nerdmann
9 years ago

I agree. He seems to join a long line of somewhat average receiving TEs we've had in the last couple of years. Nothing that really stands out, besides having decent height/weight. Donald Lee, David Martin, Andrew Quarless...



I agree. The two problems I see right now are that every 2nd team seems to be looking for a guy like that and this draft doesn't contain a Gronkowski (but really, how many drafts do?)

A part from Hunter Henry, though, this TE class looks weak as can be. Maybe Austin Hooper is an upgrade over Rodgers, but the other TEs in this draft will be nothing more than average, either.

Originally Posted by: Rockmolder 



GUARANTEED Ted has a list of unheralded guys.

Still, it's gonna take a year for a rookie to get up to speed. Maybe two.

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
Rockmolder
9 years ago

GUARANTEED Ted has a list of unheralded guys.

Still, it's gonna take a year for a rookie to get up to speed. Maybe two.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 



You mean guys like Ryan Taylor, D.J. Williams and Andrew Quarless?

I don't doubt that they have a couple of guys on their radar, but the gems we're looking for just haven't been there in the later rounds or as UDFA. Or, at least, we haven't picked them up.

This situation reminds me a lot of when we couldn't seem to find an OLB opposite of Clay. We passed on every single DE/OLB we could get year, year out, settling for guys like Zombo, Obiozor, So'oto, Briggs and Moses. And I got excited about every single one of them every year, while none of them made any sort of impact eventually.

Firstly, you should never draft for need, but you can hope to find diamonds in the rough later on. What you certainly can't do is try to fill big holes in your team with guys in later rounds and just gamble that they'll step up. It seems to be the way we're operating, though, with signings like Peppers being the exception to the rule.
Pack93z
9 years ago


I agree. The two problems I see right now are that every 2nd team seems to be looking for a guy like that and this draft doesn't contain a Gronkowski (but really, how many drafts do?)

A part from Hunter Henry, though, this TE class looks weak as can be. Maybe Austin Hooper is an upgrade over Rodgers, but the other TEs in this draft will be nothing more than average, either.

Originally Posted by: Rockmolder 



Want a later round sleeper of a Tight End Project... a pass catching threat... would not be an inline prospect coming out although he has blocked a fair share in college. Tanner McEvoy out of Wisconsin. Played a wide array of positions.. including WR. 6-6... 225 to 230ish. Not fast enough for the perimeter in the NFL.. but would tax most Backers in coverage. Physical enough as he played safety as well in college.

A guy that would be limited in sets early in his career... but runs decent routes and knows a bit of what a QB needs out of their targets as he also played QB. Versatile player... would be a good special teamer out of the gate.




"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
sschind
9 years ago
Part of the problem with TE's is that they come in 2 types. The pass catching WR type who will wow you with stats and acrobatic catches (Gronk, Kelce, Olsen, Eifert, Graham and that guy in Washington spring to mind) and the type that are not that type. Everybody wants one of the former type but there are not that many around. If you have one of those, chances are he is either the #1 or #2 pass catching option on your team. If you have three or 4 really good WRs and add in a really good pass catching RB your TE may be the 4th or even 5th receiving option on your team. If your receivers and RB have a down year your 4th or 5th receiving option becomes even more important and when he doesn't step up he looks even more pedestrian in comparison.

I think that's what happened with the Packers an RR last season. He was never going to be more than the 4 or 5th pass catching threat on the team and if guys in front of him would have produced like we expected RRs shortcomings would have been far less obvious. Who knows, if the guys in front of him in the pass catching pecking order would have performed up to expectations maybe RR's numbers would not have been so pedestrian.

A lot has been said about the Packers needing a big, fast TE who can jump 4 feet into the the air and catch anything that comes within 5 yards but do they really NEED that guy? No doubt that guy would be nice and I wouldn't complain if we found him somewhere but I have other concerns about our passing game that goes beyond our TE. Obviously I would like to see THAT TE in Green Bay and I would like to see our receivers get back to what they were the year before but like I said in another post, might have been on another forum, If my choices were the Packers passing game, minus the TE, of 2014 and Richard Rodgers or the Packers passing game, minus the TE, of 2015, and the best TE in the game, I'd go for the former in a heartbeat.

IMO Rodgers will be a more than adequate TE if the rest of the Packers passing game comes around and if the rest of the Packers passing game doesn't come around I don't know how much that stud TE will help.

Like I said, I wouldn't mind that TE that Uffda is calling for. He would be a great benefit to our team but IMO it is not the most important issue we have right now. Two things I would like to see addressed before the TE position would be ILB, we need a guy that can be a sideline to sideline player and not be a hindrance in pass coverage and a second pass rusher to pair with Clay be it another OLB or a D-lineman. After seeing what Denver did to the Panthers and after seeing the Packers defense become its saving grace, if there was one, this past season I'm convinced that a top 5 defense and an average offense will take you further than and average defense and a top 5 offense. Even without an improved TE I think the Packers have a better than average offense so if they can boost their defense it will help more than boosting their offense.

