wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
14 years ago


Coaches face tough choices on whittling down roster 
By Lori Nickel of the Journal Sentinel


Green Bay If the rest of the league hasn't already caught on to the preseason hype surrounding Green Bay as a widespread favorite to win the Super Bowl, it sure took notice when the Packers put a 59-24 whuppin' on the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night.

With a Green Bay offense primed to exceed its record-setting numbers from a year ago, Packer Nation is starting to proclaim that every day is TGIF, as in "Thank Goodness It's Finley."

But beyond budding superstar Jermichael Finley, the Packers are so rich with talent at tight end that they will have to at least consider keeping all five on the roster. Or maybe four.

What a thought. A basketball team of tight ends could mean more two tight end formations, numerous 6-foot-4 targets for Aaron Rodgers and maybe even better pass protection to keep the quarterback standing.

Plus, they're all big guys willing to pack a punch on special teams.

"I've never seen a team with five with this talent," said eight-year veteran Donald Lee. "I've been around where there was three. When I got here we had Bubba Franks, David Martin and myself. We all could do a lot of different things, we were good at it and they kept us all.

"Now, it's going to be a tough decision. In the end, I wouldn't be surprised if they kept all five."

If the Packers are leaning that way, Joe Philbin isn't saying. When the offensive coordinator was asked if he wants Finley along with Lee, Spencer Havner, Tom Crabtree and Andrew Quarless on the roster, he downplayed the thought.

"I don't know about that . . . , " he said.

Usually by now, coaches can see who has an edge over the second-rate talent. Or an injury settles the matter.

But Philbin quickly acknowledged that the coaches are going to have to make some challenging decisions about their four backup tight ends soon. There are just three practices left before the roster cut-down to 75 players Tuesday, and then comes the final preseason game at Kansas City, a critical final look at young players who are not a lock to make the team. The final roster cut-down to 53 players is Sept. 4.

"Pretty soon we'll have to start making some decisions," said Philbin. "(The final week) is important for a lot of guys. There's always those bubble-type guys that are going to see a lot of action, and we're trying to gather more information.

"We like them. They've got some ability, some talent, bring some different things to the table. They've been productive. It's a tough decision."

Besides the overall talent of the group, each tight end has his own calling card.

Quarless, a rookie fifth-round draft pick, scored his first touchdown against the Colts when he ran a double route, took the flat and turned upfield.

"I've got to give it to Matt Flynn - he put it right there so I could catch it," said Quarless. "It was a great ball. There's nothing better than a touchdown; you've got to like it."

Quarless, who worked specifically on his blocking this offseason, already is an exceptionally smooth route runner who looks like a receiver even though he weighs 252 pounds.

Second-year tight end Havner accepted his conversion from linebacker last year and rewarded the coaches with four touchdowns. His versatility makes him a good special teams player, with 20 tackles on those units a year ago. He had some off-the-field issues last spring but has played well in camp and has three catches for 21 yards this preseason.

First-year tight end Crabtree had a nice grab against the Colts - his first in a preseason game this summer. He also plays on all the special teams, but he will make his money by solid blocking, with good fundamentals.

And then there's Lee. He has just one catch this preseason, but the Packers know what they have in him: 134 total receptions in three of his last four years. While he had too many drops last year (practice included) Philbin believed that issue was corrected early this offseason.

Lee, who has 1,802 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in his NFL career, also is regarded as a solid blocker, but most notably he has been the consummate professional and team player. He's been willing to play special teams and graciously take a backseat to the emerging Finley, who in his second year in 2009 had the second-most catches (55) in a season by a Packers tight end despite missing three games with a knee injury.

"I consider myself the big brother to all these guys, cleaning up after them," said Lee. "Whatever they don't do, I will do. Whatever they ask me to do, I'll do whatever it takes to help the team win."

The Packers may consider Lee of great value to the team, but he is also the one player they may entertain in a trade deal (though no one from the club has stated as such). Lee is scheduled to make $2 million in 2010 and $2.2 million in 2011, a steep price for backup for the Packers but perhaps tempting for a team in need of a reliable tight end.

Lee hasn't gotten a ton of repetitions this summer, but that's probably because the Packers know what he can do and need to see what the young players can do.

"I don't worry about that. I've been around long enough now they have confidence in my ability," said Lee.

The Packers have other options. Quarless said he wouldn't mind the practice squad "to contribute to the team any way I can," but what are the odds that he wouldn't be scooped up by another team? Anyone from this offense is marketable right now.

"It's good for us, we really push each other," said Crabtree. "As far as numbers and all that, I'm not worried about that. I don't know what they're thinking. All I know is we're being evaluated on everything we do. Every day. I'm not taking anything for granted or relaxing at all."

The tight ends believe that no matter what the Packers decide, there will be an NFL job for all of them.

"They say what you put on tape fills your rsum," said Quarless. "And we're all putting great stuff on tape."


UserPostedImage
RainX
14 years ago
Lee is the kind of veteran you like to have around. He's being about as consumate a professional despite the tough decisions looming ahead that could vastly affect his future.

I think the ideal thing would be to keep Finley, Quarless, Havner, and Crabtree and see if you can't get a late round pick from someone for Lee who is looking for some TE depth. Otherwise you keep him and then hope you can sneak Crabtree through waivers and stash him on the practice squad.

