Posted August 25, 2007
GM Thompson doesn't rule out keeping two at QB
By Pete Dougherty
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Ted Thompson never has been with an NFL team that kept only two quarterbacks on its roster, but despite his mild protestations, he might seriously be considering doing so this year.
The Green Bay Packers' general manager on Friday waived quarterback Ingle Martin as part of the team's roster reduction from 87 players to 75 — they don't have to be down to 75 until Tuesday but chose to make all but one of the cuts Friday after playing Thursday night.
The move leaves the team with only three quarterbacks — starter Brett Favre, No. 2 Aaron Rodgers and undrafted rookie Paul Thompson.
However, Paul Thompson hasn't played well enough to assure himself a roster spot, and he and Martin are eligible for the practice squad. So considering Favre's unprecedented durability, Ted Thompson might be contemplating going with only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster to save a spot for a more highly rated player at another position, such as defensive line or defensive back. Thompson, always coy about upcoming roster decisions, reiterated he'd never been with a team with only two quarterbacks, but kept open the option.
"Sure," he said. "At any position …"
Ted Thompson said he cut Martin in part because the second-year pro played Thursday night against Jacksonville and wasn't scheduled to play next week at Tennessee — that game will be Paul Thompson's turn as the third-stringer. Cutting Martin allowed the Packers to keep other players at positions at which they're short-handed because of injuries.
It appears unlikely any team would pick up Martin, who was 2-for-3 passing for 6 yards and a passer rating of 30.6 points against Jacksonville, so the Packers should be able to re-sign him to their practice squad.
Though Martin was in his second season with the Packers and a fifth-round draft pick in 2006, Paul Thompson played about as well in training camp and has more physical talent at 6-foot-4 and 216 pounds. Coach Mike McCarthy said Favre might not play at Tennessee, so Thompson could get extensive playing time in his final audition.
The Packers like his live arm, mobility and intangibles, though he's extremely raw. He was a starting quarterback at Oklahoma for only one season, as a senior after working at receiver the previous season and spring.
"I like the way he carries himself in the huddle, he's got an air about him on the field," Ted Thompson said. "He likes to play the game. I watch players during practice to see how they conduct themselves, he's very intent on watching the other guys and seeing how they're doing it and studying defenses. And I think he has some physical ability. He can throw the ball pretty well and move around and has good height. I just think there's some qualities there."
Paul Thompson probably will need a strong performance to win a roster spot after throwing two interceptions and going 5-for-10 passing against Seattle in his last preseason appearance, against Seattle. Besides keeping only two quarterbacks on the final roster and signing Paul Thompson or Martin to the practice squad, Ted Thompson also could add a young quarterback released by another team.
"Even though we've played three preseason games, we've still got another week and another game to play," Ted Thompson said. "Interaction with other clubs, trades and waiver claims and things like that. So it depends on how it all falls out."