Cory's Corner: Taysom Hill is here to stay

The Packers have done a very good job with undrafted free agents compared to the rest of the NFL.

Guys like Ed West, Ryan Longwell, Cullen Jenkins and Tramon Williams. These are players that not only overcame long odds, but also carved out successful careers.

It looks like the next person to add his name to that list is Taysom Hill. The soon-to-be 27-year-old is electrifying the Packers in the same way that he did it at BYU.

Hill can throw accurately on the run, he can make the deep throw and he isn’t afraid of contact as evidenced by his nifty 23-yard touchdown through the left seam that featured a pair of missed tackles.

“I got close to the end zone and I saw it and fortunately I was able to make a few guys miss and get in the end zone,” Hill said with a huge grin.

The one word that you look for with rookies is poise. Some have it, while others wander hopelessly through a career searching for it.

After two preseason games, Hill has that. He has the command of the huddle and he has proven that he can move this offense down the field. In two games, Hill is 4-for-7 on third down — one of the most important attributes of a quarterback.

Is Hill perfect? No. But I like that he has a heart of nails and isn’t going away anytime soon.

“I love to play the game of football,” he said. “I love to compete.”

That says it all right there. Hill isn’t in Green Bay just to play football. He’s here to carve out a life. A life that has been forged from two season-ending injuries while in college.  He knows that he may not get another chance if his NFL path hits a road block while wearing one of the most storied uniforms in history. And that’s why he’s treating every snap like the Super Bowl — something that a former Pro Bowl practice squad player felt while toiling on the bench behind Brett Favre.

Hill owns a preseason passer rating of 105.7. You know who is the only person ahead of him with a rating of 123.4.

Hill has done enough to earn a roster spot because there’s no way the Packers can sneak him onto the practice squad without another team scooping him up. And that means Joe Callahan is surely in trouble. Even if Callahan plays well, Hill has done enough to prove that he can manage the offense if and when he gets called upon.

Let’s take this forward. Brett Hundley is a free agent in 2019 and thanks to a solid preseason this year, the Packers may get decent offers after the season to achieve his goal of becoming a starting quarterback.

And if that happens, Hill can be the next Doug Pederson or Matt Flynn, take your pick. A guy that is capable of winning games when the starter is hurt but also a guy that won’t rock the boat and clearly knows his role is to enhance the offense and starter.

That’s Hill. He’s a smart leader and any organization can never have enough of those.

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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Comments (24)

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croatpackfan's picture

August 22, 2017 at 07:49 am

Wow.

From where that came?

I thought guy played not more than 30 snaps in the preseason and he is already Matt Flynn?

Calm down people. He played against college players (3rd and 4th stringers!).

I like him much, but I'm not near that brave to claim that he is back up QB in the range of the Matt Flynn or that he is capable of winning NFL game... I do not believe that Brett Hundley can win constantly, but Taysom Hill can?

I think that he has secured place on PS for the season and that next season he might be in the mix for back up QB, when and if Packers trade Brett Hundley!

Callahan has huge disadvantage: his height!

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Savage57's picture

August 22, 2017 at 07:53 am

Of all the things Packers fans hope Taysom Hill might become, the next Doug Pederson?

Clipboard holder par excellence.

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Handsback's picture

August 22, 2017 at 07:54 am

The 3rd string QB is an important position for the Packers. Everyone knows now that Hundley is on the fast track to be traded and looks very capable of backing up Rodgers for a few games. If/when he's traded....that 3rd string guy is now your potential starter. Callahan showed he could move Green Bay's offense which is why they liked him. So yes Hill is the better athlete, but could he step into Rodger's position and move the offense against other team's starters? It may be a lot of Hundley/Hill for the next two games to see if he can continue scoring drives with the regular starters verses other teams starters.

Personally, I like both him and Callahan. I have followed Hill since he almost single-handed beat the Longhorns by rushing over 200 yards. He gets knocked on his passes, but it seems his delivery is very good and just needs reps.

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TheVOR's picture

August 22, 2017 at 09:41 am

Actually, I a pretty big Callahan fan, as he just has this intangible way of moving the team and making plays. For the same reason I liked him last year, and even in the opening preseason game, I like Hill. He's made it happen in both games. I'd like to see him passing as opposed to running, because in the NFL the running QB eventually gets destroyed unless he slides. This is going to be a battle for a roster spot IMO. I just have a feeling that which ever guy gets cut, that he'll end up on the Practice squad. It's clear that GB was protecting Callahan once they got him back in GB, he was a 53 guy. I think GB will do a similar thing here in bringing back the guy who doesn't make the roster onto the 53. Like both of these 3's, should be fun to watch Saturday night.

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dobber's picture

August 22, 2017 at 04:08 pm

I agree with others who have said that Hundley isn't likely to go anywhere until next off-season. At that point, I think they trade him for whatever they can get for him. With that in mind, that 3rd string QB should never see the field for the Packers this fall, and will be immediately relegated to at least 3rd string next spring when the Packers draft their next backup QB.

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Big_Mel_75's picture

August 22, 2017 at 08:10 am

I don't think Callahan is done in GB. Jason Spriggs has gotten him KILLED each game. Guy is running for his life after 2 secs. Callahan played great last year. I think if the line would give him a chance to set his feet he would be fine. I like what Hill has done but it has been running not passing. Would like to see Callahan run with a better line and see what happens.

