#310 Packers Unscripted: Big-play bonanza

the Pittsburgh Steelers. And uh, I guess we'll start right where it started, which is with a pick six by Tremont Williams on the opening offensive play of the game. And not only do the Packers start the game that way, they start the second half that way with Josh Jackson getting a pick six. So a couple of really big

plays by the defense. And it's also interesting, Mike, that it was those two individuals because if you know anything about the story from this offseason, Trumon Williams actually sort of taking Josh Jackson under his wing a little bit. So the mentor protege sort of angle as well to that scenario, starting first on Truman Williams. What an individual this guy is. And and I don't have the you know, Mike, Spofford Stats Info Department at my my fingertips like you do.

But you tell me right now, Michael, how many thirty five year old boundary cornerbacks there are in the NFL that are playing at the level that Truman Williams is playing at. And it's interesting too because you've seen, and with all due respect to him, the Darrell Reeva's is the world and some of these individuals that were Pro Bowl are all pro type cornerbacks. In Williams time start to fade away, and yet here's Trumon Williams still looking like a twenty five year old kid out there in savvy.

I mean, I don't know if there's very many smarter football players right now in the NFL than Truman Williams. A rookie quarterback in Mason Rudolph his first professional throw, and Williams, who's lining up against Darius Heyward Bay by the way, too, one of the fastest receivers in the league. Uh, just shoots the stopper out there and brings it in for the touchdown. UH. And it was interesting. I asked

to meet your goodson about this afterwards. And you know, the beginning of the game, guys are still trying to get their you know, bearings a little bit, trying to figure out where they're gonna watch from. It was almost before anyone could even react to it, he already has six points up on the board. I mean, that's what Tremon Williams does. Yeah, I think the only thing that would have been kind of cooler. I would have liked

to have seen the Davante Adams Cleveland thing. You know, just run into the end zone and it's a preseason game. I'm done for the night and go up the tunnel. I've I've done my job on one play. He did go out there and play some more after that. But but fast forwarding then to the start of the second half, as easy as Tremont Williams made his pick six, look, uh,

Josh Jackson. He put his athleticism on display there with that one, not only to make that catch kind of extending his body to snag that ball cleanly, but then keeping his balance, staying in bounds, you know, uh, tight roping the sideline just a little bit there to make sure that he could get into the end zone. And a pretty exciting play. And it's interesting too, Mike, because you know, and with you we'll see with jire Alexander,

he has a lot of ability to. I don't know though, if I've seen a rookie come in and look the part as fast as Josh Jackson does. He just looks like an NFL cornerback. And the exciting thing is after he was a playmaking eight interception boundary cornerback last year for Iowa. I think there's some versatility there the packer's plan to use with him people and I mentioned this last week, they really pigeonheld him to just being a

boundary cornerback. Packers are really excited about his versatility now that specific play he makes it outside, kept his feet and bounds and was able to bring it back for the touchdown. He also mentioned it was his mother, Vanessa's birthday that day. He told her he was gonna try. I appreciated this. He didn't make the the overblown line of I'm gonna get you an interception today. It was I'm gonna try to get you a pick six today for your birthday. He accomplished that goal. He also mentioned

afterwards he was asked why he didn't do it. Lambole Leap same thinking as Marquez Valdes scantling a week earlier. It's a priest season game. He wants to save that moment for a meaningful regular season setting. But a really nice play from Jackson to very similar to what Williams did, but really out of the extra layer of difficulty with being along the sidelines and making sure he state in bounds. Yeah. Now, there were also some struggles on defense. We can't ignore

that the Steelers did score thirty four points. They were using basically their third and fourth string quarterbacks because Ben Roethlisberger and Landry Jones did not play. One series in particular, I think was troublesome for the Packers defense. James Conner, the running back, big running back from the University of Pittsburgh from the combine combined, Yeah that when he was coming out, he um he was tough to tackle, and the Packers missed way too many tackles on him on

