Losing Aaron Rodgers for an extended period of time represents the unthinkable for the Green Bay Packers.
Lambeau Leap to Lambeau Death Knell would be one way to put it. But don't tell that to Packers backup quarterback Graham Harrell. He believes he can get the job done in the case of emergency.
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"Absolutely," Harrell said, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "As a quarterback, you better be confident in yourself and believe in yourself. I believe in myself. We have a great support staff and a great group of people in Green Bay. They get quarterbacks ready to play and train quarterbacks."
"I've learned from some of the best in the business."
Confidence is great, but it doesn't move offenses by itself. The reality is that Graham enters his third season the owner of zero NFL pass attempts. For a team that rightfully considers itself a Super Bowl contender, that's scary business. The Packerscould look to acquire a veteran if Harrell struggles during training camp, but Plan A is to give the former undrafted free agent his shot.
This isn't the first time Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy has rolled the dice with an inexperienced understudy. Matt Flynn was similarly green in his first years with the team, but Rodgers never missed an extended period of time.
Now McCarthy gambles again with Harrell. Maybe he's Matt Cassel. Maybe he's Curtis Painter. The Packers hope they never find out.
