Mike McCarthy High on Kizer Before the Battle for Backup Begins
McCarthy sings the praises of Deshone Kizer.
By Ryan Brunner
Over the weekend at the Packers rookie orientation camp, Head Coach Mike McCarthy was singing the praises of newly acquired quarterback DeShone Kizer. Among the most stunning of the praises was the coach stating that Kizer would have been among the likes of the top four quarterbacks selected in this year’s NFL draft in Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen and Josh Rosen had Kizer entered the draft a year later.
Some may take McCarthy’s comments with a grain of salt as he was also high in praise last season for then backup Brett Hundley while in the middle of his futile attempts to lead the team to wins when they desperately needed them. Others may see McCarthy’s comments as motivating and providing a boost of confidence to Kizer and a swift kick in the rear to Hundley as they enter training camp battling to be the backup to Aaron Rodgers.
The fact remains that a serviceable quarterback could’ve potentially won two to three more games to put the Packers in the hunt for the playoffs last season. Memories of the games against the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers come to mind in mid-season. Though the coach was seemingly high on Hundley even to end the 2017 campaign, he has every reason to be more excited now with Kizer as a potential backup for the team.
Aaron Rodgers’ history in the NFL has shown that he is not the iron man that Brett Favre proved to be through his time in Green Bay. Couple the slight injury history with the fact that he is entering the back nine of his career, having a great backup makes a ton of sense and the addition of Kizer to the Packers lineup will help fuel a battle for the second spot on the depth chart entering 2018.
Looking back to McCarthy’s early years as the Packers coach, he has shown that the quarterback position comes down to the best man for the job. The 2008 draft for the Packers featured the highly touted Brian Brohm in the second round and Matt Flynn in the seventh round. Fierce competition in both camp and preseason games that year proved that Flynn was the man for the job. McCarthy awarded the backup position to Flynn that year with the decision paying off years down the road in Flynn’s gutsy backup performances leading the team.
The battle for the second spot on the quarterback depth chart will be fun to watch this coming summer. With the coaches past praise of both candidates, this battle will come down to the best performer in both practices and on-field performances during the preseason.
________________________
Ryan Brunner is an avid Packers fan hailing from Chippewa Falls, WI. He is a firm believer that punters are NFL players too! Follow him on Twitter @brunwardo
Comments (82)
Bearmeat
May 09, 2018 at 06:34 am
Like you said, MM was high on Hundley and look how that turned out. If ARod gets hurt again, this is not a playoff roster. Period.
And MM should keep his mouth shut after the quality of the roster TT, himself and Dom put out there most of the last 3 years. It's clear now that ARod drug those under .500 teams to the playoffs by himself.
cuervo
May 09, 2018 at 06:38 am
There is no battle for the second spot. If you give up a first round draft pick for a QB, that QB is on your team in the position you expected him to be. Kizer is the #2 QB for next year...period.
The question is whether they keep Hundley as a #3 or not ( my bet is they cut him).
NickPerry
May 09, 2018 at 06:43 am
Exactly.... IMO Kizer would really have to be terrible for him not to win the back-up job.
dobber
May 09, 2018 at 07:49 am
There's no PS eligibility for Hundley, so they either keep 3 QBs (unlikely) or he goes. If he plays well enough to compel them to consider keeping 3 QBs, they trade him for a jugs machine and a bag of dirty sweatsocks if they can get it and put a developmental QB on the PS.
kevgk
May 09, 2018 at 12:43 pm
last year was one of the few years they haven't kept 3 qbs. Only way he doesnt make the roster is if they choose the undrafted guy over him
Tundraboy
May 09, 2018 at 04:09 pm
I'll take the jugs machine.
croatpackfan
May 10, 2018 at 06:18 am
I think they will trade Brett Hundley. Packlers will give Hundley and 6th round pick to interested team...
