1 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:09,680 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody, Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from 2 00:00:09,680 --> 00:00:13,000 Speaker 1: Packers dot Com. I am like Spofford, joined as always 3 00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: by my trusted colleague West Hodkowitz, coming to you here 4 00:00:16,040 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: from our studios at Lanmdbellfield. As training camp continues to 5 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:21,279 Speaker 1: roll along, West and I have reached the point in 6 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: training camp where I do not know what day of 7 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:24,480 Speaker 1: the week it is anymore. 8 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:28,800 Speaker 2: I said to my buddy this morning, Happy Friday. I 9 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:31,200 Speaker 2: was like, my buddy, Scott, it's his first week back 10 00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:32,599 Speaker 2: at the press. Because that I'm like, hey, you made 11 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:35,840 Speaker 2: it through, man, Happy Friday's like it's Thursday. Like, oh crap, 12 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:36,360 Speaker 2: yeah I know. 13 00:00:36,440 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 1: And I sit here and think, yeah, the Packers first 14 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:41,640 Speaker 1: preseason game is Saturday, Well what day is that supposed 15 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:44,479 Speaker 1: to be? Like, I can't, I can't figure it out anymore. 16 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:46,839 Speaker 1: And I'm having a hard time actually keeping track of 17 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:51,800 Speaker 1: which practices have now occurred since we recorded our last show. 18 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:56,200 Speaker 1: But I'll do the best I can here. One thing 19 00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:59,600 Speaker 1: that I know did happen since our last show is 20 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:02,680 Speaker 1: that we heard from wide receiver Christian Watson in the 21 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:05,520 Speaker 1: locker room. Now we've seen Christian Watson out on the 22 00:01:05,520 --> 00:01:09,560 Speaker 1: practice field he's his portions of his rehab have been 23 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:11,800 Speaker 1: somewhat public. I guess you might say he's been out 24 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:15,119 Speaker 1: there in front of the fans, running sprints, doing some cuts, 25 00:01:15,160 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 1: doing the workout things that the athletic trainers are putting 26 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 1: him through in this rehab process from his ACL. But 27 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:27,000 Speaker 1: he did speak with reporters. You were in the group 28 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 1: that talked with him after practice the other day. And 29 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:35,160 Speaker 1: this is a young man. He's gone through it a 30 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:38,400 Speaker 1: lot already with regard to injuries. This is another level 31 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:43,200 Speaker 1: of an injury recovery. But everything that I gathered is 32 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:48,560 Speaker 1: that his attitude is as positive and upbeat as one 33 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 1: could be in his situation. 34 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, and it's been that way since day one. They 35 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 2: were talking. You know, even after the season he has 36 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 2: such a devastating injury where you trying to play in 37 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:01,160 Speaker 2: that regular season finale and trying to help this team 38 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:03,200 Speaker 2: make a run. Here people forget he was already dealing with. 39 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:05,120 Speaker 2: I believe it was that injury to his left knee. 40 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:08,280 Speaker 2: Then he goes out there and suffers the torn right ACL. 41 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 2: First time he's gone through this injury, and there could 42 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:13,160 Speaker 2: have been a big woe is me mindset, especially entering 43 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 2: that contract season, a pivotal contract season for him, and 44 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:18,640 Speaker 2: he didn't allow those thoughts to seep into his brain. 45 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:22,080 Speaker 2: He continued to push forward and immediately worked with the 46 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:25,320 Speaker 2: training staff, got the surgery done once the swelling went down, 47 00:02:25,639 --> 00:02:27,480 Speaker 2: and figured out his process for how he was going 48 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:30,800 Speaker 2: to go about the rehab. He actually connected with Stefan Diggs, 49 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 2: who had torn his ACL I believe about two and 50 00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 2: a half months earlier, to kind of get some pointers 51 00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:37,960 Speaker 2: on what to expect and get some advice on what 52 00:02:38,040 --> 00:02:40,919 Speaker 2: he should be doing. He goes down to Florida and 53 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:43,240 Speaker 2: Jaden Reid we're talking with him in the locker room. 54 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:45,359 Speaker 2: He even mentioned too, he's like because of his training, 55 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 2: he ended up crossing pass with Christian pretty early on, 56 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 2: and just his enthusiasm and positive outlook on everything, not 57 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:54,680 Speaker 2: that that wasn't expected, just based on kind of the 58 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 2: person that we know Christian to be, but his ability 59 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:00,519 Speaker 2: to kind of compartmentalize everything that happened in that Bears 60 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:03,440 Speaker 2: game and rechannel it towards trying to get back on 61 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:06,200 Speaker 2: the field as quickly as possible. Personally, I put it 62 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:08,000 Speaker 2: in the story. I think that might be partially a 63 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 2: reason why he's in the position he's in right now. 64 00:03:09,919 --> 00:03:12,640 Speaker 2: I mean, nobody's putting a timeline on it. He's still 65 00:03:12,639 --> 00:03:15,520 Speaker 2: on the pup list, still could be a candidate to be, 66 00:03:15,639 --> 00:03:17,600 Speaker 2: you know, sidelined for the first four games of the 67 00:03:17,639 --> 00:03:21,680 Speaker 2: regular season by being on the reserve pup. But all 68 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:25,440 Speaker 2: that being said, I mean, Christian Watson looks terrific in 69 00:03:25,480 --> 00:03:28,320 Speaker 2: these workouts. I mean the wind sprints he's doing off 70 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 2: to the side. There's been portions of practice MIC where 71 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:33,320 Speaker 2: I've been more in trance just watching him go forty 72 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 2: yards at a time as some of the action on 73 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 2: the field. 74 00:03:36,720 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 1: And you do have a story up on packers dot 75 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 1: com for those who want to dive into more of 76 00:03:40,440 --> 00:03:44,400 Speaker 1: the details here. One thing he certainly wanted to make 77 00:03:44,440 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 1: clear is that he still feels he is the fastest 78 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:50,480 Speaker 1: guy on the team right Like, even though he is 79 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:54,520 Speaker 1: not fully through his ACL rehab, He's like, Hey, anybody 80 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 1: wants to take me on in a sprint, bring it on, 81 00:03:56,520 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 1: because he still is claiming to be the fastest in 82 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:02,960 Speaker 1: the in the forty I assume is kind of what 83 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:03,600 Speaker 1: he's talking. 