Quarterback backup dilemma

I think the Packers are doing the right thing right now in free agency. Simply put, there is nobody that is worth the money out there worth signing. The NFL has adapted to free agency by following former Green Bay Packers’ general manager’s example of building from within and keeping the core of your team intact while picking and choosing free agency. The problem is, now there are not any good players available in free agency if they are not a contract or attitude problem player, both of which want huge contracts. Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson is doing the right thing, believe me. This guy has the utmost confidence in his ability to find players in the NFL Draft and the last three years as the Packers’ GM proves him right so far.

That said, as far a backup quarterback for Aaron Rodgers, there is nobody out there other than Mark Brunell that would be better than last year’s third-stringer Craig Nall. Nall has played well when he had the chance in Green Bay, after Favre spotted him a lead in last year’s finale against Detroit Nall did OK for not having playing in a long time. Nall is better than the brittle Trent Green, the hurt Culpepper, or the fat Quinn Gray. Send Nall through head coach Mike McCarthy’s quarterback school and he should be fine, but that means signing him in the very near future.

I would love to see the Packers snag Colt Brennan in the upcoming draft to put some pressure on Rodgers. He might very well be available for the Packers depending on where they have him ranked. You don’t want Rodgers thinking he is the man with no competition. I think the drafting of Rodgers inspired Brett Favre to the good seasons he has had the last two years after throwing 29 picks in 2005. Even a legend knows he has to be the best player at his position to keep the team’s confidence in him, Favre stepped it up the last two years and I think he showed Rodgers the way and I have to wonder if Favre, the most unselfish player of all time, thought it was not only best for himself, but best for the Green Bay Packers to retire at this time.

Either way, I love Brett Favre. Packers’ fans are the most luckiest of all time. This is another argument, but how many passes did Joe Montana throw backhanded for touchdowns?

Anyone? Anyone?….

More to come…

This entry was posted on Friday, March 14th, 2008 at 6:38 am and is filed under Al Davis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • Jimm G

    Now that Brunell has signed with the Saints I think the best thing to do is sign Nall and draft a quarterback. From what I’ve heard Thompson should be able to get someone in the third or fourth round, you never know who the next “steal” is; remember Bart Starr would have been a free agent had he been in the modern draft! With that said I trust Thompson to get the right guy in to develop behind Rodgers.

    I just watched Aarons press conference from the Fan Fest and he said all the right things and seems like he’ll have his head screwed on straight from the beginning. I just hope that he can have the success that I believe he will and keep us competitive. Here’s to a new era in Packer football. GO PACK!!!

  • http://packernet.com paul

    Do you remember saying this? Try some consisency.

    Brett, don’t go away mad, just go away. It is clear you can’t carry a team any longer, you are no Joe Montana, you are no John Elway, you are just a chucker who should have won more championships than you did. I’m done with the Packers and you should be too. Game over. Please do not respond to this entry. In fact, go away and leave me alone.
    No more to come…

  • Zach

    /\/\/\/\ Meh….he was just blowing off steam. Don’t tell me you haven’t cussed at Favre through the TV in the past. BTW…..consisTency. Al is right…..Brett knew that it was not only his time to retire, but the Packers time for him to retire. A sad day for all, but our team has to move on. I mean come on, a 38 year old starting QB??? I am just grateful for the last 3 or 4 seasons I got to watch him.

    Now we get to watch the progression of Rodgers and the growth of a young team. How many weeks till football season??

  • titletownjake

    seriously…when favre threw that pick i was about ready to punch him in the face too. the only difference is al wrote an entry i just went out and got hammered. if you’re not going to say anything constructive, maybe you should post on a different site.

    i think it’s safe to say everyone’s going to miss favre, but it’s time to look ahead. i’m really excited for the draft and confident thompson will find some more diamonds in the rough.

  • Oconomowockid

    I’m all for constructive posts but I heard ” those that cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” Right

    I hope AR has a great season!! I hope when he throws a an interception at the wrong time or is injured we don’t have to read statements here stating that he should just go away!!

    I’m ready for the rebuilding at one position QB and I will support the QB’s who are inline to take us to the next level. I am not ready for rebuilding the team, we are ready for the Super Bowl. Go Pack!!

  • TRIP

    Have to admit, Paul’s bringing rant the infamous rant is quite hilarious. lol

    I hope TT uses the first round pick to fill another gap. Wasn’t Tom Brady a gem in the 7th? Sure, that’s not likely, but for Pete’s sake, FAVRE was a second-rounder. lol Let’s hope TT gets the best player available.

