1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:20,680 Speaker 1: M Hi, everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:25,120 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford, sitting alongside my trusted colleague West Hodkowitz, 3 00:00:25,160 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 1: were coming to you here from our studios at lambeau 4 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:32,159 Speaker 1: Field and West. Wednesday afternoon in the Packers locker room 5 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 1: was sort of Pro Bowl selection reflection day. I guess 6 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:38,559 Speaker 1: you might say, both for the players who made it 7 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:42,440 Speaker 1: and for the players who didn't. Um some interesting comments 8 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:46,519 Speaker 1: from Aaron Rodgers. Obviously, he brought up his disappointment that 9 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:50,160 Speaker 1: some players like David back, Try, Corey Lindsley, Kenny Clark, 10 00:00:50,880 --> 00:00:55,240 Speaker 1: Blake Martinez didn't get more recognition throughout this process. We 11 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:58,480 Speaker 1: talked a lot about that on yesterday's show. But one comment, 12 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:01,000 Speaker 1: if there was one comment from Rods that really stood 13 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:03,760 Speaker 1: out to me. When he spoke to reporters at his 14 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 1: locker about the Pro Bowl selections, in talking about Davante 15 00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:12,280 Speaker 1: Adams and how much he deserved it, he then threw 16 00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:14,920 Speaker 1: this one at us. The beauty of his game is 17 00:01:14,959 --> 00:01:18,120 Speaker 1: that there's still room for improvement, and he called that 18 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:22,280 Speaker 1: a potentially scary thing for defenses and a great thing 19 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:26,479 Speaker 1: for the Packers offense in the future. If he's right West, 20 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:30,559 Speaker 1: if he's correct about that that Adams still has room 21 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:33,479 Speaker 1: to get better in his game. Boy, this could really 22 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:35,480 Speaker 1: be Uh, we could really be on the verge of 23 00:01:35,480 --> 00:01:38,640 Speaker 1: of watching something special. Yeah. I think we are already 24 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: and seeing the maturation of Adams as a receiver, as 25 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:44,679 Speaker 1: a playmaker and as a leader in that locker room 26 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:46,600 Speaker 1: has been on full display this season. The thing that 27 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:49,480 Speaker 1: I liked the most right now about Davante when you 28 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:52,920 Speaker 1: look at his skill set a hundred catches, as we said, yards, 29 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 1: twelve touchdowns, chasing down numerous franchise records right now with 30 00:01:56,480 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 1: two games left in the regular season, is the fact 31 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:01,600 Speaker 1: that he's never been word on confidence. Even going back 32 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 1: to two thousand, fifteen, sixteen seventeen, he has always felt 33 00:02:05,160 --> 00:02:08,080 Speaker 1: very confident in what he can do. But now he's 34 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:10,280 Speaker 1: starting to see the fruits of those labors on the field, 35 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:12,400 Speaker 1: both in the terms of what the production has been 36 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 1: and also the outside recognition and accolades. If you stack 37 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:18,440 Speaker 1: that on top of the confidence he already has and 38 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:20,840 Speaker 1: the tools he already has, I think that makes him 39 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:23,520 Speaker 1: a very dangerous receiver in this league for years to come. 40 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 1: Rogers makes a great point Davante Adams here in a 41 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:29,520 Speaker 1: week will turn twenty six years old. I believe it is. Yeah, 42 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:32,080 Speaker 1: he is a young guy. He is a guy at 43 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:35,440 Speaker 1: the peak of his powers right now in as time 44 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:38,679 Speaker 1: wears on, I think, whether you know, you've seen something 45 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:40,800 Speaker 1: this year, but I think