WinUSA
May 10, 2018 at 10:27 am
Now THAT'S funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't seen such and inept play by a quarterback since the Packers last SAVIOR Randy Wright! Every day Hundley guy is on the team he counts against the salary cap....why put us in such excruciating agony waiting for the guillotine to fall on Hundley.... and then
the crowd cheered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NickPerry
May 09, 2018 at 06:57 am
McCarthy DOES have a history of being a bit of a QB whisperer. He did it with Brooks, Flynn, and believe it or not Rodgers. The thing about McCarthy is he's loyal, so much so it becomes a detriment at times. McCarthy will ALWAYS back his players, rarely if ever smashing them publicly.
Yes he continued to sing the praises of Hundley as he showed over and over the best part of his game was chewing gum. But what else was he going to do? You also have to remember who else did he have to work with? Last year wasn't the first year the Packers were caught without a back-up.
Hopefully Gutekunst learned from Thompson's mistakes... Both times... I can't see Hundley sticking in GB, not after trading your best CB from a year ago for Kizer. But Kizer better show improvement and give McCarthy the feeling he could actually win a game or two if Rodgers tweaks a calf muscle of something. If not the Packers might need to use an extra spot for a 3rd QB who can win if pressed into duty.
dobber
May 09, 2018 at 07:52 am
"McCarthy DOES have a history of being a bit of a QB whisperer. "
MM (whispering in Hundley's ear): Juuuuuuuuuicy Fruuuuuit....
holmesmd
May 09, 2018 at 01:30 pm
Lol
WinUSA
May 10, 2018 at 10:28 am
ROFLMAO
RCPackerFan
May 09, 2018 at 07:56 am
'McCarthy DOES have a history of being a bit of a QB whisperer. He did it with Brooks, Flynn, and believe it or not Rodgers.'
Completely agree. I really don't think Rodgers would be the player he is today had he been thrown into the fire as a rookie. McCarthy developed him in his QB school.
The problem with McCarthy's QB school is that all those players mentioned that he developed were all developed pre CBA rules changes.
I am really starting to question if they have enough time to truly develop QB's with the way the new CBA.
And last year praising Hundley what was he supposed to do? Does anyone really want him going up after a game saying he sucked and our season is lost?
The one part I disagree with is trading the best CB. I thought King was the best CB until he got hurt. Randall played well down the stretch, but I thought King was better.
dobber
May 09, 2018 at 08:18 am
"The problem with McCarthy's QB school is that all those players mentioned that he developed were all developed pre CBA rules changes."
...and I think this is in part where MM is getting too much of the blame on Hundley. The development of Hundley really fell more on the QB coaches he's had--Van Pelt, I think, has been the sole QB coach during Hundley's time in GB. I'm not going to defend MM sticking with him as much or as long as he did, although it seems TT was asleep at the wheel and wasn't going to make any personnel changes, anyway. I think we all know Callahan wasn't going to win any more games than Hundley did.
We've beaten the dead "why didn't they know sooner?" horse on Hundley until it's become glue. It is MM's ship, though, as far as on-field performance goes, and the buck stops with him.
"I am really starting to question if they have enough time to truly develop QB's with the way the new CBA."
I think this inflates QB values. Anyone who looks close to pro-ready is going to go high. Anyone who looks like they're going to need an extended apprenticeship will not. If you look at Allen, Darnold, etc., etc., this year, it didn't look like any of them were an Andrew Luck or even a Carson Wentz. They all had significant warts--developmental, personality, etc.--but they either had elite physical traits (Allen) or played well on high-end programs. I wouldn't be surprised if NONE of those guys pans out....I actually liked Lamar Jackson better than all of them. So I can see, on that level, why MM is so ready to praise Kizer.
RCPackerFan
May 09, 2018 at 08:46 am
You do bring up a great point. I do wonder how good Van Pelt was. I know Rodgers liked him, but we didn't see the development with Hundley.
In all honesty, no one knew how good or bad Hundley was going to be. I'm sure in practice he looked better then he did in games.
