#331 Packers Unscripted: On to Buffalo

They go into Minneapolis and beat the Minnesota Vikings, a game in which I believe Buffalo is a seventeen point underdog, and they didn't just beat them, they whipped them to six. So the Buffalo Bills will put everyone on notice now that they're not the They're not the team that you put an asterisk on the on the schedule and say, Okay, you know you chuck that one up as a win. Far from it. Here this rookie quarterback Josh Allen. You

know how it goes with rookie quarterbacks. You can get some tremendous games, you can get some shaky games, and everything in between. This is an athletic kid, first round draft pick out of the University of Wyoming. He's also leading the Bills in rushing. If I'm not mistake correct, I mean it's uh yeah, twenty two attempts for ninety seven yards so far, which I think what everybody talked

about him in his arm at Wyoming. I don't know how much they talked about his scrambling ability, but or is hurdling ability jumped over Anthony Barr like like he was in the Olympics. They're on last Sunday. That's the game, man, especially for the rookie quarterbacks in this league. When you're thrown into the fire. Sometimes it's treading water. It's just trying to find ways to move the chains and make plays.

Micah Hyde, as he always does so eloquently, had such a great comment this week about it in that people are so jumped, they are so quick to jump to if a team play is really well, you're going to the super Bowl. If you play really poorly, you're gonna have the first overall pick. And if there's so much truth in that. He said that at times too. I remember in some you know, former fashion when he was in Green Bay and that this league, man, the way

it is the way things happen. Very rarely, and it does happen, but very rarely can you just sit there and point to a game be like, this is how it's gonna play out, this is what the score is gonna be, and and you know there's gonna be no deviation from that. The Bills showed last week exactly the

nature of the NFL. You can get wallops by Baltimore, you can get destroyed by the Chargers in terms of what you know, Philip Rivers is able to do offensively, some of the mistakes that that the Bills made, and then you can go into a team that was in the NFC Championship game last year and going to their house one of the most uh, you know, scariest places to play, loudest place to play in the NFL, and you can just completely knock them out. That's the nature

of the Beast. And the one thing I ked about what Josh Allen did and what the Bills did. They got some takeaways early, they got some points early, and then they kind of sat on it and they did a really good job of controlling the time of possession. And now it's a much different story now going into this game. Against the Packers than it was seven days ago. Yeah, Well, the season started with the Bills starting Nathan Peterman at quarterback. That didn't last too long. He had a game last year.

Was he throw through five interceptions in one half of football? I think so? And I know their plan was to have a j McCarron kind of be a placeholder for Josh Allen until he came along. So pretty much everything they were planning to do has gotten scrapped. It's now Josh Allen's team. And let's face it was he's trying to make this work here with his number one running back, Lashawn McCoy is injured and not playing, so they've turned it over to Chris Ivory as as the main running back.

And he doesn't have any spectacular, big name wide receivers that he's throwing too. He's made some big plays with his tight ends and uh and Ivory in the screen game and whatnot. They they are kind of trying to piece it together and and really what did it for him in the game against Minnesota was the defense generating pressure, generating turnovers. They got themselves a lead and then they didn't make any mistakes after that to let the Vikings

back in the ballgame. So when I look at this, it just seems, especially when you look at the fact that the Packers offensive line is a little banged up, he might have some different starters in there. You know, it starts with keeping that Bill's past ros, Jerry Hughes and those guys, keeping them away from Aaron Rodgers and protecting that football. Yeah, Kyle Williams still doing it at a high level all these years later. I think he's what thirty five years old now, but still obviously a

force in the middle of that defense. Jerry Hughes, who really reinvented himself when he went to Buffalo in the early two thousand tens, and I think a lot of people, uh, we're really writing him off and in terms of what his career was going to be. And then he has I think it was something like back to back ten sax seasons. He's been really consistent for them ever since. The strange thing about the bit Lls is that they only do have one interception right now, but they got

a lot of force fumbles. Uh you know, they were able to convert those, recover those, and that obviously changes the field positions. So um, yeah, there isn't There isn't a huge like player that you have to eliminate from the ball game. I mean, certainly, you know, Calvin Benjamin has has playmaking ability you look at you know, I think it's Charles Clay. He's been in this league a long time, certainly been a factor as a tight end.

