Why the Packers Should---Not---Pick Up a Vet QB

[DonaldsDesignatedDriver]

I keep reading that the Packers "need" a veteran QB to back up Rodgers.  Here's why I disagree:

The Packers have too much invested in Brohm and thus he will not get cut.  As well he shouldn't, he has a ton of potential and McCarthy is a master at developing QBs.  If McCarthy has one strength above all others, that's it.

This means that in order to bring in a vet, the Packers either have to keep four QBs on the roster (seems unlikely especially if the suspicions are true and the Packers keep 4 HBs), or the Packers have to cut Flynn.

I would hate to see the Packers cut Flynn in favor of some mediocre scrub like Chris Simms or his equivalent.  Here's a useful analogy.  In 2005 the Ravens drafted Derek Anderson in the sixth round.  They cut him and kept Anthony "seasoned veteran" Wright.  Anderson did not clear waivers--the Browns immediately snapped him up.  Two years later, the Browns have a Pro Bowl QB and the Ravens had to blow a first round pick looking for a suitable starter.

Nothing is going to change the fact that if Rodgers goes down, the team is going to struggle (a lot).  Having Chris Simms or Craig Nall on the roster is not going to change that.  Frankly, I'd rather take my chances with Flynn.

[Michalo]

I agree! It would be better to let rookie play. He might even end up being better than Rodgers.

[packercorey]

Triple D- you're right about this- there is NOBODY out there. I do think if there was someone good they would get him.

[DonaldsDesignatedDriver]

Triple D- you're right about this- there is NOBODY out there. I do think if there was someone good they would get him.

But who do you consider "good"? Kitna, Garcia, Warner.  In past years, these guys would be sought after back-ups.  In 2008, these guys are starters.  (The talent pool is so depleted that JT O'Sullivan is now a starting QB.)  Maybe---maybe---if Greise gets cut.  Maybe he would be worth a look.  (Maybe.)  Then again, he couldn't outplay the dynamic duo of Grossman/Orton.

I also apparently think more highly of Matt Flynn than most.  I'm just not convinced that some veteran from the scrap heap is going to be that much better to justify giving up on Flynn.  I think its a fantasy to think that if Rodgers gets hurt for an extended period of time any back-up is going to step right in a lead the Packers to the playoffs.

[Aa-Rod_is_cool]

But who do you consider "good"? Kitna, Garcia, Warner.  In past years, these guys would be sought after back-ups.  In 2008, these guys are starters.  (The talent pool is so depleted that JT O'Sullivan is now a starting QB.)  Maybe---maybe---if Greise gets cut.  Maybe he would be worth a look.  (Maybe.)  Then again, he couldn't outplay the dynamic duo of Grossman/Orton.

 I'm just not convinced that some veteran from the scrap heap is going to be that much better to justify giving up on Flynn. 

We could pull a tampa bay and have 4 Qb's on the roster.

[DonaldsDesignatedDriver]

Chris Simms, Brooks Bollinger, Jared Lozenson, Joey Harrington, Quinn Gray are all available.

Any of these doods excite you?

I don't think I'd cut Flynn for any of these guys.

[packercorey]

Holy Crap you guys have a great dialogue going on at packergeeks Triple D.

For anyone with time and who wants to see why we should or should not draft a qb,
Check out this article on Culpepper over at Packergeeks...but check out the frickin comments. Our very own Triple D makes some especially salient points.   

Some good stuff....My favorite is this initial quote by andy on Culpepper-

My concern with Culpepper is that the Packers offense is rather complicated and one of the knocks on him in Miami and Oakland was that he apparently wasn’t stellar at picking up the offenses and he also had trouble reading defenses.

Wow...he cant pick up offenses and he has trouble reading Defenses...LETS SIGN HIM TODAY!

[packercorey]

Mike Woods puts his 2 cents into the mix.

If Thompson does keep three quarterbacks — keeping four does not seem to be an option at any level — what other position will suffer the loss of a quality contributor because of it? If he keeps only two, as he did to start last season, which one stays?