one particular drive. The Steelers kind of got some things going there and and got themselves back into the game very quickly from a scoreboard standpoint. So a lot of guys in the locker room, as excited as they were about the pick sixes and making those big plays and and as Mike McCarthy says all the time, you have to have big play production in this league in order to win. UM there are some things that that the Packers need to clean up, and they had some film

to look at that that they didn't like. Yeah, Mike Petton will be talking this week. I'll be interested to see what he what his interpretation of things were, because if you're looking from the positive aspect, packers want to see that kind of performance out of their cornerbacks. I

thought Divine was also played really well. Mike McCarthy went out of his way to commend that whole group, and that was the group that's coming off you know, the kind of uh, you know, troublesome turbulence season from a year ago with all the injuries they had. Conversely, though, it was between really the hashes where the Packers I think we're trying to get their footing a little bit, and that was one of the sturdier areas of the defensive year ago. So it just shows you that moving target.

It's the preseason. Obviously, we've talked about it last week. The Vanilla looks in that, but it also comes down to basic execution fundamentals and I'm sure, that's gonna be one of the big messages they'll be preaching this week with guys missed, with the miss tackles with being in the right place at the right time, and and trying to put a better performance together now going into Oakland

this week. Yeah, there was a play there where I think there are only ten guys on the field and just you know, some miscommunication things that hopefully you get them ironed out in the preseason obviously, but you might one benefit if I can mention to the Packers those first three series basically had the same defense on the field the whole time too, So with the safeties, the linebackers, outside backers a chance to really create some continuity there.

And I think in the long run, you would hope if those guys stay healthy, that's what gives you a chance of really improving that communication. Yeah, I get some things ironed out here. In the month of August you mentioned Mike McCarthy said the cornerbacks were kind of the standout group on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively, it was the tight ends and boy, you just the numbers themselves jump off the stat sheet of the collection of Packers tight ends combined for nine catches. I believe

it's a hundred and six yards with two touchdowns. The other thing that I found when I looked a little bit more closely at it, you look at those nine receptions, seven of those nine receptions produced either a first down or a touchdown. There were third down catches that were

moving the chains. Obviously the two scores by jim one by Jimmy Graham won by Robert tani In this tight end group, they're going to be some difficult roster decisions when it comes right down to it, because you can't keep everybody but um but Mike McCarthy really likes what this group is doing collectively. Right now. We talked so much, Mike with the receivers and okay, you drafted three rookies. Jake Kumera, what is he thinking, you know, being on

the practice squad last year. I think it's sort of understated right now what these young tight ends have thought. A guy like Robert tani in a converted receiver, a guy like Emmanuel Bird who finished the season last year on the active roster. I think having those three vets in there has really brought out the best in those

two individuals. As well. I think Tanyan specifically this last week, whether it's been in practice or those preseason games, has looked really sharp, big bodied kids six ft five right around tuner and forty pounds. I was talking to him after the game and I was asking him about how difficult that that switch was, moving it and going from receiver originally a quarterback to receiver to tight end, and he said, yeah, there was a lot of five thousand,

six thous and calorie days back then. Because it's not just putting on weight. You and I were aficiados and being able to put on weight. We can do it if we need to. Yeah, you have to do it though, with good weight, and that's not always easy to do when you're a skill position players, something Tanian's had to do. I like Emmanuel Bird as well. He gives you that h BAC kind of look, similar to what Lance Kendricks does. Hey, listen, Mike.

They got five guys right now and then also a couple other undrafted rookies that I think are all in that hunt. So it's gonna be fun to see how these next two three weeks play out. Because Graham, Lewis and Kendricks are all different type veteran tight ends. But it's history has shown at that position, Mike, if a guy can prove themselves worthy, they will go four or five deep there. But again, it all comes down to how those numbers bear out when you're cutting down to

the final fifty three. Yeah. A couple other points to make with regards to what happened in Thursday night's game. I think Jimmy Graham might have set a new standard in terms of a veteran player getting excited over a touchdown. I mean, I've never seen this guy was fired up. I mean, he did the lambo leap into the stands. He was doing the chest bump type of stuff with his teammates and knocking him over. He was so he was so excited and just just a reflection of of

the anticipation, the excitement of working with Aaron Rodgers. It was a classic, you know, Jimmy Graham type of touchdown where the ball is thrown high, six ft six and a half whatever he is, he goes up and and snags There's nobody else who's gonna be able to catch that pass, so he brings that in Marcedes Lewis. Then later in the game twenty plus yard passed down the field.

Mike McCarthy talked to the day after the game about how obviously they really like what Lewis does in the blocking aspect of things, and he's picking off some guys on the backside blocks where the running backs haven't maybe hit those cutback lanes just yet. But McCarthy really likes what what Lewis is doing in that respect. But then, boy, when you throw in you know that leaping catch over the middle to convert on I believe it was on third down anyway, it moved the chains because it was

it was three yards. Um, I think there was a pen he added on to it. Maybe a questionable call there, but regardless, Um, if Marcedes Lewis can do that kind of thing for this offense when he's in there, you know, all the more power to him. And then you mentioned Kendricks being another veteran player. He makes a couple of catches, moves the chains a couple of times, just a ton of production from that group. Well, first off, Lance Kendricks fits the system perfectly. There were some ups and downs

in his first year in Green Bay. But you talk about Mike McCarthy and how much he really likes to use that h back tight end. Lance Kendricks is that the prototype for it with his athleticism and his ability to play that spot. Started the game in that spot with the with the two tight end package that they

were running. But getting back to lewis the one thing that's exciting about him, Mike, in addition to the fact that he's probably the best blocking tight ends since maybe Bubba Frank's in the mid two thousands, I guess you could say. He mentioned in his first interview with Green Bay Media that Yeah, that's what everybody knows me for. And I'm an inline guy. I'm your traditional big tight end, but if you sleep on me, I'm gonna make you pay.

And I think that was one of those plays and not necessarily saying that Pittsburgh just completely just took him out of the equation, but he shows you that there is still that big play production there with him and it was great to see him make that catch. Whatever you want to make of that call on it, he has to make that catch. Yeah, you gotta you gotta bring that ball down, and he did it. So if you can get both of those guys rolling and then see what you have with these young guys as well,

to compliment Jimmy Graham will be interesting to watch. But yeah, as you said too, I don't think I've seen undrafted rookies who have played, you know, no games past the preseason then more excited about a touchdown than what Jimmy Graham was there because I think for him mentally, it's showing him what's possible in this offense, and exactly with a guy like Aaron Rodgers that can put the ball exactly where you want it, that that's that's ultimately what's

gonna come to pass here if those two can get on the same page. And early signs are is that they're they've been able to do that. Yeah. I mentioned this in our Insider Inbox column that you look at the last two regular seasons, the Packers have had a grand total of five touchdown receptions from tight ends over

the regular seasons. In that's going to change with these guys, not only just with Jimmy Graham, but but Lewis and Kendricks and you know, maybe if they keep one or two of these other young guys too and stayed that deep at the position. Yeah, and Louis was so consistent in his time in Jackson. I know there's only that one Pro Bowl from two thousand and ten, but if you look at his career stats and how things played out, he was durable and he really gave you a consistent presence.

And now he has Aaron Rodgers throwing him the football when it happens. Yeah, all right, Well, we've got more to talk about West, but a little bit of sponsored business. First at home or here in the stands. We all know that Green Bay fans give it their all and that takes a lot of energy. So grab a warm bowl of Campbell's Chunky Soup. It's meaty goodness fuels the greatness of Packers fans everywhere. Try the delicious classic chicken