these next two three seasons, 46 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:44,080 Speaker 1: I think the NFL is gonna start understanding and appreciating 47 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:46,359 Speaker 1: what they have in Davante Adams the receiver. Yeah, it's 48 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:49,640 Speaker 1: interesting getting a little bit of a glimpse into his 49 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:53,360 Speaker 1: psyche and his perspective because this year, this season that 50 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:55,440 Speaker 1: he's putting up and he's not done yet with two 51 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:58,400 Speaker 1: games to go, this is clearly going to set a 52 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:02,560 Speaker 1: new standards toistically and it's not always about the numbers, 53 00:03:02,600 --> 00:03:07,120 Speaker 1: but with what he's going to finish season with this 54 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 1: this is a new standard. But yet every time that 55 00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:12,400 Speaker 1: we talked to him as reporters, you get into a conversation, 56 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 1: he's always very engaging with the media. You get the 57 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:19,519 Speaker 1: sense that the fact that he's setting this new standard 58 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:21,760 Speaker 1: that he's almost going to force himself to live up 59 00:03:21,760 --> 00:03:25,680 Speaker 1: to it doesn't bother him. It doesn't He's not shying 60 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:28,519 Speaker 1: away from it at all. He's almost saying to himself, 61 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:30,600 Speaker 1: bring it on, here we go. Yeah, And it was 62 00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 1: funny because you know, he kind of took JayR Alexander 63 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:35,480 Speaker 1: under his wing a little bit earlier this season. And 64 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 1: while they play different positions and aren't entirely different athletes, 65 00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:41,880 Speaker 1: you can see that common trait between the two of 66 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 1: them and that they're very comfortable in their own shoes. 67 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:47,320 Speaker 1: They're very comfortable with the expectations that come along with 68 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:49,960 Speaker 1: the game of football, and you know they excel in 69 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:53,320 Speaker 1: those pressures. So I think when you look at Adams 70 00:03:53,440 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 1: right now, you know he knew right from the get go, 71 00:03:56,560 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 1: Jordy Nelson's gone. You know, he's gonna have to be 72 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: the face of this this offense. Uh And as soon 73 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:06,440 Speaker 1: as he lost Randall Cobb and and Gerontoy Allison, that 74 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 1: didn't change his focus at all. He just challenged himself 75 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 1: to step up even more. When he's working with young 76 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 1: receivers most of the season Mike fourteen games now, Davante 77 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:19,320 Speaker 1: Adams has been getting the majority of the attention from defenses, 78 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 1: especially more recently here in the last month and a half, 79 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:25,120 Speaker 1: and he's still found ways to be productive. He's still 80 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:27,039 Speaker 1: found ways to make plays in a credit to Joe 81 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:28,960 Speaker 1: Philbin in the offensive coaches. I know it's been a 82 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:31,719 Speaker 1: tough year, but their ability to also scheme him up 83 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:33,720 Speaker 1: a little bit too and make sure that you can 84 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:35,400 Speaker 1: find ways to get the ball in his hands even 85 00:04:35,440 --> 00:04:37,479 Speaker 1: when he is getting double coverage, even when he is 86 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:41,280 Speaker 1: getting cloud coverage. It's impressive, and it's impressive to see 87 00:04:41,279 --> 00:04:44,280 Speaker 1: that Adams has really executed on that. I'm if if 88 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:46,600 Speaker 1: he ends up breaking the receptions record, that's the eye. 89 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:49,440 Speaker 1: That's the stat I have my eye on because it 90 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:55,159 Speaker 1: shows utter complete consistency and that's so difficult to achieve 91 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:58,440 Speaker 1: in this game. Yeah, it's funny. I don't play fantasy football. 