Best and Worst of Camp

[HarveyWallbangers]

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080826/PKR01/80826175/1058/PKR01

ARod, the old corners, Brandon Jackson, and the 2008 draft class made the Thumbs Up list

2008 draft class: Top pick Jordy Nelson looks like he can contribute right away. Guard Josh Sitton (a fourth-round pick) would have been an opening-day starter if not for a knee injury that will keep him out for a few weeks. Cornerback Pat Lee, tight end Jermichael Finley and defensive end Jeremy Thompson all look like good long-term prospects.

Rookie QBs, OL, DL, and camp atmosphere made the Thumbs Down list. Ryan Grant also, but that seems a little harsh.

[mraynrand]

"Camp atmosphere: After the Favre trade, fan presence at practice was minimal. Crowds were the smallest in the last two decades."

Gee Del Griffith, do you think so? Do you think perhaps Brett Favre was a draw in Green Bay? Still, with the camp fan numbers down a bit, I bet it was much more enjoyable and accessible for the fans who come to actually watch the football moreso than gawk at the players.

[CaliforniaCheez]

...and the size of crowds attending Jets camp shot way up.

[HarveyWallbangers]

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=787824

THUMBS UP
If practice is any indication, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has a future in the West Coast offense. Perhaps his best asset during training camp was his high completion percentage, a staple of the system. According to unofficial statistics kept by the Journal Sentinel, Rodgers completed 228 of 327 passes (69.7%) in 11-on-11 drills held on Clarke Hinkle Field (not including screen/gadget play periods). His worst day came Aug. 1, when he completed 18 of 34 passes with an interception in two practices. But he had many more good ones, such as a 34-for-43 day on Aug. 6 and a 20-for-24 day on Aug. 9. These drills are set up for high completion percentages, but the quarterbacks still have to compete against the defense, sometimes the No. 1 unit. Rodgers threw a total of eight interceptions, including three in one practice, which isn’t great. Tom Brady threw eight in 578 attempts last season. But Rodgers went the last nine practices without one.

THUMBS DOWN
The rookie quarterbacks had far less success, especially second-round pick Brian Brohm. He completed 99 of 167 passes (59.3%) and threw six interceptions. Unlike Rodgers, Brohm threw more interceptions as camp wore on. He had four in his last nine practices. Seventh-round pick Matt Flynn had nearly 60 fewer attempts in practice, but completed 65 of 109 passes (59.6%). Often he was throwing check-downs and short crossing routes, but in more recent practices he has been throwing downfield, usually with more authority than Brohm. Flynn was intercepted just once all camp and it came when receiver Jake Allen dropped a ball that bounced into the arms of safety Aaron Rouse. Flynn had trouble getting the ball over the line of scrimmage early in camp, suffering five tips in the first eight practices, but he didn’t have any in the final 14.

[oregonpackfan]

The Packers rookie quarterbacks are just that--rookies!

This camp should provide more substance for the argument that the Packers need a veteran QB to back up Rodgers. If Rodgers goes down, the Packers are in for a loooooong season.

[HarveyWallbangers]

The Packers rookie quarterbacks are just that--rookies!

This camp should provide more substance for the argument that the Packers need a veteran QB to back up Rodgers. If Rodgers goes down, the Packers are in for a loooooong season.

I'd agree, but right now we could still sign Daunte Culpepper or Quinn Gray (two guys we've shown mild interest in) if ARod goes down.

[Partial]

I would like them to explore that in the event of injury but until then go with the two youngins. Obviously Brohm isn't getting cut, but the later round pick seems like a steal to this point (that or Brohm just looks that bad).

Question:

If they're struggling and A-Rod goes down for 2-3 weeks, and Culpeppers/Grey comes in and the team looks much better, do we have a QB controversy? If so, then you play the youngen and probably lose some games. But you can't break A-Rods confidence in the first year by going with someone else over him.

[Zool]

I would like them to explore that in the event of injury but until then go with the two youngins. Obviously Brohm isn't getting cut, but the later round pick seems like a steal to this point (that or Brohm just looks that bad).

I want to see Flynn against something other than the other teams 4th and 5th string D. Maybe he'll get some time tomorrow in the first half.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I think it is 100% certain that TT intends to add a vet QB, otherwise Flynn would have seen more playing time. Well, if Flynn gets a shot tomorrow, maybe the team is seriously considering going into the season without adding a vet.

[Deputy Nutz]

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=787824

THUMBS UP
If practice is any indication, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has a future in the West Coast offense. Perhaps his best asset during training camp was his high completion percentage, a staple of the system. According to unofficial statistics kept by the Journal Sentinel, Rodgers completed 228 of 327 passes (69.7%) in 11-on-11 drills held on Clarke Hinkle Field (not including screen/gadget play periods). His worst day came Aug. 1, when he completed 18 of 34 passes with an interception in two practices. But he had many more good ones, such as a 34-for-43 day on Aug. 6 and a 20-for-24 day on Aug. 9. These drills are set up for high completion percentages, but the quarterbacks still have to compete against the defense, sometimes the No. 1 unit. Rodgers went the last nine practices without an interception.

