Assessing the Green Bay Packers Quarterback Situation

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Matt Flynn & Scott Tolzien
Flynn and Tolzien should return as familiar faces behind Rodgers in 2014

For a team that whose quarterback fortunes have been touched by the football Gods themselves over the past 20+ years, it would seem that the Green Bay Packers could probably write the book on how to handle and develop the most important position on the field.

Alas, they learned a tough lesson in 2013 and one that hopefully will set up a more ideal situation with their signal callers in 2014.  I tend to like to revisit history quite a bit so let’s recap the quarterback situation last year for the Packers.

Heading into 2013, Green Bay had Aaron Rodgers, Graham Harrell and B.J. Coleman set to go at quarterback and there was little question about whether they would all be on the roster, just a matter of how.

There was hesitation about Harrell after his subpar performances during the 2012 season but his experience in the offense was enough to instill the coaching staff’s confidence in him.  Coleman was expected, by many, to step up and make a jump between his first and second seasons.  Still, he was a possibility to land on the team’s practice squad again.

Neither of them made it to week one and questions began to fly about why so much was expected out of such mediocre players.  Were the Packers losing their luster in being able to develop young passers?  Both Harrell and Coleman were released during the preseason and the Packers signed veteran Vince Young, who had not played at all the season prior.  Young was a complete dud and the Packers released him after the last preseason game.  The Packers then turned to Seneca Wallace to back up Rodgers but he had no time to practice or play with his new teammates in a game situation before the season started.

While Rodgers had missed a few games up until then, there was little reason to be too concerned about who was behind #12 as he had a strong history of being healthy and available.  Unfortunately, Rodgers’ collarbone wasn’t quite as strong and was broken during a week six game against the Chicago Bears.  Suddenly the Packers and their fans were in unfamiliar territory:  they would have to rely on their backup quarterback for an extended period of time.

Wallace was less-than-stellar in relief of Rodgers against the Bears and in starting the game against the Philadelphia Eagles.  He suffered a season-ending groin injury.  Behind Wallace was Scott Tolzien, who had been promoted from the practice squad when Rodgers went down.  Tolzien was serviceable and had a chance to showcase his arm strength, but was unable to lead the Packers to a victory in his two starts.

The situation got to the point where the Packers brought back Matt Flynn, who was on the street after being released by both the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills last year.  Flynn sparked the team and kept them afloat until Rodgers could return in week 17 to catapult the Packers to another division title and into the playoffs.

Packers general manager Ted Thompson has admitted that he probably could have handled the quarterback situation better last year.  In looking at the outset this year, it would appear that Thompson took that lesson to heart.  He has not ignored the quarterback position this season.  While the Packers didn’t draft a quarterback, they did return both Flynn and Tolzien.  They also signed undrafted free agent Chase Rettig out of Boston College.

In Flynn, the Packers have a known entity.  A guy who knows the offense and who can come in and click with the other starters.  He’s no Aaron Rodgers (who is?) but he can lead the offense down the field and punch it in.  He also plays well when not in the lead, which is something that even the Rodgers-led Packers have been criticized for not doing over the past several seasons.

Tolzien has reportedly gotten off to a good start during the team’s organized team activities (OTA’s) and looks to be developing more comfort within the offense.  He is said to be a good student of the game and one who works hard on his mental reps and learning the nuances of the offense.  He’s an ideal third quarterback who is not likely to play during crunch time while he continues to develop rapport with the team and learn to guide an offense.  The few reps that he did get in his two starts last season surely have to be helping catapult his learning curve.

Rettig is not likely to beat out either Flynn nor Tolzien and if he does last throughout the preseason, likely ends up on the team’s practice squad.  He has his work cut out for him, but a shot at the practice squad and some time to work with the Packers coaching staff is likely why he chose Green Bay over other options when he signed on a few weeks back.

Rodgers is clearly the starter and I foresee Flynn as the top back up with Tolzien as the third option with all three of them on the active roster this season.  Tolzien is no longer eligible for the practice squad so the Packers would be releasing him if they decide not to carry three quarterbacks, for whatever reason.  Thompson surely won’t make that mistake again, right?

