Packers sign Seneca Wallace to back up Rodgers at QB

B.J. Coleman, Vince Young both released; Mason Crosby retains job as place kicker
By CHRIS HAVEL
The Green Bay Packers’ ever-changing roster appears to have settled as the Labor Day weekend draws to a close.
B.J. Coleman joined Vince Young and Graham Harrell as ex-Packers quarterbacks declared willing but unable to handle the backup job. Essentially, the Packers spent a great deal of their preseason games and practice time during training camp to determine none was good enough to hold the clipboard for Aaron Rodgers.
On Monday, Packers GM Ted Thompson added a second quarterback by signing veteran Seneca Wallace. The 10th-year pro was with San Francisco last season, and Cleveland and Seattle before that.
Wallace, who has played in 62 games, owns a 81.3 quarterback rating on a 59.2 completion percentage with 31 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. The Packers also signed ex-49ers (and Badgers) quarterback Scott Tolzien to their practice squad.
The conspiracy theorist might insist that Packers head coach Mike McCarthy signed Wallace and Tolzien so defensive coordinator Dom Capers can interrogate them about all things San Francisco. That will happen, of course, but Wallace has to be considered an upgrade over Young, Harrell and Coleman. Meantime, Tolzien is a bright young player who has the moxie and enough talent to play a bit. Thompson accepted blame for Young’s failure by saying, “Quite frankly, it probably wasn’t fair to Vince. We threw a lot on his plate and the fault probably is mine. I probably should’ve had him in here earlier.”
Earlier, later – it wouldn’t matter. Young showed in the Kansas City preseason finale that he still can’t run an NFL offense with anything that resembles precision. An entire offseason wouldn’t correct what six NFL seasons have made perfectly clear: Young has serious limitations.
Fans who are upset because Young was cut should take heart. Wallace is much more capable of filling in if disaster strikes. Perhaps the most interesting aspect in all of this is that no matter who is the backup QB, Packers fans hope and pray that they never have to play.
The Packers got better news on the kicking front when Mason Crosby staved off all comers to retain the job. Crosby’s big leg on kickoffs remains an asset, as does his tackling ability (hello, special teams coach Shawn Slocum, better get the coverage units ready) and his field goal kicking when his mind is right.
Here are some additional thoughts on the Packers’ final roster:

• Tight end Brandon Bostick showed enough to merit his roster spot. Bostick was inconsistent early in training camp, but he stayed with it, calmed down and played well during the final two weeks. Bostick joins Jermichael Finley, Andrew Quarless and Ryan Taylor at the tight end position. Quarless and Taylor are strong special team players who also are dependable at tight end. Bostick is different in that his size and skill set make him a viable option if Finley wasn’t available.
• The Packers’ defensive line is the best group this team has taken into a season in recent memory. B.J. Raji is playing for his next contract, and Ryan Pickett and C.J. Wilson have been very good. Rookie Datone Jones has flashed serious ability, while Mike Daniels and Mike Neal both appear to have stepped up their games. Johnny Jolly and rookie Josh Boyd fill out a very strong eight-man unit.
• Receiver Jarrett Boykin came on after a slow start to win the No. 4 receiver job. He could be a factor as early as Sunday’s 49ers game because Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb only took three snaps in the preseason finale at Kansas City.