Mike McCarthy's Confidence in QB Brett Hundley Still Undeterred

If there was still any lingering doubt of coach Mike McCarthy's unwavering confidence in Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Hundley, he all but reinforced his beliefs on Thursday.

On the "Mike McCarthy Show," broadcasted on Packers.com, McCarthy remained adamant that the Packers are going to continue to roll with Hundley and work out any of the few flaws -- according to McCarthy himself -- in the third-year quarterback's game.

"I don't understand what all the fuss is about, frankly. The sample size is way too small," McCarthy said. "There's a lot of good things on the video -- a lot of good fundamental things for Brett [Hundley] -- you got to remember where he came from, his background. I think he's progressed very well over the last three years, but I'm more excited for what's in front of him."

En route to just 260 yards of total offense in the loss to the New Orleans Saints last Sunday, Hundley threw the ball 25 times for 87 yards. He also threw a fourth-quarter interception that put a damper on his stat sheet, if that's all you're looking at to evaluate Hundley. If you're McCarthy, there are a lot more positives in Hundley's game that can be taken away from his first career start.

One way to potentially get Hundley into more of a groove would be to get the ball to the Packers' offensive playmakers, including their trio of starting wide receivers. 

Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb combined for just five catches in the loss. McCarthy did admit following the game that he simplified the gameplan for Hundley, however, placed a majority of the blame for the defeat at the hands of the Saints on himself.

"We have to get the ball to our playmakers, and that's the focus," McCarthy said. "We got a dynamic receiver group, tight end group and a stable of good running backs, too. We got to make sure we get the ball distributed, and that'll be our focus and Brett [Hundley] will get that done."

The Packers may have to roll with Hundley for the remainder of the season, as quarterback Aaron Rodgers will likely be gone for a majority of it, if not all.

Rodgers said during his appearance on "Conan" that he had 13 screws inserted into his broken right clavicle. Of course, on a comedy show and knowing the trickster Rodgers is capable of being, there's very little truth to that. It's unlikely Rodgers would provide medical information that could potentially put his team at a disadvantage.

Whether or not he's back by his week 15 target date against the Carolina Panthers or week 17 against the Detroit Lions, the Packers will need to be in contention by then. That all falls on the shoulders of Hundley and how fast he's able to mature in his new starting role and get on the same page with McCarthy and the rest of the offense.

"There were times when he played a little fast, then there were times when he played a little too slow. And, it was more categorized by what type of offense he was in," McCarthy said of Hundley's performance against the Saints. "These are all very correctable things. ... He's committed. He's tough. He's a playmaker. He's in very good command in the tempo of the huddle, those are things usually a young starting quarterback struggles with. That was not an issue at all.

"This kid has it. He's a football player. At the end of the day, that's what it comes down to."

__________________________

Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (34)

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

October 27, 2017 at 09:13 am

I wonder how many loses before MM thinks its time for another QB I guess 5 maybe.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 27, 2017 at 09:31 am

If we lose 5 more games, would it matter if we changed QB's at that point?

Basically we would switch to Callahan?

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Gianich's picture

October 27, 2017 at 12:57 pm

Callahan has much better pocket presence.

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Johnblood27's picture

October 27, 2017 at 09:19 am

"He's a football player"
?????

That's what mashed potato mike has to say to justify his confidence in Hundley?

I believe that Custer also said that the 7th cavalry was the best fighting unit on the face of the earth.

get ready for the feathers and arrows boys!

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

October 27, 2017 at 09:45 am

Never take anything MM says at face value.

The game plan for NO showed a complete lack of unwavering confidence in Hundley. MM's statement that they need to simplify the playbook despite Hundley's presence in GB for 3 years suggests that Hundley's ability to go through his progression and his processing speed aren't up to par.

We have no idea whether behind closed doors MM begged TT to go get a veteran QB and TT said no, or TT wanted to go get one but MM said Hundley would be fine, or any other permutations.

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Since'61's picture

October 27, 2017 at 09:50 am

I'm confident that MM is confident but when does all this confidence transition into execution on the field? MM has been confident in Capers defense for 9 years and we all know how that has worked out. Thanks, Since '61

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TarynsEyes's picture

October 27, 2017 at 10:21 am

Confidence, unchecked, leads to arrogance, ignorance and blinds one to reality.
Something many here should not hold against McCarthy until they have looked in that mirror...or at least stop seeking, creating excuses to forgive the lacking of some players and arrogance of their coach.

I have eaten crow, not often , but have when shown my confidence in a player was skewed.

