Future Packer Jerrod Johnson?

Texas A&M and quarterback Jerrod Johnson host undefeated Missouri this afternoon in a Big XII Conference show-down in College Station, Tex.

Saturdays are made for college football. So here at Cheesehead TV we try to honor that tradition while keeping an eye toward the future and look at some of the players who will eventually be playing on Sundays.

Will the players featured in this series really become Green Bay Packers? It's a long shot. Instead, consider it more of an NFL Draft preview.

Today's future Packer...

Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson

According to Scout.com's Chris Steuber, a Packers scout will be attending today's Texas A&M-Missouri game (very likely Southwest scout Alonzo Highsmith), leading us to profile Johnson as today's "future Packer."

Johnson came into this season as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate and pro prospect after a year in which he earned second-team All-Big XII honors under former Packers head coach Mike Sherman.

Last year Johnson threw for 3,579 yards with 30 touchdowns, only 8 interception and a 59.6% completion rate. This season has been a disappointment for Johnson, however. He's been a turnover machine.

And it never used to be that way. Johnson set a Big XII Conference record by throwing 242 consecutive passes without an interception.

This season, in consecutive games against Florida International and Oklahoma State, Johnson has accounted for 10 turnovers–four interceptions and a fumble in each game.

He followed those performances with a loss to Arkansas last weekend in which he completed only 15 of 40 passes for 212 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. His fall from grace has been rather precipitous.

That leads Johnson into today's game where the Aggie host the undefeated Missouri Tigers in College Station. Johnson could have a bounce-back game with the Tigers' best defender, defensive end Aldon Smith, out with an injury.

In interviews, Johnson has said he feels that he's been a bit unlucky this season in regards to all the interceptions he's thrown, several the result of bad bounces off tipped passes.

Really, Johnson has had three bad games this season. And if he's really been a victim of bad luck, that's not enough to give up on him entirely.

Johnson–at 6-5, 245 lbs.–is currently ranked as the fifth-best quarterback prospect by Scott Wright's NFL Draft Countdown.

The Packers certainly aren't looking for a high-round quarterback in next April's NFL Draft. But if Johnson happens to fall to the mid-rounds of the 2011 draft, he could be worth consideration.

There's a possibility Matt Flynn could be traded in future seasons, and even if he isn't traded, he could eventually leave via free agency. Drafting and grooming a quarterback like Johnson would help the Packers prepare for Flynn's possible departure.

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Comments (14)

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Tim's picture

October 16, 2010 at 10:16 am

Packers' dream draft of 2011:
Rd 1 = Shane Vereen, RB, California
Rd 2 = Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
Rd 3 = Rashad Carmichael, CB, Va Tech
Rd 3 (comp) = Shiloh Keo, S, Idaho

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Tim's picture

October 16, 2010 at 10:17 am

I know we could use another stud at OLB, but I think the pass rush is just fine and these other positions need more attention.

Your thoughts? Anyone?

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KCousineau09's picture

October 16, 2010 at 10:44 am

If we get a stud at OLB, like you say, then we better be going after a pass-rushing OLB. Otherwise in the 3-4 defense is he really a stud if he doesn't rush the passer?

Other positions of need...RB (like you said) to spell Grant, and a CB or WR that can return kicks and punts.

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Tim's picture

October 17, 2010 at 11:31 am

Agreed -- by "stud" OLB, I mean "great pass rusher."

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WoodyG's picture

October 16, 2010 at 11:56 am

Agree with RB in 1st round but really don't know who ....... Vereen would have to forego his senior season to be drafted ......

If you're looking for some speed, check out Noel Devine (WVir) ....... An unknown Reggie Bush clone ..... Could be had later than the 1st round ......

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Tim's picture

October 17, 2010 at 11:32 am

I think we could use Devine, particularly in the return game, but TT will never go for him because he's sooooo small.

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Morli's picture

October 16, 2010 at 11:45 am

Simply pick BPA, there is no position on this team you necessarily have to spend a first round pick on. (Especially considering the LBs who'll be available this year.)

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jay's picture

October 16, 2010 at 12:02 pm

I'm pretty sure we can make do with the pass-rushing LBs we have. I'm more concerned with getting someone who can also cover. CM3 is currently our best pass rusher and best cover LB. If you watch LeRoy Butler's X's and O's from this week, one of the problems we had on the deep TD to Alexander was the LB not covering correctly. I think that's more pressing issue for us now. What I think we need more of is an ILB (assuming that Hawk is probably not here next year). Right now, my vote for 1st Round goes to Greg Jones of Mich State. I would also like to get another T or, conditioned upon Lang panning out at OT, a G. This would make both the passing and running game better.

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Tim's picture

October 17, 2010 at 11:34 am

I think (and MM said he thinks) that Lang would be a perfect replacement for Colledge at LG. Move Lang over there, and draft a RT prospect to groom behind tauscher for a year.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

October 16, 2010 at 04:10 pm

I tell you who impressed the HELL out of me last night. Bilal Powell from Louisville. If I could hand pick a back for us next year, that's the guy. Had the prettiest run I've seen all year, 85 yards, it had a little bit of everything. Very well rounded, tough runner, great hands, seemed to be adequate in picking up the blitz.

Sign me up for some of this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHte388tz4A

GBP 4 LIFE

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Brian Carriveau's picture

October 17, 2010 at 10:17 am

I couldn't agree more, Fitzcore. Bilal Powell looked VERY impressive. He's making a name for himself and should have a career in the NFL if he stays healthy.

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Tim's picture

October 17, 2010 at 11:37 am

That was a great run, but those rarely (if ever) happen in the pros. Guys with a little instinctive wiggle -- but not too much fancy feet -- are better in the pros. Check out youtube's Shane Vereen highlights from 2009. He seems to have just the right mix of explosion and toughness.

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jbeebe's picture

October 17, 2010 at 09:52 am

I've been thinking it would be real cool to get Casey Matthews. His size and speed are similar to his brother, he just doesn't get used as a pass rusher very much in that program. I don't see him going very high, could be a very thompson-esque steal. It might be nice to have the set. Couldn't agree more about the running back and o. tackle. Seems our depth in the secondary is still an issue....

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Tim's picture

October 17, 2010 at 11:39 am

Plus, if we draft his brother, maybe CM3 would be more likely to give the Pack a hometown discount during his next contract negotiation...

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