Preseason finale a chance for Packers' backup QBs

Football Betting Lines

09/01/2010 -

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) - Aaron Rodgers knows from experience that it isn't easy to live life as an understudy in the NFL.

Now that Rodgers finally has broken free from Brett Favre's shadow to become an elite starting quarterback, he sees a little bit of his former self in Green Bay Packers backup Matt Flynn: a guy willing to do what it takes to prepare as if he's the starter every week, knowing that he might never play.

``I was telling a friend this summer, I couldn't think of a better backup, because it's tough to be a backup,'' Rodgers said. ``You have to have the right personality, the right attitude and find ways to be a leader but also be very supportive. He's one of my best friends on this team, and he's improved and done a great job.''

If everything goes according to plan for the Packers, Thursday night's preseason finale in Kansas City will be the last time anybody sees Flynn at quarterback for a while.

Still, Flynn must be ready to step in if called upon, so he and the rest of the Packers' No. 2 offense see the game as a significant chance to sharpen their skills.

``It's definitely a big week and a week that I think all of the 'twos' look forward to,'' Flynn said. ``We're going to get more reps than we have all camp and any of the games, so it's something to look forward to. We're going to have a lot of fun and hopefully go out there and execute and put up some points.''

Meanwhile, No. 3 quarterback Graham Harrell has shown steady improvement during training camp and could use Thursday's game to solidify his spot on the team - even if it's just on the practice squad.

Harrell was a record-setting quarterback at Texas Tech, but couldn't get an extended, serious look in the NFL until now.

``I've always thought I was able to play at this level, and I just thought sooner or later I'll get a shot to do it,'' Harrell said. ``The more success I have here and the more comfortable I get in this offense and on this team, the more confidence I get and the more drive or reassurance I have that yeah, I can play on this level. I am good enough, and quarterbacks from spread systems can succeed in the NFL, and it's been a very positive experience so far, and I hope to continue to improve and do whatever it is that they ask me to do.''

In Harrell's case, that could be a stint on the practice squad.

The Packers only kept two quarterbacks, Flynn and Rodgers, on their roster last season.

Given Rodgers' durability and a logjam at other positions, including fullback and tight end, it stands to reason that the team will keep only two quarterbacks again.

``If they put me on the 53-man roster, obviously I'd be really happy about that,'' Harrell said. ``If they kept me on the practice squad, that's still a great opportunity to learn and continue to improve my game and learn a prostyle offense and get more comfortable in that.''

Flynn said he didn't have a sense of which way the team was leaning, but he has been impressed by Harrell.

``He's picked it up very fast and the guy can play football,'' Flynn said. ``He's been good, he's a fun guy to hang out with and be around having him in the locker room. He's done a really good job.''

Already known for his poise, Flynn spent the offseason working on his footwork and arm strength. But he said his biggest strides came in his overall knowledge of the offense.

``I think that really has the most to do with it, just being more comfortable with the offense, knowing what plays to check to against certain defenses and getting everyone in the right play,'' Flynn said. ``I feel like in the games and in practice too, we've done a real good job of it.''

It showed in last week's preseason romp over Indianapolis, as Flynn threw two touchdown passes. And after getting an extended look during Thursday's game, Flynn will once again become a backup.

He'll run the scout team, just like Rodgers did, and Rodgers will be counting on him for help in the film room.

``The toughest thing is trying to find a way to still be relevant on a team where you're not having any playing time,'' Rodgers said. ``But I think Matt's going to do a great job of that.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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Big East Conference odds

Work left to do: Villanova, Syracuse, DePaul, West Virginia, Providence

Notre Dame and Louisville appear to have done enough to make the move, so we'll make them locks. The Cardinals, despite a modest RPI, are trending way up and have clinched at least a tie for third in the Big East, which should be more than enough with their pair of big road wins. Villanova got back to .500 and gets back to more solid footing. Syracuse got a very important road win and crippled a fellow contender in the process. West Virginia's fate could be in its hands Tuesday at Pitt.

Work left to do:

Villanova [18-9 (7-7), RPI: 21, SOS: 5] Pounded Rutgers to get back to .500. If Cats can get their last two (at UConn, vs. Syracuse), that should be enough with strong computer numbers and a host of wins away from The Pavilion. The Cats have beaten Texas and swept the Big 5 (never easy in Philly), but have a couple of losses to bubble teams (Xavier, Drexel), too. I still think they'll be OK, possibly even at 8-8.

Syracuse [20-8 (9-5), RPI: 53, SOS: 62] History says 10 wins will be plenty, but it might be hard for the Orange to get that last one with a final two vs. G'town, which is trying to win the league title, and at Villanova, which will be desperate for a W. The relative lack of nonconference heft and the weak computer numbers are still concerns, but the Orange have won four in a row and got a very, very big win at Providence on Saturday.

DePaul [16-12 (8-7), RPI: 54, SOS: 18] Beat Cincy and should get past South Florida to get to 9-7, but then what? They have beaten Kansas and Cal (right after the DeVon Hardin injury) earlier this season, but also have lost to Bradley and Purdue, among others. They'll likely need a couple of BE tourney wins, too, but we'll see ...

West Virginia [19-7 (8-6), RPI: 58, SOS: 125] The game at Pitt on Tuesday night could decide the Mountaineers' fate (barring a deep tournament run). They can still get to 9-7 in the Big East without it by beating Cincinnati, but the nine wins would be against UConn, Villanova, St. John's, South Florida, DePaul, Rutgers, Seton Hall twice and the Bearcats. Beating bubble foes is fine, but where's the beef? Outside of beating PG-less UCLA in nonconference play (still a top quality win), there's not a lot to fall back on (besides maybe NC State). WVU vs. Syracuse would be an interesting debate, as the teams don't play in the Big East regular season. WVU has the best win, but Cuse has played the much better schedule.

Providence [17-10 (7-7), RPI: 70, SOS: 33] The Friars likely saw their at-large hopes die at home in the four-point loss to Syracuse, barring an unexpected run to the Big East semis or more. The RPI, bad already, won't be helped by playing St. John's and South Florida in the final two league games.

For more March Madness odds go to MySportsbook.com

For more College Basketball betting lines go to BettingExpress.com

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