1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:20,439 Speaker 1: Hi everyone, Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:23,560 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford and he is my colleague West 3 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:26,680 Speaker 1: Hodkowits were coming to you here from our studios at 4 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:29,240 Speaker 1: lambeau Field and West. The end of the Packers season 5 00:00:29,320 --> 00:00:32,280 Speaker 1: is now a few days old, and really, like all 6 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:36,480 Speaker 1: of Packer Nation, we're waiting to see exactly what direction 7 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:40,480 Speaker 1: the Packers defense will take in. So it's a good 8 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: time to maybe look back on some things that happened 9 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 1: defensively in and uh and try to pinpoint exactly maybe 10 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:52,360 Speaker 1: what what to look forward to in the coming year. 11 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:57,120 Speaker 1: When you look at this Packers defense statistically twenty second 12 00:00:57,240 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 1: yards allowed, six points allowed, is there one thing that 13 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:05,480 Speaker 1: jumps out at you as the biggest hole or downfall 14 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:07,920 Speaker 1: or for lack of a better term, well, the thing 15 00:01:07,959 --> 00:01:10,000 Speaker 1: that looks And I don't want to just point to injuries, 16 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:11,759 Speaker 1: because you know it's it's more than that. It's not 17 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:14,240 Speaker 1: just injuries. But I thought it was such a great 18 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:16,560 Speaker 1: point that was made during the final stretch of the season, 19 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:20,000 Speaker 1: the Packers Week sixteen taking on the Minnesota Vikings, and 20 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:23,840 Speaker 1: when you pull up there the game packet and you 21 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:26,840 Speaker 1: see the starting lineup for their starting eleven on defense, 22 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:29,640 Speaker 1: it's almost a mirror of what it was in Week 23 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:33,319 Speaker 1: one of the season. The Vikings were just ridiculously healthy 24 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:36,199 Speaker 1: on defense and that allowed that defensive gel and become 25 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:38,960 Speaker 1: the top rank unit in the NFL. Packers are almost 26 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:41,399 Speaker 1: the exact opposite of that. When you look, especially in 27 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:44,200 Speaker 1: the secondary, how much different they looked. Um, the edge 28 00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 1: rushers and the Perry going down late in the season, 29 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 1: it was tough for the Packers to get that unit 30 00:01:49,880 --> 00:01:54,280 Speaker 1: together to gel, to have some some continuity and consistency 31 00:01:54,680 --> 00:01:58,680 Speaker 1: chemistry with those defenders. So Um, looking ahead, I think 32 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:00,400 Speaker 1: you look back, Mike, You look at some these best 33 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:03,360 Speaker 1: defenses the Packers have had during Mike McCarthy's tenure here 34 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 1: has head coach. They've had units that have had playmakers, 35 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:08,800 Speaker 1: And I think when you look at the way that 36 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:10,959 Speaker 1: the Packers are going in down to two thousand eighteen, 37 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:14,840 Speaker 1: there's bound to be changes, no question about that, But 38 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 1: they have a lot of the same core coming back. 39 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:21,320 Speaker 1: Your your Mike Daniels, you have Blake Martinez stepping up, 40 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:24,600 Speaker 1: Kenny Clark, Kevin King will be coming back hopefully stronger 41 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 1: after having that solder surgery. Ha ha Clinton Dix is 42 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:31,399 Speaker 1: under contract for another season. There is the potential, I think, 43 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 1: to to see those guys really break out and looking 44 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:36,640 Speaker 1: for them to make those jumps going forward. The biggest 45 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:38,400 Speaker 1: thing is going to come back to, though, is being 46 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:41,200 Speaker 1: able to gel as a unit and also to some extent, 47 00:02:41,240 --> 00:02:43,720 Speaker 1: being able to stay healthy. Yeah, I think. I do 48 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:45,640 Speaker 1: think health is a big part of it. But aside 49 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 1: from that issue, when I take a look at it, 50 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:53,120 Speaker 1: you look at top defenses around the league. It's really 51 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:56,760 Speaker 1: difficult in the NFL to have a defense that say, 52 00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:58,560 Speaker 1: is going to rank in the top half of the 53 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:02,880 Speaker 1: league if you don't have a true number one boundary cornerback. 