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."