I heard one of the reasons the Browns took Mayfield over Darnold was because of the ohio state game. They each played Ohio State and Mayfield played well whereas Darnold didn't.
I think Jackson is in a good spot honestly. Out of all the QB's I think he might be in the best spot. He could sit a year or whatever to sit behind Flacco. Mayfield I think is in a good spot as well, minus playing for the Browns. But both those guys will likely be sitting behind veterans.
Kizer has talent. He probably would have beat the Packers had it not been for Clay Mathews.
Spock
May 09, 2018 at 10:30 am
dobber, That line, "We've beaten the dead "..." horse on Hundley until it's become glue." is classic. I hope you don't mind if I borrow that one in the future!
CheesyTex
May 09, 2018 at 12:07 pm
Thought dobber's juuuuuuuuucy fruuuuuit comment was hilarious, too.
dobber
May 09, 2018 at 01:23 pm
I need you guys to text my wife to prove that there ARE people out there who seem to enjoy my sense of humor... ;)
BradHTX
May 09, 2018 at 04:08 pm
Classic. Dobber's "en fuego" today.
Tundraboy
May 09, 2018 at 04:14 pm
Sure. Could you text mine to tell her it's normal to check here every day?
TKWorldWide
May 09, 2018 at 05:17 pm
Also on board, 4 shore!
WinUSA
May 10, 2018 at 10:30 am
It was text book classic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Still laughing....
Oppy
May 09, 2018 at 03:14 pm
Part of the reason "they didn't know sooner" can be answered by watching hundley practice.
People were yelling that Hundley didn't have the arm last year, he couldn't get the ball down field, and he couldn't do it accurately.
However, if you'd seen Hundley at training camp, he was regularly putting the ball deep, on the money, making nice-looking throws. In fact, in the QB accuracy drill they do with the vertical hoops with nets? Hundley challenged Rodgers on the deep balls regularly, and sometimes bested him. That's something that never happened with other QBs.
He did make a few big-time throws last season (that were generally ignored), and the Pittsburgh game, although a loss, was QB'd as well as you could reasonably expect from anyone that doesn't have "Rodgers" or "Brady" across their backs. Overall, however, something didn't click on the big stage. But on the practice field, he looked like a passable NFL qb.
LASVEGAS-TOM
May 09, 2018 at 05:38 pm
Oppy, It's probably No Surprise, but I disagree with you & everyone else on this QB development. When did QB's have to develop? When did that start?
Hundley is DONE, FINISHED, It's OVER. I don't know about this other guy, but at this point, I'm not sure he's any better than Hundley, but he hasn't really had a complete chance yet, but he did have part of it, & didn't do a very good job. In my years of watching football, you either had it, & showed it, or you didn't.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think AR developed. Same goes for Brett Favre, & certainly Don Majikowski. I know AR & Brett sat the bench for a while, but I don't think that had anything to do with their ability. Playing experience shows if you got it or you don't. Both AR & Brett needed a few games to get going, but Majik came in Cold & Shined. It's my opinion, but I don't think any one on the GB staff did anything to make AR a better QB. I don't see anything that will make Hundley any better, & I doubt there is anything much that will make this other guy any better than what he is. He either has it, or he don't. That's my opinion.
LVT
Finwiz
May 09, 2018 at 06:35 pm
Yeah, someone is drinking too much green and gold kool-aid.
I guess they missed the family night scrimmage where the only guy to put the "ball through the hoop" was Rodgers, and I think Callahan had one.
Hundley wasn't accurate in that drill in that TV scrimmage.
Hundley has shown me NOTHING, except an incredible ability (or lack thereof) to chew gum while concentrating on reading defenses. I'll go with the lack thereof.
They better jettison this guy soon or I'm afraid it's going to be more of the same with fat McCarthy in 2018.
WKUPackFan
May 09, 2018 at 08:44 pm
How could AR be "the only guy to put the "ball through the hoop"" if you "think Callahan had one" also?
There may be a little fat on that recollection.