McCarthy would not commit to Brohm remaining as the first choice at backup in Thursday's aftermath, for he couldn't because again Flynn's star shone a bit brighter.

"I'll say it for the 100th time, it takes time to develop quarterbacks," McCarthy said.

But can the Packers really afford to have them to continue to learn on the job?

From what we've seen from the rookies, you would trust neither with holding down the fort for anything longer than a minute. The question the Packers must figure out is: which one would be best suited to hold down the fort in the future?

It seems there's little doubt Thompson has to make a move for a veteran presence, but it's going to cost him one untapped talent unless he could somehow convince another team to cough up a draft choice for either one. That's doubtful.

Cutting either Brohm or Flynn is bound to hurt, and only the future will unveil just how much.

And here is Bob McGinn talking about not picking up Rosenfels:

Thompson also had the opportunity to acquire Sage Rosenfels from the Houston Texans in exchange for a second-round pick.

Thompson evaluated all the veterans and reached the conclusion that he would prefer drafting two players from what the Packers regarded as a good class of quarterbacks. That took guts, but it made some sense because dipping into the recycling bin generally isn't a great idea.

Not going after Rosenfels was an entirely different matter.

Rosenfels, the backup to Matt Schaub, has improved steadily for eight years. In five starts last season (84.8 passer rating), several scouts say he demonstrated starting ability.

Perhaps the Packers figured Rosenfels was too good and might overshadow Rodgers. More likely, Thompson absolutely refused to part with a second-round pick.

For a second-round choice, the Packers would have been purchasing stability at the key position. There's a price to be paid for a veteran quarterback capable of winning games, but Thompson wouldn't pay it.

After acquiring the No. 56 pick in the trade for Corey Williams, Thompson took Brohm. Four slots later in the second, he took cornerback Pat Lee. The way it looks now, neither player will contribute much in 2008.

Most personnel people would agree that with the 56th pick a team should be able to secure its No. 2 quarterback position. But after five weeks of practice it's becoming more and more clear that Brohm isn't up to the task.

[DonaldsDesignatedDriver]

A second round pick for Sage Rosenfels? 

The Packers most likely received a 3rd round pick for Brett Favre.  A second round pick for Rosenfels is a joke.

[packeraaron]

Could not agree with you more Triple D. The time to pick up a vet is long gone. For whatever reason, these are the three QBs the Packers have cast their lot with for the 2008 season. Any vet that would come in would only serve to delay the devlopment of the two young guys and would not be anywhere near ready if called upon anyway.

That said, if Brohm has to see any action during the first month of the season, we're screwed. (Flynn should be the backup by a wide margin)

[Michalo]

Could not agree with you more Triple D. The time to pick up a vet is long gone. For whatever reason, these are the three QBs the Packers have cast their lot with for the 2008 season. Any vet that would come in would only serve to delay the devlopment of the two young guys and would not be anywhere near ready if called upon anyway.

That said, if Brohm has to see any action during the first month of the season, we're screwed. (Flynn should be the backup by a wide margin)

I agree first there would be no reason to bring in a VET if Rodgers got hurt because there is no guarantee that he would beable to handle our offense. I would rather Brohm or Flynn play so we can at least see what the future may hold for us if Rodgers ever go down for good. Hope that he doesn't (Knock on wood)

Also, I agree that Flynn should be our back up QB, he's better or at least in this stage of there development he is better than Brohm...

[jon_in_wi]

I would keep what we have.. both Brohm and Flynn have the potential to be great QB's... if they are needed this year and we lose a few games.. so be it.. they will be better next season

[Mr.Greenbaypacker]

They shouldn't bring a vet in because they made there bed and now its time to lay in it.

[Michalo]

They shouldn't bring a vet in because they made there bed and now its time to lay in it.

I don't not want them to bring in a VET qb just to stick it them because they didn't earlier. It just doesn't make sense when we can develop our young Qb's for the future. Besides there isn't nobody good out there...

[packercorey]

Here we go.