The Green Bay Packers appeared to lack emotion and struggled to make the big play in their 17-0 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason
Graham Harrell runs the Packers offense
opener at Lambeau Field.
It marked the first time the Packers had been shut out in a 60-minute exhibition game since a 33-0 loss to the Washington Redskins in August of 1987 in Madison.
The Packers did move the ball on their first offensive possession. Aaron Rodgers hit James Jones for a 50-yard pass down the left sideline, giving the Packers a first and goal. But the Packers would fail to score, going for it on fourth down and winding up short. Although replay would show that running back James Starks appeared to reach the ball over the goal line before he was down. Mike McCarthy threw the challenge flag but lost the replay challenge. That’s as close as the Packers would get to scoring points the rest of the night.
AUDIO: Mike McCarthy on the loss :23
After Aaron Rodgers left, the Packers backup quarterbacks couldn’t get anything done. Graham Harrell got the longest look, completing 12 of 19 passes for 76 yards, no touchdowns and 1 interception. His quarterback rating was 49.5.
Vince Young took over next, completing 1 of 3 passes for 7 yards. His quarterback rating was 42.4. Then B.J. Coleman mopped up, completing 2 of 7 for 15 yards and a quarterback rating of 39.6.
The ground attack wasn’t much better. The Packers ran the ball 29 times for 89 yards, a 3.1-yard per carry average.
AUDIO: Aaron Rodgers on the Packers lack of a ground attack :09
The Packers didn’t get any field goal chances for their kickers either. Mason Crosby and Giorgio Tavecchio are battling for the job in training camp but didn’t get to kick in the 17-0 loss to the Cardinals.
The Packers lost the turnover battle 2-0. They’ll watch the film and make corrections tomorrow, then take Sunday off. The Packers will play at St. Louis a week from today (Saturday).
