Position Analysis: Quarterbacks

by Brandon on Jul 22, 2009 11:00 AM CDT in Looking Ahead to 2009 Comment 8 comments

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Ok, so this is an easy one. Here's what I wrote about QB Aaron Rodgers last week:

But if 2008 was just a typical season that we should expect from him in the future; 4000 yards, 28 TDs and 13 INTs for the next decade, I'll gladly take it. QB is the most important player on any team and he's clearly a good one that they can build around for the future.

Some web sites have been making a story out of who should be the backup QB. I noticed Kevin Seifert wrote about it on Tuesday at his NFC North blog. It's not something I've weighed in on because we'll have to wait and see how they both play during the preseason. But here's what I know so far.

Both backup QBs looked bad as rookies. I don't think the Packers would have had any chance to win if either of them had to start last season. It's all about how they play in the 2009 and 2010 preseasons.

QB Matt Flynn. He was the No. 2 QB for all of 2008, so he has the slight edge. The only reason he won the backup job was late in the last preseason game, he led the offense on a TD drive, and he didn't look awful. That was the highlight for the two rookie QBs. He looks like a decent Gus Frerotte/Sage Rosenfels type backup QB; it's clear he should always be considered only as a backup, but he could win a game or two if you are forced to start him.

QB Brian Brohm. He's still the more highly regarded QB with the higher ceiling. During the running back analysis, I mentioned that Wynn and Lumpkin were prized college recruits who never lived up to the expectations. Brohm was the prized college recruit that was a huge college success. He can't be written off after one bad preseason, although his NFL learning curve is going to be steeper than I initially hoped.

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"He can't be written off after one bad preseason,..."

Agreed.
Aaron Rodgers didn’t exactly wow anybody his first preseason (or three), either, if I correctly recall.

The glass is more than half-full.

by NorthStarr on Jul 22, 2009 9:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Rodgers looked real bad during the 2005 and 2006 preseasons. But he was pretty good during the 2007 preseason; that was a true glimpse at how he would play in 2008.

by Brandon on Jul 22, 2009 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would go

as far as saying his preseason was not even that great in ‘07…to me what actually showed Rodgers could play was the Dallas game in ’07 when Brett was hurt/struggling. It was actually a real game even though we were getting killed he was playing against starting D’s not 2nd or 3rd stringers. And he lead a scoring drive and if i remember correctly he was running the hurry up offense and doing it pretty well

by bizzle4 on Jul 23, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Judging Ceilings

We once had a 17th rounder who went 23 TDs to 41 INTs in his first five years. Good thing it wasn’t an amateur that decided if he should get cut.

My guess is no one, except maybe Lombardi, knows what either of these guys will be able to do for another year or two.

by 50 years and Counting on Jul 22, 2009 9:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If you know how to get Lombardi's answer for us...

I doubt that I am the only one who is curious to hear his answer!

by NYCPac on Jul 22, 2009 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Only Time will Tell

Getting an answer from Lombardi would be useful. Still we’ll have an answer by the middle of next season. Maybe sooner. It’s hard to say “I don’t know yet.” but it’s the only realistic assessment this early in their careers. Which reminds me:

A sports reporter was behind the Cowboys bench during a game. He notices a red phone. He asks one of the assistances what the red phone is all about. The assistant tells him that’s the phone to God. The reporter asks if he can use it. The assistant says sure but it’s expensive, $10,000 a minute. The reporter doesn’t care. He pays his money and talks with God. He gets a lot of great insight on the games of the week. His articles that week are killer.

A couple weeks later he’s at a San Fransisco game. There behind the bench is the same red phone. He grabs a trainer.
Is that the phone to God?
Yes.
Can I use it.
Sure, but it’s expensive, $7,000 a minute.
The reporter doesn’t care. He pays his money and talks with God.
Next week he wows the nation with his knowledge.

A couple weeks later he’s in Green Bay. He sees the same red phone. He finds an assistant.
Can I use the phone to God.
Sure.
How much does it cost?
Cost? What cost? It’s a local call.

by 50 years and Counting on Jul 23, 2009 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too short

I watched Brohm play a few college games and the guy has a cannon, but he is wee-bit on the short side, a problem that has squashed many good QBs dreams of NFL. in my opinion.

Thats me chilling with Nick Anderson

by The Magic made Lebron run off the court on Jul 26, 2009 8:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs