07-Nov-2009 20:15pm
 
RealTime Fantasy Sports
Packers have confidence in rookie QBs Brohm, Flynn

By CHRIS JENKINS - AP Sports Writer
    2008-08-27 03:02

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -For every pass that's right on the mark, another zings past a receiver's outstretched arms, gets batted down by a defensive lineman or is snatched away by a defensive back.

Mistakes are to be expected of any quarterback in his first NFL training camp, and Green Bay Packers rookies Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn are no exception.

Still, Packers coach Mike McCarthy says he's confident in the progress both players have made. And so far, the Packers have passed on the chance to bring in a veteran backup for Aaron Rodgers.

``I am not disappointed at all with the path and the progress that these two young players have made,'' McCarthy said. ``It takes time, so if it's not up to somebody else's standards, I can't control that. I am very happy with what I see.

``They'll continue to get better, and that's the most important thing. They need reps, they need to play in games, and that's why we'll try to get them as many opportunities as we possibly can this Thursday against Tennessee.''

For Brohm and Flynn, Thursday night's preseason finale against the Titans will be their biggest test to date.

Brohm has shown flashes of his highly regarded ability in practice, but needs a good performance to make up for his struggles in the Packers' first three preseason games.

``I feel like I've had some pretty good days in practice, some days where I felt like everything went well and everything came together and I felt really good about it,'' Brohm said. ``Obviously, the preseason games haven't gone like I want them to, and hopefully we can finish it off this week with a good one.''

With the Packers' starters likely to play only a series or two, both rookies will get more snaps. And they'll likely be going against the Titans' No. 1 defense.

In a break with conventional coaching wisdom, Titans coach Jeff Fisher typically plays his starters into the third quarter in his final preseason game.

``It's a huge challenge,'' Flynn said. ``It's going to be tough, because they're obviously good. They've got some great players. It's going to be a big challenge for us, but we're going to have to go out there and it's just going to make us execute that much better and be on point. Because if we're not, we may not have that much success.''

Flynn, a seventh-round draft pick who led LSU to a victory in the BCS National Championship game last season, has been fairly sharp in the first three preseason games - leading to a closer-than-expected competition for the No. 2 quarterback spot with Brohm, a second-round pick from Louisville who was touted as a potential early first-rounder going into his senior year.

Flynn calls himself a perfectionist.

``I want to get out there and prove to myself that I'm going to be able to play in this league,'' Flynn said. ``I'm just looking forward to it. It's going to be a lot of fun. I'm going to try to take what I've done in camp so far, practice and everything, and translate that to the game field.''

Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings said both players have made tremendous strides in camp, but Flynn might have an early edge in terms of his presence in the huddle.

``We've been giving them a hard time,'' Jennings said. ``I say Matt, he's more comfortable, more laid-back, kind of nonchalant about everything. Brian's the same way off the field, but once he gets on the field he's kind of like, he presses a little bit. You've just got to let the game come to you, and do what you've been doing to get to this point. I think that if they do that, they'll be fine.''

Jennings said Thursday's game is a big chance for both.

``I think this game is going to give them a lot of opportunities to showcase what they have,'' Jennings said. ``We're looking forward to it. We're excited for both of them because we know they both have a bright upside.''

And if something were to happen to Rodgers this season?

``We're confident,'' Jennings said. ``That's why they formed this team, because it's not based off of one player. So we're extremely confident in whoever's out there on the field.''

For Brohm, the fact that the Packers have gone this far into camp without signing or trading for a veteran quarterback amounts to a vote of confidence.

``I think it means they're going to go with me and Matt as the backups - as of now, you never know what's going to happen,'' Brohm said. ``But we both are out there working hard, and I'm just trying to get better as a player every single day no matter what happens.''


Recommend this story: Email to a friend Submit to Digg.com Submit to Del.icio.us Save to Technorati.com

Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Ryan McBeanNov 7 05:33p

Denver Broncos DE Ryan McBean (knee) did not participate in practice Saturday, Nov. 7. He has been ruled out for Week 9.

Ryan HarrisNov 7 05:33p

Denver Broncos OT Ryan Harris (toe) did not participate in practice Saturday, Nov. 7. He has been ruled out for Week 9.

Alvin PearmanNov 7 05:03p

Jim Wyatt, of The Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans RB Alvin Pearman is expected to be the team's punt and kick returner in Week 9.

Muhsin MuhammadNov 7 04:43p

Panthers.com reports Carolina Panthers WR Muhsin Muhammad (knee) did not travel with the team for their Week 9 game.

Brad HooverNov 7 04:43p

Panthers.com reports Carolina Panthers FB Brad Hoover (ankle), FS Charles Godfrey (ankle) and TE Dante Rosario (knee) did not travel with the team for their Week 9 game.

Kendrick ClancyNov 7 04:33p

Adam Schefter, of ESPN.com, reports the New Orleans Saints have placed DT Kendrick Clancy (knee) on Injured Reserve, ending his 2009 season.