92 00:04:58,440 --> 00:05:00,800 Speaker 1: I haven't played fantasy football for only some years. I 93 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:03,640 Speaker 1: happened to catch something on Twitter the other day that 94 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:07,520 Speaker 1: said something about of all the skill position players in 95 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:11,280 Speaker 1: the NFL, there's only one guy who has scored at 96 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:15,039 Speaker 1: least fifteen Fantasy points every single week, and it's Davante 97 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:18,400 Speaker 1: Apps and it partly I don't know exactly what that means, 98 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:21,760 Speaker 1: but it speaks to your point about consistency, because the 99 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:25,760 Speaker 1: guy has produced every single week, win or lose. He 100 00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:32,159 Speaker 1: needs thirteen catches to surpass Sterling Sharp's three franchise record 101 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:35,039 Speaker 1: of one hundred and twelve receptions, which actually was an 102 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:39,159 Speaker 1: NFL record NFL single season. Yeah Sharp, if you don't 103 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:45,280 Speaker 1: remember this, three Sterling Sharp set the NFL single season 104 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 1: reception record in back to back years. In two, he 105 00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:51,839 Speaker 1: broke Art Monks record with a hundred eight. Art Monk 106 00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:54,320 Speaker 1: had either one oh five or one oh six, and 107 00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:57,880 Speaker 1: then in three, Sharp broke his own NFL record with 108 00:05:57,920 --> 00:05:59,880 Speaker 1: a hundred and twelve. Now, since then, other guys have 109 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,000 Speaker 1: and in the one twenties and even one thirty, I 110 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 1: think I don't even know what the record is now. 111 00:06:04,320 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 1: But when Sharp set that franchise record of one twelve, 112 00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:12,039 Speaker 1: that was actually the second consecutive year that he had 113 00:06:12,320 --> 00:06:18,200 Speaker 1: set the NFL record for single season receptions. So Marvin 114 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:24,240 Speaker 1: Harrison on the Colts, Yeah, so you go, and that 115 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:27,480 Speaker 1: was that would have been nineteen years after I'm sorry, 116 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:32,680 Speaker 1: nine years after Sharp in Yeah. It's it's incredible to 117 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:35,320 Speaker 1: see where the league has gone here, because if Davante 118 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 1: ends up breaking the record, then he'll be tied with 119 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:42,880 Speaker 1: Pierre Garson and Rod Smith for in NFL history. Now, 120 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:47,720 Speaker 1: the d thirteen receptions, it just shows you. But Yeah, no, 121 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:49,480 Speaker 1: it's still a great thing for him. And to get 122 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 1: back to your fantasy football question, if you if you're 123 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:55,039 Speaker 1: in a PPR league points per reception, you have a 124 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:58,480 Speaker 1: hundred receptions and twelve touchdowns, you don't doesn't get much 125 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:01,200 Speaker 1: better than that. Aunte Adams has been a real dream 126 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:03,200 Speaker 1: in that way. And then also nine touchdowns in twelve 127 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:05,599 Speaker 1: games this year. We talked all year long about his 128 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:09,080 Speaker 1: streak of having touchdowns on the road. Um, it's incredible, 129 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:10,880 Speaker 1: and especially with some of the issues the Packers have 130 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 1: had scoring the football this year, that Davante Adams has 131 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 1: been that good. Yeah. Well, the other franchise record he's 132 00:07:15,520 --> 00:07:19,480 Speaker 1: closing in on is his former teammate Jordy Nelson in 133 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:25,320 Speaker 1: had one thousand, five hundred nineteen receiving yards. Davante Adams 134 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:28,720 Speaker 1: right now at thirteen fifteen, which