The jury is still out on Mike McCarthy as a head coach, but there’s no question that the man can develop quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers is just the latest in a long line of signal callers who have benefited from working with McCarthy. That being said, wouldn’t it be interesting to see what McCarthy could do with either Rex Grossman (Bears) or J.P. Losman (Bills)? Both free agents were former first-round picks, and both have been busts so far in the NFL. But are they abject failures or are they the victims of circumstance? After all, Grossman worked under John Shoop, Wade Wilson, Pep Hamilton and Ron Turner in Chicago, while Steve Fairchild, Tom Clements and Turk Schonert tutored Losman in Buffalo. Other than Clements, who left after the ‘05 season to join McCarthy in Green Bay, that’s not a particularly impressive list. “It may be too late to salvage either player’s career, but I’d like to see what Grossman and Losman could do in a different environment,” said a former scout. “A team like the Packers would provide outstanding coaching, creative schemes and plenty of talent at the skill positions. It’s the perfect place for a quarterback.”
McCarthy seems content with Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn as the backups to Rodgers, so adding either Grossman or Losman almost certainly isn’t going to happen. But should it? “I don’t see how it could hurt,” said the scout. “Neither Brohm nor Flynn were ready to lead a team last season, and there’s no guarantee that they’ll be ready in 2009. For all their faults, Grossman and Losman have won games in the NFL and that should count for something. Plus, you wouldn’t have to spend much to sign either player. Then bring all three to camp and go with the best two. If that proves to be Brohm and Flynn, then so be it. But I’d be interested to see what McCarthy could do with players as talented as Grossman and Losman.” Of the two, who’d be the better fit in Green Bay? “I’d say Losman.” added the scout. “He’s worked with Clements and he doesn’t carry quite as much baggage – especially in this part of the country.” That’s true. We could only imagine the reaction of Packers fans if the team signed Grossman. Then again, does anybody remember how Flynn played against Tampa Bay last September? Just something to think about.
Copyright 2009. Do not repost.
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