Back on track:
I had the pleasure of watching a replay of the Packers win at Baltimore tonight and I paid special attention to John Kuhn’s plays from scrimmage. Here are the facts:
Kuhn’s first appearance in the game occurred with 1:52 left in 1st quarter. On 1st & 10 Kuhn ran for 2 yards. On 2nd & 8 Kuhn chipped a defender and went out for a pass. Kuhn didn’t appear again until the Packers last possession of the first half. Before Kuhn made an appearance from scrimmage the Packers had a 3rd and 16 with Kuhn on the sideline. In addition, he wasn't on the field for:
A 3rd and 7 from the Packers 22 yard line.
The series after the great goal-line stand for a 2nd and 10 and then a 3rd and 10 from the Packers 1 yard line.
The next series inside the Packers 20 yard line including a 2nd & 16 and a 3rd & 9.
He was on the field for 5 consecutive plays on the last series of the first half:
1st & 10 from Packers 49: Kuhn didn’t block & went into the pass pattern. (Nelson big completion to BAL 17 yard line.)
1st & 10: Kuhn didn’t block, he caught a pass for 1 yard gain.
2nd & 9: Kuhn tried to chip block but missed – not his fault the defender took an inside route against Bakhtiari. A holding penalty made it:
2nd & 19: Kuhn stayed in the back field and blocked.
3rd & 19: Kuhn stayed in the back field and blocked.
Second Half:
Kuhn didn’t play from scrimmage until the 4th series. Before then the Packers had 2nd & 8, 1st & 20, 2nd & 20, and a 3rd & 6.
On the fourth series on 2nd & 9 Kuhn didn’t block but caught a pass for 8 yards. That was his only play of the half from scrimmage. After that the Packers had a 2nd & 7, 2nd & 9, and a 3rd & 4 (Finley catch and run to the BAL 21).
He was on the field for 8 plays from scrimmage. He ran once. He went into the pass pattern without blocking three times (catching two passes for a combined 9 yards). He chip blocked once and attempted another and stayed in the backfield twice to block. He was on the field for ONE third down play.
He was not on the field on third down and 16, 7, 10, 9, 6, and 4 yards. He wasn’t on the field for second down and 10, 16, 8, 20, 7, and 9 and he wasn’t on the field for a first and 20.
Those are the facts. Although this is “only” a fan site, I hope the facts still matter.
Commentary: John Kuhn was not the Packers third down back in third and long situations against the Ravens as he only played once on third down. And he has not played that role this season. If Kuhn were Rodgers' protector on obvious passing plays IMO he would have been on the field when the Packers were backed up to their one-half yard line and then one yard line after that fantastic goal line stand. But he wasn't, he was on the sideline in spite of the fact that Rodgers threw twice from his end zone.
. Good argument though, just obviously different opinions