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TarynsEyes's picture

October 27, 2017 at 10:07 am

Everything McCarthy said in regards to doing to help Hundley is an every week fundamental.....get your play makers involved...even Rodgers needs the play makers involved. ..doh!
This is why McCarthy has this team struggling every year and why making the playoffs is his job security blanket, while spouting the same tired rhetoric. ...do a better job, better play calling, pad level blah, blah, blah on both sides of the ball.

As long as Hundley can't stay/play in the pocket, read his progressions, read a defense quicker to change a call,know what to change a call to and that running is an option at times and not down after down option,this team will not survive. ; )

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Razer's picture

October 27, 2017 at 10:27 am

...As long as Hundley can't stay/play in the pocket, read his progressions, read a defense quicker to change a call,know what to change a call to and that running is an option at times and not down after down option,this team will not survive....

This is so true and so disheartening. Aaron Rodgers can do this and it is why he has made this offense work. Even Favre couldn't manage this MM scheme. There is too much reading, rereading and timing to this offense. Unless MM changes, Hundley will spend most of his time thinking and not tapping into his athletic abilities.

Makes me wonder how much a guy like Julio Jones does for a QB. A star WR sure simplifies the game and opens up the field for everybody else.

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Tundraboy's picture

October 27, 2017 at 11:32 am

Totally agree.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

October 27, 2017 at 11:25 am

"I don't understand what all the fuss is about, frankly. The sample size is way too small," McCarthy said."

Oh gee IDK Mike, could it be 88 yards passing and an int? The sample size was just right for a loss. That's the unit of measure in the NFL.

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Razer's picture

October 27, 2017 at 10:14 am

Love the unit of measure reference - it is so simply true and it cuts through all the coach-speak nonsense.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 27, 2017 at 10:16 am

" could it be 88 yards passing and a pile of ints"

To be fair, Hundley threw 1 INT.
And that came essentially when the game was over.

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TarynsEyes's picture

October 27, 2017 at 10:26 am

Throwing an INT at the end when a lost game is over is essentially ok but raving about a player getting a sack under the same makes it not a loss to the same degree....sheesh.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

October 27, 2017 at 11:22 am

Do you have a magic 8 ball.with this stuff in it?

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 27, 2017 at 12:00 pm

This is a legit question.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

October 27, 2017 at 11:25 am

You right just one pick. Amended.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 27, 2017 at 12:00 pm

No worries.

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NickPerry's picture

October 27, 2017 at 05:39 pm

To be fair, Hundley threw 1 INT.
And that came essentially when the game was over.

RC... Hundley threw for a total of 79 yards..... SEVENTY-NINE YARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!! We don't have to be fair, not one bit when talking about that performance. I don't give a damn what McCarthy said about it being on him. At the end of the day after 3 years in the system while WATCHING Rodgers I'd hope he could better that. Christ if he threw a few more picks downfield at least I'd think they were going for it. Nothing in that performance by the offense outside of Jones suggested anything of the sort. This is the NFL and in Hundley's case I really do believe it means "Not For Long".

Love the optimism bro, but I can't "Be Fair" EVER with a performance like that. I knew Rodgers covered up the many, many spots on this team. The biggest bummer it's waaaaaay more spots than I thought.

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Roadrunner23's picture

October 27, 2017 at 10:46 am

Thompson traded up to get this kid who I'm sure is a fine young man and physically gifted.
So lets see what we have after a3 year apprenticeship behind Rogers and the famed Mike McCarthy Quarterback school?

39% passer rating - Nice
4 Interceptions - Nice
87 yards passing against the Saints - Nice
Doesn't seem to read through his progressions - Nice
Doesn't have that clock timer in his head that say's -Get rid of the ball before you get pummeled!

Now maybe Mike will put this kid in a position to succeed after the bye, quicker passes, QB option plays, moving pockets and plays to take advantage of Hundley's athletic skills.

Again; I have nothing against Hundley, the kid has talent but simply "dumbing down the Offense" will not be a solution. McCarthy has to fit his predictable offense to Hundley's skill-set.

Consider me mildly-optimistic as I believe that is exactly what McCarthy will do after the break, he does have a track record of coming out strong after bye weeks so I'm going to try and stay positive and hope for a fun and interesting second half of the season.
And hopefully, better health for the team as a whole, these injuries can't get any worse, or can they?
Go Pack!

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Razer's picture

October 27, 2017 at 11:07 am

...McCarthy has to fit his predictable offense to Hundley's skill-set.
Consider me mildly-optimistic as I believe that is exactly what McCarthy will do...

Maybe this is McCarthy's chance to get out of his predictable scheme. If our O-line can give Hundley time and he can start making throws, there are enough tools to get the job done. And, Hundley can run so many options are in play. The question is "can McCarthy step outside of his known routines?".