54 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:06,760 Speaker 1: And the bottom line is the Packers haven't had one 55 00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:09,360 Speaker 1: for the last two years since Sam Shields went down 56 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:13,200 Speaker 1: with that concussion in Week one in Jacksonville. Of the 57 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:16,480 Speaker 1: Packers haven't had one. Now. They tried to address it 58 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:18,760 Speaker 1: in the draft. They drafted Kevin King with their first 59 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:21,840 Speaker 1: overall pick, but then you know, healthwise, he was in 60 00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:23,600 Speaker 1: and out. He ends up getting shut down with the 61 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:26,840 Speaker 1: shoulder problem. As you said, hopefully he comes back healthy 62 00:03:26,880 --> 00:03:29,240 Speaker 1: and he continues that push to be a number one 63 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:33,920 Speaker 1: boundary corner We saw Damarius Randall obviously take a big 64 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 1: step forward in the second half of although I think 65 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:40,120 Speaker 1: his best position is still in the slot, He's not 66 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:43,360 Speaker 1: necessarily that number one guy on the boundary that that 67 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:45,160 Speaker 1: I think is the one that you know that makes 68 00:03:45,240 --> 00:03:47,720 Speaker 1: quarterbacks shy away, you know, because that guy on the 69 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 1: boundaries is trying to take away that number one receiver 70 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 1: for the other team. The Packers have had this hole 71 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:55,160 Speaker 1: for a couple of years, and it reminds me it's 72 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:57,520 Speaker 1: not exactly the same situation, but it reminds me of 73 00:03:57,560 --> 00:04:00,280 Speaker 1: what happened at the safety position when they lost Nick 74 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:03,400 Speaker 1: Collins back in two thousand eleven. It took too long 75 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:07,000 Speaker 1: to recover from that as as a unit to recover 76 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:10,600 Speaker 1: from losing such a key piece, And as I said, 77 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:12,800 Speaker 1: I think the Packers addressed it much sooner this time, 78 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:14,800 Speaker 1: but it didn't work out because Kevin King was not 79 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:17,479 Speaker 1: able to stay healthy. He was he was their top pick. 80 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:19,960 Speaker 1: But I think that's that's the thing that's got to 81 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:22,640 Speaker 1: happen for this defense as a as a as a 82 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:25,760 Speaker 1: starting point to get back to being a playoff caliber unit. 83 00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:29,240 Speaker 1: And there is no ready made solution to making up 84 00:04:29,279 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 1: for the loss of a Nick Collins or Sam Shields 85 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:34,360 Speaker 1: to some extent. Yeah, there's not exactly a playbook as 86 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:36,120 Speaker 1: to how you go about it, because you can have 87 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:38,600 Speaker 1: guys who are already on the roster step up, which 88 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:41,160 Speaker 1: is you know, eventually what happened with the Packers at 89 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:43,640 Speaker 1: safety when you had Morgan Burnett become the player he 90 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:46,760 Speaker 1: did you draft ha ha Clinton Dicks. They became deep 91 00:04:46,839 --> 00:04:50,920 Speaker 1: at that position in a number of years afterwards, after 92 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 1: they had the failed experiment in two thousand thirteen and 93 00:04:53,600 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 1: in trying to move over to Charles Woodson in two 94 00:04:56,279 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 1: thousand twelve. I look at the cornerback situation in very 95 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:02,560 Speaker 1: similar light now with where they're at because a guy 96 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:05,000 Speaker 1: like Sam Shields, why he was so valuable is because 97 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:07,720 Speaker 1: he was a great press man corner, but he also 98 00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 1: had tremendous speed in recovery speed and he did get beat. Uh, 99 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:13,359 Speaker 1: those are things you can't just teach. And to be 100 00:05:13,440 --> 00:05:15,160 Speaker 1: quite honest with you, Mike, the Packers could go out 101 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:17,080 Speaker 1: in the free agent market. They could sign the number 102 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:19,360 Speaker 1: one cornerback who's going to be out there right now, 103 00:05:19,360 --> 00:05:21,599 Speaker 1: which at this time I'm not even sure, and that's 104 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:24,080 Speaker 1: still not a guarantee. You saw even like with Gilmore 105 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:26,560 Speaker 1: this year with the Patriots, that was kind of a 106 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 1: tough transition for him going to that defense as well, 107 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:30,919 Speaker 1: and he was one of the most coveted free agents 108 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:33,040 Speaker 1: last year. So I think the Packers have done a 109 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:35,720 Speaker 1: nice job of building up their depth at cornerback. They 110 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:38,600 Speaker 1: have to keep that position healthy, though into the