 Speaker 1: of this too. You make some great points in terms 90 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:34,320 Speaker 1: of the time you missed in training camp. But for 91 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:37,040 Speaker 1: my liking, if there's any position and I'm not saying 92 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:38,720 Speaker 1: it's good to miss time and training camp, but if 93 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:40,680 Speaker 1: there's any position where I think it's a little bit 94 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:44,000 Speaker 1: more forgiving, it is running back because a lot of 95 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:46,120 Speaker 1: this thing is mental. Is you said it is the 96 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:48,520 Speaker 1: pass pro It is being able to get those fundamentals down. 97 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:51,080 Speaker 1: But how many times might have we seen guys around 98 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:53,360 Speaker 1: the league? I mean, I think lady On Bell last 99 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:55,039 Speaker 1: year is probably the best example of it. Not have 100 00:04:55,120 --> 00:04:57,560 Speaker 1: any reps during training camp and then really hit the 101 00:04:57,560 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 1: ground running wins once week one comes around. Now, Bells 102 00:05:00,880 --> 00:05:03,680 Speaker 1: at a different stage in his career than Aaron Jones is, 103 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:06,400 Speaker 1: but I think it's an opportunity for him like when 104 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 1: he does get in there to really be able to 105 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: get back on that bicycle and keep that momentum going 106 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:13,000 Speaker 1: that he was able to develop last season. Yeah, I 107 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:15,839 Speaker 1: think the only reason I'm being somewhat cautious in terms 108 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:18,760 Speaker 1: of maybe what the expectation should be for him playing 109 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 1: time wise coming right back is that past protection is 110 00:05:22,320 --> 00:05:25,360 Speaker 1: always such an important part of it. But Aaron Rodgers 111 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 1: is also not the fully mobile Aaron Rodgers that we've seen, 112 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:31,839 Speaker 1: so that also has to factor into the coach's decisions 113 00:05:31,839 --> 00:05:34,520 Speaker 1: in terms of, you know, certain play packages and the 114 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:36,520 Speaker 1: playing time and who needs to be on the field 115 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 1: in certain instances. So we'll just have to see how 116 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:42,080 Speaker 1: it unfolds. But I like the fact that Aaron Jones 117 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:44,719 Speaker 1: is coming back. I felt, you know, once we saw 118 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:47,760 Speaker 1: him quite frankly in the Dallas game last year, which 119 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:51,280 Speaker 1: was Aaron Rodgers you know, last really memorable game obviously 120 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:55,400 Speaker 1: of and what he did in that game. I've been 121 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:59,839 Speaker 1: waiting to see Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Jones and you 122 00:05:59,839 --> 00:06:01,880 Speaker 1: know the impact that he can have in terms of 123 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:04,880 Speaker 1: how defenses have to react to him along with everything 124 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers can do, and quite frankly, we just haven't 125 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:09,800 Speaker 1: seen that yet, No exactly. And it is interesting though, 126 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:11,320 Speaker 1: because you know, we always talk about a bit being 127 00:06:11,320 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 1: a numbers game, and we can focus on those three 128 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:16,440 Speaker 1: running backs. The Packers also did keep Darius Jackson here too. 129 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:18,560 Speaker 1: He was the guy that they claimed off. I should 130 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:20,599 Speaker 1: say they end up signing from the practice squad of 131 00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:23,200 Speaker 1: the Dallas Cowboys during Week one. Uh And I think 132 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:25,400 Speaker 1: there were some people thinking, Okay, well, Aaron's when Aaron 133 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:28,159 Speaker 1: Jones is back, we'll see what happens with Jackson. Packers 134 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:29,920 Speaker 1: thought enough of him to have him involved as well. 135 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:31,839 Speaker 1: I thought he did some good things on special teams. 