1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:20,360 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:23,800 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford. He is Wes Hodkowits. We're coming 3 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:26,880 Speaker 1: to you here from our studios at lambeau Field and West. 4 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:30,320 Speaker 1: The final week of the Packers offseason program is upon us, 5 00:00:30,360 --> 00:00:34,320 Speaker 1: and that means the mandatory three day mini camp, although 6 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:37,800 Speaker 1: as we just found out on Tuesday, it's not so 7 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:42,960 Speaker 1: mandatory for certain players. Mike McCarthy has excused sixteen veteran 8 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 1: players with the idea that these three practices this week Tuesday, Wednesday, 9 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:51,240 Speaker 1: Thursday are focused on getting the young players on the 10 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:55,080 Speaker 1: roster as many reps as possible as they review installations 11 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:56,600 Speaker 1: and the other things that we're going on in O 12 00:00:56,760 --> 00:00:59,320 Speaker 1: t A s to try to give them the best 13 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:02,760 Speaker 1: possible foundation come training camp. Yeah, and it's one of 14 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:05,319 Speaker 1: those things, Mike, who doesn't love a nice day off. 15 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:08,559 Speaker 1: I wish Craig Shieldbauer and Duke Bober would have made 16 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 1: mini camps, you know, not so mandatory for their veterans, 17 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:14,720 Speaker 1: but maybe had some intern step up and right might 18 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 1: have even been better. Who knows, But be that as 19 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:19,720 Speaker 1: it may, this has been a practice now for three 20 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 1: years that Mike McCarthy has done. They actually is it 21 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 1: used to work out is they would take one day 22 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:26,440 Speaker 1: where they would excuse the veterans and then that would 23 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 1: be the area of concentration for the younger players on 24 00:01:29,319 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 1: the roster. Three years ago they made the decision to 25 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 1: take that team building exercise, move that into O, T 26 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:36,800 Speaker 1: A S, and then use those three days to just 27 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 1: focus solely on players usually five years or younger on 28 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:44,240 Speaker 1: the roster, so to me in my experience, and it 29 00:01:44,360 --> 00:01:46,520 Speaker 1: really does. And the in the with the confines of 30 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 1: the c b A, the amount of snaps that you 31 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:51,720 Speaker 1: have and or the lack thereof during the offseason, a 32 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:53,560 Speaker 1: chance for those young guys on the roster to get 33 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 1: one final tune up before you get into training camp 34 00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 1: when you know everything's really flying out there. Yeah, and 35 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:01,040 Speaker 1: this makes a lot of sense when you look at 36 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 1: it from an overall structural perspective of how things are done. Here. 37 00:02:06,040 --> 00:02:10,360 Speaker 1: You have the bulk of the off season program several weeks. 38 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 1: It's voluntary. Players don't need to be here, but the 39 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:17,960 Speaker 1: Packers often structure contracts with workout bonuses you participate in. 40 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:21,359 Speaker 1: Usually it's like eight something like that of the off 41 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:25,320 Speaker 1: season program, the veteran players get a workout bonus. This 42 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:27,960 Speaker 1: is all geared towards the fact that the Packers would 43 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 1: rather have the players here for the longer stretch of 44 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:35,000 Speaker 1: the voluntary stuff and not worry so much about the 45 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:37,360 Speaker 1: three day mandatory mini camp. If the players are going 46 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:39,720 Speaker 1: to show up for something, they don't want them to 47 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:42,040 Speaker 1: skip all of O, t a s and then just 48 00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:44,720 Speaker 1: show up for the mandatory mini camp because that's not 49 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:48,160 Speaker 1: as conducive to how they want to prepare for training camp. 50 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:50,079 Speaker 1: So there's kind of a lot of things that are 51 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:52,600 Speaker 1: built into the structure and how it's done here. Mike 52 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:55,320 Speaker 1: McCarthy is very confident that this is how it works, 53 00:02:55,320 --> 00:02:58,360 Speaker 1: and it gives those younger players a chance in the classroom, 54 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 1: on the field these last three days of the offseason 55 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:03,799 Speaker 1: program to really have everything focused on them. Absolutely, And 56 