Oppy
May 09, 2018 at 09:06 pm
Don't know what to tell you, Finwiz, but first and foremost, I've seen it myself at TC practices, and I've read confirming accounts of it from more than one beat writer as well.
I also remember that it was a rarity- almost unheard of- for anyone to sink the 40 and 60 yarders before Rodgers came along. Between Rodgers, Hundley, and Flynn, it had become semi-routine.
BTW, the chewing gum thing cracks me up. It almost seems like a go-to for people who just want to hate the guy. Some sort of pressure valve to let the steam off for them. Really, who cares? He chews gum.
croatpackfan
May 10, 2018 at 08:08 am
Oppy and others. I agree with Oppy. Why? Because one thing is to throw balls during practice and something different to throw balls in the real games (not even preseason games offer that much adrenaline!)...
Games are much faster and games are mistakes in games are costly, while at practice are not... Additional prove Hundley has problem with the pressure is in fact that all games he played well (3. I think) Packers played on side (2 wins and at Steelers) He won at home against lowly Buccaneers when win came from running game and better D performance (also win in OT)...
So, TC, preseason and practice are one story, games, especially at Lambeau, are completely different story...
After we said all, I think Brett Hundley will never overcome that pressure influence on his game and because of that he will never be NFL QB...
Oppy
May 09, 2018 at 09:09 pm
LVT,
I responded specifically to the question "How could they not have known sooner". That's all.
As to development of Rodgers.. all you have to do is look at his throwing motion as a rookie coming out, and what it was by the time he played that half of football in dallas. That's a completely different QB throwing that ball. He was developed.
LASVEGAS-TOM
May 09, 2018 at 10:29 pm
Oppy, Ok, everyone is bound to pick up something, or change something when practicing at the NFL level. I don't consider that developing ones ability. When I Wrestled in HS, certainly moves I had in the beginning were no where's as good as later on. Same goes for Football. If you want to call getting better with experience, Development, then I agree. I also played Short in HS. Baseball is an even better example. You'll never take an average Ball Player, & make a Good one out of him. He either has it, or he doesn't. I Respectfully disagree. I don't believe anyone made AR, Brett Favre, or Don Majikowski Better Qb"s. They had it to begin with. If AR changed his Throwing Motion, it's something he developed for the better. AR was Never a Hundley, neither was Marino or Montana. Experience will always improve one's ability, but take an average QB & move him to the A Team?? All the Developing in the world won't make it happen.
LVT
WKUPackFan
May 10, 2018 at 02:21 am
Undoubtedly your high school wrestling and baseball experience was the equivalent of how world class athletes' skills are developed.
Obviously today's upcoming youth QBs are wasting their time with individual QB coaches, canps, 7 on 7 competitions, etc. According to you they do not have to practice at all. After all, they either have it or they do not.
LASVEGAS-TOM
May 10, 2018 at 04:25 am
WKUPackFan, #1, I wasn't posting to you. #2, I wasn't talking about kids. My Dad (God Rest His Soul) signed a Major League Contract with St. Louis in 1942 for $6K. That's Right $6K. He was a SS but they wanted him for 2ond base. Unfortunately the war came & he had to go into a Defense Plant, where he cut his Right index finger off at the 2ond knuckle. That was the end of the baseball career, although he did play for the Old Milwaukee Brewers & Soldiers Home until 1949. The point I'm making is, He had me Fielding ground balls & Hitting at 5 years old. That's when you develop, not when you start HS, or on an NFL team. Whether it's Wrestling, Football, or Baseball, if you aren't one of the Best by the time you get to High School, you'll never be better than 2ond string. I doubt Very Much that you'd know that, because you never did either.
LVT
WKUPackFan
May 11, 2018 at 03:27 am
You are posting on a public forum. Your comments are fair game for anyone to reply to.
Including MLB really does not help your argument. If MLB thought all of their prospects were fully developed upon initial signing there would be no minor leagues.
