Bill Schroeder Retires A Packer

by Brandon on May 23, 2008 12:11 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers News

Hadn't he retired years ago? When you haven't been on an NFL roster in the last three years, you would think that is a sign you've retired, but apparently Schroeder still harbored some dreams of returning to the field. He had a great run in his last three seasons in Green Bay:

	Rec.	Yards	TDs
1999	74	1051	5
2000	65	999	4
2001	53	918	9
Average	64	989	6

How could they have let him get away in free agency after the 2001 season? Actually, at the time, I thought it was good riddance. In 2001, the Packers were starting Schroeder and WR Antonio Freeman. Free was clearly done and caught a lowly 48% of the passes thrown his way, while Schroeder wasn't much better catching only 57%. Free was released after the season, he spent 2002 in Philly before coming back to Green Bay in 2003 for his final season.

57% isn't too bad for Schroeder considering Favre would often throw deep, low-percentage, passes to him. But they never seemed to have great chemistry. Sometimes it didn't seem like Favre was happy with Schroeder's route running or his effort to fight for the ball.

It was also painful to see Freeman and Schroeder start every week with WR Donald Driver and WR Corey Bradford standing on the sidelines. They gave a big boost to a tepid pass offense when they got on the field. Bradford was an explosive deep threat and the sole home run threat on the team. By 2001 it was obvious Favre liked working with Driver and it was time to give him a chance.

For a 6th round pick, someone who was born in Eau Claire and played at UW-LaCrosse, to produce like he did in his three seasons as a NFL starter was outstanding, but it didn't seem like he lived up to his full potential.

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Lions fan here

So my Schroeder memories are, erm, limited from a cheering-for standpoint, but I remember as a Lions fan I always hated hearing, “Favre to Schroeder, looking deep…”

Camden Chat
Bad Left Hook

by Scott Christ on May 23, 2008 1:15 AM CDT reply actions

Schroeder was a decent deep threat. I liked having him here.

But he had TERRIBLE hands in the short to midrange passing game. I’ve never seen someone drop so many passes off of curls or slants.

-- "I do know that I plead the fizzif."

by Mitchell Maurer on May 23, 2008 2:26 PM CDT reply actions

That’s my memory of Schroeder too, dropping a pass over the middle, but I wasn’t sure how often he did it. It was like he gave up on the route, or wasn’t expecting the pass.

by Brandon on May 26, 2008 11:10 AM CDT reply actions

Bill Schroeder

For an outstanding track athlete converted football player in college. I say not bad at all. Nice to retire for the same team you drew up cheering for every Sunday. Also he does have a Super Bowl ring which is more then most can say spending 3 times the amount playing in the NFL. Way to go Bill!!!

by Andrew Andrekopoulos on Jun 7, 2008 8:23 PM CDT reply actions