[Innocent]

Prior to Training Camp

Meeting of the Green Bay Packers General Management Office
Names changed to protect the innocent.

Man #1: ”So what about this, Joe Grey, guy? They’re calling him ‘Joe Schmoe’, we’re taking a beating in the national press for drafting him.”

Man #2: ”Lets not get into why he was drafted…”

Man #1: ”I wasn’t going to bring that up, there’s nothing we can do about that now, but we do have to figure out what the heck to do with the guy!”

Man #3: ”Well I don’t think we can cut him now, if you think its bad at the moment wait until we waste a third round pick on a guy who doesn’t even suit up for us.”

Man #2: ”We do potentially have room for a third quarterback on the final roster, but do you really think it’ll be better if we waste a roster spot on him than if we simply dump him?”

Man #1: ”Maybe if we keep him on board we can quietly release him next season without raising too much fuss.”

Man #4: ”And we all know fuss is the last thing we need…”

Man #3: ”Have you seen this guys scouting report? Let me read it to you!
”Has a long way to go until he can lead a team. Makes poor decisions too often. This should improve with playing time. Lacks arm strength. Needs to work on his touch to throw more timing routes. Should spend time with a QB coach. Needs help with accuracy. Can buy second chances in the pocket with his feet and is fairly mobile.”

Man #3: ”So what we’ve got here is a scrambling quarterback who runs like Bernie Kosar, with a wet-noodle of an arm and bad touch. Wet noodle’s my word, by the way, I watched some game film of this guy in college!”

Man #1: ”You do know the guy’s never won a football game, right?”

Man #3: ”He didn’t even win anything in Pop Warner?

Man #1: ”He didn’t even play Pop Warner, the guys not won a single game as a starter at any level.”

Man #3: ”Wow…”

Man #1: ”What if we ever need our third quarterback to actually play?”

Man #3: ”That’s not very likely to happen… and if it does, we’re just screwed…”

A Week Before Training Camp

Joe: “Yeah dad, I know.”

Mr. Grey: ”You’re going to make us a heck of a lot of money, son, I’m so proud of you.”

Joe:”I know dad, but I do have to get through training camp first.”

Mr. Grey: ”You’re happy aren’t ya? Still glad I encouraged you to sign up for the draft, I hope.”

Joe:”Yes, I’m glad I registered for the draft, and the Combine was fun and all. I had no idea it’d turn out like this.”

Mr. Grey: ”Turned out a heck of a lot better, I thought we’d be carting you around to training camps to try to get your foot in the door anywhere.”

Joe:”Well fortunately that isn’t necessary, I’m just hoping I’ll make this team!”

Mr. Grey: ”I hope so too, we got even more money riding on you making that team. Just remember that being a third string quarterback means you make a lot of money, won’t get hurt, and can tell all the ladies you’re an NFL player!”

Joe:”Thanks dad, I’ll talk to you when I get to Green Bay!”


Reporting to First Day of Training Camp

Joe Grey in his Packers Uniform

Meeting a team official outside the practice facility:

Official: ”Alright, who’re you kid?”

Joe:”Joe Grey.”

Official: ”Who?”

Joe:”Joe Grey, quarterback out of Minnesota State, the Third Round pick?”

Official: ”Oh geeze, you’re that guy?”

Joe:”Yeah, I’m that guy okay. Look I didn't choose to draft me; I’m just here to play some football.”

Official: ”Alright kid, whatever, go grab some clothes in the locker room and get out on the field.”

As Joe walked by the official turned around to look him over, shaking his head, "Good luck, kid, you're sure gonna to need it."