1 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. 2 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:20,120 Speaker 2: Welcome to another edition of Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 3 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:23,799 Speaker 2: I am Mike Spafford, joined as always by my trusted 4 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:26,239 Speaker 2: colleague Weston Hodkoitz. We're coming to you here from our 5 00:00:26,280 --> 00:00:30,200 Speaker 2: studios at Lambeufield kind of a season wrap up show. 6 00:00:30,240 --> 00:00:32,120 Speaker 2: I guess you would say this will be our last 7 00:00:32,159 --> 00:00:36,160 Speaker 2: show for the time being. We will be back at 8 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:39,600 Speaker 2: some point before the draft, just not quite sure exactly 9 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:41,839 Speaker 2: when that'll be, but we will be taking a break 10 00:00:42,240 --> 00:00:47,279 Speaker 2: on Packers Unscripted. We'll start this final show of the 11 00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 2: season West with this. 12 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 1: Not long before. 13 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:52,599 Speaker 2: We stepped into the studio here, we heard from Packers 14 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:56,880 Speaker 2: General manager Brian Gudukunst. He addressed the media for about 15 00:00:56,920 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 2: thirty five minutes in his annual season wrap up news conference. 16 00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:05,800 Speaker 2: And I'll just throw an open ended question out to you, 17 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:09,680 Speaker 2: what if anything stood out to you as your biggest 18 00:01:09,680 --> 00:01:11,759 Speaker 2: takeaway from that media session. 19 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:14,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, Mike, there was plenty of takeaways from it. I 20 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:16,880 Speaker 3: think the one where my ears perked up the most, 21 00:01:16,959 --> 00:01:19,000 Speaker 3: and obviously a lot of the media outlets have kind 22 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:21,600 Speaker 3: of grabbed onto it the idea that you know, now 23 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:24,640 Speaker 3: is the time to start competing for championships and that 24 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:27,160 Speaker 3: not that Green Bay isn't always doing that, but they 25 00:01:27,240 --> 00:01:31,960 Speaker 3: understand how good these recent draft classes have been in 26 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 3: twenty two to twenty three, and then obviously you've already 27 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 3: seen some production from the twenty four class in how 28 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:39,760 Speaker 3: that translates to this team taking the next step. And 29 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:42,920 Speaker 3: I think my biggest takeaway beyond that was just Brian 30 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:46,680 Speaker 3: talking about the financial flexibility of these guys. They can 31 00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 3: make any move they want. Obviously, every dollar that you 32 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 3: spend in free agency is also would come out of 33 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:54,840 Speaker 3: the kiddy, so to speak, for the dollars that you 34 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:57,600 Speaker 3: can spend on extensions, which Green Bay now also is 35 00:01:57,640 --> 00:02:01,040 Speaker 3: going to have coming up right. And I just think 36 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:03,840 Speaker 3: when you talk about Brian Guda Kuntz as the general 37 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:06,640 Speaker 3: manager and Russ Ball in this front office and how 38 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:09,480 Speaker 3: it's been constructed over the last six seven years, they 39 00:02:09,639 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 3: like having their options and I think at this point 40 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:15,080 Speaker 3: in time they have a lot of those. They've worked 41 00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:19,239 Speaker 3: theirselves back from kind of that kicking the can down 42 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:22,799 Speaker 3: the road, you know, bowering against the future to win 43 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:25,560 Speaker 3: now back in twenty one and somewhat in twenty two, 44 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 3: they've gotten back into the black, so to speak in 45 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:32,600 Speaker 3: terms of the financial aspect of it, and Green Bay's 46 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:35,640 Speaker 3: ready to compete. So disappointing ending to the season, but 47 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 3: Brian definitely painted a and optimistic picture of what this 48 00:02:39,639 --> 00:02:40,919 Speaker 3: future looks like in Green Bay. 49 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:43,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, I heard much the same that you did in 50 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:46,079 Speaker 2: terms of what's top of mind for me the salary 51 00:02:46,080 --> 00:02:49,080 Speaker 2: cap situation. The Packers are in as good a shape 52 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:52,120 Speaker 2: as they've been really since the COVID seasons, when you know, 53 00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:54,200 Speaker 2: there was the big shift in the cap and lots 54 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:56,560 Speaker 2: of other decisions were made to try to stay at 55 00:02:56,600 --> 00:02:59,960 Speaker 2: the forefront and compete for a championship. As Aaron Rodgers 56 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 2: career was in Green Bay was winding down, and what 57 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 2: you said about the it's time to compete for championships, 58 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 2: I thought it was right at the very very end 59 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:14,280 Speaker 2: of the last answer, the way he talked about a 60 00:03:14,320 --> 00:03:17,720 Speaker 2: lot of the young players on this team, they've now 61 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:21,120 Speaker 2: proven they can play in the NFL. They've established themselves 62 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 2: as NFL players, and he sort of threw this question 63 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:27,040 Speaker 2: out there about, Okay, well, what's next in terms of 64 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:31,280 Speaker 2: what you can bring to this team to push this team. 65 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:31,679 Speaker 1: Over the top. 66 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:35,440 Speaker 2: It's not every player that comes into this league yes, 67 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:37,680 Speaker 2: you need to be a team player, but you need 68 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:41,080 Speaker 2: to establish yourself. And you know that's first and foremost 69 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:45,280 Speaker 2: for these guys because they're here to have a career, 70 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 2: they're here to make money, they're here to do the 71 00:03:47,200 --> 00:03:48,040 Speaker 2: best that they can. 72 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 1: There's a bunch of young guys. 73 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:55,760 Speaker 2: Who have established themselves now, so now their personal attitude 74 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:59,320 Speaker 2: about success. And I'm not saying guys haven't been team players, 75 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 2: don't get me wrong, but your personal attitude, your personal 76 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 2: approach to success now needs to branch out and embrace 77 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:11,640 Speaker 2: the entire team. And what more can you do to 78 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:14,120 Speaker 2: help the team take the next step. That's sort of 79 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 2: what I heard. 80 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:17,719 Speaker 3: Yeah, ask not what your team can do for you, 81 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:20,760 Speaker 3: but what you can do for your team? Nice, very nice, 82 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 3: Thank you. No, but listen, I love that message because 83 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:32,039 Speaker 3: you're talking beyond just guys being NFL players and being 84 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:34,560 Speaker 3: good NFL players. You're talking about can you make the 85 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:36,279 Speaker 3: next step to be a leader? Can you be the 86 00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:38,919 Speaker 3: next step to be a consistent playmaker, a star? 87 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:42,240 Speaker 2: That's I think exactly what he was getting at that. 88 00:04:42,520 --> 00:04:44,600 Speaker 2: You're putting it better than I No. 89 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:46,280 Speaker 3: Not at all. I thought you made a fine point 90 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:49,159 Speaker 3: as well, But I agree with you, I think we 91 00:04:49,279 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 3: have so many great players on this team, but who's 92 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:54,080 Speaker 3: going to make that next jump? And by the way, 93 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:56,200 Speaker 3: not to say that you're behind on that. It took 94 00:04:56,279 --> 00:04:59,680 Speaker 3: Jordy Nelson two three years, honestly the end of the 95 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:02,679 Speaker 3: ten season before his star really start to shine. No doubt, 96 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:06,280 Speaker 3: it doesn't always happen overnight. But that being said, you 97 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:08,760 Speaker 3: have guys like Eddrian Cooper, and you know, you look 98 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:11,240 Speaker 3: at some of these offensive skill position players like you know, 99 00:05:11,320 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 3: Tucker Kraft and the jump that he has made each 100 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:16,760 Speaker 3: year he's been in the league, and and those are 101 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:19,320 Speaker 3: the type of players that are also ultimately going to 102 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:21,880 Speaker 3: be foundational pieces for you. And that was sort of 103 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:24,600 Speaker 3: something that good it consoluded to as well as far 104 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:27,320 Speaker 3: as needing to extend guys here in these next couple drafts. 