136 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:34,719 Speaker 1: So it's a deep group. There's a lot of options 137 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:37,040 Speaker 1: there in the fortunate thing as far as the Packers 138 00:06:37,040 --> 00:06:39,560 Speaker 1: and in taking this next step with Jones, there's a 139 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:41,760 Speaker 1: lot of flexibility and how they want to approach it. Yeah, 140 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:43,600 Speaker 1: all right, Well, before we get to a couple of 141 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 1: other topics, West a little sponsored business, It's time to 142 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:49,160 Speaker 1: enter the Cousins Subs Best Seats in the House promotion. 143 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:51,160 Speaker 1: You and a guest could win a chance to kick 144 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:53,640 Speaker 1: back on the fifty yard line in style. Two pairs 145 00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:56,360 Speaker 1: of lucky Packers fans will be chosen prior to each 146 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:59,039 Speaker 1: home game for this v I P experience, enter daily 147 00:06:59,080 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 1: now through December sixteen by completing the entry form and submitting. 148 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 1: For complete rules and eligibility, go to Packers dot com 149 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 1: slash best Seats cousin subs we believe in Better Okay. 150 00:07:10,160 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 1: Sticking on the topic of young players and development, the 151 00:07:14,520 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 1: Packers two rookie cornerbacks Jiar Alexander Josh Jackson. We've talked 152 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:21,920 Speaker 1: a lot Abottom already. They're certainly off to a great 153 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 1: start in their NFL careers, but their responsibilities might crank 154 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:28,240 Speaker 1: up just a bit this week because it sounds like 155 00:07:28,360 --> 00:07:30,880 Speaker 1: second year cornerback Kevin King is not going to be 156 00:07:30,920 --> 00:07:34,600 Speaker 1: available with that groin injury. So they've gotten a lot 157 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:37,560 Speaker 1: of playing time already and they may be getting even more. Yeah, 158 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:39,160 Speaker 1: and then the other thing too. At the time which 159 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:41,640 Speaker 1: we're taking this, Packers said yet to practice on Thursday, 160 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:43,880 Speaker 1: but Devon House also popped up on the injury part 161 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 1: with a biceps injury. He was estimated as a limited Wednesday, 162 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 1: so he was actually the first guy up originally when 163 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 1: King went out, and then as the game went on, 164 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:54,360 Speaker 1: they started to use Alexander out there as well. The 165 00:07:54,720 --> 00:07:56,600 Speaker 1: nice thing for the packers here is I mean, if 166 00:07:56,600 --> 00:07:58,120 Speaker 1: there is a silver lining to it, because I don't 167 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 1: think you can just replace King and what he provide 168 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 1: ds as a shutdown guy outside. But Alexander and Josh 169 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 1: Jackson both have had experience. Joe wo Jr. Did a 170 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 1: phenomenal job throughout training camp of rotating those guys inside 171 00:08:09,640 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 1: and outside to give them some looks. And Alexander feels 172 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:15,120 Speaker 1: just as comfortable outside as as I think a lot 173 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 1: of people who project him as a nickel slot cornerback. 174 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:19,960 Speaker 1: And he was even asked a little bit. Actually he 175 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:21,720 Speaker 1: wasn't even asked about it. He brought it up on 176 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 1: his own accord on Wednesday, saying that people say I'm short, 177 00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 1: I'm not sure I'm average sized. Uh. And and you 178 00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 1: know he has that chip on his shoulder. He admits 179 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:32,839 Speaker 1: he carries that chip on his shoulder and he wants 180 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:35,320 Speaker 1: to go up against those six three six four receivers 181 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:37,320 Speaker 1: to show that with his athleticism and the way he 182 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:39,880 Speaker 1: attacks the game, he can cover those type of players. 