With three quarterbacks who seemingly have a solid grasp on the offense and who have all started a game at the NFL level, Packer nation is ensured that there won’t be any more gross mismanagement this season.  Rodgers has been doing more yoga during the offseason so that automatically means he’ll just stretch like Gumby (the green, stretch toy, not Jimmy Gantner) and avoid any further bone or joint injuries.  All of the world’s problems are solved!

Not quite.  Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice. . . nah!

 

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Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com

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64 thoughts on “Assessing the Green Bay Packers Quarterback Situation

  1. i hope tt learned from last year. 3 qb’s and i am sure that 2 of them will not break the bank is a smart move. we should be better if at any chance we need them then last year because all 3 will be on the same page. let’s go out there and get it done!

  2. If Tolzien shows enough during the Pre-season I can’t see the Pack keeping Flynn. That’s a precious roster spot that could be used to keep an extra OLB or TE (Bostic or Mulumba?) Flynn has flamed out of Oakland Buffalo and Seattle. If it comes time for Tolzien to step up and he doesn’t Flynn should be easily resignable as he hasn’t stuck anywhere except Green Bay.

    What worries you more: Flynn is on another team IF Rodgers goes downn and IF Tolzien shows no improvement or that Matthews/Perry/Neal are unhealthy and we’re relying on Datone to play OLB in the playoffs

  3. Wallace really cemented to me the brilliance of TT. He saw something in Wallace that no one else did. TT could sense Wallace was ready for the challenge and would play like a HOF qb. He knew Wallace would play just as good as Rodgers if not better. He knew Wallace was an ironman ready to play the rest of the season if necessary. TT’s master plan was for Wallace to be the man… I have to agree with all the “TT lovers” on here. TT is the messiah. Someone give me a malt liquor so I can jump on the TT lover bandwagon.

    1. Big T: you started kind of funny, then it got a little weird with the messiah stuff. Go have a malt, whatever helps you deal with TT. He’ll be around for a bit longer, so hope you come to peace.

  4. We have been very fortunate to have Favre and Rodgers play QB for the Packers over the last 22 seasons. What is amazing about it is that through all of those years neither suffered a serious injury until Rodger’s collarbone in 2013. Moving forward into 2014 I would say that our QB position assessment is excellent and I would keep Flynn and Tolzien as the backups to Rodgers because they give us the best chance to win if Rodgers misses any games. They both have live game experience in the system now. Both will go through a full training camp this summer. Our QB position will be much stronger entering 2014 than it was last year. Go Pack! Thanks, Since ’61

  5. Tolzien doesn’t have the leadership needed to be an NFL QB. He has never been THE Man. Even in college he was always a complimentary player to the Badgers running game. When he walks into the huddler the rest of the players don’t feel inspired to play for him or follow him. Flynn has that even if he isn’t physically as talented.

    Tolzien could move the ball well enough, but couldn’t get the ball in the end zone and he couldn’t win. No amount of talent will be able to make up for his lack of leadership. His lack of leadership won’t be covered up by knowing the offense better. IMO he won’t be able to win game in the NFL due to his lack of leadership even tho he has more talent than other QB’s, Flynn being the perfect example!

    1. Stroh – I agree with to a point. But let’s also remember that Tolzien only started 2 games on a team that was decimated by injuries, on the offense and defense. I am not sure if that is enough to judge the rest of his career, assuming that he gets to play again. I’m hoping that we don’t need to see either Flynn or Tolzien againl, because that means that Rodgers stays healthy. Also, Bart Starr’s leadership abilities were questioned until Lombardi took him under his wing and gave him the confidence and opportunity to lead the Packers. Even the great Johnny U was cut by the Steelers before he landed with the Colts. I am not trying to say that Tolzien will be the answer, just that I think it is a little premature to write him off based on his leadership skills after just 2 NFL starts. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since ’61

      1. Thanks for the reasonable reply ’61. However I have to disagree. Leadership is something you have or you don’t. Nobody can give you Leadership ability or instill it in you. Everything I’ve read says Starr was always an outstanding leader.

