B.J. Coleman Is Not Your Number 2

He might have the better arm, but he's not ready.

B.J. Coleman

Who isn’t loving this guy? As Packer fans we’re currently big on initial first names, and we obviously enjoy a good gun slinger. He’s impressed in camp with his arm strength, and from what we saw of him in the preseason, he had a “nice” drive at the end of the game. I’ve heard it on the radio, B.J. Coleman is better than Harrell. I’ve read it in blog comments and on twitter, “Cut Harrell, Keep B.J.!” And I’m here to say, NO WAY!

B.J. Coleman is not your number two quarterback.

Graham Harrell isn’t impressing. I’m real with that. He went 15 of 27 last Thursday and some of his passes looked “weak” at best. But let’s be real with what we’re looking for in a backup.

A backup isn’t always someone that could start on another team, he’s someone who knows your offense, who when needed can come in and hopefully not mess it all up. When I think back to the Patriots game that Flynn had to play in 2010, he looked great, but remember at the end of the game, the 2 minute drill, when he looked at the sideline like a deer in headlights? He had no idea what play to call, how to juggle the clock with the plays, and where to look. And Flynn knew the offense. When I think of what I want in a backup, I want the guy who’s not going to look scared. I never want to see that confused, blank face on the field again. Arm strength is important, flashy throws also good, but if he doesn’t know the plays or how to manage the game, those throws will never happen.

In my starting quarterback, I want a game winner; in my backup, I’d like a game manager. Graham Harrell knows the offense more than B.J. Coleman does. He knows the receivers and their patterns and given more time will only improve. Coleman has the potential; with an arm like that, he just needs to get his mind around the plays and the game. But there is no way I’m trusting B.J. Coleman over Graham Harrell with running this offense.  I’d like to see both Coleman and Harrell learn from this offense and advance; I think they both have potential. But Coleman isn’t ready to be handed the clipboard and headphones yet. He’s ready to hold a playbook and learn and hopefully end up on the practice squad so that next summer he can come in and possibly overtake Harrell.

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Comments (7)

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Frank G's picture

August 16, 2012 at 06:41 am

Good piece. Disagree with the practice squad though. Coleman would get plucked quite easily. Think the Chargers wouldn't snap him up with their problems currently at backup QB? What about any team that suffers an injury at QB? I wouldn't want to risk him making it to the PS. I think this year we keep 3 QB's.

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Tommyboy's picture

August 16, 2012 at 07:28 am

I can't imagine Coleman taking the #2 spot this year, but I also want to see a lot more. Your point about Flynn, who I think we can agree was a damn good backup, is exactly why I'm reserving judgement. If Flynn, who was in the system for three years was confused, there's no guarantee Harrell won't be. I'd rather have whoever looks more comfortable and can make plays if we need them.

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Evan's picture

August 16, 2012 at 08:47 am

I agree that BJ Coleman isn't a #2, but I'm not not entirely sure Harrell is either.

I'm still naively holding out hope for Colt McCoy as the #2 with Coleman at 3.

McCoy won't be as familiar with the Packers offense as Harrell would be, but I just think the Packers would have a better chance of winning with him if the #2 is pressed into service.

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coloradopackerfan's picture

August 16, 2012 at 09:35 am

I still laugh with all of this talk of how good Flynn was - prior to last years regular season performance he was in the same boat as Harrell. His camp and the preseason games weren't great and everyone on the web was slamming him. So Harrell had a few 3 and outs last week in his first game. Means nothing, he played with a banged up line and some receivers that didn't know what they were doing - dropped balls, missed routs, you cant put it all on the QB. I thought he did fine all things considered. McCoy is no better and very injury prone - Pack's don't want or need him.

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CheeseheadKevin's picture

August 16, 2012 at 11:31 am

Most teams only keep 2 QB's, so I have a hard time believing BJ would be picked off our practice squad. Put BJ on the practice squad for the year and let him learn. If some team wants him that bad then let them take him. The pack are set at QB1 for many years to come.

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Tommy boy's picture

August 16, 2012 at 11:37 am

Actually, most teams keep 3. The packers have been unique in only keeping two recently.

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Barutan Seijin's picture

August 19, 2012 at 11:07 pm

" [Flynn's] camp and the preseason games weren’t great and everyone on the web was slamming him."

This is as inaccurate as a Graham Harrell pass. There were plenty of Flynn detractors around 2008-2009, especially among the partisans of Arena League immortal Brian Brohm. However, Packer fandom came around to Flynn, certainly after his 2010 start against the Pats. At this point last year Flynn had shown that he could give the team a chance to win. For that reason, there wasn't talk about acquiring shlubs like TJack at this point last year.

Finally, say what you want about McCoy, but he made the most of his opportunity. He too was playing with the second and third teamers but went four for six and the Browns scored on his one drive.

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