MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Ugh, I feel so filthy defending Aaron Rodgers of all fucking people--But he's absolutely right. He's earned the right to have some say in personnel decisions, primarily with guys that affect his job directly. Because I'm sure Peyton Manning had ZERO say so in Denver, same with TB in Tampa now...

And Green Bay doesn't have any leverage, which is why they've made major concessions as reported. The bluff of "we're in charge of the business so we make the decisions and you're our employee so you have to live with our decisions" doesn't work when you take away the MVP and most of the remaining starters are hot garbage--and the ones that aren't (Adams, Bakthiari) all support Rodgers.

Gutekunst knows this and played a shitty hand nonetheless, which is why he had to trade an asset for an injured, over-the-hill slot WR who hasn't started double-digit games since 2017 after drafting Amari Rodgers from Clemson for that WR3 spot for them.

But the media chases/overcovers/beats the horse to death over and over in the name of killing time/filler during slow period. They're the majority proximate cause of the shitstorm. Not to try to draw a parralel to when I was in kindergarten--but when a kid acted out/did stupid shit in the name of attention--teachers were smart enough not to validate their actions/give them the attention they were looking for.

Stark contrast here. Why can't the media do the same with Erin? Because talk shows can't sell summer season of MLB, soccer, and the Olympics the way it can controversy? The league needs/wants/loves it and they would do this again and again. It equals clicks and $$$. Erin knows it, and he's an expert at stirring the pot when the camera pans back to him.

 

I think you're correct in theory...but I don't think the Packers would be wise to go that route.

They ultimately won this offseason by playing a game of chicken with Rodgers and winning. They need to take that win and just deal with Rodgers this season.

 

I don't know...Gutekunst's whole offseason was about making Rodgers show up because he has a contract. And that's what happened. He had to make some last second concessions but overall he did a good job of maintaining his control.

Should Rodgers probably be consulted on moves? Sure. But does he absolutely have to be? No, not at all.

And it's not like Rodgers doesn't have support. He has the best WR in football. A pretty damn good tight end and what amounts to a really good offensive line overall. Oh and the Packers are pretty f'n talented on defense. Not a great D unit overall but far from the worst.

When football became a 24/7/365 sport....this is what it gave us. The media needs drama to keep ratings and get clicks.

 

Agree 100%

 

Well, sure, but that last sentence was the most important one. This isn't Rodgers being a victim of the media, this is him feeding the fire for months and then turning around and saying, "How dare that fire grow? It's the fire's fault!". Or some metaphor like that.

It's just part of the repeated playbook. Yes, the media is going to blow things up, because that's how they make money. But Rodgers is the one who gives them the material to do that with, and then comes back and plays all dumb in the end, while airing his grievances via the mdeia. Just tired of his schtick, and people buying into it every year.

 

Guilty

 

Jets, QB Zach Wilson agree to terms on rookie deal after brief camp absence



Zach Wilson's brief absence from Jets training camp has come to an end.

The No. 2 overall pick agreed to terms with the club on his rookie deal, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday afternoon. The team has since announced the news. Wilson was the last 2021 first-round pick to sign his rookie contract after 49ers quarterback Trey Lance inked his deal Wednesday.

Wilson will receive a slotted $35.1 million on the deal with a $22.9 million signing bonus. Rapoport reported the BYU product will get the bonus within 15 days. That was a sticking point in contract talks between Wilson and the Jets. As a compromise, Wilson's contract will include offset language.

Without Wilson in tow for the first few practices of Jets camp, New York were left with backups Mike White and James Morgan under center Wednesday and Thursday. But the QB reportedly took a red-eye flight Wednesday evening from Los Angeles to New York, Rapoport noted, and is ready to start practicing.

Jets coach Robert Saleh never expressed "panic" about Wilson missing too much time -- less than 24 hours before Wilson agreed to terms, Saleh told reporters to ask him again tomorrow about Wilson's absence. But after practice Thursday and before the Wilson news broke, Saleh did say that Wilson's two days of camp missed were "two days too many already."

"It's more concern for the kid," he said, per SNY. "This young man has a chance to do something special here that hasn't been done in a long time."


Wilson can begin building that something special right away now that he's signed.

NFL.com

 

If we're looking entirely through the lens of 'just get Rodgers to show up' then yes, Gutekunst is successful.

However, Rodgers turned down being paid more per year than Mahomes for the next few years, got Gutekunst to trade for a guy before he literally told the media 'without Aaron, we wouldn't have pursued it,' they reworked his deal and voided 2023 year (what would be the last of his present contract) and apparently signed off on not tagging him, before agreeing not to fine him for missing mandatory stuff.