        If you dont have or aren’t a leader you can develop it but it take a few years and its something you have to consciously work on.

        Nobody can make Tolzien a leader! Being in the NFL for 3 yrs, if he was going to have it it would have been developed by now.

        1. I completely disagree. Most people — not all — but most, can be a leader if they actually want to lead. Under the right tutelage and with experience, it’s definitely possible.

          Remember Steve Young? In his first two seasons with the Buccaneers, he was 3-16 as a starter, throwing 11 TDs and 21 INTs. He was written off as a bust. After being traded to the 49ers, he was a back-up for 3 more years, only making a few appearances until Montana was traded. We know how the rest of his story goes.

          1. Really don’t know what you “completely disagree” with. I said leadership can be developed. Most people CAN develop leadership, but it does take time. Its a group of behaviors and attitude/mindset, a person, doesn’t just decide he’s going to be a leader from now on *snaps fingers* he’s a leader.

            You have to make a conscious effort over months to change your psychological thought, your actions, your mannerisms. And beyond that the people you expect to lead have to become convinced.

            Tolzein has been in the NFL for 3 years, he was a college QB that played a subordinate role. Don’t you think Harbaugh would have seen the leadership in him and kept him around if had shown it? The motley crew in SF doesn’t exacty wow anyone w/ talent or ability. I bet Harbaugh saw that Tolzein didn’t have “it” and cut him for that reason.

            I really don’t see what Steve Young on about the worst team in NFL history has to do w/ anything. Wins and losses don’t make a leader.

            1. In fairness to Rossoneri83, Stroh, in your post that he is replying to, I think you actually are a little unclear. First you say leadership is something you have or you don’t, then in the next paragraph you say it can be developed if you work on it. That sounds contradictory on the surface.

              My take on what you wrote is that when you said “No one can give you Leadership ability or instill it in you,” is that one can be mentored into being a good leader, but ultimately it has to come from within. Some people are born with it, some can develop it in themselves with the help of a mentor, but one can make someone else into a leader if the trait isn’t there to a certain degree.

              Is that accurate?

              1. Pretty much. A person can develop leadership if they apply themselves at it. The original reply by ’61 said LLombardi instilled leadership into Starr which I disputed. First cuz Starr was always a leader and second that no one can instill it into you. YOU as an individual have to instill it into yourself. Others can help a little but mostly you have to do the work yourself.

  6. If Rodgers goes down the results will not be pretty…noodle arm or Tolzien are not going to lead the Packers anywhere..Pack got lucky last year because the terrible Lions couldn’t get one lousy win to take the division….no confidence in these two guys from me…

    1. I think Flynn is an excellent back-up. He may not win every game, but he won enough. His games against the Cowboys and Falcons were quality wins. He salvaged the Packers season last year with the Tie against the Vikings. The season was at the cusp, and the tie was what it took to win the division. He’s a good quarterback.

      1. Flynn is definitely capable of winning enough games to keep the Packers in the playoff hunt. At least he should be able to win 50% of the time and probably more. Flynn is a quality backup, not Tolzein IMO.

      2. I agree with you except on one point Sven–Flynn brought Packers from 16 points down against the Vikings–gave them the LEAD in OT, it was Packers defense that cost the tie, not Flynn. Packers were in every game he played except the Lions disaster and McCarthy gave that game away with his strategy. We saw Flynn go no-huddle to bring Pack from behind against Vikes, why McCarthy didn’t come out with no-huddle vs. Lions once he saw Lions D-line ‘tee-off’ on his offense is mysterious. He allowed Lions to freely substitute on defense,keeping fresh players against his offense, never used no-huddle to tire them or get some offensive momentum. For all the QB’s Packers have had since the Favre era, Flynn has outplayed everyone except Aaron Rodgers–that in itself is a huge plus for Flynn.

  7. The strides Tolzien needs to take to even have cutting Flynn as a thought are huge.Is it possible yes,is it likely,no.