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 1: you look at how the off season is structured and 57 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:08,480 Speaker 1: there's a method to all the madness. I mean, the 58 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:11,400 Speaker 1: Packers they put a big premium on their workout bonuses 59 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:14,280 Speaker 1: making sure they get their veteran players into the off 60 00:03:14,320 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 1: season program participating in it. And it's on both sides 61 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:19,720 Speaker 1: of the ball. This year, in particular, a lot of 62 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:22,480 Speaker 1: changes to get used to, and you've got new players 63 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:24,600 Speaker 1: like Mohammed Wilkerson coming in that you want to get 64 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:28,240 Speaker 1: acclimated everybody around you. If you check all those boxes 65 00:03:28,280 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 1: for eight weeks, it only makes sense that you want 66 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:32,160 Speaker 1: to take that last week not only concentrate on your 67 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:34,680 Speaker 1: younger players, but also make sure that there's you know, 68 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:36,880 Speaker 1: no injuries or whatever have you might pop up with 69 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:39,960 Speaker 1: your older players and you're returning veterans as well. The 70 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 1: thing I keep going back to, and it was such 71 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 1: an off the it had nothing to do with this, 72 00:03:43,920 --> 00:03:46,000 Speaker 1: But when I was talking with Lance Kendricks last week 73 00:03:46,280 --> 00:03:48,440 Speaker 1: at that team building exercise that they did on the 74 00:03:48,440 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 1: second day of O T A S that week, him 75 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 1: and Mason Crosby both talked about how you know that 76 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:55,080 Speaker 1: last week is a grind for a lot of vets 77 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:57,160 Speaker 1: because now you've been going at it week after week 78 00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:01,640 Speaker 1: after week, four days for practices. Um, you're feeling pretty 79 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:03,600 Speaker 1: good at that point about where you are mentally in 80 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 1: the playbook after going through the installs as much as 81 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:08,080 Speaker 1: you have. So for a lot of them, it's not 82 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:10,040 Speaker 1: to say there's no value in many camps. I'm sure 83 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 1: there still is, But for a lot of them. I 84 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:15,120 Speaker 1: think it's already been reinforced. It's already you know what 85 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:17,360 Speaker 1: the direction is going to become training camp. This is 86 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:19,280 Speaker 1: a chance now for them to step away and give 87 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:21,039 Speaker 1: those young guys who have not really been through this 88 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:23,400 Speaker 1: process that often one more chance to take a look 89 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:26,560 Speaker 1: at everything. Yeah, and it's reinforced as well. That not 90 00:04:26,640 --> 00:04:30,799 Speaker 1: to say that competition isn't always ongoing, but this particular time, 91 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 1: it's not focused on competition for roster spots. It's focused 92 00:04:34,279 --> 00:04:36,800 Speaker 1: on teaching. It's focused on getting guys up to speed 93 00:04:37,200 --> 00:04:40,640 Speaker 1: to give them the best opportunity to compete for roster spots. 94 00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 1: Mike McCarthy reiterated on Tuesday morning that when training camp 95 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:48,320 Speaker 1: rolls around, hey, it's go time. It's the teaching phase 96 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 1: of things, you know, really starts to you know, go 97 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:52,760 Speaker 1: into the background because now it's like, okay, we're gonna 98 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:55,440 Speaker 1: rep everything and it's gonna be about competing. It's about 99 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:58,719 Speaker 1: beating not only the guy across from you offense versus defense, 100 00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:01,640 Speaker 1: but then you know, supping forward in front of some 101 00:05:01,680 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 1: of those other guys that your position to get playing time, 102 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:06,479 Speaker 1: to get a roster spot. All those things are what 103 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:08,760 Speaker 1: training camp in the preseason are about It's such a 104 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:11,080 Speaker 1: great excellent point you make there, Mike, because you've seen 105 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:13,680 Speaker 1: sort of parts of that throughout the three public O 106 00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:17,200 Speaker 1: t A practices, the receiver situation, you know what, Davante 107 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:20,200 Speaker 1: Adams missing some time with the hamstring, with Randall Cobb 108 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:22,600 Speaker 1: being gone during one of those practices. It's given a 109 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 1: lot of those young guys a chance to really step 110 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:27,960 