Eric

Crouch

After quitting two NFL teams, one would think Crouch was out of shots. Crouch will participate in the team’s off-season program and try to make the Packers as a defensive back. They don’t have to pay his $230,000 contract unless he makes the team.

They’ll send him to NFL Europe. He’ll be a longshot to make the team in training camp.

Former Troy OL Zarah Yisrael went No. 1 overall to the Arkansas franchise, and ex-Virginia Tech QB Bryan Randall went next to Tennessee. Crouch landed in Texas. Other notables drafted include QBs Chris Leak, B.J. Symons, Eric Kresser, and Kliff Kingsbury. Peter Warrick will play for Team Florida.

The former Heisman trophy quarterback unsuccessfully tried to make the transition to cornerback. His NFL career is likely over.

“Eric is very intriguing,” said GM Rick Mueller. “He is a really good guy, and from what I saw Saturday, a talented quarterback.” A third-round pick by the Rams in 2002, Crouch butted heads with Mike Martz after St. Louis tried to move him to wide receiver. He insisted on playing quarterback, but never got that opportunity from another NFL team. He’s now 32 years old.

He will be joined in Omaha by former Bengals WR Maurice Purify. Crouch will compete with D.J. Shockley and Jeremiah Masoli for the starting quarterback job. Expectations should be low. Crouch hasn’t played professional football since a brief stint with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts in 2006.