  8. The amazing thing is that with every bumbling mistake TT made last year at QB, and it was a world record number, the Packers still made the playoffs with AROD missing 8 games and with one of the worst defenses in football. Add in all our injuries. We were a horrible football team last year w/o Rodgers yet Rodgers, all by his lonesome, was enough to get us into the playoffs. Of course, not even the best QB on the planet, playing w/o much defense, can go far in the pre-season. Since the SB year and except for the one victory against some QB named Webb, the Pack has failed to win a post-season game in four years. That stat tells us more than any other what the last 4 years under TT have been. They are about one guy, AROD. Take him away and GB is horrible. Put him in the playoffs and GB is horrible. But he is good enough to get almost any roster into the playoffs. It’s a shame, he’s being wasted. If GB had a GM that knew how to build a defense, AROD would be looking at an incredible run. Instead, he’s headed for the list of what could’ve and should’ve been. All because Packer fans don’t have the sense to run TT’s ass out of GB.

    1. I am really thankful we were able to sneak one superbowl win in. A little common sense in the GM position and we could have our 3rd ring with Rodgers. We have about 3-5 years left with the best qb in the league… Just hope TT doesn’t continue to piss down his leg.

      1. …because winning multiple SuperBowls is easy (let alone one). Just ask Drew Brees and Peyton Manning (when a guy like Eli has two rings).

        1. Dobber – Of course it’s easy and the farther that you are away from the job and from actually doing it the easier it becomes. Especially from a distant galaxie where everyone is a brilliant GM. The TT and MM critics will never know what they don’t know, but they know that they are right and the professionals are wrong. If TT’s Packers win 3 SBs, they’ll say he should win 5 etc,,,,because it’s so easy. They will continue the same lament no matter what on every article. I’m moving on to the 2014 season and better, more positive topics. Go Psck! Thanks, Since ’61

    2. Archie, can you go back 8 years and list all of the actions that TT should have done for each action that he did? Maybe we aren’t getting much precision surrounding you general dislike. Please do the draft and Free agency. Then please compare to any other GM over same span. Let’s get to the core of your gripe. Could you write the next article then?

    3. Archie: “We were a horrible football team last year w/o Rodgers yet Rodgers, all by his lonesome, was enough to get us into the playoffs.”

      Rodgers missed half of the season! While he made a great throw to beat the Bears, aren’t you forgetting the other half of the season where Flynn and other back-ups kept us afloat?

    4. when was the last time a time lost their pro bowl qb for half a season and still managed to make playoffs? it’s not that easy

  9. I’M JUST GLAD TT WAS HUMBLE ENOUGH TO ADMIT THAT HE MADE A MISTAKE last season. The only way I see Flynn returning next year is if the Packers offer him the veterans minimum, which for a player with 7-9 years experience, will be $870,000 in 2015 (according to Spotrac). 2014 vet’s minimum for a player with 7-9 yrs experience is $855K.

    It also depends on if other teams inquire about Flynn in 2015. If there is little interest and Flynn just wants to have a job and the Packers want to minimize cap hits for back-up QBs, then I could see the two compromising on something. However, if Tolzien keeps progressing, I can’t see Flynn sticking around, even though I like the guy as a back-up given his experience with the offense.

  10. Money won’t be a factor, as both Flynn and Tolzien will make less than $1 million. It is hard me as a fan to judge the contest at this time btw Flynn and Tolzien, and at any time when the intangibles are considered. Will Flynn regain some arm strength? Will Tolzien improve mentally and improve his leadership skills? Will someone offer either player a contact if GB releases one of them, or will one of them be available on the street if needed during the season?

    The biggest question in my mind is whether GB should keep 3 QBs. I will not have an opinion until after the preseason when some injuries occur, players are put on PUP or IR, and who is on the bubble. And even then, TT is in a better position to gauge whether Flynn or Tolzien will get signed by some other team if released.

  11. My guess is that Flynn starts out as the number 2, but if Tolzien continues to develop during the season Flynn could be cut if they need to make any late season additions to their roster.

  12. If McCarthy thinks Tolzein will be an adequate #2, then I think he will be on the roster. They would then have to decide if Flynn or another person is more deserving of a roster spot. There may be some pressure on the roster due to the large number of OLBs that look to be competitive and the fact that 3 OTs are in the the last year of their contract (so they may want to keep an extra one on the 53 man).