Travis KirschkeNov 7 04:23p

Mark Kaboly, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Pittsburgh Steelers DE Travis Kirschke (calf) and LB Lawrence Timmons (ankle) both said they will not be able to play in Week 9.

Jack WilliamsNov 7 12:03p

The Denver Broncos announced Saturday, Nov. 7, that they have waived CB Jack Williams.

Greg EllisNov 7 11:13a

Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders DL Greg Ellis (knee) underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his arthritic knee. Head coach Tom Cable would not rule Ellis out [ More ]

Al HarrisNov 7 01:13a

The Associated Press reports Green Bay Packers DL B.J. Raji, DL Johnny Jolly and CB Al Harris have each been fined $5,000 by the NFL for their actions Week [ More ]

Jason FergusonNov 6 08:33p

Miami Dolphins DT Jason Ferguson (elbow) and LB Channing Crowder (shoulder) were limited in practice Friday, Nov. 6, but both are listed as doubtful for Week 9.

Devin HesterNov 6 08:33p

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago Bears WR Devin Hester (ankle) was limited in practice Friday, Nov. 6. He is listed as questionable for Week 9, [ More ]

Jack WilliamsNov 6 07:03p

Denver Broncos CB Jack Williams (illness) and SS David Bruton (groin) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 6. They are expected to play in Week 9.

Calvin JohnsonNov 6 07:03p

Nicholas J. Cotsonika, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson (knee) practiced Friday, Nov. 6, and is expected to play in Week 9. He looked [ More ]

Scott StarksNov 6 07:03p

Jacksonville Jaguars CB Scott Starks (hamstring) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 6. He has been ruled out for Week 9.

Josh BarrettNov 6 06:53p

Denver Broncos FS Josh Barrett (undisclosed) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 6. He will be a game-time decision for Week 9 but should play.

Kevin SmithNov 6 06:53p

Nicholas J. Cotsonika, of the Detroit Free Press, reports Detroit Lions RB Kevin Smith (shoulder) practiced Friday, Nov. 6, and is expected to play in Week 9.

Jeremiah RatliffNov 6 06:43p

Dallas Cowboys DT Jay Ratliff (knee) and SS Gerald Sensabaugh (thumb) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 6. They are listed as probable for Week 9 and will be able to play.

Demetric EvansNov 6 06:23p

Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers DL Demetric Evans (shoulder) did not practice Friday, Nov. 6, and will not play in Week 9.

Takeo SpikesNov 6 06:23p

Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers LB Takeo Spikes (shoulder) practiced in full Friday, Nov. 6, and is expected to play in Week 9.

Reggie SmithNov 6 06:23p

Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Reggie Smith (groin) practiced in full Friday, Nov. 6, and is probable for Week 9. He will be a game-time decision.

Kelvin HaydenNov 6 06:23p

Indianapolis Colts CB Kelvin Hayden (knee) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 6. He has been ruled out for Week 9.

Stephen SpachNov 6 06:03p

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals TE Stephen Spach (ankle) practiced in full Friday, Nov. 6, and is probable for Week 9. He will be available, but might [ More ]

David StewartNov 6 06:03p

Jim Wyatt, of The Tennessean, reports Tennessee Titans OT David Stewart (hamstring) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 26. He is listed as questionable for Week 9 and [ More ]

Nick FergusonNov 6 05:53p

Houston Texans DL Tim Bulman (ribs), LB Xavier Adibi (ankle), LB Kevin Bentley (shoulder) and SS Nick Ferguson (knee) are expected to play in the team's Week 9 game.

Benjamin WatsonNov 6 05:43p

New England Patriots TE Benjamin Watson (back) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 6. He is listed as questionable for Week 9 and will be a game-time decision.

Matt LightNov 6 05:33p

New England Patriots WR Julian Edelman (forearm), RB Fred Taylor (ankle), RB Sammy Morris (knee), OT Matt Light (knee) and DL Jarvis Green (knee) did not participate in practice [ More ]

Donald BrownNov 6 05:13p

Indianapolis Colts RB Donald Brown (shoulder) did not practice Friday, Nov. 6, and is questionable for Week 9.

Pierre GarconNov 6 05:13p

Indianapolis Colts WR Pierre Garcon (ankle) did not practice Friday, Nov. 6, and is questionable for Week 9.

Sinorice MossNov 6 05:13p

Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Giants WR Sinorice Moss (foot) and WR Mario Manningham (shoulder) will be able to play in Week 9.

Chris CantyNov 6 05:13p

Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Giants DT Chris Canty (calf) and LB Michael Boley (knee) are expected to play in Week 9.

Dominique BarberNov 6 05:13p

Houston Texans SS Dominique Barber (ankle) did not practice Friday, Nov. 6, and will not play in Week 9.

RSS Feeds

NFL News:
 
Player Notes:
 
Forum Posts: