1 00:00:00,880 --> 00:00:16,319 Speaker 1: Hi, everybody. Welcome back to Packers Unscripted from Packers dot Com. 2 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:19,560 Speaker 1: I am Mike Spofford, joined as always by my trusted 3 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:23,000 Speaker 1: colleague West Hodkowitz. We are coming to you once again 4 00:00:23,560 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: social distancing style. I'm actually in the Vince Lombardi boardroom 5 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:31,480 Speaker 1: at lambeau Field, as you can see, Sir Vince behind me. West, 6 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:34,199 Speaker 1: You're still on the bonus room above the garage. But 7 00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:36,800 Speaker 1: we will roll with it like this for a little 8 00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:39,960 Speaker 1: while as training camp is underway, and then see where 9 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:43,440 Speaker 1: this season takes us. But what I just said is 10 00:00:43,479 --> 00:00:47,600 Speaker 1: really the key phrase. Training camp is underway. Training camp 11 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:50,120 Speaker 1: finally is underway, Mike, And what does that mean? That 12 00:00:50,159 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 1: means we have football to talk about again, and that's 13 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:55,160 Speaker 1: a positive thing. It was a heck of an offseason. 14 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:57,640 Speaker 1: I've said this time and time again. I know inbox 15 00:00:57,680 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 1: readers got tired of me saying it. That was about 16 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:03,200 Speaker 1: is challenging of an offseason as I've covered, uh not 17 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:05,080 Speaker 1: not just as a Packers beat writer, but just in 18 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:07,960 Speaker 1: general of doing this as a profession. I mean so 19 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:10,679 Speaker 1: many of us. The line you have to walk there 20 00:01:10,800 --> 00:01:14,080 Speaker 1: is you don't want to beat the dead horse. You 21 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 1: also want to provide people with a service and let 22 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:19,759 Speaker 1: people know what is going on and where things are at. 23 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:22,839 Speaker 1: It just moved at such a snail's pace this offseason 24 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:26,240 Speaker 1: until we finally got to this point. The positive thing 25 00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:30,479 Speaker 1: is you're healthy. I'm healthy healthy. Larry McCarron is healthy. 26 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:34,319 Speaker 1: We've got to August now, agreement packers have put their 27 00:01:34,360 --> 00:01:38,680 Speaker 1: protocols in place, and now everybody in a cautiously optimistic way, 28 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:41,920 Speaker 1: hoping we can have football here within the next month. Yeah, 29 00:01:41,920 --> 00:01:43,840 Speaker 1: and we certainly hope you and yours, all of you 30 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:46,760 Speaker 1: watching listening to the return of our show here that 31 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 1: you are safe and healthy as well. The start of 32 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:53,800 Speaker 1: training camp obviously very different from other years. The main 33 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 1: thing that has been going on thus far over the 34 00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:59,400 Speaker 1: last several days is the COVID testing. All the players 35 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:02,720 Speaker 1: are getting listed on a daily basis, and as far 36 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 1: as the work of training camp goes, it's been meetings 37 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 1: and it's been some playbook walkthrough type of exercises. There's 38 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 1: going to be a slow ramp up here to the 39 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 1: full contact, padded practices that are the tradition of training camp. 40 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:22,160 Speaker 1: Those are going to start somewhere around the middle of August. 41 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:23,960 Speaker 1: So we have a little while yet before we get 42 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:26,760 Speaker 1: to that point. But then once those start, it's going 43 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:29,240 Speaker 1: to be a few weeks of those padded practices to 44 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:31,960 Speaker 1: get ready for week one, because West, there are no 45 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:35,560 Speaker 1: preseason games this summer. There are not, Mike, And to 46 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 1: be perfectly honest with you, I was really a huge 47 00:02:37,480 --> 00:02:40,200 Speaker 1: fan of the ramp up period idea. These guys didn't 48 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:43,440 Speaker 1: have an offseason, a physical offseason program. Certainly Matt Lafleur 49 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:45,919 Speaker 1: felt like there was a great value and then being 50 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 1: able to to stay home, stay in their playbooks and 51 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:50,880 Speaker 1: get to know the system. But you and I both 52 00:02:50,919 --> 00:02:53,359 Speaker 1: know the game changes once you hit the practice field, 53 00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:56,360 