    If McCarthy does not think Tolzein is an adequate #2 QB, then I think he will be cut.

    1. Flynn is definitely more deserving of a roster spot now, than Tolzein is. He has shown he can win games and lead the team. Tolzein has a long way to go to prove any of that. I don’t think Tolzein has the “it” that you need to be an NFL QB. The leadership, confidence none of it. He’s been a subordinate player throughout his career. I don’t see that changing at this point. If he were going to become that, he would have done so by now.

      IMO he doesn’t have the intangibles to be an NFL QB. He is and has always been a subordinate player.

      1. From Scott Tolzien Wiki:

        “2009 season
        Tolzien huddles in 2009

        The winner of a spring quarterback competition, Tolzien beat out starter Sherer in 2009. He set the Wisconsin record for completions in a single season, with 211, and passed for 2,705 yards. Under Tolzien’s leadership, Wisconsin finished the season at 9-3. He threw a pair of interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in a loss at Ohio State and threw three interceptions against Iowa the following week. Despite this, Tolzien was at the top of his game in games against Michigan, Minnesota, and Michigan State, and was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts against Michigan State.

        Tolzien finished the 2009 season in a 20-14 win over Miami in the Champs Sports Bowl, completing 19 passes on 26 attempts as the Badgers knocked off the higher-ranked Hurricanes.
        2010 season

        After a disappointing effort against Michigan State in which the Badger receiving corps dropped several passes, Tolzien improved week after week as the Badgers won their next 7 games, to finish the year 11-1. Against a top 5 Ohio State defense, Tolzien completed 13 of 16 passes. His efforts led the Badgers to an eventual upset of then top-ranked Ohio State. The next week against Iowa, Tolzien again had a solid game, completing 20 passes on 26 attempts for 205 yards and a touchdown. Most impressively, Tolzien led the Badgers down the field for the game-winning touchdown with Wisconsin’s running game stifled by Iowa’s defense. In his final home start, against the Northwestern Wildcats, Tolzien was nearly flawless, completing 15 passes on 19 attempts for 230 yards with four touchdown passes.

        Tolzien made his final collegiate start at Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl against one of the top defenses in the nation, TCU. He finished the game with 12 completions out of 21 attempts for 159 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions and a rating of 120.7 for the game, but the Horned Frogs won, 21-19. Tolzein completed his college career at the East-West Shrine Game on January 22, 2011.[2]

        Tolzien won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in 2010, edging out finalists Andy Dalton of TCU, Colin Kaepernick of Nevada, Christian Ponder of Florida State, and Ricky Stanzi of Iowa,[3][4] He smashed the Wisconsin record for completion percentage in a season in his remarkable 2010 season, completing 74.3% of his passes in 12 regular season games. Tolzien ranked 4th nationally in passer rating, and led the nation in completion percentage.”

        1. Thanjs for the biography. Doesn’t prove anything… Great stat playing 2nd fiddle to the Badgers great running game, excellent OL and strong D is easy to do. Playing the vast majority of the time w a lead is easy.

          Point is he is fine in a subordinate role, but in ths NFL you have to be a leader at QB.

          1. I’m starting to think you don’t know what “Subordinate” means, because, clearly, he led his team for two years and racked up some national recognition awards in the process. I’m also starting to think you heard someone else say it about Tolzein and now you just keep chirping it, because how would you come to this conclusion he’s a ‘subordinate’ personality type unless you’ve interviewed him, his coaches, or his team mates? Or are you just basing this off the fact he didn’t play in SF and he’s just a back up QB in GB?

            You know, players who went into the huddle with that kid last year actually said that while he needed help, he wasn’t lacking in confidence. That doesn’t sound like a kid who has glaring deficiencies in leadership.

            Also for what it’s worth, it has come out over the last week or so that Tolzein didn’t have a very good grasp of the offense last year- he didn’t know enough to audible effectively, or make line calls. He was ignorant to the point of being a lame duck. But he went in there and did the best he could anyways, and made a number of plays. It certainly wasn’t ideal, and you can fault him for not having command of the offense.. but I think it would be a mistake for anyone to conclude he doesn’t have leadership abilities because he didn’t perform at a high level last year.

