Packers may have to waste a roster spot....

[Patler]

They may have to waste a roster spot on a 3rd QB. I had been thinking they might go with just Hundley as a backup on the 53 man roster and then have a 3rd on PS. If Hundley is gimpy for a couple weeks, they might want to protect themselves at backup QB.

[red]

yeah, there isn't much there to show that he can stay healthy

and if he can't stay healthy, do we need to look at a little better option for our #2 or #3 QB. i'm not convinced by the little of watched of the undrafted rookie

[Harlan Huckleby]

Matt Flynn will be back. I hate the thought, but position is too thin.

[Patler]

yeah, there isn't much there to show that he can stay healthy

and if he can't stay healthy, do we need to look at a little better option for our #2 or #3 QB. i'm not convinced by the little of watched of the undrafted rookie

I'm not concerned about him staying healthy after he gets healthy, but an ankle sprain that has now been reaggrevated could keep him gimpy for a while. Too bad, because I thought he did some nice things.

[HarveyWallbangers]

It depends on how bad the sprain is. If it's the regular season, maybe he plays on it.

[ThunderDan]

yeah, there isn't much there to show that he can stay healthy

and if he can't stay healthy, do we need to look at a little better option for our #2 or #3 QB. i'm not convinced by the little of watched of the undrafted rookie
He got rolled up on. No one gets out of that without a sprained ankle. That isn't like being hit and getting a concussion.

[red]

so, does no one have a problem going into the regular season with a backup who has almost no game experience?

this was the preseason where hundley would get all the work he needed to be ready to go if a-rod goes down

he's gotten almost none of the game time and missed a ton of practice time

after missing the whole preseason, will he be ready to be the #2?

[Joemailman]

so, does no one have a problem going into the regular season with a backup who has almost no game experience?

this was the preseason where hundley would get all the work he needed to be ready to go if a-rod goes down

he's gotten almost none of the game time and missed a ton of practice time

after missing the whole preseason, will he be ready to be the #2?

I don't see them picking up somebody off the scrap heap who doesn't know the offense. They've gone into other seasons without an experienced backup (Flynn/Brohm in 2008, Graham Harrell in 2012). Unless they decide to bring Matt Flynn back (Can he still throw?), I think they'll roll the dice with what they have.

[Patler]

so, does no one have a problem going into the regular season with a backup who has almost no game experience?

this was the preseason where hundley would get all the work he needed to be ready to go if a-rod goes down

he's gotten almost none of the game time and missed a ton of practice time

after missing the whole preseason, will he be ready to be the #2?

I'm fine with Hundley, assuming he is ready physically. They have said he looked very good in practice, and has good command of the offense. He's been around for a year. Besides, what other options are there?

[texaspackerbacker]

If they do waste a spot on the 53, it better be Callahan, not some worn out has been. It's highly unlikely the guy would be used anyway, and it's also likely Hundley will be OK by the first regular game.

[Patler]

If they do waste a spot on the 53, it better be Callahan, not some worn out has been. It's highly unlikely the guy would be used anyway, and it's also likely Hundley will be OK by the first regular game.

I assume it will be one of the two others currently on the roster.

[red]

I'm fine with Hundley, assuming he is ready physically. They have said he looked very good in practice, and has good command of the offense. He's been around for a year. Besides, what other options are there?

i agree he looks to have what you want in a backup QB, but he's missing valuable game time experience that young QB's really need

the talent is definitely there, the experience is not

[hoosier]

Is Brian Brohm still practice squad eligible?

[Pugger]

Perhaps we can put Callahan on the SP just for this emergency. Of course if Rodgers goes down and Hundley can't play it won't matter anyway...

[Harlan Huckleby]

The Red Sox suffered for 80 years when Babe Ruth was traded to the Yankees. The Packers allowed their own prize to slip away to the Colts, and now they must suffer the curse of the Tolzieno.

[run pMc]

Personally, I'm more concerned about Rodgers staying healthy all year.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Hundley wants to be just like Rodgers so he is just mimicking Rodgers early career. Injured in preseason, nobody really knows how good he is, etc.

[Patler]

i agree he looks to have what you want in a backup QB, but he's missing valuable game time experience that young QB's really need

the talent is definitely there, the experience is not

Sure, having more experience would be a good thing, but I'm not concerned about it going into the season, so long as he is healthy enough to be counted on as the backup.

That said, Rodgers was the #2 QB his first season. I can't find preseason stats for 2005, but I assume he didn't play significantly more than in 2006, when he was 22/38. Back in those days, the starters played a lot more in preseason than they do now. In 2006, Favre was 34/58, so had a lot more attempts than Rodgers did in 2006.