Speaker 1: up and play. But contrastly, you look at maybe the 111 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:30,680 Speaker 1: defensive line where you had Wilkerson and Mike Daniels and 112 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:32,839 Speaker 1: in some of these positions where you had the veterans 113 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 1: there day in and day out, where those young guys 114 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:37,880 Speaker 1: don't get as many opportunities. So it's a it's a 115 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:39,719 Speaker 1: you know, kind of a push and pull a little 116 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:43,160 Speaker 1: bit and towards the towards and towards getting those opportunities 117 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:45,200 Speaker 1: and trying to see exactly who's going to be able 118 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:46,880 Speaker 1: to make the most of them this time of the 119 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:49,880 Speaker 1: year so critical at the end of this stage. Yeah, definitely. 120 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 1: With that, we're gonna go to a break back with 121 00:05:51,520 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 1: more and Packers Unscripted right after this. Welcome back to 122 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:13,640 Speaker 1: Packers Unscripted. Mike Spofford in this chair. West Hodkin wits 123 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:15,880 Speaker 1: in that one. So okay, West. It's the final week 124 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:18,000 Speaker 1: of the offseason program before the players are going to 125 00:06:18,120 --> 00:06:22,279 Speaker 1: take an extended break prior to when training camp begins 126 00:06:22,320 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 1: at the end of July. But I want to maybe 127 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: throw out a few training camp preview ideas here and 128 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:32,520 Speaker 1: offensive side of the ball? First, what do you think 129 00:06:32,560 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 1: when training camp begins July first practice? What do you 130 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 1: think is going to be the biggest storyline for the 131 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:41,480 Speaker 1: Packers on the offensive side of the ball. It's kind 132 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:45,600 Speaker 1: of a question that's spoffed the cuff. Oh boy, yeah, 133 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:47,279 Speaker 1: too bad. We don't have a laugh track over the 134 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:50,200 Speaker 1: top of that. But no, my my thought really is 135 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:53,600 Speaker 1: going to be looking at in my opinion, you take 136 00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:56,040 Speaker 1: it for what it's worth really seeing. We have all 137 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:59,360 Speaker 1: these pieces now in the backfield. Uh, Tie Montgomery, we've 138 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:02,280 Speaker 1: seen what he can do, Aaron Jones, Jamal Williams, all 139 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:04,080 Speaker 1: those guys are healthy and they've been able to stay 140 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 1: healthy throughout the offseason program. Now, what do you how 141 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:11,120 Speaker 1: does this get sorted out? I think for my money, Michael, 142 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 1: this is your seven. I think for me now on 143 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:15,920 Speaker 1: the Packers beat, this is the most competition I can 144 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 1: remember at a position, not necessarily in terms of just 145 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 1: the quality of or anything like that, but just that 146 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:23,680 Speaker 1: the stakes, in my opinion, are pretty high because the 147 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:25,680 Speaker 1: Packers do like to ride the hot hand and they 148 00:07:25,720 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 1: want to find a guy that all three downs is 149 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 1: gonna be able to play that position. But they have 150 00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:32,400 Speaker 1: three guys in four if you want to include Davante 151 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 1: May's five, if you want to include Aaron Ripkowski, who 152 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 1: all brings something different to the table. None of those 153 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 1: two guys are different. All of them have different strengths. 154 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 1: So how does that play out? I think Time Montgomery's 155 00:07:44,800 --> 00:07:46,360 Speaker 1: a guy you want to get on the field. I 156 00:07:46,360 --> 00:07:48,120 Speaker 1: think he's a guy that could be a matchup nightmare 157 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 1: for teams. I love the idea of having him and 158 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:53,280 Speaker 1: Randall Cobb and Jimmy Graham all potentially on the field 159 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:55,960 Speaker 1: at the same time and seeing how defenses react to it. 160 00:07:56,320 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 1: But then you've seen the expulsivity, if even that it's 161 00:07:58,560 --> 00:08:01,880 Speaker 1: even a word, explusiveness, explosiveness. I kind of like explosivity 162 00:08:01,880 --> 00:08:04,080 Speaker 1: that I actually kind of like it, to be honest 163 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:07,720 Speaker 1: with you, Aaron Jones, what he can do um somewhat 164 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 1: in a vacuum, you know it was only about a 165 00:08:09,280 --> 00:08:11,320 Speaker 1: month and a half stretch, but just how explosive he 166 