105 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:29,240 Speaker 3: The twenty two draft now is going to be eligible 106 00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 3: for extensions. You get through next year, the twenty three 107 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 3: draft will be eligible for extensions. And one of the 108 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:36,960 Speaker 3: reasons when you when you look at the Xavier McKinney's 109 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:38,920 Speaker 3: and Josh Sjacobs, that's a lot of fun. We all 110 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:41,960 Speaker 3: really enjoy that. But as Brian said, there isn't always 111 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:44,440 Speaker 3: those players available, right, and you have to be very 112 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:47,479 Speaker 3: pragmatic with how you use your your finances and the 113 00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:50,200 Speaker 3: decisions that you make as you build your team up 114 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:53,960 Speaker 3: for the future, and how that all ties together. The 115 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:56,040 Speaker 3: one thing that's been fun for me. You probably caught 116 00:05:56,040 --> 00:05:59,040 Speaker 3: onto this earlier than I did, because one you're you're 117 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:02,159 Speaker 3: much smarter than I am. But two, you also have 118 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:04,720 Speaker 3: covered this for quite a while now in the National 119 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:07,640 Speaker 3: Football League. There was a time my first few years 120 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:09,320 Speaker 3: where I was doing this beat where it's like, okay, 121 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:10,920 Speaker 3: well you need to have your cornerback one and your 122 00:06:10,960 --> 00:06:14,280 Speaker 3: cornerback two. These are your starting safeties, here's your offensive line, 123 00:06:14,640 --> 00:06:16,839 Speaker 3: and then this is it. You built your team. Well, 124 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:19,480 Speaker 3: the longer you cover this league, even under the most 125 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:23,720 Speaker 3: favorable situations, you're going to have injuries, You're going to 126 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:26,400 Speaker 3: have things that change. You're not going to have the 127 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 3: same exact lineup the entire season. And that is honestly 128 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:32,600 Speaker 3: the way that Brian builds his team. That's how he 129 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:36,080 Speaker 3: does it. It's about, yeah, you're preferred starters, but also 130 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:38,359 Speaker 3: you're young guys that you're going to develop. He mentioned 131 00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:40,839 Speaker 3: Jordan Morgan, He's going to be coming back off that 132 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 3: shoulder surgery. Where does he fit into the picture next year? 133 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:47,680 Speaker 3: For these guys. The only guy it sounds like that 134 00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:49,479 Speaker 3: won't be available at the beginning of the year based 135 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:52,839 Speaker 3: on pre existing injuries right now is Christian Watson. What's 136 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:56,599 Speaker 3: the reaction to that this offseason. Whether it's a free 137 00:06:56,640 --> 00:06:59,720 Speaker 3: agent or whether it's a draft pick, these are all 138 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:01,839 Speaker 3: the decisions Brian Goodikuns has to make. But at the 139 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:04,240 Speaker 3: end of the day, Mike him and his personnel department, 140 00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:05,960 Speaker 3: they're going to give themselves depth. They're going to give 141 00:07:06,040 --> 00:07:09,560 Speaker 3: themselves options, so you're not just tied into one specific scenario. 142 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I think this is something to keep in 143 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 2: mind here as the Packers enter an off season with 144 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 2: a lot of salary cut flexibility and the ability to 145 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:20,480 Speaker 2: really do whatever it is that they want to do 146 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:25,680 Speaker 2: in terms of augmenting and reshaping the roster. You mentioned 147 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 2: Xavier McKinney Josh Jacobs. Just because McKinney and Jacobs were 148 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 2: guys the Packers were able to bring in last year, 149 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:38,239 Speaker 2: that doesn't mean, for example, that the top wide receiver 150 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 2: who will be available on the market, or the top 151 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:43,040 Speaker 2: cornerback who will be available on the market, or the 152 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:46,000 Speaker 2: top pass Rusher will be available on the market. 153 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 1: Will be as good as those guys. 154 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:52,040 Speaker 2: You know, there's going to be a top so and 155 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 2: so available on the market. It doesn't mean it's the 156 00:07:54,640 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 2: next Xavier McKinney or the next Josh Jacobs. And that's 157 00:07:58,200 --> 00:08:00,800 Speaker 2: something for fans to keep in mind. Because the Packers 158 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:04,239 Speaker 2: went out and got those top guys last year doesn't 159 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 2: mean that though, that the top guys available this year 160 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:11,440 Speaker 2: are necessarily going to fit the Packers' vision and the culture, 161 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:14,440 Speaker 2: and they may not be as good a players as 162 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 2: the guys. You know, Gota Kuntz has said it so 163 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:19,520 Speaker 2: many times and you just reiterated it. Guys like Xavier 164 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:22,040 Speaker 2: McKinnon and Josh Jacobs are not available on the free 165 00:08:22,040 --> 00:08:25,200 Speaker 2: agent market every year. That's why Brian jumped in and 166 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:28,360 Speaker 2: was as aggressive as he was last year because he 167 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:31,960 Speaker 2: saw those as rare opportunities. Just something to keep in 168 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:35,040 Speaker 2: mind as a free agency eventually rolls around here in 169 00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:36,120 Speaker 2: about six to eight weeks. 170 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, and that's a great point. One thing I've always 171 00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 3: personally loved too. How many people, including myself would have said, Hey, 172 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 3: the Minnesota Vikings last year had an A plus free agency. 173 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 3: Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman were not household names, 174 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 3: and they both ended up turning into two of their better. 175 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:53,640 Speaker 1: Players an time. 176 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 3: Zadarius Smith when the Packers signed him in twenty nineteen, 177 00:08:56,679 --> 00:09:00,760 Speaker 3: it was a rotational rusher in Baltimore, not a household name. 178 00:09:01,320 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 3: It's projecting sometimes where these guys are going to. It's 179 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:06,080 Speaker 3: not always going to be an All Pro running back 180 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:07,360 Speaker 3: that was a rushing champion. 181 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:09,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, they's gonna be exactly. 182 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:12,640 Speaker 2: There's still some there's still some crystal ball business to 183 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:15,640 Speaker 2: free agency, just as there is with the draft. It's 184 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:17,800 Speaker 2: just you're at a different point in a player's career 185 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:20,560 Speaker 2: in terms of trying to look and to project. Well, 186 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:23,200 Speaker 2: some of the guys that you mentioned just a few 187 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 2: minutes ago, I think are going to come up in 188 00:09:26,480 --> 00:09:28,800 Speaker 2: the next conversation we're going to have, which is I'm 189 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:31,840 Speaker 2: going to throw out some awards, if you want to 190 00:09:31,880 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 2: call it that, players that you would pick to fit 191 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:38,400 Speaker 2: certain categories here. And I'm not going to say, you know, 192 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:41,360 Speaker 2: this isn't going to be like Team MVP, because if 193 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:43,800 Speaker 2: you say Josh Jacobs, then I'm gonna say Zaber McKinney 194 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:46,199 Speaker 2: or viceversa. I'm not even gonna go there. These are 195 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:48,880 Speaker 2: going to be a little bit, a little bit deferstmid guard. 196 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:51,880 Speaker 2: And if you and I have not tied him up 197 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:55,080 Speaker 2: for this, folks, if you end up picking a guy 198 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:56,840 Speaker 2: that I wanted to talk about, I will have to 199 00:09:56,880 --> 00:09:59,040 Speaker 2: pivot on the fly and talk about somebody else. So 200 00:09:59,559 --> 00:10:03,600 Speaker 2: my first one the unsung hero of the twenty twenty 201 00:10:03,600 --> 00:10:04,720 Speaker 2: four Green Bay Packers. 