Stretching the Field: Rodgers vs Brohm
by Luke Paul Chandler
The two quarterbacks are expected by many to have a bitter battle to replace Brett Favre in Green Bay. The race may not be that close though.
With the 56th pick in last month’s NFL Draft, no experts thought this pick could cause a controversy. The Packers had seven minutes to make a selection, and given the rumors circulating their draft boards, it looked like this pick was going to be a tight end or a cornerback, two strong needs they were looking to fill early.
Without missing a beat, the team promptly selected quarterback Brian Brohm of Louisville. Fans in Green Gay saw it as a lock that the team was going to be embroiled in a bitter quarterback controversy starting in training camp. Two young veterans were going to vie for the important position on the field. The reality is, there is no competition, Aaron Rodgers will be the Packers starting quarterback in week one, and the Packers have done nothing but build around that idea this entire offseason.
Rodgers has spent three seasons learning behind future Hall of Famer Brett Favre. In an era where first round picks hardly sit for a full season behind a veteran, Rodgers spent an NFL eternity backing up a legend. Rodgers played sparingly, seeing extensive game action in November of last season, going 18-of-26 for 201 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys in a tense game. Rodgers has never started an NFL game and played to completion, but he has spent the past two seasons absorbing head coach Mike McCarthy’s version of the West Coast offense. Rodgers poise showed off in the Dallas game, as he was able to work his reads and play within the system. Although he was sacked three times, the Packers spent the majority of the game playing from behind and passing heavily.
Based on that limited amount of film, the Packers were not rushing to find a veteran replacement for Favre after his March 2008 retirement. In fact, the team let Craig Nall, a third stringer with knowledge of the West Coast system, hit the free agent market with little interest in retaining him. There were other veteran, system quarterbacks like Tim Rattay, Marques Tuiasosopo and Quinn Gray, who general manager Ted Thompson showed sparing interest in. The team trusted in Rodgers’ ability to run the offense, and be successful. That did not preclude the team though from expressing an interest in adding a young backup who could compliment Rodgers though.
In the midst of Senior Bowl, the Combine and postseason workouts, the Packers had expressed interest in San Diego’s Josh Johnson (who went to a West Coast team, Tampa Bay), Joe Flacco (Ravens) and a few other quarterbacks who could be drafted from the second round on. These were all looked as depth moves, and nothing that could challenge Rodgers’ position as the starter. The potential moves looked safe, both Johnson and Flacco were considered project quarterbacks who would need time to develop.
Even the when the Packers traded back with the Jets to give up their first-round pick, they made a move that signified that they were supporting Rodgers, as they drafted sure-handed Kansas State wide receiver Jordy Nelson. Nelson would give them a legit third wide receiver, who is strong enough to be a blocker on running downs, but could move the chains. Nelson was flying under the radar due to only average athleticism and timed speed, but he fits the mold of a West Coast offense wide receiver. Nelson had the upside to potentially develop into a replacement for Donald Driver. Then, at pick 56, Thompson pulled the trigger on Brohm.
Brohm was at first viewed as a legit threat to Rodgers. He had the pedigree, skills and makeup of a franchise quarterback, but fell down draft boards this year due a suspect senior season on a bad Louisville team. It was a far fall from grace for Brohm, who graced the cover of Sports Illustrated as a junior in high school. Brohm’s toughness - physically in previous seasons, mentally this season - was challenged by a struggling Cardinals team. Brohm had been labeled soft due to the coddling he got from having his brother on the coaching staff while at Louisville, but despite those criticisms Brohm had his best season as a collegiate. He still has elite mechanics, vision and has played in two different pro-style offenses in college.
Despite his fall, Brohm still has issues that need corrected, and will end up in him having to sit at least a season. His footwork is choppy, and he will need work in reading pro-style defenses. Brohm also has had problems in the past with feeling pressure, and took sacks that he shouldn’t have in college. He will need work in mastering the complexities of McCarthy’s passing attack, which took Rodgers two seasons of extensive work in to get to where he is now. If Rodgers had limited experience learning the system, McCarthy and his staff would be more apprehensive about handing him the keys to the car, but they clearly have limited fears about this.
What also bears watching is that Rodgers is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2009 season, which would give him two uncontested seasons as the starter. If Rodgers struggles during that time, the team could turn to Brohm, or when his contract is up if Rodgers’ value exceeds what the Packers perceive it to be. Due to Rodgers’ slide from potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft to 24th overall, the value of his contract is very manageable for the Packers also, should they have to turn to the young Brohm at any point in the next two seasons.
What many perceived to be a frivolous move by Ted Thompson may end up being one of his greatest coups if the scenario plays out correctly. Rodgers will have two seasons, on a team that is ready to contend for the Super Bowl even without Favre, to prove himself to be the starter, at a manageable salary. Brohm, a player who had potential top ten talent but fell, also comes on the cheap, and he gets two season to learn the system, much like Rodgers did. Former heated quarterback duels like Joe Montana/Steve Young, Drew Brees/Phillip Rivers and Derek Anderson/Brady Quinn have shown two good, young quarterbacks can co-exist on the same roster, if only for a few seasons. If both players understand their role in this scenario long term, it could pay off greatly for the fans of Green Bay, who know a thing or two about Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
Contact Luke at Luke@newerascouting.com.