means he needs two 135 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:33,160 Speaker 1: oh five to get to fifteen twenty and break his 136 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:35,640 Speaker 1: former teammates record. Do you think he gets that one? Well? 137 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:38,560 Speaker 1: I do. If if if he gets an opportunity here 138 00:07:38,600 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 1: with Aaron Rodgers the next two games, I think there's 139 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:43,040 Speaker 1: a good possibility he does it. I think all he 140 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:45,800 Speaker 1: needs one or two big plays. You know and and 141 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 1: that two hundred yards in two games can definitely happen. 142 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 1: And you know, if Rogers didn't really say this part 143 00:07:51,440 --> 00:07:53,480 Speaker 1: of it out front, because he said, when we're gonna 144 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:55,120 Speaker 1: talk about this in a minute, all the reasons that 145 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:57,520 Speaker 1: he wants to play against the Jets, he wants to 146 00:07:57,560 --> 00:08:00,240 Speaker 1: finish the season, you know, to be a leader, to 147 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 1: be their first teammates. But you have to imagine there's 148 00:08:02,360 --> 00:08:05,040 Speaker 1: also a part of Aaron Rodgers that appreciates what Davante 149 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:08,360 Speaker 1: Adams did for him this year and trying to help 150 00:08:08,440 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 1: him break that record with you. And this is a 151 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:15,640 Speaker 1: Davante Adams had a real special season. And if you 152 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 1: know where he came from, what he's persevered through. He 153 00:08:19,480 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 1: had an Instagram post I believe it was last night 154 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:25,560 Speaker 1: or the night before. I know you're big on Instagram, uh, 155 00:08:25,560 --> 00:08:28,200 Speaker 1: where he basically said, and I'm gonna end up messing 156 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 1: this up probably, but from you know, counted out to 157 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:34,080 Speaker 1: count it on. And you know, when you think about that, 158 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:36,520 Speaker 1: it is really good. When you think of two thousand 159 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:41,079 Speaker 1: fifteen Packers, how difficult that season was, losing Jordy Nelson. 160 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:44,160 Speaker 1: You know, the way to the world appears to be 161 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:48,199 Speaker 1: on this kid's shoulders, and it's really not. He comes 162 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 1: back the next year and he does what he does, 163 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 1: and he makes sure that he improves the way that 164 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 1: he feels like he can improve. And now I mean 165 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:56,480 Speaker 1: he is I mean, he's the offensive m VP for 166 00:08:56,520 --> 00:08:59,240 Speaker 1: this team this year. It's just everything that he's gotten 167 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:03,280 Speaker 1: right now through fifteen games. Fourteen games. I don't think 168 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:05,320 Speaker 1: you could find anybody who says he doesn't deserve it. Yeah, 169 00:09:05,520 --> 00:09:09,400 Speaker 1: no doubt about it. Um. Quickly though, Packers fans, stop 170 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:11,960 Speaker 1: in at your local Quick Trip and pick up your 171 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 1: Packers cup today. Get nine cent refills on your Cafe 172 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:20,960 Speaker 1: Cruba coffee all season long, Wes you had mentioned. We 173 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:25,640 Speaker 1: also heard from Aaron Rodgers on Wednesday, his reasons mostly 174 00:09:25,679 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 1: revolving around leadership and those types of topics as far 175 00:09:30,679 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 1: as why he wants to play out the season these 176 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:36,400 Speaker 1: last two games even though the Packers don't have a 177 00:09:36,400 --> 00:09:39,120 Speaker 1: shot at the playoffs. We heard from David Baktiari, who 178 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:41,959 Speaker 1: answered the same questions about the Pro Bowl snub again, 179 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:46,720 Speaker 1: but but he also said um. He also said he 180 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:50,160 Speaker 1: would like to finish out the season as well because 181 