Packers seek returns on Crouch investment

[Gunzlingr]

Green Bay - If Eric Crouch is going to enhance his chances of making the Green Bay Packers' final roster, he might need to display at least some promise as a return man in this upcoming minicamp.

Even though Crouch, the former Heisman Trophy winner from Nebraska, threw the ball better than expected in the Packers' first off-season camp, he probably remains a long shot to make the roster as a third quarterback.

Then again, if he shows something as a kick returner, the Packers might be willing to create a job for him, although a team can keep only so many specialists.

In the post-draft minicamp, shortly after he was claimed on waivers from the St. Louis Rams, Crouch worked exclusively at quarterback. In this camp, which starts Monday and runs through June 11, it might be different.

Considerable time will be spent on the return game and Crouch might be one of those lining up for both punts and kickoffs.


more (http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/jun03/145032.asp)

[The_Philster]

Eric Crouch thinks he's contender for one of Green Bay's three quarterback spots next season.

Yet the 2001 Heisman Trophy winner from Nebraska is willing play a different position in his pursuit of a regular NFL job, so he tried his hand at kickoff returns for the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday.

"It's crazy," Crouch conceded after taking a handful of kicks following the minicamp practice. "A lot of quarterbacks aren't really willing to do that and get out there and catch (punts or kicks) and run. It's something I feel comfortable with."...

more (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/6409126)

[The_Philster]

Unlike the manner in which he so adroitly eluded defenders during a college career that culminated with winning the Heisman Trophy in 2001, Eric Crouch acknowledges that he can't dodge the irony of his situation, as he enters a second NFL training camp.

Less than a year after he stunningly "retired" from the NFL, because the St. Louis Rams wanted him to perform at wide receiver and not quarterback, Crouch is essentially in the same spot with the Green Bay Packers.

He might be listed on the roster as a quarterback, and his name appears at that position on the depth chart, but Crouch will have to earn a regular-season paycheck with the Packers based on his abilities to do something other than throw the football....
more (http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1583163.html)

[The_Philster]

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Eric Crouch has quit the NFL for the second time in 11 months.

The 2001 Heisman Trophy winner from Nebraska left the Green Bay Packers on the eve of full-squad workouts, which began Tuesday. He had hoped to win a job as one of Brett Favre's backups but head coach Mike Sherman said he had little chance at beating out the three QBs ahead of him in that race.

Crouch sat out last season after the St. Louis Rams drafted him in the third round and tried to convert him into a wide receiver...
more (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2003/preview/news/2003/07/22/packers_crouch_ap/)

[The_Philster]

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Pondering his future over a cup of coffee Thursday morning, Eric Crouch thought aloud that maybe he should take one of those career tests that match one's personality to a suitable job.

What if the result indicated he should be a professional football player?

"Then I know something's wrong," he said, laughing. "The test has flaws." ...
more (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2003/07/24/crouch_future_ap/)