LASVEGAS-TOM
May 11, 2018 at 03:58 pm
WKUPackFan, You're right, it's a public forum. you are welcome to your opinions, just as I am. You're Wrong on your definition of Development. Players that make the Majors are fully Developed. Of coarse you get better with age and experience. Robin Yount & Paul Moliter were fully Develped when the made it up to the Big leagues. No One made them Better Ball Players, only Time & Playing experience did that. If that's what you mean by developing at the HS, College, or Pro level, then we agree. No one makes anyone a Better Player at that stage, they just work with what he already has. I'd bet AR was probably the Best QB on every team he ever played on from HS on. They named John Elways HS Stadium after him. Do you really believe John Elway was Developed in the NFL, or HS for that matter.
There are probably Fathers on this Post who's kids Wrestle, or Wrestled in HS. Each of them would tell you that any kid who comes to HS without 100 or 200 match's already under his belt, Doesn't Have A Chance. That's Development. Check it out. You fInd what I'm telling you is True. You don't Develop after HS. Only the Good One's get better with experience.
My nephew is one of the Top 5 HS wrestlers in WI. 2 State Titles, & 2 seconds. Something like 145 total Wins in HS. He beat Dennis Hall at 130 to win that title. My nephew blew his knee out at WI. Dennis Hall went on to win a Silver Medal at the Olyimpics. Way to Go Dennis. Both Dennis & My Nephew got to HS with 200 - 300 Match's already Wrestled. That's Development.
LVT
flackcatcher
May 10, 2018 at 11:54 am
Dobber, it can't be said often enough. The CBA has really hurt pro football. Lack of OTA and the shorter training camp has led to sloppy play and more unnecessary injuries. This is the only issue that puts me on a full blow rant. Players get hurt because they are not ready to play, fans get a crap product, owners seem to not care. Stupid, so stupid....
Donster
May 09, 2018 at 07:00 am
Will be interesting how Cignetti, the new QB coach does with Kizer, and Hundley. The only reasons I see to keep Hundley is that he does know the offense, and if Kizer doesn't get much of a grasp on it before the season starts. If so, they will have to keep three QB's on the roster. Can't stash either one on the PS, as Hundley has been on the roster for four years, and Kizer would get picked up by another team quickly. I'm hoping Rodgers doesn't get hurt, which is obvious. And I hope Kizer grasps the offense quickly. Then say buh-bye to Hundley, and put Boyle on the PS. Keep that third QB roster spot for another position.
dobber
May 09, 2018 at 08:22 am
I wish I'd read your post before posting some of mine...so instead I'll give you hearty 'thumbs up'!
Kizer has no PS eligibility, either. I think being active for 8 games wipes it out.
Thegreatreynoldo
May 10, 2018 at 04:31 am
I think Kizer is eligible for the PS, but only as one of the four veteran exemptions since he played 8 games and has an accrued season. I don't think it matters since he'd never clear waivers. Hundley is not eligible for the PS at all.
dobber
May 10, 2018 at 04:58 am
I stand corrected. Thanks TGR!
3rdigraphics
May 09, 2018 at 07:05 am
I’ve never seen a HC get exposed as bad as MM did and manage to “fail forward” and get more power and influence in the org as he did after the 2017 season.
The comments that came out from players about accountability and need for change after capers was fired were refreshing, but the honesty in them sounded like a HC was fired and they were freed to make those comments. MM wasn’t fired though - this whole thing reeks of enabling and deflecting blame.
It’s patently obvious that Rodgers made MM & TT - when it was exposed TT got the boot but a bland 13 year HC with an incredibly predictable offense stayed. It doesn’t add up...
Bearmeat
May 09, 2018 at 07:27 am
Very true. But if they don't at least get to the divisional round of the playoffs, my guess is that MM is gone and the traditional power structure is restored. GM as head of football operations.
dobber
May 09, 2018 at 07:54 am
I've had this sneaking suspicion that in putting himself at the top of the hierarchy, Murphy was also protecting MM (for whatever reason). I suspect the leash is longer than we think.