There's just enough weapons there. I mean, that's ultimately the reason I think they were able to get to the playoffs last year's They had enough weapons, they played well enough as a team that it was able to be able to carve up one of those playoffs spots. And now I think they showed against the Vikings that if you take them lightly, and I'm not saying the Vikings did, but in generally, if you take them lightly, they're gonna

find a way to make you pay. Yeah, And I think the uh they have a solid secondary on that back end to compliment what seems to be a pretty good pass rush. And I'm sorry. The number one cornerback for Buffalo, his name is escaping me right now. Tarin Johnson um No the Renzo Alexander no Oh White Yes White from L s U. Yes, the L s U cornerback that was young guy. Um, so you've got him, You've got Micah Hi to familiar face will be coming

back to lambeau Field UM this week. So um. It's it's not a dynamic secondary, as you said, they only have one interception, but it seems to be the kind of group and with Trude Avious White being the guy that they usually lock up on the opponent's number one target, it's a good compliment to what they have up front with a pass rush. And then they added Tremaine Edmonds, Uh, the linebacker from Virginia Tech. That's so crazy he was He was added early in the draft to that defensive

front as well. So it's interesting the way it's coming together in Buffalo, and certainly there went over the Vikings is a big step forward that not a lot of people expected, but but one that that you know, this team was looking forward to make that leap. Yeah. And I don't want to, you know, represent this as like the Land of Misfit Toys or anything like that, but you do. Look. I mean Jordan Poyer came coming over

from Cleveland too. I think him and Hyde both had five interceptions last year, at least north of that being able to make plays on the back end. I mean that was really one of the catalysts for them being able to make that run last year is they just were able to execute. And Sean McDermott is such a bright defensive mind. He learned from one of the very best in the game, and I think you've seen him. I think this was the right time for him to be a head coach. He'd been a defensive coach, a

defensive coordinator for a number of years. Finally steps up into that role and you're seeing him really I think make those pieces fit as far as the Buffalo Bills are concerned. But to the original point with Tradavious White and what he's been able to do at a short time, I mean still only twenty three years old. Four interceptions last year, sixty nine tackles, sixteen starts, really difficult situation for a young guy to be thrown out there leave He was a second round pick off the top of

my head, and he stepped up to the challenge. And I think now with the Packers going into this game, I would imagine he's probably gonna be seeing a lot of Davante Adams. I think that's gonna be a big matchup to watch in that one. But they they're they're very multiple. There's a lot of things that they can do defensively, but certainly their biggest thing is trying to pressure the quarterback and have those guys on the back end make plays on the ball. It's gonna be a

big challenge. It's gonna be a big challenge for Aaron Rodgers in that entire offense of the Packers to be able to consistently generate those opportunities against the group that really stri prides itself based on last year and what we've seen through the first three games in being able

to really limit the downfield options. Yeah, well last year they end up getting into the playoffs for the first time and what was years something like that, and it happened on the final Yeah, happened on the final weekend of the the regular season. So a franchise that's looking to recapture a little of that momentum that they built in and they were left for dead man. I mean a lot of people didn't think, know, they went through

some ups and downs last year too. It wasn't like they just were, you know, this this uh unstoppable force most of the year. They sort of they peaked at the right time of the season. They made enough big plays and lo and behold they made that run ended the streak. And I think this year they came in with a lot of expectations despite the fact that they ended up trading to Rod Taylor and to kind of have to rally through what they did the first two

weeks to be where they are at today. Um. Yeah, you gotta give credit to Sean mcdernomtt for having his guys ready. I'm assuming they will be on Sunday. Yeah. It's kind of funny how the season started because last year Andy Dalton for the Bengals gets that miracle touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens to beat Baltimore, which then propels Buffalo into the playoffs, and Baltimore misses the playoffs, and then the Ravens go on to play Buffalo and take

out some of their frustrations in September. Here, you know, nine months, nine months later. But the way that's the way this league can work sometimes it's really incredible just how these things go. And and that's just it's the nature of the Beast. The The one other thing I want to mention too about this matchup bit In addition, obviously Micha Hyde see and the Packers again. Jordan Mills the starting right tackle for the Bills. He is the cousin of Tremont Williams, so they will see each other

again as well. I think those two seem like they've played each other so many times. Say yeah, because it wasn't Mills with the Bears. I remember writing about that when when Tremont Williams and and Mills part of the Packers Bears rival were there. And Ryan Groy I think he's a former Badger as well. Former Badger yes, and um and undrafted, I believe. But now I was starting at center for for Buffalo. So um little sponsor business

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here on our Wednesday show. Oh uh, some roster moves in the works here for the Green Bay Packers, Devon House headed to injured reserve, apparently with a shoulder injury that that um is going to require him to be sidelined for quite a while, and as a response, the Packers signing a veteran cornerback to take his place in Bashad Breland, a free agent who has been available for

quite a while. Kind of a health mix up, I guess would be the best way to say it with regards to him in the main part of free agency in the off season, been waiting for an opportunity, waiting for a job, and here he is in Green Bay four year or this is his fifth year, but four years with Washington. Yeah, it's funny too, Mike. I guess I sort of predicted this last week, confusing him with Brichard Perriman, that's right. Yeah, so I ended up bringing

him up last week. Whatever the case may be. What an interesting journey it's been for Breland. Obviously, it looked like earlier this offseason was going to be signing was one of the most I think a lot of people consider one of the top cornerbacks on the mark it there was an injury issue there with him, takes all these visits, finally comes to Green Bay in week three,