84 00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 2: About probably any race, to be honest with you, I mean, 85 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 2: based on the way that this guy attacks it. I 86 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 2: mean to do that at six foot four and two 87 00:04:09,440 --> 00:04:11,080 Speaker 2: hundred and ten pounds. I mean, we talked about how 88 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 2: this guy is just a physical freak from the day 89 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:16,960 Speaker 2: that he was drafted to Green Bay. There's just aren't 90 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 2: many like him, and it's a big reason why. I mean, 91 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:21,800 Speaker 2: he averaged twenty yards of catch last season in an 92 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:24,479 Speaker 2: offense that really, you know, dispersed the ball to a 93 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:27,880 Speaker 2: lot of different players. So and having him in the 94 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:29,840 Speaker 2: building too, I think has been really critical. I mean 95 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:32,039 Speaker 2: you heard, you know, Matthew Golden talk about and some 96 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,400 Speaker 2: of these other guys. I mean, he's a Vet. He's 97 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:37,680 Speaker 2: a young Vet, but he's a Vet nonetheless. And yeah, 98 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:42,799 Speaker 2: I think when when the green clearance finally comes for him, yeah, 99 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:46,559 Speaker 2: the light is sort of put on. I think number 100 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:48,599 Speaker 2: nine is going to have a big impact on this 101 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:49,320 Speaker 2: thing for Green Bank. 102 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 1: I think a forty yard dash between Christian Watson and 103 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,840 Speaker 1: Matthew Golden would be like must see television, right, Like 104 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:59,440 Speaker 1: that would be that would really be something. Assuming that 105 00:04:59,640 --> 00:05:03,360 Speaker 1: he is going to start the regular season on pup 106 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:05,720 Speaker 1: and then we will see where things are as far 107 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:08,560 Speaker 1: as his timeline of when he can get back. It 108 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:12,760 Speaker 1: does open up, in essence, an extra roster spot for 109 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:16,600 Speaker 1: another receiver in this very crowded receiver competition in order 110 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 1: to make the team. It almost feels like whenever Christian 111 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:23,800 Speaker 1: Watson does come back, it's going to be like this 112 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 1: trading deadline acquisition for the Packers that you know you're 113 00:05:28,320 --> 00:05:30,239 Speaker 1: going to be adding a guy like that to the mix, 114 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 1: and uh, and we'll we'll see how the how the 115 00:05:33,520 --> 00:05:37,200 Speaker 1: receiver group you know, shapes up at that time. But uh, 116 00:05:38,040 --> 00:05:42,520 Speaker 1: it's it'll be it'll be an incredible boost, I think 117 00:05:42,560 --> 00:05:44,919 Speaker 1: to this offense to uh to get him back and 118 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:48,400 Speaker 1: everyone will be excited for that. Elsewhere on the injury front, 119 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:54,479 Speaker 1: Kay Walker, who spent really a good portion of the 120 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:57,799 Speaker 1: offseason in in a walking boot because of a cleanup 121 00:05:57,839 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 1: procedure he had done on his ankle in the offseason, 122 00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:04,960 Speaker 1: we have seen him slowly work his way back and 123 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:09,880 Speaker 1: he is now in the defense in the eleven on 124 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:14,920 Speaker 1: eleven in the team reps, lining up alongside Eddrin Cooper, 125 00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 1: alongside Isaiah McDuffie sometimes Isaiah Simmons. Walker is Walker is 126 00:06:20,920 --> 00:06:24,919 Speaker 1: in that mix, and this Packers defense is starting to 127 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:28,120 Speaker 1: look like what we're going to see come week one 128 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:29,200 Speaker 1: in terms of the personnel. 129 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:31,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, and just this overall speed of it at that 130 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:34,200 Speaker 2: second level, it's unmatched. There's no other time in which 131 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:36,240 Speaker 2: I can remember the Packers having this much speed with 132 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:40,520 Speaker 2: natural linebackers at that position. It was really insightful listening 133 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:42,559 Speaker 2: to Quay this week. He talked for the with the media. 134 00:06:42,760 --> 00:06:44,920 Speaker 2: I believe that was on Tuesday for about five minutes. 135 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 2: And now this whole offseason surgery was an extension of 136 00:06:48,440 --> 00:06:50,359 Speaker 2: that ankle injury that he just could not catch a 137 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:53,440 Speaker 2: break with it. Just he kept rolling it and he 138 00:06:53,480 --> 00:06:56,000 Speaker 2: has a high ankle sprain. They thought he'd be able 139 00:06:56,040 --> 00:06:57,520 Speaker 2: to get through it. He comes back out there for 140 00:06:57,560 --> 00:06:59,320 Speaker 2: the Philly game. He gets through the game, leads the 141 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:02,160 Speaker 2: team in tackles, but actually did roll it again. He 142 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:05,160 Speaker 2: actually went into the off season thinking, Okay, well rest 143 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 2: will help this thing. We'll be fine. He gets back 144 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:09,760 Speaker 2: for organized team activities for the off season program, he 145 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:12,360 Speaker 2: starts working out on it doesn't feel right. They decide, 146 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 2: kind of like the Nate Hobbs thing, which I'm sure 147 00:07:14,280 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 2: you know we'll get into as well. With you're looking 148 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:18,520 Speaker 2: at the whole bandwidth of these injuries for Green Bay, 149 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 2: it's let's get this thing taken care of. Let's get 150 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:23,600 Speaker 2: back out there for Week one. Quay said he has 151 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:26,560 Speaker 2: no doubts whether or not he'll be available again. They've 152 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:30,360 Speaker 2: been very very, you know, pragmatic with how they've integrated 153 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:33,440 Speaker 2: him back into the defense. It was individuals for a 154 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:35,200 Speaker 2: first week, and then it was kind of getting him 155 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:38,160 Speaker 2: lightly working in some of the walkthrough stuff, and now 156 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 2: we're seeing him probably fifty percent in the team periods. 