202 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:09,000 Speaker 3: Oh, what a great question, Mike, the unsung hero. There's 203 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 3: so many levels to this. Yeah, how far do we 204 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:11,880 Speaker 3: want to talk about? 205 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:13,880 Speaker 2: You can take that, You can take this any direction. 206 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:16,720 Speaker 2: You can define unsung hero anyway. 207 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:18,320 Speaker 3: You Okay, So I'm gonna do I'm going to define 208 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:20,920 Speaker 3: unsung hero as a guy that helped them get to 209 00:10:20,960 --> 00:10:22,280 Speaker 3: where they got to at the end of the season. 210 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:25,959 Speaker 3: So for my unsung hero, I'll pick Carrington Valentine as 211 00:10:25,960 --> 00:10:28,440 Speaker 3: a guy who started the year it looked like he 212 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:30,320 Speaker 3: was going to be the odd man out because he 213 00:10:30,360 --> 00:10:33,000 Speaker 3: misses the beginning of training camp with the hamstring injury. 214 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:36,120 Speaker 3: He he kind of has some setbacks with that and 215 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 3: then it, you know, it appears like Jay Air, Eric Stokes, 216 00:10:40,320 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 3: you have Keshawn Nixon the slot, you have a lot 217 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:45,000 Speaker 3: of depth at cornerback. It just seemed like, well, how 218 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:46,960 Speaker 3: is Carrington going to get on the field after starting 219 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:48,880 Speaker 3: slow out of the gates, And then you can make 220 00:10:48,920 --> 00:10:50,920 Speaker 3: a case that he might have been one of their 221 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 3: most important defensive players during the final month of the season. 222 00:10:54,040 --> 00:10:56,599 Speaker 3: He ends up having his first two interceptions in a 223 00:10:56,640 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 3: span of three games. He forces a fumble. In another context, 224 00:11:00,920 --> 00:11:04,240 Speaker 3: Carrington is a guy that battles, and the more I 225 00:11:04,280 --> 00:11:06,480 Speaker 3: watch him play, the more I'm impressed by him and 226 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:09,240 Speaker 3: in what he brings to the table. And talking about 227 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:12,280 Speaker 3: how things align for next season, you know, good to Consett. 228 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:14,719 Speaker 3: I mean he really thought, in kind of echoing your 229 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 3: comments from a couple of weeks ago as well, when 230 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:19,920 Speaker 3: they settled in on Valentine on one side and Nixon 231 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:22,959 Speaker 3: on the other, No, you're not getting Jay airback having 232 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:25,360 Speaker 3: Bullered in the slot that ended up being their optimal 233 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:27,839 Speaker 3: package there in the nickel, which is ultimately the one 234 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:31,200 Speaker 3: that most NFL teams end up running on a percentage basis. 235 00:11:31,800 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 3: Carrington is a happy, go lucky, gregarious guy, but he 236 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:38,200 Speaker 3: is serious about football. And you asked me the unsung 237 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 3: hero of this team, I think he's definitely in the 238 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:41,280 Speaker 3: conversation there. 239 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:43,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, And this is a tough one for me to 240 00:11:43,720 --> 00:11:45,920 Speaker 2: narrow it down because I think there's actually a pretty 241 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 2: long list of guys on this team in that regard. 242 00:11:48,720 --> 00:11:50,760 Speaker 2: I'm gonna mention too, and I won't talk too long 243 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:52,439 Speaker 2: about either one because I want to I want to 244 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:55,200 Speaker 2: get into some of these other topics as well. I 245 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:58,480 Speaker 2: don't want this category to go by without mentioning Malik Willis, 246 00:11:58,520 --> 00:12:02,800 Speaker 2: because I mean, it's not just that a backup quarterback 247 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:05,280 Speaker 2: came in and won two games as a starter and 248 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:08,880 Speaker 2: won another game in relief and almost won a fourth 249 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:12,160 Speaker 2: game in relief at the end of the season. It's 250 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:16,080 Speaker 2: that when Malik Willis had to When Malik Willis was 251 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 2: called upon to start those two games, and even when 252 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:21,679 Speaker 2: he was called on in relief in Jacksonville, he hadn't 253 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:26,319 Speaker 2: been here very long, and that could have gone really south, 254 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:29,920 Speaker 2: really fast for the Packers. And the fact that all 255 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:33,319 Speaker 2: three of those games, yes, they were all against AFC 256 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:36,160 Speaker 2: South teams, and that was a very poor division this year, 257 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:39,320 Speaker 2: So the Packers were fortunate the timing and the schedule 258 00:12:39,360 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 2: in that regard. But what Malik Willis did cannot be 259 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:47,200 Speaker 2: forgotten in terms of where the twenty twenty four Packers went. 260 00:12:47,240 --> 00:12:48,839 Speaker 2: The other one I want to mention, I think we 261 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:51,719 Speaker 2: talked about him on previous shows. In this category of 262 00:12:51,800 --> 00:12:55,480 Speaker 2: unsung hero is Eric Wilson, the veteran linebacker. Because when 263 00:12:56,559 --> 00:12:59,400 Speaker 2: Edrin Cooper wasn't out there as much early in the 264 00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:03,160 Speaker 2: season and kway Walker had to miss some games anytime 265 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:07,839 Speaker 2: the Packers needed some extra snaps and some and the 266 00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:11,880 Speaker 2: the communication and the leadership at the inside linebacker position, 267 00:13:12,520 --> 00:13:15,040 Speaker 2: they turned to Eric Wilson. And and for a guy 268 00:13:15,080 --> 00:13:19,400 Speaker 2: who's a little bit undersized, he's not an overly dynamic player. 269 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:22,880 Speaker 2: Not only did he hold the defense together, but he 270 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:26,080 Speaker 2: made some splash plays along the way too, whether it 271 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 2: be a TfL here there, or a sack or an 272 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:32,200 Speaker 2: interception that he had against the Colts in that the 273 00:13:32,440 --> 00:13:37,040 Speaker 2: Malik Willis's first games as the Packers starter. So that 274 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:43,560 Speaker 2: would be my guy there. Next category, emerging player, I. 275 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:47,000 Speaker 3: Mean it's it's entering coop. Yeah, I mean that's the answer, right. 276 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:48,720 Speaker 1: I threw that one to you because now I have 277 00:13:48,760 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 1: to come up with some Yeah. 278 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:53,319 Speaker 3: So now I will pontificate and whatnot. 279 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:55,960 Speaker 1: O start, I'll be ready, I'll be ready. 280 00:13:56,160 --> 00:14:00,360 Speaker 3: Listen I've said this so many times, but I wrote 281 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:03,240 Speaker 3: this an insider inbox. I truly mean it. Going back 282 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:05,520 Speaker 3: to twenty twelve and so many people think about that 283 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:07,760 Speaker 3: playoff loss to the forty nine ers, when people often 284 00:14:07,760 --> 00:14:10,040 Speaker 3: forget about as they were a top ten, top eleven 285 00:14:10,120 --> 00:14:12,720 Speaker 3: defense that year, and a big reason for that was 286 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:15,160 Speaker 3: Casey Hayward coming in as a rookie second round pick, 287 00:14:15,200 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 3: having six interceptions, finishing third in Defensive Rookie of the 288 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:21,360 Speaker 3: Year voting that year. He was a huge part of 289 00:14:21,400 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 3: what Green Bay did that season, and he did it 290 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:25,680 Speaker 3: right from the get go. Unfortunately, he had some hamstring 291 00:14:25,680 --> 00:14:27,360 Speaker 3: issues and some other stuff that popped up in the 292 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:30,120 Speaker 3: subsequent years, but that season was a huge critical piece 293 00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:33,040 Speaker 3: for them, especially with Charles Woodson getting injured midway through 294 00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 3: the season. So all that being said, Edger and Cooper 295 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:37,960 Speaker 3: kind of reminded me of that a little bit this season. 296 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 3: It didn't matter about the position, it didn't matter about 297 00:14:40,440 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 3: the inexperience, and I understand there's some things he had 298 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:44,760 Speaker 3: to learn on the fly, but he was a difference 299 00:14:44,760 --> 00:14:47,080 Speaker 3: maker and this defense was different when he was on 300 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:48,880 Speaker 3: the field. I would love to see the compare and 301 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:51,560 Speaker 3: contrast from the first half of the year to when 302 00:14:51,640 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 3: Edgron really got going, especially after he came back from 303 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:58,080 Speaker 3: the hamstring injury. He catapulted this defense forward and was 304 00:14:58,120 --> 00:15:00,360 Speaker 3: one of their best players. And I think of us, 305 00:15:00,400 --> 00:15:02,800 Speaker 3: including myself, talked about when you're looking at an off 306 00:15:02,840 --> 00:15:05,320 Speaker 3: ball linebacker. Some of the things he was doing was 307 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:07,920 Speaker 3: so emblematic of what they did with Clay Matthews in 308 00:15:07,960 --> 00:15:10,600 Speaker 3: the mid twenty tens, being able to rush him from 309 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 3: different areas, him being able to have his coverage skills. 