Speaker 1: and these guys need an acclamation period. This is how 54 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 1: I feel personally to be able to get back into 55 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:00,639 Speaker 1: the groove here in a day to that it will 56 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:03,520 Speaker 1: also allows them the early window there to test guys, 57 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:05,480 Speaker 1: to get a barometer of what they're looking at in 58 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:09,400 Speaker 1: terms of COVID cases coming in and hopefully keeping them 59 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:12,680 Speaker 1: out once practices do begin. Now, all that being said, 60 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:15,680 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers in his conference call with reporters on Monday, 61 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:17,880 Speaker 1: he brought up a real salient point and that this 62 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:20,520 Speaker 1: is going to be a big challenge you basically have 63 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:23,120 Speaker 1: three three and a half weeks now before you you know, 64 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:25,679 Speaker 1: start going out there with with real you know, football 65 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:28,519 Speaker 1: going on, so trying to get the scheme in. Certainly 66 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:32,600 Speaker 1: they've done the installs mentally and virtually, but doing that 67 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:34,880 Speaker 1: on a practice field is going to be important. Matt 68 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 1: Lafleur already said, even though there won't be preseason games, 69 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 1: they are trying to find ways to simulate that competition. 70 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:44,480 Speaker 1: They're gonna potentially have live scrimmage periods. They're going to practice, 71 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 1: likely inside lambeau Field more than just the traditional family 72 00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:51,120 Speaker 1: and I practice to give guys an idea of what 73 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:53,920 Speaker 1: it's like to be in a stadium like that. Certainly, 74 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 1: it's it's gonna be different. This whole process is going 75 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 1: to be strange. But the first and foremost it's the 76 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:02,000 Speaker 1: health and and well being of the players and their families, 77 00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:04,520 Speaker 1: and then beyond that, trying to you know, potentially play 78 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:07,000 Speaker 1: some football and win some football games. So the Packers 79 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:09,440 Speaker 1: have their priorities straight. The testing is in place, and 80 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 1: now it's just kind of a fingers crossed approach that 81 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 1: they can get to the start line here of the 82 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 1: regular season. Yeah, yeah, and everyone we've heard from so 83 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:19,760 Speaker 1: far at the time we're taping this, we've heard from 84 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:23,359 Speaker 1: Brian Goodacuts, Matt Lafleur, Aaron Rodgers, and Kenny Clark, and 85 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:27,280 Speaker 1: all of them in one uh former fashion, have emphasized 86 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:30,160 Speaker 1: how much the success of this season, not only for 87 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:32,960 Speaker 1: the Green Bay Packers, but for the NFL in general, 88 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:36,719 Speaker 1: to try to play a sixteen game regular season through 89 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:40,799 Speaker 1: a pandemic, it's going to come down to personal accountability, 90 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 1: personal responsibility. The Packers doing everything they can within the 91 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:49,200 Speaker 1: facility to keep players safe to last around lock there's 92 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:52,640 Speaker 1: you know, meetings are are virtual, more spread out, different locations, 93 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:55,559 Speaker 1: all of those kinds of things. Obviously, the practice field 94 00:04:55,600 --> 00:04:58,360 Speaker 1: is going to be the practice field, but the Packers 95 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:01,040 Speaker 1: are trying to mitigate the risks every where else. It's 96 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 1: on the players everybody. I mean even you and me 97 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:06,359 Speaker 1: West to a certain extent, because we will be you know, 98 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:09,839 Speaker 1: watching practice and things like that. But the players, the coaches, 99 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:13,679 Speaker 1: all the support staff that's in contact with the players 100 00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 1: every day, they have to take the personal accountability and 101 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 1: responsibility to do the right things away from the facility 102 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 1: so that that virus does not come into twelve sixty 103 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:27,640 Speaker 1: five and create an outbreak or create a problem that 104 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 1: the team has to deal with. Now, will there be 105 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:32,800 Speaker 1: positive tests? Yeah, most likely. And there can be positive 106 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:36,160 Speaker 1: tests because somebody, not because somebody does something wrong. Somebody 107 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 1: can do everything right and you can still get this virus. 