TE

[Harlan Huckleby]

This is shaping up to be interesting competition. I liked Rodgers on a couple flashes Saturday. Quarless didn't look so hot, but I won't be surprised if he winds up the starter.


http://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/columnists/2014/08/10/baranczyk-peppers-disappoints-preseason-debut/13874441/


The guy on offense who jumped off the screen was rookie tight end Richard Rodgers. This guy can block. He's a big man, 270 pounds, and is an old-school tight end like Mark Chmura or Mark Bavaro. They're big, strong guys who will get their nose dirty as blockers and also catch the ball. Not only that, but Rodgers can make a play after the catch. Sometimes those big tight ends can only catch the ball and fall down.

I doubt the Packers will split Rodgers outside much — Andrew Quarless and Brandon Bostick will fill that role. They'll keep Rodgers in the backfield and on the line of scrimmage. Linebackers and safeties won't know if he's going to block or go out for a pass. Then there are option plays, where he blocks first and then runs a pass route. That's where he can cause problems. He won't burn defenses down the middle, but he can be the quarterback's best friend on those short routes near the line of scrimmage when you need a first down.

[Joemailman]

I like Bostick. He's more talented than Quarless, and isn't a rookie like Rodgers.

I actually think it's a pretty good group, although they're largely unknown at this point.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I voted for Rodgers because he is big and athletic. I'm also casting a vote for Quarless and Bostic - just want to get that on the record.

[denverYooper]

Rodgers, Rodgers, Lacy, Nelson, Cobb + 1 could be a nasty no huddle group.

APRH (especially OL).

[pbmax]

Rodgers.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I voted for Rodgers because he is big and athletic. I'm also casting a vote for Quarless and Bostic - just want to get that on the record.

I was slightly disappointed in his athleticism--after hearing camp reports. I thought he was kind of lumbering. Also, I saw a few plays where his blocking wasn't very good. I'll have to rewatch. I was so busy watching Tretter and Sherrod that I didn't focus on TEs. I think it's more likely that there will be a rotation. I think Bostick will get a lot of snaps in pass formations and split wide. I think Quarless will get early snaps inline and as an H-Back type with Rodgers taking more reps from him throughout the year.

[MadScientist]

Bostic will likely start due to experience and being most 'Finley like' of the lot. I hope that Rodgers can improve his blocking so the Packers can have the 1-2 punch at TE that they haven't had since Jackson and Chumura.

[3irty1]

Its definitely a spot to watch but I wasn't impressed by any of them. Kind of looks like a pedestrian 3 way tie.

[RashanGary]

Rodgers

[VegasPackFan]

Voted Bostick. Best combo of experience and athleticism. Plus I have him in a deep dynasty league.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Rodgers looked better on second view. He moves pretty well for a guy his size. His blocking was up and down. Quarless had the best blocking game. Bostick looks like the guy in passing sets. I'd think he's the guy you'd want in fantasy ball.

[bobblehead]

Someone on this board keeps saying a TE who can't block is a fat WR. Therefore, you all know where I stand.

[texaspackerbacker]

I vote AGAINST Bostick because he is the most Finley-like. I like Rodgers - especially the "old school" thing - a big reliable easy target to get first downs, etc. I think he gets a lot of snaps and maybe eventually takes over for Quarless, but I'm pretty sure Quarless starts at the beginning of the season. The other question is how many total TEs we keep - these three plus Taylor maybe, Stoneburner I hope, possibly Lyerla and/or Perillo. My guess is five plus Lyerla on IR - Perillo gone or PS. For those who might say people didn't look all that good, the rain was a big factor, and of course, no Aaron Rodgers - what do you expect?

[smuggler]

I am voting Quarless because he actually prides himself on his blocking. Bostic and Rodgers will both make the squad, and Quarless will probably be playing elsewhere in 2015, as we net a comp pick.

[Brandon494]

Rodgers is the clear choice...

He provides ARod with a big target which we need to improve our red zone efficiency.
He has the best hands of all the TEs, reliable hands are something we have been missing at TE for awhile.
Hes a pretty good blocker who will only get better.

[vince]

Rodgers is the clear choice...

