Last week, we pointed out that the trio of quarterbacks playing behind Packers starter Aaron Rodgers didn’t look too good in the preseason opener.
This week, it got a little better.
Graham Harrell, last year’s backup, entered the game against the Rams first after Rodgers. Harrell completed five of 10 passes for 44 yards.
Per ESPNWisconsin.com, the numbers would have been better if tight end D.J. Williams hadn’t dropped a “perfectly placed pass” in the seam. Harrell also overthrew a screen pass to Jonathan Franklin and failed to spot Williams “streaking wide open” on another play.
“We did some good things,” Harrell said after the game, via ESPNWisconsin.com. “We moved the ball all three drives, we did some good things, but we’ve got to finish the drives. I think we improved definitely as a unit and put some points on the board. We just had some costly mistakes end some drives and that’s the way it goes sometimes. Overall, I think we improved and did some good things. We just have to work on finishing drives.”
Next up was Vince Young, who completed five of nine passes for 26 yards and a seven-yard run. Then came B.J. Coleman, who has gone from potential No. 2 to forgotten man. Coleman led the Packers on a 13-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a nine-yard touchdown throw to tight end Jake Stoneburner. For the night, Coleman completed eight of 13 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown.
If someone is going to emerge as the man who would be one injury to Aaron Rodgers away from playing, now is the time for that to happen.
“This is the time that the individual that’s going to be the guy in that particular position or personnel grouping, they need to jump forward,” coach Mike McCarthy. “It’s time for guys to jump forward. This is what usually happens in the second preseason week or the third preseason week, and that’s what you look for.”
The Packers are looking for a reliable understudy to Rodgers. With 51 sacks last year and a left tackle already gone for the year with a torn ACL, it’s important that they find someone who can play the position.