Noodle soup. Just to visit your local supermarket and ask for Campbell's Chunky Sup Official Sup partner of the Green Bay Packers. Okay, going back to our last show, when we were previewing preseason game number two, we talked about it on Final Thoughts, we talked about it on this show. I used the phrase do it again to speaking about these young guys who made an impression in the first preseason game. Okay, so here's another game, So go out and do it again. Jake Kumero did it again. Eighty

two yards west. I mean a great throw by Deshaun Kaiser, a simple out route to the sideline, a long throw from either middle of the field or right hash I don't remember, but over to the all the way to the left sideline. He makes the catch, stays in bounds, and then just makes a move to the inside, gets the safety turned around, and he's off to the races and it's an eighty two yard touchdown. This guy a fifty two yard and an eighty two yard touchdown. Now

in the first two preseason games. What more can you ask for? Michael, I want you to actually look onto my screen. Here done three D some episodes. First time. I'm inviting you to look at my screen. NFL. All the leaders passing yards, receiving, yards, receiving all that. Who's the receiving yard leader right now in the NFL. Jake Kumero by twenty three yards and it's the big play production. And I think he made a great point there and was one of the big underlying storylines and narratives going

into this contest. Do it again, do it and show it that you can be consistent, not necessarily always just making a fifty yard touchdown catch, but being able to be a contributor in this offense and be an impact player on a consistent basis. And even before that eighty two yard touchdown, Kumarro was making those catches that you wanted to see him make again. I mean there were three of them all told, and obviously that was the one everyone looks at. But his consistency and his ability

to run routes. I really zoned in and isolated on him and his route running, even on plays in which he didn't catch the ball, and he's so crisp and it's so important to be able to do that because that's what negates the speed factor, that's what negates the you know, the quickness, explosion, athleticism. Kumarro has those attributes, but if you don't have them, it doesn't matter. Well, if you don't have the route running aspect of it doesn't matter what you will otherwise bring to the table.

And I just think these last two two and a half years have really helped him get to this point and for him. First off, Deshaun Kaiser makes a phenomenal pass on at play alongside that that out route there to get him basically, you know, covered by the cornerback cornerbacks trying to even sort of cut it off a little bit. Showed some arm strength there for sure, and then for Kumarro to be able to get up field, beat the safety, get into the end zone. Um, certainly there.

There's a question there now with the shoulder. Making sure everything's okay with him there, And we'll have to see how this next week or so plays out. But everything he's done Mike from July to August now, it's been incredible to watch and see him not stumble but just continue a pretty consistent progression. Yeah. And another guy, and our producer, Marvin's gonna get mad at me because I didn't put him on the list to get the highlights ready. But along this topic of do it again, Reggie Gilbert.

We talked about him after the first game against the Titans. He was a presence, maybe not so much statistically, but he was a presence in the backfield um against Tennessee, but then against the Pittsburgh Steelers two and a half sacks, one of those a strip sack. Unfortunately the Packers were

not able to recover it for a turnover. But um, you know, as I said in uh in one of our Insider Inbox columns, this is the guy who's raising his hand and saying, you know, okay, you're looking for the number three outside linebacker on this team behind Clay Matthews and Nick Perry, I'm your guy. And there's absolutely no question right now as the roster is currently constructed and what is going on in these preseason games, he

is that guy well. And the ultimate tip in the cap to him as the fact that he starts opposite Clay Matthews in this game. And that's so important because one, we don't know what Nick Perry's schedule is going to be, like we'll talk about in a second him getting activated from PUP, but what is availability in the preseason is going to be, like, We're not sure. So this is an opportunity for Gilbert to go out there and do this against starting level caliber talent, regardless of how long

he plays. If you can get those first two series and make an impact, that's a big confidence boost for him as well. What impresses me so much about Gilbert is just how consistent he's been. We we talked about that with Cumbro and being able to do a game after game, week after week. Gilbert has been doing this for two years in Green Bay and has been kised since, consistently proving himself. And even when last year, you know, he doesn't make the roster he thought he was going to,

he didn't let that kind of derail his momentum. He sat on the practice squad for fifteen weeks, he bided his time, and when he got that chance to show himself again, he went out there and proved it. It's just funny to me now and that I don't want to get ahead of myself or put the car before the horse. But after so much drama these first two years for him, on cut down day, it's becoming pretty clear cut. He's making the roster. Now. The question is going to be what kind of role could he have

going forward? In talking to Nick Perry a little bit on Monday on Sunday, excuse me, uh, they're expecting this guy to contribute this season. They're expecting rotation. Yeah, no question about a combination of both patients and dedication on

the Gilbert to get where he is right now. Because you mentioned all the time that he spent on the practice squad, then when he does get into his first games as an active roster player at the end of last season and behold, look at that, you know, number ninety. He is in there making an impact in in games.

