That’s actually a reference to Green Bay Packers tight end Richard Rodgers, the man who caught the Packers’ game-winning touchdown pass with no time left Thursday night.
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“Didn’t think it was, but because you don’t think it was or I don’t think it was – it was called, so there it is and we’ve just got to find a way to make the play, ” Caldwell said.
As for the Lions and their fans…well…I’ll let the comments below (pulled from the Detroit Free Press) explain how they feel about the loss.
A game can’t end on a penalty so the Packers had one more play from their own 39-yard line. And after losing four of its previous five games, Green Bay (8-4) stayed on the heels of the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings. The ball got all the way back to Aaron Rodgers near the original line of scrimmage, and for a split-second, the game appeared over when the Lions closed in on him.
“In that situation, a lot of times we practice it from like the 50 or maybe the 45”.
“Since it’s a non-reviewable play and because of where the referee is standing, he can’t really tell whether or not Aaron Rodgers’ facemask got grabbed”, he said. “I felt good about throwing it to the end zone from the 40, so I was just kind of looking at the rush and moving around”. Theses two players were behaving as if the Packers were going to try to throw a pass to the sideline to stop the clock. A spectacular TD catch by Calvin Johnson from 17 yards out would put the Lions up 17-0 in the first quarter. The Lions were concerned instead about the possibility of needing an open-field tackle. Should a flag have been thrown? They moved the ball with consistency and precision that’s been AWOL for weeks. The defender turned, was playing the ball, the receiver slowed down and there was a collision.
But McCarthy needed the Hail Mary to work this time, and the Detroit Lions gave Richard Rodgers a bit too much room in the front of the end zone.
“You have to make plays in this league”. So did receiver James Jones and cornerback Nevin Lawson.
Adios, Coach. And unless you were directly ordering his play calling for the last 45 minutes, take Jim Bob with you. “I think he got me”.
“Until that clock ticks zero, there’s no such thing as certain victory”, Caldwell said.
At full speed, it looked like a clear call as Taylor’s hand connected with Rodgers’ face mask.
Aaron Rodgers finished the contest 24-of-36 for 273 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception, while Richard Rodgers had career highs of eight receptions and 146 yards receiving with the one touchdown catch.
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“Not an easy pill to swallow”, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said afterward.