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Tundraboy's picture

October 27, 2017 at 11:28 am

"Again; I have nothing against Hundley, the kid has talent but simply "dumbing down the Offense" will not be a solution. McCarthy has to fit his predictable offense to Hundley's skill-set."

Perfectly stated. Let it fly MM. What the hell do you have to lose. Plus it beats the slow torture approach to losing the next 6 games that it will take before you then decide to open up the offense. Let's see what Hundley can do.

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TarynsEyes's picture

October 27, 2017 at 11:56 am

McCarthy may lose his predictability for a few drives or even a whole game but his lost and found ability is far superior. He'll find his ' safe space corner ' and cower back to it....predictably.

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Slim11's picture

October 28, 2017 at 12:54 pm

Otherwise known as the "prevent offense."

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Tundraboy's picture

October 27, 2017 at 11:21 am

Problem is it takes 3 to 4 games before MM makes his own adjustments. Ones he immediately should have made after Rodgers went down in MN. Let it fly MM. ARod is not coming to the rescue this year to bail you out.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

October 27, 2017 at 11:33 am

Well, we where all courious whether Rodgers or McCarthy deserves the most credit in Titletown. There's no argument at this point.

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FAN24583's picture

October 27, 2017 at 11:50 am

Who was curious????? Lol not sure about thAt one. It was/is AR

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Qoojo's picture

October 27, 2017 at 11:58 am

I think some people expect him to say, "Hundley sucks and he is all we have right now. Not sure how we will win another game this year."? Saints are a tough match up due to the amount of points that they score against the horrible defense. I sure hope we see improvement from Hundley and MM after this extended break.

I have come around to the theory that MM must have WRs run predictable routes, because they always seem well covered. With Rodgers at QB, that works because he can throw it in a bread box from 40 yards away. So MM comes away thinking the routes work. I wish I could see more of the field on TV to watch such things more, as I could be completely wrong.

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TarynsEyes's picture

October 27, 2017 at 12:00 pm

" I wish I could see more of the field on TV to watch such things more. "

Wish granted....All 22 coach film....but nothing is free, even wishes.

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Razer's picture

October 27, 2017 at 12:07 pm

I don't think you are wrong. There is a lot of vertical to this offense - it is not suited to dink and dunk. I don't think it is even suitable for TE's, unless they are blocking. Changing an offense that Mike has been calling for 9 years is a tall order. We'll see how good MM is now and if he can adapt.

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al bundy's picture

October 27, 2017 at 12:51 pm

I read a blog from a DB last year, year before? He was a on another team but was saying, and I think honestly, that they knew the routes better than the Packers receivers. He knew what they were going to run and where and it made defending them easy compared to a lot of teams. Kind of fits MM when you think about it.

If so I dont see a lot of change if any. We all know that MM can run his problems away with Jones. 2 runs and a pass wont cut it.

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Slim11's picture

October 27, 2017 at 08:03 pm

History is clear when it comes to MM and his backup QBs.

Brohm and Flynn...remember that Brian Brohm, according to MM, was the best QB option behind AR. Also remember that Flynn clearly outplayed Brohm on the field an many of us saw that. Which one had the most success in the NFL?

Flynn has "held back" in his starting debut against Detroit and the Packers lost 7-3. The following week, GB played in New England and almost won with Flynn. MM went back to a normal game plan similar to what he would have done with Rodgers.

Wallace and Tolzein, then Flynn following the start of the season. Before that, Vince Young was on the roster competing with another MM prodigy, Graham Harrell. Both are cut and Wallace and Tolzein are brought in as a desperate attempt to provide a capable backup QB. That was a huge Charlie Foxtrot until Flynn was re-signed.

Flynn and Hundley...Flynn provides the veteran backup QB presence but now has a weaker arm than when he was a rookie. Hundley is the third QB.

Hundley, Callahan and Taysom Hill...over two seasons, Hundley is anointed the backup and Callahan is cut but winds up returning to GB. The following season (this season), Hill outplays Callahan but still gets cut (see Brohm and Flynn above!). Callahan is also cut but returns via the PS. Hill is signed by the Saints. Now Callahan is the #2 QB.

MM and TT are the constants in this equation. MM has to prove he game plan an effective offense for Hundley OR Callahan. He's done it before with Flynn. Isn't Hundley supposedly better than Flynn?

Time will tell.

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lou's picture

October 28, 2017 at 05:50 pm

I still maintain that if the team was serious about the rest of the season right after the Vikings game they could have signed Flynn for a song, utilized the bye week to get him up to date on the offense and near football shape in case Hundley fails going forward. That would have been motivational to the players and may also take some pressure off of Hundley. Any way you look at it they need a veteran behind Rodgers next season, just go back to the Viking game and look at how their veteran backup performed.

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