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 1: is as an athlete, Jamal Williams, how consistent he was, 167 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:17,480 Speaker 1: how much he really took that third down running back 168 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:19,120 Speaker 1: job and really ran with it near the end of 169 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:22,920 Speaker 1: the season. No pun intended, No exactly, but whatever the 170 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:26,480 Speaker 1: case may be, it's different looks, it's different skill sets, 171 00:08:26,680 --> 00:08:29,880 Speaker 1: and it's all those guys competing for ultimately a chance 172 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:32,120 Speaker 1: to be on the field with Aaron Rodgers. I just 173 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 1: think that the stakes at that position are really high, 174 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:36,080 Speaker 1: and I'm exting I'm excited to see what that brings 175 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:37,800 Speaker 1: out of each of those guys. Yeah, I agree with 176 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 1: you there. I do think that's going to be interesting, 177 00:08:39,840 --> 00:08:42,400 Speaker 1: and it is for exactly the reason you said that 178 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:45,360 Speaker 1: you don't look at any of these running backs as 179 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,520 Speaker 1: sort of a carbon copy of the other guy. They 180 00:08:48,559 --> 00:08:50,960 Speaker 1: all they all do bring something different. I love the 181 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 1: explosiveness or explosivity of Aaron Jones, but like you, I 182 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:59,320 Speaker 1: also like the versatility of a Time Montgomery and the 183 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:01,920 Speaker 1: matchup problems that you can create where you line them 184 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:04,160 Speaker 1: up in the backfield, but then you know, you motion 185 00:09:04,240 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 1: them out and then he lines up in the slot 186 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:08,320 Speaker 1: and then Aaron Rodgers is looking around at Okay, how's 187 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:11,360 Speaker 1: the defense reacting? What matchup are they giving us in 188 00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:14,400 Speaker 1: this situation? That situation? So I do think how that 189 00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:16,560 Speaker 1: running back depth chart shakes out is going to be 190 00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 1: very interesting. The thing I will say on the offensive side, 191 00:09:19,880 --> 00:09:23,319 Speaker 1: as far as when training camp starts, is just where 192 00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:25,559 Speaker 1: are the Packers going to be on the right side 193 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:28,120 Speaker 1: of the offensive line. What's the update on Brian Blog? 194 00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:31,040 Speaker 1: Will he be ready for training camp? Is the word 195 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:34,040 Speaker 1: going to be maybe he'll be ready sometime during training 196 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 1: camp to have a chance to be ready for week one? 197 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:40,480 Speaker 1: Or is the entire training camp in preseason going to 198 00:09:40,520 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 1: be about who will start at right tackle in week one? 199 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:45,920 Speaker 1: If Blog is not ready. You brought in Byron Bell 200 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:48,520 Speaker 1: as a veteran. You have Jason Spriggs and Kyle Murphy 201 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:52,520 Speaker 1: both entering year three draft pick investments, but also both 202 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:55,720 Speaker 1: coming off of injuries. We've talked a lot about Justin McCray. 203 00:09:55,800 --> 00:09:59,079 Speaker 1: Kind of looks like maybe right guard is his position 204 00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:01,280 Speaker 1: to lose at this point. You would expect him to 205 00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:03,560 Speaker 1: hold that down, but if an injury happens, you know, 206 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:06,040 Speaker 1: Lucas Patrick, the opportunity would be there. For him or 207 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:09,760 Speaker 1: for Cole Madison, the fifth round draft pick from Washington State. 208 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:12,840 Speaker 1: So to me, it's, you know, just what is going 209 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 1: to be determined on the right side of the offensive 210 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:17,679 Speaker 1: line when training camp rolls around. Yeah. And it's a 211 00:10:17,679 --> 00:10:19,720 Speaker 1: great point by you too, Mike, because again, when you 212 00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:21,880 Speaker 1: look at how that is sort of settled right there 213 00:10:21,880 --> 00:10:24,200 Speaker 1: in terms of who's out there right now competing for it, 214 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 1: I mean Jason Spriggs physically visually, uh, just coming back 215 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:32,200 Speaker 1: looking like a different player. I agree, he he looks different, 216 00:10:32,280 --> 00:10:35,160 Speaker 1: and to me, it almost reminded me of thirteen to fourteen, 217 00:10:35,640 --> 00:10:39,040 Speaker 1: those seasons with David Baktier in terms of the weight 218 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:40,760 Speaker 1: he put on. It appears to be good weight. We 219 00:10:40,800 --> 00:10:42,240 Speaker 1: haven't had a chance to talk to him at the 220 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:45,600 Speaker 1: time in which we're taping this yet, but he's put 221 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:47,920 Speaker 1: on significant pounds and it looks like it's the kind 222 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 1: of weight that can really help you anchor out there 223 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:52,920 Speaker 1: and really take that next step. Kyle Murphy with the 224 00:10:52,920 --> 00:10:54,959 Speaker 1: foot injury, trying to come back from that now, and 225 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:57,760 Speaker 1: we've seen him practicing on a limited basis. I was 226 00:10:57,800 --> 00:10:59,840 Speaker 1: talking to Corey Linsley last week for a story and 227 00:10:59,840 --> 00:11:02,320 Speaker 1: he mentioned Brian Bulaga and saying that if you didn't 228 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:04,560 Speaker 1: know any better, you wouldn't even think that Blaga was injured, 229 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:07,240 Speaker 1: that he's come back from that. The way he looks 230 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:10,079 Speaker 1: and and just seeing him walk around, obviously that's different 231 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:12,960 Speaker 1: than being on the field, but just really looks like 232 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 1: he's he is the player he's always been so. Um. Yeah, 233 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:18,679 Speaker 1: to your point, I think justin mccraie right guard, that 234 00:11:18,720 --> 00:11:21,080 Speaker 1: looks like a really solid home for him. Depending on 235 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:23,120 Speaker 1: what happens with Bulaga, who's that next guy to step 236 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:24,959 Speaker 1: up to be that number six kind of guy on 237 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:27,080 Speaker 1: the offensive line, that'll be a big question mark. Yeah. Well, 238 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:29,199 Speaker 1: I want to talk about some issues on the defensive 239 00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:30,760 Speaker 1: side of the ball as well. We'll get to those 240 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:33,600 Speaker 1: after the breakback with Moron Packers Unscripted. Right after this 241 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:53,680 Speaker 1: Welcome back to Packers Unscripted. Mike Spofford Here, West Hodko, 242 00:11:53,800 --> 00:11:56,560 Speaker 1: it's over there, okay, West training camp a handful of 243 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:58,880 Speaker 1: weeks away. Here. We just talked about some things on 244 00:11:58,920 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 1: the offensive side of the ball. What do you see 245 00:12:01,640 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 1: as the biggest storyline at the start of training camp 246 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 1: on the defensive side for Green Bay cornerback and it's 247 00:12:08,320 --> 00:12:10,959 Speaker 1: it's by far the uh it's I think that's the 248 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:13,800 Speaker 1: unanimous decision in terms of the position with the most 249 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:16,640 Speaker 1: intrigue going into camp. The reason I say that is 250 00:12:16,679 --> 00:12:19,520 Speaker 1: because to me, you were there for this. It reminds 251 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:21,200 Speaker 1: me a lot of the two thousand and twelve season. 252 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:23,960 Speaker 1: The Packers have made the announcement, at least going into 253 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 1: camp that okay, Charles Whitson's moving to safety. There were 254 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 1: a ton of jobs open in terms of the secondary, 255 00:12:30,520 --> 00:12:33,240 Speaker 1: the cornerback position. You knew you had Tremon Williams, but 256 00:12:33,280 --> 00:12:35,080 Speaker 1: even then he was coming back from a nerve injury 257 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:37,520 Speaker 1: in his shoulder. Was it gonna be Sam Shields? Was 258 00:12:37,520 --> 00:12:40,200 Speaker 1: it gonna be Devon house Casey Heyward had just gotten drafted. 259 00:12:40,679 --> 00:12:43,200 Speaker 1: This situation reminds me a lot of that. I think 260 00:12:43,240 --> 00:12:45,760 Speaker 1: at this point in time, there is one certainty as 261 00:12:45,760 --> 00:12:48,040 Speaker 1: far as that Week one lineup, if everyone stays healthy, 262 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:50,439 Speaker 1: and that's how Clinton Dicks will be starting at safety. 263 00:12:50,600 --> 00:12:54,040 Speaker 1: The rest of it, who's starting where, What positions are 264 00:12:54,040 --> 00:12:55,840 Speaker 1: they going to be looking at. It's all up in 265 00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:58,079 Speaker 1: the air right now. Kevin King's coming back from the 266 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:00,880 Speaker 1: shoulder injury, feeling good, looking good. Everybody knows what he's 267 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:02,440 Speaker 1: capable of if he can get on the line and 268 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:05,640 Speaker 1: really power against people. I think Alexander's had a really 269 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:08,640 Speaker 1: nice offseason program. I think Josh Jackson has made some 270 00:13:08,679 --> 00:13:11,960 Speaker 1: plays as well. Devon House is back, Tremon Williams is back. 271 00:13:12,559 --> 00:13:15,520 Speaker 1: There's all these different pieces for Joe Witt, the new 272 00:13:15,679 --> 00:13:19,480 Speaker 1: you know, defensive passing game coordinator, to utilize. How do 273 00:13:19,520 --> 00:13:22,640 Speaker 1: you utilize them? Who starts now opposite of Haha, Clinton 274 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 1: Dick's at safety, Josh Jones is in their Kenstrol Bryce 275 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:27,199 Speaker 1: is in there. They have a lot of experience coming back, 276 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:28,560 Speaker 1: and they have a lot of young players that have 277 00:13:28,559 --> 00:13:32,200 Speaker 1: been added this offseason through the draft. I'm really I'm 278 