Can Jonathan Gannon Shut Down His Former Starting QB?!

0:00Welcome back Packers fans to the Packed-Aid podcast and thank God we are back. It is the 2026 NFL season. It kicked off last night. We are live and direct and the Green Bay Packers are heading towards their week one matchup at US Bank Stadium against the Minnesota Vikings to start off this new campaign. We could not be more excited. We need to get that bad taste out of our mouth from the end of last year. I am half of your Thursday crew Jason Perron as always on X and Blue Sky social and long time NFL writer. Lover follower and Packers fan Mark Echel joins me as well. Mark cheers to another season together.

1:02Yeah how many is this now? You know you you keep track of us about to meet all Wednesdays. How many years we've been doing this? It's our eighth season together. Actually it's our seventh season together. We didn't we 2018 we didn't do together 2019 we started 2019. What year was it with when it was three of us Paul Brettles with us at one point. I think Paul joined us pretty quickly early on. At the beginning it was the three of us when I and then and then we then then schedules moved around and obviously Paul is Paul's dog. Paul's dog is too big for us. I hate to be. He's doing well I hate to be. He's a dog. I mean it's not just a lot of meat. I'm I say that I say that and then I said I'm not saying that like as a meat of york I'm Paul's done great for himself. Isn't it cool. It's not obviously we're going to talk Packers and Vikings right but isn't isn't this cool Mark to be I mean first of all I am grateful to be part of this and I appreciate you as well as as always. I mean I don't want to take for granted the fact that we do this every week I mean it seems like it's very easy because we have good chemistry and all that kind of stuff too.

2:08But isn't it cool to see some of our teammates that have kind of moved up from starting here and now some of them are in the locker room holding recorders and. I think I'll go back further than that you know Mike are follow it all from yes and oh yeah well when I did radio and Philly get where it was the all blended together bless the same. When he was like real we're good but not good enough when they were losing in the chemistry games and stuff he was my producer he was in he was a college student at La Salle. Journalism I believe he was a journalist major and he would actually bring me his papers and have me read them and then I get into okay you know I would change this or no this was good but you know maybe due to I was now he's talk about seeing a guy go from you know a kid to. Now he's like he's wanted to talk guys now I mean he's right up there with rapper for and those guys right so yeah. Pelicero started in with the Gazette. I didn't know that now he's national and now he's national yeah I don't know he was that Gazette okay so yeah I see it a lot but yeah but yeah so seven years seven years of just you and I on Thursday.

3:19Is that what you're saying well seven years total I mean there was I think one season Saturdays or something remember we had to we had well we had we had different teams I was with I was with Paul and that Freelich for a season and I was with those guys I don't remember their names. Mike I'm I don't know my dad. Wait I just don't I'm bad with that. Gage gauge and Mike I think we're the words that you worked with there and Mike when I've done some shows with Mike too he's he's good dude he's really cool. I mean obviously you know we we were talking about some of the guys that have been on our roster that have moved on or moved up and all that other kind of stuff too and this is this is cool like this is just this is a lot of fun to do this is a great community we've been on slack a bunch this slacks been busy this week with just getting ready for the season and all of our assignments so Mark and I are going to be doing this the same thing we've been doing the past several years which is previewing the Packers defense against the upcoming opponents will be about how the Green Bay Packers defense will try to slow down on normal defense will be doing that. Oh yeah the Packers got a crazy skeptic here so yeah general but the uncut. Yes yes but in general and this week we will be talking about Green Bay's defense obviously without

4:26Mike Parsons and how they will try to stop playing the yeah I didn't know what breaking news. Oh no breaking news. I think I'm going to do it. Oh my god I did. Baron Serell be in though so. Is that my brother? No Bretton Cox getting in with time to make me feel better. Hey you know what not to jump too far all over the place too but again Bretton Cox if you if you you want to talk about efficiency and some of these like geek out stats that people come up with he was one of the most efficient defenders of Packers and when he was healthy. Yes he was he was there but I don't look at all you know me with stats I don't I watch I my stats are what I see the end of 24 after a creative Preston Smith and put him out there on a regular basis he was your best pass rush. No dummy I don't my eyes tell me that I don't care about stats he was the he was their best pass right and some of the stats bear that out so no he was and then last year was a shame he was coming into his own and then he had that growing and treated never really healed. I think if he stays now obviously the Packers wouldn't have done this because this is not what they do they they like to roll with who they like and what they know and I think they were counting on

5:33Rishan they're like this guy got seven sacks the first six games like he's got to have a break out he's going to have a he's got to have a four set game for us at some point all of a sudden here we are the Packers lost their last five games and Rishan Gary had zero sacks in any of them but if right so so Micah Parsons and Rishan Gary had to say about a sacks even though Parsons had a torn ACL yeah what about that right yeah so and that's why not only is Rishan Gary in Dallas for the Cowboys but that's also probably maybe Y Vaughan Miller is also in Dallas as a cowboy so that that was that was interesting by I you know obviously the league the verdict on players the NFL tends to kind of give its collective verdict in due time and the NFL seems to be what's the what's the word vindicating the Green Bay Packers for their decision to move on from Rishan Gary and and trade him for an asset that can help them in another way that's how I'm going to word it yeah I'm you said I don't know what you said but I agree