Last year Hundley was 45/65 in the preseason. If that is about all he has going into this season, he probably has more experience than Rodgers had when he took over as the #2 QB in 2005. It would be nice if he had more experience, but I'm not concerned about it.

[gbgary]

i think we'll be fine for the season unless calahan gets hurt in the next two games.

[RashanGary]

I like Callahan. I wouldn't want to lose him anyway.

[Patler]

I think Callahan has a long way to go to get past being a guy who might be entertaining to watch and become a guy who can actually win regular season games if you need him too. Good guy for the PS, maybe capable of being #2 if/when Hundley or Rodgers is traded.

[King Friday]

I don't see Green Bay carrying 3 QBs. It is a complete waste in today's NFL, especially when you have a guy like Cobb who could probably be a decent emergency #3 during a week when all hell breaks loose...which happens very rarely. If we are using a #3 QB...we probably aren't winning that game regardless of who the third guy to step under center is.

[Patler]

I don't see Green Bay carrying 3 QBs. It is a complete waste in today's NFL, especially when you have a guy like Cobb who could probably be a decent emergency #3 during a week when all hell breaks loose...which happens very rarely. If we are using a #3 QB...we probably aren't winning that game regardless of who the third guy to step under center is.

They may be forced to. If Hundley is maybe a week or two, or three away from being ready to play at the end of TC they will have to keep someone to be #2 those weeks.

I agree that if Hundley is completely healthy there isn't much reason to keep three, since their third this year isn't like Hundley was last year, a guy you didn't want to lose. They wouldn't have three active on game days, so their 3rd qb can just as well be on the practice squad.

[Fritz]

This is dredging up awful memories of that Seneca Wallace/Vince-from-Texas season of backup disaster.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I think Callahan has a long way to go to get past being a guy who might be entertaining to watch and become a guy who can actually win regular season games if you need him too. Good guy for the PS, maybe capable of being #2 if/when Hundley or Rodgers is traded.

Are you still thinking this way after the SF game?

I think Callahan looks so good that the Packers should consider keeping 3. Callahan is worth the roster spot, even if Hundley is healthy. With Hundley behind schedule, 3 makes more sense.

[Pugger]

How did Callahan look against the 9ers' starters? I like him too but he isn't ready to be the #2 guy.

[Joemailman]

How did Callahan look against the 9ers' starters? I like him too but he isn't ready to be the #2 guy.

His 1st drive went nowhere because he was sacked on 1st down when Rodgers missed a block. Not sure when 49ers started pulling starters. He got better as the game wore on (against lesser competition), as has been the case.

[Teamcheez1]

I find it hard to believe that another team would scoop up a D3 QB with no NFL experience with a roster spot. He is probably safe on the practice squad.

[Joemailman]

I find it hard to believe that another team would scoop up a D3 QB with no NFL experience with a roster spot. He is probably safe on the practice squad.

I agree. Few if any teams are interested in signing a QB at that point that doesn't know their offense. And even if they did, they'd be looking for someone with some experience who can pick up the offense quickly.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I find it hard to believe that another team would scoop up a D3 QB with no NFL experience with a roster spot. He is probably safe on the practice squad.

Whether his background is D3, Arena Football, or Pee Wee football really just alters the projection of how he'll handle the NFL. Throw that out now. He's shown in preseason that he has poise, playmaking ability, and a nice touch on the long ball. Of course he is not ready. No rookie is ready. But he's showing he has the the ability of a drafted QB. I agree that no team is likely to sign him for opening week. But what happens when players get injured? Some team will sign him off the practice squad to be a backup.

[Joemailman]

Whether his background is D3, Arena Football, or Pee Wee football really just alters the projection of how he'll handle the NFL. Throw that out now. He's shown in preseason that he has poise, playmaking ability, and a nice touch on the long ball. Of course he is not ready. No rookie is ready. But he's showing he has the the ability of a drafted QB. I agree that no team is likely to sign him for opening week. But what happens when players get injured? Some team will sign him off the practice squad to be a backup.

At which point Packers will offer him enough money to entice him to stay. Hundley will likely be traded following the 2017 season, at which point he becomes the backup to 34 year old Aaron Rodgers.

[RashanGary]

Are you still thinking this way after the SF game?

I think Callahan looks so good that the Packers should consider keeping 3. Callahan is worth the roster spot, even if Hundley is healthy. With Hundley behind schedule, 3 makes more sense.

I agree. He looks really good. Something says he's a d3 player and nobody is going to take him. But then I watched him play and when i throw out what I think I know, all i see is a young, exciting player that seems well worth a roster spot. It's interesting. I'll bet it's a conversation. And I get the feeling mm likes calling plays for him and working with him. He's good and he's competitive. He moves the ball and scores. I just feel like he's a leader and driven and has heart and determination and focus. There is something there and it's contagious. He just finds a way to make plays. Plus, he moves well and throws well too. He's really exciting.

