Chery picking: Jason Chery had shown his speed since being signed following Jeff Moturis early-camp knee injury, but Chery had yet to make much of an impression other than a negative one by dropping several would-be touchdowns after getting open against the likes of Charles Woodson.
And while Chery still has an uphill battle to beat out Brett Swain for the fifth receiver spot on the 53-man roster, Cherys 75-yard punt return for a touchdown certainly turned some heads.
How can you not be excited about that young man? McCarthy asked. We definitely are going to give him some more opportunities, I promise you that.
Chery called his post-touchdown Lambeau Leap an unparalleled experience. When he got to the sideline, incumbent punt returner Will Blackmon picked him up in a firemans carry to celebrate.
He picked me up and said, Great job. It was a great night. Everybody supported me, said Chery, who sped through a wide hole in the middle of the field on the return. When I caught the ball, the first thing I saw was guys closing in, so my first reaction was I had to somehow go vertical and then merge on my blocks and make them think Im going one way to another. I just took it without thinking and just ran and let my ability work itself out. I saw a big hole and I just took it and didnt look back.
Blackmon, who is coming off a knee injury, remains the primary punt returner, but Chery could make a run at his job with more plays like the one Thursday night. Special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum was pleased with Blackmon, who returned three punts for 27 yards, including a 16-yarder, in his second game back in action. Blackmon muffed the third punt he received but fell on it for a safe recovery.