108 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:43,159 Speaker 1: So that's why the onus is on, uh, what you 109 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:46,200 Speaker 1: do away from the facility, the things that you can control. 110 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 1: That's what the message has been from the GM, the 111 00:05:49,279 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 1: head coach, the quarterback, everybody all the way down. It's 112 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:56,039 Speaker 1: on everybody to do their part here over the long haul. Yeah, 113 00:05:56,040 --> 00:05:57,680 Speaker 1: and I don't remember who said this, it was one 114 00:05:57,680 --> 00:05:59,159 Speaker 1: of the coaches in the NFL. If I had have 115 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:01,320 Speaker 1: done my research, proud really beforehand, I could have gotten 116 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:04,480 Speaker 1: you a name. But they mentioned that this isn't even 117 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 1: just about player A tow player B. This isn't about 118 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:10,320 Speaker 1: your teammates. It's about that teammates family. It's about making 119 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:12,839 Speaker 1: sure that you keep that circle small and making sure 120 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:15,880 Speaker 1: that you keep those people healthy. Kenny Clarke touched on 121 00:06:15,880 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 1: it yesterday too. He's in a great position where he's not, 122 00:06:18,800 --> 00:06:20,800 Speaker 1: you know, married, he doesn't have a child right now. 123 00:06:21,120 --> 00:06:23,200 Speaker 1: His focus is mainly on football. And then he also 124 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:25,479 Speaker 1: has his family. There's guys that have small children that 125 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:27,159 Speaker 1: are gonna be playing in the league this season. There's 126 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 1: guys that are gonna have family members that are gonna 127 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:32,200 Speaker 1: be with them. They're going to be able to, uh, 128 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:34,160 Speaker 1: They're gonna want to be able to keep them as 129 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:37,320 Speaker 1: healthy as possible throughout this process. So having that accountability. 130 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:39,800 Speaker 1: It's one thing for Wes Hotkowitz to walk in the 131 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:42,400 Speaker 1: building and want to make sure that Mike Spofford stays healthy, 132 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:44,120 Speaker 1: But it's another thing to make sure that Mike Spofford's 133 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:47,200 Speaker 1: wife does that, Mike Spofford's children, that Larry McCarron's wife. 134 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 1: Those are the things that are paramount. That's the things 135 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 1: on my mind as well. It's that, yeah, there is 136 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:54,039 Speaker 1: a there's a certain commitment and accountability to each other, 137 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 1: but it's also that commitment that goes on to someone's 138 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:59,080 Speaker 1: family as well. And I think one thing that Brian 139 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:03,039 Speaker 1: Goodacuin's Matt Floor have done an exemptionary, exceptional job about 140 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:05,120 Speaker 1: exemplary job the boat. I was trying to say both 141 00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:08,279 Speaker 1: of those words, uh this offseason was was reiterating that 142 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:10,200 Speaker 1: to the players and telling them that this isn't just 143 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:12,560 Speaker 1: about football. It's about making sure that you know you 144 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:15,280 Speaker 1: guys are teammates, your brothers, your family, and making sure 145 00:07:15,320 --> 00:07:17,440 Speaker 1: that you take care of each other. And that includes 146 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:20,400 Speaker 1: being disciplined because there's going to be instances when things 147 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:23,120 Speaker 1: just happen. It's the way the world is right now. 148 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 1: But are you making smart choices to minimize those risks? Yeah? 149 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:29,560 Speaker 1: And we did have one Packers player thus far who 150 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:34,800 Speaker 1: has opted out of the season due to the coronavirus pandemic, 151 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:37,880 Speaker 1: and that was free agent wide receiver Devin Functious. He 152 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:41,600 Speaker 1: decided not to play this season and West We talked 153 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:44,200 Speaker 1: a lot during the off season, before the draft, after 154 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:46,280 Speaker 1: the draft. It's still going to be a topic obviously, 155 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:50,040 Speaker 1: all the way through training camp the Packers wide receiver position. 