6:37so vibes and all that other kind of stuff it's it's that season the Packers are going to play a real meaningful game regardless of how ready they are regardless of who's playing who's healthy who's not what coach has said what what media has said what what player has said what it's time for the Packers to take the field and like I said we for this particular week it's a Sunday game we're going to preview the Packers defense and how they're going to take the game and how they're going to take on the Minnesota Vikings I always find week one to be a little bit more challenging mark because we don't know we don't have like every year the team has a slightly the same head coach and it you know it's a different defensive coordinator so obviously it's going to be very different but even if it was still Jeff Hathley the first week is like you know the team still has to find their identity with some of the new players that they have you got Zaire Franklin who's is a captain now is one of the captains. One of the captains that the Packers voted in at linebacker Kueh Walker is not there any longer obviously we know Micah isn't going to be out there how is Jonathan Ganon going to deploy his defensive backs and his safeties where's the pressure going to come from because the Packers are certainly going to bring plenty of pressure there let's start with the low hanging fruit it's Jonathan Ganon's scheme against his former quarterback who didn't play last year but this was his starting quarterback when he was the head coach of the air.

8:03So how about that and you've mentioned it before. Oh I've been mentioned I'm shocked that's that's not a bigger story. Right. You only want to ever mentioned it. They ask and about it. I guess he spoke Tuesday. I'm not mistaken and he played it off. I mean of course and you know he would he's you know he just praised you know how great Kyle is and just that other thing. But I think that's a big deal. I really do. I mean there's no one in the league today. I don't believe that knows Kyler Murray. And his tendencies better than John Ganon right. I mean he coached he was his head coach for it wasn't like he just was one year thing and it was three years he coached him for three years. It's all in practice every day. Yes. Well when he when he was when Murray decided to show up for practice. Yeah. It wasn't playing video games. Yeah. Right. So yeah. I mean I think that's a big big edge to the Packers. I really do. And Murray. Murray can be dangerous. There's no doubt about it. He's he's a he's a weapon in that you know you can't but the Packers have always done a pretty good job against it.

9:04Even before you know when they had whether Joe Barry or or or half way they they found the way better than most and containing him. And that's and that's the key. You want to keep Murray. You'd rather. And I don't I don't want to make this sound like he's not good. But he hurts you more when he's on the run. And he is. When he's standing in the pocket. You agree with that. Yeah. He's he's he's one of the. I think he had of course he has to get outside the pocket so we can see what the heck's going on with that too. But yeah. I mean you don't want him running around on you so. Like the pressure to me is more going to be like that. Contain pressure don't like if they get sex right. But more or less keep him confined. And that's where he ends coming in. But I think the Packers. Matter of who they're playing. Because I think the pressure. I think they're going to get more inside pressure than they've gotten in a long long time. Because I think they're there. And you know, Devon Tayyate. We saw what he could do when he was off the list. He was having a pretty darn good year. Before he got hurt.

10:04So I think I think you'll see some pressure from him. Hardgrave. That's kind of what I brought him in because he's a guy that can create inside pressure. I think he's a guy that can create inside pressure. I think he's a guy that can create inside pressure. Brooks is a guy that creates pressure inside. McClellan now he's a rookie. So we don't want to know how much he's going to do. But the reason they drafted him over some other college defensive tackles that were getting pumped up is because McClellan is more of a past rusher than those guys. Big citrus is an example. Yeah, big citrus is one of them. That's he's a great runstopper. But really didn't show much of the past rush in college. It was a couple others as well. But so I think the Packers in the past rush. It was a couple others as well. But so I think the Packers inside pressure is going to call some trouble to prefer for some teams and maybe hopefully the Vikings starting this week. And if you get that pressure up the gut on Murray. So then he if he. Right. So now he he can't set you know there's nowhere to go that he's going to try to go outside. And that's where you need Vaness, Cerelle Cox Sutton, who's who's ever out there.

11:08To set your ground set the edge. Don't let him. Don't let him get around you. Don't let him. You know make plays on a run. Javon Hargrave Revenge game. I guess the blue and Arab. You're a couple of you know one year. But yeah, if you want to call it that. And obviously the health of the player is going to be key to the the players on defense is going to be the key to what they can do here. The you know Hargrave wasn't healthy for all of camp. But he's fine. I think he's fine. He's fine now. But I'm just I'm just saying as players as players get a little bit older. I mean if you look into a crystal ball and tell me he's going to play 15 games this year. I love that. Devante. Why it is a question mark. He's he's missed a lot of time in his many years. And he tends to have streaks where he he's very productive. He started off last season. Great. He had a fantastic opener played really well. Was a big big factor. And in fact last year was probably if I think it was his best season.

12:09Because he really didn't get he he really didn't wasn't lost until the Thanksgiving game. And then that was that was pretty much it for him and that was a that was a tough injury. That was a tough one for him. He's just he's been banged up and dinged up. If why it is healthy. And what we what we'll see from a clalin. Now remember rookies take a minute. It's you know some positions are easier to play in the NFL or transition from college to the NFL. So we'll see how that goes. But that inside pressure is going to be really really key because the packers one of their their strengths is their safety group. And I don't think the teams are going to come into maybe it on a particular game or a particular week they might. But I don't think teams are going to come into the game wanting to throw at 40 and 50 times on the green bay packers. So they're going to try to run the football. And if the packers are getting that push up front up the middle. And they're getting that pressure. Then teams are going to have a hard time being efficient and producing on offense. And that's one of the one of the other the other sides of this ball and it's it's kind of like oh okay yeah the best defense is a good offense.

