Thread: Search for critical backup to Rodgers begins
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Brian34Cook · 03-06-2008, 03:35 PM

Posted March 6, 2008

Search for critical backup to Rodgers begins By Pete Dougherty
pdougher@greenbaypressgazette.com

The Green Bay Packers' search for a backup quarterback started Monday night when they learned Brett Favre was retiring and could lead in any number of directions for what's a key position with the ironman Favre no longer playing.

The Packers are taking the next couple of days to solidify their plan and begin exploring options in free agency and the trade market to find a backup for Favre's successor, Aaron Rodgers.

The Packers need a No. 2 quarterback with some starting experience, but could go for several types of players available.

They could go for a mentor-type veteran with extensive starting experience who's near the end of his career. That could include Mark Brunell, with whom they've made preliminary contact.

They could go for a younger, less accomplished player with relatively limited starting experience, such as Tim Rattay.
They could go for a young prospect who might have some promise, such as Quinn Gray, a fourth-year pro who had four starts for Jacksonville last season and was released this offseason.

"First, you have to be able to play the game," General Manager Ted Thompson said of the qualities he's looking for in Rodgers' backup. "But if you have some experience, that's good. If you have some ability to be a mentor, that's probably good. I don't know if any of them are absolute requirements. The main thing is you find a good player."

Tollner said Brunell wants to play this year and has three other teams that have called and, like the Packers, are sorting out their priorities for their backup spots.

"The ideal role (for Brunell) is to mentor or be there supporting the No. 1 guy and having the ability to step in and win games," Tollner said. "That fits with a few different teams right now that I'm communicating with, and I think it makes a lot of sense at (the Packers)."

Among the other free agents the Packers might consider is Aaron Brooks, who was a starter for coach Mike McCarthy when both were with New Orleans from 2000 to 2004. The erratic Brooks, who had his best seasons playing for McCarthy, was out of football after his play became undisciplined in recent years. However, his history with McCarthy makes him at least a possibility.

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs...58/PKRFeatures

03-06-2008, 03:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Brian34Cook FBF All Star Running Back! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, IL Posts: 750 Blog Entries: 1	Search for critical backup to Rodgers begins Posted March 6, 2008 Search for critical backup to Rodgers begins By Pete Dougherty pdougher@greenbaypressgazette.com The Green Bay Packers' search for a backup quarterback started Monday night when they learned Brett Favre was retiring and could lead in any number of directions for what's a key position with the ironman Favre no longer playing. The Packers are taking the next couple of days to solidify their plan and begin exploring options in free agency and the trade market to find a backup for Favre's successor, Aaron Rodgers. The Packers need a No. 2 quarterback with some starting experience, but could go for several types of players available. They could go for a mentor-type veteran with extensive starting experience who's near the end of his career. That could include Mark Brunell, with whom they've made preliminary contact. They could go for a younger, less accomplished player with relatively limited starting experience, such as Tim Rattay. They could go for a young prospect who might have some promise, such as Quinn Gray, a fourth-year pro who had four starts for Jacksonville last season and was released this offseason. "First, you have to be able to play the game," General Manager Ted Thompson said of the qualities he's looking for in Rodgers' backup. "But if you have some experience, that's good. If you have some ability to be a mentor, that's probably good. I don't know if any of them are absolute requirements. The main thing is you find a good player." Tollner said Brunell wants to play this year and has three other teams that have called and, like the Packers, are sorting out their priorities for their backup spots. "The ideal role (for Brunell) is to mentor or be there supporting the No. 1 guy and having the ability to step in and win games," Tollner said. "That fits with a few different teams right now that I'm communicating with, and I think it makes a lot of sense at (the Packers)." Among the other free agents the Packers might consider is Aaron Brooks, who was a starter for coach Mike McCarthy when both were with New Orleans from 2000 to 2004. The erratic Brooks, who had his best seasons playing for McCarthy, was out of football after his play became undisciplined in recent years. However, his history with McCarthy makes him at least a possibility. http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs...58/PKRFeatures Last edited by Brian34Cook : 03-06-2008 at 03:38 PM.

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