157 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:44,240 Speaker 2: Now you obviously finish the game situation stuff on Thursday 158 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:47,720 Speaker 2: or on Wednesday, excuse me. So this is this is 159 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:50,520 Speaker 2: the commander, this is the general that defense. They positioned 160 00:07:50,600 --> 00:07:52,880 Speaker 2: him to be in that role and certainly now he's 161 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 2: poised to fill it. 162 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:55,960 Speaker 1: And you mentioned Nate Hobbs. He's going to be out 163 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:59,320 Speaker 1: a while. He spoke to reporters as well, described he 164 00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:03,520 Speaker 1: had to have a surgery done excuse me, on his knee. 165 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:06,240 Speaker 1: He doesn't seem to have any doubts that he'll be 166 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:08,800 Speaker 1: ready for Week one as well, But it doesn't sound 167 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:11,200 Speaker 1: like we're going to be seeing him back on the 168 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:13,640 Speaker 1: practice field anytime soon. I mean, one thing that has 169 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 1: done with Hobbs now sidelined is Carrington Valentine has sort 170 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:21,680 Speaker 1: of been elevated from I guess you'd say, from a 171 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:24,040 Speaker 1: part time guy with the number one defense to now 172 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:26,360 Speaker 1: he's a full time guy with the number one defense 173 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 1: with Hobbs being out. But then other guys at cornerback 174 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:33,920 Speaker 1: have you know, sort of moved around the depth chart, 175 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:37,480 Speaker 1: you know, getting their reps with the twos and then 176 00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:41,640 Speaker 1: lo and behold a familiar faces back in Corey Ballantine. 177 00:08:41,679 --> 00:08:44,400 Speaker 1: Now we have to get into the whole Valentine Ballantine 178 00:08:44,440 --> 00:08:46,440 Speaker 1: and keeping all that straight. Again. I knew you would 179 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:52,920 Speaker 1: I knew you would like that. But Corey Ballantine, tyme, yeah, 180 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:58,320 Speaker 1: just Valentine, all right. Corey Balance just spent the last 181 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:02,319 Speaker 1: three seasons with THES was a free agent. At the 182 00:09:02,440 --> 00:09:06,360 Speaker 1: end of twenty twenty four, he signed a free agent 183 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:09,760 Speaker 1: contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Was not like a big 184 00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:11,920 Speaker 1: money deal or anything, but he did get a chunk 185 00:09:11,960 --> 00:09:15,959 Speaker 1: of money guaranteed. But things didn't work out for him 186 00:09:15,960 --> 00:09:18,600 Speaker 1: in Indy. He didn't really get into that. I was 187 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:20,520 Speaker 1: part of the group that was speaking with him in 188 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 1: the locker room the other day. Didn't really get into 189 00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 1: why it didn't work out in India. And you never 190 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:30,120 Speaker 1: really know exactly with these things anyway, but the Colts 191 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:32,920 Speaker 1: decided to release him in a fairly early stage of 192 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:39,880 Speaker 1: training camp and the combination of Nate Hobbs injury, Kamal Hadden, 193 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:43,120 Speaker 1: who's another young cornerback who's trying to find a place 194 00:09:43,120 --> 00:09:44,800 Speaker 1: on the depth chart here in Green Bay, he is 195 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:48,360 Speaker 1: injured and currently out, And as we've talked about, behind 196 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:50,839 Speaker 1: the main guys at cornerback, the Packers have a whole 197 00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:54,200 Speaker 1: bunch of young guys that haven't been there and done that. 198 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:57,959 Speaker 1: A lot of talent, but a lot of unproven guys. 199 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:02,880 Speaker 1: So when Corey Ballentine is out there and available, and 200 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:05,000 Speaker 1: he knows the system and he's been here and he's 201 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:07,320 Speaker 1: been a big part of special teams and everything in 202 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:09,360 Speaker 1: the past, it just made all the sense in the 203 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:11,440 Speaker 1: world for Green Bay to go and get him. Not 204 00:10:11,559 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 1: only that, he's very happy to be back and he's 205 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 1: excited to take another shot at making this roster. 206 00:10:17,240 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 2: And not enough kids talked about The Packers lost four 207 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:22,360 Speaker 2: cornerbacks in free agency, well three, and then they cut 208 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:25,760 Speaker 2: Gay Air right so they've had a pretty big shift 209 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:28,880 Speaker 2: in the cornerback room here. The Balantine thing is just 210 00:10:28,880 --> 00:10:30,480 Speaker 2: funny to me, because it's almost kind of like the 211 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:32,880 Speaker 2: Batman and Joker thing. They're just the Packers and Corey 212 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:35,360 Speaker 2: are just destined for each other. All roads eventually lead 213 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:38,959 Speaker 2: back to them being together. I don't know the situation 214 00:10:39,320 --> 00:10:41,280 Speaker 2: in Indianapolis. I did do a lot of reading in 215 00:10:41,320 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 2: the last few days, though, from what I gathered from 216 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:45,840 Speaker 2: the Beat reports down there, it sounded like it's just 217 00:10:45,960 --> 00:10:49,559 Speaker 2: kind of the Colts might have just sort of overstocked 218 00:10:49,559 --> 00:10:52,959 Speaker 2: the cupboard a little bit. They have basically two of 219 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:55,320 Speaker 2: their first and second team are pretty much set on 220 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:56,800 Speaker 2: what they were using, so it was kind of hard 221 00:10:56,800 --> 00:10:59,040 Speaker 2: for him to get into that second unit. So if 222 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:01,720 Speaker 2: you're a veteran player six years in the Colts, don't 223 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:03,040 Speaker 2: know if he's necessarily gonna have a role for you. 224 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:04,520 Speaker 2: I mean, sometimes this is the best way to go 225 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:06,520 Speaker 2: about doing it, because then you land in Green Bay, 226 00:11:06,920 --> 00:11:09,360 Speaker 2: which in addition to losing Nate Hobbs, so there's practice 227 00:11:09,360 --> 00:11:11,400 Speaker 2: reps to be had there. This is a guy with 228 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:13,880 Speaker 2: scheme familiarity. And some people had asked me too, well, 229 00:11:13,880 --> 00:11:16,439 Speaker 2: if the Packers wanted balentein back, why did they just 230 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:18,160 Speaker 2: bring him back. Well, that's not always how it works. 