00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:53,880 Speaker 1: he's like, hey, I'm a professional football player. My contracts 182 00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:57,680 Speaker 1: says they're sixteen regular season games. The contract doesn't say 183 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:01,280 Speaker 1: you play until you're eliminated from playoff can tension. There's 184 00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:04,720 Speaker 1: something certainly admirable about that. And then Brian Bulag at 185 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:07,960 Speaker 1: the other book end, the other tackle on the Packers 186 00:10:08,000 --> 00:10:11,920 Speaker 1: offensive line, he's addressed this as well, and not only 187 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:14,000 Speaker 1: did he echo some of the things that Rogers and 188 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 1: Baker he said, but it goes a little bit deeper 189 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:19,319 Speaker 1: and a little bit more personal with bolog as far 190 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:22,079 Speaker 1: as his motivations as to why he wants to finish 191 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:24,000 Speaker 1: out these last two games. Why don't you give us 192 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,760 Speaker 1: the recap on that Wednesday's locker room was really interesting 193 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:28,960 Speaker 1: to me in this way because I looked at Rogers, 194 00:10:28,960 --> 00:10:31,680 Speaker 1: Box tr and Bolog almost as like the football trinity 195 00:10:32,360 --> 00:10:34,640 Speaker 1: in terms of you want to ask players why they're 196 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:37,480 Speaker 1: playing out the season. I thought, between those three guys, 197 00:10:37,480 --> 00:10:40,520 Speaker 1: you've got a really clear picture in portrait of what 198 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:43,400 Speaker 1: this game means to these guys and and why there 199 00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 1: is that motivation even when you're out of playoff contention 200 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:49,800 Speaker 1: to finish this thing out. With Rogers its leadership, how 201 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:52,640 Speaker 1: can he ask people to rally for him if he's 202 00:10:52,640 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 1: not willing to rally for them down the stretch during 203 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:58,640 Speaker 1: the most adverse situations. Now, again, last year was a 204 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:00,960 Speaker 1: different story. He had the collar when it was still healing. 205 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:04,680 Speaker 1: There was a big danger there if he aggravates that, 206 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:06,200 Speaker 1: what that could have did to his off season. So 207 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 1: it made sense for them to shut him down this year. Yeah, 208 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:11,600 Speaker 1: he tweaked his growing muscle. Yes, he's been dealing with 209 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:13,640 Speaker 1: the knee, but those, you know, the knee specifically, are 210 00:11:13,679 --> 00:11:16,000 Speaker 1: things that he's been able to play through. He wants 211 00:11:16,040 --> 00:11:18,360 Speaker 1: to be out there, David bat as long as that 212 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:21,040 Speaker 1: quarterback is on the field, he's gonna be there, wanting 213 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:23,520 Speaker 1: to block his blindside for him. He's had to deal 214 00:11:23,559 --> 00:11:26,480 Speaker 1: with his own knee injuries, lower body issues throughout the 215 00:11:26,480 --> 00:11:28,480 Speaker 1: course of the the season. Has started all four teen games. 216 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:31,360 Speaker 1: As he said, the contract that he signed, it didn't 217 00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:33,680 Speaker 1: say play until you're eliminated from the playoffs. It said 218 00:11:33,679 --> 00:11:35,720 Speaker 1: play for sixteen games if your body allows you to 219 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:39,559 Speaker 1: do so. David baktis hell bent on doing that. Lastly, 220 00:11:39,840 --> 00:11:42,440 Speaker 1: Brian Blaga, this was the one that I thought was 221 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 1: the most eye opening because he really blog in general. 