  13. Seneca Wallace couldn’t move the ball in a pee wee game. What the hell were we thinking? I think we could win games this year if Rodgers went down. Mind boggling how we went into our back up quarterback situation last year.

    1. true grizzly… The sheeple on here don’t care how ignorant TT can be. They say as long as he has a winning record he is our hero. 8-7-1 and get bitch slapped in the playoffs, he is our hero. Remember he won a superbowl and that isn’t easy, so the rest of his career he gets a free pass. Sheeple repeat after me, We will love him and squeeze him and feed his ego, we will love him and squeeze him and feed his ego. TT is our hero. I for one am more like Vince Lombardi and don’t enjoy getting bitch slapped in the playoffs. Do I have high standards? you betcha. Better than being one of the sheeple and being happy with never changing and expecting a different result.

      1. Big T – no one is a bigger Lombardi fan or supporter than I am. I have been a long distance Packer fan for over 50 years because of those great Lombardi teams. So I appreciate your high standards. But to be fair, even Lombardi could not have kept his team together if he had to deal with today’s free agency and the salary cap. How could you pay Starr, Nitschke, Adderly, Willie Davis, Dave Robinson, willie Wood, Hornung, Taylor, Gerry Kramer, Forrest Gregg and some of the others in today’s environment. They would have been moving on by the end of the 1962 season at the latest. For sure, there would have been no 3 in a row. If you keep compairing TT or any GM today with the Lombardi days you will be consistently disappointed. Which apparently you are based on your consistent negativity against him. And I don’t care if you criticize TT but it should be based on his record in comparison with his current peers in this era of the NFL, not with a league that no longer exists. On to 2014. Go Pack! Thanks, Since ’61

        1. Some of that is true, however, I will take Lombardi’s personality over TT’s any day of the week. A lot of TT’s problems are the way he carries himself or lack of personality. He needs to be more grounded…

          1. I agree that TT does not come across great in public, but, speaking for myself, I judge him based on his team’s performance and compared with other team’s and GMs since TT has been in the job. As I have said in previous posts, I would like to see TTs team stay healthy for at least one season so that we can what has tried to build. Maybe 2014 will that season, finally. Go Pack! Thanks, Since ’61

          2. I’m trying to remember the last time TT’s inability to smile at a presser cost the Packers a football game.

  14. In other non-related news, the Niners trade away their entire future with the 126 million dollar signing of Colin Kaepernick. Much like how the Ravens did with Flacco. Therefore, putting to rest any concerns that they will continue to haunt Green Bay.

    LOL, I can’t believe no one here is talking about this! Think about it guys! They couldn’t resign Donte Whitner, he was just the first. They can’t afford to keep enough big name players now.

    The Packers meanwhile will have a QB that can actually play to the level he’s paid to, and they already do a spectacular job with the salary cap.

    1. Ok I just found someone who made more of an assanine move than TT. How can you pay Kaperdink 126 million. He got his payday, now he will be out thugging about, murder or rape is in his future.

      1. Seriously?!? Did you actually read the details of the contract, or just look at the big, shiny number?

        The Kaepernick deal is astoundingly team friendly. It’s not even remotely close to “trading away their future.” I can’t imagine how anyone would come to that conclusion. The 49ers can essentially VOID the deal at almost any time, without taking a huge cap hit. Read la Canfora’s break-down here:

        http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24581069/examining-the-many-interesting-details-of-the-colin-kaepernick-deal

        Even the bare dollar numbers are NOT that much compared to other QBs. Based on average salary over the first three years (which is how most NFL people view the “real value” of contracts), here is the list of highest paid QBs.

        Matt Ryan $22.9M
        Aaron Rodgers $22.7M
        Joe Flacco $20.7M
        Drew Brees $20.3M
        Peyton Manning $19.3M
        Tony Romo $18.0M
        Jay Cutler $18.0M
        Matthew Stafford $17.7M
        Ben Roethlisberger $17.6M
        Eli Manning $17.0M
        Philip Rivers $16.8M
        Colin Kaepernick $14.7M

        The 49ers should be jumping up and down about this.