156 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:53,920 Speaker 1: Devin Funcious was the primary addition to that group. The 157 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 1: Packers did not spend a draft pick on a wide receiver. 158 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 1: They did add Reggie Begelton if I'm saying that correctly 159 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:02,679 Speaker 1: from TfL and an under after rookie and Darryl Stewart 160 00:08:02,920 --> 00:08:06,040 Speaker 1: from Michigan State are Producer Marv's alma mater, by the way, 161 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:09,160 Speaker 1: so um throw that and there for you, Mark anyhow, 162 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:13,440 Speaker 1: But with Funcious no longer in the mix. The packers 163 00:08:13,520 --> 00:08:17,120 Speaker 1: knew these receivers you're talking about, Alan Wazard, Marquis Valdis, 164 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 1: Scandling e Q st Brown, j Kumero, these guys, they 165 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:22,480 Speaker 1: knew there was going to be a huge opportunity for 166 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 1: them in twenty that opportunity just got bigger in an 167 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 1: exponential sort of way with Devin Funcious opting out and 168 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 1: essentially the number two receiver spot in this offense behind 169 00:08:34,679 --> 00:08:38,360 Speaker 1: Davante Adams is completely wide open. It is yeah, and 170 00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:40,640 Speaker 1: that's gonna make this competition fun to watch once guys 171 00:08:40,679 --> 00:08:43,840 Speaker 1: do get on the grass because more so than any position, Mike, 172 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:46,120 Speaker 1: I'm sure you could talk to Larry and and he 173 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:47,960 Speaker 1: can break down all the stuff of guard play and 174 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 1: what he likes to see from guys in training camp. 175 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:52,360 Speaker 1: But to the novices, to the naked eye, the one 176 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:54,440 Speaker 1: position that has the best chance and usually of standing 177 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 1: out in training camp practices is the receiver spot. That's 178 00:08:57,280 --> 00:08:59,520 Speaker 1: how last year we knew that Alan Lazard was really 179 00:08:59,559 --> 00:09:01,880 Speaker 1: the real eel. It's also how you know you look 180 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 1: at Darius Shepherd in the way that he separated himself 181 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:06,000 Speaker 1: to earn a roster spot. It was through how he 182 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:09,600 Speaker 1: performed in those those training camp settings. So the funcious thing, 183 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:12,200 Speaker 1: I have so much respect for him. You know, I've 184 00:09:12,240 --> 00:09:14,880 Speaker 1: been touched well, one, I have family members now that 185 00:09:14,920 --> 00:09:18,560 Speaker 1: I've had COVID into not immediate, but I know people 186 00:09:19,040 --> 00:09:21,080 Speaker 1: and and too. You know there's certain people in my 187 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:23,160 Speaker 1: family that that have health risks as well. So I 188 00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 1: understand the wholeheartedly. One, how this this virus, in this 189 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 1: disease has touched him, and to the the amount of 190 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:33,959 Speaker 1: discipline and really how much he must have thought about 191 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:35,640 Speaker 1: this decision. You gotta remember this the guy that played 192 00:09:35,679 --> 00:09:38,719 Speaker 1: one game last year before his season ending injury. I 193 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:40,720 Speaker 1: have to imagine he was champing at the bit to 194 00:09:40,760 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 1: get back out there this year. But he made the 195 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:45,240 Speaker 1: best decision for himself and his family. Aaron Rodgers mentioning 196 00:09:45,240 --> 00:09:48,400 Speaker 1: how much he respected that. All that being said, it 197 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 1: goes back to Alan Lazard being the player that he 198 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:53,000 Speaker 1: was at the end of last season. The Packers need 199 00:09:53,080 --> 00:09:55,640 Speaker 1: him to be a number two caliber type receiver and 200 00:09:55,640 --> 00:09:58,640 Speaker 1: not just a really good story And based on his disposition, 201 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:00,360 Speaker 1: if he can stay healthy, I think was Art has 202 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:02,280 Speaker 1: all the tools to do that. And then it also 203 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:05,800 Speaker 1: Mike goes back to marc Quisbaldo Scandling and Equinemia st Brown, 204 00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:08,960 Speaker 1: the two draft picks that they had in two thousand eighteen. 