The Lass Word: Round One to Pratt?
It's on for back-up QB job.
By KenLass
Let’s be clear on one thing from the very top. Jobs are not won or lost in spring OTAs and minicamps. It’s a time for learning, experimenting, conditioning and rehabbing. Nobody’s wearing pads, defensive players aren’t allowed to make full speed contact, quarterbacks can’t even be touched. Line-ups are constantly changing. Reading anything into what transpires in the spring must be done in this context.
Having said that, it is fair to observe which players seem to be having more success than others, particularly if there are somewhat consistent patterns. I was not present at any of the open OTA or minicamp workouts. But among those who were, there is a pretty consistent line of opinion regarding the performances of the back-up quarterbacks. The consensus is that rookie seventh round pick Michael Pratt outplayed second year signal caller Sean Clifford.
Clifford, working with the second team offense, threw three interceptions in one practice, and threw a fourth the following day. Reports are he struggled for any kind of consistent execution. Pratt, working with the third team offense, apparently moved his unit more smoothly at times, showed surprisingly good grasp of the playbook, and displayed enthusiasm and leadership qualities. Again, it’s way too early to draw any meaningful conclusions from these observations, except that it is reasonable to deduce that the workouts show the back-up QB job is going to be open to legitimate competition when training camp begins in late July.
The Packers were, to use Matt LaFleur’s word, “shocked” to see Michael Pratt still on the board midway through the seventh and final round of the recent draft. The Tulane signal caller was expected to go two or three rounds earlier. With Love, Clifford, and former spring football star Alex McGough already on the roster, Green Bay didn’t need another quarterback. But the value of Pratt was simply too good to pass up.
Bill Huber of si.com wrote that one scout had Pratt rated higher than Clifford was rated the previous season. The Packers took Clifford in the fifth round in 2023. During ESPN’s coverage of the draft, Mel Kiper Junior raved about Pratt, saying he believes the four year college starter can be a number one quarterback in the NFL, or at the very least a very solid back-up.
If you look at the stats both Clifford and Pratt established at the college level, they are amazingly similar. Clifford’s career completion percentage is 61.4, while Pratt posted a 60.6 mark. Clifford threw for 10,661 yards, Pratt had 9,611. Clifford averaged 7.9 yards per attempt, Pratt averaged 8.0. Clifford threw 86 touchdown passes, Pratt had 90. Clifford tossed 31 interceptions, Pratt had 26.
Clifford finished with a quarterback rating of 143.8, while Pratt was slightly better at 148. Both players are good runners who can make plays with their legs. In college Clifford ran for 1,073 yards and fifteen scores. Pratt ran for 1,147 yards and 28 touchdowns. Clifford had a record of 32-14 as a starter, but was 11-2 as a senior. Pratt’s final record as a starter was 27-17, but 21-3 in his final two seasons.
Clifford is 6’2”, and 218 lbs., and ran the forty in 4.62. Pratt is a nearly identical 6’2”, 217 lbs., who ran a nearly identical 4.65 forty. Both prospects were four year starters for their schools, and both broke several school records.
So as you can see, at least in terms of stats and measurables, there’s a lot of comparability. If you’re looking for something with which to separate the two prospects, you would have to give Clifford an edge for playing in the Big Ten, a power five conference, whereas Pratt played in the American Athletic conference. Clifford also has the advantage of having been in the Green Bay system for a full season, even though he only played thirteen regular season snaps. Pratt is starting from scratch.
We should get a good look at both quarterbacks in the three preseason games. Now that Love has firmly demonstrated he is a franchise starter, it is likely he will play little, if at all, in the games that don’t count. With McGough changing positions to receiver, Clifford and Pratt should get plenty of snaps. The Packers added eight undrafted free agents after the draft, but none of them are quarterbacks.
Clifford beat out McGough for the back-up job last summer on the basis of encouraging performances in the preseason games. Against the Bengals the former Penn State star completed 20 of 26 throws for 208 yards and a touchdown. He went 13 of 19 for 137 against the Patriots. He completed 8 of 12 versus the Seahawks.
