Why do you say this? And where does such an implied assumption come from? I am especially curious because I never once said anything of the sort and you have quoted my comment which stated Graham Harrell would have simply benefited with having another session of quarterback school.
Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool
Why?
Simply because of your viewpoint that his experience is limited to one offseason, when in reality he has been in the system (Offseason camps, Training Camps, weekly meetings and gameplans) since May of 2010.
To me.. two plus seasons of practices and meetings have more value than you view it with your "one offseason" statement. He has gotten to learn from and discuss with Rodgers during his mastering of the offense and learning right with him through film sessions and game plans.
He has gotten to see how Rodgers reads defenses.. runs through his progressions.. his decision making processes each and every week in film sessions and positional meetings.
Basically, from the way I read your statement, you are undervaluing his experience in the program based on joining one QB school late and only attending one in full.
In other words.. there is no way the Packers can expect to add a QB and have him remotely comfortable in the offense in time to have him serve as the primary backup option to Rodgers... that is without greatly affecting the available playbook to the gameplan each week. And in no way, expect him to be mentally more prepared to play for our offense than Harrell.
All this based on two preseason games in which he is basically running for his life each snap, unable to step into throws with any consistency and dealing with third and fourth string options at every turn all the while discounting how poor Matt Flynn or even Aaron Rodgers looked in similar situations in preseason. Yet how effective Flynn and Rodgers were in relief the same seasons when the talent around them was consistent and upgraded.
Look back to Rodgers preseason vs his performance verse the Cowboys in 2007.
Or Flynn last season and his performance vs the Pats in 2010. Or the Bears in 2011.
There is a huge difference in not only talent but actually having a gameplan to attack the opposition verse running different sets in which the primary objective probably is evaluating on group or another.
I would love to speak to his decision making ability, however I have no clue to the play call objective in preseason is.. nor what they are looking for him in terms of reads and decision making.
While a good portion of his throws have looked like wobbly ducks, lets look at his foot placement and body language on those.. was he able to set up. I have seen a nice drop in to Dale Moss in the opener on an out along the sideline.. I seen a rocket ball to an out to the newly acquired Andrew Brewer this pass weekend.
What I see is a guy the needs to settle down and play.. like he did in the hurry up week one. I don't expect him to look razor sharp this week either, as the starters are going to go deeper (unless they pull Rodgers specifically early) into the game and a ton of guys getting their last shot in the second half to make an impression.
If anything, I expect Harrell to look the best the last week of Preseason where he will more than likely get more of a run with the ones and two that are actually starting to run offenses to function over a play calling more geared for evaluations.
I said it last week.. I say it this week.. out of all the concerns the Packers have.. Harrell is not in the top 3 or probably top 5.
Off the top of my head.. I would rank these above it.
* With the amount of sets in which we play nickel and dime... solidifying the rotation and performance of the secondary.
* Establishing a solid and productive rotation for the Defensive line and backers for the differing game situations.
* Identifying a grouping of players that effectively can generate a pass rush.
* Finding and setting the offensive line depth with rotating in the replacement parts with the starters.
* Figuring out the Running Back situation and roles.
* Establishing a running game of any sort. So far this preseason, we have seen really little to nothing in terms of an effective running game. To me.. that is probably the most pressing of the offensive needs. With this alone we help minimize the risk we expose Rodgers to and thus requiring the use of Harrell/#2 QB.
Shall I continue?
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"