183 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 1: He has that kind of swagger and that confidence. In 184 00:08:42,280 --> 00:08:44,240 Speaker 1: Josh Jackson, I mean, he made a living off of 185 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:46,800 Speaker 1: that in the Big Ten with eight interceptions a year ago. 186 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 1: So depending on what the availability is for House and 187 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:52,880 Speaker 1: if if, if King truly isn't able to go in 188 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 1: this game, they're gonna be leaning on those two young cornerbacks, 189 00:08:56,320 --> 00:08:58,400 Speaker 1: and especially even more so now that they ended up 190 00:08:58,440 --> 00:09:01,120 Speaker 1: letting go of Deonte Burton. So they have five corners 191 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 1: on the roster and potentially one if not too might 192 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:06,200 Speaker 1: not be in the playbook for Sunday. Yeah. Well, as 193 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:08,160 Speaker 1: I had mentioned earlier in the week, I think one 194 00:09:08,240 --> 00:09:10,599 Speaker 1: of the things that was that was lost somewhat in 195 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:13,840 Speaker 1: all the controversy over Clay Matthews the roughing the pastor 196 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:18,839 Speaker 1: that wiped out Alexander's interception was just how difficult to 197 00:09:18,960 --> 00:09:21,959 Speaker 1: play that was that he made to catch that ball. 198 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:23,840 Speaker 1: As I mentioned, it was kind of an over the 199 00:09:23,840 --> 00:09:26,440 Speaker 1: shoulder Willie Mays type of catch, and he made it 200 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:28,600 Speaker 1: look awfully easy. I mean, there are a lot of 201 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:31,920 Speaker 1: times cornerbacks are in that situation and you know they 202 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 1: haven't necessarily been you know, that center fielder type tracking 203 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:37,760 Speaker 1: a fly ball, and it's not easy to do, and 204 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:40,400 Speaker 1: he made it look pretty easy. Um. I thought that 205 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:42,680 Speaker 1: was a really impressive play on his part and then 206 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:47,000 Speaker 1: he's a pretty entertaining guy with reporters around his locker. 207 00:09:47,040 --> 00:09:50,040 Speaker 1: He was actually asked towards the end of his group 208 00:09:50,080 --> 00:09:53,640 Speaker 1: interview on Wednesday about the touchdown pass at the end 209 00:09:53,679 --> 00:09:56,160 Speaker 1: of the fourth quarter where he was guarding Adam thieland 210 00:09:56,240 --> 00:09:58,400 Speaker 1: kentro o' bryce was the safety trying to come over 211 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:01,040 Speaker 1: the top kind of a convergent. So three guys and 212 00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:03,640 Speaker 1: feeling makes this diving catch right by the pylon for 213 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:06,320 Speaker 1: a touchdown, and he's kind of looking, yeah, that play 214 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:08,679 Speaker 1: doesn't ring a bell. I don't really remember it. And 215 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:11,880 Speaker 1: then obviously he's joking about cornerbacks needing to have a 216 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:15,440 Speaker 1: short term memory in this league. So but trust me, 217 00:10:15,520 --> 00:10:18,000 Speaker 1: he's looked at the film. If there's anything that he 218 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:21,040 Speaker 1: feels he could ever should have done differently, he's filed 219 00:10:21,080 --> 00:10:23,559 Speaker 1: that away in in his memory. Bad. This is why 220 00:10:23,559 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 1: I've said this before, Mike. I think there's two types 221 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:28,000 Speaker 1: of confidence. There's the stuff that just builds you up 222 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 1: for the sake of building you up, and then there's 223 00:10:30,360 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 1: the true I have of confidence that if you run 224 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:35,200 Speaker 1: that play back, I'm gonna make it, you know, nine 225 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:36,920 Speaker 1: times out of ten. And maybe that's the one that 226 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:39,920 Speaker 1: they got me on your Alexander has that And I 227 00:10:39,960 --> 00:10:42,520 Speaker 1: wrote an inbox Thursday. I don't know if I can 228 00:10:42,559 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 1: think of anybody, and maybe if you can, please jump 229 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:46,679 Speaker 1: right in. But I don't know if I can think 230 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:48,280 Speaker 1: of anyone, at least during my time on the beat, 231 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:50,760 Speaker 1: a rookie that's coming and been more comfortable in his 232 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:53,520 Speaker 1: own skin than Alexander. I think if I were to 233 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:55,600 Speaker 1: say one, and I'll just jump in here for a second, 234 00:10:55,600 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 1: if I were to say one might be Greg Jennings 235 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:01,079 Speaker 1: in two thousand We had when when when he came 236 00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:02,920 Speaker 1: in as a rookie in two thousand six, and the 237 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 1: way he was running routes on the practice field, catching 238 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:07,960 Speaker 1: passes from Brett fav and Aaron Rodgers for that matter. 239 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:10,560 Speaker 1: At that time, you just looked at and go, boy, 240 00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:12,480 Speaker 1: this guy really belongs. And then he stood at his 241 00:11:12,559 --> 00:11:14,880 Speaker 1: locker and answered questions in front of the media like 242 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:18,160 Speaker 1: he was a five six year veteran. It was pretty impressive. 