310 00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:17,600 Speaker 3: He still has much to learn, but he definitely was 311 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:20,520 Speaker 3: the gem so far of this draft class. And I 312 00:15:20,520 --> 00:15:22,880 Speaker 3: think when you're looking at the optimism and the hope 313 00:15:22,920 --> 00:15:25,480 Speaker 3: and the potential of this defense the years to come 314 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:29,200 Speaker 3: under Jeff Haffley, it starts with Cooper because his speed, 315 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:32,400 Speaker 3: his quickness, and it's not just about him blitzing or 316 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:35,120 Speaker 3: being incorporated in the pass rush. He incorporates that into 317 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:36,760 Speaker 3: how he defends the run as well, and I thought 318 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:38,720 Speaker 3: had a big reason for why Green Bay ended up 319 00:15:38,960 --> 00:15:42,400 Speaker 3: having their best performance against the run in fifteen years. 320 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:44,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm going to give what probably will strike you 321 00:15:44,920 --> 00:15:46,920 Speaker 2: as a little bit of a surprising answer to this quest. 322 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:48,640 Speaker 1: Wes Hodwaks Verrging player? What's that? 323 00:15:48,960 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 3: Is? 324 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:49,160 Speaker 2: It? 325 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:49,240 Speaker 3: Me? 326 00:15:49,800 --> 00:15:51,800 Speaker 1: Yeah? 327 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:54,920 Speaker 2: But I'm gonna say tight end Tucker Kraft. 328 00:15:55,040 --> 00:15:55,640 Speaker 1: Yeah. 329 00:15:55,680 --> 00:16:01,000 Speaker 2: And I say that because as big a jump as 330 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:03,840 Speaker 2: he made from his rookie season to his second season 331 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:07,000 Speaker 2: and becoming an all around tight end in terms of 332 00:16:07,160 --> 00:16:10,200 Speaker 2: the blocking and the pass protection, the blocking in the 333 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:13,880 Speaker 2: run game, the pass protection, the receiving and the yards 334 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:17,720 Speaker 2: after the catch, and all of that evolution and growth 335 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:22,400 Speaker 2: in Tucker Craft's game that we saw, I think I 336 00:16:22,480 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 2: still label him as an emerging player on this team. 337 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:29,800 Speaker 2: Because Matt Lafleur hinted the other day Tucker Craft very 338 00:16:29,800 --> 00:16:33,720 Speaker 2: well could go from that solid all around tight end 339 00:16:33,760 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 2: that every team wants to being a major, major featured 340 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:41,320 Speaker 2: player in this offense in his third year. I think 341 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:44,000 Speaker 2: that might be what is coming down the road for 342 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:47,240 Speaker 2: number eighty five. And so that's why he's my answer 343 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:50,840 Speaker 2: to this one. And we were both there what he 344 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:54,360 Speaker 2: said at his locker on Monday on the final locker 345 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:58,520 Speaker 2: cleanout day. He's already starting to become a leader on 346 00:16:58,600 --> 00:17:04,320 Speaker 2: this team, obviously, and he announced essentially to everybody not 347 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:06,959 Speaker 2: only with what he said but how he said it, 348 00:17:07,640 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 2: that he's going to continue to take steps to be 349 00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:15,840 Speaker 2: a leader in that locker room. And I think the 350 00:17:15,880 --> 00:17:18,560 Speaker 2: next step in that regard started on Monday. The way 351 00:17:18,600 --> 00:17:21,880 Speaker 2: he assessed this team and how he feels about it 352 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:24,080 Speaker 2: and where he feels it can and should go. 353 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 3: I'm with you one hundred percent on that, and he 354 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:29,199 Speaker 3: is when you're listening to Matt Lafleure talk as well. 355 00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:30,920 Speaker 3: I mean, he is a focal point of what Green 356 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:34,920 Speaker 3: Bay wants to build this offense around moving forward. He's consistent, 357 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:38,680 Speaker 3: he's durable, he's tenacious, he prides himself just as much 358 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:41,880 Speaker 3: on his blocking as he does his pass catching. He's 359 00:17:41,920 --> 00:17:44,879 Speaker 3: looking like a complete all around tight end and seeing 360 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:47,720 Speaker 3: him grow into that has been really encouraging. And then 361 00:17:47,960 --> 00:17:50,919 Speaker 3: even more than that, too, the fact that the offense, 362 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:53,920 Speaker 3: when you're talking about the consistency of it, when he's 363 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:56,400 Speaker 3: a focal point, when he's going when things are right, 364 00:17:56,720 --> 00:17:58,520 Speaker 3: that does seem to be one of the things that 365 00:17:58,600 --> 00:18:01,240 Speaker 3: does sort of, you know, shoot the fuel into the engine, 366 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:04,480 Speaker 3: so to speak. Yeah, big plays are huge, and certainly 367 00:18:04,560 --> 00:18:06,200 Speaker 3: running the ball is huge, but when you can move 368 00:18:06,240 --> 00:18:08,560 Speaker 3: the sticks with a tight end like him, sometimes he 369 00:18:08,600 --> 00:18:10,600 Speaker 3: doesn't even have to run the route to the first down, 370 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:12,880 Speaker 3: he can break a tackle or two to get going. 371 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:15,320 Speaker 3: I did see a statistic I wish I could credit 372 00:18:15,359 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 3: the right source. I think it's Pro Football Focus. If 373 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:21,720 Speaker 3: it's not, it's a next gen stats other than George Kittle. 374 00:18:21,720 --> 00:18:23,239 Speaker 3: I think he was the best in the league as 375 00:18:23,240 --> 00:18:27,200 Speaker 3: far as yards after contact and in his route depth. 376 00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:30,000 Speaker 3: For the amnt of yards he ended up having this 377 00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:33,159 Speaker 3: season relative to his route depth, I think Tucker Craft 378 00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:34,959 Speaker 3: is a third round pick two years ago is going 379 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:36,119 Speaker 3: to turn out to be one of the best that 380 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:38,280 Speaker 3: Brian Goodecons has made in terms of draft choices. 381 00:18:38,400 --> 00:18:41,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I'm totally with you in this category. As 382 00:18:41,560 --> 00:18:43,280 Speaker 2: far as Edger and Cooper, and I think even though 383 00:18:43,320 --> 00:18:45,719 Speaker 2: they don't play the same position, what you said about 384 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:50,159 Speaker 2: Clay Matthews and how we saw Clay Matthews emerge, I 385 00:18:50,200 --> 00:18:53,560 Speaker 2: think I think edgerin Cooper is without a doubt on 386 00:18:53,680 --> 00:18:54,280 Speaker 2: that same track. 387 00:18:54,320 --> 00:18:55,400 Speaker 1: It's very exciting. 388 00:18:55,119 --> 00:18:58,199 Speaker 3: Because it's about unpredictability, right, and why was Clay so 389 00:18:58,240 --> 00:18:59,920 Speaker 3: effective there? You didn't know when they were going to 390 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:02,000 Speaker 3: throw a match you. As far as the quarterback and 391 00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:05,359 Speaker 3: some things, he adds a different dimension to that double 392 00:19:05,400 --> 00:19:08,360 Speaker 3: a gap. Look where you're you're doing those simulated pressures, 393 00:19:08,400 --> 00:19:10,600 Speaker 3: you're not sure where it's coming from. With his quickness, 394 00:19:10,880 --> 00:19:13,280 Speaker 3: and the dude is listed at only two twenty eight, 395 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:15,879 Speaker 3: I have a hard time believe in that. Like he 396 00:19:16,040 --> 00:19:18,720 Speaker 3: I've seen two hundred and twenty eight pound receivers and 397 00:19:19,040 --> 00:19:22,400 Speaker 3: safeties and things like that. Edrin Cooper wears it well. Man. 398 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:24,000 Speaker 3: If I didn't know any better, I would say he 399 00:19:24,040 --> 00:19:25,440 Speaker 3: was two forty one, just like Kway. 400 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, he's it's a. 401 00:19:27,280 --> 00:19:28,960 Speaker 3: Good football player. I'm excited to see him grow. 402 00:19:29,119 --> 00:19:31,679 Speaker 1: Yeah, all right, next one surprise player? 403 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:36,359 Speaker 3: Can I pick Brandon McManus here? Sure? So Brandon McManus 404 00:19:36,359 --> 00:19:38,200 Speaker 3: comes off the street, and obviously you know all this 405 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:42,480 Speaker 3: stuff has been covered, but I was blown away by him. 406 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:44,119 Speaker 3: I know the season didn't end how he wanted to. 407 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:46,240 Speaker 3: I mean, missing a thirty eight yarder in his hometown. 408 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:48,240 Speaker 3: It's tough pill to swallow right at the end of 409 00:19:48,280 --> 00:19:51,560 Speaker 3: this thing, but I think Brian even said it was 410 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:53,840 Speaker 3: kind of the journey they were on with the kicker situation. 