Clifford definitely has to be beaten out for the job. But the Packers might wind up being a little nervous about putting Pratt on the practice squad. Quarterback-starved teams may have passed over him in the draft, but they will be watching his tape carefully in the preseason.
If all goes as hoped in 2024, neither Clifford nor Pratt will ever have to play, other than to kneel down at the end of a blowout win. But, perish the thought, if something happens to Jordan Love, this would turn out be the most important personnel decision the coaches have to make this summer.
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
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Comments (71)
LLCHESTY
June 17, 2024 at 06:41 am
One beat Caleb Williams and USC while at a non power 5(4) school. Next question.
Cheezehead72
June 17, 2024 at 06:43 am
I do not see Caleb Williams as the best QB in this draft
GregC
June 17, 2024 at 06:55 am
Final Score: Tulane 46, USC 45
Michael Pratt: 8 of 17, 234 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
Caleb Williams: 37 for 52, 462 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT
Tulane's running back had 17 carries for 205 yards and 4 TDs.
Oppy
June 17, 2024 at 07:15 am
Thanks GregC for clearly illustrating the difference between narrative and analysis.
Bitternotsour
June 17, 2024 at 08:33 am
But it was a perfectly good narrative and it really wasn't bothering anyone.
LeotisHarris
June 17, 2024 at 08:57 am
There's plenty of wear left in that narrative. it'll last a long time if we take care of it.
Bitternotsour
June 17, 2024 at 10:07 am
There's nothing quite as comforting as trotting out a well-worn narrative and introducing it to an off-season thread. Timely, space filling and oh so reliable. I can't wait to see our friends the
"never should have traded Rasul" or the "Aaron never had any weapons" versions back again soon.
jannesbjornson
June 17, 2024 at 11:41 am
Tyjae Spears went in Round Three to Tennessee...
Swisch
June 17, 2024 at 11:58 am
Good perspective from Greg; but CHESTY's point is still valid and even valuable, as the name of the game is, after all, winning.
Plus, Pratt putting up 234 yards on only 8 completions is extraordinary; and he had two TD passes with no interceptions.
What we may have in Pratt is a QB who is highly talented and able to do the job at a high level, while also getting his teammates involved in scoring a ton of points.
What we may have in Pratt is a winner.
LLCHESTY
June 17, 2024 at 12:23 pm
Without mentioning Tulane was down by 15 with under 5 minutes to go I don't think it's a good perspective at all.
GregC
June 17, 2024 at 12:42 pm
I didn't mention it because I didn't know it. Good for Pratt, he must have done some good things at the end of that game. I'm still not sure if I would accept the narrative that he "beat" Caleb Williams though. I also think that there are legitimate reasons why Williams was the #1 pick in the draft and Pratt was taken in the 7th round.
Swisch
June 17, 2024 at 02:15 pm
GregC, your post is excellent, IMHO.
If we as fans are humble enough to admit there's a lot we don't know, we can learn a lot from each other and have great discussions here at CHTV -- as well as a lot of fun in camaraderie.
Coldworld
June 17, 2024 at 04:23 pm
Wasn’t the turnaround more driven by a fumble and safety? Pratt was impressively cool and calm, but he didn’t have to do much except complete the easy passes USCs D had been giving up consistently all game.
USCs D that day reminded me of Barry’s at its worst. Open WRs on nearly every play close to the line. Pratt had easy completions all afternoon without having to attempt anything but high percentage passes. The difference at the end was that USC failed to hold the ball after dominating time of possession previously.
Swisch
June 17, 2024 at 04:38 pm
Coldworld, with your good post, the plot thickens as far as a collective analysis of that Tulane-USC game.
Your post also brings up a question: If Pratt had easy completions on high percentage passes, how is it that he averaged almost 30 yards per completion (as I understand it, 8 completions for 234 yards)?