original point, 111 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 1: they probably need to add another piece to that spot 112 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:42,480 Speaker 1: this year, whether it is the draft, whether it is 113 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 1: free agency. I think the one thing these past two 114 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:47,760 Speaker 1: years have taught us since Sam Shields had that ultimately 115 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:49,760 Speaker 1: would end up being a career ending injury with that 116 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:53,440 Speaker 1: glass concussion, is they need to there's really no shortage 117 00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:56,159 Speaker 1: of cornerbacks. You need as many as you can get. Yeah, absolutely, 118 00:05:56,160 --> 00:05:57,800 Speaker 1: you can never have enough of them the way things 119 00:05:57,880 --> 00:05:59,760 Speaker 1: usually go. But with that, we're going to toss to 120 00:05:59,839 --> 00:06:02,320 Speaker 1: a rank back with more and Packers Unscripted right after this, 121 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 1: Welcome back to Packers Unscripted. Mike Spofford in this chair, 122 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 1: Wes Hodkowitz in that one in West, continuing our discussion 123 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:31,039 Speaker 1: with regards to the defensive issues in that the Packers 124 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 1: obviously will look to shore up in There was certainly 125 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:38,600 Speaker 1: some struggles with the pass rush, and yeah, there were 126 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:41,039 Speaker 1: some good sack numbers, Clay Matthews eight and a half 127 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 1: leading the team overall, it wasn't it wasn't about the 128 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:48,400 Speaker 1: number of sacks though necessarily. It was about the I 129 00:06:48,520 --> 00:06:52,040 Speaker 1: think anyway, the consistency of getting after the quarterback. There 130 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:55,480 Speaker 1: were too many times where there were long stretches in games. 131 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 1: At least from the way I observed it that quarterbacks 132 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:01,720 Speaker 1: got too comfortable because the pass rush was so inconsistent. 133 00:07:01,760 --> 00:07:05,159 Speaker 1: There wasn't enough consistent pressure to just keep that guy 134 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:07,479 Speaker 1: on his toes maybe a little bit more. And I 135 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:09,880 Speaker 1: think that's something the Packers have to address. Yeah, and 136 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 1: I think, you know, the Packers did their best going 137 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 1: into this season to try to fill out that position 138 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:17,440 Speaker 1: as well as they could. They made the decision to 139 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:20,120 Speaker 1: bring in a Moad Brooks once the season started after 140 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:23,480 Speaker 1: he got cut loose from San Francisco, and you know 141 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:25,560 Speaker 1: he he had his issues there too, trying to work 142 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:27,920 Speaker 1: through the back injury, having the concussion right off the bat. 143 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:30,120 Speaker 1: Wasn't really able to be that number three guy. I 144 00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:33,160 Speaker 1: think they were really hoping for this season. But you 145 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:34,880 Speaker 1: look at a guy like Nick Perry, and I remember 146 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:38,080 Speaker 1: talking with Perry in this very studio after he signed 147 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:41,600 Speaker 1: that contract going back to March, and there was nobody 148 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 1: who wanted to perform more. There was nobody who wanted 149 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:45,880 Speaker 1: to stay on the field more than Nick Perry in 150 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:49,400 Speaker 1: two thousand seventeen. But as he kind of admitted afterwards 151 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:52,520 Speaker 1: in the final locker room session on Tuesday, do you 152 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:54,840 Speaker 1: get banged up in this league? And it happened again 153 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 1: to him this year. He had the broken hand earlier 154 00:07:56,840 --> 00:07:58,960 Speaker 1: in the season, had to get surgery, missed a game, 155 00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:01,680 Speaker 1: played with the club for or five games, comes back, 156 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:03,520 Speaker 1: ends up having the shoulder, plays the end of the 157 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:06,120 Speaker 1: season on a foot injury, finally gets put on injured reserve. 