I know the Packers at that stage of the season, we're not going to the playoffs, but those games, those those snaps, those reps were huge for a guy like Reggie Gilbert, and you know it propelled him, I think from a confident standpoint, from a belief that he belongs in this league standpoint, to come into this third year

and now do what he's doing right now. And you're a big racquetball player, right, Mike, I tried to be go out to the y m c A. You finish up pretty well, you start, you know, have kind of a positive you know, sweet taste your mouth, you get done with, you feel good the next week up until

the next time you play racquetball. I think that's what really Gilbert did, is think about what that does for a young man that's gone through everything he's gone through, making the conversion he went through, to have that whole off season to think about what he did at the end of the season and trying to do that on a more consistent level. Yeah, now quickly before we go, you mentioned it. The Packers did activate Nick Perry off the physically unable to perform list. He practiced in a

closed practice on Sunday. Um seems to have no qualm, all the confidence in the world that he will be ready for week one, even though there's a very limited time frame here for a guy who because of the offseason ankle surgery, he missed everything of O T A S. And he's missed everything of training camp through the first two preseason games up to this point. But a veteran player, he's been there, he's done that. He's very confident that he'll be ready for week one for whatever workload they

want to throw out. Dude, tougher than a two dollar surloin. I mean, he really is. This is you look at what he's played through over the years. You and I talked about in our pre production meeting too. This is a young man that I mean. I know they throw out the injury thing with him and and people the fans get frustrated when you look at all the games that he's missed. But as I wrote in our story on our website yesterday, look at the injuries he's dealt with.

This is not a guy who just who pulls a hamstring or pulls a groin muscle or pulls a calf muscle. You know. This is a guy who's you know, breaking bones and you know, I mean a broken foot and then playing through them, yeah, and and playing through them at different times. He attributes the injuries. The bottom line is he's a violent player. He plays the game in a in a violent way, and that in a lot of ways is what has led to his injury problems

over the years. But when he is healthy, it's that style of play that is difficult for offensive tackles to handle. So you can't ask him to just change the way he plays because then he won't be effective. This is a guy who had eleven sacks in fourteen games in ten and then in his first eight games last year he had seven sacks, and then the injuries in the

second half of the season. You know, he was in and out of the lineup and then eventually placed on I R. If he can stay healthy, and I know that's always a big gift with Nick Perry, but if he can stay healthy, this is a guy who can have a huge impact on this You know when he mentioned too, you know, you don't really know what that

fine line is. And but I think one thing that we can all agree on is that if you can get Reggie Gilbert going, you can get some of these young guys going behind him and remove that potential of him having to play sixty six snaps a game like kind of like it was in that first month of last season. In the end, it's going to give you a better Nick Perry. So well, we'll have to see all the season plays out, but I think Nick Perry from a production standpoint, was right where you needed him

to be through the first six seven games. The last season he was. He was on pace for a second straight double digit sack season. There's no question about it. He was definitely on pace for that. Unfortunately it didn't happen. We'll see what happens now. You know, he has a couple of weeks to get ready. Regardless of whether or not that is in preseason action, the team reps will be really important for him getting ready for the regular season. Well, with that, we will call it a wrap on this

edition of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of our coverage of the team and of training camp on packers dot com. On Twitter, you can find him at west hot I'm at Mike Spofford at Packers is still the team account. Thanks for tuning in, everybody. We'll see you next time.