231 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:20,800 Speaker 2: I mean, look at what happened with Christian Welch last year. 232 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:22,600 Speaker 2: The Packers would have liked to have had him back 233 00:11:22,600 --> 00:11:24,839 Speaker 2: on the practice squad. It didn't work out. He ends 234 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:26,600 Speaker 2: up in Denver, he ends up on the fifty three 235 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:29,320 Speaker 2: man roster of the Ravens, and then the season ends 236 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:32,440 Speaker 2: and now there's an opportunity to reunite. So what I 237 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:34,800 Speaker 2: love most about this cornerback room though, when you made 238 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:39,160 Speaker 2: the point about Carrington Valentine, how much is his story 239 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:43,360 Speaker 2: right now mirroring Sam Shields. Now, Sam was an undrafted 240 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:46,160 Speaker 2: guy and he was a converted receiver. But this is 241 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:48,400 Speaker 2: the same process Sam went through. Was thrown into the 242 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:50,520 Speaker 2: fire right away, and then it took a little bit 243 00:11:50,559 --> 00:11:54,200 Speaker 2: of time from defined an established starting role. And Carrington 244 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:56,280 Speaker 2: has been game for all of it. He's kept a 245 00:11:56,320 --> 00:11:59,400 Speaker 2: seventh rounders mindset while playing at a much higher level 246 00:11:59,440 --> 00:12:02,840 Speaker 2: than that, where, yeah, when he does get put in there, 247 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:06,000 Speaker 2: he competes. And I've seen enough from him now to 248 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:08,520 Speaker 2: know to really truly believe that this guy can be 249 00:12:08,520 --> 00:12:10,720 Speaker 2: a starter in this league. But it's just how the 250 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:13,120 Speaker 2: dominoes are gonna fall, and you need to have depth 251 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:15,400 Speaker 2: in order to be able to weather injuries, and as 252 00:12:15,400 --> 00:12:17,920 Speaker 2: we're seeing with this Hobbs situation here early in camp, 253 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:20,560 Speaker 2: this is another example of why you build the roster 254 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:21,120 Speaker 2: the way you do. 255 00:12:21,280 --> 00:12:23,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, and when you look back just two years ago 256 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:28,920 Speaker 1: to twenty twenty three, the whole Valentine Ballantine combination, those 257 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:32,000 Speaker 1: guys kind of, you know, save Green Bay's bacon. Yeah, 258 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:34,560 Speaker 1: in a lot of respects, because there were injuries all 259 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:38,559 Speaker 1: over the cornerback position. The defense was kind of scrambling 260 00:12:38,559 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 1: to figure out what to do. And then it's like, okay, 261 00:12:40,679 --> 00:12:44,360 Speaker 1: here's a veteran special teams guy in Ballantine. Will put 262 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:46,560 Speaker 1: him in and then you have at that time a 263 00:12:46,640 --> 00:12:49,600 Speaker 1: rookie seventh round pick in Valentine. Put him in there 264 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:54,000 Speaker 1: and see what he can do. And they both, I 265 00:12:54,040 --> 00:12:58,080 Speaker 1: mean to their credit, and it's also helped both of 266 00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:03,079 Speaker 1: their careers moving forward. Those guys both performed really really well, 267 00:13:03,160 --> 00:13:06,120 Speaker 1: especially considering the circumstances that they were put in. So 268 00:13:06,920 --> 00:13:09,400 Speaker 1: now both of those guys a couple of years older, 269 00:13:09,440 --> 00:13:12,679 Speaker 1: they're in different places in their careers, and you know, 270 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:15,480 Speaker 1: we may be seeing them in some respects on the 271 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:20,000 Speaker 1: field together again. A couple of guys that I know, 272 00:13:20,040 --> 00:13:24,480 Speaker 1: we talked about them already, but just have to say 273 00:13:25,040 --> 00:13:27,520 Speaker 1: that I don't know how you feel. I feel like 274 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:29,679 Speaker 1: every day when we walk out there to the practice 275 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:32,800 Speaker 1: field to watch the action, and we spend most of 276 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:35,199 Speaker 1: our time concentrating on the eleven on eleven and the 277 00:13:35,640 --> 00:13:39,160 Speaker 1: one on one reps that are going on. But there's 278 00:13:39,160 --> 00:13:44,000 Speaker 1: two guys. There's two guys that just are impossible not 279 00:13:44,120 --> 00:13:46,400 Speaker 1: to notice on the practice field every day, and to me, 280 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:48,719 Speaker 1: it's Romeo Dobs and Edger and Cooper, one on each 281 00:13:48,760 --> 00:13:51,800 Speaker 1: side of the ball. I don't know if I've ever 282 00:13:51,840 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 1: gotten this far into a training camp where that answer, 283 00:13:56,960 --> 00:13:58,680 Speaker 1: in some respects has been so easy. 284 00:13:58,760 --> 00:13:58,960 Speaker 2: Yep. 285 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:03,000 Speaker 1: You know he's got Dobbs on offense and Cooper on defense. 286 00:14:03,760 --> 00:14:07,280 Speaker 1: They're just a presence on the practice field every single day, 287 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:11,199 Speaker 1: and I think it bodes well for the seasons individually 288 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:12,640 Speaker 1: that those two guys are headed for. 289 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:16,600 Speaker 2: Outside of obviously Aaron Rodgers, I would say that it's 290 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:19,440 Speaker 2: Dobbs one A in Jordan Nelson one B for the 291 00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:22,080 Speaker 2: best practice players I've ever watched in my time. You've 292 00:14:22,080 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 2: had a few more seasons on me, but in my 293 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:25,360 Speaker 2: time covering the team in fourteen years. When you talk 294 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 2: about training camp, practices, offseason practices, Jordan Nelson and Randall 295 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:33,440 Speaker 2: and Romeo Dobbs. Like those two guys, I think whether 296 00:14:33,440 --> 00:14:36,760 Speaker 2: it's the mentality, the skill set, the hands, what have you. Yeah, 297 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 2: they bring a certain level of tempo and professionalism each 298 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 2: day that they're on the practice field, and Dobbs does 299 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 2: it much like Jordi did in such a seamless fashion. 300 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:48,600 Speaker 2: We talk about the National Football League is such a 301 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:51,320 Speaker 2: difficult game, and it is, but it's the guys that 302 00:14:51,360 --> 00:14:54,640 Speaker 2: make it look simple, that really are the awe inspiring 303 00:14:55,800 --> 00:14:58,400 Speaker 2: you performers that make this league what it is, and 304 00:14:58,680 --> 00:15:03,120 Speaker 2: Dobbs fits in that category. Edrian Cooper is a prodigy. 305 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:06,840 Speaker 2: I mean, there's no other way to say. This guy 306 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:10,680 Speaker 2: can rush the passer, he can cover. You're seeing a 307 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:13,120 Speaker 2: batdown passes. How many passes he break up this week 308 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:16,800 Speaker 2: so far? Three or four in practice team in team drills, 309 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:20,320 Speaker 2: we've seen him blow up TFLs and run plays in 310 00:15:20,360 --> 00:15:21,040 Speaker 2: the backfield. 