222 00:11:45,559 --> 00:11:48,880 Speaker 1: I've said this before, he's been amazing this year in 223 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:52,319 Speaker 1: terms of really letting the media, in letting people into 224 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:54,400 Speaker 1: his thought process and what this year has been like 225 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:57,040 Speaker 1: for him, trying to come back after tearing his a 226 00:11:57,080 --> 00:11:59,280 Speaker 1: c L last November, getting back on the field a 227 00:11:59,280 --> 00:12:03,479 Speaker 1: couple of days, I of ten months, which was incredibly impressive, 228 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:06,280 Speaker 1: and that's why it is so motivating for him to 229 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:08,319 Speaker 1: want to get back out there. He tore his MCL 230 00:12:08,400 --> 00:12:10,800 Speaker 1: two weeks ago, as he said, you know, against that 231 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:13,599 Speaker 1: game against Arizona. The doctors told him two weeks you 232 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:15,880 Speaker 1: got to set this thing out. The two weeks past, 233 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:18,720 Speaker 1: he was back on the practice field Wednesday. He feels 234 00:12:18,760 --> 00:12:21,480 Speaker 1: good to go, and he said, it's about his wife 235 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:24,480 Speaker 1: that that sat there for three weeks post stop doing 236 00:12:24,520 --> 00:12:27,720 Speaker 1: everything in their household because he couldn't move. It's for 237 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:31,040 Speaker 1: the PT staff, the Packers training staff that helped him 238 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:33,040 Speaker 1: get to this point, that put in all the hours 239 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:35,080 Speaker 1: to get him back on the field for Week one, 240 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:39,679 Speaker 1: and this being his second second rehab of his professional 241 00:12:39,679 --> 00:12:42,240 Speaker 1: football career as well. And as I wrote in the story, 242 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:44,560 Speaker 1: some people were wondering a lot of skeptics were wondering 243 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:46,280 Speaker 1: whether or not he'd be ready for Week one. He 244 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:48,720 Speaker 1: did him one better. He was ready for that preseason finale, 245 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 1: was able to get some work against Kansas City before 246 00:12:50,960 --> 00:12:53,760 Speaker 1: going into the regular season. He's battled through a lot 247 00:12:53,840 --> 00:12:56,959 Speaker 1: this season. I think to Brian Bulaga, and I don't 248 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:58,440 Speaker 1: want to put words in his mouth, but I have 249 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:00,679 Speaker 1: to imagine this has to be one of them gratifying 250 00:13:00,760 --> 00:13:03,840 Speaker 1: years he's had. He started twelve games, He's overcome a 251 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:06,200 Speaker 1: lot of doubters, and the fact of the matter is 252 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:08,880 Speaker 1: the Packers need him right now. Jason Spriggs is in 253 00:13:08,920 --> 00:13:11,640 Speaker 1: the concussion protocol. Yeah, that was a new injury that 254 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:14,880 Speaker 1: that cropped up that that we weren't aware of until 255 00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:18,079 Speaker 1: Spriggs was not on the practice field Wednesday. So if 256 00:13:18,120 --> 00:13:19,520 Speaker 1: you're not going to have the guy that had been 257 00:13:19,520 --> 00:13:22,200 Speaker 1: subbing in for Volaga, then you have to start wondering 258 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:25,200 Speaker 1: what's going to happen there. Well, Bolag is back in there. 259 00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:28,400 Speaker 1: He wants to play. I just think those guys know 260 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:31,760 Speaker 1: what the franchise quarterback means to this team. It's their 261 00:13:31,840 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 1: job to protect them and they want to be out 262 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:36,240 Speaker 1: there regardless of what the wind Lost column says. Yeah, 263 00:13:36,280 --> 00:13:39,440 Speaker 1: I u um I couldn't have been more impressed, frankly 264 00:13:39,520 --> 00:13:42,720 Speaker 1: with the comments from guys like bok tr and bolog 265 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:46,280 Speaker 1: and what they said with regards to Um. You know, 266 00:13:47,559 --> 00:13:51,080 Speaker 1: at the heart of it West, they were basically expressing 267 00:13:51,120 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 1: what it means to them to be a professional football player. 