13:10We don't talk the packers offense. But one of the things that's been been discussed many times during this off season is the you know how the packers offense operates and how they operate it. And with regards to the efficiency that they had. And so that run game that green bay has that's going to be a big big piece of it too because if they become two one dimensional. And then you're going to have that you know by halftime the defense is going to start getting tired they're going to have to be out there for a lot they're going to be playing a lot of snaps. And then all of a sudden we're going to be talking about how that secondary just can't keep up. I mean this week you've got Justin it's it's only Justin Jefferson, Joanne Jennings and Jordan Addison. With Kyler Murray a quarterback who's an upgrade over JJ McCarthy. Who played with them last year. So in the passing game and you got Hawkinson a tight end too but in the passing game you've got you've got guys that have produced very well. I mean Jennings has some really good years in San Francisco Jefferson has been with the Vikings for a long time and been very very good there.

14:13And Addison as well he's had some good games against the against these very same green bay packers. So it's it's a tough matchup to start the week or start the week. The Vikings receivers are good Vikings that it's a shame. I mean I was saying shame because I hate the Vikings but imagine if they had you know messed up the quarterbacks but so often. Let's not have that. Well I mean it's it's why they're the Vikings. That's why that super bold trophy case is empty. They they've messed up and they they've done you know taking JJ McCarthy was a terrible mistake. They thought he was good. I don't know why but they did all he did in college was and he still hands them all for a nice. He hands it off as well as any quarterback because that's all he did it missing and was handed off. I think they won the then they won the national telegain he put about like six times or something. Yeah. Yeah. It was very few. It was very many G versus the packers asses. Yes. That was a terrible pick. I'm not saying that on hindsight I wrote when I when I when I covered that when I wrote about that draft I was like no this guy he doesn't he's a winner.

15:16He's a he seems like a great great kid. He's a leader or all that kind of stuff but his arm is not an NFL he doesn't have an NFL arm. And he doesn't he's he's you know he's third straight now. He's not even second. Carson wins. Yeah that tells you that tells you all you need to know. I mean he probably won't be he may not even make it through the year in Minnesota. I guess we're going to keep it possible. I mean if you look at the team might have released their own chart on ESPN now they don't they're not the team but on the ESPN McCarthy's the back of winces third but the team has to issue their own deaf chart. Right I think the teams has the team well we'll see on Sunday which one's active. You're not going to both not going to dress. I wouldn't think you nobody dressed this three quarterbacks thing that'll be yeah well yeah so we'll we'll we'll know for sure around three three o'clock Sunday who the Minnesota's back up is you know between the three of those guys you might get 17 games out of all three. Yeah it's fair. None I'm ever play a whole season.

16:16Right. I'm going to finish it off on the offensive line. But again getting back there. No but I'm saying getting back to this is going to be a big test for Ganon and his secondary like you said I mean Jefferson. You know he's top five receiver in the lake's almost like one he's in there he's I mean you could argue all all day between him and in case his old college teammate. I still think city lamb belongs in the conversation AJ Brown you know he's one of the best I suppose leave it at that he's one of the best. And Addison I like Addison too he's not bad at all. I mean he's good he's not bad he's good so he's caused yeah he's caused some problems for Green Bay in the past for sure so we you know you got a secondary that. It looks like they're going to start the rookie to say right is going to start in Nixon. Who who who you know we we criticized. Key shone for a lot of things a lot of it warranted but it looked like ever since that little that that whole blow up thing.

17:22In camp he had a better last couple weeks of camp again according to people that are at camp and watching and writing about it. He actually played a lot better toward the end toward the end of camp which is encouraging because him and they're going to have their hands full. And I'm sure to you know whoever is on Jefferson is going to get help for me there you know Williams or McKinney however they want to design that. And the packers don't play again in place more zoned in man demand so it's not going to be like Nixon is on Jefferson. I mean he's not going to shadow on wherever Jefferson lines up there's going to be two defensive backs over there I would think right I thought they're going to do it and they're going to zone on so yeah it's like don't look at like he's he's going against him because it's not going to be that kind of that's just not how can employees will play a lot of zone he's going to blitz out of his own to. That's going to have to get a half going to have to bring some pressure from somewhere because that's a that's a trio to reckon with now. As far as the run game goes it's still Aaron Jones our old friend Aaron Jones at running back and a year older I was going to say how come.

18:28I was going to say he's a year older and I'm not I'm not sure I'm too worried anymore at this point he's not what he was for that that's for sure. I mean last year he we but again like you said when we started it's the first week you'll see a better Aaron Jones Sunday then you will the next time the Packers of Vikings play these if you're in an older guy if he's ever if he's still has anything left it's going to be he it'll be left in the first month of the season as opposed to the last month of the season right. Well said don't be surprised if this ends up being the best game the Vikings play all season long because it's week one and everybody's coming out and establishing themselves figuring out who they are what they can do what they can't do it's the matchup bride floor as we know is crazy and and so that puts the Packers offense at a certain position and so if the Vikings are never trailing big they can try to run the football that's going to change their entire defense offensive game plan it might not be so much of the receivers and it might be the Packers us realizing that the Packers are not going to be the best. I mean I just realized that the Packers aren't very good at stopping the run again for example I'm not saying this was going to happen but that's what it could end up being this year but yes I think you know and don't forget about Jordan Mason it's a one to punch on the ground there too and there on the offensive line I was going to talk about the offensive line for the Vikings they've got two pretty good tackles Darisaw is back and healthy he missed a lot of last year so Christian Darisaw left tackle and then Brian O'Neill at right tackle are both pretty good will freezes back at guard like there they're offensive line is not too bad it's not it's not awful so that's going to get