Lare
May 09, 2018 at 02:49 pm
We also don't know what all went on behind the scenes at Lambeau Field. I'm guessing Thompson was a little more involved in decision-making for staffing, roster and playing time than we know.
flackcatcher
May 09, 2018 at 09:53 pm
Giving that both McCarthy and Murphy contracts are up after this season, I do not think he was doing MM any favors. The current front office situation is unstable, and can not last. Like others, I suspect a return to the previous structure after this year. The only sure thing is IAMGUTE will be back........
croatpackfan
May 10, 2018 at 06:46 am
What if this draft class showed themselves as catastrophic? Gutekunst is still in?
I hope this class will be marvelous, just to point out that we can not talk in the matter that something is sure next year. Heck even next year is not sure thing for mankind (e. g. Yellowstone blows up and what then?)...
I think many of us (me, in some occasions, too) should show more patience before we are doing judgments on anyone (e. g. people spit on TT claiming he should retire in the beginning of the last year - today we knows that he was talking 3 years ago that he only wants to be scout for Packers - we do not know why Murphy did not hear him or satisfy him and did 2015 what he did 2018)...
flackcatcher
May 10, 2018 at 11:42 am
Croat, I am sorry if I did not make myself clear on the front office situation. Gute has a two year contract, no matter what happens this year he will be the Packers GM going forward. Some of this is timing. Murphy's actions put the front office in a bad spot. Packers like to have both the GM and HC contracts in tandem. The organization considers both positions of equal importance and as such, the executive committee deals with both together. This is a policy that goes back to the early 90's, under the Packer President Bob Harlan. Why Murphy discarded the policy and drew the wrath of Harlan publicly is unknown to us Packer fans at this time.
Thegreatreynoldo
May 12, 2018 at 12:26 pm
I read that Gutekunst has a 5-year contract, per Rappoport, who is pretty reliable. Maybe initial reports were incorrect.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000903698/article/packers-hire-bria...
RCPackerFan
May 09, 2018 at 07:12 am
I will admit I was a bit surprised they didn't trade Hundley during or before the draft.
I really don't get Hundley to be honest. He came in his rookie year looking like a future starter. And he has done nothing but regress since. He had some good moments last year, but they were few and far in between. He would show some progress then he would take a step back. He would make a great throw and on time the next time he would hold the ball to long.
Kizer was thrown into a bad situation last year with the Browns. He is a guy that needed to sit behind a veteran for at least a year to develop. Coming to Green Bay, it will give him time to develop. We don't know exactly what kind of player Kizer will be.
Will he be a similar version of Hundley? Perhaps. Perhaps he will develop better then Hundley. That is yet to be determined.
I do agree with McCarthy that he would have been one of the top QB's in this years draft. I have heard that from other scouts as well.
It will be interesting to see what happens this preseason between Hundley and Kizer.
cuervo
May 09, 2018 at 12:40 pm
"I will admit I was a bit surprised they didn't trade Hundley during or before the draft."
To who? The only way Hundley gets traded to anyone is we offer draft picks to go with it. He has ZERO value currently, and I wouldn't be surprised if his NFL career is done once he leaves GB.
Finwiz
May 09, 2018 at 01:45 pm
Ya no kidding.....trade Hundley - who would want him?
He has no value at all. Trade him for the Patriots water boy - maybe there's something in the water that allows Brady to play at 41 without injury.
Unreal - the wisdom that just flows out of these blogs.
Lare
May 09, 2018 at 02:54 pm
I'm guessing Hundley & Callahan's lack of development was the main reason Van Pelt was "allowed" to move on. Philbin will now return to being Rodgers mentor and Cignetti's job will be to coach & develop the younger QB's.
Oppy
May 09, 2018 at 03:24 pm
I don't think Philbin was ever Rodgers' mentor per se. By Rodgers' own account, what Philbin does bring to the table is presence and he really prepares the offense as a whole for the defensive looks they'll be getting on sundays.
