Packers Diligently Looking for Backup Quarterback

By Todd Mishler  |   Wednesday, March 19, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

Green Bay Packers
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We know two things about Green Bay’s quarterback situation: Aaron Rodgers will be the starter barring a major injury or unforeseen circumstances. And the second is … Wait a minute; we do only know one thing about the Packers quarterback situation.

That’s because they’re diligently exploring their options for the backup position behind the California product who will begin his fourth season after watching Brett Favre for three years after being the team’s top draft pick in 2005.

General Manager Ted Thompson has brought in former Jacksonville No. 3 signal caller Quinn Gray, an intriguing physical specimen who’s also visited the Oakland Raiders and is contemplating which environment suits him best. And then Wednesday saw well-traveled Gus Frerotte stop in for a chat.

My gut tells me that neither one could carry a team if Rodgers missed extensive time, but the team could limp through two or three games if necessary. Of the two, my preference would be Gray.

The team doesn’t appear interested in Craig Nall, at least not as a No. 2 guy. Although he could be brought back if nothing else materializes.

Speculation is that they’re waiting for a better veteran to be released later or they’re contemplating chasing a restricted free agent such as New York Giants portly southpaw Jared Lorenzen or Cincinnati’s Ryan Fitzpatrick.

However, that would involve giving up a draft pick, and Thompson covets those and it would appear unwise to give those up for a reserve player.

I guess we do know a second thing about the team’s predicament, and that’s that Thompson is almost guaranteed to draft one in late April as a developmental player because it’s unlikely that a rookie could challenge Rodgers for the top spot.

Regardless, if the Packers’ mind-set is that they want a veteran, then they aren’t necessarily in a rush, especially if their target is somebody who’s got experience with the offensive system or has a background with Coach Mike McCarthy.

But if they’re looking at another younger player such as Gray, it behooves them to get the guy in Green Bay quickly to get him started in the off-season program and acclimated to the coaching staff, etc.

Still, the most important thing is getting the right person, whether it’s a veteran or young guy or whether it’s sooner or later. And my bet, knowing Thompson’s track record and his background under Ron Wolf, he’ll make the correct decision.
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