311 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:23,040 Speaker 1: I mean, the one thing we have seen, the one 312 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:25,560 Speaker 1: thing we have seen I think maybe more than anything 313 00:15:25,680 --> 00:15:28,560 Speaker 1: with him on a daily basis is if if the 314 00:15:28,640 --> 00:15:32,520 Speaker 1: offense wants to run the ball to the outside, you 315 00:15:32,720 --> 00:15:35,840 Speaker 1: have to make sure that somebody is blocking fifty six 316 00:15:35,920 --> 00:15:38,560 Speaker 1: because if he's got any kind of a seam, any 317 00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:40,960 Speaker 1: kind of a gap on an outside run, he is 318 00:15:40,960 --> 00:15:43,480 Speaker 1: shooting it and the running back does not have a chance. 319 00:15:43,560 --> 00:15:49,280 Speaker 1: And he's a difficult guy to block because it's hard 320 00:15:49,320 --> 00:15:51,760 Speaker 1: to get an angle on him because of it, because 321 00:15:51,760 --> 00:15:54,840 Speaker 1: of his speed and because of his anticipation. But it 322 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:59,440 Speaker 1: is almost impossible to execute an effective outside run if 323 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:01,280 Speaker 1: you don't get had on number fifty six. 324 00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:04,600 Speaker 2: He is everywhere. That was my tweet during practice. This 325 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:08,680 Speaker 2: guy has been everywhere. Yeah, and you think about it too, 326 00:16:08,760 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 2: because there's still a lot for him to learn, and 327 00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:13,880 Speaker 2: he admitted it. He's like he wants it all, like 328 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:15,800 Speaker 2: he sees it all out there for himself, but he 329 00:16:15,920 --> 00:16:19,200 Speaker 2: knows there's still ways to go here on the command 330 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:22,040 Speaker 2: of the defense, knowing his assignments, the consistency down in 331 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:24,960 Speaker 2: and down out. But there's a reason why he flashed 332 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:27,120 Speaker 2: as brightly as he did last year. It's because he 333 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:30,480 Speaker 2: is a legitimate playmaker. Yeah, And when you're drafting guys 334 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:32,600 Speaker 2: in this league, at the end of the day, that's 335 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:34,920 Speaker 2: what you're looking for. You're looking for the dude that 336 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:37,760 Speaker 2: is the one percent of the one percent. And I 337 00:16:37,920 --> 00:16:40,280 Speaker 2: truly see it, man, I've seen it since when you 338 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:42,240 Speaker 2: went back and watched his I'm no scout. I'm not 339 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:44,160 Speaker 2: gonna act like I'm a scout, but you go back 340 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:47,600 Speaker 2: and watch his college film. There just was something different 341 00:16:47,680 --> 00:16:49,960 Speaker 2: about him. It wasn't that he just was getting some 342 00:16:50,040 --> 00:16:52,600 Speaker 2: sacks or some TFLs or he was coming on block. No, 343 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:55,800 Speaker 2: this guy was making plays, and through one year and 344 00:16:55,960 --> 00:16:59,920 Speaker 2: what four months in the Packers' uniform, he just can 345 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:00,840 Speaker 2: continues to do that. 346 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:04,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, we heard when he was drafted that his speed 347 00:17:04,440 --> 00:17:09,240 Speaker 1: was different, and that has certainly proven to be true. 348 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:11,480 Speaker 1: We do have to pay some bills here quickly, Wes, 349 00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:13,480 Speaker 1: so we will turn it over right now to a 350 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:18,720 Speaker 1: word from our sponsors. 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Pit Boss grills 360 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:57,879 Speaker 1: available at Menard's. Welcome Back to Packers. Unscripted WES Saturday 361 00:17:57,960 --> 00:18:00,320 Speaker 1: Night at lambeau Field will be the pre he sees 362 00:18:00,359 --> 00:18:03,560 Speaker 1: an opener. It's against the New York Jets. A lot 363 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:06,679 Speaker 1: of questions in the media swirling around about are their 364 00:18:06,720 --> 00:18:08,919 Speaker 1: starters gonna play or how much or are they not? 365 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:11,000 Speaker 1: And I don't even want to get into it because 366 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:13,479 Speaker 1: we don't know. Matt Lafleur is not tipping his hand here. 367 00:18:13,520 --> 00:18:16,240 Speaker 1: He's basically just told all those guys to be ready, 368 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:19,280 Speaker 1: be ready to play, and then the coaching staff is 369 00:18:19,320 --> 00:18:21,680 Speaker 1: going to make a decision. So I don't even want 370 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:23,000 Speaker 1: to get into that part of it. But what I 371 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:25,320 Speaker 1: do want to ask you is first preseason game, what 372 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:26,040 Speaker 1: are you looking for? 373 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:28,680 Speaker 2: Well, first and foremost, Kenny Clark sure sounds like he 374 00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:31,440 Speaker 2: thinks he's playing. Like I mean, if Matt Lafleuur is 375 00:18:31,480 --> 00:18:33,600 Speaker 2: selling this and then gonna tell the guys are it's 376 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:36,400 Speaker 2: I think the guys are buying into this, the notion 377 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:38,959 Speaker 2: that they might be out there on Saturday night. Listen 378 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:41,359 Speaker 2: what I love the most about the preseason? And and 379 00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:43,359 Speaker 2: you know me, You've had to read all my copy 380 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:46,080 Speaker 2: here the last ten years. I'm the biggest proponent of 381 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:49,080 Speaker 2: the preseason. I love it. I'm not driven by the 382 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:51,400 Speaker 2: almighty dollar. I think like a lot of this capitalistic, 383 00:18:51,680 --> 00:18:53,840 Speaker 2: you know sort of leagues can be in the professional 384 00:18:53,840 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 2: sense and now even somewhat in the amateur sense. This 385 00:18:56,880 --> 00:19:00,760 Speaker 2: is where guys get opportunities, and you can't have a 386 00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:03,119 Speaker 2: caringon Valentine. We can't talk about that if you don't 387 00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:06,720 Speaker 2: initially give them those reps as their rookie in first years, 388 00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:08,840 Speaker 2: and seeing a guy like Omar Brown, even in a 389 00:19:08,880 --> 00:19:11,160 Speaker 2: stage like family Night, you know, kind of ball out 390 00:19:11,240 --> 00:19:13,320 Speaker 2: and try to make his case for a roster. How 391 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:16,320 Speaker 2: many times over the years, Mike, have you and I 392 00:19:16,359 --> 00:19:17,920 Speaker 2: been sitting ore at these things? And yeah, we cover 393 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:19,920 Speaker 2: the first drive of the number one offense and defense, 394 00:19:19,960 --> 00:19:22,720 Speaker 2: and then it's the second or third team or that 395 00:19:22,760 --> 00:19:26,439 Speaker 2: shines the rest of the afternoon. I love preseasons my 396 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:29,120 Speaker 2: favorite time of the year because I think the thing 397 00:19:29,119 --> 00:19:31,239 Speaker 2: that's cool as a writer, I don't know fans can 398 00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:33,600 Speaker 2: relate to this, but we get to see these guys 399 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:36,040 Speaker 2: for ten, eleven, twelve practices, and now we get to 400 00:19:36,040 --> 00:19:37,679 Speaker 2: see him against another team. We get to see him 401 00:19:37,680 --> 00:19:40,919 Speaker 2: finishing tackles. You get to see the actual what this 402 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:44,040 Speaker 2: is all built up to, and who rises to that 403 00:19:44,160 --> 00:19:48,280 Speaker 2: challenge and who doesn't, who separates themselves and who falls behind. 