NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks got some feathers rattled recently in a column he wrote suggesting that Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shouldn’t be crowned among the league’s elite quarterbacks (Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady) yet. Some of those emotions might get stirred up again as we broached the subject in the Cover Two podcast with Brooks and NFL.com senior writer Steve Wyche.

Things didn’t stop there, though. 49ers rookie quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who was selected in the second round, discussed his strong relationship with veteran quarterback Alex Smith, the first overall draft pick in 2005. Smith also was selected nearly two dozen spots ahead of Rodgers but has come nowhere near the success that Rodgers, the recent Super Bowl MVP, has generated.

Kaepernick explains that Smith, a free agent expected to re-sign with San Francisco, has really developed as a mentor but once football is back in business, he’s going to compete for the starting job that seemingly is Smith’s to lose.

“You just know when you step on the field you can have a great relationship and still compete with each other,” Kaepernick said. “I’m going to be going for that starting spot, and he’s going to be doing the same thing. May the best man win. When we’re on the field it’s going to be a competition, and we’re both there to win it.”

NFL Network insider Jason LaCanfora also drops in to share his thoughts on Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, whether Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb will be traded and discusses with Wyche why the Panthers might be busy in free agency — re-signing their own players.

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