Yes, it’s become painfully clear the Green Bay Packers need a quality backup quarterback
Seneca Wallace was not the answer for the Packers.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph
Scott Tolzien
Raymond T. Rivard photograph
I’ve never been one to say I told you so, but it was back on Oct. 11, about three weeks prior to the fractured clavicle heard around Packers Nation, that I wrote a piece about how important it was for the Green Bay Packers to have a quality backup quarterback in place.
That was two months ago.
As we head into the final quarter of the 2013 season, the Packers and their fans have been painfully reminded of that fact. And while I will be cheering as loudly as everyone else for Matt Flynn to win one for us, we all know he’s not the long-term answer. Neither is Scott Tolzien.
So, who is?
Well, read the post below and you tell me … isn’t it time to draft and develop a new quarterback?
Originally published Oct. 11, 2013 …
The Green Bay Packers have always been known as a deep team. Talk about receivers and the Packers are swimming in talent; talk about cornerback and you can only see this team getting better; talk about running back and for the first time in years the Packers can finally say they’ve got the horses.
But talk about quarterback and you might want to change the topic.
You see, beyond Aaron Rodgers, the Packers have nothing. For the past two years the Packers have been lucky Rodgers hasn’t gotten injured. The thought of putting Graham Harrell into a game was certainly disconcerting.
Since Matt Flynn left the Packers after the 2011 season, the Packers’ quarterback position has been paper thin. The team has been a concussion away from playoff contention. Without a reliable backup, the Packers have been and seemingly continue to be on the edge of disaster at the position.
Matt Flynn will take the first team reps in practice while Aaron Rodgers continues his rehab, according to head coach Mike McCarthy. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports photography
I can only imagine that one of the first courses of business for Packers GM Ted Thompson in the near future is to be taking a look at the 2014 quarterback class that may be available in next year’s draft.
You think I’m looking too far ahead? You can bet that Thompson isn’t wasting time … at least I’m hoping that Thompson and his scouting staff are taking a look at what’s going on out there on the college landscape.
There are some who are saying that the 2014 quarterback class is going to be the deepest in years. In fact, some are saying that as many as 10 quarterbacks who may come out for the draft next spring could be first round material.
While it’s not possible that all 10 could go in the first round, there may be three or four who might.
Either way, it might be a great time to draft a quarterback who can be groomed and made ready for that inevitable day when Aaron Rodgers may not be on the field. While we hope not, that day could come sooner than we may want. To have a reliable backup who fits the Packers system is not a luxury, it’s a must.
Here is a list of quarterbacks prepared by the business insider who may be available in next year’s draft:
- Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville
- Aaron Murray, Georgia
- Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
- AJ McCarron, Alabama
- Tajh Boyd, Clemson
- Zach Mettenberger, LSU
- Braxton Miller, Ohio State
- Marcus Mariota, Oregon
- Derek Carr, Fresno State
- Brett Hundley, UCLA*
Whether any of these will be available for Thompson to consider remains to be seen.
But one thing is for certain – the Packers need some depth and insurance at the most important roster spot on the team. Unless the Packers do something to change the situation, they will continue to be at risk.