404 00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:52,240 Speaker 2: The stakes are so high and they've never gotten there 405 00:19:52,280 --> 00:19:54,480 Speaker 2: never been higher now because of the reduction in the 406 00:19:54,520 --> 00:19:58,159 Speaker 2: amount of preseason games. So I'm looking forward to seeing 407 00:19:58,440 --> 00:19:59,840 Speaker 2: some of these young running backs that are going to 408 00:19:59,880 --> 00:20:03,600 Speaker 2: get tons of opportunities. With Emmanuel Wilson and Marshawn Lloyd 409 00:20:03,880 --> 00:20:06,080 Speaker 2: both banged up right now, I think we're gonna see 410 00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:09,679 Speaker 2: the secondary. You know what safeties stand out with a 411 00:20:09,720 --> 00:20:11,800 Speaker 2: position where I don't even know how much of a 412 00:20:11,880 --> 00:20:14,280 Speaker 2: drop off there is, you know, from where we're looking 413 00:20:14,320 --> 00:20:16,720 Speaker 2: at with the Evan Williams to the Zane Anderson's. I mean, 414 00:20:16,760 --> 00:20:19,080 Speaker 2: there's just there's such a small margin for error there. 415 00:20:19,680 --> 00:20:24,840 Speaker 2: And then also just overall how the efficiency is of everything. 416 00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:28,520 Speaker 2: Preseason's awesome, and I think it's gonna be fun to 417 00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:30,919 Speaker 2: have this thing at Lambellfield and seeing how fans respond 418 00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:31,200 Speaker 2: to it. 419 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:33,359 Speaker 1: I think there are a lot of things certainly to 420 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:35,520 Speaker 1: watch on Saturday night. If I were to narrow it 421 00:20:35,560 --> 00:20:38,880 Speaker 1: down for myself, I'm narrowing it down to the first 422 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:41,240 Speaker 1: round draft picks from the last two years. I'm gonna 423 00:20:41,240 --> 00:20:43,399 Speaker 1: have eyes on more than anything because we're going to 424 00:20:43,440 --> 00:20:47,160 Speaker 1: see presumably we're going to see Matthew Golden in game 425 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:49,639 Speaker 1: action in a Packers' uniform for the first time, and 426 00:20:49,680 --> 00:20:52,720 Speaker 1: I think that will be a treat in and of itself. 427 00:20:53,320 --> 00:20:56,760 Speaker 1: And then Jordan Morgan, last year's first round pick. He's 428 00:20:56,760 --> 00:20:59,040 Speaker 1: been taking all of the number one reps at left 429 00:20:59,040 --> 00:21:02,359 Speaker 1: tackle as Rashid Walker is working his way back from 430 00:21:02,480 --> 00:21:07,119 Speaker 1: a groin injury. And Walker was back in practice on Wednesday, 431 00:21:07,280 --> 00:21:09,680 Speaker 1: but only in individual drills. He was not back into 432 00:21:09,680 --> 00:21:12,040 Speaker 1: eleven on eleven yet. So the fact that I mean, now, 433 00:21:12,280 --> 00:21:14,880 Speaker 1: there's still time before Saturday, but I don't know at 434 00:21:14,880 --> 00:21:18,719 Speaker 1: this point if they would put Rashid Walker into a 435 00:21:18,760 --> 00:21:22,200 Speaker 1: preseason game. So if Jordan Morgan is the starting left 436 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:26,320 Speaker 1: tackle on Saturday night and gets his share of the 437 00:21:26,320 --> 00:21:29,320 Speaker 1: reps there, that will definitely be worth watching because you 438 00:21:29,359 --> 00:21:31,600 Speaker 1: have to remember, even though this guy was a full 439 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:34,440 Speaker 1: time left tackle in college, multiple year starter and all 440 00:21:34,480 --> 00:21:38,320 Speaker 1: that at Arizona. He did not really play tackle as 441 00:21:38,440 --> 00:21:40,600 Speaker 1: a rookie when he came in last year. He was 442 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:44,000 Speaker 1: put at right guard to compete with Sean Ryan, and 443 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:46,520 Speaker 1: he was in a rotation with Ryan getting game action 444 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:52,200 Speaker 1: at right guard until his shoulder injury caused enough trouble 445 00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:54,680 Speaker 1: that they decided, you know, needed an operation and then 446 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:57,520 Speaker 1: and shut him down for his rookie year. So he 447 00:21:57,600 --> 00:22:01,080 Speaker 1: hasn't played left tackle. He hasn't played offensive tackle in 448 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:05,080 Speaker 1: a game in the NFL yet since arriving as a 449 00:22:05,080 --> 00:22:08,280 Speaker 1: first strong pick. So those are the two I guess 450 00:22:08,320 --> 00:22:10,080 Speaker 1: I would say the two guys that I will be 451 00:22:10,200 --> 00:22:12,040 Speaker 1: having my eyes on more than any others. 452 00:22:12,160 --> 00:22:14,560 Speaker 2: Excellent choices, especially when you're looking at the twenty twenty 453 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:16,920 Speaker 2: four draft class, because there's still so much we've yet 454 00:22:16,920 --> 00:22:19,440 Speaker 2: to learn about that group as a whole. I will 455 00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:21,720 Speaker 2: mention another name from it, though, that I'm excited to 456 00:22:21,760 --> 00:22:24,400 Speaker 2: watch is Tyron Hopper, because Hopper is a guy third 457 00:22:24,440 --> 00:22:26,760 Speaker 2: round pick last year. I've been a big fan of 458 00:22:26,840 --> 00:22:29,560 Speaker 2: him since the beginning. He's a tackling machine. If you've 459 00:22:29,560 --> 00:22:32,080 Speaker 2: been watching him in these practices, he's been kind of 460 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:34,800 Speaker 2: that number two MIC linebacker throughout camp. I think he's 461 00:22:34,840 --> 00:22:38,040 Speaker 2: going to play a lot in these games. I would imagine, 462 00:22:38,280 --> 00:22:40,439 Speaker 2: you know, again, we'll see whether not Qua goes. I 463 00:22:40,440 --> 00:22:43,040 Speaker 2: would imagine then it's probably Isaiah McDuffie's gonna be wearing 464 00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:46,199 Speaker 2: the communication headset. But after that, I would imagine you're 465 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:47,720 Speaker 2: going to see a lot of Hopper in these games. 466 00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:49,960 Speaker 2: And he's the type of dude. If you remember last 467 00:22:50,040 --> 00:22:52,160 Speaker 2: year in Denver, he basically didn't practice a whole lot. 468 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:53,760 Speaker 2: He was kind of getting his feet underneath him, and 469 00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:55,560 Speaker 2: then he has eleven tackles. That was like the one 470 00:22:55,640 --> 00:22:57,720 Speaker 2: highlight of that game against the Broncos was just all 471 00:22:57,800 --> 00:23:00,560 Speaker 2: all over the place. He was Packers. I was talking 472 00:23:00,600 --> 00:23:03,399 Speaker 2: about all this depth they have inside linebacker encapsulates that 473 00:23:03,880 --> 00:23:05,480 Speaker 2: and and Hopper is a guy too that I think. 474 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:06,840 Speaker 2: I think it's gonna be fun to watch. 475 00:23:06,960 --> 00:23:08,679 Speaker 1: Yeah, Hopper is a great one to point out. We 476 00:23:08,680 --> 00:23:11,240 Speaker 1: saw him have a really, really good preseason game last 477 00:23:11,280 --> 00:23:14,200 Speaker 1: year as a rookie, and it's funny when I watch him, 478 00:23:14,240 --> 00:23:17,640 Speaker 1: my mind always goes back to what I like to say, 479 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:19,600 Speaker 1: is an old friend of mine who used to work here, 480 00:23:19,680 --> 00:23:21,800 Speaker 1: which was before you arrived. And of course I'm talking 481 00:23:21,840 --> 00:23:25,240 Speaker 1: about Vic Ketchman. He always used to talk about linebackers 482 00:23:25,359 --> 00:23:28,960 Speaker 1: as one of two types. They're either chasers or their thumpers. 483 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:30,880 Speaker 1: Tyron Hoppers a thumper. 484 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:31,400 Speaker 2: Thumper. 485 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:35,160 Speaker 1: He is a thumper and and that's that makes him 486 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:37,600 Speaker 1: worth watching at any time he's on the pH Oh. 487 00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:39,840 Speaker 2: My goodness, when we did the live tackling drills, just 488 00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:41,639 Speaker 2: seeing him attack guys. Yeah, you know, I mean, this 489 00:23:41,680 --> 00:23:45,480 Speaker 2: is a guy that is when when that the red 490 00:23:45,520 --> 00:23:48,000 Speaker 2: is in his eyes when he sees the ballcarrier, for sure, 491 00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:50,080 Speaker 2: And yeah, he definitely sets a tone. 492 00:23:50,320 --> 00:23:53,520 Speaker 1: All right, One last thing, do you want to get 493 00:23:53,560 --> 00:23:54,840 Speaker 1: back into this whole Hall of Fames? 