Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
Loss to Saints won’t be easy to write off
Jordy Nelson should have introduced himself to the football as he walked off soggy Lambeau Field on Sunday. It was that kind of day. There were plenty of long faces and it wasn’t because the paying customers were getting plenty of rain in their beers.
The dawn of the Brett Hundley Era turned into a very, very dark day.
This development was surprising as Aaron Jones galloped 46 yards for a Quick Six before any fans were settled in long enough to say something bad about Dom Capers. But that will come later.
As a side note, Jones passed Wuert Engelmann on Green Bay's all-time rushing list during the game. What, no ceremony?
Be that as it may, the Pack was riding that wave of momentum into the locker room with a 14-7 lead at the break. It was all downhill after that as skiers say.
Viewers of the second half probably thought that the only adjustment Packers coach Mike McCarthy made at intermission was with his trousers.
Hundley had some Jim Del Gaizo-type numbers on the day, which didn’t help matters.
He was a less-than stellar 12-of-25 for 87 yards. It all added up to a 39.9 passer rating. That No. 12 who started the season with the Pack could probably put up those numbers left-handed.
“Our passing game, we can sit here and pick it apart all you want,” McCarthy said. “Let’s just blame it on the head coach today.”
OK. Let’s do that. Ever hear of a quick slant route, buddy?
Poor Nelson had one catch. Randall Cobb and Davante Adams hauled in a pair of passes each. The longest pass play was 14 yards. No receiver had more than 17 yards.
Simply put, it was a fantasy football nightmare.
Speaking of fantasies, converting on third down was also one.
Hundley hit 4-of-11 passes in those situations. In other words, you could have taken a potty break after second down.
“Third down was kind of our Achilles heel all day,” McCarthy said. “It was a challenge I didn’t meet today. He didn’t get comfortable in the pocket, and that’s my responsibility.”
At least the young man did air it out well on his Lambeau Leap after his 14-yard touchdown scamper. He must be getting hang time tips from punter Justin Vogel or former Olympic high jumper Dick Fosbury.
Hundley, the former Alamo Bowl star from UCLA, did have 44 yards rushing. That was his most impressive statistic of the day.
“He made some big, big plays with his feet,” McCarthy said.
This is great if Hundley wants to take up futsol at some point in his life.
Meanwhile, Hundley’s friends on defense failed to make big plays with any appendage in the second half.
Capers’ crew allowed the Saints to score on four of their five possessions after the break. The fifth ended in the victory formation.
Drew Brees did whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. And when did it become a Brown County ordinance to stay away from Ted Ginn Jr.?
“I’m particularly disgusted with the second half,” McCarthy said. He wasn’t the only one. So Capers’ seat is so hot you could fry an egg on it. What else is new?
Hundley’s already been thrown into the fire. He’s doing on-the-job training in front of people who have been spoiled watching Aaron Rodgers. A lot of people on the ledge think the season is over.
“All I’ve got to say is, ‘Don’t write us off,’” Hundley said.
The Fat Lady is not singing, but the cursive teacher is already doodling.
FEARLESS FORECASTS
It’s Week 8 already and it is trick-or-treat time. It seems like from now on it is going to take a trick for Packers to get into the
end zone. And it would be a treat if they actually won a game.
But it is time to focus on the week ahead. Remember, do not to try to digest these picks for at least a half hour after eating all of the best candy out of your youngster’s bag.
Game of the week: Steelers at Lions: The Pittsburgh receivers plan to play Twister in the end zone the next time they score. Detroit acts like it is a Rolls Royce, but it plays like an Edsel. Steelers 30, Lions 23.
Game of the weak: Dolphins at Ravens: Miami has no quarterback. Nobody from Green Bay has sent a sympathy card. This is the best game the NFL has to offer on a Thursday night? The Nielsen numbers will look like Hundley’s passer rating. Ravens 12, Dolphins 3, Yawns aplenty. Packers vs. Bye: The Pack is a decided underdog even though many people will say they are getting the bye week at the right time.
VINELINES
Steve Rosenbloom of the Chicago Tribune: “Instead of detailing Mitchell Trubisky’s first four series in the second half, let’s just say this: I thought the Bears were going to change his jersey number to 3-andOut.”...
Norman Chad, syndicated columnist: “When Jay Cutler throws two interceptions, there’s often a third one in him – it’s like riding a hot slot machine.”...
Alex Kaseberg, comedy writer: “The Dolphins' Jay Cutler injured his chest. They checked his heart, but they didn't find anything.”...
Jim Barach, comedy writer: “NFL referees are fighting back against claims of biased officiating. They say they can prove with game films that their calls are equally bad no matter who is playing.”