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The Green Bay Packers will have to wait until Sunday morning to find out if quarterback Aaron Rodgers is fit to play against the Atlanta Falcons. His throwing shoulder is still bothering him. Aaron injured it in a loss to Tampa Bay last week. And it will be during pregame warmups that the final decision will be made. Aaron is officially listed as questionable but did manage to get some throwing in yesterday. If Aaron can’t go, it’s rookie Matt Flynn’s job. Head coach Mike McCarthy thinks the team is ready either way:

“Hopefully [Aaron] will feel good tomorrow. He feels good. His rehab has been positive. The strength is improving. How he responds tomorrow will probably tell the tale. I’m preparing to go either way.”

Keep in mind, Green Bay fans are used to seeing their starting QB play. You know Brett Favre’s story. I won’t insult you by repeating it. But if they have to go to backup Matt Flynn — and nothing against Matt, I’m sure he’s a fine quarterback in the right situation — all I can say is it significantly decreases the Packers chances of winning football games. Matt took the first-team snaps yesterday and if the Packers are thinking long-term, I’m guessing they’ll protect Aaron Rodgers and go with the rookie.

Source: ESPN.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Aaron Rodgers a Game Time Decision

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hurt his right shoulder during a 30-21 loss to the Tampa Bay Bucs today. Aaron left the game before the Packers first offensive possession of the fourth quarter and returned seven minutes later with his team down 23-21. The Packers don’t expect to know how serious the injury is until tomorrow (Aaron himself said it might be dislocated or separated) and head coach Mike McCarthy doesn’t have any idea if his all-or-nothing quarterback will be OK for next week’s game:

“I have no idea. It’s too early to tell. He was able to go back in and play the one series, so I think tomorrow morning like a lot of cases will have a lot to do. Pat McKenzie (team physician) has not had a chance to put him through a thorough examination.”

If Aaron Rodgers can’t go next week against Atlanta — or for any other game this season — the Packers are screwed. They put all their hope in Aaron being able to lead them through this entire 2008 season when they opted not to allow Brett Favre back. So if Aaron is injured, the next QB in line is rookie Matt Flynn. The Packers are a team built for the playoffs and beyond right now. But not with a rookie quarterback. They’re hoping tomorrow’s news on Aaron Rodgers is good news. Their season depends on it.

Source: Green Bay Press Gazette

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Aaron Rodgers Injures Shoulder

Image details: 2008 NFL Draft served by picapp.com

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After all the scouting, measuring, interviewing and analyzing of player prospects over the past few months, the 2008 NFL Draft in the books. And while it’s impossible to currently say which teams had success and which teams did not (that could take several years), here are my winners and losers based on decision-making and potential.

WINNERS

1.) Kansas City Chiefs – With 13 picks, the Chiefs had no choice but to succeed in this Draft and they did just that. Glenn Dorsey (LSU) was arguably the best DT in this Draft. Branden Albert (Virginia) was possibly the best interior O-lineman in this Draft. Brandon Flowers (Virginia Tech) is a top-notch, physical, shutdown corner who would’ve been rated even higher if he had run a faster 40-time. Jamal Charles (Texas) has that breakaway speed at RB. And WR Kevin Robinson was the best return man in the country last year with Utah State. Those were just some of the highlights.

2.) Dallas Cowboys – After the Cowboys started their Draft day with two first-rounders (Felix Jones and Mike Jenkins) I turned to fellow Draft blogger Lloyd Vance and said, “The Cowboys are loaded.” He nodded his approval. Dallas would later add TE Martellus Bennett (Texas A&M) and RB Tashard Choice (Georgia Tech). And remember, they officially signed Pacman Jones the day before the Draft. As far as I’m concerned, that counts, too.

3.) Pittsburgh Steelers – Like the Cowboys, the Steelers made some real noise with their first two picks — RB Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois) and WR Limas Sweed (Texas). Rashard couldn’t be a better fit. He runs in the Steeler style (tough, physical, between-the-tackles) and will complement speedster Willie Parker nicely. Limas will take Steeler fans back to the days of Plaxico Burress. Like Plax, Limas is a big target (6′4″ 212) with long arms and will round out a talented receiving corps that includes Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. I also really like DE Bruce Davis (UCLA) and QB Dennis Dixon (Oregon). What will the Steelers do with D2? The possibilities are endless but this could turn out to be another Steeler throwback situation. Remember Kordell Stewart as “Slash?”

4.) Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens wanted QB Matt Ryan, but when they couldn’t swing a deal there, they went to their second option — Joe Flacco (Delaware). Joe will be the quarterback of their future unless Troy Smith has something to say about it. RB Ray Rice (Rutgers) will be an excellent complement to Willis McGahee. LB Tavares Gooden (Miami) could play-out to be a real steal deal in the third-round. And S Tom Zbikowski (Notre Dame) is a hard-nosed player who will contribute immediately on special teams.

5.) Carolina Panthers – I think it was a stretch to take RB Jonathan Stewart (Oregon) when both Felix Jones and Rashard Mendenhall were still available, but he was widely considered one of the top running backs in this class. Jonathan is a big back with good speed and should team with DeAngelo Williams for an effective one-two punch. Then, look at their next four quality picks: OT Jeff Otah (Pitt), CB Charles Godfrey (Iowa), LB Dan Conner (Penn State) and TE Gary Barnidge (Louisville). An excellent Draft for the Panthers.

LOSERS

1.) Cleveland Browns – Maybe it’s not fair to beat up on a team who didn’t have any day one picks and who only had five selections overall (beginning in the fourth-round), but the Browns didn’t do anything with those five picks as far as I’m concerned. As good as last year’s Draft was for Cleveland, this one was just as poor. TE Martin Rucker (Missouri) might be their only saving grace.

2.) Jacksonville Jaguars – It all starts with the first pick for me. The Jags gave up three choices to Baltimore for the right to take DE Derrick Harvey (Florida) — swapping first-round picks and sending the Ravens two third-rounders and a fourth-rounder. That’s insane. Jax only ended up with five picks. They’ve got some developmental possibilities (who doesn’t?) and another DE Quentin Groves (Auburn) is ok, but …

3.) New England Patriots – It’s really hard to argue with their track record, but I didn’t really like what the Patriots did. Trading out of the number seven spot, they reached for Jerod Mayo with the 10th overall. I would’ve said, “Hold the Mayo!” that early. To their credit, CB Terrence Wheatley (Colorado) is small but could be a good find in the second round.

4.) Cincinnati Bengals – It doesn’t surprise me that the Bengals are on this list. Sometimes I really wonder what this team is thinking. They should’ve traded disgruntled WR Chad Johnson for an obscene number of Draft picks and cleaned up like the Chiefs did. At any rate, I like LB Keith Rivers (USC) but they didn’t get the DT they needed and selecting WR Jerome Simpson (Coastal Carolina) ahead of DeSean Jackson really had me baffled.

5.) Green Bay Packers – I don’t understand why the Packers spent two Draft picks on quarterbacks — Brian Brohm (Louisville) and Matt Flynn (LSU). I can see taking a QB to provide some competition for the starting spot left vacant by Brett Favre and/or as a viable backup to Aaron Rodgers, but drafting a second QB seemed like a complete waste to me. Also, wide receiver wasn’t a need and the Pack took WR Jordy Nelson (Kansas State) with their first overall pick. Interesting.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Draft 2008: Winners and Losers