As I was previously unaware of this game until today, I don't have a personal narrative to defend -- just trying to forward the intriguing discussion.
***
At any rate, it seems Pratt did get the job done in crunch time.
It seems a much better thing to make excuses for why a QB led his team to victory than to make excuses for why he allowed it to go down to defeat.
***
I'm starting to get this hunch that maybe Pratt could be a special find for the Packers.
Coldworld
June 17, 2024 at 06:12 pm
The USC D was a big factor that day. I’m not writing Pratt off or in. I will wait to see what he looks like with a few month with Clements under his belt.
I really don’t see that championship game as particularly good guidance, except for temperament. USCs D was the worst on the field, their O was the more impressive overall, because it controlled possession on the ground decisively while also putting up yards. Until late that is, and then a fumble and safety changed the outcome.
Temperament is something Clifford has also apparently. So may the best man win and be good enough to celebrate that victory in future.
I was favorably surprised by Clifford last year after being unenthusiastic, so perhaps I’m more circumspect. I am looking forward to the battle at full speed and even more so with contact.
LLCHESTY
June 17, 2024 at 12:21 pm
Score with 4:30 left in the game, USC 45 Tulane 30. You think Pratt MIGHT have been involved in Tulane winning? Final 5 minutes:
https://youtu.be/1v39ElPGlaQ?si=qpE9Td5cMkL9VLpQ
Swisch
June 17, 2024 at 12:34 pm
CHESTY, this point of yours seems to be the best of all: Pratt came through in the clutch.
As fans of the Packers, we're just getting over the heartbreaks of an MVP quarterback with huge statistics who repeatedly didn't find ways to win in the clutch.
It's worth mentioning this from time to time because our management was lucky to find the Jets to get us out of an exceedingly stupid contract extension with him.
***
As Bart Starr showed, there's a lot more to winning than huge stats and a big arm.
Quarterback is a position of varied craftsmanship and steely leadership -- that is, if the objective is a Super Bowl.
So many of the stars under Lombardi were not first-round draft picks or immediate hits in the NFL.
A bevy of pro bowlers doesn't necessarily win championships; let the championships produce the pro bowlers.
mrtundra
June 17, 2024 at 06:57 am
...and the one who beat Caleb Williams and USC had Duece Watts, who made 2 big catches for 89 yards, for his QB, in that game. Duece Watts is on the Packers' Practice Squad.
LambeauPlain
June 17, 2024 at 07:59 am
Packers cut Watts last August. He is currently on the Steelers.
Cheezehead72
June 17, 2024 at 06:42 am
What I want in a back up QB is someone who can win at least 50% of the games when called upon. Last year there were so many Packer fans that thought Clifford was the clear winner of the back up spot and they thought we hit gold in the 5th round. Clifford was given the spot because the coaching staff decided to play him a lot in preseason and did not give McGough a shot. Looks like the coaching staff might have a tough decision. I hope they do and they pick the right guy.
I like McGough. He is a gamer and would be a good back up QB. At least he has shown he will do whatever to make the team.
GregC
June 17, 2024 at 07:02 am
It's so strange that McGough is now a WR. It looks like his only value at that position is playing on the scout team. Hard to believe he will earn a spot on the practice squad that way, and making the roster seems completely out of the question. If he is as good as you say he is, maybe he could get a fresh start with a new team. I didn't see enough of him last year to have a strong opinion.
Cheezehead72
June 17, 2024 at 07:05 am
Unless you watched the USFL this coaching staff made sure you did not see much of him. He was very good and proven in the USFL. Yes the USFL does not have the caliber of players that the NFL has but they are better than the players in college even a poser 5 division.
Bitternotsour
June 17, 2024 at 08:36 am
Yes, of course. The coaching staff buried McGough to promote a draft pick. No one in this organization wants to win - Stockholder (probably)
NickPerry
June 17, 2024 at 07:24 am
"What I want in a back up QB is someone who can win at least 50% of the games when called upon."
Matt Flynn...Where are you!