19:57the Packers pass rush and their defensive line a big challenge in getting to Murray and then reducing those those running lanes because Aaron Jones even though he's a year older one of the things he does really well is get slippery and find little little creases in that run zone so that's where it's it's going to be that's going to be a big thing for for the Packers and obviously on defense the crowd noises is big of an issue because everyone's quiet while the opposing offense is on on the field so but it's it's going to be a very rowdy atmosphere I like I've said I like having the divisional road game week one get one of those out of the way early and then forward from from that point there now that the Vikings are one and a half point favorites so far yeah you know because you're home that's in the game you get three for being home so that's the one who wanted to have come from and people aren't high on the pack I'm looking around nationally somebody pick me go so we're good who was I was like how many damn look at it but most a lot of a lot of it's funny I was this morning I was just and I rarely do this but I do I was just I kept getting these emails and things on so and so's picks so those picks these guys picks that guys picks let me look I'm either going to look really smart or really dumb buddy and the year because teams that I like other team other these other quote unquote experts aren't as high on some teams as I

21:19am and there are a lot higher on some teams that I'm not high on so we'll find out soon enough who's who's right and who is wrong but yeah I didn't see there's there's a lot of people that don't think the packers are even going to make the playoffs can I have one in a division so we'll see if I'm you know again that's one of the teams that we'll see if I'm right or wrong about Andy on Wednesday show went through his 2026 season predictions if you want to go back and listen to it. Talk about the Packers and the NFL in general in large at large as far as who he thinks is going to win it do what go far go where how will the Packers fair this year do they make the playoffs do they not do they win the division are they a seven seed again so go listen to Andy's predictions show from Wednesday if you haven't already we're recording on Wednesday so we don't have the updated injury report yet so I do say that for those who celebrate this is the beginning of the day. Beginning of welcome to caring about the health of 53 people that aren't you and in addition to your self season is what I is what I refer to it as they don't owe me I don't know them personally but their health matters to me on top of my own so it's a lot of a lot of stuff to keep track of but they'll the Packers will put out their first injury report and I think as far as on the defensive side of the ball that that hasn't been as much of the talk outside of my comparison.

22:45But Mike is on. No, that's there's nothing nothing to do in there all of you know we got all the conversation. All the conversation has really been centered more on the offensive side of all specifically the Packers online. We'll be right back. We made it football is finally back in price picks is bringing out their best offer yet new users who sign up will get $150 in line ups. If you win your first $5 lineup that's right you win your first $5 lineup you'll get $150 in line ups and now price picks is available nationwide so what are you waiting for lock in for kickoff because everyone and everything is on price picks. So let me ask you what are you in on this football season I know I'm all in on letting Jordan love cook with Josh Jacobs out in a defense that might be a little shaky with all my comparisons. So me all the Jordan love stock this year and right now price picks is going crazy with deals to start the football season giving users a new promo every day during stack September.

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27:20after him if you're going to try to get Brandon C. Sane his career go after him in his very first game in the NFL because he's only going to get better you know he's only going to get better and more capable from there so if you if you want to you know if you want to throw in that direction because if his if his career turns out to be great or like we hope it's going to be he's going to be one of those corners who like rarely gets any opportunities because quarterbacks aren't even throwing out kind of like your whole peak yeah I can see that kind of like I heard his peak well Jay here at his peak was one it was one of the top five corners maybe better than I didn't in the league I thought so I'd like I mean I like listen I that's a guy I love that pick I had him in the first round I had a no one like I forget what team I had taken him but I had him going like in the 20 something I again he was my third ranked cornerback in last year's draft and really when you think about it he was he was second because like a lot of them a lot of people I had McCoy as my number two not knowing how bad the injury wasn't more got out after after we all made our rankings that he was hurt more than

28:30people realize and that's why he but he went like fourth round I think then he McCoy third or fourth so he really found me people were worried about not just did not just a short term with him but is that is is that going to be a problem where he only plays a few years and has to you know that's why he thought I mean he had college career he was good but so really I mean I think the package guys I still can't believe that he was there middle to second round in so many corners when I had him never decent but I just thought he mean on I am you know you play in South Carolina so I did seem a lot they had the team had a disappointing season last year mainly because the offense didn't click the way he hoped it would but anyway yeah he'll get tested we'll see we'll see how he does I you know rookies the great rookies take time you know you wrote up you're jai jai jai jai jai jai if I'm not mistake he didn't start right away right no he didn't somebody got hurt I think and he and he went in

29:31yeah it was middle middle of 2018 yeah he did not a starter at the outset no no so there you go and he was and he was a first Cup So right now again, it's it's who you're going against as well. I mean see say starting because You know, he's better than St. Cooce and valentine. I mean this It might be more of an indictment of those two Rookie beat him out that it is I think he's good. I think he's good. I think the Packers got it right I think the Packers just got it right good for them. You know, this is what you this is what you hope for if you can get Production and you can get something from your rookie right away then it's it's it's the equivalent of having Signed a really good starting corner back and not having to pay him anything At the outset there is as having a rookie there and the Packers did sign St. Cooce like you said there too But he's in there for depth and Nixon's gonna be your other other corners starting opposite of C. C. Now don't forget I know he seems to be okay But don't forget that at the very end of camp in itch in preseason