205 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:11,480 Speaker 1: Can those guys be the real deal? Can MBS get 206 00:10:11,520 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 1: back to his eighteen form? And can eq show some 207 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:16,440 Speaker 1: of the bright spots that he showed at the end 208 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:19,600 Speaker 1: of that rookie season. Yeah, e Q st Brown obviously 209 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:22,800 Speaker 1: coming back from an injury that cost him his entire 210 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:25,680 Speaker 1: second season in the NFL, so he hasn't played since 211 00:10:25,679 --> 00:10:28,040 Speaker 1: the tail end of his rookie year, but that was 212 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:30,320 Speaker 1: when he was really starting to show some promise and 213 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:34,200 Speaker 1: quite frankly, was probably the leader of the Packers rookie 214 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:37,960 Speaker 1: receivers at that point. Um Marcuis Avelde Scandling got off 215 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:41,439 Speaker 1: to a really strong start last year. Things faded statistically 216 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:44,640 Speaker 1: production wise down the stretch for him. He was dealing 217 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:47,320 Speaker 1: with some injuries as well, so he's looking to to 218 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:50,480 Speaker 1: bounce back in that respect in addition to the receiver position. 219 00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 1: And we'll talk about more of these topics in depth, 220 00:10:52,920 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 1: I think as any camp goes along, but in terms 221 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:57,640 Speaker 1: of hitting the highlights of what the offense is looking at. 222 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:01,920 Speaker 1: Transitioning to Rick Wagner, right tackle Um as he takes 223 00:11:01,920 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 1: over for Brian Bulaga who left in free agency. You 224 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:08,760 Speaker 1: have Um replacing Jimmy Graham at tight end, Jay Sternberger 225 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:11,600 Speaker 1: as the guy stepping up. Josiah Deguara was drafted in 226 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:14,720 Speaker 1: the third round. Marcedes Lewis back as the veteran guy 227 00:11:15,080 --> 00:11:17,520 Speaker 1: in that group at the running back position. A j 228 00:11:17,679 --> 00:11:19,880 Speaker 1: Dill in a second round pick, how quickly does he 229 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:22,320 Speaker 1: get worked into that mix with Aaron Jones and Jamal 230 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:25,480 Speaker 1: Williams and you know, will Matt Lafleur truly create a 231 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:28,960 Speaker 1: three headed backfield here? And then obviously a quarterback. Jordan 232 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:31,440 Speaker 1: loved the first round draft pick. He'll be competing with 233 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:34,480 Speaker 1: Tim Boyle for the backup spot behind Aaron Rodgers. Really 234 00:11:34,480 --> 00:11:36,720 Speaker 1: puts a rookie draft pick in a tough spot to 235 00:11:36,800 --> 00:11:41,599 Speaker 1: earn that number two quarterback job when there wasn't any offseason, 236 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:45,360 Speaker 1: there won't be any preseason games. Uh, the It's a 237 00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:47,840 Speaker 1: difficult spot for Jordan's love to be in. But the 238 00:11:47,920 --> 00:11:49,720 Speaker 1: nice spot that the Packers are in is they don't 239 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:53,520 Speaker 1: necessarily need him to be the number two because they 240 00:11:53,520 --> 00:11:55,280 Speaker 1: have Tim Boyle, who's been here for a couple of 241 00:11:55,320 --> 00:11:58,520 Speaker 1: years and performed well in the preseason in the past. Yeah, 242 00:11:58,520 --> 00:12:00,840 Speaker 1: and Mike, you've been editing enough in my insider inbox. 243 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:03,120 Speaker 1: Is one of the drums I've been beating all offseason 244 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:05,120 Speaker 1: is the fact that if you're an NFL team, this 245 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:07,600 Speaker 1: is how I feel personally. Maybe GMS would feel differently. 246 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 1: I feel like you have to have three quarterbacks this year. 247 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:11,640 Speaker 1: You have to have three quarterbacks on your active roster. 248 00:12:11,640 --> 00:12:14,640 Speaker 1: If a team goes with two, I think you're you're playing, 249 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:17,000 Speaker 1: you know, with fire a little bit. And the Packers 250 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:19,520 Speaker 1: are fortunate now Boyle has had two full seasons. Not 251 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:21,720 Speaker 1: not obviously, you know everyone always brings up playing time 252 00:12:21,760 --> 00:12:23,600 Speaker 1: that that is important. You need to be out there, 253 00:12:23,640 --> 00:12:25,880 Speaker 1: you need to get the reps. But also just being 254 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:28,680 Speaker 1: around Aaron Rodgers, understanding what he needs on game days, 255 00:12:28,760 --> 00:12:31,960 Speaker 1: understanding what the preparation process is like. That's gonna be 256 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:34,480 Speaker 1: very valuable, not only to have that experience, but also 257 00:12:34,520 --> 00:12:36,640 Speaker 1: to kind of show Jordan's loved the way and what's 258 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:38,760 Speaker 1: gonna be asked of him here in his rookie season. 259 00:12:39,320 --> 00:12:43,240 Speaker 1: Very important components. It's I'm it's unfortunate we the preseason 260 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:44,760 Speaker 1: is not gonna happen because I would have loved have 261 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:47,320 Speaker 1: seen all these running backs too. With a j billing, 262 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:49,080 Speaker 1: you imagine he would have gotten a lot of reps. 263 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:52,760 Speaker 1: Dexter Williams is still in that equation. Those are reps 264 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:54,040 Speaker 1: that they're not going to be able to get back. 265 00:12:54,040 --> 00:12:55,680 Speaker 1: They'll do their best to do them in training camp, 266 00:12:55,720 --> 00:12:58,200 Speaker 1: but you know those are usually the stars of those 267 00:12:58,200 --> 00:13:00,800 Speaker 1: preseason settings. And then also, if I can just quickly 268 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:03,600 Speaker 1: touch on offensive line, if there was one position offensively 269 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:05,439 Speaker 1: that I think I feel the strongest about right now 270 00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:07,880 Speaker 1: for the Packers, it is their offensive line that is 271 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 1: a huge hole that they have to fill at right tackle. 272 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:13,679 Speaker 1: Not not undermining that at all with what they lose 273 00:13:13,679 --> 00:13:16,400 Speaker 1: and not being able to bring back Brian Bulaga, but 274 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:20,119 Speaker 1: Lane Taylor's back. He has experienced at three different positions. 275 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:23,000 Speaker 1: Lucas Patrick has been a backup center now for Corey 276 00:13:23,040 --> 00:13:25,480 Speaker 1: Lindsley and has been an in game settings. You have 277 00:13:25,760 --> 00:13:29,040 Speaker 1: arguably the best left tackle in football right now in 278 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:32,720 Speaker 1: a really darn good prospect next to him and Elton Jenkins. Certainly, 279 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:34,880 Speaker 1: if Rick Wagner can pick up where he left off 280 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:36,839 Speaker 1: before some of these injuries had come up on him. 281 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 1: That he's been a veteran presence as well. So I 282 00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:41,959 Speaker 1: think they're deep at the positions they need to be 283 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:44,360 Speaker 1: deep at, and that some of those young skill positions 284 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:46,160 Speaker 1: they're gonna need guys to step up. But with them 285 00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:48,200 Speaker 1: being on the younger side of this thing now, I 286 00:13:48,200 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 1: think there's plenty of ceiling there for these guys to 287 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:53,000 Speaker 1: be able to reach. Yeah, And just to touch on 288 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:56,360 Speaker 1: some of the defensive story lines will obviously be following 289 00:13:56,720 --> 00:13:59,280 Speaker 1: throughout training camp. The ones that come to mind for 290 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 1: me first us obviously the run defense. What are the 291 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:05,240 Speaker 1: Packers going to do? Are they going to change some looks? 292 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:07,520 Speaker 1: How are how are things going to change as far 293 00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:10,319 Speaker 1: as defending the run after the way last season ended. Now, 294 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:12,400 Speaker 1: we're not really going to get any answers to that 295 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:16,080 Speaker 1: until the Packers face Dalvin Cook in the Minnesota Vikings 296 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:18,360 Speaker 1: in Week one, but that is certainly going to be 297 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 1: an ongoing storyline. You have Christian Kirksey stepping in for 298 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:25,720 Speaker 1: Blake Martinez. He'll be the new signal signal caller on 299 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:27,680 Speaker 1: the defense, the one in the midst of it, and 300 00:14:27,720 --> 00:14:30,360 Speaker 1: he will obviously be a big part of the run 301 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:33,160 Speaker 1: defense as well. And then when you look at some 302 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:36,360 Speaker 1: of the young guys, Rashaan Gary. The expectation is last 303 00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 1: year's first round pick is going to take on a 304 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:41,600 Speaker 1: much larger role in this defense in his second year. 305 00:14:41,800 --> 00:14:44,120 Speaker 1: And then I will also go with h mentioned the 306 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:47,400 Speaker 1: other first round pick from last year, Darnell Savage, who 307 00:14:47,520 --> 00:14:50,080 Speaker 1: has a full season under his belt, started just about 308 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:53,400 Speaker 1: every game other than missing a couple with an injury 309 00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:56,320 Speaker 1: as a rookie. But this is a guy who the 310 00:14:56,360 --> 00:14:59,280 Speaker 1: Packers know that Darnell Savage is not a finished product, 311 00:14:59,320 --> 00:15:01,720 Speaker 1: just like Sean Gary is no work close to being 312 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:04,680 Speaker 1: a finished product. Those are the guys, and they were obviously, 313 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:07,360 Speaker 1: you know, first round draft picks for a reason. Those 314 00:15:07,400 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 1: are the guys who potentially have a chance to take 315 00:15:10,080 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 1: this defense to another level because of sort of the 316 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:18,320 Speaker 1: the untapped potential, untapped ability to this point in their 317 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 1: young career. Yeah, without question, to start off on your 318 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:23,680 Speaker 1: first point with the run defense, it was a very 319 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:26,640 Speaker 1: surprising move. The Packers did not draft a defensive lineman. 