Coldworld
June 17, 2024 at 08:29 am
A back up QB who can win at least 50% of games is what a number of teams are looking for to start. If we were to find one, his stay with us will be brief, with the payoff a trade return for letting him go early or the compensatory picks if we cling on till his contract expires.
T7Steve
June 17, 2024 at 06:45 am
Let the speculation begin!
How fun. I can't wait for camp to begin. These guys like Ken are keeping me from climbing the walls.
It's great on a young team, to keep these guys looking over their shoulders at who's coming up behind them. Gute and the coaches have seemed to create that atmosphere throughout the whole team. While there may be some that are secure in their positions, even they will have to show up and work hard to not be outworked by the followers.
DoubleJ
June 17, 2024 at 07:01 am
One thing to think about is age as well. Pratt is only 22, will be 23 at the end of September, however, Clifford is already 25 and will be 26 in a month. 26 is pretty old for a player entering their 2nd year.
T7Steve
June 17, 2024 at 07:41 am
I never even thought about the age thing. Of course it's been so long since I was 25, that seems like a pretty young age.
Coldworld
June 17, 2024 at 08:36 am
With a QB, the age thing is less material. Clifford could be in this league for a decade.
As far as the Pratt v Clifford competition goes, I have 1 hope: that at least one proves to be a back up we can be relatively excited about through actual on field play not projections. I care not one iota whom that turns out to be, as long as it does turn out to be true.
Both will have good days and bad, thats the nature of learning at the NFL level. Until the team is out of shorts and at least playing at full speed, let alone contact, it’s all sand box stuff anyway.
PackEyedOptimist
June 18, 2024 at 05:51 am
CW, while it's true that a QB can play effectively well into their 30s, there is a different aspect to age: ceiling. It is RARE for a player to make a big jump after they are 26; usually by that age "they are what they are." There are exceptions, but they are few. Clifford MIGHT make an impressive jump this year, but I'll be surprised if it happens.
Pratt, on the other hand, has several years of potential "big growth" ahead of him.
T7Steve
June 18, 2024 at 06:46 am
Those are good points. Physically they aren't going to develop much after 26 years, but a guy can still learn and should never stop learning. Which is why I am still encouraged (over 65) to take continuation courses for PDHs and have to re-certify every 3 years (hardest part of those is the eye test) and take weeklong classes to re-certify every 9 years.
LambeauPlain
June 17, 2024 at 08:04 am
Which Defense did Clifford go against...the 1's or 2's? How about Pratt...was he going against the same D as Clifford?
Kind of an important detail for an unpadded practice that was the basis for the entire article, isn't it?
I hope both these QBs make it nearly impossible to cut one of them.
GregC
June 17, 2024 at 08:24 am
The author mentioned that Pratt worked with the third team offense, so we can assume he was facing the third team defense. Clifford was with the 2s. Still, the consensus among those who observed was that Pratt looked really good while Clifford struggled. It was just two OTA practices, of course. I'm looking forward to watching these guys in the preseason games. I think it will be a pretty even matchup.
Coldworld
June 17, 2024 at 08:41 am
Love seems to have run with the ones versus the ones, Clifford the 2s and Pratt the 3s consistently thus in any play open to the media far from every report I’ve heard along the way.
Duneslick
June 17, 2024 at 04:24 pm
If you are going to look at which group was on defense you also have to look at what offense was on the field. The 3rd team offense has a lot less talent than the second team offense
GB@Germany
June 17, 2024 at 08:37 am
The battle for QB2 will most likely run through pre- season.
If they are even, I think it‘s Pratt on the team and Clifford on squad. This would be the preferred outcome, as another Oliner, TE or RB could be kept.
Pratt will not go through wires unclaimed.
Coldworld
June 17, 2024 at 08:48 am
It’s very unlikely that we, and perhaps any team, roster 3 QBs with the rule changes on emergency QBs. Winning is likely to be a blend of current capability and assessed upside, but unless they see a notably big difference in current versus future, I suspect they will risk the loser hitting waivers.
