Packers: Brohm thrust into larger role
By JASON WILDE
608-252-6176
jwilde@madison.com
GREEN BAY The Green Bay Packers certainly gave third-string quarterback Brian Brohm a chance to show them what hes capable during Saturday nights 31-21 victory over the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field.
And as it turned out, he got an even greater opportunities after No. 2 quarterback Matt Flynn suffered a right shoulder injury.
Theyre competing for a position. We wanted to get a good look at Brian, Packers coach Mike McCarthy explained. I thought he had some opportunities tonight that really didnt present themselves last week. Now we have quality film on both of those guys and well keep evaluating.
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The good news for the Packers? Flynns shoulder should be OK, which they seemingly need it to be as Brohm showed improvement but probably not enough to close the gap between him and Flynn for the No. 2 job.
McCarthy inserted Brohm into the game with 9 minutes, 2 seconds left until halftime in relief of starter Aaron Rodgers, and before Flynn. Brohm responded by playing considerably better than he did in last weeks preseason opener against Cleveland, when he completed just 3 of 10 passes for 18 yards with two interceptions for a 0.0 passer rating although he did throw another interception.
Much better. I feel like I was able to establish a little bit of a rhythm out there, said Brohm, who completed 9 of his first 14 passes for 51 yards but threw his third interception of the preseason before giving way to Flynn with 1:09 left in the third quarter. Its definitely valuable to get that work and be in there with (second-string) guys that have been in the trenches before. Its good for me to get out there and get that experience. Im just grateful the coaches let me get in there early.
And, as it turned out, late. When Bills defensive end Copeland Bryan beat right tackle Breno Giacomini and drilled Flynn for a sack, Flynn injured his shoulder, which he said after the game was just a little bit sore.
It feels pretty good now. I just lost a little strength in it, said Flynn stayed in the game for two Kregg Lumpkin runs before the Packers punted. I really dont think its a big deal. Ill get some rest, get a little treatment and should be ready to go (for practice Monday night). If it was a regular-season game, I couldve thrown for sure.
With Flynn sidelined and Rodgers done for the night, Brohm ended up coming back in and helped secure the victory by directing the clinching touchdown drive, which ended with Tyrell Suttons 3-yard touchdown run with 2:51 to play. Brohm completed 3 of 5 passes for 32 yards, including a key 15-yard completion to JaRon Harris during the drive and finished the night having completed 12 of 19 attempts (63 percent) for 83 yards and an interception, for a rating of 51.0.
The interception came with 59 seconds left until halftime and with the Packers threatening to extend their lead after Brohm completed a 13-yard pass to Jordy Nelson and James Jones drew a 34-yard pass interference penalty. On second-and-13 from the Buffalo 24-yard line, Brohm overshot Nelson and Buffalos Reggie Corner, who was covering Ruvell Martin, picked off the overthrow.
The Packers got the ball back three plays later when Desmond Bishop recovered a Ryan Fitzpatrick fumble, but they had to settle for a 36-yard Mason Crosby field goal when Brohm and the offense went three-and-out.
I tried to force it in there a little bit. Jordy was covered kind of tight, I was trying to make the perfect throw put some extra steam on it and the ball sailed on me a little bit and the cornerback was right there to make the play, said Brohm, who last preseason completed just 19 of 42 passes for 155 yards, with one interception and a 45.2 rating to lose out to Flynn for the top backup job.
Its not just numbers. Last week there were obvoiusly some things I couldve done better, but overall I wasnt as bad as it appeared if you looked at the stat sheet. Im looking forward to getting in there and looking at the film and making some improvements.