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:35,560 Speaker 1: eager to see who emerges, who grabs those spots because 279 00:13:35,559 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 1: the opportunities there. Yeah, I agree with you, and I 280 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:40,880 Speaker 1: do think corner is a very intriguing spot because in 281 00:13:40,920 --> 00:13:43,439 Speaker 1: addition to everybody that you mentioned, and now we know 282 00:13:43,720 --> 00:13:46,360 Speaker 1: there's not room for everybody, So the competition is going 283 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:49,360 Speaker 1: to be there for roster spots. But guys like Lenzy 284 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:53,200 Speaker 1: Pipkins and Josh Hawkins, they've played some, they're not they're 285 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:56,360 Speaker 1: not complete novices at the NFL level. They've been on 286 00:13:56,400 --> 00:13:58,760 Speaker 1: the active roster they've played in some games, so where 287 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:01,960 Speaker 1: are they in their stages of development. Then you have 288 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:05,079 Speaker 1: a guy like Herb Waters, who has been converted from 289 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:08,480 Speaker 1: wide receiver to cornerback. We've heard a lot of positive 290 00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 1: things about him, a lot of things that they like, 291 00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:13,560 Speaker 1: but the injury from last year, you know, really set 292 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:16,600 Speaker 1: back his opportunity to try to, you know, grab a 293 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:19,240 Speaker 1: hold of something and and make the make the progress 294 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:21,720 Speaker 1: at a new position. So this is going to be 295 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:24,520 Speaker 1: that chance for him. We're gonna be watching a lot 296 00:14:24,600 --> 00:14:27,720 Speaker 1: of these guys every every single practice. Just who's out there. 297 00:14:27,720 --> 00:14:31,000 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm really looking forward to those, especially when 298 00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 1: they put the pads on those one on one wide 299 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 1: receiver cornerback you know where there's there's really no pass rush, 300 00:14:37,560 --> 00:14:40,160 Speaker 1: there's nobody else out there, and and it's it's those 301 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:43,360 Speaker 1: corners jammed, jamming guys at the line and go on 302 00:14:43,360 --> 00:14:45,200 Speaker 1: one on one with a wide receiver and trying to 303 00:14:45,240 --> 00:14:47,840 Speaker 1: break up the play. Yeah, Quentin Rollins is back to 304 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:51,000 Speaker 1: coming off the you know, the Achilles injury. Absolutely. Dmitri 305 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:53,920 Speaker 1: Goodson is still a part of this equation. What he 306 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:56,320 Speaker 1: offers not only on defense, but also the fact that 307 00:14:56,320 --> 00:14:58,560 Speaker 1: when he's been healthy, he's a stalwart on special teams, 308 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:01,400 Speaker 1: and he's really probably their top gunner right now when 309 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:03,560 Speaker 1: he's healthy. And those are guys on defense who have 310 00:15:03,640 --> 00:15:06,640 Speaker 1: played even more than those other young guys I mentioned 311 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:09,800 Speaker 1: in terms of having experienced. Rollins and Goodson are another 312 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 1: step above just in terms of the number of games 313 00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:14,040 Speaker 1: they've played at this level. And I think I mentioned 314 00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:16,920 Speaker 1: this in a previous episodes, but there's fourteen defensive backs 315 00:15:16,920 --> 00:15:19,000 Speaker 1: on this roster that have played in an NFL regular 316 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:21,640 Speaker 1: season game now and that's on again, that's not counting 317 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:23,720 Speaker 1: the two rookies that came in through the draft. So 318 00:15:24,080 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 1: I think that competition is hot. I think it's heavy, 319 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:28,240 Speaker 1: and I think it's probably gonna give the Packers their 320 00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 1: best chance, their best look at and having the secondary 321 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:34,280 Speaker 1: that they ultimately desire. Yeah, the other thing I was 322 00:15:34,320 --> 00:15:37,560 Speaker 1: going to say that will be worth watching in training camp, 323 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 1: but I'm almost going to qualify it a little bit 324 00:15:39,960 --> 00:15:42,480 Speaker 1: because I'm almost wondering how much we're really going to 325 00:15:42,600 --> 00:15:44,760 Speaker 1: find out during training camp in the preseason. And what 326 00:15:44,800 --> 00:15:48,440 Speaker 1: I'm talking about is with the defensive front, just where 327 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:50,720 Speaker 1: are these guys gonna line up and who's going to 328 00:15:50,840 --> 00:15:53,920 Speaker 1: be playing what role and what packages? I mean, are 329 00:15:53,920 --> 00:15:56,720 Speaker 1: there going to be times when Kenny Clark, Mike Daniels, 330 00:15:56,720 --> 00:15:59,640 Speaker 1: and Mohammed Wilkerson are all on the field together. Now, 331 00:15:59,640 --> 00:16:02,480 Speaker 1: what I say qualifies that is how much does Mike 332 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:05,600 Speaker 1: Petton and how much do Mike Petton and Mike McCarthy 333 00:16:05,840 --> 00:16:08,200 Speaker 1: want to give away during the preseason. How much are 334 00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 1: they going to keep under