Bitternotsour
June 17, 2024 at 08:39 am
The most important thing in a back-up qb is that Jordan Love likes and wants to hang out with him. The end.
TheTaxiSquad
June 18, 2024 at 11:54 pm
Hahahaha. Good one
GregC
June 17, 2024 at 08:59 am
For what it's worth (which is not much), the Packers were mentioned in a recent CBS Sports article as one of six NFL teams with "concerning" backup QB situations. The author's recommendation was to acquire journeyman QB C.J. Beathard of the Jaguars (formerly of the 49ers). The idea is that at least Beathard has some experience. It's a fair point because the Packers have gotten burned in recent years when they trotted out inexperienced backup QBs. I'm fine with Clifford/Pratt for now though. Clifford looks better than most of our recent backup QBs, and Pratt could be decent too.
LambeauPlain
June 17, 2024 at 09:57 am
I think the Packers also have burn marks from journeyman QBs too. I cannot think of a journeyman QB who won many (if any) games for the Packers. There is a reason they "journey".
I am more comfortable with them playing the QBs they develop...because they are very good doing it.
barutanseijin
June 17, 2024 at 02:22 pm
You really can’t remember a backup Packer QB who won some games? It wasn’t THAT long ago: Matt Flynn.
LLCHESTY
June 17, 2024 at 12:32 pm
I think even Clifford is better than Scott Tolzien. They've had worse QB situations as anybody that watched them in the '80s can attest to.
Coldworld
June 17, 2024 at 04:07 pm
Once in a blue moon Favre and Rodgers had a good back up. It was a draft pick that came good and had been with the team a season or two. None of them were here long. They got paid elsewhere.
For the most part we had the likes of Doug Pederson if we were lucky. Often we’ve had worse. Deadly Doug is a lot more likely to win games as a coach. The reality is, we’ve very seldom had a second QB that was a realistic threat to win games. The reason is obvious: a lot of teams don’t have one and any that flash that potential therefore get paid.
Grandfathered
June 17, 2024 at 08:01 pm
Scott Tolzien? That's a long Hundley and Boyle ago!
Grandfathered
June 17, 2024 at 08:11 pm
Packer Backup QBs in the 80s: Besides eventual starters Randy Wright and David Whitehurst, we had Jim Zorn and Vince Ferregamo, and Rich Campbell, plus who could forget Willie Gillis and Chuck Fusina.
PackEyedOptimist
June 17, 2024 at 09:44 am
I predict that Pratt will be the backup, and Clifford goes to the PS along with McGough.
If Clifford wins the backup QB position, it will be because he is more valuable as a resource on the sidelines; I don't think he is a better PLAYER than Pratt in any way.
McGough is a PERFECT PS player; he can fill as a QB or WR when running opposing offenses
LambeauPlain
June 17, 2024 at 10:03 am
I like Pratt. I also like Clifford. In what way was Pratt better (I guess in every way) than Clifford in college?
Their college production was almost a mirror image. The article laid that out quite well.
Their athleticism is almost identical.
If anything, I would give the nod to Clifford playing in the B1G putting up his numbers vs Pratt in the ACC.
dobber
June 17, 2024 at 10:17 am
"If anything, I would give the nod to Clifford playing in the B1G putting up his numbers vs Pratt in the ACC."
AAC.
PackEyedOptimist
June 18, 2024 at 05:56 am
As an avid draftnik, I watched all the tape on Clifford and Pratt that I could find. Clifford showed himself to be an effective game manager, but Pratt quite often "made plays."
Their stats may match, but my eyes saw two very different players.
Pratt's age also means he has a couple years of potential growth ahead of him, while I believe Clifford has already reached his ceiling at 26.
PhantomII
June 17, 2024 at 11:24 am
McGough would be the perfect gadget WR to throw a TD. I would also like a RB who get's to work this type of play also....close playoff game win or go home executed to perfection....