        1. Even 14 million a year is vastly overpaying someone who is Back-up level quarterback. And the very article you mentioned said it should average 16 million a year, so help me out here.

          And furthermore, my point wasn’t really about how they were overpaying him, but it was about how they’re paying some of their best players for rookie salaries. The best example that comes to mind is Aldon Smith. Once they pay him, there won’t be much salary cap room left.

          Sure, they’ll keep a lot of their talent, but the reason the Niners have been so deadly for the last three years is because so many of their talented players were also being paid at a very minimum level. With this signing, it’s now starting to unfold. It may not be quite as bad as Joe Flacco or Tony Romo, but it’s really not far behind.

          Even furthermore, I’m not convinced Kaeperdick is all that great. Take away his ability to run and he averages like 185 passing yards a game. And like RGIII, he’s one injury away (that’s bound to happen IMO) from becoming next to irrelevant.

          1. My number of 14M is based on the first three years. La Canfora’s number is based on the entire contract, the later years of which obviously have higher salaries… and are voidable. If the 49ers don’t like the price tag in any of the following years, they can just cut him.

            Personally, I would strongly disagree that Kaepernick is “a backup level quarterback.” Agreed, he’s no ARod or P. Manning, but don’t you think you’re overstating your case a little bit? Can you find any scout or GM who would say that Kaepernick isn’t starter material?

            You say, “Take away his ability to run and he only averages 185 passing yards per game.” Three comments:

            1) In games that Kaepernick has started during his career, he has actually averaged 220 per game. That averages to 3500 for a 16 game season, which is a respectable number. Last year only 14 passers threw for more than 3500 yards.

            2) Why on earth would you discount his ability to run?? The fact of the matter is that he CAN run, and run extremely well, which is one of the main reasons that he is so effective. Would anyone say, “Sure, but take away ARod’s ability to throw and he’s a crappy QB?”

            3) I agree that injury is always a concern with running quarterbacks. And that is why it is so important that this contract is essentially voidable at any time. If, in fact, Kaepernick loses his ability to run, the 49ers cut him and move on. If you are the 49ers, what’s not to like about that?

            Frankly, I’m surprised Kaepernick signed this contract.

            1. Kaperdink is a loser and will eventually bring everyone around him down. He is a classless piece of buffalo dung…

              1. It is hardly necessary to point out the hypocrisy here. You call him “Kaperdink”, refer to him as “buffalo dung,” and assert that he will surely be guilty of murder and rape.

                Yeah, HE’S the classless one.

            2. Good lord, you are missing my point!!!

              1) In the last 15 games he’s started (regular season) he’s averaged 185 passing yards a game. If his lifetime average is 220, and his last 15 are 185, then that obviously means his average is getting lower and lower. He’s regressing as a passer.

              2) I know he can run. I’ve watched the games which he burned Green Bay’s D. But like other running QB’s, he’ll learn that it is unwise to continue to depend on his ability to run so much. You have to learn to be a passer first, which I very very strongly believe he is NOT.

              He can’t continue to do so because either 1, it won’t be effective forever. Opposing defenses will continue to learn what makes him such an effective runner and exploit his weaknesses there. Much like how the Giants shut down Vick’s ability to run because they made him run to his right (he’s left handed). Or 2, he’ll get injured like RGIII.

              Yes, he’s played well so far. But I can’t see this lasting for very long. The overall trend is a player who’s in decline, and he’s getting quite a lot of money, and more importantly CAP SPACE, for someone who is an average QB.

              It’s not like the Niners can keep all those talented players, who are making about 2-5 million a year, when they start having to pay them anywhere between 6-12 million a year. That is my main point.

  15. Actually, if you read the details of Kaepernick’s contract (there’s a good analysis article over on APC), it’s a pretty heavily performance-based contract with far less guaranteed money than Rodgers’. And it has a lot of “negative incentives,” where he actually loses money if certain goals aren’t met.

    1. Exactly.

      This is a VERY good deal for the 49ers, and I’m guessing that Kaepernick will probably regret that he signed it.

