As OTAs are about to begin this month, here at LombardiAve we have decided it would be a good time to take a closer look at each position on the Green Bay Packers roster. Over the next few weeks we will break down each position and discuss which players are safe from being cut, which players [...]

LombardiAve  wrote:

Originally Posted by: MintBaconDrivel 

You want two things from your backup(s) according to the Packer philosophy:

One obviously is insurance against the unthinkable. Nobody replaces Rodgers, but hopefully whoever can win - or at least not lose - a solid percentage of games if he is needed to play.

Two is like a cash crop on a farm - you hope you can have the guy rise to a level of being worth something significant in trade BEFORE he "spoils" - is eligible for free agency and you lose him with very little compensation to a team with money and need.

Harrell isn't quite ripe yet, but IMO there is still hope - like Hasselbeck, Flynn, and the others - another quality product from the folks at Packer QB Farm. Thus, I hope they can keep both him and Coleman one way or another this season.

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker 

you hope you can have the guy rise to a level of being worth something significant in trade BEFORE he "spoils" - is eligible for free agency and you lose him with very little compensation to a team with money and need.

Harrell isn't quite ripe yet, but IMO there is still hope ...Thus, I hope they can keep both him and Coleman one way or another this season.

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker 

I believe that window is closed on Mr. Harrell. This is the last year of his contract. He will be a RFA but since he was undrafted that doesn't help you much. If you really think he will be something special you would have to sign him to a long term deal this year before he hits free agency, then hope to trade him.

I tend to agree with the other poster, he is a career backup.

Originally Posted by: greengold 

Regarding Harrell, didn't a lot of people say the same about Flynn - career backup/not strong arm?

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker 

it's not so much what use can we make of Harrell as what can we get for him in trade?

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker 

It concerns me more that he will be an RFA, and hence little or no value in trade. That being the case, maybe we should just cut him in preseason and be done with it - and maybe concentrate on Brown as a #3.

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker 

My point was, if Harrell signs with somebody else, it's doubtful the Packers get any compensation. Yeah, they could keep him, but I'm assuming after one more season of improvement for Coleman and maybe Brown, there's no way the Packers would match even a fairly low offer for Harrell.

I actually don't have near the low opinion of Harrell as a lot of people. I think he could step in and do an adequate job for the Packers or some other team, but I'd rather have Coleman holding the clipboard (do they even still do that?)

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker