Rodgers will get trial run at being Favre’s top backup
The Green Bay Packers will take an extended look at Aaron Rodgers tonight in his exhibition debut against the San Diego Chargers as they try to decide over the next month whether he’s ready to be their backup quarterback as a rookie.
Though the first-round draft pick missed the first two days of full-squad training camp while his contract negotiations wrapped up, he’s picked up the offense quickly and is strongly in the running for the No. 2 job behind starter Brett Favre. Rodgers will replace Favre tonight, most likely after one series, and probably will play at least half the game.
“I think he’s ready to jump in there,” said Tom Rossley, the Packers’ offensive coordinator. “It’s not like we’re worried he doesn’t know what he’s doing or anything like that. He’s a fast learner, and we’ll find out how fast he learned.”
Rossley and coach Mike Sherman have decided that rather than have all three backup quarterbacks play at least a little bit tonight, they’re better off having two of them take longer stints in the first two exhibition games. J.T. O’Sullivan will get the rest of the playing time tonight. The Packers haven’t seen him run their offense in a game because they acquired him in the Mike McKenzie trade after last season had started.
“We probably know the most about (Craig) Nall,” Rossley said. “We’ve had him the longest and we’ve seen him in preseason before, so this will be good for the others. We’ll still see Nall in later games.”
As he has done in interviews throughout training camp, Rodgers said he’s emphasizing making good decisions when he gets on the field. Getting extended playing time should help him get further in tune with the system.
“If that’s the case, it will be good,” Rodgers said of playing at least half the game, “because I’ll be able to get into a little rhythm as long as we’re moving the ball, which is the key.”
Sherman will determine how long Favre will play. Ideally, Favre would get several first downs on the first drive and take the rest of the night off.
“We want our offense to have a little success. We want to be able to move and score,” Rossley said. “Sometimes that’s difficult in preseason, but we’d like to get him out after a good series.”
The Green Bay Packers will take an extended look at Aaron Rodgers tonight in his exhibition debut against the San Diego Chargers as they try to decide over the next month whether he’s ready to be their backup quarterback as a rookie.
Though the first-round draft pick missed the first two days of full-squad training camp while his contract negotiations wrapped up, he’s picked up the offense quickly and is strongly in the running for the No. 2 job behind starter Brett Favre. Rodgers will replace Favre tonight, most likely after one series, and probably will play at least half the game.
“I think he’s ready to jump in there,” said Tom Rossley, the Packers’ offensive coordinator. “It’s not like we’re worried he doesn’t know what he’s doing or anything like that. He’s a fast learner, and we’ll find out how fast he learned.”
Rossley and coach Mike Sherman have decided that rather than have all three backup quarterbacks play at least a little bit tonight, they’re better off having two of them take longer stints in the first two exhibition games. J.T. O’Sullivan will get the rest of the playing time tonight. The Packers haven’t seen him run their offense in a game because they acquired him in the Mike McKenzie trade after last season had started.
“We probably know the most about (Craig) Nall,” Rossley said. “We’ve had him the longest and we’ve seen him in preseason before, so this will be good for the others. We’ll still see Nall in later games.”
As he has done in interviews throughout training camp, Rodgers said he’s emphasizing making good decisions when he gets on the field. Getting extended playing time should help him get further in tune with the system.
“If that’s the case, it will be good,” Rodgers said of playing at least half the game, “because I’ll be able to get into a little rhythm as long as we’re moving the ball, which is the key.”
Sherman will determine how long Favre will play. Ideally, Favre would get several first downs on the first drive and take the rest of the night off.
“We want our offense to have a little success. We want to be able to move and score,” Rossley said. “Sometimes that’s difficult in preseason, but we’d like to get him out after a good series.”
Hate betting on practice games, but have to go with the under 39. Packers new defensive coordinator Jim Bates will probably want to impress the home fans,even though the defense will suck when it counts. Walker is hurt enough that he'll just want to get the pregame boos out of the way and can't see Rodgers doing that much. Packers offensive line is a mess right now as they try to replace Wahle and Rivera. Apparently the No. 246 pick in the draft will start at one of the guard spots. Can't see a lot of scoring here, but it is an ESPN game, which always seems to add a TD or two onto the game. Take the under.