I'm also perfectly fine just going with 2 halfbacks (Grant and Jackson) and keeping out 3 FBs again. Kuhn has shown he's more than capable of holding down the 3rd RB spot and Porter should have no troubles passing through waivers and being put on the Practice Squad.
blank
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (now) : Packers inactives vs 49ers: • CB Jaire Alexander • S Kitan Oladapo • LB Edgerrin Cooper • OL Jacob Monk
TheKanataThrilla (2h) : Aaron Jones with a costly red zone fumble
Zero2Cool (3h) : When we trade Malik for a 1st rounder, we'll need a new QB2.
packerfanoutwest (22h) : Report: Aaron Rodgers wants to play in 2025, but not for the Jets
beast (23h) : That's what I told the Police officer about my speed when he pulled me over
packerfanoutwest (23-Nov) : NFL told Bears that Packers’ blocked field goal was legal
packerfanoutwest (22-Nov) : 49ers are underdogs at Packers, ending streak of 36 straight games as favorites
Zero2Cool (22-Nov) : 49ers might be down their QB, DL, TE and LT?
packerfanoutwest (22-Nov) : Jaire Alexander says he has a torn PCL
Zero2Cool (20-Nov) : Even with the context it's ... what?
Mucky Tundra (20-Nov) : Matt LaFleur without context: “I don’t wanna pat you on the butt and you poop in my hand.”
beast (20-Nov) : We brought in a former Packers OL coach to help evaluate OL as a scout
beast (20-Nov) : Jets have been pretty good at picking DL
Zero2Cool (20-Nov) : He landed good players thanks to high draft slot. He isn't good.
Zero2Cool (20-Nov) : He can shove his knowledge up his ass. He knows nothing.
beast (20-Nov) : More knowledge, just like bring in the Jets head coach
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : What? Why? Huh?
beast (19-Nov) : I wonder if the Packers might to try to bring Douglas in through Milt Hendrickson/Ravens connections
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : The Jets fired Joe Douglas, per sources
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : Jets are a mess......
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Pretty sure Jets fired their scouting staff and just pluck former Packers.
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Jets sign Anders Carlson to their 53.
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : When you cycle the weeks, the total over remains for season. But you get your W/L for that selected week. Confusing.
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : the total and percentage are the same as the previous weeks
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : the total and percentage are the same as the previous weeks
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : the totals are accurate..nrvrtmind
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : I don't follow what you are saying. The totals are not the same as last week.
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : ok so then wht are the totals the same as last week?
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : NFL Pick'em is auto updated when NFL Scores tab is clicked
Martha Careful (19-Nov) : The offense was OK. Let's not forget the Bear defense is very very good.
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : Who updates the leaderboard on NFLPickem?
beast (19-Nov) : Has the Packers offense been worse since the former Jets coach joined the Packers?
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Offense gets his ass in gear, this could be good.
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Backup QB helped with three wins. Special Teams contributed to three wins.
bboystyle (18-Nov) : Lions played outside thats why. They scored 16 and 17 in the only 2 outside games this year
Zero2Cool (18-Nov) : The rest of the NFL is catching up to Packers ... kicking is an issue throughout league
packerfanoutwest (18-Nov) : Packers DL Kenny Clark: We knew 'we were going to block' Bears' game-winning field goal attempt
Zero2Cool (18-Nov) : Lions seem to be throttling everyone, but only (only) got 24 lol maybe the rain is why
Zero2Cool (18-Nov) : Packers vs Lions game doesn't seem so bad.
beast (18-Nov) : Dennis Green "They are what we thought they were, and we let them off the hook!"
Martha Careful (17-Nov) : comment of the day Z2Cool "Bears better than we want to admit. Packers worse than we think. It's facts."
Mucky Tundra (17-Nov) : my worst case scenario: Bears fix their oline and get a coach like Johnson from the Lions and his scheme
Zero2Cool (17-Nov) : Bears get OL fixed amd we might have a problem
buckeyepackfan (17-Nov) : Pretty sure they already have scouting reports on guys who aren't even starting for their college team. The future is now for me.
buckeyepackfan (17-Nov) : I tend to let Gute and Co. Worry about the future.
beast (17-Nov) : That's great news and Packers need to keep upgrading their OL, DL and DBs this off-season, so missing one guy doesn't kill them
beast (17-Nov) : That's great news and Packers need to keep upgrading their OL, DL and DBs this off-season, so missing one guy doesn't kill them
buckeyepackfan (17-Nov) : Jaire and Evans Williams are both ACTIVE! Good news.
Martha Careful (17-Nov) : The badgers really need to change the whole offensive scheme. No draws no screens plus the quarterback is marginal
Cheesey (17-Nov) : If the Badgers had a decent QB, they would have won. The guy can't hit a wide open receiver
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2024 Packers Schedule
Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM
Eagles
Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM
COLTS
Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM
Titans
Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM
Rams
Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM
CARDINALS
Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM
TEXANS
Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM
Jaguars
Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM
Bears
Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM
49ERS
Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM
DOLPHINS
Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM
Seahawks
Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM
SAINTS
Sunday, Dec 29 @ 12:00 PM
Vikings
Saturday, Jan 4 @ 11:00 PM
BEARS
Recent Topics
1h / Green Bay Packers Talk / buckeyepackfan

3h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

21h / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

23-Nov / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

22-Nov / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

21-Nov / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

21-Nov / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

21-Nov / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

20-Nov / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

20-Nov / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

20-Nov / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

19-Nov / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

19-Nov / Featured Content / Zero2Cool

19-Nov / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

19-Nov / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2024 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.