411 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:57,160 Speaker 3: And you know, Brandon Narvisen, God bless him. I hope 412 00:19:57,200 --> 00:19:58,960 Speaker 3: it works out for him. A nice kid. But I 413 00:19:58,960 --> 00:20:01,040 Speaker 3: think he was number six seven in the line of 414 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:03,240 Speaker 3: all these guys that they had signed throughout the course 415 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:08,720 Speaker 3: of the offseason, and since since April, McManus comes available, 416 00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:11,400 Speaker 3: they sign him. He comes in here and he won 417 00:20:11,480 --> 00:20:15,240 Speaker 3: them games. Man Like Bill James and baseball always had 418 00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:18,240 Speaker 3: like the you know wins, you know gained and things 419 00:20:18,280 --> 00:20:22,200 Speaker 3: like that, how much you contribute to it, And I 420 00:20:22,240 --> 00:20:24,880 Speaker 3: would love to have a statistic like that for Brandon McManus. 421 00:20:24,880 --> 00:20:27,160 Speaker 3: I mean, I think you have to make a case 422 00:20:27,200 --> 00:20:29,000 Speaker 3: he won the Packers a game or two this season 423 00:20:29,160 --> 00:20:31,520 Speaker 3: just the way he performed, and you know, and he 424 00:20:31,560 --> 00:20:33,920 Speaker 3: came up in some big clutch situations as well. And 425 00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:36,560 Speaker 3: Brian talked about how you know that that is going 426 00:20:36,600 --> 00:20:38,680 Speaker 3: to be a major emphasis here this offseason. They would 427 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:39,720 Speaker 3: like to get him back. 428 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 1: Yep. 429 00:20:40,359 --> 00:20:43,040 Speaker 3: They want to keep that nucleus together with the specialists. 430 00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:45,320 Speaker 3: It's something they've really struggled to do here for for 431 00:20:45,440 --> 00:20:48,439 Speaker 3: several years now, to have those same three that battery together, 432 00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 3: like Rich Bisacci always talks about. So yeah, certainly, I 433 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:55,159 Speaker 3: think McManus, for a guy that was not on the 434 00:20:55,200 --> 00:20:58,040 Speaker 3: top of my head when the season started as a 435 00:20:58,040 --> 00:21:01,679 Speaker 3: potential savior for this kicking situation, definitely came through for 436 00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:02,160 Speaker 3: Green Bay. 437 00:21:02,320 --> 00:21:05,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, my guy for surprise player is Keishaan Nixon. 438 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:06,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's a good one. 439 00:21:06,760 --> 00:21:09,080 Speaker 2: Uh, you know, And we talked about him on previous 440 00:21:09,080 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 2: shows as well. I mean, with as much time as 441 00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:15,960 Speaker 2: Jay Alexander missed and Nixon being asked not only to 442 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:21,080 Speaker 2: bump out and play outside corner, but to play essentially 443 00:21:21,119 --> 00:21:24,520 Speaker 2: the CB one spot for as many games as he did, 444 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:29,479 Speaker 2: and to perform at the level that he did. I 445 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:35,800 Speaker 2: thought the player, the defensive player that Kishan Nixon has 446 00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:39,800 Speaker 2: become over the last couple of years is nothing short 447 00:21:39,800 --> 00:21:42,200 Speaker 2: of very impressive. And it's a lot of credit to him. 448 00:21:42,240 --> 00:21:44,960 Speaker 2: It's it's a credit to it's a credit to the 449 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:47,600 Speaker 2: coaches to give him the opportunity to see what he 450 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:52,120 Speaker 2: can do, and the credit to him to deliver when he's. 451 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:55,440 Speaker 1: Called upon there. And you know, if. 452 00:21:56,920 --> 00:21:58,600 Speaker 2: I'll just say it this way, and we don't need 453 00:21:58,640 --> 00:22:00,679 Speaker 2: to go off on the tangent, so I apologize if 454 00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:04,600 Speaker 2: it sends us there. If the OPI is called at 455 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:08,280 Speaker 2: the end of the Detroit game, we're talking about Keishawn 456 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:10,680 Speaker 2: Nixon as maybe the hero of that football game. 457 00:22:10,760 --> 00:22:11,639 Speaker 1: That's all I'm saying. 458 00:22:12,320 --> 00:22:14,520 Speaker 3: You know what it is, It's it's like the Hey, 459 00:22:13,920 --> 00:22:17,800 Speaker 3: don't poke me, Yeah, don't prod me here, Spofford, all right, 460 00:22:17,840 --> 00:22:19,760 Speaker 3: we'll move on. Hey, let me say this, and that's 461 00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:21,359 Speaker 3: a great you know what, you know what I mean though, 462 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:23,720 Speaker 3: I know exactly what Keishawn Nixon did in that game 463 00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:27,280 Speaker 3: in Detroit was impressive as all get out. 464 00:22:27,359 --> 00:22:30,960 Speaker 2: And then and unfortunately, then you know, the discussion turns to, 465 00:22:31,440 --> 00:22:33,360 Speaker 2: you know, to to that play right at the end 466 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:37,679 Speaker 2: where he's all over their number one receiver and just 467 00:22:37,680 --> 00:22:39,680 Speaker 2: gets shoved out of the way, and it doesn't matter. 468 00:22:39,520 --> 00:22:42,239 Speaker 3: Doesn't matter. Yeah, there's too many of those situations this here, 469 00:22:42,280 --> 00:22:43,880 Speaker 3: and obviously Green Bay talked about it too. You don't 470 00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:45,680 Speaker 3: want to be in those situations where the refs are 471 00:22:46,119 --> 00:22:48,560 Speaker 3: are changing stuff. But the one, the one credit I'll 472 00:22:48,560 --> 00:22:51,040 Speaker 3: give to Kishawn. I've covered this team. This was year thirteen, 473 00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:53,360 Speaker 3: season thirteen for me. The one thing I will say 474 00:22:53,400 --> 00:22:57,680 Speaker 3: about him is Treman Williams is probably the only cornerback 475 00:22:57,760 --> 00:22:59,760 Speaker 3: I can think of that has been able to play 476 00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:02,760 Speaker 3: outside on the perimeter and slide into the slot and 477 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:05,560 Speaker 3: perform as well as he did. That is not an 478 00:23:05,640 --> 00:23:08,080 Speaker 3: advantageous situation to be And Keishan did a really good 479 00:23:08,119 --> 00:23:09,440 Speaker 3: job in the locker room this year of kind of 480 00:23:09,520 --> 00:23:13,520 Speaker 3: explaining the differences between the two positions, the instincts that 481 00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:17,520 Speaker 3: are required outside and reading exactly how guys are lining 482 00:23:17,600 --> 00:23:19,840 Speaker 3: up and what you're potentially facing, and then inside, where 483 00:23:19,840 --> 00:23:22,840 Speaker 3: it's you're trying to be physical. You don't have as 484 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:27,760 Speaker 3: much time to read and react. It's a difficult juggling act. 485 00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:29,960 Speaker 3: And there were several times this year where because of 486 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:32,320 Speaker 3: injuries or certain situations, he had to handle both of 487 00:23:32,359 --> 00:23:35,680 Speaker 3: those things at a fly, and he passed that test. 488 00:23:35,720 --> 00:23:37,760 Speaker 3: For as much as I people just don't want to 489 00:23:37,800 --> 00:23:39,920 Speaker 3: give him his flow. Some fans don't want to give 490 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:42,800 Speaker 3: him his flowers. Keishaw Nixon is a huge part of 491 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:44,520 Speaker 3: this thing and what Koreembia is going to build here 492 00:23:44,520 --> 00:23:45,280 Speaker 3: in the years to come. 493 00:23:45,520 --> 00:23:47,399 Speaker 2: Yeah, I agree, and it's why I wanted to I 494 00:23:47,480 --> 00:23:49,280 Speaker 2: want to continue to emphasize. 495 00:23:48,840 --> 00:23:51,639 Speaker 3: That, because why is an unsung hero, because. 496 00:23:51,480 --> 00:23:52,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, he could fit. 497 00:23:52,800 --> 00:23:55,160 Speaker 2: He could have fit in that category as well as 498 00:23:55,280 --> 00:23:57,800 Speaker 2: whether you want to call it unsung hero a surprise player. 499 00:23:58,760 --> 00:24:00,880 Speaker 2: I think I know what your answer is is already 500 00:24:00,920 --> 00:24:02,479 Speaker 2: to this next one, but I'm gonna throw it out 501 00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:04,760 Speaker 2: there anyway, And you kind of already hinted at it 502 00:24:04,840 --> 00:24:05,920 Speaker 2: unless you've changed your mind. 503 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:10,800 Speaker 3: Always changed my mind. Best moment of the season, Oh yeah, 504 00:24:10,240 --> 00:24:14,840 Speaker 3: I love the McManus field goal against Houston. Against Houston, 505 00:24:14,880 --> 00:24:17,840 Speaker 3: yeah yeah. And the only reason for that is first 506 00:24:17,960 --> 00:24:19,439 Speaker 3: first game, the guy shows up. 507 00:24:19,440 --> 00:24:21,760 Speaker 2: I mean they sign him on what Tuesday? Yeah, and 508 00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 2: then on Sunday he's got to walk out in the 509 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:26,680 Speaker 2: Lambeau Field and and hit a walk off field goal. 510 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:29,320 Speaker 2: And not just a walk off field goal, but one 511 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:31,960 Speaker 2: that you lose if you missed it. 512 00:24:31,880 --> 00:24:33,760 Speaker 1: Because the Packers were down by a point. 513 00:24:33,960 --> 00:24:36,840 Speaker 3: And in what's the definition of best moment in the season, 514 00:24:37,080 --> 00:24:39,200 Speaker 3: it's the It's the thing that you think of immediately. 515 00:24:39,280 --> 00:24:41,600 Speaker 3: It's the image that you think of Aaron Rodgers a 516 00:24:41,640 --> 00:24:43,840 Speaker 3: number of years ago doing that I still own you 517 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:46,719 Speaker 3: thing to the fans at Soldier Field and what ended 518 00:24:46,800 --> 00:24:49,880 Speaker 3: up being his last start for Green Bay. There mcmannon 519 00:24:49,960 --> 00:24:53,000 Speaker 3: and obviously McManus wasn't being wasn't doing that, but him 520 00:24:53,119 --> 00:24:55,720 Speaker 3: jumping to the crowd, the way that guys reacted to it, 521 00:24:55,760 --> 00:24:58,879 Speaker 3: the Packers wearing the winter Warning jerseys, it just and 522 00:24:59,040 --> 00:25:01,120 Speaker 3: it was a very big win. It was a win 523 00:25:01,320 --> 00:25:03,280 Speaker 3: over a team that at the time in which we're shooting. 