wraps in terms of these 335 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:14,200 Speaker 1: different packages. There are portions of training camp, there are 336 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:16,480 Speaker 1: practices that are not open to the public, not open 337 00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:18,640 Speaker 1: to the media. You know, they're working on things for 338 00:16:18,720 --> 00:16:23,040 Speaker 1: specific opponents. Then, so while I'm very curious as to 339 00:16:23,120 --> 00:16:25,520 Speaker 1: how that's going to shake out, I honestly don't know 340 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:28,560 Speaker 1: how much we're going to find out in the month 341 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 1: of August. It may we may have to wait all 342 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:33,040 Speaker 1: the way up until Week one against the Chicago Bears 343 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:36,200 Speaker 1: to find out just how Petton is going to use 344 00:16:36,280 --> 00:16:39,280 Speaker 1: the different chess pieces so to speak. In my opinion 345 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 1: my experience all the years I've covered this team, now, 346 00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:44,600 Speaker 1: I don't think there's been more intrigue in terms of 347 00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:46,280 Speaker 1: what a defense is going to look like, probably going 348 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: back to two thousand nine when Don Capers came in, 349 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:51,760 Speaker 1: But just we have an idea of where the emphasis 350 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 1: is gonna lie how they've built that defensive line, but 351 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:56,680 Speaker 1: you really can't be too sure. Yeah, I agree with 352 00:16:56,720 --> 00:16:58,600 Speaker 1: you with that. We're gonna go to another break back 353 00:16:58,600 --> 00:17:00,720 Speaker 1: with more on Packers on screw did right after this 354 00:17:18,960 --> 00:17:23,000 Speaker 1: Welcome back to Packers unscripted Mike Spofford alongside West hodkowits 355 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:26,320 Speaker 1: West before we go. A topic that I think it's 356 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:28,439 Speaker 1: worth touching on here because it's a question you and 357 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:32,640 Speaker 1: I have been getting fairly frequently in our insider inbox 358 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:35,600 Speaker 1: from the fans, and that's in reference to the new 359 00:17:35,720 --> 00:17:40,160 Speaker 1: kickoff rules in the NFL. How they're eliminating the high 360 00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:42,800 Speaker 1: speed collisions because players are going to be running more 361 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:45,679 Speaker 1: side by side as far as offense versus defense, so 362 00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:49,360 Speaker 1: to speak, running side by side down the field, um 363 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:53,440 Speaker 1: and the kicking team players not getting the running start 364 00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:55,080 Speaker 1: that they used to get. They can only be one 365 00:17:55,160 --> 00:17:58,679 Speaker 1: yard off the ball, all of those things. Fans wondering, Okay, 366 00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:00,480 Speaker 1: so if the kickoff is going to be such a 367 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:06,320 Speaker 1: different play, now, will that impact final roster decisions in 368 00:18:06,440 --> 00:18:10,040 Speaker 1: terms of what coaches, personnel people think are the players 369 00:18:10,040 --> 00:18:12,840 Speaker 1: that can help them the most. On special teams. What's 370 00:18:12,880 --> 00:18:15,879 Speaker 1: your take here, Well, first off, I think my initial 371 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:17,639 Speaker 1: reaction when I saw this, and again we have to 372 00:18:17,680 --> 00:18:20,120 Speaker 1: see it play out in real time, we'll just speculating 373 00:18:20,119 --> 00:18:23,320 Speaker 1: at this point. I think the value the kick returner 374 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:25,320 Speaker 1: just went back up and then had kind of been 375 00:18:25,359 --> 00:18:27,200 Speaker 1: eliminated for a couple of years where I was like, okay, 376 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 1: if you have a guy that can return kickoffs and punts, 377 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:32,679 Speaker 1: you're okay. But then the Quardrel Patterson's of the world 378 00:18:32,720 --> 00:18:36,320 Speaker 1: that are mainly kickoff you know, artists, what what is 379 00:18:36,359 --> 00:18:40,119 Speaker 1: their value now if they're only returning them. So I 380 00:18:40,160 --> 00:18:42,560 Speaker 1: think with these changes, I can definitely see got you know, 381 00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:45,800 Speaker 1: kickers putting the ball in play more. Um As far 382 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:48,639 Speaker 1: as the value of coverage players and all that, I 383 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:52,080 Speaker 1: don't really know how much that's going to change. Maybe 384 00:18:52,960 --> 00:18:55,600 Speaker 1: you might see teams now not looking for as many 385 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:59,240 Speaker 1: stalwarts and guys that are specialists when it comes to 386 00:18:59,359 --> 00:19:01,240 Speaker 1: their play on special teams. Maybe you want to try 387 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:03,040 Speaker 1: to get more of those guys with upside that you 388 00:19:03,040 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 1: think can help you on offense or defense, and then 389 00:19:05,240 --> 00:19:06,680 Speaker 1: you know kind of hope that they get you through 390 00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:09,960 Speaker 1: what you need to get through on kickoffs. And whatnot. Um, 391 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:12,439 Speaker 1: So again, I'm very interested in how this plays out. 392 