Tom Clements was the QB coach who developed Rodgers and could really be credited with acting as a mentor to Rodgers.
BradHTX
May 09, 2018 at 05:17 pm
Never really understood the idea of Van Pelt as a QB coach anyway — dude was never good enough to be a starter, mostly a backup to Drew Bledsoe in Buffalo. Him coaching Rodgers is the definition of "Do as I say, not as I... did?"
And yes, I know that lack of personal success doesn't mean you can't be a good teacher. But still, do you really want to learn from someone who couldn't make it in the biz himself?
LayingTheLawe
May 09, 2018 at 08:10 pm
Bradhtx if you followed this logic then only hall of fame players could be good coaches. And as far as I know there is only one coach to win a super bowl, who was a hall of fame player. But we can't mention that name in here.
snowdog
May 11, 2018 at 11:03 am
Forest Gregg ?
thebeast431
May 09, 2018 at 07:15 am
Hundley was a flop because this team was not disciplined enough on either side of the ball.
Too many rookie mistakes on both sides, that an Elite QB can overcome. But putting an untested QB in a must-pass situation when the defense knows it is coming, will never work out.
Kizer was in the same boat in Cleveland, but was even more "green".
LayingTheLawe
May 09, 2018 at 08:14 pm
You are underestimating how bad Hundley was. He did not even look like a bad quarterback in any home games. His level of futility in lambeau will be the stuff of legend.
TKWorldWide
May 09, 2018 at 07:23 am
Nobody is the iron man that Favre was.
dobber
May 09, 2018 at 07:55 am
Dumb animals just don't feel pain like normal people do...
Spock
May 09, 2018 at 10:35 am
Tony Stark IS iron man. :)
TKWorldWide
May 09, 2018 at 05:16 pm
That thought DID cross my mind.
egbertsouse
May 09, 2018 at 07:29 am
Yeah Rodgers, you better sign that contract quickly, we have a future HOFer on board!
Handsback
May 09, 2018 at 07:35 am
If Kizer isn't "THE GUY" then it's all noise. He's a backup that could win 50% of the games while Rodgers is out. If he can be "THE GUY" then Green Bay has a very special opportunity once Rodgers hangs it up.
Just for reference...Rodgers didn't look like "THE GUY" for the first couple of years after he was drafted to many except the coaching staff, so is history repeating itself?
JohnnyLogan
May 09, 2018 at 09:15 am
Kizer can never be the eventual replacement for Rodgers as Rodgers new contract will likely lock him up at least five years. Kizer isn't going to be around that long. If he shows any promise over the next couple seasons he'll be traded. If not, he'll be let go. His only chance at being "The Guy" is if Rodgers has career ending injury (hurt saying that).
Finwiz
May 09, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Never say never.....Rodgers could very well sustain another season ending injury, as I don't expect him to change his playing style.
Could be staring at Kizer sooner than we think. I wonder if he chews gum?
dobber
May 09, 2018 at 01:25 pm
<Whispering>
...Huuuubba Buuuubba....
BradHTX
May 09, 2018 at 05:19 pm
Was always more of a Double Bubble or Bubblicious kid, myself.
stockholder
May 11, 2018 at 08:37 am
Bazooka. The Joe comic. It was only a penny.
Since'61
May 09, 2018 at 08:45 am
I like that MM publicly supports his players but he should tone it down a bit. He could just state that he is very pleased with Kizer's performance to date or that he did very well during the first OTA, etc.
He doesn't manage expectations well when he dolls out such high praise on many of these young players. I would rather be surprised to watch Kizer play and see that he is better than expected than have him finally get to play and be a miserable disappointment like Hundley turned out to be.
I agree with others here that the CBA is partially responsible for the lack of preparedness for young QBs but Hundley looked lost for the whole season and the game never slowed down for him.
