http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=418007
How general manager Ted Thompson fares with his monumental and difficult decision should have a profound impact on the Packers' chances to regain the status of a contender over the next several years.
If Thompson evaluates Southern California's Matt Leinart, Texas' Vince Young and Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler as franchise quarterbacks and Rodgers as a distinct cut below, he will have to think long and hard about the almost unheard-of step of taking a quarterback in the first round for the second consecutive year.
"It's quite possible, yes, depending on how it falls," Thompson said late last week about what might be an agonizing decision. "But it doesn't necessarily eat at me because you can't predict what's going to happen. Ron (Wolf) taught me to prepare yourself for contingencies so that when it comes time you know what you're going to do."
Just as he has done for the past six months, Thompson wouldn't rule out taking a quarterback. Even Rodgers, the 24th pick last April, recognizes it's a possibility.
"I've been hearing rumors, and they could definitely take a quarterback with the fifth pick," Rodgers said on NFL Network last week. "I think that would mean my days in Green Bay are numbered. I hope that doesn't happen because I love the city."
Depending on Brett Favre's decision, the Packers either will need a starting quarterback this year or in a year or two. Thompson reiterated that Favre's plans cannot and will not influence what he does in the draft.
What will determine the Packers' course of action is the evaluation of Rodgers, Leinart, Young and Cutler by Thompson, new coach Mike McCarthy and, to a lesser degree, members of their staff.
If one or more members of the "Big Three" receives a final rating in the Packers' grading system higher than such rare prospects as defensive end Mario Williams of North Carolina State, linebacker A.J. Hawk of Ohio State and tight end Vernon Davis of Maryland, then Thompson might well take the quarterback.
"If anybody knows the value of the quarterback position, it's Green Bay," an executive in personnel for an NFC team said last week. "Maybe to a point they've been spoiled. The rest of us, you don't want to get in that hand-basket. They're going to have to pass a great positional player to do it. But you may only get one bite at the apple on these quarterbacks if you consider them franchise."
Earlier in the month, 18 personnel people representing 16 teams were asked to rank the quarterbacks in this draft as well as Rodgers on a 1-to-4 basis. Four points were awarded for a first-place vote, three for a second and so on.
The lack of regard for Rodgers was readily apparent.
Rodgers received one second-place vote, three thirds and 11 fourths, and three voters even placed him behind either Brodie Croyle of Alabama or Charlie Whitehurst of Clemson. Rodgers had 20 points, far behind Leinart (62), Young (48) and Cutler (45).
Leinart has far greater pedigree and size than Rodgers. Not only are Young and Cutler bigger, they're also better athletes with more upside.
"(Rodgers) doesn't have more great potential that doesn't show," Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh said last fall. "The fear for Aaron Rodgers is he'll just plateau right at this kind of average level. You'd like to think that if you're spending a (first-round) pick you'd get someone special."
McCarthy spent months evaluating Rodgers a year ago and recommended that San Francisco draft Alex Smith instead with the No. 1 pick. There have been many instances where the hiring of a new coach turns out to be the kiss of death for a young quarterback.
If the Packers draft a quarterback, there would no reason for them to trade Rodgers. He and the newcomer would compete head-to-head for either the No. 1 or No. 2 job.
At some point, the Packers might trade one of them. They will need another quarterback this season, anyway.
While selecting a quarterback in the first round in consecutive years is highly unusual, it wouldn't be without precedent.
In 1989, Dallas coach Jimmy Johnson took Troy Aikman with the No. 1 pick and then gave up a first-round pick three months later to select Steve Walsh in the supplemental draft. A year later, he foisted Walsh on New Orleans for first-, second- and third-round picks.
In the early 1960s, the Los Angeles Rams took Roman Gabriel, Terry Baker and Bill Munson in the first rounds of three consecutive drafts. Miami took Bob Griese in 1967 one year after taking Rick Norton. San Francisco drafted Earl Morrall and then John Brodie back-to-back in 1956-'57.
No matter who's on the board, there will be two or three players left at No. 5 regarded as exceptional by many teams. It should afford Thompson opportunities to trade down.
"Believe me, Ted will be doing amazing business if that's the case," Indianapolis President Bill Polian said of a scenario in which Leinart would be available. "Somebody is coming up to get him. Then you have to weigh what people are giving him versus what he may gain by taking a guy."
In five drafts for Seattle and one for the Packers, Thompson has traded down eight times and never traded up. He entered the '05 draft with seven picks and finished with 11.
Given the laundry list of voids on the roster, look for the Packers to turn their seven picks into a double-digit total once again.
"They need a corner, they need a safety, they need two linebackers, they need a defensive end, they need two inside offensive linemen, they need a running back, a No.1 wideout and, really, the jury's out at quarterback," a personnel director said Friday. "They don't have a kicker and they don't have a punter. Good luck. How many picks do they got?"
The scout said the Packers' depth chart had the makings of a 3-13 team.
If the scout's assessment turns out to be correct, the Packers would be in position to draft a top-rated quarterback such as Notre Dame's Brady Quinn and Michigan State's Drew Stanton in 2007.
Pack mulling taking QB again?
Pack mulling taking QB again?
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