494 00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:55,360 Speaker 2: We can. 495 00:23:56,800 --> 00:23:58,640 Speaker 1: I'm gonna. I'm gonna lay it out here as quickly 496 00:23:58,680 --> 00:24:02,479 Speaker 1: as it can, please do so. Okay, you have two 497 00:24:02,560 --> 00:24:05,240 Speaker 1: different ways, essentially to get into the Hall of Fame. 498 00:24:05,280 --> 00:24:07,720 Speaker 1: There's the modern era voting process, which are the players 499 00:24:07,760 --> 00:24:10,520 Speaker 1: who have been retired for five years but retired for 500 00:24:10,640 --> 00:24:14,119 Speaker 1: less than twenty five years who there's an entire voting 501 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:16,760 Speaker 1: process that it whittles down to finalists and then they 502 00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:19,719 Speaker 1: get and then the finalists get their cases presented, and 503 00:24:19,760 --> 00:24:22,640 Speaker 1: then everybody on the Hall of Fame Selection Committee gives 504 00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:24,440 Speaker 1: an up or down vote, and if they get eighty 505 00:24:24,480 --> 00:24:27,800 Speaker 1: percent of the vote, they get in. Other ways, there's 506 00:24:27,840 --> 00:24:30,400 Speaker 1: the Senior Committee, which is guys who have been retired 507 00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:33,439 Speaker 1: for longer than twenty five years whose cases are being revisited. 508 00:24:33,720 --> 00:24:38,360 Speaker 1: You also have a coach category and contributor category. Now 509 00:24:38,400 --> 00:24:41,240 Speaker 1: those have been combined in the past coach and contributor 510 00:24:41,320 --> 00:24:44,399 Speaker 1: that now they've become separate categories. But what used to 511 00:24:44,440 --> 00:24:50,359 Speaker 1: happen is the Senior Committee nominees, the coach nominees and 512 00:24:50,400 --> 00:24:52,679 Speaker 1: the contributor nominees who made it all the way to 513 00:24:52,720 --> 00:24:57,520 Speaker 1: the finalist stage, they would simply after they go through 514 00:24:57,560 --> 00:25:00,160 Speaker 1: this whole process and you get to the finalist stage, 515 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:03,000 Speaker 1: they would then have their cases presented in front of 516 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:05,480 Speaker 1: the committee for an upper down vote, and if they 517 00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:08,160 Speaker 1: got eighty percent, they got in. If they didn't, they didn't. 518 00:25:08,560 --> 00:25:13,480 Speaker 1: But most of the time, because the quality, I guess, 519 00:25:13,560 --> 00:25:16,480 Speaker 1: the selections are so narrow, it narrows down so quickly, 520 00:25:17,520 --> 00:25:19,240 Speaker 1: most of the time somebody who made it all the 521 00:25:19,280 --> 00:25:21,840 Speaker 1: way to the finalist stage as a coach, as a contributor, 522 00:25:21,960 --> 00:25:26,960 Speaker 1: or as a senior finalist would get in. What they 523 00:25:27,000 --> 00:25:31,280 Speaker 1: did this year is they put forward three senior finalists, 524 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:34,440 Speaker 1: one coach, one contributor. The one coach was Mike Holmgren. 525 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:37,280 Speaker 1: One of the three senior finalists was Sterling Sharp obviously, 526 00:25:37,680 --> 00:25:40,600 Speaker 1: but what they decided to do instead of having all 527 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:44,680 Speaker 1: of their cases presented individually for an upper down vote 528 00:25:44,720 --> 00:25:47,000 Speaker 1: in front of the committee, is they said, Okay, here 529 00:25:47,080 --> 00:25:51,199 Speaker 1: are these five guys coach, contributor and senior finalists, and 530 00:25:51,359 --> 00:25:55,480 Speaker 1: the committee can only vote for three of the five, 531 00:25:56,440 --> 00:25:59,920 Speaker 1: and then, based on voting for three out of the five, 532 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:04,399 Speaker 1: if any individual still had to get eighty beyond eighty 533 00:26:04,440 --> 00:26:09,199 Speaker 1: percent of the ballots in order to get in, extremely 534 00:26:09,280 --> 00:26:12,439 Speaker 1: difficult threshold, much much harder than it was in the 535 00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:16,560 Speaker 1: past for the folks in these categories. Sterling Sharp was 536 00:26:16,600 --> 00:26:19,159 Speaker 1: the only one of the survival of the five to 537 00:26:19,359 --> 00:26:25,880 Speaker 1: survive that voting stringency, I guess, I would say, And 538 00:26:27,400 --> 00:26:30,480 Speaker 1: so out of those five the coach, contributor and three 539 00:26:30,520 --> 00:26:32,840 Speaker 1: senior finals, Sterling Sharp was the only one to get 540 00:26:32,880 --> 00:26:36,600 Speaker 1: in this year because of the new voting process. Extremely 541 00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:41,320 Speaker 1: disappointing for Mike Holmgren. I think extremely unfair to those 542 00:26:41,359 --> 00:26:43,919 Speaker 1: who are now in those categories and now facing a 543 00:26:43,960 --> 00:26:46,480 Speaker 1: completely different voting process in terms of who gets in 544 00:26:46,520 --> 00:26:50,040 Speaker 1: it and who doesn't. But with that explanation as the 545 00:26:50,200 --> 00:26:52,720 Speaker 1: entire background, I'll hand it back off to you. 546 00:26:52,920 --> 00:26:55,479 Speaker 2: The Blue Ribbon Committee put forward their semi finals, their 547 00:26:55,560 --> 00:26:59,200 Speaker 2: nine semi finals for head coach, can you know candidate 548 00:26:59,280 --> 00:27:05,359 Speaker 2: for the Fame last October. We just did the actual enshrinement. 549 00:27:05,440 --> 00:27:10,120 Speaker 2: So it shows you how long this process goes to 550 00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:13,240 Speaker 2: select Mike Holmgrin for that to actually have all these 551 00:27:13,240 --> 00:27:16,320 Speaker 2: people push him forward for this honor. Again, just one, 552 00:27:16,520 --> 00:27:19,480 Speaker 2: not three, just one coach. I thought it was a 553 00:27:19,480 --> 00:27:21,200 Speaker 2: slap in the face of the Blue Ribbon Committee, to 554 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:22,480 Speaker 2: be honest with you, I thought it was a slap 555 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:24,760 Speaker 2: in the face to everybody who's had to watch the 556 00:27:24,800 --> 00:27:27,560 Speaker 2: Pro Football Hall of Fame continue to, in a lack 557 00:27:27,560 --> 00:27:29,640 Speaker 2: of a better terms, Jerry mander, the way that they're 558 00:27:29,680 --> 00:27:30,399 Speaker 2: doing this voting. 559 00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:33,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's a good word too. Actually, the way this 560 00:27:33,920 --> 00:27:35,480 Speaker 1: is going now every. 561 00:27:35,359 --> 00:27:40,119 Speaker 2: Year it changes. And again I've raised this several times. 562 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:43,320 Speaker 2: I have a huge problem with how they went about 563 00:27:43,359 --> 00:27:47,000 Speaker 2: the centennial slate. I felt like they use it as 564 00:27:47,040 --> 00:27:49,520 Speaker 2: an opportunity to shoehorn in a lot of people from 565 00:27:49,560 --> 00:27:52,560 Speaker 2: the more modern era, when the initial reason behind it 566 00:27:52,600 --> 00:27:54,560 Speaker 2: was the pre Hall of Fame era, right. 567 00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:57,240 Speaker 1: And I actually and I actually looked that up. There 568 00:27:57,320 --> 00:28:02,040 Speaker 1: were it was a group of ten senior inductees as 569 00:28:02,119 --> 00:28:05,440 Speaker 1: part of the Centennial class in twenty twenty, and out 570 00:28:05,480 --> 00:28:09,240 Speaker 1: of those ten, only four of them had completed their 571 00:28:09,280 --> 00:28:12,639 Speaker 1: careers in the pre Super Bowl era. That's not what 572 00:28:12,680 --> 00:28:17,920 Speaker 1: that was supposed to be about. And I mean, hats 573 00:28:17,920 --> 00:28:20,000 Speaker 1: off to Bobby Dylan, Green Bay Packer. He got it. 574 00:28:20,560 --> 00:28:23,080 Speaker 1: He got in that way, but he was one of 575 00:28:23,080 --> 00:28:28,040 Speaker 1: the only four. When the thought was that that centennial 576 00:28:28,119 --> 00:28:31,080 Speaker 1: class was supposed to really take a closer look at 577 00:28:31,680 --> 00:28:34,280 Speaker 1: the guys from you know, the first fifty years of 578 00:28:34,320 --> 00:28:36,840 Speaker 1: the NFL before you got into the Super Bowl era. 579 00:28:37,359 --> 00:28:40,840 Speaker 1: But that didn't happen. So you have the vern Llewellens 580 00:28:40,880 --> 00:28:42,800 Speaker 1: of the world and whatnot are still out there and 581 00:28:42,840 --> 00:28:43,920 Speaker 1: probably never going to get in. 582 00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:47,280 Speaker 2: Now here's the point I was going to make. It 583 00:28:47,280 --> 00:28:50,560 Speaker 2: was an up or down vote the twenty centennial class. 