Untylu1968
June 17, 2024 at 01:50 pm
McGough will be back in the minor leagues. There'll be no reason to keep him around.
PatrickGB
June 17, 2024 at 10:13 am
I think that this is the year that we keep two backups. Gutie sounded sincere when he talked about wanting to keep developing prospects.
HarryHodag
June 17, 2024 at 10:40 am
Key to the story: Pratt was working with the THIRD team against presumably, the THIRD team defense.
I suspect Clifford(because of his year of experience) could move the ball against the first team defense. We have virtually no data that Pratt could do that at this stage.
I know it's the dead story season until training camp, but this is silly.
LeotisHarris
June 17, 2024 at 11:06 am
"I know it's the dead story season until training camp, but this is silly."
Right, get on with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfwTRVnO5No
PatrickGB
June 17, 2024 at 11:15 am
I enjoy Packers stories. Dead season or not. I need my Packers fix!
GregC
June 17, 2024 at 11:31 am
Absolutely, and this article is better than most. It's based on something real, and it's backed up by statistics that are not used in a misleading way.
Swisch
June 17, 2024 at 11:50 am
Plus, it's good to get stories from a mandatory minicamp -- which while limited in its findings, is still quite an important step to a successful season.
Thanks to Ken for his appraisal of our youngest quarterbacks as far as he can tell at this point.
Swisch
June 17, 2024 at 11:44 am
I truly hope Jordan Love signs a long-term contract with the Packers that is fair to both sides; but then again, if the price tag for Love gets too high, maybe we have high-level replacements at quarterback in Pratt and Clifford.
I'm wondering if it's Pratt who has a real flair for the pro game and could indeed be a top-ten QB in the NFL; and if Clifford is an above-average keeper at backup.
I'm wondering if Pratt is that much behind Love in overall talent and leadership and potential.
I'm wondering if the LaFleur offense could elevate Pratt to the point at which the Packers could win a Super Bowl.
I'm wondering if it's worth it to break the bank for Love after only a half-season of high performance -- with one excellent playoff game against the Cowboys, but another playoff game against the 49ers in which he threw two horrible interceptions in the fourth quarter.
***
We tend to get too high or too low on players.
At this time last year, and all the way through October, Love wasn't all that appreciated; nowadays, he's so popular that the idea of not signing him to a bigtime contract is thought to be unthinkable.
I've always been a big supporter of Love from the day he was drafted, but he hasn't proven himself enough to blow me away as a lock for stardom.
It seems, in general, that quarterback salaries have gotten way out of hand to the point of crippling a team with the salary cap in filling other positions with top players.
***
I hope the front office of the Packers, and the coaches, are independent thinkers.
If they do indeed see Love as a real star in the making, then maybe we should sign him for $50-$55 million per season.
However, if Pratt is showing signs of being just as good -- and especially if Clifford might be able to hold the fort as a starter for a season while Pratt develops -- I hope they'll be willing to go against the crowd of other NFL teams.
To be a champion means to be willing to make tough choices based on one's own evaluations instead of conformity and caving to outside pressure.
Only one team per season gets the Lombardi Trophy, and it's done by being exceptional not only on the field, but also behind the scenes.
T7Steve
June 17, 2024 at 12:42 pm
"I'm wondering if it's worth it to break the bank for Love after only a half-season of high performance".
Swisch, sooner or later you'll have to pay a QB. If not, someone else will. You can't find these guys every couple years and think you'll be able to compete at a high level. Love is getting it now and while you say it took him half the season to get dialed in, the rest of the team did too. They got dialed in together and will continue to grow up together.
You can't think these guys will all turn into top ten QBs. Just ask fans from around this division alone.
Swisch
June 17, 2024 at 02:10 pm
Good points, T7Steve.
If the Packers think Love is indeed an elite quarterback in the making -- and that Pratt or Clifford do not have that kind of potential -- then I take the risk of signing Love at $50-$55 million per season.
That's the kind of tough call management has to make.