243 00:11:18,200 --> 00:11:20,040 Speaker 1: How he came on the scene, obviously had a very 244 00:11:20,040 --> 00:11:22,760 Speaker 1: productive and he was coming from Western Michigan to you know. 245 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:27,640 Speaker 1: But then but but that's the thing, though, The confidence 246 00:11:27,640 --> 00:11:29,360 Speaker 1: can go so far, and I think it's big for 247 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:32,520 Speaker 1: those skill position players or on defense the positions that 248 00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:36,280 Speaker 1: are defending those skill guys. And Alexander, I just I 249 00:11:36,360 --> 00:11:39,640 Speaker 1: love the way. There's a fine line there. I get 250 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:42,440 Speaker 1: that between confidence, swagger and arrogance, but I just I 251 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 1: think he really straddles that well. And I think in 252 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:47,679 Speaker 1: the long term that's gonna make him a better football player. 253 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:50,160 Speaker 1: That's gonna make him an elite cornerback if his skills 254 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:52,760 Speaker 1: meet up with the development that the Packers and vision 255 00:11:52,760 --> 00:11:55,280 Speaker 1: he can have at that position. Because you have to 256 00:11:55,320 --> 00:11:57,440 Speaker 1: have a short memory. It is a cliche, but you 257 00:11:57,520 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 1: cannot let those things bog you down. You have to 258 00:11:59,880 --> 00:12:02,000 Speaker 1: go out there an attack to play the same way 259 00:12:02,040 --> 00:12:03,839 Speaker 1: you can ask Trumont Williams that you can ask ha 260 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:07,600 Speaker 1: Clinton Dicks. Any veteran defensive back in this league has 261 00:12:07,640 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 1: to be able to wipe the slate clean and take 262 00:12:09,520 --> 00:12:11,600 Speaker 1: that next step forward. Yeah, And I think we saw 263 00:12:11,640 --> 00:12:15,880 Speaker 1: that in what I remember a really impressive sequence in 264 00:12:15,920 --> 00:12:18,160 Speaker 1: the preseason game in Oakland. And I don't like to 265 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:21,440 Speaker 1: put too much into into preseason action, you know that, 266 00:12:21,480 --> 00:12:23,360 Speaker 1: but when it comes to rookies and guys trying to 267 00:12:23,400 --> 00:12:25,880 Speaker 1: feel their way, these things can matter at that game 268 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:28,440 Speaker 1: in Oakland, the very first play, Derek Carr chucks it 269 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:32,320 Speaker 1: deep to Amari Cooper and you know, Cooper out jumps 270 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:36,880 Speaker 1: Alexander deep down the middle, big play. Alexander just he 271 00:12:36,920 --> 00:12:38,920 Speaker 1: gets up and shakes it off. He's already got the 272 00:12:38,920 --> 00:12:41,400 Speaker 1: mentality of hey, sometimes these guys are gonna make plays. 273 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:44,280 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna be able to stop everything. The next 274 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:47,280 Speaker 1: is either the next series or the series. After Oakland 275 00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:50,040 Speaker 1: is driving for a touchdown, Car tries to go deep 276 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:52,680 Speaker 1: over the middle to a different receiver and Alexander just 277 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:54,679 Speaker 1: jumps up and makes the pick by the goal line, 278 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:56,480 Speaker 1: and you're kind of like, wow, I mean, you talk 279 00:12:56,520 --> 00:13:00,319 Speaker 1: about being able to shake off a potentially difficult moment 280 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:02,320 Speaker 1: for a young guy, giving up a big play on 281 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:04,440 Speaker 1: the first play of the game. It didn't phase him 282 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 1: at all, and we we continue to see that with him, 283 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:09,080 Speaker 1: and I think to a certain extent, we've seen it 284 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 1: with Jackson as well. He just doesn't talk about it 285 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:14,960 Speaker 1: as much because he's a different personality type. But these 286 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 1: guys are really starting to understand and feel like they belong. 