30:33Javon Bullard was walking around in a walking boot in between practice sessions He was able to play and he said if he had a plane a game he would right he would have been able to so they were being very cautious with his foot injury He's ankle, but he's he still has that so we'll see how that goes and if that flares up because you know That's that's what happens these things flare up Packers play their first two games for whatever it's worth on turf Surfaces in US Bank Stadium, and then they have the jets in week two on the road So they'll start off on turf for the first two games of the year so that is pretty good turf Alright, I'm never doing way complain about Minnesota's. I don't think it's yeah, I think it's fine If you I mean if you gave me my choice I would have said I want to start off at Chicago against the Bears a week one catch them the first week of the season before They figured out anything and then get that road game out of the way that would have been my ideal But the Vikings is fine. No, I'm rather like the Vikings is fine get to you know get get that one taken care of Then you've got them coming to Lambo field in the middle of the season and you know, I don't think there's there's a lot of people that say that

31:38The NFC North is once again going to be the best division and football and that all four teams could end up with a winning record That'd be interesting. They could I don't know if I but I don't know if I close last year, right? Yeah, I don't know if I think that's the case and I'm not even talking about like unforeseen stuff that might happen I I don't think yeah, I don't think I don't I think NFC North is the best top the bottom But I think the NFC NFC West or even eat no, I'll take it back. I think the AFC West is the best I could be wrong. I think the AF's because because the Raiders are much improved But you know, you know, I think you're not even going to realize it Because you're gonna know that their schedule is so daunting But that they're bad like they're I think they're pretty good. I mean they're just not gonna They got their hands. I mean, you know, I think the Broncos chiefs and charges are all very very good So, you know, but I think the if if if you whoever comes in last place in the NFC North Will be the best last place team in the league sure that fair Yeah, it's fair. Yeah, I think by far. I mean because

32:41There's no last place team in North isn't a bad team. They're just gonna be in last place because the other three are better You know, the NFC question because that means that team's gonna miss the playoffs But yeah, you're you're right. I think you're right. Yeah, I mean the NFC West is good The Rams see Hawks for in honors, but the Cardinals are not good. They're like they they're we've talked about them before They are they're a bad team Same with every division has I think a bad team. Well, like I said the Raiders. I don't I don't think the Raiders are bad But they're gonna they're not gonna have a good record because of who they have to play they play the They play those six games into division and I believe they play the NFC West So they're getting lines up This is just the way it happened Just the way lines up this year. That's how it goes. It's that's the that's the schedule for you So the Vikings the Vikings are a team now. I don't know what to make of them. I personally don't think I think they're the fourth place team Um, but I again, I'm reading things There are a lot of people's surprise team this year

33:42You know, everybody and everybody always picks their their surprise team that Didn't make the playoffs last year that you think will make it this year and do well blah blah blah I'm not in that I'm not in that company. I think they're I think they're okay Like I said, I think there'll be the best last place team. I don't like I don't again. I've said this you How many times over the years with we've been doing this I'd rather have give me a real good quarterback And 21 other starters that are okay versus 21 good starters and a below average quarterback. I don't right. I don't like that and that's I think the Vikings. I don't Murray. I used to like him. I just don't think he's the guy anymore Wentz same. I mean You know, it went the same way he's shot fighter at this point And McCarthy stinks. So that's but that's a problem to me My take on this game is not really about what I think Kyla Murray is gonna be overall as a Vikings quarterback It's literally a weak one thing

34:42It's just a weak one thing and my pick my my thoughts and my prediction and my thought on how this game is gonna go It's has more to do with it being the first week of the season that it really does about how I see these two teams against each other Overall, I think the Packers are gonna be fine this year if they stay healthy, they're gonna be more than fine but And I don't think the Vikings are gonna be that great, but it's week one. This this is the first week of season We've won great if I I think I think the Vikings as much as I know you like to smash up And I like getting a divisional opponent week one too, and I love the fact that it's on the road even better, right? But that's that's it's tough to travel. I don't like that. I'd rather become week one. That's as me Well, the NFL apparently doesn't like that. They don't they don't you know the Packers have been on the road Just as much as they've been at home over in the final season over the past several seasons, but But the the the thing with it is is that I think the Vikings benefit more of the two teams in the sit in the scenario If we agree that it's you know, it can be a good thing for you to you know have this matchup I think the Vikings benefit from facing the Packers week one more than the Packers benefit from getting the Vikings week because

35:45In the end I think because I in the end I think if this game was week eight or later in the season or if it was the Last week of the season again barring it being what it was last year, which was not even a real game Which didn't didn't matter and guys were hurt and there was all kinds of things that did that made that game Completely meaningless. I mean, I've never been I've never been more lifeless watching a Packers football regular season game I mean I can't remember the last time I cared as little as I did about that But That's what I that's why I think the Vikings benefit here Because I think in the end the Packers are going to be a better team and if this game was later in the season the Packers would would be a better You know better a worse matchup for the Vikings and I would feel a lot more confident In in that scenario now. I know that Okay, we talk about defense. We talk about the Packers defense and obviously It's it's a broken record the past rush is the key, but you know, this is it this is the exciting side of the ball because we have a new coordinator And we've all been looking forward to First of all seen which Jonathan Gannon can do number two. What can this guy cook up without some of the best players

