Will he or won’t he? That’s the question about Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who looks like a game-time decision on Sunday. If Rodgers can’t go, the Packers will turn to backup DeShone Kizer.
While briefly subbing for Rodgers against the Bears, Kizer had a pick-six and fumbled on a strip-sack. Maybe he can’t be blamed for the fumble, but the pick-six went right into the arms of Khalil Mack.
Additionally, it should be noted that Kizer was 0-15 as a starter for the Browns in 2017.
The best news for the Packers is Rodgers plays on Sunday. And I suppose the second-best news is at least Kizer took all the practice reps this week until Saturday, when Rodgers practiced for the first time.
The third-best news is, despite his struggles, Kizer still believes in himself. Well, kind of, at least.
“If my number is called, I think I’ll be able to go out there and have some success,” Kizer said.
Maybe this is stupid, but the fact that he put the word “some” in that sentence bothers me. Why not just have success? The Packers are going to need more than some success to beat the Minnesota Vikings.
Then there’s this, which sounds like a guy who is really still picking up the offense.
“I think I’m coming out confident in the sense that with the week of installing new looks, installing against a really good defense, a defense that a lot of people have played in this locker room,” Kizer said. “It was cool for me to step in and take on their experiences and try to regurgitate them out on the field. I think I did a halfway decent job. There’s a lot of things you can correct in practice, but for the most part I think I really understand what we’re trying to do. I understand what their defense is trying to do. If my number is called, I think I’ll be able to go out there and have some success.”
Same thing with “halfway decent job.”
Obviously, we are not looking for Kizer to fail. He says he still has confidence in himself, but I’m not sure I do right now.
We do know he wants to be a leader, though. When the Packers were getting pounded by the Bears last week, it was Kizer who tried to rally the troops at halftime.
“He had a great halftime speech right before we went out for the second half, but obviously Aaron came back and played,” receiver Randall Cobb said.
Gotta like the spirit, but let’s hope the Packers don’t have to throw Kizer to the wolves.
5 Comments
I feel comfortable with this kid as a plan B. He has 16 real games under his belt.
Look, a true GM has no heart strings. They cut bait and move on. Period.
Although i’m no fan of Hundley, and i would have sent him packing regardless, the acquisition of Kizer is a head scratcher at best.
If Rodgers goes down and Kizer comes in, what have we gained? Are we then more comfortable than having Hundley? Are we in better position? I can’t see any intelligent football fan answering those questions affirmatively.
Now if…..the Packers acquired a veteran back up QB, at least a decent game manager, then sure, bring on Kizer if you see some potential there you want to develop.
But to have him as your answer to Rodgers being injured and missing time right now, is foolish. The Packers are now, in no better position than when Hundley was here. Kizer is not ready.
I say put DeS**t in first half as rabbit – to wear down Queens D. If they still aren’t worn out after Kizer gets knocked out you bring in QB3 for a while…. If needed Cobby as QB4 Could certainly run their D ragged,,,,
GB D keeps it close enough for QB1 to come in for the last 30 minutes to win the game…..
Could work.
Well, him saying that he would have had success sounds silly, but what is he supposed to say? “Yeah, if Rodgers goes down, we are screwed, I’m actually much better at holding a clipboard than managing an offense” ?