GREEN BAY, Wis. — Stepfan Taylor aced his first test.
Exactly what you expect from a Stanford kid.
Taylor ran for 64 yards in his NFL debut, and the Arizona Cardinals exposed several trouble spots for the Green Bay Packers in a 17-0 preseason win Friday night. Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton each threw for a touchdown against a Packers secondary that had trouble containing anybody, and Arizona's aggressive new defense had three sacks, one interception and one forced fumble.
"You just try to come out there and play your game," said Taylor, the Stanford career record holder in yards rushing (4,300) as well as total touchdowns (45). "You show how you've been preparing at practice and just go out there and try to play fast."
Aaron Rodgers connected with James Jones for a 50-yard gain in his only series, and Vince Young showed flashes of potential just three days after signing with the Packers. But those were among the only highlights for the Packers, who were shut out in a full preseason game for the first time since Aug. 22, 1987.
The Packers also were shut out in the 2003 Hall of Fame game, though that game was called because of lightning with 5:49 left in the first quarter.
"You never feel good when you don't win a game, but it is the preseason," coach Mike McCarthy said.
It got so ugly that Packers fans, among the most loyal in the NFL, booed backup quarterback Graham Harrell late in the third quarter after yet another drive stalled.