268 00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:57,640 Speaker 1: And and I couldn't have more respect for how they're 269 00:13:57,640 --> 00:14:00,600 Speaker 1: going about it. The other thing I will say with 270 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:03,559 Speaker 1: regards to this game, in particular against the Jets, the 271 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:07,800 Speaker 1: last road trips, the last road trip of the Packers 272 00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:10,760 Speaker 1: are o and seven on the road. I think there's 273 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:14,560 Speaker 1: something and maybe I'm way off base here, I don't know, 274 00:14:14,960 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 1: but I think there's something about when you talk about 275 00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:21,080 Speaker 1: the transition of young players from the college game to 276 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:24,680 Speaker 1: the NFL, and we've seen the Packers get some significant 277 00:14:24,720 --> 00:14:29,720 Speaker 1: contributions from rookies Jr. Alexander, Josh Jackson, Marquis Velde, Scanling, 278 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:33,360 Speaker 1: Equanimius st. Brown. You know, this rookie draft class that looks, 279 00:14:33,520 --> 00:14:35,760 Speaker 1: you know, showing a lot of promise here for the Packers. 280 00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:40,800 Speaker 1: There's something to be said for going on the road 281 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:44,160 Speaker 1: and winning a game in your rookie year so that 282 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 1: you're not coming back your second year in the NFL 283 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:49,320 Speaker 1: and then you start getting on airplanes and getting going 284 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:51,600 Speaker 1: boy this didn't go so well last year. You know, 285 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:56,000 Speaker 1: I I think there's something to going to New Jersey 286 00:14:56,040 --> 00:14:58,320 Speaker 1: and winning this game for those young guys in the 287 00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:02,479 Speaker 1: locker room to to experience, as Aaron Rodgers said, experienced 288 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:05,040 Speaker 1: the postgame locker room, the bus ride, the flight home, 289 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:08,000 Speaker 1: and be able to process everything that it took to 290 00:15:08,080 --> 00:15:11,120 Speaker 1: go on the road in the NFL and get a victory. Now, 291 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:13,400 Speaker 1: maybe that doesn't rank up there as high as some 292 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:16,360 Speaker 1: other reasons to play this game to win, but I 293 00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:20,080 Speaker 1: think for the near future of this of this Packers 294 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:22,320 Speaker 1: team and how it's currently constructed, I think it could 295 00:15:22,320 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 1: mean something. I think it means a lot. I think 296 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:27,400 Speaker 1: you look at JR, Alexander and even Mike. You could 297 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:31,520 Speaker 1: look at the rookie class from last year that hasn't 298 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:34,360 Speaker 1: tasted a win on the road since that game in Cleveland, 299 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:38,920 Speaker 1: the overtime game against the Browns, So there is almost 300 00:15:38,920 --> 00:15:40,800 Speaker 1: I want to call it a cleansing, but I mean, 301 00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 1: you want to pick up a road victory. You want 302 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:45,240 Speaker 1: to know what it's like to get on that plane 303 00:15:45,280 --> 00:15:48,000 Speaker 1: after a game with the taste of a victory in 304 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:51,120 Speaker 1: your mouth. So um, yeah, it's it's a big challenge. 305 00:15:51,160 --> 00:15:53,760 Speaker 1: And I think you look at the way the season 306 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 1: has gone for for Todd Bowles and the Jets, and 307 00:15:56,960 --> 00:15:58,400 Speaker 1: you know the writing is on the wall in a 308 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:00,840 Speaker 1: lot of ways right now for them. So it really 309 00:16:00,880 --> 00:16:02,760 Speaker 1: is going to come down to what team wants this more, 310 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:04,800 Speaker 1: who wants to dig deeper? And I think there is 311 00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:06,640 Speaker 1: I wrote it an inbox this week. I think there 312 00:16:06,640 --> 00:16:08,520 Speaker 1: are a lot of young, hungry guys in this lineup, 313 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:10,920 Speaker 1: some that have played, some who haven't, that want to 314 00:16:10,920 --> 00:16:12,680 Speaker 1: get out there. They want to show what they can offer, 315 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:14,360 Speaker 1: and they want to win football games. I mean, at 316 00:16:14,360 --> 00:16:16,200 Speaker 1: the end of the day, it's about winning football games. 317 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:19,480 Speaker 1: David Batari said it too. This year has been tough 318 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,360 Speaker 1: because you know, you can talk about accolades and snubs 319 00:16:22,360 --> 00:16:23,920 Speaker 1: and things like that, but he's like, my my goals, 320 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:25,720 Speaker 1: I want to win a Super Bowl. When he got 321 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:28,200 Speaker 1: drafted in two thousand thirteen, he felt like he was 322 00:16:28,240 --> 00:16:30,000 Speaker 1: close to being able to win a Super Bowl right 323 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:31,640 Speaker 1: off the bat. And this is a guy that came 324 00:16:31,640 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 1: from a one win program at Colorado the year before. 