36:45Their best player out there on defense. So that'll be an interesting thing But special teams does have to kind of factor into this a little bit here. I know we usually talk about special teams Skymore is going to be the punt and the kick return both Oh, yeah, he was last year in San Francisco and did pretty good job of both of them. So yeah, I hope so Yes, nice returns in the preseason two. So I Packers I think I think I mean at least at least it's not going to be an adventure every time the balls in the air I hope not No, I that was one of my favorite moves the Packers made this whole season was bringing him in I can I want a little overboard But the similarities are crazy him in Desmond Howard and we know how that turned out right So bro, I really want to go and we're going to MVP later Turned out really well, but I'll tell you this guy more is going to play win more snaps on offense than Desmond Howard did Yeah, probably he'll get out there. I would think yeah, I mean Yeah, he's not gonna play a whole lot But yeah, he can if they need him hopefully you know golden read and and Watson stay healthy

37:51Well right now I guess more would be for right if some if today me on Williams is out this week Well, he's definitely out this week. He's on IR right he's out for a month There's a if there's an yeah, he is it saving on his if there's anything like Chippy would be kind of fun is It's golden in his first game in year two looking to come out and Do all the things that he didn't accomplish in his rookie year and you get this really healthy Back and forth between Justin Jefferson and Matthew golden and it's like you know the present Versus the future Had because Justin Jefferson still has a lot of play. He's not like you know He's not past his prime But I'm just saying like you know you got jeta you got jeta out there You got Matthew golden who storms onto the scene and makes his presence known You know what I would love to see different games different scenario totally different situation Yeah shot play right out of the gate to watch somebody hangs onto it this time and the packers go up seven nothing early I'll take it

38:52Would love would love to see that and then I know the defense comes out of the fence if the defense is playing with the lead though Mark you know getting back to our assignment this week That only gives gannid more options and more things that he can do I'm excited For the for the safety blitzes Because I think we know McKinney can do it McKinney's have has sacks of the packer. He's blitzed and been good at it Keeshawn nicks and this is where Keeshawn nicks actually pretty good He's very good at yes you got it Evan Williams It's just a football player the packers have defensive backs that they can that they can blitz not every team has that you might have a good cover corner But can't do any if you have to make contact with another player. It's over Right the packers have guys that can make contact and can do Can do some good things. So that's what I'm looking forward to I'm looking forward to seeing what yeah I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of scheme I think I know but I want to I mean I could you know I've talked to enough people about gannid and that I think I know what he likes to do and how he wants to do it

39:54And then knowing what I know about the packers Who I think he's going to use in certain areas like I said inside pressure is going to be different and what we've seen Through the years with the packers. I mean they've had some but you get usually the packers will have that big You know don't have a guy that they don't expect to get pressure from them. They just wanted to tie up traffic Uh, wooden was like that because why he's no longer here. Anybody sign him by the way Colby what I don't think so no, I haven't seen anything. No not not even a practice squad to coax and put him on a practice squad or anything Uh, actually I take that back it looks like he's with the saints on the roster. I don't know. It's just as he's he's Yeah, he's on the roster. Yeah, he's on the roster good for him. I'm ready. Got a job. But no, I'm serious. He's like a nice guy um, but So you're going to see that's going to be different. I think you're here's a I'm going to throw this out to you And I think I'm I don't think I'm the only one saying this but With part when and you know everybody says what are you going to do when top without parses Like I said, I think you're I think you're going to see inside pressure

40:56Two of the four guys that we talk about Venice, Cerelle, Cox, Sutton, you know, they're going to have to step up All four of them. They're all going to play. They're going to rotate Well, you know, they have to play well, but then look for Edgerton Cooper to do a lot of Plainy Ed at times. I mean, he's going to be standing up But coming at you. He's not going to be dropping by. I mean, he may drop in coverage sometimes But I think you're going to see him as a big part of the past rush Early on. He's going to be having chip on his shoulder because he wasn't voted captain this year. Okay Really joke And don't forget he lined up he did he did line up a couple times at defensive back. Oh Yeah, he ran through that but it now I got I see him I see him coming after the quarterback Maybe not this week because I said like this week You don't want to go all out After Murray because the last thing you that you need is him getting away and there's nobody there and he runs You know for 2030 or cuz he'll do that. We've seen we've seen Kyler Murray run

41:57Big chunks of yardage on it, right? You've seen it for me. That's that's been a so as easy as past the victory Don't let them what don't let them walk into that no right So you kind of want that most rush That As they call it and the Packers did that a couple times last year under halfway I remember early in the year who did they played a couple running quarterbacks Not mistaken, right? Didn't they who did they play early last year the Lions That's not not not not not not not that walkie-to-jinn den Ten chain Daniels week two that and and contained him pretty well We want Miss Tadewanda game pretty easily. So yeah, they I mean They have they played Murray last year didn't they or they're married not played I can he didn't play no, I was percent Okay, yes, I mean they I don't even think Murray was I don't even know Murray was in uniform for that game He might who knows what I mean? Like I said, he's He doesn't play as often as he knows plays sometimes Sorry pick time You I guess I think we I think we know where you're leading

43:00So you want to go first? Yeah, I can I can lead us off. Oh, yeah, this this is a it's a week one pick This is just a simple week one pick and This is one of the reasons why when I I said that this was going to be a weird season for the Packers and One of the iterations of the record that I had them finishing with was nine and eight and the one of the reasons Why that could be is because they don't win this game They don't beat the Vikings a Viking team that they they should be they're better than but that doesn't always mean That that's how the scoreboard is going to shake out in the end So I have been a soda winning this game in a squeaker 24 23 call it Uh, you know, I've got it. I've got it very I've got it very very close Don't be surprised if this ends up being one of those games where the Packers could have should have won and one of a and a trace back Feelgold goes off on upright. Oh god. We don't want so You know that he's gonna miss a kick at some point. He's gonna miss a kick So it doesn't have to be opening day with a one point loss Gonna be like in the ten in a 13 point win