320 00:15:26,640 --> 00:15:28,720 Speaker 1: You and I talked about this numerous times. Twenty four 321 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:31,200 Speaker 1: years since the last time they have not drafted what 322 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:35,200 Speaker 1: you would consider to be a prototypical, you know, defensive tackle. Uh. 323 00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:37,120 Speaker 1: In the other side of this equation too, is the 324 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:39,720 Speaker 1: fact that Christian Kirksy comes in now at inside linebacker. 325 00:15:39,760 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 1: Kirks He's only played in nine games the last two seasons, 326 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:44,960 Speaker 1: but before that was one of the real big up 327 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:47,760 Speaker 1: and comers in this league at that position. Where what 328 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:50,160 Speaker 1: can he do picking up where he left off, you 329 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:52,520 Speaker 1: know in two thousand, fifteen and sixteen with Mike Petton, 330 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:54,760 Speaker 1: to to be able to maybe reclaim some of that 331 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:57,000 Speaker 1: glory again and maybe be one of the answers for 332 00:15:57,040 --> 00:16:00,720 Speaker 1: the Packers in that run defense, because certainly, judging by 333 00:16:00,720 --> 00:16:03,080 Speaker 1: the moves Mike, we know how these things go, Brian 334 00:16:03,120 --> 00:16:06,200 Speaker 1: Goodkin's Mike Petton. They felt confident enough with the makeup 335 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:08,680 Speaker 1: of that defensive line to keep it basically the same, 336 00:16:08,720 --> 00:16:10,880 Speaker 1: with the exception of bringing in Trevin Hester into that 337 00:16:10,920 --> 00:16:13,360 Speaker 1: equation as well. So, uh, this is a lot of 338 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:16,160 Speaker 1: it's gonna be on Kirksey. The number one question I have, 339 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:18,040 Speaker 1: and we're not gonna get any of these answers in 340 00:16:18,040 --> 00:16:20,800 Speaker 1: the next month, is what is Mike Petton thinking? As 341 00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 1: far as the nickel though, are we gonna see a 342 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:25,720 Speaker 1: tried and true inside linebacker in that spot? In or 343 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 1: in Burke's a tie summers or are we going to 344 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:31,320 Speaker 1: continue to go down that road with the hybrid safety 345 00:16:31,400 --> 00:16:33,360 Speaker 1: potentially you know a number of different guys that could 346 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 1: fit into that. Raven Green is obviously back as well. 347 00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:38,440 Speaker 1: So that's gonna be the question mark because it's been 348 00:16:38,560 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 1: said time and time again, the Packers ran more dime defense, 349 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:43,800 Speaker 1: more six defensive back defense than any team in the 350 00:16:43,920 --> 00:16:46,360 Speaker 1: NFL last year. Do they feel like they can go 351 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:48,920 Speaker 1: that direction again or do they need to fortify that 352 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 1: defensive front a little bit with perhaps an extra inside linebacker. Yeah, 353 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:55,720 Speaker 1: I think there's some depth chart questions as far as 354 00:16:55,760 --> 00:16:58,120 Speaker 1: the defense goes. We will be looking at you mentioned 355 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:00,720 Speaker 1: on the defensive line. We all know about Clarks, He's 356 00:17:00,720 --> 00:17:03,400 Speaker 1: the guy who's front and center. The Packers want to 357 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:06,960 Speaker 1: reduce his snap count a little bit so that you know, 358 00:17:07,080 --> 00:17:10,199 Speaker 1: he can really be full strength for the bulk of 359 00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:12,880 Speaker 1: the season and late into the year. So how does 360 00:17:12,920 --> 00:17:16,879 Speaker 1: that rotation work out between Dean Lowry, Tyler Lancaster you 361 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:20,720 Speaker 1: mentioned Hester, the new edition, Kingsley, Kiki, the draft pick 362 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:22,800 Speaker 1: from a year ago. All those guys are going to 363 00:17:22,840 --> 00:17:24,840 Speaker 1: be worked into the mix and then the same thing 364 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:27,200 Speaker 1: from a depth chart perspective as you were just alluding 365 00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:30,080 Speaker 1: to at inside linebacker, who's going to line up next 366 00:17:30,119 --> 00:17:32,879 Speaker 1: to Christian