If you’re wondering who Scott Tolzien is, you’re not alone.
The starting quarterback for the Packers is also largely unknown to many of the Giants, whom will face him Sunday.
“The quarterback they have now, I have no idea of anything about him,” Giants defensive end Cullen Jenkins said Monday. “I haven’t seen one snap of him.”
That’s because Tolzien, a third-year player who was undrafted out of Wisconsin, saw his first NFL action in Sunday’s 27-13 loss to the Eagles. He was 24-for-39 for 280 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Tolzien was forced into action after Seneca Wallace suffered a groin injury Sunday. Wallace was filling in for Aaron Rodgers, who fractured his collarbone last week.
Safety Antrel Rolle said the Giants will have to make do with the limited film available on Tolzien.
“You have to go on what you see,” he said. “They’re not going to break too far away from their game plan and at the end of the day, your technique, your keys, your assignments, it is what it is. You just make sure you execute those.”
Tolzien, signed by the Chargers after the 2011 NFL Draft, played in three preseason games before he was released prior to the season. The 49ers then claimed him off waivers to be the third-string quarterback behind Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick, but he never played a snap for them before being released in August. The Packers signed Tolzien to their practice squad and called him up to the active roster after Rodgers’ injury.
Despite the fact the Giants will not face the former NFL and Super Bowl MVP in Rodgers, Jenkins said the Packers shouldn’t be taken lightly.
“They still have Jordy [Nelson] out there, [tight end Andrew] Quarless, James Jones is back, and they’ve got a lot of weapons with the running game, with Eddie Lacy,” Jenkins said. “They’re still a good team, and we can’t lose sight of that.”
Rolle echoed Jenkins’ sentiment, while also hinting the Giants must be ready to stop the run, which Green Bay may turn to in order to relieve some of the pressure Tolzien will be facing.
“We’re 3-6,” he said. “We’re in no way, shape or form to underestimate anyone. We know exactly who we have ahead of us. They have something they haven’t had in a long time in a running game, and we’re looking forward to playing those guys.”
Jenkins compared the effects both Rodgers and Giants quarterback Eli Manning have on their respective offenses.
“You have an experienced quarterback who’s well-known, won a Super Bowl, the same type of leader,” he said. “With Aaron, that’s his offense and you can see it in him when he checks, makes audibles, reads the defense. It’s a pretty similar meaning to the team.”