That said, if Ted Thompson decides to go after a guy like Ladarius Green in FA or take Hunter Henry in the draft I won't complain. Its not our biggest area of need but a better player at the position would make us better an that is what the off season is for.
blueleopard
9 years ago
Richard Rodgers is only good when he's wide open. He's not gonna burn anybody and he doesn't scare anybody.

We're better off bringing back Colt Lyerla.

I love RR as much as the next guy, but there's nothing dynamic about him. He's not Finley and he isn't even Donald Lee.
Danreb Victorio A Believer of Greg Jennings
TheKanataThrilla
9 years ago

IMO Rodgers will be a more than adequate TE if the rest of the Packers passing game comes around and if the rest of the Packers passing game doesn't come around I don't know how much that stud TE will help.

Originally Posted by: sschind 



My big concern is it appears we have nobody to exploit the middle of the field. Perhaps when Cobb comes back to being the slot guy with Jordy taking the heat, but all I see is sideline play after sideline play. I agree it may be tough to find the type of TE we are all talking about, but if we don't get one, we better get a WR who can open the middle instead.
PackFanWithTwins
9 years ago
Don't forget Finley was nothing special for most of his first two years. Most important thing whether we find a new TE or not is McCarthy needs to get back to running short routes that cross the middle of the field. If not, it won't make much of a difference.
The world needs ditch diggers too Danny!!!
Yerko
9 years ago

Without paging through the back and forth in the thread... I think RR is part of the solution, but probably not the total solution. I think if he worked in a tandem with a Tight End that can apply pressure to the seams of a defense would be ideal.

This year really exposed the Packers tight ends because we lacked players on the edges that could beat coverage consistently... thus not putting pressure on the safeties and backers to fill voids... and without a threat from the tight end position to place vertical pressure on the defense, you had what we seen... very small or non existent throwing lanes. He didn't scare anyone into paying him anymore attention than to single cover him.

RR is a fine player... but there are fundamental deficiencies in his game, the Packers would benefit from a tight end that could provide that vertical threat which would benefit the second tight end as well and the edges of the offense.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 



I just posted this exact thing in the Kiper draft thread. I don't dislike Rodgers but his deficiencies make it clear that he is not a #1 TE. Richard Rodgers would work better in this offense if he had someone (Jermichael-like) running routes, extending the field and demanding top coverage. At this time, Rodgers is only demanding coverage from a linebacker and sometimes not even the best LB on the field. This is why I wouldn't mind the Packers taking Hunter Henry in the 1st round or going after a free agent like Ladarius Green.

Using the Detroit game for this thread makes sense to prove your point, Barfan. I don't blame you for going that route. However, he was inefficient (as well as the rest of our offense) in other games throughout the season. His next best game was a 59 yard game against the Vikings.

I'm not calling him a bad tight end but he is average.
UserPostedImage
sschind
9 years ago

My big concern is it appears we have nobody to exploit the middle of the field. Perhaps when Cobb comes back to being the slot guy with Jordy taking the heat, but all I see is sideline play after sideline play. I agree it may be tough to find the type of TE we are all talking about, but if we don't get one, we better get a WR who can open the middle instead.

Originally Posted by: TheKanataThrilla 




That is a legit concern and in my conception of it all Cobb will become that threat once again. I may be wrong but Its what I obviously hope will happen and its what I think will happen.
DakotaT
9 years ago
How about the GBPs start putting weapons on the field at every position possible? I hate this thread because it is just another feeble attempt to try and make a star out of mediocrity. RR has good hands and is an adequate blocker. That is it, nothing more needs to be said. He can't break a tackle and can't outrun anybody. At best he is a #2 tight end in this league. If he catches two passes a game and gets a first down, damn, he did his job.