I'm hoping that with a better team around him, Kizer who appears to have more talent than Hundley, will be able to come in and win a few games if necessary. Thanks, Since '61
Johnblood27
May 10, 2018 at 09:10 am
one too many trips to the well here.
i might be leaning towards agreeing with your wife...
dobber
May 10, 2018 at 10:23 am
Most people do...
PatrickGB
May 09, 2018 at 08:55 am
Brett "Hesitation" Hundley is a bust. He has talent but his mind is shot. For him my best guess is that it was a mental thing. He MAY have been good in practice and fooled the coaches so we kept him. And/or MM was too loyal to cut him. MM gets to start over again with another QB with talent. I sure hope he does better this time. Brett was a 5th rounder and Kizer was a second rounder. Both were overdrafted. One good thing is that we have a great starting QB.
We will see how all this plays out. My guess is that Kizer sticks and Hundley doesn't.
(Factoid) The CSS Hundley was sunk over and over in trials during the Civil War and on its last "successful" mission was sunk with all hands again.
Finwiz
May 09, 2018 at 12:27 pm
"Brett "Hesitation" Hundley is a bust. He has talent but his mind is shot. For him my best guess is that it was a mental thing."
Agree with the 1st sentence, but not the 2nd. I didn't really see any talent at all. Somebody was really wrong in evaluating him during the scouting process.
GarboMann
May 09, 2018 at 10:44 am
I'm really looking forward to seeing Kizer with a QB friendly organization. I've always felt that Hue Jackson should not be a head coach and I believe he'll be gone next year. Dorsey would want his own HC, so another year of futility will show Jackson out the door.
That being said, I find it rather interesting that the last two, and the current, GMs have all made it a priority to acquire a QB as one of their first moves. Wolf sent a first rounder to Atlanta for Favre (Wolf had him rated as a #1 prospect a year prior when with the Jets), TT in drafting Aaron with his first pick (as the GM), and then Gutey bringing in Kizer for a DB that has been described as a cancer and whiner. If it is in fact true that the Packers were really high on him the year prior, the acquisition of him would be a major coup. We've got to hope the year in Cleveland (under Jackson) didn't damage him too much. It would be a shame if he turned out like Rick Mirer...runner up for offensive rookie of the year but we all know how his career turned out. His confidence was destroyed in year two.
JerseyAl
May 09, 2018 at 11:56 am
For the sake of a joke, is McCarthy "high on Kizer" or just high? Or is Kizer the name of some new cannabis strain?
carry on...
Ryan Brunner
May 09, 2018 at 02:55 pm
Are you saying that one would need to be under the influence to watch the backup QB battle in Green Bay??
It would make quite the catchy tune if Weird Al happened to do a second remake of "Eye of the Tiger" though........"and Coach Mac was Hiiiiiigggghhhhh.....on the Kizer!"
Lare
May 09, 2018 at 03:01 pm
I would say A and/or B, I'm way too old to know if it's C.
LPPAKer
May 09, 2018 at 06:52 pm
Dude, I just got me some Keizer this morning. Listen to this Thunk thunk thunk, that’s my skull.
Oppy
May 10, 2018 at 05:22 pm
I've been thinking about that, Mr. Hand... Isn't this OUR time?
Johnblood27
May 10, 2018 at 09:16 am
could kizers first year in cleveland be any worse than favres first year in atlanta where he self admittedly tried to drink the town dry?
let the kid, who came out as a junior, have some time to develop nfl skills and adjust to nfl speed defenses and get some nfl level coaching and mentoring before we anmoint or reject him.
hundley on the other hand, should be leaving asap. he has had his time and lambeau has proven itself to be too big a stage for him. maybe jacksonville would be a better fit.
Lphill
May 09, 2018 at 03:48 pm
Why is Hundley even still on the team? Kizer will be number 2 and someone will be on the practice squad not named Hundley.
Ferrari Driver
May 09, 2018 at 04:22 pm
I suppose this means we won't get a second round draft choice for Hundley.