158 00:08:06,480 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 1: Finished the year with seven sacks, But I know, if 159 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:11,640 Speaker 1: you talk to him, wasn't happy with the consistency side 160 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:14,040 Speaker 1: of it. And you're right, it's one thing to get home. 161 00:08:14,080 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 1: It's one thing to get those sacks. It's another thing 162 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:19,360 Speaker 1: to have that consistent pressure. It's kind of an immeasurable 163 00:08:19,640 --> 00:08:22,120 Speaker 1: stat that's out there. And even though the Packers were 164 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 1: seventeenth in the league in sacks, I think there was 165 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 1: still something left to be desired at that point in time. 166 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 1: Um even looking specifically at Matthews. I mean, I thought 167 00:08:29,560 --> 00:08:31,560 Speaker 1: for all intensive purposes, I thought Clay Matthews had a 168 00:08:31,560 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: fine season and he excelled in a lot of areas 169 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 1: that didn't necessarily have direct high ins with the pass rush. 170 00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 1: But that's the thing is that they're still really looking 171 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:45,439 Speaker 1: for that consistent down in, down out pressure and it's 172 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:47,360 Speaker 1: something they're going to continue trying to find now going 173 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 1: into the next season. Yeah, and consistent down in, down 174 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:53,000 Speaker 1: out pressure comes with a deep rotation. And you mentioned, 175 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:54,839 Speaker 1: you know, things didn't work out with the mob Brooks. 176 00:08:54,920 --> 00:08:56,920 Speaker 1: They did bring him in to really be the number 177 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,839 Speaker 1: three guy, to be the guy who could spell either 178 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:02,040 Speaker 1: Matthews or Perry on either side, or if you want 179 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:04,480 Speaker 1: to move Clay Matthews to the middle on a third 180 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:06,960 Speaker 1: down situation, for instance, then you have a mod Brooks 181 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:09,920 Speaker 1: on the outside. That didn't work. The Packers didn't really 182 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:12,520 Speaker 1: have the depth there to be as effective as they 183 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:14,600 Speaker 1: needed to be. That's just the bottom line. The other 184 00:09:14,679 --> 00:09:18,040 Speaker 1: issue that I think when I look back statistically at 185 00:09:18,040 --> 00:09:20,760 Speaker 1: what was going on with this Packers defense was was 186 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 1: what happened in the red zone. Packers end up thirty 187 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:27,640 Speaker 1: feet in the league and touchdown percentage and actually allowed 188 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:30,480 Speaker 1: either a touchdown or a field goal on one pcent 189 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 1: of red zone possessions by the opponent. That's just that's 190 00:09:34,280 --> 00:09:37,280 Speaker 1: just ugly, there's no two ways about it. And when 191 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:39,800 Speaker 1: we've seen over the years West, even when the Packers 192 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:43,400 Speaker 1: have had their struggles on defense, you'd see Green Bay 193 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:46,200 Speaker 1: defenses get stops in the red zone, maybe get a 194 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:48,480 Speaker 1: turnover in the red zone. That takes some points off 195 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:50,719 Speaker 1: the board for the other team. You can give up 196 00:09:50,720 --> 00:09:53,440 Speaker 1: four hundred yards in a game, but if you only 197 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:56,280 Speaker 1: allow say one touchdown in four red zone possessions and 198 00:09:56,280 --> 00:09:59,640 Speaker 1: there's three field goals in there, that, uh, that's still 199 00:09:59,679 --> 00:10:02,080 Speaker 1: a win formula. You can win games with Aaron Rodgers 200 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 1: at quarterback playing defense like that. The Packers didn't play 201 00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:07,480 Speaker 1: defense like that. The touchdown percentage was way too high. 202 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:11,600 Speaker 1: They didn't get any turnovers, fourth down stops, missed field goals, 203 00:10:11,640 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 1: blocked field goals, nothing like that happened in the red zone. 204 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:17,320 Speaker 1: And it just adds up to season long struggles. Yeah, 205 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:18,920 Speaker 1: and that's one of the things too. I mean, you 206 00:10:18,960 --> 00:10:21,400 Speaker 1: look at the defenses that did excel this year, the 207 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:24,520 Speaker 1: Minnesota's we're pretty stout in that area. When you're working 208 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:26,600 Speaker 1: with the short field. One of the things I think 209 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:29,360 Speaker 1: people sometimes don't always quite understand is when you as 210 00:10:29,480 --> 00:10:31,120 Speaker 1: much as you don't want to give up yards, it's 211 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:33,439 Speaker 1: a lot more difficult to defend the field when you're 212 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:37,840 Speaker 1: at than when you're at your and you know, you 213 00:10:37,880 --> 00:10:39,719 Speaker 1: have to sometimes use that to your advantage with the 214 00:10:39,800 --> 00:10:42,200 Speaker 1: zone defensive calls and in those type of things, and 215 00:10:42,559 --> 00:10:44,760 Speaker 1: you know, defensive backs understanding there's going to be more 216 00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:47,920 Speaker 1: opportunities for you to make a play because you're dealing 217 00:10:47,960 --> 00:10:51,680 Speaker 1: with this, you know, yards that you have to defend. Um. 218 00:10:51,720 --> 00:10:54,200 Speaker 1: That was probably the most disappointing I think part of 219 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 1: this for the Packers this season is that, and Blake 220 00:10:56,520 --> 00:10:59,360 Speaker 1: Martinez said it to during the final locker room. Defense 221 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:01,680 Speaker 1: was often running, they were