  • TRIP

    bringing back*

  • wozzy wozzman

    bart starr should have grabbed favre by the face b4 that nfc championship game and told him to play smart,,,,,#15 would have never thrown that ball that ended the game

  • Max

    We need a starting QB. Rogers is at best a good backup when healthy.

  • Darryl

    Feeley maybe the backup which is okay with me. Who knows what ARod will do? I suspect that the strong receiving group will help to make him look good. I think he has a quick motion with good zip on the ball. Favre had a cannon but it made it hard on the receivers.

    We certainly need a good backup for ARod and a developement guy like Ainge. Drafting a QB high doesn’t feel right. It is not a good draft for QB’s and we need to find out what we have first. Also, we need to sign Grant long term while we have the leverage.

    I am really wondering who TT will draft. I am afraid he is going to draft another CB with great combine numbers but can’t play. It seems too ofter CB’s are boom or bust. But, it is too early to draft a TE and the other positions look solid. I guess we will get the best player available.

    Darryl

    Darryl

  • Jimm G

    I hope we all give Rodgers a chance to prove himself and BE himself. I think Max is a little premature in determining Rodgers a backup; after all he hasn’t started a single game. Although he looked good in Dallas he needs to prove consistency as “the guy” and his play will determine if he is a starter or not.

  • Roy Jamison

    You can never have enough good dbs, so I’d look for TT to draft at least 2. I’d take a good OT in the first two rounds also. Clifton is starting to wear out and Tauscher is nearing the end of his contract. If the Pack can find a Chumura in the first four rounds, I’d take one. I’m hoping they can bring in another speedy receiver/kick returner guy who can catch the ball and remember to retain it. And, it might not be a bad idea to look for a solid DE, KGB isn’t going to be around forever either.

  • JeffN

    With the group of WRs and the running game how could Rodgers not be good? He is walking into the perfect situation, he will be fine. Now with Favre gone other players will step up to, which is what always happens when your best guy leaves.

    With Favre retiring the Pack must be like $35 million under the cap right now. They will have no problem resigning Grant or whatever other players they need to. I can’t think of any other Packers that have contracts coming up soon. Anyone else know of any?

    As far as the draft goes… TT will be taking the best player available like he always does, but if there are multiple players that TT ranks as the best player available at a certain pick he will certainly be taking TE, CB over the other positions. I predict he will trade down at least one of his 1, 2, 2, 3 picks.

  • Yooper

    Well there was a couple of nice rants. I’m still trying to fiqure out how the Rants about Favre has ANYTHING to do with Rodgers back up, but I quess soem just can’t help themselves.

    I am with the thinking of someone that posted that there really isn’t any worth signing at least not at this time.
    Nall could end up being that Vet behind Rodgers, But I am not really a fan of Nall, He is a Back up and might be able to win you a game or 2.
    He was given a chance to win a starting job for the Bills and ended up 3rd QB.
    If you are just looking for a vet back up he is that.

    I DON”T like Brennen at all. I think he is the biggest bust waiting to happen since Reynolds. Just ANOTHER Hawaii QB that doesn’t have a chance to play in the NFL.
    I right now doubt he will even be drafted. Now if he could come in as a UDFA. Maybe.

    There are a a couple of QB’s that I do like mid to late rounds. Please do go and check them out. You might see why.

    First is Kevin O’Connell SanDeigo ST. 6-5 225 4.62 40,Strong arm can make all the throws, VERY athletic, moves well in the pocket to slip blocks, and can get out and run when needed.
    He had over 400 yard rushing last year with 11 td’s rushing, and Threw for over 3,000 yard and 15 TD’s.

    Watch this video of him,

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7Hem8WbjvI

    I also like Josh Johnson from San Diego, 6-2 213 and ran 4.43 40, so you can say VERY athletic.
    What is impressive is his throwing for 6, 586 yards the last 2 seasons with 70 td’s and 13 int’s. 2007 he had 43 td’s and 1 int. His best year might have been 2005 when he threw for 3.256 yards had over 70% completion rate and 36 td’s and 8 int’s.
    and in the last 2 years he has rushed for over 1,400 yards and 13 td’s.

    Heres some video of him also

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc-_xn9UTLY

    After those 2 Erik Anige Tennssee , Ryan OHara Central Oklahoma {http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUqJzAUViCo] video of Ohara.