584 00:28:50,560 --> 00:28:53,200 Speaker 2: Either they all got in or nobody got in. We 585 00:28:53,320 --> 00:28:56,520 Speaker 2: did that for the centennial slate. Why aren't you doing 586 00:28:56,520 --> 00:28:59,160 Speaker 2: that for the contributed coach? Yeah, when we've already been 587 00:28:59,200 --> 00:29:02,000 Speaker 2: to this point already, what do the contributors and coaches 588 00:29:02,040 --> 00:29:03,840 Speaker 2: if they've gotten to this point. If if they've gone 589 00:29:03,840 --> 00:29:07,480 Speaker 2: through all these different hurdles and obstacles, what's the rationale 590 00:29:07,480 --> 00:29:09,480 Speaker 2: then for looping them in with the modern era? What's 591 00:29:09,520 --> 00:29:11,600 Speaker 2: the rationale for trying to hold them out when they've 592 00:29:11,600 --> 00:29:15,080 Speaker 2: already pushed through? And also keep in mind, it took 593 00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:18,360 Speaker 2: forever to have contributors coaches, they were Prior to that, 594 00:29:18,400 --> 00:29:22,000 Speaker 2: it was all one big pile. Yeah, so now if 595 00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:24,080 Speaker 2: we're trying to catch up, if we're trying to right 596 00:29:24,160 --> 00:29:28,800 Speaker 2: some wrongs here, why are we doing it like this? 597 00:29:29,080 --> 00:29:34,280 Speaker 1: Yeah? I agree, it is what it is, and I 598 00:29:34,320 --> 00:29:36,600 Speaker 1: think it's and what I think, And I laid this 599 00:29:36,680 --> 00:29:39,400 Speaker 1: out in a story that I posted earlier this week, 600 00:29:39,400 --> 00:29:41,640 Speaker 1: and looking at the Bears have thirty two Hall of Famers, 601 00:29:41,640 --> 00:29:44,360 Speaker 1: the Packers have twenty nine. The franchises with the two 602 00:29:44,440 --> 00:29:46,680 Speaker 1: most and you know, how are the Packers potentially going 603 00:29:46,720 --> 00:29:50,080 Speaker 1: to catch up at some point? I you know what's 604 00:29:50,200 --> 00:29:55,080 Speaker 1: really unfortunate for Mike Holmgren is that I don't think 605 00:29:55,120 --> 00:29:57,920 Speaker 1: his chances are very good of getting pushed forward again 606 00:29:58,400 --> 00:30:01,120 Speaker 1: to get another shot at this, because very soon Bill 607 00:30:01,160 --> 00:30:03,360 Speaker 1: Belichick is going to be in the mix for coach. 608 00:30:03,400 --> 00:30:05,240 Speaker 1: And of course if you're only going to put forward 609 00:30:05,280 --> 00:30:08,160 Speaker 1: one coach, and Bill Belichick is eligible, how can he 610 00:30:08,200 --> 00:30:08,880 Speaker 1: not be? The guys? 611 00:30:08,960 --> 00:30:11,560 Speaker 2: Can they change that role now too? So that's only 612 00:30:11,560 --> 00:30:14,960 Speaker 2: one year, Okay, it's not five years or four years anymore. 613 00:30:15,000 --> 00:30:16,800 Speaker 2: Whatever it is for coach, Bill Belichick can go in 614 00:30:16,840 --> 00:30:18,000 Speaker 2: the Hall of Fame, I believe next year. 615 00:30:18,120 --> 00:30:20,360 Speaker 1: So he's so he's going to be He's going to 616 00:30:20,360 --> 00:30:22,320 Speaker 1: be in the mix very soon. And then you have 617 00:30:22,400 --> 00:30:25,360 Speaker 1: a couple of two time Super Bowl winning coaches. I 618 00:30:25,360 --> 00:30:27,840 Speaker 1: don't want to get into their you know, the their 619 00:30:27,960 --> 00:30:30,560 Speaker 1: candidacies at the moment, but just the fact that they're 620 00:30:30,600 --> 00:30:32,840 Speaker 1: a pair of two time Super Bowl winning coaches and 621 00:30:32,920 --> 00:30:36,440 Speaker 1: Mike Shanahan and Tom Coughlin who are also waiting, and 622 00:30:36,640 --> 00:30:39,280 Speaker 1: Holmgren was put forward in front of them this year. 623 00:30:40,440 --> 00:30:43,240 Speaker 1: But with Holmgren not getting in, you can see that 624 00:30:43,320 --> 00:30:46,520 Speaker 1: committee is going to potentially go another direction and see 625 00:30:46,560 --> 00:30:49,640 Speaker 1: if they can get somebody else in. It's it's it's 626 00:30:49,680 --> 00:30:53,320 Speaker 1: extremely unfortunate for Holmgren. I think, I mean, I think 627 00:30:53,360 --> 00:30:55,800 Speaker 1: a guy who takes two different franchises to Super Bowls, 628 00:30:55,840 --> 00:30:58,040 Speaker 1: whether or not he wins those super Bowls. He did 629 00:30:58,080 --> 00:31:03,760 Speaker 1: win one, but and even as We've talked about Bill 630 00:31:03,840 --> 00:31:06,160 Speaker 1: Cowers in the Hall of Fame as a coach. You 631 00:31:06,200 --> 00:31:08,240 Speaker 1: look at the credentials. If Bill Cowers in the Hall 632 00:31:08,280 --> 00:31:10,040 Speaker 1: of Fame, Mike Holmgren should be in the Hall of Fame. 633 00:31:10,080 --> 00:31:12,320 Speaker 1: And to Bill Cower's credit, he has gone on the 634 00:31:12,360 --> 00:31:14,080 Speaker 1: record saying, if I am in the Hall of Fame, 635 00:31:14,120 --> 00:31:16,600 Speaker 1: Mike Holmgren should be in the Hall of Fame. Yeah, 636 00:31:16,720 --> 00:31:19,000 Speaker 1: and I just I think it's extremely unfortunate. But I 637 00:31:19,080 --> 00:31:20,560 Speaker 1: know we're running out of time. We got a press 638 00:31:20,600 --> 00:31:21,200 Speaker 1: conference to get to. 639 00:31:21,280 --> 00:31:23,200 Speaker 2: I got to close on this. A lot of the 640 00:31:23,240 --> 00:31:25,000 Speaker 2: AP vote, a lot of the Hall of Fame voters also, 641 00:31:25,000 --> 00:31:27,000 Speaker 2: some of whom are involved at the AP process. Kevin 642 00:31:27,000 --> 00:31:30,360 Speaker 2: Stefanski has been twice put forward as the NFL Coach 643 00:31:30,440 --> 00:31:34,840 Speaker 2: of the Year during his tenure because of the ineptitude, 644 00:31:35,080 --> 00:31:36,640 Speaker 2: for a lack of a better term, of the Browns 645 00:31:36,680 --> 00:31:38,440 Speaker 2: over the last you know, since they were brought back 646 00:31:38,480 --> 00:31:41,760 Speaker 2: in the league. The amount of disrespect that and this 647 00:31:41,760 --> 00:31:43,440 Speaker 2: this is my big issue with the Leroy Butler Canna 648 00:31:43,440 --> 00:31:44,760 Speaker 2: to see a number of years ago, the mount of 649 00:31:44,760 --> 00:31:47,040 Speaker 2: disrespect for the ninety six Super Bowl team that the 650 00:31:47,040 --> 00:31:50,240 Speaker 2: Packers had in that era of Packers football is mind 651 00:31:50,280 --> 00:31:54,520 Speaker 2: boggling because they were the Cleveland Browns at that time. 652 00:31:54,960 --> 00:31:58,680 Speaker 2: They'd gone twenty nine years between championships, however, many years 653 00:31:58,680 --> 00:32:03,400 Speaker 2: between true play off appearances. Mike Holmgren was the face 654 00:32:03,400 --> 00:32:05,760 Speaker 2: of that. Leroy Butler was a face that Brett Favre 655 00:32:05,800 --> 00:32:07,040 Speaker 2: was the face of that. Reggie White was a face 656 00:32:07,080 --> 00:32:10,959 Speaker 2: at the fact that it's been so hard to get 657 00:32:11,000 --> 00:32:15,280 Speaker 2: them in. There has just been If the Browns would 658 00:32:15,320 --> 00:32:17,480 Speaker 2: win a Super Bowl this year, they might build as 659 00:32:17,520 --> 00:32:20,720 Speaker 2: a statue of Kevin Stefanski in these I mean, like 660 00:32:20,760 --> 00:32:23,320 Speaker 2: it just it's wild to me the way that this 661 00:32:23,360 --> 00:32:26,440 Speaker 2: has been treated, in how it's been going. It is 662 00:32:26,440 --> 00:32:29,480 Speaker 2: what it is. I if I understand this right, team 663 00:32:29,520 --> 00:32:31,880 Speaker 2: media personnel now are eligible to be among the Hall 664 00:32:31,880 --> 00:32:34,800 Speaker 2: of Fame voters. Pete Doherty handles it for the Packers 665 00:32:34,840 --> 00:32:38,080 Speaker 2: now down the road. Not that they'd have me, but 666 00:32:39,200 --> 00:32:40,800 Speaker 2: I'd gladly throw my hat into the ring. 667 00:32:40,880 --> 00:32:42,160 Speaker 1: I'll put in a good word for you. 668 00:32:44,080 --> 00:32:44,480 Speaker 2: With that. 669 00:32:44,720 --> 00:32:46,040 Speaker 1: We do have to call it a wrap on this 670 00:32:46,160 --> 00:32:49,200 Speaker 1: edition of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow continue to 671 00:32:49,240 --> 00:32:51,560 Speaker 1: follow all of our coverage of training camp on Packers 672 00:32:51,600 --> 00:32:54,640 Speaker 1: dot Com and everything with Saturday night's preseason opener here 673 00:32:54,640 --> 00:32:56,720 Speaker 1: at Lambellfield against the Jets. We'll have it for you 674 00:32:57,000 --> 00:32:59,360 Speaker 1: on packers dot com for Wests, I'm Mike. Thank you 675 00:32:59,400 --> 00:33:01,600 Speaker 1: for tuning in, everybody you will STI