524 00:25:03,320 --> 00:25:05,520 Speaker 3: This is still playing for a Super Bowl. I mean, 525 00:25:05,960 --> 00:25:09,080 Speaker 3: I just I loved everything about it. It was the 526 00:25:09,119 --> 00:25:11,919 Speaker 3: biggest headache Green Bay had had. They went through so 527 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:16,119 Speaker 3: many different kickers and situations, and it's a situation where 528 00:25:16,720 --> 00:25:19,560 Speaker 3: it's not just about whether Brandon Narvson con made it. 529 00:25:19,720 --> 00:25:22,200 Speaker 3: How many kickers in the National Football League are able 530 00:25:22,200 --> 00:25:25,119 Speaker 3: to come up in that situation. And mcmahonus proved that 531 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:28,760 Speaker 3: he is is a veteran, He's done this before, he 532 00:25:28,800 --> 00:25:30,840 Speaker 3: has a process that works for him. And I think 533 00:25:30,920 --> 00:25:33,280 Speaker 3: it was after that day everybody kind of felt like, Okay, 534 00:25:33,280 --> 00:25:34,560 Speaker 3: the Packers are going to be okay. 535 00:25:34,720 --> 00:25:35,280 Speaker 1: Yeah. 536 00:25:35,440 --> 00:25:38,880 Speaker 2: For me, it's and part of this is, I mean, 537 00:25:38,920 --> 00:25:40,600 Speaker 2: you know how things are for us at the end 538 00:25:40,680 --> 00:25:43,359 Speaker 2: of games, Like I'm live blogging the game and I 539 00:25:43,480 --> 00:25:45,800 Speaker 2: need to you know, you're doing the quarter by quarter 540 00:25:45,920 --> 00:25:48,560 Speaker 2: updates on the website, and then I need to write 541 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:52,359 Speaker 2: kind of the summary, the quick recap right at the 542 00:25:52,440 --> 00:25:54,240 Speaker 2: end of the game that goes on top of your 543 00:25:54,320 --> 00:25:56,960 Speaker 2: quarter by quarter thing. That's how we kind of piece 544 00:25:57,000 --> 00:25:59,600 Speaker 2: this together. So when things are frantic at the end 545 00:25:59,640 --> 00:26:02,000 Speaker 2: of game, like my mind is going like a gazillion 546 00:26:02,040 --> 00:26:04,800 Speaker 2: different miles an hour, So for me, the best moment 547 00:26:04,840 --> 00:26:07,960 Speaker 2: of the season is sort of related to all of 548 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:14,040 Speaker 2: that chaos, and it's in Jacksonville tie score, and Malik 549 00:26:14,119 --> 00:26:18,679 Speaker 2: Willis hits Jaden Reid for fifty one yards. That sets 550 00:26:18,760 --> 00:26:20,919 Speaker 2: up then another walk off, a chip shot in this 551 00:26:21,040 --> 00:26:25,520 Speaker 2: case for McManus, because you know, Willis had come in, Hey, 552 00:26:25,720 --> 00:26:28,119 Speaker 2: he'd done a great job. The Packers were up ten points. 553 00:26:28,119 --> 00:26:30,639 Speaker 2: Then the defense starts to falter, gives up ten points 554 00:26:30,680 --> 00:26:33,680 Speaker 2: on two straight drives by Trevor Lawrence. The offense had 555 00:26:33,680 --> 00:26:37,280 Speaker 2: been going nowhere, and so you know, I'm thinking, you know, 556 00:26:37,359 --> 00:26:39,159 Speaker 2: oh my gosh, this looks like one that's going to 557 00:26:39,240 --> 00:26:41,199 Speaker 2: get away. You know, it's it felt a lot like 558 00:26:41,240 --> 00:26:44,440 Speaker 2: the Carolina Yeah, for sure last year one that was. 559 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:45,080 Speaker 1: Going to get away. 560 00:26:45,119 --> 00:26:46,880 Speaker 2: That you're just like, how do you let this game 561 00:26:46,920 --> 00:26:50,880 Speaker 2: get away? And then Willis hits Red and they get 562 00:26:50,920 --> 00:26:53,080 Speaker 2: the big play fifty one yards down the field, and 563 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:55,479 Speaker 2: you know, we hop on the plane to come home 564 00:26:55,520 --> 00:26:58,640 Speaker 2: from Jacksonville with another victory and a lot more exciting 565 00:26:58,680 --> 00:27:00,520 Speaker 2: things to write about than if that game had gone 566 00:27:00,560 --> 00:27:03,000 Speaker 2: the other way. And that, for me, that's the one 567 00:27:03,000 --> 00:27:06,119 Speaker 2: that stands out with the Carl Brooks blockfield goal in 568 00:27:06,200 --> 00:27:09,080 Speaker 2: Chicago being right up there as well. But the Jacksonville 569 00:27:09,119 --> 00:27:11,239 Speaker 2: one mentally is the one that sticks with me. 570 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:13,040 Speaker 3: I'm with you on that too, because the only thing 571 00:27:13,080 --> 00:27:14,600 Speaker 3: that kind of hurts about the Brooks one is that 572 00:27:14,640 --> 00:27:16,680 Speaker 3: Santos gets it back at Lambeufield. 573 00:27:16,760 --> 00:27:19,960 Speaker 1: Right finalitey agreed, But what I. 574 00:27:19,920 --> 00:27:22,680 Speaker 3: Loved about willis Man is I mean, he can spin it, dude. 575 00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:24,320 Speaker 3: I love watching him throw football. 576 00:27:24,400 --> 00:27:26,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, get no doubt it is it is. 577 00:27:26,320 --> 00:27:29,160 Speaker 3: He throws a nice, tight spiral. I just I can't 578 00:27:29,160 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 3: get over the fact Green Bay got him for a 579 00:27:30,840 --> 00:27:33,560 Speaker 3: seventh round pick, and especially in. 580 00:27:33,880 --> 00:27:37,760 Speaker 2: Nness, was in quarterback purgatory all year long after trading 581 00:27:37,800 --> 00:27:39,200 Speaker 2: that guy for a seventh round pick. 582 00:27:39,320 --> 00:27:43,080 Speaker 1: Well, some things they won't be anymore. Yeah, some teams. 583 00:27:43,359 --> 00:27:48,119 Speaker 2: Some team's misfortune is yeah, another team's good fortune. So 584 00:27:48,560 --> 00:27:50,320 Speaker 2: all right, this last one I'm gonna throw at you. 585 00:27:50,440 --> 00:27:54,320 Speaker 2: And this I've never asked you this question before, Okay, 586 00:27:55,119 --> 00:28:00,080 Speaker 2: within this context, but it struck me as one to 587 00:28:00,119 --> 00:28:02,720 Speaker 2: ask because of how we had talked on our last 588 00:28:02,760 --> 00:28:06,560 Speaker 2: show about the big what if of the playoff game 589 00:28:07,119 --> 00:28:10,159 Speaker 2: was obviously the opening kickoff and the replay review and 590 00:28:10,200 --> 00:28:12,320 Speaker 2: all that, and it was sort of the what if 591 00:28:12,359 --> 00:28:15,240 Speaker 2: about the game against Philly that was hanging out there 592 00:28:15,280 --> 00:28:18,920 Speaker 2: like a Matza ball to steal a Jerry Seinfeld expression. 593 00:28:19,840 --> 00:28:23,280 Speaker 2: So I want to ask you, what do you feel, 594 00:28:23,400 --> 00:28:26,040 Speaker 2: aside from that one from the playoff game, what was 595 00:28:26,080 --> 00:28:28,920 Speaker 2: your biggest what if moment of this season for the Pack? 596 00:28:29,080 --> 00:28:31,240 Speaker 3: Before I turn it over that, I just want to say, 597 00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:35,399 Speaker 3: what if the New York Office had access to the 598 00:28:35,440 --> 00:28:39,520 Speaker 3: same skycam footage that Bob from Krivits had access to 599 00:28:40,360 --> 00:28:43,200 Speaker 3: and how that might have affected this football game? That's 600 00:28:43,400 --> 00:28:47,920 Speaker 3: that's my my what if. No, I think my big 601 00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:50,520 Speaker 3: what if is ultimately going to end up being just 602 00:28:50,520 --> 00:28:53,080 Speaker 3: with Christian Watson. And I don't want to put it 603 00:28:53,120 --> 00:28:55,960 Speaker 3: all on Christian because, as I've talked about with you before, 604 00:28:56,080 --> 00:28:58,120 Speaker 3: Green Bay didn't have him for most of the last 605 00:28:58,120 --> 00:29:01,040 Speaker 3: season and they were able to overcome it. They were 606 00:29:01,200 --> 00:29:04,560 Speaker 3: without you know, Aaron Jones last season for most of 607 00:29:04,680 --> 00:29:07,400 Speaker 3: last season in various intervals, and we're able to overcome it. 608 00:29:07,520 --> 00:29:09,320 Speaker 3: So you always have to play above that. You need 609 00:29:09,440 --> 00:29:13,680 Speaker 3: guys to step up. But but that being said, Christian 610 00:29:13,960 --> 00:29:18,400 Speaker 3: is such a solid football player, good leader, will do 611 00:29:18,520 --> 00:29:21,760 Speaker 3: anything you need him to do. If he's on the 612 00:29:21,760 --> 00:29:24,880 Speaker 3: field for them down the stretch, and he's commanding. We're 613 00:29:24,920 --> 00:29:28,360 Speaker 3: talking about the shelf and the ceiling that they built, 614 00:29:28,360 --> 00:29:32,640 Speaker 3: that roof that Philadelphia built. Well, running number seven against 615 00:29:32,720 --> 00:29:36,240 Speaker 3: that changes then number nine, number nine as much as 616 00:29:36,720 --> 00:29:39,160 Speaker 3: quite sure where that game. Number seven is on my 617 00:29:39,320 --> 00:29:42,360 Speaker 3: mind right now, but let's stick to name. 618 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:43,560 Speaker 1: Thought i'd correct you before that. 619 00:29:43,680 --> 00:29:46,120 Speaker 3: Yeah, thanks for doing that, by the way, yeah scream, 620 00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:47,640 Speaker 3: but even have a number seven right now? 621 00:29:47,720 --> 00:29:48,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's kuay Walker. 622 00:29:48,760 --> 00:29:51,440 Speaker 3: Oh kay Walker. Yeah, because he's on defense. I'm yeah, 623 00:29:51,480 --> 00:29:55,160 Speaker 3: I'm going to retire. Uh, it's been a log season. 624 00:29:55,680 --> 00:29:58,320 Speaker 3: There's a reason this is our last. Shit. This reminds 625 00:29:58,320 --> 00:30:00,520 Speaker 3: me of the time that somebody who will remain nameless 626 00:30:00,520 --> 00:30:03,720 Speaker 3: asked you in the press box, Mike, who's number eighteen? Yeah, 627 00:30:03,960 --> 00:30:08,320 Speaker 3: when it was Randall Cobb. Listen, I'm taken away from 628 00:30:08,360 --> 00:30:10,400 Speaker 3: the point here, but Christian Watson is a really good 629 00:30:10,400 --> 00:30:14,160 Speaker 3: football player, and to lose him in that sense and 630 00:30:14,240 --> 00:30:16,080 Speaker 3: not have him on the field and now we'll see 631 00:30:16,120 --> 00:30:18,040 Speaker 3: exactly what the future holds here as they try to 632 00:30:18,120 --> 00:30:22,680 Speaker 3: navigate this offseason without him. I just I just wonder 633 00:30:22,680 --> 00:30:25,080 Speaker 3: if Christian Watson is out there for this playoff run. 634 00:30:25,160 --> 00:30:28,400 Speaker 3: How that changes Green Bay's offense and maybe the way 635 00:30:28,440 --> 00:30:31,440 Speaker 3: that the Philadelphia Eagles and potentially the opponent after that. 636 00:30:31,360 --> 00:30:34,479 Speaker 1: Would have had to send him. Yeah. For me, the 637 00:30:34,480 --> 00:30:35,960 Speaker 1: what if moment is. 638 00:30:37,720 --> 00:30:40,920 Speaker 2: It'll it'd be pinpointed to somewhere around give or take 639 00:30:40,960 --> 00:30:45,600 Speaker 2: a few minutes, but three pm on Week eighteen, because 640 00:30:46,840 --> 00:30:52,080 Speaker 2: the Washington Commanders threw a touchdown pass with five seconds 641 00:30:52,080 --> 00:30:56,200 Speaker 2: sure right the Dallas Cowboys and the Packers lost to 642 00:30:56,320 --> 00:31:00,280 Speaker 2: the Chicago Bears on a walk off field goal. Those 643 00:31:00,280 --> 00:31:02,640 Speaker 2: two things happened within moments of each other. 