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TheVOR's picture

August 22, 2017 at 09:43 am

I know right! What the he** happened to Spriggs. He was Rock Solid last year in relief, and this year looks terrible!

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Fire_Gute's picture

August 22, 2017 at 08:39 am

Brett Hundley isn't going anywhere. There isn't some 2nd or 3rd round pick offer happening any time in the near future, and why would he be traded for less. If someone wants him next year to start, the contract he signs will bring a 3rd or 4th compensatory pick. I also highly doubt some team has already fallen in love with an undrafted 27 year old rookie to the point that they are going to put him on their 53 man roster without knowing a lick of their offense. Hill is exactly what the practice squad was made for.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 22, 2017 at 09:35 am

Right now, Green Bay would laugh at offers of 3rd round picks for Hundley, and they'd likely turn down a 2nd rounder as well.

If you want this quality, starter-ready QB for 2 full years on a cheap rookie deal, you pony up a 1st rounder. Anything less is bad comedy.

After the season, a #2 is likely, as he'll only have 1 year left on his deal.

And if you think we can safely stash Hill on the PS, well, good luck with that.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 23, 2017 at 04:19 am

If we could get a 2nd round pick for Hundley right now, I'd be waving goodbye to him. Yes, I certainly do think we can stash Hill on the PS. I guess we just disagree on all points.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 23, 2017 at 08:50 am

It would have to be a high 2nd from a weak team. Hundley would be a quality starter--an instant upgrade for numerous teams.

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egbertsouse's picture

August 22, 2017 at 09:06 am

Hill will be gone by the start of the season and Little Joey Callahan will be on the PS. Why? Because He's one of TT's guys, like Don Barclay. Callahan is not NFL talent, he looks like a kid who got on the field and is trying to play with the big boys. The guy got cut by the Browns, folks.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 22, 2017 at 09:10 am

Yea... Browns are known as superb talent evaluation organization...

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dobber's picture

August 22, 2017 at 10:30 am

He was a midseason pick-up for the Browns. Last guy in often is the first guy out when a need arises in those cases.

Callahan ending up on the PS. Why not? He's got almost a full season of experience in the Packers system...more than anyone else they would sign off the street. Is he NFL talent? That's a good question...several teams are trotting out starters that evaluators ask that same question about.

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PatrickGB's picture

August 22, 2017 at 09:28 am

It's preseason. Last week we were raving about Davis. But Hill did look good and he is what MM and TT have called, a "Football Player".

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 22, 2017 at 09:37 am

Hill moves the team. He won't accept failure. Plays like a warrior, has tons of talent, and just needs reps.

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marpag1's picture

August 22, 2017 at 10:50 am

Here to stay... not here to stay... whatever... I just pray to God that he remains as irrelevant as I think he is.

People need to get over the wacky idea that we can't cut a marginal player if he won't make it to the practice squad. Just stop already. The only thing that matters is whether or not that player is a better prospect than the other options that you have in camp. No sane-minded person says, "Geez, if we don't keep this inferior player, our competition will grab that inferior player and put him on their roster!! Damn, sign him to the 53 right now!!!"

If he's not good enough to make your team, by all means let the Vikings have him.

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dobber's picture

August 22, 2017 at 10:27 am

Thanks for the perspective: I'm with you!

In the end, I have a hard time getting too fired up about a guy we all hope NEVER has to play a meaningful NFL down for the Packers.

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Spock's picture

August 22, 2017 at 05:06 pm

marpag1, the most rational statement in the comments section today! Even a Vulcan who knows nothing about football could follow that logic.

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TKWorldWide's picture

August 23, 2017 at 07:59 am

Live long and prosper.

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Since'61's picture

August 22, 2017 at 10:58 am

Cory - good article since I posted almost the exact same point yesterday. In any case we're better off with Hill behind Hundley rather than Callahan. Anything can happen over the next two weeks but if Hill continues to put up points while Callahan flounders around like he has been so far, Callahan should be chucked and keep Hill as the #3 QB. He has much more upside than Callahan. Hill is a better athlete, he throws better and he runs better. Let's see what happens against Denver.
Thanks, Since '61

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GB Jacker's picture

August 22, 2017 at 11:29 am

Slight aside here - barring injury and assuming he has another 2 decent preseason games. What do people believe it will cost to pick up Hundley next season?

The price for Jimmy G floating around was staggering, and whilst Brett isn't working at that level, a potential NFL starting QB is almost always worth a first rounder no? I guess it could be bad timing that next year's draft might be stacked with QB talent.

We already have a ton of comp picks, if we add another one or two early round picks - draft weekend will be great fun!

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 22, 2017 at 03:22 pm

I'd take Hundley over Garrapolo, but Hundley will only have 1 year left on his rookie deal.

2nd rounder.

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Cartwright's picture

August 22, 2017 at 03:30 pm

It will be interesting to see when they play Hill. I'm thinking based on his performance so far he moves up a notch and plays after Hundley to see how he performs against 2's instead of 3's. But I do like Callahan, he's a scrambler too and has excitement to his play. Spriggs however has undermined him terribly and made him look a lot worse. If Hill plays before Callahan is that a sign he has surpassed him on the depth chart?

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