by Bruce Smith | August 28th, 2009
NFL QB’s need time to develop.
I was critical of Brian Brohm during camp last season – it was obvious that he was struggling with adopting to the pace of NFL football, and I wrote that Flynn would beat him out by the time the first exhibition game of ’08 was played.
My critique was honest, but was hardly the death sentence that writers and fans are calling for today.
The reality is that Brian Brohm’s only sin is his inability to live up to the pre-draft hype – like Steve Young calling him the “steal of the draft” moments after the Packers selected him. Other guys with some credibility like Bill Wiliamson and Vic Carucci joined the “steal of the draft” chorus and the set up was complete – Brohm was going to have extraordinary expectations to live up to or the label bust would surely follow.
Fast forward a year and Brian still hasn’t proved his NFL worth yet, in fact he has struggle like a young QB adapting to the shift to the NFL. I am sure everyone remembers Aaron Rodgers struggles.
Brian Brohm may or may not ever make it as an NFL QB, but one thing is for sure he needs more time.
Nothing is worse for a young QB’s development than becoming sports writers and fans favorite whipping boy.
I sincerely hope that people can get over the disappointment of their hyped expectations not being met and back off and let this young kid develop or fail on his own. He did nothing to create the hype surrounding him (other than performing admirably at Louisville), nor does he deserve the hostility he is facing as a player who has a grand total of part time playing in 6 exhibition games.
Player development takes time, yes the clock is ticking…
But all one needs to do is look at the story the guy we are facing tonight (an ex-Packer) named Kurt Warner to gain a little perspective.
Bruce Smith is a Staff Op/Ed Writer for PackerChatters.com
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I agree 100% with this article. The kid is the 3rd string QB and people are acting like he has cost the team the season already.
I agree with you, he does need time to develop. But here’s what concerns me… Mark Brunell, Matt Hasselbeck, Aaron Rodgers, even Matt Flynn have shown flashes of what they’d (or may eventually) become. Aaron struggled, but you could see with time, he was going to be good. Brian is not comfortable in the pocket and has never looked comfortable. His accuracy isn’t good and hasn’t ever looked good. While not every INT he’s thrown is his fault, he’s rarely made a good decision. If you put any stock in his bloodline… well…
If this was a 4-12 team, what’s would be the difference if he ever saw the field? But I believe this team can make some noise this year. While Aaron will play hurt if he can, there may be a case where he can’t. If that’s the case, Flynn could probably split the games he’s until Aaron comes back. But Matt may not be back for a couple weeks, and who knows how durable he is!? The Packers could be two hits away from Brian Brohm and a complete disaster. Of course you could say that about any team, but I think it’s a little more relevant in thier case.
Bruce, I’ll put this as gently as possible- ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? Agreed, Brohm came in with high fan expectations. However, he has been an abject failure. No other word will suffice.
Last year, in camp and preseason, he was terrible. He seemed unsure of his reads, unsure of the plays, and had a hard time making decisions. OK- rookie flutters, which also plagued Rodgers. Granted, one year does not make a player, especially a QB. I truly believe everyone expected that with an offseason in the QB school run by MM, more time to study the playbook, and more time to adjust to the pro game, he’d improve.
Now, its his second season, with all the experience listed above, he’s WORSE than last year! He hasn’t advanced, he’s regressed. At this point, Brohm is a total and complete failure. Still, I say keep him around for another year. Why not? Maybe the “light will go on” next year. If it doesn’t, goodbye Brian. No offense (no pun intended), but you were given a chance and couldn’t cut it (again, no pun intended). I really don’t believe the Packers could swing a trade for him, by the way. What team would want him?
Now, of course, there is the “elephant in the room” that you don’t acknowledge. Matt Flynn, also a rookie, looked good last year, and seems to be improved this year. Both Brohm and Flynn were drafted in the same year, though they went in different rounds. If Flynn can catch on so quickly, what’s the problem with Brohm? Agreed, different players mature and learn at different rates, but, my goodness, Brohm’s regression is really disappointing.
Now, I will agree, fan expectations were high. But is it too much to expect Brohm to at least look respectable on the field, and progress from one year to the next?
Bruce, I usually like your rosy perspective on the Packers, but Brohm, right now, looks like he will end up on the scrap heap next year along with Harrell.
Let me put this as gentlly as possible… NO I’M NOT KIDDING YOU.
Once again I read your post (written as a response to something) and wonder what you are responding to???
The only elephant must be in your head. As I wrote, it was quickly apparent to me that Flynn was ahead of him last year and I wrote it to jeers and remarks like “ARE YOU KIDDING ME? from many including you.
QB’s develop at different paces and some take to the Pro game faster than others.
“I wrote: Fast forward a year and Brian still hasn’t proved his NFL worth yet, in fact he has struggle like a young QB adapting to the shift to the NFL. I am sure everyone remembers Aaron Rodgers struggles.
Brian Brohm may or may not ever make it as an NFL QB, but one thing is for sure he needs more time.
Nothing is worse for a young QB’s development than becoming sports writers and fans favorite whipping boy.”
Your response leaves me wondering if you bothered reading what was written before your response.
Bruce, Brohm looks worse than last year. That is, as noted, the offseason in MM’s QB program, etc.
Rodgers at least showed incremental progress. Brohm has regressed.
Flynn has made strides and looks confident on the field. Brohm looks like a deer in the headlights. Sure, different QB’s develop at different rates, but right now, it doesn’t seem as if Brohm is developing.
I also wrote that he should be given another year. Why not?
Now, as far as fan expectations went, the original belief was that Brohm would become the automatic #2, and after spending a couple of three years learning the game, he’d be traded for some good draft picks. That now seems like a pipe dream. If anything, Flynn could become a relatively valuable commodity in a year or two.
And, yes, I did read your post. But your spin- that Brohm is a victim of fan expectations, and that the kid just needs more time, I believe is fundamentally flawed. Brohm, again, has not only not “gotten it”, he has gotten worse. I also hope he succeeds, but right now, there is no reason to believe he will ever become even a decent NFL QB.
Packer fans temper your zealousness. Watch the game. Root for players to succeed. Leave player evaluations to professionals.
Yes Brohm needs time to develop. But right now he is at best a practice squad player. IMHO he isn’t showing anything to deserve being on an NFL’s 53 man team. If Rodgers goes down Flynn at least won’t lose the game and may even be able to step up and win a couple. Brohm will lose games for the Packers without a doubt! We need the third string QB to at least show the lights are coming on more than once a game!
If the starting QB on virtually ANY team goes down, that team is toast. In my non-professional opinion (that + $2.50 gets you a cup of coffee), he gets another year. There are many stories about it taking an extended period of time to learn the game and have it slow down for you… especially as a QB. When I first saw Rodgers play in his first year, I have to tell you, I was disappointed. In that first year, I really questioned whether he could be a decent QB after Favre left. There weren’t many glimmers of sunshine… the 2nd year you could tell a bit that he was somewhat better, but I wasn’t overwhelmed.
I think many of us were the same way. Last year was our opportunity to see if we had a QB that was worthwhile. Interesting parallel between Alex Smith and Rodgers. One is starting and one ….
Bottom line, you’ve got $$$ invested in him, might as well go for another year.
boothie,
If it meandtkeeping either Sutton or Brohm, which one?
Sutton will never clear waivers to get him on the practice squad. Brohm probably would, and if not no great loss.