75 yards

Whether it was Mangum, Proehl, or Colbert, Jake was missing a lot of the guys who were open.

 

I'm sure we missed some open guys, but there were also some drops and half-assed efforts. I even saw Smith gator-arm a few passes. Mangum dropped one over the middle, and Colbert was his usual self.

But I do agree that Jake was bad. Make no mistake. We lost the game on those early interceptions, and those were on him.

 

True, but my point was that Jake was off on most of his passes that weren't intercepted. I don't remember the second incompletion to Mangum, so that might be the drop you're referring to, but the first one where he tipped it was thrown well behind him. I know Carter dropped that smoke screen and Smith did seem to pull up on some of those (very surprising for him). but I think most were the fault of the quarterback and not the receivers.

 

Buckner had no gas left. He was just standing around leaning on his opposing player. He's been good for us but I think he's ready for retirement.

 

I think it was all about protection. Holmgren did a great job of selling the game plan that if they do what they did to Smith they had to apply pressure on Jake and I am sure he knew if they did that Jake would try to force something and end up with some turnovers. Pure and simple. I know that sounds over simplified and odviously you still have to have execution to make that work, but that what happened.

 

D. Carter
2 catches for 88 yards, 1 td., 47 longest