I don't want to lose him.

[Harlan Huckleby]

At which point Packers will offer him enough money to entice him to stay.
Why would Packers be in a position to pay more? Callahan is going to go to team where he has greatest opportunity to advance.

Think of some of the slugs that GB has carried on their roster in the past. Graham "Cracker" Harrell, for instance. Callahan looks like a better prospect than many.

The 49ers took Tolziien on waivers before he was NFL ready, let him ride a couple years as a #3. Some team may be tempted to grab Callahan, he looks better than a mid round draft pick.

[Patler]

Are you still thinking this way after the SF game?

I think Callahan looks so good that the Packers should consider keeping 3. Callahan is worth the roster spot, even if Hundley is healthy. With Hundley behind schedule, 3 makes more sense.

Yes, I do; but I also think it is becoming very likely that he makes the final 53 because Hundley will still be gimpy by the time the season starts. GB will be more comfortable with Callahan than anyone else that may be available.

[Fritz]

Yes, I do; but I also think it is becoming very likely that he makes the final 53 because Hundley will still be gimpy by the time the season starts. GB will be more comfortable with Callahan than anyone else that may be available.

Maybe Callahan can take Pennel's roster spot for four games while Hundley heals. By then he'll be less able to pick up another team's system.

[Carolina_Packer]

The key is how close Hundley is to being able to play. If he's healthy enough to play, and doesn't need to (hopefully), then he can heal up even more holding a clipboard to start the season, and you pray that Rodgers doesn't get hurt before Hundley would be pressed into action. It's a calculated risk. If Hundley's not ready to play week one, then you have to carry Callahan. With no second FB this year, the Packers will have another roster spot. I agree with those who say Callahan would clear waivers and be signed to the practice squad. It sucks that Hundley got injured, but the silver lining is that we got to see Callahan with the 1's and the 2's. Now, we just need Hundley to stay healthy, and for Callahan to have the scout team and mental reps to develop him even more. I think he could be a gamer. That said, you hope he rots on the depth chart! :-)

[pbmax]

^ CP has a point. They might simply have decided to shelve Hundley to let the ankle heal and protect him. Plan is for him is to be on roster at #2 in Week 1.

They will try to get one of the two snuck through waivers. However, after his last performance, that might be tough. One or two more injuries and the emergency QB list will be very short for other teams.

[Harlan Huckleby]

If Hundley is not healthy then there is no tough decision to face.

Everybody says practice squad because it is the comfy cake-and-eat-it-too outcome. And you might be right that it can happen.

I wonder how many people would sacrifice a roster spot for Callahan if they thought that this was the price to keep him in the fold. I say he's proven that value. What say you?

[Patler]

I doubt any other team would sign Callahan to be their #2, so that leaves two questions:
- Would any team sign him on their 53 man roster as a #3 QB?
- Would any team sign him to their PS?

I think the answer to the first is very few if any.

I think the answer to the second question is, yes, many teams would. Then the Packers have to ask themselves if Callahan would prefer PS on a different team to PS in Green Bay. I don't know the answer to that.

I still think Callahan will make the final 53 due to uncertainty about Hundley.

[Harlan Huckleby]

The Gagliardi Trophy is not exactly an NFL highway. But I do recognize the name Jim Ballard.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gagliardi_Trophy


Justin Beaver?

[Patler]

The Gagliardi Trophy is not exactly an NFL highway. But I do recognize the name Jim Ballard.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gagliardi_Trophy


and Justin Beaver from Whitewater. Beaver had a tryout with the Packers, as I recall, but I don't think he was signed for training camp.

[Harlan Huckleby]

http://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2016/08/29/callahan-succeeding-no-shortcuts/89540166/

Silverstein suggests that Packers will most likely try to get Callahan on practice squad if Hundley is healthy. But, "even if Hundley is ready to play Week 1 against Jacksonville, the Packers will have a tough decision to make with Callahan."

Big Mike says "small school, schmall school":

“I think Joe Callahan’s a great example of it’s not really where you start, it’s where you finish,” coach Mike McCarthy said Monday morning. “I understand his background, but Joe’s a hell of a football player.

“He was extremely productive in his college career and he’s really, if you go back to the OTAs, he’s improved every step of the way. It’s just like anything; can guys absorb the information and apply it on the field? His application part of it really relates and definitely shows you what kind of football player he is.”

McCarthy said he has treated Callahan no different than he would Rodgers and Hundley in the exhibition games. He is expected to run the same plays and make the same adjustments the two veterans are asked to make.