Backup QB Harrell Shrugs Off Lack of Experience
By: Ryan Rodig
Updated: July 29, 2012
Nobody's more important to the Packers success this season than reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers.
That makes Graham Harrell the backup player in Green Bay under the biggest microscope during training camp.
"That's just part of playing the position," Harrell said following Saturday's practice.
"At quarterback you get critiqued by everyone. That's part of it, and Aaron does such a great job that people have to start critiquing someone else because it's hard to critique Aaron."
Harrell enters his third NFL season having never thrown a regular season pass. It's certainly a risk having a backup with such little experience, but Harrell points out Matt Flynn's performances during the few opportunities he was given as an example that he too can flourish in Green Bay.
Teammates have been taking notice of Harrell's improvement both physically and mentally.
"Graham's looked good," says WR James Jones.
"The past couple years he's just been improving every day as a quarterback. He's a lot more confident in his abilities and you can see it the way he's throwing the ball out there. He's going to be a good players.
Flash back to 2009 and Harrell went undrafted even after throwing for more than 5,000 yards and 45 touchdowns his senior season at Texas Tech. He was labeled a "system quarterback" who wouldn't be able to operate out of the spread offense. But today's NFL game has changed and Harrell is loving every minute of it.
"I think the Patriots kind of began it in the NFL when I was in college," Harrell recalls.
"Everyone said the pread offense doesn't work in the NFL or that's not what they use. Well if you look around now the most successful teams in the league have almost all turned into spread offenses. So I love that. I have been in the spread my whole life. It's fun for the quarterback and puts a lot of responsibility on the quarterback.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy says Harrell's big challenge will come after camp when he plays in games.
But for now Harrell is confident even after a few up-and-down practices that a lack of experience won't stop him from being a solid #2 QB.
"Developing under this staff and learning from Aaron is as valuable as anything really."
That makes Graham Harrell the backup player in Green Bay under the biggest microscope during training camp.
"That's just part of playing the position," Harrell said following Saturday's practice.
"At quarterback you get critiqued by everyone. That's part of it, and Aaron does such a great job that people have to start critiquing someone else because it's hard to critique Aaron."
Harrell enters his third NFL season having never thrown a regular season pass. It's certainly a risk having a backup with such little experience, but Harrell points out Matt Flynn's performances during the few opportunities he was given as an example that he too can flourish in Green Bay.
Teammates have been taking notice of Harrell's improvement both physically and mentally.
"Graham's looked good," says WR James Jones.
"The past couple years he's just been improving every day as a quarterback. He's a lot more confident in his abilities and you can see it the way he's throwing the ball out there. He's going to be a good players.
Flash back to 2009 and Harrell went undrafted even after throwing for more than 5,000 yards and 45 touchdowns his senior season at Texas Tech. He was labeled a "system quarterback" who wouldn't be able to operate out of the spread offense. But today's NFL game has changed and Harrell is loving every minute of it.
"I think the Patriots kind of began it in the NFL when I was in college," Harrell recalls.
"Everyone said the pread offense doesn't work in the NFL or that's not what they use. Well if you look around now the most successful teams in the league have almost all turned into spread offenses. So I love that. I have been in the spread my whole life. It's fun for the quarterback and puts a lot of responsibility on the quarterback.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy says Harrell's big challenge will come after camp when he plays in games.
But for now Harrell is confident even after a few up-and-down practices that a lack of experience won't stop him from being a solid #2 QB.
"Developing under this staff and learning from Aaron is as valuable as anything really."