Kirksey on a regular basis? Will it be 367 00:17:33,040 --> 00:17:34,919 Speaker 1: or and Burke's Will it be Ty Summers? Will it 368 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:38,160 Speaker 1: be Curtis Bolton? Will the fifth round rookie draft pick 369 00:17:38,160 --> 00:17:41,040 Speaker 1: from Minnesota, Kamal Martin make a make a push for 370 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:43,359 Speaker 1: playing time on defense? The guy that I think is 371 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:46,520 Speaker 1: going to step right in potentially on special teams for 372 00:17:46,680 --> 00:17:49,240 Speaker 1: the Packers here as a rookie. So some of those 373 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 1: depth chart alignment type of questions will get answered maybe 374 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:55,680 Speaker 1: as we go along. But again, I think a lot 375 00:17:55,720 --> 00:17:59,480 Speaker 1: of these things, especially without having any preseason games, were 376 00:17:59,520 --> 00:18:01,359 Speaker 1: not really going to know a whole heck of a 377 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:03,920 Speaker 1: lot until that ball is snapped for the first time 378 00:18:03,920 --> 00:18:07,320 Speaker 1: in Minnesota on September. Yeah, if Don was still around, 379 00:18:07,400 --> 00:18:09,080 Speaker 1: this has been the perfect year to try busting the 380 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:14,120 Speaker 1: quad out. Yeah, nobody, nobody's gonna see it, nobody's gonna 381 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:16,359 Speaker 1: know anything about it until you will roll it out 382 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 1: in the game and give it a shot. Yeah, that's 383 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:20,480 Speaker 1: not gonna get disseminated any other scouts around the league 384 00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 1: with this situation. But um to close on this defensive point, 385 00:18:23,560 --> 00:18:25,120 Speaker 1: that the lynch pin for all of this is gonna 386 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:27,840 Speaker 1: be the Smiths, It's gonna be Rashan Gary and seeing 387 00:18:27,880 --> 00:18:30,639 Speaker 1: what Mike Petton can do with those pieces. Uh, certainly, 388 00:18:30,680 --> 00:18:32,480 Speaker 1: you're gonna need your defensive linemen, You're gonna need your 389 00:18:32,520 --> 00:18:36,160 Speaker 1: inside linebackers. But how are those players utilized? You've heard 390 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:37,560 Speaker 1: pett And say it. I think I was even the 391 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:40,280 Speaker 1: one to ask him the question about Gary and his 392 00:18:40,359 --> 00:18:43,439 Speaker 1: upside earlier this offseason. He sees a lot of the 393 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:47,640 Speaker 1: same traits developmentally in Gary that he sees right now 394 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:51,280 Speaker 1: with with Zadarius Smith. Both Smith's him and in Preston 395 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:52,840 Speaker 1: played a ton of snaps. I think they both played 396 00:18:52,880 --> 00:18:55,920 Speaker 1: over the defensive snaps last year. Can the Packers take 397 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:58,880 Speaker 1: some of that off of those guys? And how can Gary, 398 00:18:59,080 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 1: you know, pretend should be the release pin for that 399 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:04,080 Speaker 1: and being able to to give them maybe some snaps off, 400 00:19:04,119 --> 00:19:07,440 Speaker 1: particularly inside in the Dine package. That's something to follow 401 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:09,200 Speaker 1: because you want to have the Smiths on the field 402 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:11,440 Speaker 1: as much as possible, You want to have Kenny Clark 403 00:19:11,480 --> 00:19:13,680 Speaker 1: on the field as much as possible. But what can 404 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:17,080 Speaker 1: those rotations around those three players do to make sure 405 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:19,640 Speaker 1: that it doesn't always have to be them that Sometimes 406 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:21,919 Speaker 1: it is more of the all eleven guys, you know, 407 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:24,080 Speaker 1: finding a way to contribute and giving them a chance 408 00:19:24,119 --> 00:19:27,520 Speaker 1: to catch their breath. Yeah, definitely plenty to watch to 409 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:31,840 Speaker 1: see exactly what adjustments are made from nineteen. But with 410 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:33,800 Speaker 1: that we will call it a wrap on this edition 411 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:37,440 Speaker 1: of Packers Unscripted. That is our training camp preview episode. 412 00:19:37,480 --> 00:19:39,960 Speaker 1: We will be with you a couple of times per 413 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:43,080 Speaker 1: week throughout training camp, and I promise at some point, 414 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:45,480 Speaker 1: I'm not sure when, but at some point we will 415 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:49,080 Speaker 1: be in our brand new studio. Not just yet, but 416 00:19:49,160 --> 00:19:52,879 Speaker 1: when we are, trust me, it's gonna look pretty cool. 417 00:19:52,920 --> 00:19:55,199 Speaker 1: So Jack, with that, I know you are, I know 418 00:19:55,280 --> 00:19:57,440 Speaker 1: you're exciting. You're probably excited to get out of that 419 00:19:57,680 --> 00:20:03,280 Speaker 1: bonus room above your garage to anyhow, thanks for watching 420 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:05,920 Speaker 1: and listening everybody for West I am like, take care. 421 00:20:06,280 --> 00:20:08,720 Speaker 1: We will see you next time. M