On top of it all, at any time--Rodgers can claim 'arm soreness' and sit out the whole season/take games off--he probably wont, but can and the Packers can't do fuckall. Not getting a big 'under control' vibe from the situation when you step back and look at the big picture--but again depending on what lens you attach he's there and is probably going to stomp the bears 2 more times...

I'll also submit Hopkins (no matter how fucking weird/stupid he is) > Adams but I understand if people have them flipped 1a and 1b.

Oooof, again, feeling filthy defending the guy...

Rodgers didn't push to the media 'I'm going to quit and become a Jeopardy host.' He was a guest host and the media ran with the narrative. He was unhappy with how the past couple of offseasons went, and he's got a point. He's a sure-fire hall of famer under contract on record saying he wants to play the whole career in Green Bay-- a team presently coming together/building the defense--and your GM trades up in the 1st round to draft a QB last year when there are holes in multiple places.

Rodgers didn't give anybody that material, unless interpreting how a man spends his free time equates to his potential future--and that's a bad slippery slope to argue. Green Bay did by drafting Love. Does he know how to play the game/stir the pot? You're damned right, but as BWW pointed out--as soon as it became a 24/7 - 365 news/rumors business to do whatever to fill during non-important dates (draft, FA, tags, ETC) during February - training camp--5ish months. The media is going to blow up over something.

Now the 15-17 minute rant of him just trashing the front office during his return presser? Go nuts about him airing his greivances, because trashing a GM isn't what oyuo want to see but.... I thought it was great.

Where's Packerz in all this?

 

2021 NFL Quarterback Tiers: 50 coaches and evaluators rank the league’s starters

The all-star voting panel included seven general managers, five head coaches, 11 coordinators, 15 executives, seven quarterbacks coaches and five others working in front offices or in other coaching capacities. They placed 34 veteran quarterbacks into one of five tiers, from best (Tier 1) to worst (Tier 5). Quarterbacks were placed in the tiers in which they received the most votes, ordered by average vote. Unanimous Tier 1 choices averaged 1.00, while the lowest-rated player averaged 4.34.

TIER 1
A Tier 1 quarterback can carry his team each week. The team wins because of him. He expertly handles pure passing situations. He has no real holes in his game.

T-1. Aaron Rodgers
Tier 1 votes: 50 | 2020 Tier: 1

T-1. Patrick Mahomes
Tier 1 votes: 50 | 2020 Tier: 1

3. Tom Brady
Tier 1 votes: 41 | Tier 2 votes: 9 | 2020 Tier: 2

4. Russell Wilson
Tier 1 votes: 40 | Tier 2 votes: 10 | 2020 Tier: 1

5. Deshaun Watson
Tier 1 votes: 26 | Tier 2 votes: 23 | Tier 3 votes: 1 | 2020 Tier: 1

TIER 2
A Tier 2 quarterback can carry his team sometimes but not as consistently. He can handle pure passing situations in doses and/or possesses other dimensions that are special enough to elevate him above Tier 3. He has a hole or two in his game.

6. Josh Allen
Tier 1 votes: 20 | Tier 2 votes: 30 | 2020 Tier: 3

T-7. Lamar Jackson
Tier 1 votes: 4 | Tier 2 votes: 38 | Tier 3 votes: 8 | 2020 Tier: 2

T-7. Matthew Stafford
Tier 1 votes: 4 | Tier 2 votes: 38 | Tier 3 votes: 8 | 2020 Tier: 2

9. Dak Prescott
Tier 1 votes: 1 | Tier 2 votes: 41 | Tier 3 votes: 8 | 2020 Tier: 2

10. Justin Herbert
Tier 1 votes: 4 | Tier 2 votes: 37 | Tier 3 votes: 7 | Tier 4 votes: 2 | 2020 Tier: NA

11. Matt Ryan
Tier 2 votes: 32 | Tier 3 votes: 18 | 2020 Tier: 2

12. Kyler Murray
Tier 2 votes: 30 | Tier 3 votes: 18 | Tier 4 votes: 2 | 2020 Tier: 3

13. Ryan Tannehill
Tier 2 votes: 27 | Tier 3 votes: 23 | 2020 Tier: 3

14. Joe Burrow
Tier 2 votes: 27 | Tier 3 votes: 17 | Tier 4 votes: 6 | 2020 Tier: 2

TIER 3
A Tier 3 quarterback is a legitimate starter but needs a heavier running game and/or defensive component to win. A lower-volume dropback passing offense suits him best.