clicking like they wanted to. 222 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:03,200 Speaker 1: In the first month of the season, I think they 223 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:06,480 Speaker 1: were six in total defense, fifth maybe in passing defense, 224 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:09,240 Speaker 1: But it just seemed once they got into October and 225 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:11,880 Speaker 1: then's more specifically, once Rodgers was out of the equation, 226 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:14,400 Speaker 1: something that's just changed a little bit there that they 227 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:17,320 Speaker 1: weren't able to maybe find those stops in the red 228 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:19,760 Speaker 1: zone that they had found in the past to keep 229 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:21,760 Speaker 1: you know, seven off the board and just keep it 230 00:11:21,800 --> 00:11:24,360 Speaker 1: to three or even get the ball taken away. Um, 231 00:11:24,720 --> 00:11:26,800 Speaker 1: that really is how far this thing goes. I mean, 232 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:28,559 Speaker 1: a lot is made out of total defense. A lot 233 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:30,920 Speaker 1: is made out of total yards. It's an important stat 234 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:33,640 Speaker 1: to some extent, but that's scoring. Defense is just such 235 00:11:33,679 --> 00:11:35,560 Speaker 1: a big thing because as you and I both know, 236 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:38,160 Speaker 1: you look back at that Chargers game two years ago, 237 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:40,560 Speaker 1: the Packers gave up i think five total passing yards 238 00:11:40,760 --> 00:11:42,959 Speaker 1: to Philip Rivers. They won that game though with a 239 00:11:43,040 --> 00:11:45,200 Speaker 1: defensive play at the end because the offense did what 240 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:47,880 Speaker 1: he needed to do in the Packers defended that end zone. Yeah, 241 00:11:47,880 --> 00:11:50,680 Speaker 1: and that that the scoring still stayed in the low 242 00:11:50,720 --> 00:11:53,200 Speaker 1: twenties because you got some red zone stops and you're 243 00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:55,320 Speaker 1: able to win a ballgame like that. But with that, 244 00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:58,160 Speaker 1: we'll toss to another breakback with more on Packers Unscripted 245 00:11:58,240 --> 00:12:19,000 Speaker 1: right after this. Welcome back to Packers Unscripted. Mike Spofford 246 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:22,240 Speaker 1: right here, West, hod Kowitz, all the way over there, West. 247 00:12:22,280 --> 00:12:24,720 Speaker 1: We're continuing to talk here about the Green Bay Packers 248 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:27,520 Speaker 1: defense in and maybe trying to look ahead a little 249 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:30,880 Speaker 1: bit to as far as what direction things will go. 250 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:35,560 Speaker 1: One veteran player in particular, that we can't say for 251 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:37,719 Speaker 1: sure whether he will be back or not, and he's 252 00:12:37,760 --> 00:12:40,800 Speaker 1: kind of an uncharted territory personally as far as where 253 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:42,520 Speaker 1: he is in his own career. I'm talking about safety 254 00:12:42,559 --> 00:12:45,920 Speaker 1: Morgan Burnett. He is a pending free agent and he's 255 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:49,400 Speaker 1: actually never really been in this position before because when 256 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:53,480 Speaker 1: he got his second contract, it was an extension, you know, 257 00:12:53,760 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 1: while he was still I believe, had one year left 258 00:12:56,360 --> 00:12:59,640 Speaker 1: on his rookie deal from when he was drafted as 259 00:12:59,679 --> 00:13:03,960 Speaker 1: a third round pick in so um, kind of a 260 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:08,520 Speaker 1: whole new situation from Morgan, a veteran leader, a respected 261 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 1: leader in that locker room, and on this defense, I 262 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:12,760 Speaker 1: know he wasn't as healthy as he would have liked 263 00:13:12,800 --> 00:13:16,920 Speaker 1: to have been. In just your thoughts on maybe where 264 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:18,920 Speaker 1: this goes for number forty two, Well, here's the thing 265 00:13:18,960 --> 00:13:20,960 Speaker 1: about Morgan Burnett that you have to understand it, and 266 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:23,000 Speaker 1: people were asking him about this in the final locker 267 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:27,120 Speaker 1: room as well. Morgan Burnett could very well potentially be 268 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 1: in a better spot going into free agency right now 269 00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:32,120 Speaker 1: if you'd have just played safety, if you'd have just 270 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:34,760 Speaker 1: did what his job description says, if you read his 271 00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:38,240 Speaker 1: little box score in NFL dot Com. It's his strong safety. 272 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:40,680 Speaker 1: He might have been very well better off, but the 273 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:43,520 Speaker 1: Packers needed him for more than that. They needed him 274 00:13:43,520 --> 00:13:46,839 Speaker 1: to play hybrid linebacker inside linebacker in the Nitro Nickel 275 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:49,040 Speaker 1: package the last month of the season. They need him 276 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:52,800 Speaker 1: to play star slot cornerback. Um he played boundary cornerback 277 00:13:52,840 --> 00:13:55,120 Speaker 1: at one point in this season due to injuries and 278 00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:58,520 Speaker 1: in different things of that nature. Morgan Burnett never never 279 00:13:58,559 --> 00:14:02,800 Speaker 1: complained about it, and something. He's a two time playoff captain. 