287 00:13:18,679 --> 00:13:21,800 Speaker 1: They've had that confidence from the beginning, and the more 288 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:24,240 Speaker 1: they continue to play and do their thing, and learn 289 00:13:24,600 --> 00:13:26,200 Speaker 1: what goes on in this league. I think the more 290 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:28,719 Speaker 1: confident they become. The thing I love about Jackson is 291 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:31,480 Speaker 1: he basically has the same mindset, except it's more with 292 00:13:31,559 --> 00:13:34,440 Speaker 1: an introverted yeah sort of personality. Like you can go 293 00:13:34,559 --> 00:13:37,200 Speaker 1: to Josh Jackson and talked about things, and he's uber 294 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:39,719 Speaker 1: confident about what he can do and and and he 295 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 1: answers questions. I think, really, well, it's just that he 296 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:46,560 Speaker 1: isn't as demonstrative or just isn't it quite as charismatic 297 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:49,440 Speaker 1: as I think Alexander carries himself with. But at the 298 00:13:49,559 --> 00:13:52,880 Speaker 1: end of the day, you see the parallels in their games, 299 00:13:52,920 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 1: and I think why they've actually clicked personality wise, uh 300 00:13:56,559 --> 00:13:58,560 Speaker 1: during these first you know, five six months that they've 301 00:13:58,559 --> 00:14:00,880 Speaker 1: been together in Green Bay and why I think the 302 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:03,520 Speaker 1: Packers in the long term feel really good at about 303 00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:07,040 Speaker 1: that position, especially if they can get Kevin King pass 304 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:09,160 Speaker 1: some of these injuries that he's been dealing with. Yeah, well, 305 00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:12,559 Speaker 1: we'll see how that unfolds at at that position, because 306 00:14:12,559 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 1: in the coming weeks here the Packers are will certainly 307 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 1: continue to adjust with whatever gets thrown their way. One 308 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:20,560 Speaker 1: other topic I want to get to today West before 309 00:14:20,600 --> 00:14:23,480 Speaker 1: we go and that's uh some of the thoughts from 310 00:14:23,480 --> 00:14:27,640 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers at his locker on Wednesday. Now, he talked 311 00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:31,640 Speaker 1: a lot about the toughness aspect of things, both from 312 00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:34,760 Speaker 1: an injury standpoint and with regards to these roughing the 313 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:37,080 Speaker 1: passer calls. And I don't want to revisit all the 314 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:39,800 Speaker 1: stuff with Matthews and the roughing the passer if anybody 315 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:41,760 Speaker 1: wants to go back to our Monday and Tuesday shows, 316 00:14:41,760 --> 00:14:45,240 Speaker 1: I think we exhausted that topic for now. But with 317 00:14:45,280 --> 00:14:48,880 Speaker 1: regards to Rogers and his knee injury, something that's going 318 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:52,600 Speaker 1: to be interesting to watch here because he didn't exactly say, 319 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:55,240 Speaker 1: you know, well, I feel much better this Wednesday than 320 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:58,480 Speaker 1: I did last Wednesday. At this time, he's in some 321 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:01,760 Speaker 1: ways still waiting to see if if continuing to play 322 00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:04,920 Speaker 1: on this knee, if it's potentially going to get worse 323 00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:07,920 Speaker 1: and he's going to have more to deal with, or 324 00:15:08,080 --> 00:15:10,560 Speaker 1: if it is going to heal up a little bit 325 00:15:10,560 --> 00:15:12,600 Speaker 1: and get better. Now, as we talked about, he had 326 00:15:12,640 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 1: way more mobility in the Vikings game than we thought 327 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:20,880 Speaker 1: that he would going going into it. But then it 328 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:23,240 Speaker 1: looks like now that's something to watch on a week 329 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:27,400 Speaker 1: to week basis here because there's really there's no blueprint 330 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:31,520 Speaker 1: exactly for how this knee injury, whatever strange thing it is, 331 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:34,480 Speaker 1: is going to react to what Rogers does with it 332 00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:37,040 Speaker 1: on the field. So something to keep an eye on 333 00:15:37,040 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 1: once again starting Sunday in Washington. Yeah, and and and 334 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:42,360 Speaker 1: Rogers didn't want to get too much into the rehab 335 00:15:42,400 --> 00:15:44,840 Speaker 1: and the plan. The one thing that I think everyone's 336 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 1: sort of on the same page about is they basically 337 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:49,880 Speaker 1: are keeping the same script as last week Thursday's practice, 338 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:51,960 Speaker 1: sitting out of that again being in the rehab group, 339 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:53,720 Speaker 1: will see what his availability is and if you could 340 00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 1: potentially do work again on Saturday like he did last week. 341 00:15:57,160 --> 00:15:59,440 Speaker 1: The only part of this that I think kind of 342 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:01,720 Speaker 1: got blown out of proportion as he was asked if 343 00:16:01,720 --> 00:16:03,880 Speaker 1: he's concerned at all that the knee injuries could get 344 00:16:03,880 --> 00:16:06,600 Speaker 1: worse throughout the course of the season, and he said yeah, 345 00:16:06,640 --> 00:16:09,040 