Finley had a big first half, but was limited to no catches in the final two quarters. (image via)
Maybe it's because I played the position throughout high school, and then again in interhall football , but I love tight ends. The perfect combination of strength and speed, they can do it all. So with the Packers now carrying an unprecedented 5 TEs on their roster, I'm paying attention. What follows is the first in a series of weekly assessments focusing on how Green Bay utilizes its plethora of TEs.
Jermicahel Finley - Finley started off the 2011 season hot. He caught 3 passes for 53 yards in the first half alone. The Packers used him in-line, from the slot, and split out wide, and it certainly looked like he was going to be a central part of the offensive attack.
But with Packers offense essentially off the field for the 3rd quarter and out of attack mode in the 4th, Finley's receiving production went static.
Nonetheless, I thought he played well in other areas of the game, too. I unfortunately don't have the technological capabilities of some more advanced blogs, so I wasn't able to DVR the game, but I do remember him making some nice blocks. Not bone-crushing pancakes, but plays where he utilized good positioning to do just enough. And that's really all they're expecting from him. Watch Starks' 17-yard TD run for an example:
It may not seem like much, but Finley's impedance of Saint's DE Jeff Charleston is probably the difference between an 8 yard gain and a touchdown.
All in all, it was a solid showing by Finley in his first regular season action since going down with an injury in Week 5 of 2010. He didn't necessarily "redefine" the position, but there's no reason to doubt that he will be an integral part of the Packers' passing attack throughout the year, and one of the most productive tight ends in the league.
It's Packers Court! The JonBob's feature where a Packers player comes before the honorable Ted Thompson and pleads his case for more playing time, a fatter contract, or even a roster spot! In today's installment, second year tight end Andrew Quarless appears in Judge Ted's court against charges that he's a bust and doesn't deserve a second season in Green Bay.
All rise for the honorable Ted Thompson!
Ted Thompson: Good afternoon folks. I've got an exciting week of fun cuts to make, so let's get down to brass tacks! Will the accused please present his case?
Andrew Quarless: Well, your honor, I feel like I've been getting a bad rap. I'm only just starting my second season, and already people are calling me a bust and saying I should be cut. I'm sorry I didn't put up huge numbers my rookie season and I'm sorry I botched that trick play. Oh yah, and the lone touchdown I had probably shouldn't have counted. But seriously, I was only a rookie. What were ya'll expecting?
TT: Hmm. Enough about the past. What have you done for me lately?
"The flame that burns brightest, burns shortest. And just like that, you're gone."
I saw that, C. Liedl. But fear not! We aren't going away just yet. Family Night was last Saturday and the Packers have released their first depth chart of the season. So study up and read on! This one's for you! Rookie TE Andrew Quarless is facing an uphill battle. The 5th round pick out of Penn State has struggled to convince the coaching staff to keep him around. His hands have been shaky at best, and that's not going to cut it if Quarless wants to be a part of this TE corps. He dropped an easy TD at Family Night. He is the 5th TE on the depth chart behind Tom Crabtree. I don't even know who that is. I must also say I did have my doubts about Donald Lee making the team, but I'm glad to see that he's the #2 TE. Havner also seems pretty safe. McCarthy says he plans on using him at linebacker during camp, on top of his TE and special teams duties. You can't get rid of one guy who can do three jobs. And while we're on the subject of tight ends, we might as well watch some highlights of the BEST TE in the league:
Bulaga has the left side of the O-line backed up. Or is he fighting for the LG spot? The Packers have been working their first round pick hard, switching him back and forth from LT to LG. He's even gotten reps at LG with the first string offense. Should Colledge be worried? Yes. This is definitely something to watch during preseason. Justin Harrell is still healthy. I'm afraid to even write it. But so far, so good. I'd like to see him make the team and contribute, mostly just out of curiosity for what he can bring to the table. I hope he has a chance this year to shake the total bust label. Or at least confirm it by his play on the field... Allen Barbre is toast. He's only listed as the 3rd LG on the depth chart. He's been awful when he's played. I think Ray Edwards made a career out of playing against him. Thankfully, the offensive line is too deep for him to see the field, or even make the team this year. The Packers CANNOT cut Sam Shields. Did you see that 98 yard pick six at the Family Night scrimmage he had? I thought Charles Woodson was out there for a second. His play on the field has certainly made him a tough cut. Josh Bell being put on IR also helps Shields' chances. Shields should also get more opportunities on special teams while the coaches continue to play it safe with Will Blackmon's knee. I really hope the Packers find room for Shields on the final roster. He could be special. Just watch:
Quinn Johnson might be in trouble. There's no doubt he can block. But that's about all Quinn Johnson is good at. He dropped a pass put right on his hands during the scrimmage this week. Johnson's unsure hands may be his downfall. Hall and Kuhn are much better receivers out of the backfield and are both more well rounded, reliable football players. There's a lot of talent on this team right now, and Johnson could be deemed expendable if guys like Sam Shields keep stepping up. Is this Brandon Jackson's year? This guy can do everything. Jackson is a decent runner, but he really earns his paycheck as an extra blocker/receiver on third downs. I think he'll contribute a little more than that this year. Jackson looks like he's in great shape. Last year he looked a little thick, like he was too ripped. Bobspop agrees that Jackson looks slimmer and quicker. And he sure raised some eyebrows at Family Night when he took a kickoff to the house. I realize that the coverage team and blockers were going half speed, but no one even came close to "touching him up" as Jackson burst through the hole en route to the endzone. He's listed as the back up to Blackmon on kick return duties but I have a feeling we'll be seeing Jackson fielding plenty of kicks this season.
This is the fifth installment of our Camp Countdown Questions series. Each day leading up to July 31st, we'll be posing a crucial question the Pack need to answer in training camp.
If three's company, what does that make four? That's the question Ted Thompson will have to answer as he looks at the Packers' current TE situation. As we've discussed previously, the addition of Andrew Quarless to a group that already features Jermichael Finley, Donald Lee, and Spencer Havner means that one of the above mentioned players could be out of a job in the near future.
Of the four, Finley appears to be the only lock to make the team. So what do the rest need to do in order to increase their chances of making the cut?
In case you missed it, the only real noteworthy news of this past week was the Packers' signing of rookie tight end Andrew Quarless. If you'll recall, Quarless was considered a great natural talent and receiving threat out of Penn State, but fell to the fifth round due to character concernsand trouble with the law. He's also been accused of having the worst tattoo in college football, but I don't think that had anything to do with his draft day tumble.
Signing a fifth round pick isn't that big of a deal, in and of itself. However, Quarless' signing does raise this important question: With three already proven TEs on the roster, what do the Packers do next?