280 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:05,440 Speaker 1: He's one of the most revered men in that locker 281 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:08,200 Speaker 1: room amongst his teammates. And I asked him about that, 282 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:10,720 Speaker 1: like why exactly he thinks that is. And he's a 283 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:12,599 Speaker 1: humble guy. He's not going to be giving, you know, 284 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:14,360 Speaker 1: he's not gonna be everyone to give himself a pat 285 00:14:14,400 --> 00:14:15,720 Speaker 1: on the back. But he said, you know, it probably 286 00:14:15,720 --> 00:14:18,240 Speaker 1: comes from his late father, cap and the way that 287 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:20,520 Speaker 1: he was raised in terms of just doing what has 288 00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:23,800 Speaker 1: asked of you, you know, coming to work, giving an 289 00:14:23,800 --> 00:14:26,440 Speaker 1: honest day's labor for an honest day's pay, and just 290 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:29,640 Speaker 1: being a good, accountable human being. And I think that's 291 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:31,560 Speaker 1: one thing is you look at his years here from 292 00:14:31,560 --> 00:14:34,520 Speaker 1: two thousand ten all the way until now. Um, that's 293 00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 1: he's been so incredibly consistent. No, it never gets too high, 294 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 1: it never gets too low. And you look at the 295 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:42,200 Speaker 1: guys that have comes through that locker room, Mike the 296 00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:45,320 Speaker 1: Micah Hides, the ha ha, Clinton Dix is of the world, 297 00:14:45,320 --> 00:14:48,360 Speaker 1: even Charles Woodson. I mean, so many people talk so 298 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:52,080 Speaker 1: glowingly about Burnett because he's just always been a guy 299 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:54,240 Speaker 1: that has been there, has been a shoulder for people 300 00:14:54,280 --> 00:14:56,840 Speaker 1: when they've needed him, and he's willing to bring people up. 301 00:14:56,840 --> 00:15:00,280 Speaker 1: He's just a really solid human being. Now, as you said, 302 00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:03,120 Speaker 1: from the contract perspective, the Packers Morgan Burnetton to figure 303 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:04,720 Speaker 1: that out because for the first time in his career 304 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:08,080 Speaker 1: there isn't anything on the docket for next season. Yeah, 305 00:15:08,160 --> 00:15:10,760 Speaker 1: he is going towards free agency at this point in time. Yeah, 306 00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:13,560 Speaker 1: And you mentioned how humble he is. And I've obviously 307 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:16,920 Speaker 1: known Morgan since he was drafted in the third round, 308 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:20,320 Speaker 1: and I say this in a very complimentary way. He's 309 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:25,080 Speaker 1: humble to a fault. He never takes credit for anything. Um, 310 00:15:25,120 --> 00:15:27,720 Speaker 1: even the great plays that he does make. He's always 311 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:30,560 Speaker 1: more willing to talk about any everything. Being a team 312 00:15:30,560 --> 00:15:34,400 Speaker 1: effort with the defense and with all the different positions 313 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:36,960 Speaker 1: he played that you mentioned. That's the type of team 314 00:15:36,960 --> 00:15:41,640 Speaker 1: player he is. That's that's the way there wouldn't you know, No, absolutely, 315 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:43,440 Speaker 1: and they would. They would have groused about it. They 316 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:45,400 Speaker 1: would have found a reporter in the media. They would 317 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:47,840 Speaker 1: have gone to somebody in the media to get to 318 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:51,600 Speaker 1: get their anger or their frustration over the situation out there. 319 00:15:52,040 --> 00:15:54,800 Speaker 1: That's not that's not Morgan. I would certainly, And this 320 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:56,960 Speaker 1: is just strictly from a personal sense. I don't know 321 00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:59,120 Speaker 1: what the front office is going to think in terms 322 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:02,040 Speaker 1: of whether or to bring more Morgan Burnett back, But 323 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:04,680 Speaker 1: if he doesn't come back, I'll miss him just as 324 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:07,040 Speaker 1: a person as well as as well as somebody to 325 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 1: talk to about the defense and and learn something about 326 00:16:09,640 --> 00:16:11,040 Speaker 1: what's going on out there. Yeah. I learned a lot 327 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:13,280 Speaker 1: about the game from Morgan Burnette. And at the time 328 00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:15,480 Speaker 1: which we're taping this, Mike McCarthy hasn't had his season 329 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:17,400 Speaker 1: any news conference. I don't know if he'll be asked 330 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 1: about him, but going back even the last season, how 331 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 1: complimentary he was of how Burnett moved into that new 332 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:25,440 Speaker 1: role for this defense, how big that was for the 333 00:16:25,440 --> 00:16:28,560 Speaker 1: Packers down the stretch in two thousand and sixteen, and 334 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:30,440 Speaker 1: while they were kind of taken out of that due 335 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:32,800 Speaker 1: to the injuries in the secondary, the fact that he 336 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:34,720 Speaker 1: was that willing to take that on for the first 337 00:16:34,760 --> 00:16:37,120 Speaker 1: half of the year, playing out of position, absorbing a 338 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:40,200 Speaker 1: lot of contact, getting injured in a couple occasions, never 339 00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:42,480 Speaker 1: once complained about it. And I think that's one thing. 