644 00:31:02,760 --> 00:31:04,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, And if both of. 645 00:31:04,320 --> 00:31:07,800 Speaker 2: Those games go the other way, the Packers are the 646 00:31:07,840 --> 00:31:10,160 Speaker 2: sixth seed and not the seventh seed, and they are 647 00:31:10,200 --> 00:31:13,080 Speaker 2: going to Tampa Bay, which is just a ten win 648 00:31:13,160 --> 00:31:16,400 Speaker 2: football team in the winner of a poor division, instead 649 00:31:16,440 --> 00:31:19,960 Speaker 2: of a fourteen win team in Philadelphia. Playing the three 650 00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:23,120 Speaker 2: seed versus the two seed, I think was a huge 651 00:31:23,160 --> 00:31:26,280 Speaker 2: difference in terms of the wild card round in the 652 00:31:26,400 --> 00:31:29,560 Speaker 2: NFC playoffs. So for me, that's my what if because 653 00:31:29,560 --> 00:31:32,760 Speaker 2: I think if the Packers go to Tampa instead of 654 00:31:32,800 --> 00:31:36,920 Speaker 2: going to Philly, I think we've been spending this show 655 00:31:37,040 --> 00:31:41,320 Speaker 2: talking about a rematch with Detroit. Yeah, and game number 656 00:31:41,360 --> 00:31:45,280 Speaker 2: three against the Lions. But that's the what if. That's 657 00:31:45,320 --> 00:31:45,800 Speaker 2: the what if. 658 00:31:45,920 --> 00:31:48,160 Speaker 3: I really wanted that one too. I just again, you 659 00:31:48,240 --> 00:31:51,240 Speaker 3: know me, the pro wrestling fan in me, the narratives 660 00:31:51,280 --> 00:31:53,080 Speaker 3: and all that stuff that goes into it. I just 661 00:31:53,120 --> 00:31:54,680 Speaker 3: think the build of that game would have been so 662 00:31:54,760 --> 00:31:58,479 Speaker 3: much fun. It didn't happen. Yeah, Washington goes to Detroit, obviously, 663 00:31:58,560 --> 00:32:02,240 Speaker 3: the Los Angeles Amselill go to Philadelphia, and the NFC 664 00:32:02,320 --> 00:32:04,560 Speaker 3: representative will be one of those four teams in the 665 00:32:04,560 --> 00:32:05,080 Speaker 3: Super Bowl. 666 00:32:05,160 --> 00:32:06,960 Speaker 2: And I want to get your thoughts quickly. This took 667 00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:09,200 Speaker 2: a little longer than I thought, but it's the last show. 668 00:32:09,280 --> 00:32:11,480 Speaker 3: Oh you're talking to me, But I'm a long winded. 669 00:32:12,720 --> 00:32:15,040 Speaker 1: I've been a little long winded today too. But for 670 00:32:15,160 --> 00:32:16,080 Speaker 1: some sponsor business. 671 00:32:16,080 --> 00:32:19,880 Speaker 2: Here Serious XMNFL Radio delivers hard hitting analysis and up 672 00:32:19,920 --> 00:32:22,440 Speaker 2: to the minute NFL news that true football fanatics need 673 00:32:22,480 --> 00:32:25,400 Speaker 2: twenty four to seven, three sixty five And at Cousin Subs, 674 00:32:25,440 --> 00:32:28,280 Speaker 2: we have something for everyone like our Wisconsin cheese Kurts, 675 00:32:28,320 --> 00:32:30,640 Speaker 2: mac and cheese, golden fries, and creamy shakes, all paired 676 00:32:30,680 --> 00:32:33,200 Speaker 2: with your favorite sub or sub and a bowl. Cousin 677 00:32:33,240 --> 00:32:37,200 Speaker 2: Subs fifty plus years of better all right, divisional playoff 678 00:32:37,360 --> 00:32:42,280 Speaker 2: weekend Houston at Kansas City, Washington at Detroit on Saturday. 679 00:32:42,480 --> 00:32:46,520 Speaker 2: Any thoughts to share as the weekend approach. 680 00:32:46,400 --> 00:32:51,240 Speaker 3: Washington versus Detroit's is more specifically, Washington's offense versus Detroit's 681 00:32:51,240 --> 00:32:55,360 Speaker 3: defense will be really interesting. Aaron Glenn, rightfully, so, getting 682 00:32:55,360 --> 00:32:57,920 Speaker 3: a lot of attention for potential head coaching opportunities. I 683 00:32:57,920 --> 00:33:02,240 Speaker 3: think sometimes and I really lies Alex Azeloni, like they 684 00:33:02,280 --> 00:33:04,280 Speaker 3: were dealing with some injuries this year that affected, but 685 00:33:04,320 --> 00:33:06,560 Speaker 3: I mean they are the twentieth ranked defense in the league, 686 00:33:06,480 --> 00:33:09,600 Speaker 3: and seeing if Washington can have some success against it 687 00:33:09,640 --> 00:33:12,680 Speaker 3: is going to be I think, ultimately the storyline of 688 00:33:12,720 --> 00:33:16,000 Speaker 3: this game, certainly Dan Quinn's defense. It's going to be 689 00:33:16,040 --> 00:33:19,080 Speaker 3: a supreme challenge trying to defend Detroit. It sounded like 690 00:33:19,160 --> 00:33:21,600 Speaker 3: before we hopped in here that David Montgomery is going 691 00:33:21,640 --> 00:33:23,440 Speaker 3: to be back or potentially could be back here. 692 00:33:23,840 --> 00:33:24,920 Speaker 1: It sounds like it. 693 00:33:25,040 --> 00:33:26,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, So, I mean, they're they're coming back to full 694 00:33:27,000 --> 00:33:29,360 Speaker 3: force here for this stretch run in a situation in 695 00:33:29,360 --> 00:33:31,080 Speaker 3: which a couple of weeks ago at least it was 696 00:33:31,080 --> 00:33:32,800 Speaker 3: put out there that he wasn't going to be back. 697 00:33:32,840 --> 00:33:36,240 Speaker 3: Although there's part of me the contrary and sort of 698 00:33:36,240 --> 00:33:38,440 Speaker 3: skeptic in me always wondered if that really was true 699 00:33:38,480 --> 00:33:41,560 Speaker 3: or not. But be that as it may, David Montgomery 700 00:33:41,640 --> 00:33:43,840 Speaker 3: is still in the cards here for the Lions, So 701 00:33:44,160 --> 00:33:46,080 Speaker 3: that's gonna be a really good matchup. I mean, Houston's 702 00:33:46,080 --> 00:33:48,040 Speaker 3: gonna see I mean you talk about like Green Bay 703 00:33:48,120 --> 00:33:50,680 Speaker 3: last year, kind of playing with house money and going 704 00:33:50,720 --> 00:33:52,800 Speaker 3: into San Francisco and seeing if something can happen. That's 705 00:33:52,840 --> 00:33:54,400 Speaker 3: kind of where the Texans are right now. I don't 706 00:33:54,400 --> 00:33:58,880 Speaker 3: think anybody really expected them to handle you know how 707 00:33:58,920 --> 00:34:01,480 Speaker 3: they did, you know, kind of running through the Chargers 708 00:34:01,560 --> 00:34:04,440 Speaker 3: last week. Yeah, and we'll see, man, I mean it's 709 00:34:04,520 --> 00:34:07,200 Speaker 3: it's you have nothing to lose in that scenarios. Yeah. 710 00:34:07,240 --> 00:34:09,480 Speaker 2: I mean, for me, the team, the team that's playing 711 00:34:09,520 --> 00:34:12,680 Speaker 2: with the most house money right now is Washington. Just yeah, 712 00:34:12,680 --> 00:34:14,759 Speaker 2: for sure, with them being on this run of all 713 00:34:14,800 --> 00:34:18,000 Speaker 2: of these last second, last play of the game victories 714 00:34:18,000 --> 00:34:20,520 Speaker 2: and stuff like that, it doesn't get more more house 715 00:34:20,600 --> 00:34:21,239 Speaker 2: money than that. 716 00:34:21,920 --> 00:34:22,320 Speaker 1: Houston. 717 00:34:22,360 --> 00:34:25,560 Speaker 2: I'm just very interested. I fully expect Kansas City to win, 718 00:34:25,719 --> 00:34:31,280 Speaker 2: but I'm really interested in what Houston's defense does against 719 00:34:31,320 --> 00:34:34,040 Speaker 2: a Kansas City offense that has not been a typical 720 00:34:34,360 --> 00:34:38,000 Speaker 2: Patrick Mahomes offense. Yeah, right, route this year, they haven't 721 00:34:38,080 --> 00:34:41,239 Speaker 2: really gotten to where you know, they've been expected to 722 00:34:41,280 --> 00:34:45,480 Speaker 2: be offensively, and this Houston defense is no joke, So 723 00:34:45,520 --> 00:34:49,920 Speaker 2: that that intrigues me in that respect. Sunday's games Rams 724 00:34:49,960 --> 00:34:53,560 Speaker 2: at Eagles, Ravens at Bills. What are your thoughts there? 725 00:34:53,719 --> 00:34:56,319 Speaker 3: Baltimore and Buffalo is maybe the biggest game of this 726 00:34:56,480 --> 00:34:59,640 Speaker 3: entire postseason. Yeah, honestly, yeah, I understand the super Bowl. 727 00:34:59,680 --> 00:35:02,319 Speaker 3: Everybody wants to win the Super Bowl, but Lamar and 728 00:35:02,400 --> 00:35:05,080 Speaker 3: Josh Allen can't both get there. They can't both get 729 00:35:05,080 --> 00:35:08,160 Speaker 3: to the AFC Championship game, and one of those two 730 00:35:08,239 --> 00:35:11,319 Speaker 3: stories is going to have a very disappointing ending. You 731 00:35:11,400 --> 00:35:14,320 Speaker 3: have Lamar, who, as good as he's been and multiple 732 00:35:14,360 --> 00:35:16,960 Speaker 3: time MVP now has not been able to take that 733 00:35:17,000 --> 00:35:19,799 Speaker 3: next step in the playoffs, and unfortunately Josh Allen has 734 00:35:19,800 --> 00:35:21,959 Speaker 3: been on the losing ends so many times of these 735 00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:25,680 Speaker 3: losses against Kansas City. One of them gets to advance here, 736 00:35:25,840 --> 00:35:29,520 Speaker 3: and honestly, I think I potentially could favor either one 737 00:35:29,560 --> 00:35:31,200 Speaker 3: of them to end up being the super Bowl champion, 738 00:35:31,200 --> 00:35:34,759 Speaker 3: whoever wins that, depending on how they do so that is, 739 00:35:34,880 --> 00:35:38,359 Speaker 3: and then also can Baltimore's defense, the issues that they've 740 00:35:38,360 --> 00:35:40,080 Speaker 3: had over the course of this year, some of the 741 00:35:40,160 --> 00:35:43,320 Speaker 3: ups and downs they've had. Can they contend with everything 742 00:35:43,360 --> 00:35:48,080 Speaker 3: that Buffalo presents? Very good football game, And again you 743 00:35:48,120 --> 00:35:50,840 Speaker 3: and I have talked about several times now, Kansas City, 744 00:35:50,880 --> 00:35:53,120 Speaker 3: this is why you want the number one seed, especially 745 00:35:53,120 --> 00:35:55,600 Speaker 3: in that conference. If you can take care of business 746 00:35:55,680 --> 00:35:58,400 Speaker 3: against Houston, you get to face the team that actually 747 00:35:58,440 --> 00:36:03,439 Speaker 3: gets through that gauntlet. Here between Baltimore and Buffalo, huge, 748 00:36:03,520 --> 00:36:04,959 Speaker 3: huge implications in that one. 749 00:36:05,080 --> 00:36:09,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's interesting because I mentioned the whole thing about 750 00:36:09,040 --> 00:36:12,040 Speaker 2: Buffalo being an underdog and a home playoff game for 751 00:36:12,080 --> 00:36:13,560 Speaker 2: the first time in franchise history. 752 00:36:13,600 --> 00:36:14,959 Speaker 1: I mentioned that on our last show. 753 00:36:15,280 --> 00:36:18,800 Speaker 2: But if there's a game, if there's a January playoff 754 00:36:18,840 --> 00:36:22,000 Speaker 2: game in Buffalo where the Bills actually want really really 755 00:36:22,040 --> 00:36:25,640 Speaker 2: good weather, yeah it's this one. This was because not 756 00:36:25,680 --> 00:36:29,080 Speaker 2: only Baltimore's running game with Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson, 757 00:36:29,280 --> 00:36:33,320 Speaker 2: but Baltimore's pass defense is the biggest weakness of that team. 758 00:36:33,800 --> 00:36:36,000 Speaker 2: And Buffalo needs to be able to throw the ball 759 00:36:36,040 --> 00:36:38,200 Speaker 2: all over the yard, and Buffalo doesn't run the ball 760 00:36:38,200 --> 00:36:42,600 Speaker 2: well anyway, except for their quarterbacks. So Buffalo doesn't want 761 00:36:42,600 --> 00:36:44,120 Speaker 2: a ten degrees. I haven't even looked at what the 762 00:36:44,160 --> 00:36:46,640 Speaker 2: forecast is. They don't want ten degrees next to Lake 763 00:36:46,680 --> 00:36:50,440 Speaker 2: Erie on Sunday night. That's not what they want for 764 00:36:50,520 --> 00:36:54,520 Speaker 2: this game against against the Ravens Rams at Eagles. I'll 765 00:36:54,560 --> 00:36:58,360 Speaker 2: just say, if Philadelphia can handle LA's pass rush, I 766 00:36:58,360 --> 00:36:59,560 Speaker 2: think the Eagles win this game. 767 00:36:59,600 --> 00:36:59,920 Speaker 1: I think that. 768 00:37:00,080 --> 00:37:02,399 Speaker 2: I think that's really the biggest thing that it comes 769 00:37:02,400 --> 00:37:05,480 Speaker 2: down to two quarterbacks. They both won their share of 770 00:37:05,480 --> 00:37:08,560 Speaker 2: playoff games. You know, the best running game is obviously 771 00:37:08,800 --> 00:37:15,239 Speaker 2: Philadelphia's and the Rams I think are going to have 772 00:37:15,239 --> 00:37:18,319 Speaker 2: a hard time stopping Philadelphia's offense regardless of how they 773 00:37:18,320 --> 00:37:22,600 Speaker 2: do against Barkley. But if that defensive front can't, you know, 774 00:37:22,760 --> 00:37:26,319 Speaker 2: repeat what they did against the Vikings, I think the 775 00:37:26,400 --> 00:37:27,200 Speaker 2: Rams are in trouble. 