15. Derek Carr
Tier 2 votes: 22 | Tier 3 votes: 28 | 2020 Tier: 3

16. Ben Roethlisberger
Tier 1 votes: 1 | Tier 2 votes: 19 | Tier 3 votes: 27 | Tier 4 votes: 3 | 2020 Tier: 2

17. Baker Mayfield
Tier 2 votes: 17 | Tier 3 votes: 33 | 2020 Tier: 3

18. Kirk Cousins
Tier 2 votes: 7 | Tier 3 votes: 43 | 2020 Tier: 3

T-19. Jared Goff
Tier 2 votes: 5 | Tier 3 votes: 43 | Tier 4 votes: 2 | 2020 Tier: 3

T-19. Carson Wentz
Tier 2 votes: 9 | Tier 3 votes: 35 | Tier 4 votes: 6 | 2020 Tier: 2

21. Jimmy Garoppolo
Tier 1 votes: 1 | Tier 2 votes: 6 | Tier 3 votes: 37 | Tier 4 votes: 6 | 2020 Tier: 3

22. Daniel Jones
Tier 2 votes: 1 | Tier 3 votes: 28 | Tier 4 votes: 20 | Tier 5 votes: 1 | 2020 Tier: 3

23. Ryan Fitzpatrick
Tier 2 votes: 1 | Tier 3 votes: 25 | Tier 4 votes: 21 | Tier 5 votes: 3 | 2020 Tier: 4

TIER 4
A Tier 4 quarterback could be an unproven player with some upside or a veteran who is ultimately best suited as a backup.

24. Sam Darnold
Tier 3 votes: 23 | Tier 4 votes: 27 | 2020 Tier: 3

25. Jameis Winston
Tier 2 votes: 2 | Tier 3 votes: 16 | Tier 4 votes: 30 | Tier 5 votes: 2 | 2020 Tier: NR

26. Teddy Bridgewater
Tier 3 votes: 19 | Tier 4 votes: 27 | Tier 5 votes: 4 | 2020 Tier: 3

27. Cam Newton
Tier 3 votes: 19 | Tier 4 votes: 26 | Tier 5 votes: 5 | 2020 Tier: 3

28. Andy Dalton
Tier 3 votes: 14 | Tier 4 votes: 30 | Tier 5 votes: 6 | 2020 Tier: NR

29. Tua Tagovailoa
Tier 3 votes: 4 | Tier 4 votes: 44 | Tier 5 votes: 2 | 2020 Tier: NA

30. Jalen Hurts
Tier 3 votes: 4 | Tier 4 votes: 44 | Tier 5 votes: 3 | 2020 Tier: NR

31. Drew Lock
Tier 3 votes: 5 | Tier 4 votes: 37 | Tier 5 votes: 6 | 2020 Tier: 4

32. Tyrod Taylor
Tier 3 votes: 8 | Tier 4 votes: 30 | Tier 5 votes: 12 | 2020 Tier: 4

33. Taysom Hill
Tier 3 votes: 1 | Tier 4 votes: 33 | Tier 5 votes: 16 | 2020 Tier: NR

34. Joe Flacco
Tier 3 votes: 4 | Tier 4 votes: 25 | Tier 5 votes: 21 | 2020 Tier: NR

 

Carson Wentz out indefinitely with foot injury



The Colts do not yet know how serious quarterback Carson Wentz‘s foot injury is, but it’s starting to look like a concern.

Wentz missed practice today and now is out indefinitely as he continues to get testing on the foot, according to Adam Schefter and Mike Wells of ESPN.

The Colts traded for Wentz, a favorite of coach Frank Reich, with the idea that they could get him back on track after a disastrous 2020 season in Philadelphia. They’d like to see him get as much work in with the Colts’ offense as he can in training camp.

But for now Wentz is out, and 2020 fourth-round pick Jacob Eason and 2021 sixth-round pick Sam Ellinger are the next two quarterbacks on the depth chart.

PFT

 

In todays (Friday) practice, Jacob Eason worked with the starters.

Tough situation... hopefully not too serious. If it is... Que the Deshauwn Watson to the Colts rumors.

 

Colts quarterback Carson Wentz will be heading to see another doctor about the foot injury that kept him from practicing Friday and will keep him out of action indefinitely.

NFL Media reports that Wentz will see the Green Bay-based foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson for further evaluation of his injury. The hope is that the meeting will result in a “firmer timeline” for his return to action.

The move to elicit another opinion about the foot suggests that there’s fear Wentz will be out of action for a while as does the fact that, per the report, the Colts are “taking solace” in the fact that there’s still six weeks until Week 1.

Jacob Eason worked with the first team on Friday and the Colts could be in the market for more help at the position if Wentz is going to be out for an extended period of time.

PFT

 

Vic Fangio has seen “no separation” from QBs so far



It’s only been a few days and players are not in pads, so perhaps this is to be expected.

But when it comes to the Broncos’ quarterback competition, it appears Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater are neck and neck.