340 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:44,800 Speaker 1: Depending on whether number forty two is in the locker 341 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:46,440 Speaker 1: room or not in two thousand and eighteen, a lot 342 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:48,960 Speaker 1: of those teammates that knew him were better off because 343 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:50,560 Speaker 1: of it. Yeah, and you talk about one of the 344 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:53,560 Speaker 1: veteran guys in the locker room who and he doesn't 345 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:55,840 Speaker 1: talk about it this way either, but you know he's 346 00:16:55,880 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 1: got that hunger to get to a Super brit because 347 00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:02,360 Speaker 1: because his rookie year he goes on injured reserve after 348 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:04,680 Speaker 1: the fourth or fifth game of the season with a 349 00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:07,600 Speaker 1: knee injury. He's really not a part of that Super 350 00:17:07,640 --> 00:17:10,000 Speaker 1: Bowl team in even though he was you know, he 351 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:11,960 Speaker 1: was drafted, he was on the roster. Then he gets 352 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:14,480 Speaker 1: put on I R and all that, but he wasn't 353 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:16,160 Speaker 1: on the field for it. He wasn't really a part 354 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:18,520 Speaker 1: of it, and he's been a mainstay in this defense 355 00:17:18,600 --> 00:17:23,560 Speaker 1: ever since. And all of the playoff heartbreaks, the playoff 356 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:26,000 Speaker 1: close calls, everything along the way, He's been a part 357 00:17:26,040 --> 00:17:28,760 Speaker 1: of every single one of them. You know, he wants 358 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:32,240 Speaker 1: to be maintained that leadership role in the Packers locker 359 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:34,240 Speaker 1: room and help lead this team back to a super Bowl. Yeah, 360 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:35,640 Speaker 1: and I asked him that too, because you know, he 361 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:38,760 Speaker 1: came up with Jared Bush and Charles Woodson. He likes 362 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:41,440 Speaker 1: being that guy for Clinton Dixon to maryus Randol, the 363 00:17:41,440 --> 00:17:43,480 Speaker 1: young guys to look to. And now we'll have to 364 00:17:43,480 --> 00:17:45,760 Speaker 1: see exactly how it's going to play out this offseason. Yeah, 365 00:17:45,800 --> 00:17:47,480 Speaker 1: one of those stories will be keeping an eye on. 366 00:17:47,520 --> 00:17:49,560 Speaker 1: But with that, we'll toss to a break back with 367 00:17:49,600 --> 00:18:10,879 Speaker 1: more and Packers Unscripted right after this. Welcome back to 368 00:18:10,920 --> 00:18:14,280 Speaker 1: Packers Unscripted Mike Spofford alongside West Hodkowitz and West. I 369 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:18,320 Speaker 1: neglected our sponsor at the end of three. So before 370 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:20,600 Speaker 1: we continue here, today is a perfect day to fill 371 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:23,359 Speaker 1: up with some new Campbell's Chunky Max soup. Chunky Max 372 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:25,359 Speaker 1: is loaded with more meat than you can handle, a 373 00:18:25,400 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 1: lot more. We're talking more than a comparable Chunky soup, 374 00:18:29,040 --> 00:18:31,639 Speaker 1: So go on fill up with new Campbell's Chunky Max Soup. 375 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:35,120 Speaker 1: Campbell's Chunky Soup the official soup partner of the Green 376 00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:37,960 Speaker 1: Bay Packers. Okay, Wes, we've devoted this entire show to 377 00:18:38,119 --> 00:18:40,920 Speaker 1: the defense and talking about a lot of struggles through 378 00:18:42,240 --> 00:18:45,280 Speaker 1: trying to look ahead a little bit. But let's end 379 00:18:45,320 --> 00:18:47,200 Speaker 1: this one with something to smile about. I want to 380 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:51,240 Speaker 1: get your thoughts on the Green Bay Packers defensive play 381 00:18:51,320 --> 00:18:54,400 Speaker 1: of the Year in because there were a few big 382 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:56,760 Speaker 1: plays out there. Yeah, and there was, you know, before 383 00:18:56,840 --> 00:18:59,480 Speaker 1: things took a turn in Carolina the Packers. I remember 384 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:01,840 Speaker 1: seeing this couple times on Twitter, some Packer fans saying 385 00:19:01,840 --> 00:19:04,680 Speaker 1: that they sort of become the cardiac pack all over again. 