10-09-2009, 06:10 PM
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#11
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MVP
OVR: 15
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Madison, WI
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NFC Position Battle Results
Packer Shocker: McCarthy names Rodgers starter over legend Favre
NFC News
Apparently it's a cold day in hell in Green Bay.
In a shocking move, Coach Mike McCarthy is aiming the Packers toward the future by naming Aaron Rodgers the starting QB over veteran and Packers legend Brett Favre. Both QBs had solid preseasons, but apparently it was enough to convince McCarthy to pull the plug on Favre and his long starting streak.
"We just feel that Rodgers is our future, and the future is now," McCarthy said in a recent press conference. "Favre has given the Packers many good years and has been a good teacher for Aaron, and we feel the time is right for a transition."
According to Favre, it apparently was not. The veteran QB immediately announced his displeasure after McCarthy's decision, citing a "disrespect and unfairness" from the head coach. According to several sources, Favre and his agent are pushing for a trade out of Green Bay.
Time will tell on the developments in Green Bay. As for the other NFC squads, there were some surprises and they are discussed in team-by-team capsules. Please note that Philadelphia, Atlanta, Detroit, St. Louis, New Orleans, Seattle and Minnesota had no good changes to note.
Chicago
QB Rex Grossman had an awesome preseason (6 TDs, 112.3 QB rating) for the Bears, but his receivers saw some major changes. The biggest news is the loss of 2 WRs to injury, which made recent free agent signing Eric Moulds their #1 reciever. Eleven-year pro Muhsin Muhammad suffered a career-threatening injury and will miss the rest of the season, while expected starter Bernard Berrian will miss the first 2 weeks. At the TE spot, rookie Greg Olsen will start over Desmond Clark.
Tampa Bay
Coach Jon Gruden announced two surprise starters this week. FB B.J. Askew surprised everyone with a solid preseason, beating out Buc veteran Mike Alstott for the starting job. Gruden will also go with a rookie at one of the DE spots, as Gaines Adams will start over veteran Kevin Carter.
Arizona
Veteran Kurt Warner held off young Matt Leinart to earn the starting job.
Dallas
A heated RB battle ended with Julius Jones being named the starter over Marion Barber, but expect both to share the workload. On defense, rookie OLB Anthony Spencer beat out Greg Ellis for the start.
San Francisco
The 49ers will go young at a few spots this year, including QB. It seemed apparent that veteran QB Trent Dilfer was going to win the starting job, but former #1 pick Alex Smith played well in the 49ers' final preseason game. His performance gave Coach Mike Nolan enough confidence to keep him as the starter. Also, two rookies will start for San Francisco. WR Jason Hill and FS Dashon Goldson beat out their competitors for starting nods (Hill will be the #2 WR).
New York Giants
A very impressive RB battle produced a starter in Reuben Droughns, who barely beat out Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs will still be the Giants' 3rd-down back and will probably share the load.
Green Bay
Rodgers-over-Favre is still the big news, but in a minor note the RB situation had an interesting result. Ryan Grant had clearly established himself as the starter, but then suffered a major injury that will keep him out of the season's first 9 weeks. Vernand Morency, and rookies Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn will try to be as productive until Grant gets healthy.
Carolina
RB DeAngelo Williams impressed Coach John Fox enough to win the starting job over DeShaun Foster.
Washington
An interesting QB battles had an eye-opening result, as veteran QB Mark Brunell won the job over Jason Campbell.
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