      Too many fans just look at the huge number without paying any attention to what the contract actually says.

        1. No, I’m a football fan who loves the Packers, and yet lives in a world of reality. Try it sometime.

    2. It is a VERY good contract for SF. It is probably going to be the model for running QBs like RGIII and Cam Newton. The signing bonus is only $12 million. $12 million is tied to team success. Another $12 million is tied to playing time. The signing bonus is only $12.192 million. I wrote about this on Cheeseheadtv, so I am not going to go through it again. Let’s put it this way, SF can cut Kaepernick tomorrow and takes a dead money hit of $13.5, and after his 1st season SF sustains only a $9.8 dead money hit. Rodgers’ contract when signed had $54 million in dead money, and after the first season it had $45 million dead money. The direct comparison is $54 versus $13.5 and $45 versus $9.8 million in dead money after year 1 should a catastrophic injury occur. Kaepernick’s contract has rolling guarantees where some of the money only becomes guaranteed if he is on the roster on April 1 of each contract year. The contract has $2 million annual de-escalators. The $61 million in guaranteed money is not really the right figure as it is not fully guaranteed. There is NO comparison btw AROD’s contract and Kaepernicks’. BTW, Kaepernick’s cap # for this season under the new contract is only $3.7, but it jumps to $17+ next year. If Kaepernick stays healthy and dynamic, he can earn $62 million over the 1st three years, which is what Flacco can earn over the 1st three years. Below is a link to one article:

      http://overthecap.com/looking-closer-colin-kaepernick-contract-extension/

  16. Tolzien’s lack of PS eligibility is probably going to doom him. Just don’t see how GB can take up a precious roster spot by keeping three QBs on the 53. That spot is much better used for someone who can play ST.

    The ideal situation is having either a cheap, quality veteran backup like Flynn or a quality young draftee on a rookie contract along with a PS developmental QB (perhaps Rettig, maybe someone else).

  17. Right now, Flynn has proven that he can lead GB to victories, and come from behind as well, while Tolzien is unproven in those regards. That said, I will wait to see if Tolzien can develop under MM’s tutelage as to his mechanics, leadership, and the chance to learn the whole playbook. Not knowing the playbook could have led Tolzien to be unsure of himself and lack confidence. One has to have confidence to be a leader. Tolzien’s arm is better than Flynn’s, but let’s wait to see if Flynn’s arm recovers some strength as he supposedly has had tendonitis issues. TT and MM are in a better position to gauge these intangibles than we as fans are.

    The biggest issue to me is whether to keep 2 or 3 QBs on the roster. After PUP and IR, I would like to see who is on the bubble and then look at that 3rd QB issue. The other issue is whether Flynn or Tolzien, if cut, will be on the street should disaster strike and GB needs a 3rd QB, or if some other team will sign either of them. Again, their performances during preseason will tell us more, and TT is again in a better position to gauge whether some other team will sign one of them. Neither is eligible for the PS.

  18. Silver lining should your qb take a fall…….u get the #1 pick in ’15. Without him, maybe win 3 games and that’s a huge maybe. Shouldn’t have won any last yr without him. Worst GM in all of sports this side of Ned Colletti. You clowns keep harping back to a fluke SB and another hard fought division title last year with 8 w’s. Your GM is an egotistical yet reclusive fruitcake….and will go down in your history books as the sole reason your qb won only once. Tsk tsk tsk

    1. AP 28 – is your team even in the league anymore? When was the last time the Viqueens won a SB? Yes, that’s right never. You wish you had TT or any GM that’s won a SB. I will say thanks to the Viqueens for scrimmaging with us 2X a year. The practice helps us get ready for the teams that are actually in the NFL. Thanks, Since ’61

  19. Since, stop living in the past! ….Spielman’s a putz when it comes to picking qb’s. Can’t argue that. Ponder was a joke. However, position by position, the rest of the team by a wide margin far more talented than the Pack. Let’s swap qb’s and voila, the Vikings become a dynasty. You are a one man show. We had u dominated in your back yard in a must game. Keep AR erect (just the way TT likes him) or you’re doomed!

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