325 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:38,920 Speaker 1: He wanted to win. That is the thing that pushes 326 00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:42,440 Speaker 1: everybody the most. Yes you and I get paychecks, Yes 327 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 1: we're able to support our families. But if we write 328 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:48,960 Speaker 1: crappy stories or we have a terrible episode of unscripted, 329 00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 1: it doesn't feel that good. So I mean, from their perspective, 330 00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:56,240 Speaker 1: yeah you can. You can lose these next two games. 331 00:16:56,280 --> 00:17:01,240 Speaker 1: Doesn't change anything. No, your fate is still sealed. But again, 332 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:04,040 Speaker 1: as I mentioned last week after the win over the Falcons, 333 00:17:04,440 --> 00:17:06,879 Speaker 1: you win these games, you finally get on a winning 334 00:17:06,920 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 1: streak to end the season. Then you go into the 335 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:12,080 Speaker 1: off season with a little bit more hop in your step. Yeah, 336 00:17:12,119 --> 00:17:14,480 Speaker 1: I agree with you. And uh, last chance for the 337 00:17:14,480 --> 00:17:18,320 Speaker 1: Packers on the road is at the Big tin Can 338 00:17:18,359 --> 00:17:20,520 Speaker 1: and East Rutherford. As I like to say, it's a 339 00:17:21,640 --> 00:17:25,320 Speaker 1: it's maybe the most nondescript of the newer stadiums in 340 00:17:25,320 --> 00:17:28,440 Speaker 1: the NFL. Are driving through New Jersey and then here's 341 00:17:28,440 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 1: this big gray metal structure that kind of climbs out 342 00:17:32,840 --> 00:17:35,680 Speaker 1: of the trees and here and bring your binoculars because 343 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:38,160 Speaker 1: that Russ box we're way up there. Oh I got them. 344 00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:41,639 Speaker 1: And it's fun too, because the thing that's great is 345 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:44,280 Speaker 1: it's like, Okay, you look at the diagrams right now 346 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:47,800 Speaker 1: for l A. Uh, you know, we were just in Minneapolis, 347 00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:51,040 Speaker 1: and how that stadium looks and even even Chicago to 348 00:17:51,080 --> 00:17:53,399 Speaker 1: some regard, all those soldier fields been there forever and 349 00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:57,639 Speaker 1: it's form. Yeah, they sort of dropped something strange in 350 00:17:57,680 --> 00:17:59,720 Speaker 1: the midst of a war memorial. But you still got 351 00:17:59,720 --> 00:18:02,920 Speaker 1: this carry on, you still got the skylight, the atmosphere. 352 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:05,240 Speaker 1: It's so funny. I've only been to New York once 353 00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:06,920 Speaker 1: and it was for that two thousand thirteen game that 354 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:09,639 Speaker 1: Scott Tolzine started, and I remember pulling up to the 355 00:18:09,680 --> 00:18:12,560 Speaker 1: stadium and being like, I'm in like New York, New 356 00:18:12,640 --> 00:18:15,040 Speaker 1: Jersey and this is this is the stadium right like 357 00:18:15,040 --> 00:18:17,879 Speaker 1: like somewhere along the line some architects signed off on 358 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:21,119 Speaker 1: this thing, was like, yeah, we got it. So with 359 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:23,680 Speaker 1: all due respect to them, it just it is interesting 360 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:25,919 Speaker 1: when you think a Yankee Stadium and all these different venues, 361 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:31,800 Speaker 1: Madison Square, Garden. So it'll be funny. I'm excited to 362 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:33,560 Speaker 1: get out there, all right. Yeah, Well we will see 363 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:35,639 Speaker 1: what happens, and for now we will call it a 364 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:37,920 Speaker 1: wrap on this edition of Packer's Unscripted. Be sure to 365 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:40,720 Speaker 1: follow all of our coverage of the team on packers 366 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:43,080 Speaker 1: dot Com on Twitter. He's at West Hot, I'm at 367 00:18:43,119 --> 00:18:45,760 Speaker 1: Mike Spofford at Packers for the team accout. Thanks for 368 00:18:45,760 --> 00:18:47,880 Speaker 1: tuning in everybody, We'll see you next time.