44:00No, but if the story ends up being that the Packers end up like 12 and five or 13 and four And this is one of their losses and like smacked misses only like one other kick the rest of the season That's a hell of a perseverance triumph in story. I'm fine with that Okay, and it's the first week of the season This isn't gonna derail the Packer season at all. I can I can tell you right now I am gonna be traveling next week. We'll have a special guest that's gonna be with you Mark. Oh, my But I can tell you already right now Regardless of whatever happens I guess that I shouldn't say regardless there are certain iterations of things that could happen that might change it But I'm going to pick the Packers next week Okay against against the Jets so Spoiler alert there since I won't be on next week show I won't let your pick I'll score I'll pick the Vikings this week, but I again, I don't I think it's a week one result It's not a the Packers played badly or They didn't look but maybe they won't and maybe that maybe that offensive line will struggle

45:04Maybe Aaron Banks and Z-Box don't finish the game or don't start it. Don't play or don't or don't play well But I don't I don't think that's what it's gonna be I think it's a typical week one game and then on we push and every game the Packers play is one game closer to getting All their players back and we all know who I'm talking about. How do you got this one? Well, I'm curious You picked 24 23 minutes. So correct. That was your score Yes, that was I don't know see I don't know. I don't think you did this because I know you're you're not really a betting guy right? Well the line was is one and a half what are you so you pick the Packers to cover By a half a point if you also but you picked the over Also By a half a point because the line I'm looking at right now for over under 46 and a half that's kind of interesting I think that you you're numbers for right like If I'm a better and that's I'm that you got me like oh my god. This is right on the edge or both but anyway Um, I think I'm picking the Packers doing I'm going 12 and 5. This was not one of the five losses

46:06I know it's week one and crazy things. I mean all you need to know is last year week one Week one of the 2025 season the Las Vegas Raiders Beat the New England Patriots The New England Patriots won the AFC went to the Super Bowl Las Vegas Raiders had the number one pick and a draft. Yep. So what happens a week one Doesn't you know necessarily mean what's going to happen there with the rest of the season As I point out by that game right and one even close on a thing. I think the Raiders one Wasn't a blowout blowout, but it wasn't like they scored in the last minute to beat them either. They kind of had the game at hand So there's that but I just I think the Packers of all teams especially Matt LaFlor as the head coach and his coaching step I know last year was last year and this year's this year and you know They have different players different starters different coordinators But it's still to Packers. It's still a floor in charge They haven't won a game in a long time a real game pretty season. They won a couple, but they haven't won a game They have they have not won a regular season or any kind of real game without micro Parsons

47:10So I think there's more on the line This week for the Packers Than just your typical season opener. I think they have to establish a that they're They're back that they're not they're not going to keep them in all that would be six losses in a row It would be the oh we can't win without my it would be a there'd be a lot of narratives going around if the Packers lose this game So I think They need this they need this way more than they normally would for an opener just to get The season off to a good start to get like you say get that taste out of it out of their mouth And I don't think the Vikings are not good. I think they're I mean they have some great receivers I don't like to I a lot of times what would in games it comes down to the better quarterback wins Well Jordan loves better than Kalimari And I and I can't say enough how much I think Ganon Knowing Murray is an advantage. I think it's a big advantage at that You don't get all the time. I'm gonna know now. There'll be a couple others This year around the league, but not many like like the jets played a Titans

48:11In the opener and you would think oh robert so solid knows the knows the jets right But it's not even the same guys It's been a couple years, but the Gino Smith is a jet squirt back now. He didn't have you know Smith So yeah, it's just I didn't get the big of it. So I'm gonna go with I'm picking the Packers I'm gonna say 2417 All right, so I got the hunter too. I guess Okay All right, so the Packers are either gonna yeah, you you haven't started one to know I got a moment one And then heading into week two Against the jets you make some really good points and those are Great storylines that have teed up there Right? I think I still think I'm right and I said I'm saying I'm always looking for stories You do you you are writing you are a writer you are still working so well not with regards to this though This is one of those games where And not to derail it but maybe a fun quick story because you know we haven't you haven't We haven't really gotten a good one this this weekend. Okay, so

49:14I know you start you got to start writing your story when you're up in the box You're right in the games almost over and you've told me about times where you had a story written and ready to hit standing You're like I gotta rewrite the whole thing because somebody who fumbled a you know, right? So I feel like this I just feel like this is one of those games where you might be able to write like 75% of it But you're gonna have to wait till the final whistle or the final bell or buzzer goes off before you can finish out the like the end of the The end of the game. Do you have any any fun stories about like a time where you were you were like Riding high on the horse and you were like I'm out of here. I'm gonna get home on time for dinner And you had to like completely reinvent the wheel and it was It's happened it's happened more than once. I'm I've topped my head. Let me just try to think oh god Well, yeah, the game and it meant a lot to packer fans. This one just popped up the Eagles giants Late in the season at the metal ends the giants are just dominating them Um