Would everybody please quit trying to make this kid into something he isn't. With his skill level, he should have been a sixth rounder, not a third. Thanks Ted.
UserPostedImage
Fan Shout
Mucky Tundra (14h) : Kaydon Finley, son of Jermichael Finley, commits to Notre Dame
dfosterf (3-Jul) : Make sure to send my props to him! A plus move!
Zero2Cool (3-Jul) : My cousin, yes.
dfosterf (3-Jul) : That was your brother the GB press gazette referenced with the red cross draft props thing, yes?
Zero2Cool (2-Jul) : Packers gonna unveil new throwback helmet in few weeks.
Mucky Tundra (2-Jul) : I know it's Kleiman but this stuff writes itself
Mucky Tundra (2-Jul) : "Make sure she signs the NDA before asking for a Happy Ending!"
Mucky Tundra (2-Jul) : @NFL_DovKleiman Powerful: Deshaun Watson is taking Shedeur Sanders 'under his wing' as a mentor to the Browns QBs
Zero2Cool (30-Jun) : Dolphins get (back) Minkah Fitzpatrick in trade
Zero2Cool (30-Jun) : Steelers land Jalen Ramsey via Trade
dfosterf (26-Jun) : I think it would be great to have someone like Tom Grossi or Andy Herman on the Board of Directors so he/they could inform us
dfosterf (26-Jun) : Fair enough, WPR. Thing is, I have been a long time advocate to at least have some inkling of the dynamics within the board.
wpr (26-Jun) : 1st world owners/stockholders problems dfosterf.
Martha Careful (25-Jun) : I would have otherwise admirably served
dfosterf (25-Jun) : Also, no more provision for a write-in candidate, so Martha is off the table at least for this year
dfosterf (25-Jun) : You do have to interpret the boring fine print, but all stockholders all see he is on the ballot
dfosterf (25-Jun) : It also says he is subject to another ballot in 2028. I recall nothing of this nature with Murphy
dfosterf (25-Jun) : Ed Policy is on my ballot subject to me penciling him in as a no.
dfosterf (25-Jun) : I thought it used to be we voted for the whatever they called the 45, and then they voted for the seven, and then they voted for Mark Murphy
dfosterf (25-Jun) : Because I was too lazy to change my address, I haven't voted fot years until this year
dfosterf (25-Jun) : of the folks that run this team. I do not recall Mark Murphy being subject to our vote.
dfosterf (25-Jun) : Ed Policy yay or nay is on the pre-approved ballot that we always approve because we are uninformed and lazy, along with all the rest
dfosterf (25-Jun) : Weird question. Very esoteric. For stockholders. Also lengthy. Sorry. Offseason.
Zero2Cool (25-Jun) : Maybe wicked wind chill made it worse?
Mucky Tundra (25-Jun) : And then he signs with Cleveland in the offseason
Mucky Tundra (25-Jun) : @SharpFootball WR Diontae Johnson just admitted he refused to enter a game in 41° weather last year in Baltimore because he felt “ice cold”
Zero2Cool (24-Jun) : Yawn. Rodgers says he is "pretty sure" this be final season.
Zero2Cool (23-Jun) : PFT claims Packers are having extension talks with Zach Tom, Quay Walker.
Mucky Tundra (20-Jun) : GB-Minnesota 2004 Wild Card game popped up on my YouTube page....UGH
beast (20-Jun) : Hmm 🤔 re-signing Walker before Tom? Sounds highly questionable to me.
Mucky Tundra (19-Jun) : One person on Twitter=cannon law
Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : Well, to ONE person on Tweeter
Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : According to Tweeter
Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : Packers are working on extension for LT Walker they hope to have done before camp
dfosterf (18-Jun) : E4B landed at Andrews last night
dfosterf (18-Jun) : 101 in a 60
dfosterf (18-Jun) : FAFO
Zero2Cool (18-Jun) : one year $4m with incentives to make it up to $6m
dfosterf (18-Jun) : Or Lions
dfosterf (18-Jun) : Beats the hell out of a Vikings signing
Zero2Cool (18-Jun) : Baltimore Ravens now have signed former Packers CB Jaire Alexander.
dfosterf (14-Jun) : TWO magnificent strikes for touchdowns. Lose the pennstate semigeezer non nfl backup
dfosterf (14-Jun) : There was minicamp Thursday. My man Taylor Engersma threw
dfosterf (11-Jun) : There will be a mini camp practice Thursday.
Zero2Cool (11-Jun) : He's been sporting a ring for a while now. It's probably Madonna.
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : We only do the tea before whoopee, it relaxes me.
wpr (10-Jun) : That's awesome Martha.
Mucky Tundra (10-Jun) : How's the ayahuasca tea he makes, Martha?
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : Turns out he like older women
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : I wasn't supposed to say anything, but yes the word is out and we are happy 😂😂😂
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2025 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM
COMMANDERS
Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM
Browns
Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM
Cowboys
Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM
BENGALS
Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM
Cardinals
Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM
PANTHERS
Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM
EAGLES
Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM
Giants
Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM
Bears
Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM
RAVENS
Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM
Vikings
Recent Topics
2h / Random Babble / Martha Careful

4-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

2-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

2-Jul / Fantasy Sports Talk / dfosterf

1-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

29-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

25-Jun / Around The NFL / Martha Careful

23-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

20-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

20-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

20-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

18-Jun / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

16-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

15-Jun / Random Babble / Martha Careful

14-Jun / Around The NFL / beast

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.