776 00:37:27,239 --> 00:37:29,840 Speaker 3: Well in two weeks a row An offense with the 777 00:37:29,920 --> 00:37:31,879 Speaker 3: Lafleur attached to it is going to try to find 778 00:37:31,880 --> 00:37:34,840 Speaker 3: an answer here for the for the Philadelphia Eagles passing 779 00:37:34,880 --> 00:37:38,120 Speaker 3: defense and everything that they present. The Rams are the 780 00:37:38,160 --> 00:37:40,279 Speaker 3: wild card in all of this. I feel like like 781 00:37:40,320 --> 00:37:42,319 Speaker 3: as much as you're talking about and I agree with you, 782 00:37:42,920 --> 00:37:45,520 Speaker 3: Washington playing with house money, the Rams are the one 783 00:37:45,520 --> 00:37:49,080 Speaker 3: that are sort of the unknown elements of this postseason 784 00:37:49,160 --> 00:37:51,319 Speaker 3: run because we didn't get to see them at full 785 00:37:51,360 --> 00:37:54,640 Speaker 3: strength for basically the entire season up until this stretch run. 786 00:37:55,160 --> 00:37:57,319 Speaker 3: We're gonna find out how legitimate they are. If you 787 00:37:57,480 --> 00:38:00,239 Speaker 3: can beat the Minnesota Vikings the way that they beat 788 00:38:00,280 --> 00:38:03,400 Speaker 3: them and then go on the road into Philadelphia and 789 00:38:03,480 --> 00:38:05,480 Speaker 3: hand it to the Eagles, there may not be a 790 00:38:05,480 --> 00:38:07,920 Speaker 3: hotter team even if Washington finds a way to upset 791 00:38:07,920 --> 00:38:12,840 Speaker 3: Detroit heading into that championship AFC and NFC weekend. So 792 00:38:14,080 --> 00:38:16,600 Speaker 3: Matthew Stafford's been there, He's done that. You're talking about 793 00:38:16,600 --> 00:38:19,320 Speaker 3: experienced quarterbacks in this league. There's nothing that Vic Fangio 794 00:38:19,400 --> 00:38:21,560 Speaker 3: is going to show him that Stafford hasn't seen before. 795 00:38:22,280 --> 00:38:24,920 Speaker 3: Do they have the weapons and everything around that to 796 00:38:24,960 --> 00:38:28,400 Speaker 3: take advantage of it? And we'll find out on Sunday afternoon. 797 00:38:28,480 --> 00:38:29,719 Speaker 1: Yeah, we will find out. 798 00:38:29,920 --> 00:38:32,320 Speaker 2: And we've run a little bit long again, but that's okay, 799 00:38:32,360 --> 00:38:35,319 Speaker 2: it's our last show of the year. I'm just gonna 800 00:38:35,360 --> 00:38:37,600 Speaker 2: do this one more time, folks, because the countdown to 801 00:38:37,680 --> 00:38:40,919 Speaker 2: the twenty twenty five NFL Draft has begun. Green Bay 802 00:38:40,960 --> 00:38:42,880 Speaker 2: is hosting this year. If you didn't already know that, 803 00:38:43,160 --> 00:38:44,839 Speaker 2: and you won't want to miss it, so mark your 804 00:38:44,880 --> 00:38:47,680 Speaker 2: calendars for April twenty four through April twenty six of 805 00:38:47,719 --> 00:38:49,839 Speaker 2: twenty twenty five and it visit green Bay dot com 806 00:38:49,840 --> 00:38:54,359 Speaker 2: slash Draft twenty five for more information. And before we go, 807 00:38:54,960 --> 00:38:56,640 Speaker 2: I will turn it over to you for a couple 808 00:38:56,640 --> 00:38:57,239 Speaker 2: of last times. 809 00:38:57,400 --> 00:39:02,239 Speaker 3: Yeah, thank you. Michael us Here Packer's Digital and Broadcast 810 00:39:02,320 --> 00:39:06,000 Speaker 3: and Social Department. Everybody attached with us lost somebody very 811 00:39:06,000 --> 00:39:10,080 Speaker 3: close to us this week, and Mike Vandersnick. I just 812 00:39:10,120 --> 00:39:12,399 Speaker 3: want to say a couple of words about Snick, and 813 00:39:12,920 --> 00:39:14,640 Speaker 3: these last couple of days have been really hard for 814 00:39:14,680 --> 00:39:17,920 Speaker 3: me personally. I've known Mike basically since I was a 815 00:39:17,960 --> 00:39:22,200 Speaker 3: teenager and I worked with them at Spectrum what was 816 00:39:22,239 --> 00:39:26,200 Speaker 3: previously Time Warner Cable. Got to know him there twenty thirteen, 817 00:39:26,280 --> 00:39:29,880 Speaker 3: JP cadoran love you, JP, wherever you're at. Him and 818 00:39:29,920 --> 00:39:32,680 Speaker 3: his lovely wife Welcome to the birth of a child, 819 00:39:32,719 --> 00:39:35,360 Speaker 3: and Spectrum sent me. I was covering the games for 820 00:39:35,400 --> 00:39:38,640 Speaker 3: the Press gazette. They decided, Hey, we're gonna have you 821 00:39:38,680 --> 00:39:40,879 Speaker 3: be our stand up guy. You're gonna do the live 822 00:39:40,960 --> 00:39:43,480 Speaker 3: stand up or not lives, but the look live, and 823 00:39:43,760 --> 00:39:47,560 Speaker 3: Snick was my videographer and god, I was terrible. I 824 00:39:47,719 --> 00:39:49,799 Speaker 3: was so bad, Mike, Like, I'm not saying I've ever 825 00:39:49,840 --> 00:39:52,600 Speaker 3: been good on camera. I have to ask thee if 826 00:39:52,640 --> 00:39:55,080 Speaker 3: Dennis Crowsey has those videos for me. I was so bad. 827 00:39:55,080 --> 00:39:58,399 Speaker 3: And Nick Snick was so encouraging to me. This guy 828 00:39:58,440 --> 00:40:00,400 Speaker 3: has worked in the field forever. He was with us 829 00:40:00,440 --> 00:40:03,120 Speaker 3: as a videographer. He basically worked for every TV station 830 00:40:03,200 --> 00:40:06,520 Speaker 3: in this area. A total professional. You'll never find anybody 831 00:40:06,560 --> 00:40:10,400 Speaker 3: better at what he did. And he was so encouraging 832 00:40:10,440 --> 00:40:12,560 Speaker 3: to me. And I was so bad at what I 833 00:40:12,640 --> 00:40:14,200 Speaker 3: was doing. I went back and looked at it and 834 00:40:14,200 --> 00:40:17,600 Speaker 3: it was so terrible. But that's just the type of 835 00:40:17,600 --> 00:40:20,239 Speaker 3: guy he was. And there's a million stories we could share. 836 00:40:20,600 --> 00:40:23,080 Speaker 3: I've had great time talking to people the last few days, 837 00:40:23,560 --> 00:40:25,960 Speaker 3: you know, sort of bringing through some of our favorite 838 00:40:25,960 --> 00:40:27,960 Speaker 3: moments of him. And I just want to say this. 839 00:40:28,320 --> 00:40:32,520 Speaker 3: In twenty fifteen, Mike was the first person that came 840 00:40:32,600 --> 00:40:34,080 Speaker 3: up to me and told me that VIC was going 841 00:40:34,160 --> 00:40:36,320 Speaker 3: to be retiring. And he was the first guy that 842 00:40:36,440 --> 00:40:38,320 Speaker 3: said to me, Hey, you know, maybe this is something 843 00:40:38,320 --> 00:40:40,719 Speaker 3: that you should consider. Not that the packers would have 844 00:40:40,760 --> 00:40:42,640 Speaker 3: even wanted me, but to keep your eyes and your 845 00:40:42,680 --> 00:40:43,399 Speaker 3: ears open to. 846 00:40:43,560 --> 00:40:46,560 Speaker 1: Oh, we wanted you, We wanted you. 847 00:40:47,200 --> 00:40:49,040 Speaker 2: But I'll give a shout out and thank you to 848 00:40:49,080 --> 00:40:51,240 Speaker 2: Snick for planning the seed. 849 00:40:53,440 --> 00:40:57,520 Speaker 3: And I actually at first said, no, I'm not interested 850 00:40:57,560 --> 00:40:59,799 Speaker 3: in that. I'm a newspaper man. I'm a tough guy. 851 00:41:00,400 --> 00:41:03,960 Speaker 3: And Snick and I always had a relationship. I never 852 00:41:04,080 --> 00:41:06,279 Speaker 3: got into a fight with him once, never had to 853 00:41:06,320 --> 00:41:09,120 Speaker 3: disagree with him once. But he looked at me kind 854 00:41:09,120 --> 00:41:10,920 Speaker 3: of like the way a young older brother would look 855 00:41:10,920 --> 00:41:12,759 Speaker 3: at a younger brother, like you're being stupid, Like what 856 00:41:12,760 --> 00:41:15,239 Speaker 3: are you talking about? And because Mike had seen what 857 00:41:15,280 --> 00:41:17,759 Speaker 3: the news industry was looking like, he knew what my 858 00:41:17,880 --> 00:41:20,279 Speaker 3: situation looked like at the newspaper when Gannett had bought 859 00:41:20,320 --> 00:41:23,080 Speaker 3: the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and there's gonna be a merger 860 00:41:23,120 --> 00:41:26,080 Speaker 3: between the Prescazette and the JS and and who knows 861 00:41:26,160 --> 00:41:30,080 Speaker 3: what that could mean for jobs. And I ended up 862 00:41:30,120 --> 00:41:34,000 Speaker 3: reconsidering and I texted Ryan Hartwig. I texted Duke Bobber, 863 00:41:34,040 --> 00:41:37,439 Speaker 3: who's my direct boss, our our direct supervisor. And six 864 00:41:37,520 --> 00:41:39,600 Speaker 3: months later I got a job with the packers. And 865 00:41:39,640 --> 00:41:41,840 Speaker 3: I will never forget the look that Mike gave me 866 00:41:41,920 --> 00:41:50,440 Speaker 3: the day that I started here. And I love you Mike, 867 00:41:50,719 --> 00:41:55,960 Speaker 3: I appreciate everything you did for me. I'm so heartbroken 868 00:41:56,040 --> 00:41:59,399 Speaker 3: and sad for the people that know you even better 869 00:41:59,440 --> 00:42:02,360 Speaker 3: than I did. His wife, Shelley is wonderful wife. Shelley's 870 00:42:02,360 --> 00:42:06,520 Speaker 3: beautiful wife, Shelley, and everybody that he touched and everybody 871 00:42:06,560 --> 00:42:11,840 Speaker 3: that he did so much good with, And I will 872 00:42:11,880 --> 00:42:16,000 Speaker 3: forever cherish all the memories, the road trips, everything we 873 00:42:16,040 --> 00:42:19,520 Speaker 3: did and the bond that we formed. And the last 874 00:42:19,520 --> 00:42:21,560 Speaker 3: two days have been two of the rougher days that 875 00:42:21,600 --> 00:42:24,960 Speaker 3: I've had in a very long time. And what's kind 876 00:42:24,960 --> 00:42:27,160 Speaker 3: of getting me through it right now, spot is the 877 00:42:27,200 --> 00:42:31,840 Speaker 3: fact that there are so many good memories of things 878 00:42:31,880 --> 00:42:34,320 Speaker 3: that we did together and times that we shared, and 879 00:42:35,080 --> 00:42:39,160 Speaker 3: laughs and photos and and everything. So I appreciate the 880 00:42:39,200 --> 00:42:41,560 Speaker 3: packers and you and everybody given me an opportunity to 881 00:42:41,600 --> 00:42:43,759 Speaker 3: kind of express that, because Mike, for as long as 882 00:42:43,800 --> 00:42:45,879 Speaker 3: I live, buddy, I am going to be living for you. 883 00:42:46,080 --> 00:42:48,640 Speaker 3: I love you, and I am never ever ever going 884 00:42:48,719 --> 00:42:53,239 Speaker 3: to forget you, And I'm looking forward very someday have 885 00:42:53,360 --> 00:42:56,840 Speaker 3: a reconciliation with you there and be able to. 886 00:42:58,560 --> 00:43:02,360 Speaker 1: Meet up again. Yeah. Well I couldn't say it any better. 887 00:43:02,520 --> 00:43:04,680 Speaker 2: So I'm not gonna try, and with that we're going 888 00:43:04,760 --> 00:43:06,640 Speaker 2: to call it a rap on the edition of Packers 889 00:43:06,719 --> 00:43:10,120 Speaker 2: Unscripted and this season of Packers Unscripted. A thank you 890 00:43:10,239 --> 00:43:14,680 Speaker 2: to all of our viewers and listeners and everybody who 891 00:43:14,920 --> 00:43:17,879 Speaker 2: enjoys what we do here, and also a shout out 892 00:43:17,920 --> 00:43:22,240 Speaker 2: to our producer Zach. Thanks for hanging with us all season, buddy. 893 00:43:22,840 --> 00:43:25,200 Speaker 1: And as I said. 894 00:43:25,000 --> 00:43:26,960 Speaker 2: We will be back at some point before the draft, 895 00:43:27,000 --> 00:43:28,920 Speaker 2: which is in Green Bay in case you haven't been 896 00:43:28,960 --> 00:43:33,279 Speaker 2: paying attention, But until then, for Wes, I am Mike. 897 00:43:33,680 --> 00:43:36,759 Speaker 2: Thank you for tuning in everybody, and we will see 898 00:43:36,800 --> 00:43:37,319 Speaker 2: you next time.