50:15They're up. I forgive if 31 the something. I don't know what it was Like it was 2010 Eagles giants in 2010 Then why I say it would meant a lot to the Packers because The Eagles come back and win and And it put the Packers ahead of the giants in terms of the wild card if you remember that year Yeah, the Eagles the Eagles signed their own Certificate that year because that by virtue of them beating the giants the pack For the people to get in by winning their week 17 game and then they ended up taking out the Eagles in in round one of those playoffs Right, but if Eagles lost they might have been the playoffs So that they needed it too, but I mean anyway the giants are dominating the game. It's So we're you know Our stories my story is Oh, what a terrible loss and oh my god, they're not they might miss the playoffs This and that they're gonna have to do this that you're the guys were up. I played was 31 10 at one point It was December 19, 2010. Mike Vickis goes wild He he throws like four tucking passes in the second half three. I think in the fourth quarter

51:21It's tied 31 31, but that's a good three touchdown pass 30 is tied 31 31 the giants get the ball They have to pump let me just seconds to go But the giants gonna put it and now we're gonna go over time, right? Nope the Giants punter again named Dodge Once it and then Eagles put the Sean Jackson back on as The as their put returner. He didn't do it all he did it sometimes They had other guys that were doing it, but in that in that situation they said let's put our guy back there And if you remember this it's been a long time ago, but Jackson brings it back For a touchdown. Well, first he dropped he kind of mufted dropped him. You can't a bubble. Yes. Yes He picked it up and started running and then he goes and he and he took his time from the five-yard line in To make sure there were zeros on the clock You didn't see him he didn't give the Giants even a chance to to get the kickoff on it. So Yeah, that's the game where The story

52:21Change that's it. That's the one that pops my and there's others not quite that dramatic But yeah, that was one that you you were a little late getting home that night in other words Well, it was a one-a-one o'clock game So it wasn't like we were actually running on on deadline But in terms of having your story written What I was what I planned on writing when it was 31 10 is not what I wrote about When the front of school was 38 31. I mean the plan the you know watching the game I'm thinking my god. This is bad and this could knock them out of the playoffs And they could cost them this and that they're not are gonna need help getting in They're play terrible obviously to be down 31 10 Um, you know, there was a lot of questions. I had to be answered on defense that they gave up 31 points and Why do you off the offense but struggling? So I'm you know I'm gonna talk to whoever about that and then all of a sudden like I said Vic went wild He was a you know, he was obviously wondering stories. How well he played that and to Sean Jackson of course is is the story and of course The overlying if you was it was another from the Eagle standpoint. It was another miracle

53:23Of the metal ants They've had so many there they had the Herman Edwards Fumble recovery back in 79 They had the when the giants blocked the fuel goal and clients Simmons catches it and runs it in To win the game and over time Then they had the one the brine Westbrook punt return Um, that one they eat that similar game where the giants dominated the whole game I said that I've said this and in that game it was It was 1410 at the time giants are leading 1410 And they couldn't run the clock out they tried it they had the evil stop them at whatever mid midfield they have to punt I've often said if the if the giants Would have taken a knee on that punt or not pun it just taken a knee on on fourth down there and gave the Eagles the ball wherever it was midfield Eagles one to one the game that offense the second half the Eagles have like 12 yards of offense Instead they they didn't they put it and Westbrook brought the texture of touchdown

54:24And the Eagles won the game 17 14 I believe So yeah that it was that was just another like you know that was part of that story too with Dejohn Jackson is like just another crazy Eagles ending at the metal ants That could be I mean Week one is always full of I mean I think back to 10 years ago when the packers started out in Jacksonville remember that crazy game Against the Jaguars at week one in 2016 and Rodgers was throwing it all over the field He had that big like crazy touchdown in Devonte Adams I think was negated because of a penalty But it was like one of the best throwing catches ever between those two Okay, like Adams caught it in double coverage against the rookie Jalen Ramsey was his first game in the NFL Packers are playing at a hot ass Jacksonville Environment Marseilles Lewis was still with the Jaguars he caught a touchdown pass and it was like a catch and run of course Right because he doesn't ever do that except against the packers But the Packers won the game, but it was back and forth back and forth back and forth down to the wire 2016 was a fun season that was 10 years ago It's the 10th anniversary of that fun season

55:24I unfortunately didn't end that great the head of the championship game was lackluster because of a lot of injuries and stuff like that The Packers had but this was the year that they beat the Cowboys on the double crossbeek Kick and the Jared Cook sideline catch. So I don't know. Let's see if the Packers can recapture some of that magic and my favorite packer opener In recent years was the bear's game when You thought Rogers was out for the year when they couldn't like they quartered them off the field right the first half And then he comes back and second he comes back in a second half and beat them Yeah, my knee I mean, I really thought he was out for the year Oh, yeah, it looked bad. I thought that's that's for sure. It's an ACL or something It's you know booked off. Yeah, it was real bad That was not a it was not good It's not a good situation at the time, but but he came back and They ended up winning Randall Cobb does it again Randall Cobb parts to see so We'll see how this one shakes out and joy the Week one match up between the Packers and the Vikings

56:25Enjoy the show next week. It'll be great Well, I have a special guest that will step in for me and will be recording with Mark And I'll be back afterwards to break down the Jets result the Jets game and then preview We'll have we won't be doing our usual assignment from three speaking of of we'll be previewing the Thursday night Home opener for the Green Bay Packers against the Atlanta Falcons in week three So we'll be looking forward to that in the meantime Give us a follow on X send us any thoughts or questions thanks everybody for the support as always Football is back Congratulations. We made it take care of yourself and as always go back go