twenty six years old. If you know anything about his story started, I think it was fifty seven of the sixty one games he played for Washington and if I got this part of it right too, we did a five Things to Know story. It was I think the third most starts for a rookie in Washington other than Darryl Green and championship, so that's a really elite company. Had sixty pass deflections in his four years in Washington. Uh,

he gives you flexibility. He can plays. He's predominantly been boundary, but he has some experience in the slot if you want to use him there. I'll say this, Mike, and every general manager has their own philosophy. But you have someone like Breland out there who's in the prime of his career. It's not like he's you know, passed anything here. It's not like they're signing him at thirty one or

thirty two. Right. This is a guy who was just looking for the second contract coming off of his rookie contract. He was a fourth round pick Washington so I mean, this is a guy that's in his prime, so to be able to bring him in if you have an injury to House, obviously, Kevin King is working through his issue right now with a groin injury. I think he's a guy that can step right in there with Joe Jr. In in really contribute to this defense. Was looking for

an opportunity. The Green Bay Packers gave it to you. Yeah, he and and he may immediately see the field on Sunday. We'll see what happens. But with as you said, with Kevin King dealing with a groin injury, Devon House going on, I are you have Tremont Williams, the two rookies Alexander and Jackson, and then Briland is right there as your number four. And we all know how often the Packers have four cornerbacks on the field. Now you have some flexibility.

Obviously Jermaine Whitehead as a safety has played some slot cornerback and some there are some different options there. But at the same time, this this isn't necessarily going to be a long red shirt period for Brelan so to speak. He may get on the field pretty quickly. Your boundary reserve was Devon House. Yeah. I mean yeah, you do have Josh Jones, you have white Head, you have Kentroll

Bryce who can all play the slot. But as far as boundary is concerned, he has proven entity out there that could potentially step in if you need him to be if you feel like Josh Jackson and jire Alexander are best suited for the slot of those nickel and dimes sub packages. A lot of things for obviously Mike Pett to play around with. But the thing I really like about Brilon is he's just a really good football player. Uh.

You know, he was a fourth round pick. I think you look at the the NFL draft scout and that process, it wasn't like he did anything that just jumped off the page and you know, well he wasn't running four three forties or anything like that. But he's really consistent. He plays good technique, and I think when you saw his maturation in Washington, the kind of reliability and durability he provided to them, he was a big piece of

that defense. So now for the Packers to get him in here, you obviously have three weeks before the bye week. There's still time to work with them. To me personally, and they've signed guys in the season before, but this is I think a guy that I think can really help and really contribute it. I thought it was an A plus sign named by Brian Goods. Yeah, well, the Packers are certainly in a in an injury situation where

where you're looking, you're looking for that help. And you know, as as we talked about in the off season with the building of the fifty three, a little bit different philosophy. Here we're seeing from Gouda Kunts. It's somebody going down. It's not just Okay, who's the next guy on the practice squad, who's the next guy within the building. It's

also looking outside the building. And it's early enough in the season, as you said, to do that, because there's time to get him acclimated and really get him up to speed for the heart of the season. Absolutely, and I think I don't want to keep using two thousand ten is like this utopian litmus test for how you have to approach a season. But I always go back to that Mike and that they signed you know, they or whatever was they claimed Howard Green or they they

claimed Ark Walden. They signed Howard Green, they brought veterans in there that ended up having to play for them in the playoffs. I think Breeland, as long as everybody's on the same page with what's going to be expected of him and what their vision is for these young cornerbacks, I think it's just that it's the type of guy

that can come in here. He'll have you know, they are deep enough at that position that he doesn't just have to go in there and start Week one, but he also is going to have time here that if the Packers do need to rely on them to get

caught up on the defense. I was trying to figure out if there are really any ties I didn't really find any between Breland and this coaching staff with with the other players, but but certainly with his experience in this league and and what he's been through to get to this point as much as he's played, you would have to think that that he's not gonna need too long to catch up on things. Yeah. Eight interceptions in his career. Eight interceptions, including his last one last year

went for nineties six yards on a touchdown. I believe that was off Philip Rivers in a really big game that against the Chargers, So uh yeah, there's there's definite playmaking ability there and and certainly gives you an experience factor that I think they need. I thought Devon House had a really important role in this defense and in working with Kevin King the past year and a half in being able to help bring along some of these

young guys. It's great to have talent. You love their athleticism, you love their you know what you're getting out of an athlete when they're at that twenty four years old stage. But I really do believe you need to have your Traumont Williams and your Brilon's in there too, that that have been through this league, have seen the ups and downs, know how guys are going to attack you, and be able to pass on some of that knowledge. I think

it's a really good add into that room. Yeah, well, we'll see how the week evolves with his first practices with the Packers, but for now, we're going to call it a wrap on this edition of Packers Unscripted. Be sure to follow all of our coverage of the team on Packers dot com on Twitter. He's at west Hot, I'm at Mike Spofford at Packers for the team account. Thanks for tuning in. Everybody see you next time.