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:14,960 Speaker 1: It I remember talking whatever it was now four years 393 00:19:14,960 --> 00:19:18,359 Speaker 1: ago with Mason Crosby on a golf outing about what 394 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:20,640 Speaker 1: it was like when they're pushing back the field goals 395 00:19:20,680 --> 00:19:24,040 Speaker 1: the extra points and and he had such a great 396 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:26,440 Speaker 1: comment on it, and that you can think about it, 397 00:19:26,520 --> 00:19:28,919 Speaker 1: you can process it and what it's gonna be like, 398 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:30,879 Speaker 1: but until you're actually out there, you don't know how 399 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:33,359 Speaker 1: much it's gonna change anything, if at all. I like 400 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:35,639 Speaker 1: where the heart is at with the league trying to 401 00:19:35,680 --> 00:19:39,399 Speaker 1: make the game safer for players. I don't argue whatsoever 402 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:41,480 Speaker 1: that it is an extremely dangerous play when you have 403 00:19:41,520 --> 00:19:46,399 Speaker 1: players moving that fast, you know, those forces going against 404 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:50,120 Speaker 1: each other. So, uh, the question I have is exactly, ultimately, 405 00:19:50,119 --> 00:19:51,280 Speaker 1: what is going to be the end of this Are 406 00:19:51,280 --> 00:19:53,600 Speaker 1: we're gonna see more kickoff returns and if so, what 407 00:19:53,680 --> 00:19:56,159 Speaker 1: does that mean for the contact of those plays? Yeah, 408 00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:58,440 Speaker 1: and again, as you said, we have to see how 409 00:19:58,440 --> 00:20:00,639 Speaker 1: this plays out. The preseason has going to tell us 410 00:20:00,680 --> 00:20:05,040 Speaker 1: some things. I think there's there's a possibility that with 411 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:09,240 Speaker 1: more of the coverage, players forced to start a kickoff 412 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:12,199 Speaker 1: play within fifteen yards of the line of scrimmage. And 413 00:20:12,240 --> 00:20:15,040 Speaker 1: then with those players on the kicking team not getting 414 00:20:15,080 --> 00:20:18,600 Speaker 1: the running start, if that puts a bigger premium on 415 00:20:18,960 --> 00:20:22,600 Speaker 1: just flat out speed. You know, the kicking team they 416 00:20:22,640 --> 00:20:24,320 Speaker 1: want a guy who maybe is going to beat the 417 00:20:24,359 --> 00:20:26,600 Speaker 1: other just simply beat the other guy down the field 418 00:20:26,840 --> 00:20:30,399 Speaker 1: with pure speed. And and conversely, the coverage team doesn't 419 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:33,320 Speaker 1: want guys, you know, maybe the heavier linebackers are tight 420 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:36,320 Speaker 1: end types who might get beat by pure speed down 421 00:20:36,320 --> 00:20:39,080 Speaker 1: the field. If that makes everybody sort of smaller and 422 00:20:39,160 --> 00:20:42,760 Speaker 1: faster on both kickoff and kickoff coverage, maybe that does 423 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:46,520 Speaker 1: affect the last one or two roster spots. You know 424 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:48,800 Speaker 1: that you decide on that fifty three man roster. But 425 00:20:49,760 --> 00:20:52,920 Speaker 1: because the punt isn't necessarily changing, and that is a play, 426 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:55,399 Speaker 1: a special teams play that's run just as much as 427 00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:57,760 Speaker 1: a kickoff, and then you have field goals and extra 428 00:20:57,800 --> 00:21:00,560 Speaker 1: points are not changing in that respect. I don't think 429 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:03,920 Speaker 1: it goes beyond maybe one or two roster spots. I 430 00:21:03,920 --> 00:21:07,080 Speaker 1: don't think we're gonna see some wholesale change in terms 431 00:21:07,080 --> 00:21:09,719 Speaker 1: of what those final four or five roster spots look like. 432 00:21:09,840 --> 00:21:12,119 Speaker 1: Just because of the kickoffs, and you see you have 433 00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:16,159 Speaker 1: your personnel, your personnel protectors, you got your you know 434 00:21:16,200 --> 00:21:19,560 Speaker 1: your gunners, your jammers, all the different facets of the 435 00:21:19,600 --> 00:21:21,919 Speaker 1: punt play. A lot of those do carry over to 436 00:21:21,960 --> 00:21:23,800 Speaker 1: the kickoffs as well. You don't see a guy that's 437 00:21:23,840 --> 00:21:26,320 Speaker 1: just a specialist in one area and it doesn't translate. 438 00:21:26,680 --> 00:21:28,520 Speaker 1: So I think in that way you're gonna you're gonna 439 00:21:28,520 --> 00:21:31,320 Speaker 1: see personnel not really be affected. But as you said, 440 00:21:31,560 --> 00:21:33,479 Speaker 1: it really does come down to number fifty two and 441 00:21:33,520 --> 00:21:36,399 Speaker 1: fifty three on that active roster, what teams are going 442 00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 1: to value and how it's impacted. I don't know if 443 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:40,199 Speaker 1: we're even going to see a trend this year at 444 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:41,880 Speaker 1: the Packers, just based on how they can be very 445 00:21:41,880 --> 00:21:43,880 Speaker 1: fluid with their roster. But I think as the years 446 00:21:43,920 --> 00:21:46,480 Speaker 1: go on, I'll probably tell you the ultimate truth. Yeah. Absolutely. 447 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:48,440 Speaker 1: With that, we're going to sign off on this edition 448 00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:50,840 Speaker 1: of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of our 449 00:21:50,880 --> 00:21:53,919 Speaker 1: coverage of the team on Packers dot com on Twitter. 450 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:56,600 Speaker 1: He's at west Hot, I'm at Mike Spofford at Packers 451 00:21:56,960 --> 00:21:59,360 Speaker 1: for the team account. Thanks for tuning in, everybody. We'll 452 00:21:59,359 --> 00:22:00,040 Speaker 1: see you next time. I