CW21's 1st Annual Packers Camp Battles Thread

[CWood21]

This is something I've wanted to do for a little while now, and hopefully I can keep doing this in the future. This is meant just as an informative thread, but I want your feedback, criticism, critiques, and thoughts. Every few days, I'll look at a different camp battle and you let me know what you think. After I'm done, I'll post my final roster predictions.


Backup Quarterback(s)
This might be one of the more under-looked camp battles as Matt Flynn has left for Seattle to pursue a starting quarterback job. On one hand, Graham Harrell likely has the inside track given that he's already worked under Mike McCarthy but B.J. Coleman's impressive abilities make you think about keeping him on the active rosters. Odds are high that the Packers only hold onto two quarterback this year, which could ultimately mean that the Packers prefer the more experienced quarterback over the more toolsy one.

Graham Harrell vs. B.J. Coleman

Graham Harrell

Advantages:
+ Experience in Offense
+ Accuracy

Most would likely view Graham Harrell as the odds on favorite for the backup quarterback after Ted Thompson didn't go out and sign a veteran quarterback to back up Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers, with the exception of the 2010 season, has stayed relatively healthy in recent years and the backup quarterback isn't expected to get a whole lot of snaps outside of blowout situations.

Graham Harrell was a largely criticized quarterback coming out of Texas Tech in the Run 'n Fun system that Mike Leach ran while Harrell was there. He was expected to go undrafted because of the system he came in, but also his physical limitations. Going into the draft, most draft "experts" noted that his arm was below-average on a good day and that he likely didn't have the arm strength to be much more than a backup quarterback or even third quarterback on the depth chart. Still the Packers saw enough of him to give him a practice squad spot where he spent most of the year before getting called up at the end of the season when the Packers rested Aaron Rodgers before the playoffs. After having a lockout shortened offseason last year, this is going to be Graham's chance to really maximize his value in this system by going through Mike McCarthy's quarterback school. But what Graham Harrell lacks in arm strength, he makes up for with accuracy and leadership qualities. He was considered one of the best quarterbacks to come out of Texas Tech.

Most thought that Harrell was destined to turn out like other Leach quarterbacks in that they'd have a short shelf life in the NFL before finding themselves out of the league and likely stocking shelves at a local Walmart. Harrell has a chance to have a premier job holding a clipboard behind the best quarterback in the NFL and learning from one of the best quarterback coaches in the NFL. He'll have to work hard to beat out the promising rookie in camp.


B.J. Coleman

Advantages:
+ Impressive Physical Tools
+ Confidence
+ Desire To Be Great

Obviously due to Harrell's physical limitations, B.J. Coleman is the sexy pick to be Aaron Rodgers' backup but it's not that easy. Coleman wasn't very productive in college and remains a huge project but the upside might be a starting quarterback that the Packers could flip down the road for some picks. He's got all the physical tools you look for in a quarterback, but needs a lot of development before he's ready to play. Learning from Mike McCarthy might have been the best thing that could have had happen to him.

B.J. Coleman has the big arm, almost reminiscent of our former gun slinger Brett Favre who threw the ball around with reckless abandon. He'll have to curb his play if wants to win the backup quarterback job when McCarthy has put a premium on ball security. He's got impressive physical tools, but is still largely undeveloped after transferring from Tennessee to Tennessee Tech. Training camp will be a major factor as to whether or not he wins the spot, and he'll need to show that he's a bit more ready to contribute should Aaron Rodgers miss more time than expected. He might be tough to sneak through into the practice squad, but he might not be ready to contribute to the team just yet.

I've got no doubt that B.J. Coleman can develop into a starting quarterback, but it's on a matter of how hard he works. If his post draft interview is any indication of his work ethic, Graham Harrell could be in a world of hurt in training camp this year.


Verdict: Graham Harrell

[ChaRisMa]

Honestly, I'm not comfortable with either of them. Matt Flynn had physical limitations too, but I think he was also much smarter than either of these two. I don't care about physical attributes in a #2 QB. Give me someone who can take care of the ball, operate the basic offense, and let the defense and running game give you a 50/50 chance of winning any given game with your MVP caliber QB gets healthy. I give this spot on the roster an F, maybe a D depending on preseason no matter who wins the job.

[IrishGreen]

[TedThompson]

I have tons of confiendence in Graham Harrell. No worries with him.

Coleman is a project.
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"It's the same old Jay," Woodson told ESPN afterward. "We just need to be in position. Jay will throw us the ball."

[palmy50]

[BartStarving]

Harrell in the very short term. Not much to add to the previous spot on posts except the usual huge caveat, I hope these two stay healthy.

[MNPackfan32]

I wonder what the staffs plan is for the d-line. Are they gunna use Muir and Pickett together in the 2-4-5 to stop the run or will they use more of the traditional 3-4? It seems they are commited to the 2-4 with the Worthy and Daniels picks ad I saw them both as a better fit at the 3. I am interested in seeing Perry-Raji-Daniels-Matthews go after the QB.
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[jfinley88]

It's hard not to root for a try-hard guy like Coleman. It would take a hell of a TC and pre-season for him to overtake Harrell. But unless Coleman just completely sucks in pre-season I hope we make room three QB's on our roster.
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[skibrett15]

[Sandybaby716]

[Blount_truth]

[skibrett15]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7970796/nfl-green-bay-packers-future-tied-squarely-aaron-rodgers-health

A question I have for you guys: say Rodgers does go down? Are we really going to do the stereotypical "Run the ball, play good D" type of gameplan that you would see the steelers run with chaz batch or will we still try to pass to win. Clearly with flynn we passed to win, and I think mccarthy believes the passing game can operate at a decent level without a star QB. True? Half true?
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[rbens06]

[.flash]

I think we're going to take 3 QB's with us to the 53. And I'm just fine with Harrell. He's the next Flynn tbh.
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[Sandybaby716]