I just hope our management makes the decision based on their own evaluations rather than on what outsiders think they should do.
Untylu1968
June 17, 2024 at 01:47 pm
The Chiefs have done ok with a QB that has a "team crippling contact." The organization seems to have a good grip on what they know about Loves abilities. I'm guessing they're banking on four years of developing, more so than the "only 8 good season ending games..?"
Swisch
June 17, 2024 at 02:03 pm
So, the key seems to be whether or not our management team thinks Love is of the caliber of Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs -- who has won three of the past four Super Bowls.
If they do think Love is an elite talent with excellent character -- who can at least contend for a Super Bowl title -- I agree with signing him.
That's the huge decision of this offseason.
I would contend it's not as easy a decision as it seems.
Packers management has to not only have excellent skills in evaluating Love, they have to have a rare courage in doing what they think is right for the entire team and the fans.
T7Steve
June 17, 2024 at 02:18 pm
He may be the best QB that's played in GB or may not. What they're sure of is that he's the QB that's best equipped to run this offense right now and the near future. There's no gamble in that.
Swisch
June 17, 2024 at 05:18 pm
To me, it's a huge gamble to commit something like $300 million over something like six seasons to a guy with only one-half a season of top play.
Don Majikowski had more on his resume after the 1989 season than does Love at this point in his career.
Let's hope Gute and LaFleur are discerning evaluators -- although their history with QB12 is highly questionable, especially that last contract.
I hope Love makes it to the Hall of Fame as a Packer, but I wouldn't bet my house on it -- if I owned a house.
mnbadger
June 18, 2024 at 10:54 pm
thank you swisch for your courage in pointing out the potential hazards of signing jl10 to a premature mega contract.
His receivers made so many good catches on balls that were just close.
I'd like to keep the roster in tact and develop Pratt for the future.
Sit him this year, franchise then trade JL10 and start Pratt 4 years b4 extending him.
Keep the rest of the roster in tact.
See SF 49ers.
Talent everywhere, manager at QB1.
GPG!
GPG!
LLCHESTY
June 17, 2024 at 12:49 pm
The Senior Bowl director, Jim Nagy, said the Packers stole Pratt in the 7th and thinks he has starter potential. He was an NFL scout for 18 years, including with the Packers, so I'm guessing he's watched a little more football than I have and will take his word for it.
T7Steve
June 17, 2024 at 02:21 pm
You probably know more about football than I do, so I'll take your word for his word.
Coldworld
June 17, 2024 at 04:36 pm
Nagy, who started out with the Packers, did a say that, but only because Pratt fell that far. He had him as a third or, more likely, 4th rounder in a not deep QB class. That sounds great, but it’s really not quite as exciting given the success rate of such QBs. It is, though, reason to be puzzled in this draft if one had that rating on him.
The one thing Nagy did believe that I think might be relevant is that, with work, Pratt can eventually be an NFL starter. If that’s true, we have the ideal QB coach in Clements to validate it (and begin the remediation) or reject it with even more authority than Jim Nagy. If Clements sees in Pratt what he supposedly saw in Flynn, Pratt may well have a real leg up come cut downs. If he doesn’t, I trust Clements.
dark41
June 17, 2024 at 07:56 pm
I'm just going to put this out there (paraphrasing): Lombardi said the most important player on a roster is the QB, and the 2nd most important player is the backup QB.
Zeke Bratkowski won a lot of games for Green Bay, as well as put them in good positions in playoffs.
I'm all for the best man winning the backup job, however it goes. Go Pack go! :)
TheTaxiSquad
June 19, 2024 at 12:14 am
It’s great that Pratt showed up in OTA’s. But, on September 6, God forbid, if it’s necessary, who do you want to see running onto the field? Clifford or Pratt? Clifford will have had a whole season, and this preseason, throwing to these guys and in this offense. It would be great if we had a journeyman veteran back-up, but it’s not the Packer way. I’m going with Clifford’s experience. Because he’ll certainly have the weapons.