THUMBS DOWN
The rookie quarterbacks had far less success, especially second-round pick Brian Brohm. He completed 99 of 167 passes (59.3%) and threw six interceptions. Unlike Rodgers, Brohm threw more interceptions as camp wore on. He had four in his last nine practices. Seventh-round pick Matt Flynn had nearly 60 fewer attempts in practice, but completed 65 of 109 passes (59.6%). Often he was throwing check-downs and short crossing routes, but in more recent practices he has been throwing downfield, usually with more authority than Brohm. Flynn was intercepted just once all camp and it came when receiver Jake Allen dropped a ball that bounced into the arms of safety Aaron Rouse. Flynn had trouble getting the ball over the line of scrimmage early in camp, suffering five tips in the first eight practices, but he didn’t have any in the final 14.

All the big write up on preseason college football has been about the Spread offense and it's effect on the game. The NFL doesn't like the spread because it simply doesn't translate all that well, and now players that are quite productive in the spread offense in college and put up huge passing stats seem to then struggle in the NFL and with the pro system whether it is the west coast offense or two backs, two WR and one tight end, or three wide outs, a tight end and a back.

Brohm is an example of this. He put up great numbers in Bobby Petrino's system, but now adapting to a totally different scheme is difficult for him.

[Scott Campbell]

All the big write up on preseason college football has been about the Spread offense and it's effect on the game. The NFL doesn't like the spread because it simply doesn't translate all that well, and now players that are quite productive in the spread offense in college and put up huge passing stats seem to then struggle in the NFL and with the pro system whether it is the west coast offense or two backs, two WR and one tight end, or three wide outs, a tight end and a back.

Brohm is an example of this. He put up great numbers in Bobby Petrino's system, but now adapting to a totally different scheme is difficult for him.

Alex Smith is another example.

[texaspackerbacker]

I predicted that the fade by Al Harris was only temporary, and that he would bounce back strong this season. He seems on track for that. Woodson, too, would be expected to still be good. Rodgers also seems to be on track for a good season. He doesn't have to be great, only moderately good, with all the talent around him.

I have not, however, been all that impressed with Brandon Jackson. Oh, he's an OK backup, a good receiver, etc., but the main thing he has shown is how much we need Grant to have a strong running attack. Jackson is ordinary; Grant is extraordinary.

Flynn has done well, and I think could step in if Rodgers went down short term. Brohm hasn't been good, but he has too much potential to give up on. I absolutely do NOT think Thompson should or will bring in some old-timer QB. Even if it isn't by trade and nothing is given up--just a free agent signing, bringing in a vet undoubtedly would mean losing either Brohm or Flynn. I, and probably Ted, think that is too big a price to pay. If Rodgers went down long term and had to go on IR, that might be different, but as of now, WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING VET QB.

[Scott Campbell]

I predicted that the fade by Al Harris was only temporary, and that he would bounce back strong this season.

Did Harris really fade? Or does he just struggle with big physical receivers?

[Gunakor]

I predicted that the fade by Al Harris was only temporary, and that he would bounce back strong this season. He seems on track for that. Woodson, too, would be expected to still be good. Rodgers also seems to be on track for a good season. He doesn't have to be great, only moderately good, with all the talent around him.

I have not, however, been all that impressed with Brandon Jackson. Oh, he's an OK backup, a good receiver, etc., but the main thing he has shown is how much we need Grant to have a strong running attack. Jackson is ordinary; Grant is extraordinary.

Flynn has done well, and I think could step in if Rodgers went down short term. Brohm hasn't been good, but he has too much potential to give up on. I absolutely do NOT think Thompson should or will bring in some old-timer QB. Even if it isn't by trade and nothing is given up--just a free agent signing, bringing in a vet undoubtedly would mean losing either Brohm or Flynn. I, and probably Ted, think that is too big a price to pay. If Rodgers went down long term and had to go on IR, that might be different, but as of now, WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING VET QB.

I think Jackson has made great strides twoard becoming a solid runner. His problem remains that he can't pick up a blitz to protect his QB's blind side.

As far as a veteran QB goes, I think they hold off until an injury actually happens to make a move. But I'd like to see Flynn against a real defense rather than a patchwork one made up of scrubs. If Flynn struggles against real NFL players just like Brohm has, then I might not wait for an injury to happen before I look for a veteran. If he doesn't, then there's no way to stash him on the PS to make room for a veteran. And there's no way they can carry 4 QB's given the injuries on the defensive side of the ball. It's made even tougher if they decide to carry 4 HB's, which I think they might end up doing to hold on to Lumpkin. At this point though, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that Rodgers can stay healthy and start 16 games so we don't have to worry about who is backing him up. I really don't like any of the other options we have, either on the roster or in FA.

[Gunakor]

I predicted that the fade by Al Harris was only temporary, and that he would bounce back strong this season.

Did Harris really fade? Or does he just struggle with big physical receivers?

He struggled in 2 or 3 of the 18 games that he played in last year. The other 15 or 16 games he played he was very good. I don't think he faded too much, if at all.