Speaker 1: and that kind of got started being push notifications for 346 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:13,480 Speaker 1: different media outlets and that I really didn't like that 347 00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:16,840 Speaker 1: because to me, he was just answering the question, Well, 348 00:16:16,880 --> 00:16:19,160 Speaker 1: certainly there's a concern it's gonna get worse. If if 349 00:16:19,200 --> 00:16:22,400 Speaker 1: you were at playing racquetball and you hurt your hand 350 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:25,160 Speaker 1: like you did last year. Aren't you concerned the next 351 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:27,200 Speaker 1: day later that hey, maybe something will happen that I'll 352 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:29,600 Speaker 1: get worse. Yeah, that's a natural thing. I don't think 353 00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:32,120 Speaker 1: Rogers was I think the way it was presented is 354 00:16:32,120 --> 00:16:34,840 Speaker 1: that there's a there's a concern there. I think the 355 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 1: concern is just what the concern is. It's not anything 356 00:16:37,320 --> 00:16:40,600 Speaker 1: over and above that. But to your original point, you're right, 357 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:43,520 Speaker 1: this is the Packers are kind of everyone's in the 358 00:16:43,560 --> 00:16:46,680 Speaker 1: same boat here in terms of trying to understand, Okay, 359 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:48,760 Speaker 1: if he plays on this, what is it going to 360 00:16:48,840 --> 00:16:51,240 Speaker 1: mean for Buffalo? What is it going to mean for Detroit? 361 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:54,200 Speaker 1: And we just have to wait and see. And the 362 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:57,920 Speaker 1: biggest thing is Mike McCarthy said on Thursday morning, is 363 00:16:57,960 --> 00:17:00,680 Speaker 1: that it comes down to the communication with Rogers, Dr. 364 00:17:00,720 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 1: Pat Mackenzie in the training staff. You can't just have 365 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:06,560 Speaker 1: one player walk into there with an injury, walk into 366 00:17:06,600 --> 00:17:08,679 Speaker 1: the training room with an injury. The doctors tell him 367 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 1: what to do and he goes back into the locker room, 368 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:12,720 Speaker 1: and that's the plan. There has to be a back 369 00:17:12,720 --> 00:17:15,520 Speaker 1: and forth. Rogers has been working with Mackenzie for fourteen 370 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 1: years now. Those two have such a big report, and 371 00:17:17,880 --> 00:17:21,280 Speaker 1: ultimately that's gonna be what's gonna really tell the Packers 372 00:17:21,280 --> 00:17:23,479 Speaker 1: and tell Rogers what he's gonna be able to do. 373 00:17:23,520 --> 00:17:25,359 Speaker 1: Having that back and forth, Yeah, and I think we 374 00:17:25,440 --> 00:17:28,679 Speaker 1: have to We have to also realize that for the 375 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 1: sake of Aaron Rodgers left knee, the first full game 376 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:35,720 Speaker 1: after the injury, playing an overtime and all those extra 377 00:17:35,840 --> 00:17:40,000 Speaker 1: snaps didn't didn't necessarily help things. So um, okay, let's 378 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:41,800 Speaker 1: just make it a sixty minute game instead of a 379 00:17:41,840 --> 00:17:44,160 Speaker 1: seventy minute one on Sunday. How about that? Yeah, exactly, 380 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:46,000 Speaker 1: And I think that's gonna be the big thing is 381 00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:48,520 Speaker 1: to see how this plays out. Certainly, we didn't see 382 00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:51,600 Speaker 1: him on practice in the practice element yet because he 383 00:17:51,720 --> 00:17:53,239 Speaker 1: the only time he did was on Saturday, so it's 384 00:17:53,280 --> 00:17:55,720 Speaker 1: so hard to say what he's doing, how he looks. 385 00:17:55,720 --> 00:17:57,800 Speaker 1: But I'll say this, as far as the guys that 386 00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:00,320 Speaker 1: were there, the teammates, the coaches, every and he was 387 00:18:00,359 --> 00:18:02,880 Speaker 1: sold on what Aaron Rodgers did on Saturday, and there 388 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:05,119 Speaker 1: was a confidence that if he did play, he was 389 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:07,159 Speaker 1: going to be able to play well in that game Sunday. 390 00:18:07,560 --> 00:18:09,320 Speaker 1: It's week to week, it's day to day, it's not 391 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:12,960 Speaker 1: a great, amazing headline, but it's the truth right now, 392 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:14,920 Speaker 1: in the reality for the Packers as they pressed forward 393 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:17,080 Speaker 1: through September. All right, Well, with that, we will call 394 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:19,920 Speaker 1: it a wrap on this edition of Packers Unscripted. Be 395 00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:22,400 Speaker 1: sure to follow all of our coverage of the team 396 00:18:22,440 --> 00:18:24,960 Speaker 1: on Packers dot com on Twitter, He's at west hot 397 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:27,960 Speaker 1: I'm at Mike Spofford at Packers for the team account. 398 00:18:27,960 --> 00:18:30,240 Speaker 1: Thanks for tuning in, everybody, See you next time.