386 00:19:04,720 --> 00:19:07,040 Speaker 1: I think was kind of a mantra because there was 387 00:19:07,080 --> 00:19:09,000 Speaker 1: some really tight games and I think you look at 388 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:11,679 Speaker 1: that Cleveland game, Uh, certainly, I know that wasn't a 389 00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:13,439 Speaker 1: game the Packers wanted to be in a shootout with 390 00:19:13,480 --> 00:19:16,200 Speaker 1: the Browns over But the thing that was impressive about 391 00:19:16,320 --> 00:19:17,880 Speaker 1: is how they responded at the end of the game 392 00:19:17,920 --> 00:19:21,280 Speaker 1: and more importantly the overtime. Clay Matthews, who had been 393 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:24,600 Speaker 1: dealing with the growing issue uh bounces right in there 394 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:27,159 Speaker 1: not only is able to get the pressure on Kaiser, 395 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:29,159 Speaker 1: but is able to stay with him long enough as 396 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:31,800 Speaker 1: he's kind of scrabbling around back there to get to 397 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:34,880 Speaker 1: hit his hand, make that ball kind of just hang 398 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:37,639 Speaker 1: up there a little bit. And then Josh Jones and 399 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:41,560 Speaker 1: a horde of Packers defenders kind of circling around, vulturing 400 00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:45,359 Speaker 1: around that ball. Game of five hundreds. I was quoted 401 00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:48,520 Speaker 1: saying to uh and and Josh Jones comes down with 402 00:19:48,520 --> 00:19:51,240 Speaker 1: it the biggest play of his young career. That locker 403 00:19:51,320 --> 00:19:52,919 Speaker 1: room You got a chance to be a part of 404 00:19:52,960 --> 00:19:55,600 Speaker 1: it too. I mean that locker room atmosphere, what that 405 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:58,640 Speaker 1: celebration was like for that team. The records didn't matter 406 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:01,440 Speaker 1: at that point in time. They knew at that juncture 407 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:03,399 Speaker 1: the season. This kept them in the playoff hunt. It 408 00:20:03,440 --> 00:20:06,919 Speaker 1: made it viable for Aaron Rodgers to return this season 409 00:20:07,040 --> 00:20:10,760 Speaker 1: with play meaningful football um And while ultimately that didn't 410 00:20:10,840 --> 00:20:13,240 Speaker 1: end up getting the Packers into the postseason, that moment 411 00:20:13,280 --> 00:20:14,600 Speaker 1: I think probably didn't go down as one of the 412 00:20:14,680 --> 00:20:18,280 Speaker 1: highlights of two thousand seventeen. Yeah, it definitely will, because 413 00:20:18,280 --> 00:20:20,920 Speaker 1: it did keep the Packers in the hunt at the time. 414 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:22,879 Speaker 1: There are two of them that that jump out at me. 415 00:20:22,960 --> 00:20:27,080 Speaker 1: They were both uh, defensive touchdowns in victories for Green Bay. 416 00:20:27,080 --> 00:20:30,760 Speaker 1: One was Damarius Randall's pick six in Dallas, which uh, 417 00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:33,480 Speaker 1: you know, kind of gets overshadow a little bit because 418 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:36,560 Speaker 1: of Aaron Rodgers just epic final drive on the road 419 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:39,320 Speaker 1: with the crowd going crazy and all that to take 420 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:41,560 Speaker 1: the Packers down for the victory. But the pick six 421 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:43,879 Speaker 1: earlier in the game by Randall, and I know he 422 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:46,240 Speaker 1: ended up getting, you know, a penalty, but I actually 423 00:20:46,359 --> 00:20:49,520 Speaker 1: kind of the whole mocking of Derek Prescott celebration with 424 00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:52,280 Speaker 1: the crossed arms, you know, I actually got a kick 425 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:55,720 Speaker 1: out of that. But um, the other one, though, is 426 00:20:55,720 --> 00:20:59,399 Speaker 1: is big Number ninety four watching Dean Lowry rumbling, bumble 427 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:02,960 Speaker 1: and stumble as as folks like to say, down the 428 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:07,119 Speaker 1: field against Tampa Bay for that defensive touchdown. And I'm 429 00:21:07,119 --> 00:21:10,040 Speaker 1: trying to remember now, Jamis Winston loses control of the ball. 430 00:21:10,600 --> 00:21:14,720 Speaker 1: Was it was it was it Daniels or Clark Clark Clark, Yeah, 431 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:18,000 Speaker 1: Kenny Clark knocked it out of his hand, and uh, Lowry, 432 00:21:18,040 --> 00:21:20,320 Speaker 1: it's it's like, you know, Merry Christmas. There's the ball 433 00:21:20,400 --> 00:21:22,480 Speaker 1: right in his hands and and off he goes and hey, 434 00:21:22,920 --> 00:21:25,359 Speaker 1: nobody caught him. No, they didn't, and it was funny. 435 00:21:25,359 --> 00:21:27,760 Speaker 1: Clay Matthews had one of the quotes of the year afterwards, saying, well, 436 00:21:27,760 --> 00:21:29,719 Speaker 1: that's a guy with the eight forty or whatever it 437 00:21:29,760 --> 00:21:33,159 Speaker 1: was of the combine coming out of Northwestern. But a 438 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:36,360 Speaker 1: huge day for Dean Lowry. The Lambeau Leap didn't exactly 439 00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:38,480 Speaker 1: go the way he wanted it to after running sixty 440 00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:40,520 Speaker 1: one yards down the field. His tank was a little 441 00:21:40,520 --> 00:21:43,000 Speaker 1: empty at that point, but it was It was a 442 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:44,920 Speaker 1: big play in a season I think, a big place 443 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:47,600 Speaker 1: for that defensive line, especially those young guys. Yeah, alright, 444 00:21:47,600 --> 00:21:49,720 Speaker 1: well with that, we will call it a wrap on 445 00:21:49,800 --> 00:21:52,320 Speaker 1: this edition of Packers Unscript. Would be sure to follow 446 00:21:52,320 --> 00:21:54,920 Speaker 1: all of our coverage of the team on Packers dot 447 00:21:54,920 --> 00:21:57,920 Speaker 1: com on Twitter. He's at west Hod, I'm at Mike Spofford. 448 00:21:57,960 --> 00:22:00,320 Speaker 1: You can still find the team account at pack Cars. 449 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:03,200 Speaker 1: Thanks for tuning in, everybody, We'll see you next time. 450 00:22:05,440 --> 00:22:11,640 Speaker 1: H m hmm.