Head coach Vic Fangio was asked what he’s seen from the two QBs in his Friday press conference and was neither glowing nor particularly negative in his answer, saying they’ve been pretty much the same as what he’d seen before.

“They’ve been pretty consistent, both of them,” Fangio said. “I see no separation, if that’s what you’re asking.”

The Broncos have plenty of talent on their offense, with players like tight end Noah Fant, running back Melvin Gordon, and receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. But the quarterback has to deliver the ball to them. And if Lock and Bridgewater are going to make Denver’s decision between them easy, one of the QBs will have to create some of that separation sooner than later.

PFT

 

The Colts are holding their breath on Carson Wentz‘s foot injury as they brace for their starting quarterback possibly to require surgery, Mike Silver of NFL Media reports.

That would keep Wentz out for the start of the season, though the injury does not look like it’s season-ending. Indications are that it is not a Lisfranc injury, per Silver.

Green Bay-based foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson will examine Wentz, who hopes it’s something he can play through. But Silver reports Wentz felt a “pop” at Thursday’s practice, and that the injury involves a bone and a ligament.

The Colts likely look into trade options at quarterback, with Jacob Eason, a 2020 fourth-round choice, and Sam Ellinger, a 2021 sixth-round choice, as the next quarterbacks on their depth chart. Nick Foles, who backed up Wentz in Philadelphia for two seasons, is an obvious candidate.

PFT

 

Jarrett Stidham had back surgery



Scratch Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham for the rest of training camp.

Word earlier this week was that Stidham might need to have surgery after experiencing pain in his right shoulder and back while throwing the football. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Stidham did have back surgery on Friday.

Per the report, Stidham is expected to be out for 12 weeks. That makes it likely that he’ll start the regular season on injured reserve and any setback in recovery could wind up costing him the entire season.

The injury leaves Cam Newton, Mac Jones, Brian Hoyer, and Jake Dolegala as the quarterbacks working on the field with the Patriots. A decision on the starting job for Week 1 is expected to come down to Newton and Jones and there might not be much of a role for Stidham in New England if one of them thrives in the coming weeks.

PFT

 

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott remains optimistic about shoulder strain: 'I know I'll be fine'

Two days ago, Dak Prescott sustained a muscle strain in his throwing shoulder and released a statement that he didn't believe it would be "any kind of serious setback."

Prescott reiterated his optimism in front of reporters Friday from Cowboys camp in Oxnard, California.

"I know I'll be fine. I'm not worried about that, and it's not something I'm worried about lingering," Prescott said, via The Athletic's Jon Macota.

Prescott added that he could be on a pitch count when he returns to practice and the shoulder strain could have been the result of not properly warming up Wednesday, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.

Prescott is on the comeback trail after his and the Cowboys' 2020 season was derailed by a gruesome ankle injury in Week 5. Lost for the remainder of the campaign, Prescott turned in an offseason of rehab and deemed the injury to be behind him. The shoulder strain, even though it might not be serious, is still notable considering the overall anticipation of Prescott coming back and the shadow of concern that will follow him into the 2021 campaign.

His shoulder issue came to be when he left practice early Wednesday after feeling soreness in his right arm and an MRI showed that he has a muscle strain in his shoulder.

Dallas was 2-3 when Prescott was lost for last year and went 4-7 without him. In just four-plus games, Prescott reeled off 1,856 yards passing and nine scores.


Now, though, Prescott is once again assuring the Cowboys' fanbase to rest easy and he'll be OK, but all eyes will still be on him as he makes his way back from an ankle injury and now a shoulder hiccup.

NFL.com

 

Colts sign Brett Hundley



With Carson Wentz out indefinitely as the team continues to evaluate his foot injury, the Colts have signed quarterback Brett Hundley.

Hundley has spent the last two seasons with the Cardinals backing up Kyler Murray. He appeared in three games for Arizona in 2019 but did not take a snap in 2020.

Hundley entered the league as a Packers fifth-round pick back in 2015. The quarterback received his most extensive playing time in 2017 when Aaron Rodgers was out with a fractured collarbone. Hundley started nine games for the Packers that year, completing 60.8 percent of his passes for 1,836 yards with nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Green Bay went 3-6 in those games.

The Packers traded Hundley to the Seahawks prior to the 2018 season. He didn’t appear in any games for Seattle.

Indianapolis also announced the signing of defensive tackle Joey Ivie on Saturday. The lineman reportedly struck a deal with the Colts earlier this week but had to go through COVID-19 protocols before the deal became official.

PFT

 

This is Hundley 7th year in the NFL and he has only played in 17 games and his numbers are weak....9 TD's - 13 INT's.

Colts are rolling the Dice on this QB.

 

Most likely just a camp arm for reps until they sort out what they are actually going to do… on the cheap