arrowgargantuan
Cheesehead
Hunt's career approaching a crossroads
Sherman expects big-time play from defensive tackle
By ROB REISCHEL
Special to Packer Plus
Posted: May 11, 2005
Green Bay - Cletidus Hunt's new bosses wanted to get a first-hand look at the player they'd heard so much about.
They wanted to personally evaluate the defensive tackle with the sketchy reputation and the checkered past. Instead, when the Packers conducted their recent post-draft mini-camp, Hunt was nothing but a spectator after straining a hamstring the day before camp started.
So for the time being, new defensive coordinator Jim Bates and defensive line coach Bob Sanders will take a wait-and-see approach when it comes to Hunt. Packers coach Mike Sherman wasn't so liberal.
"Cletidus has to come back here with the mind-set that he wants to contribute in a big-time way," Sherman said when the camp concluded. "He has to be in shape and has to be consistent.
"The competition at that position is pretty intense, I believe. I think we've got some guys there that we can throw in. Last year that wasn't always the case. And this year, I think we have some young guys who are moving forward in their development and will step up and are hungry to play."
How hungry Hunt is remains to be seen. And if his appetite for success isn't greater than it has been, his days as a Packer could be numbered.
Since signing a six-year, $25.35-million contract after the 2003 season, Hunt has been a major disappointment. His play has been inconsistent, at best. And he's had off-the-field issues, as well.
With a new defensive staff on board, Hunt's future in Green Bay is anything but certain. And that's something Bates made crystal clear the day the NFL draft ended.
"He needs to come in and prove that he can play," Bates said of Hunt. "He's got to compete just like anybody else for a position. If he competes and plays on an every-down basis with his ability level he will be playing all the time. If he doesn't, he gets beat out.
"That's all there is to it, that's the way it would be with any player on the team. Nobody is going to be given a position. He'll be put out there and if he's ready to go then we're ready to go with him. He has the ability do that and it's his job and our job to get it done."
The problem with Hunt in past seasons is he hasn't gotten the job done often enough. The seventh-year pro out of Kentucky State flashes great ability at times, and seemingly makes one or two outstanding plays each week. Last year, for example, Hunt led the Packers with 5
Sherman expects big-time play from defensive tackle
By ROB REISCHEL
Special to Packer Plus
Posted: May 11, 2005
Green Bay - Cletidus Hunt's new bosses wanted to get a first-hand look at the player they'd heard so much about.
They wanted to personally evaluate the defensive tackle with the sketchy reputation and the checkered past. Instead, when the Packers conducted their recent post-draft mini-camp, Hunt was nothing but a spectator after straining a hamstring the day before camp started.
So for the time being, new defensive coordinator Jim Bates and defensive line coach Bob Sanders will take a wait-and-see approach when it comes to Hunt. Packers coach Mike Sherman wasn't so liberal.
"Cletidus has to come back here with the mind-set that he wants to contribute in a big-time way," Sherman said when the camp concluded. "He has to be in shape and has to be consistent.
"The competition at that position is pretty intense, I believe. I think we've got some guys there that we can throw in. Last year that wasn't always the case. And this year, I think we have some young guys who are moving forward in their development and will step up and are hungry to play."
How hungry Hunt is remains to be seen. And if his appetite for success isn't greater than it has been, his days as a Packer could be numbered.
Since signing a six-year, $25.35-million contract after the 2003 season, Hunt has been a major disappointment. His play has been inconsistent, at best. And he's had off-the-field issues, as well.
With a new defensive staff on board, Hunt's future in Green Bay is anything but certain. And that's something Bates made crystal clear the day the NFL draft ended.
"He needs to come in and prove that he can play," Bates said of Hunt. "He's got to compete just like anybody else for a position. If he competes and plays on an every-down basis with his ability level he will be playing all the time. If he doesn't, he gets beat out.
"That's all there is to it, that's the way it would be with any player on the team. Nobody is going to be given a position. He'll be put out there and if he's ready to go then we're ready to go with him. He has the ability do that and it's his job and our job to get it done."
The problem with Hunt in past seasons is he hasn't gotten the job done often enough. The seventh-year pro out of Kentucky State flashes great ability at times, and seemingly makes one or two outstanding plays each week. Last year, for example, Hunt led the Packers with 5
