Packers by position: Quarterbacks
 
Once again this April, the Press-Gazette will provide a pre-draft breakdown of the Packers roster at each position by beat writer Rob Demovsky. This will lead up to the start of Pete Doughertys annual position-by-position draft series on April 21.

Quarterbacks

What they have

Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn, Graham Harrell

Position analysis

The Packers have what no other NFL team can say: They have the reigning Super Bowl MVP under center. Aaron Rodgers capped a marvelous postseason with his MVP performance in leading the Packers to the Super Bowl XLV victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rodgers was nearly perfect against the Steelers to cap a postseason with nine touchdowns and only two interceptions (both of which came in the NFC championship game at Chicago). His postseason performance elevated him to elite status, if he wasnt there already.

Matt Flynn, who finished his third pro season, played well in his only start, at New England on Dec. 19, even though he came out on the losing end. He looked like he belonged in a prime-time NFL game by throwing for 251 yards, three touchdowns and a rating of 100.2. He had a costly interception, though, against the Patriots, and one the week before in a relief appearance at Detroit, where the Packers also lost. The former seventh-round pick at worst is one of the NFLs top backups and possibly a starter in the league soon, although it almost certainly wont be with the Packers given that Rodgers is entrenched.

Harrell looked like just another training camp arm early last summer but then in the preseason games showed a knack for being crafty in and out of the pocket. His arm strength was better than advertised, too. After spending most of the season on the practice squad, he was elevated to the roster the week of the New England game and stayed there the rest of the season.

The future

Rodgers two concussions last season are worrisome but as long as he remains healthy, the Packers dont have anything to worry about. However, they need to be prepared in case he takes another blow to the head and is forced to miss time.

Theyd love to keep Flynn around, but the reality is that he wants to be a starter and knows that wont happen in Green Bay any time soon. He has one year left on his contract. If the Packers dont trade him, which they probably wont, theyll lose him in free agency a year from now, so they need to find out if Harrell can be their next No. 2. Thats where the lockout hurts because ordinarily Harrell would be well into coach Mike McCarthys renowned quarterback school, which the young QB needs.

If theyre worried Harrell isnt good enough to be Rodgers backup someday, then this might be the time to pick up another quarterback in the draft. That likely wouldnt be until the later rounds, but Flynn showed that late-round quarterbacks can be developed. Its a typical year for quarterbacks in the late rounds, where about a half-dozen will be picked from the fourth to seventh rounds.

Great article. I really agree with keeping Flynn around this season. If A-Rod goes down, we know Flynn can win game and give us a good chance at getting a top playoff seed and some playoff games at Lambeau. We could probably trade him now for a low 2nd or high 3rd round pick (if trades were allowed), but I believe we can get a decent compensatory pick for him next offseason (if there are compensatory picks with the new CBA).

I really hope there is a preseason so we can see if Harrell has what it takes to be a future #2.

"millertime" wrote:

This is the third in a position-by-position series evaluating the Green Bay Packers needs entering the 2011 draft.

QUARTERBACK

Need level: Low

On the roster: Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn, Graham Harrell

Outlook: This is easy. Keep this Rodgers kid around. Hes pretty good. Theres no genetic marker for longevity, but based on his athletic ability, Rodgers is going to be around for awhile. The only thing that could derail him is a concussion problem. Two in one season isnt that uncommon and doesnt necessarily mean hell have any this year. But its something to keep in mind. Coach Mike McCarthy has asked why would we do that? when presented with the possibility of trading Flynn this off-season. Flynn improved his stock immensely with a fine outing against New England when Rodgers was sidelined, and his stock might never be higher. Hell be an unrestricted free agent next year (if the old free agent rules apply) and would assuredly leave for a shot at a starting position in 2012. Former GM Ron Wolf dealt Mark Brunell, Aaron Brooks and Matt Hasselbeck for some nice draft choices before they became free agents, so dealing Flynn has to have crossed GM Ted Thompsons mind. It would probably take a high draft choice for Thompson to consider trading the former seventh-round pick. He and McCarthy feel like if something happens to Rodgers their season wouldnt be over if Flynn is around. Harrell is an interesting prospect and with a lot of work in the off-season improving his body, he could be the future backup. Like Flynn, hes not fazed by anything going on around him.

Eye-opening stat: Even at his impressive pace of 1.83 touchdowns per start, Rodgers, 27, would have to play 13 more seasons to top Brett Favres franchise record of 442 career touchdown passes.

Whats available: This is not a great year for mobile, West Coast-type quarterbacks. McCarthy is good at molding quarterbacks into highly efficient, productive players, but he has to have something to start with. The guy has to have quick feet, flexible hips and a reasonably strong arm. He wont take stationary passers. There arent a lot of guys who fit the Packers needs in the late rounds of this draft. An exception might be Fresno States Ryan Colburn, who played in a pro-style offense and is smart and mature. Another possibility would be UTEPs Trevor Vittatoe, whos a little short at 6-1 and very raw, but can escape the rush. Both could be had in the seventh round or as free agents.

Bottom line: Thompson has two picks in the seventh round and could wind up with more depending on how the draft goes. This is where hell probably address the quarterback position, if he does it at all. Hes got three guys signed for this season and the only thing he may really need is a camp arm. Still, he hasnt taken a quarterback since the 08 season and it wouldnt hurt to bring in someone to compete with Harrell.