He provides ARod with a big target which we need to improve our red zone efficiency.
He has the best hands of all the TEs, reliable hands are something we have been missing at TE for awhile.
Hes a pretty good blocker who will only get better.
They'll all see action but I agree with this. Maybe Bostick is that guy who can get vertical down the seam but I'm not sure about that... I think Rodgers is the guy in the red zone with his big body and wide catching radius. Rodgers, while possessing little/no speed, looks like a really good athlete. Nice little grab on that ball where he was moving away from the QB and the ball was thrown behind him to boot. I haven't heard a peep anywhere about even one dropped ball from him yet all camp.

[HarveyWallbangers]

They'll all see action but I agree with this. Maybe Bostick is that guy who can get vertical down the seam but I'm not sure about that... I think Rodgers is the guy in the red zone with his big body and wide catching radius. Rodgers, while possessing little/no speed, looks like a really good athlete. Nice little grab on that ball where he was moving away from the QB and the ball was thrown behind him to boot. I haven't heard a peep anywhere about even one dropped ball from him yet all camp.

He did have a drop in the Tennessee game.

[HarveyWallbangers]

It looks like Bostick might have gotten a bit stronger without losing any speed. I think he looks the part this year. In the past he looked like a beefed up wideout.

http://espn.go.com/blog/green-bay-packers/post/_/id/11872/brandon-bostick-making-a-bid-to-start


Brandon Bostick making a bid to start...

Although he is listed at 250 pounds, Bostick said he bulked up to 260 for this season in part to improve his in-line blocking.

[Patler]

He did have a drop in the Tennessee game.

The thing that holds Bostick back is mistakes, Most of his TC accolades in the same sentence have a phrase to the effect that he made up for mistake "x "by making play "y". I didn't watch the game, but didn't I read that he also had a false start? Too many things like that will keep him from becoming the starter.

[HarveyWallbangers]

The thing that holds Bostick back is mistakes, Most of his TC accolades in the same sentence have a phrase to the effect that he made up for mistake "x "by making play "y". I didn't watch the game, but didn't I read that he also had a false start? Too many things like that will keep him from becoming the starter.

I don't think he had a false start, but he did have a holding. He kind of got tangled up with a defender. I wouldn't consider it a mistake. I think it's clear he gives the most in the passing game. He bigger than in the past, and he actually resembles Finley after the catch. Rodgers will probably be a good inline TE, but he's slow and won't stretch the field. Plus, his blocking was ordinary in the Tennessee game. Quarless shows flashes, but he's probably as inconsistent as Bostick. I think all three guys are pretty similar in quality right now, but they'll play different roles.

[RashanGary]

I think all three guys are pretty similar in quality right now, but they'll play different roles.

Rodgers is a rookie, of course his blocking could use refinement. Everything can. If these guys are even close to equally rated, you have to start Rodgers because he's the most natural and already competes with the vets even though he only has two weeks of training camp under his belt.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Rodgers is a rookie, of course his blocking could use refinement. Everything can. If these guys are even close to equally rated, you have to start Rodgers because he's the most natural and already competes with the vets even though he only has two weeks of training camp under his belt.

If they are close to equal, you play them in the spot that best fits their abilities. Right now, that's Bostick playing the flex TE (the Finley type role). Rodgers is potentially the best inline TE with his size, so I think you use him in that role right now. Quarless looks like the best H-Back to me. Of course, you don't want to be one dimensional, so you mix it up. I think all three are serviceable enough in all three spots that you don't have to be. Ideally, those are the spots you want each guy though.

[Patler]

Quarless will start at the beginning of the season just because he likely will be the most reliable in all aspects, but I expect the others to play a lot. Rodgers may become the starter quite quickly.

[Pugger]

Bostic will likely start due to experience and being most 'Finley like' of the lot. I hope that Rodgers can improve his blocking so the Packers can have the 1-2 punch at TE that they haven't had since Jackson and Chumura.

Me too.

[pbmax]

I just want one or two guys on the field who can run a route Rodgers trusts and hang on to the ball for first downs and red zone. Seems like a long time since that has been featured. If they can replace that feature of Finley (mainly first downs, he disappeared from the red zone attack) then they'l be fine by me.

[Zool]

I just want one or two guys on the field who can run a route Rodgers trusts and hang on to the ball for first downs and red zone. Seems like a long time since that has been featured. If they can replace that feature of Finley (mainly first downs, he disappeared from the red zone attack) then they'l be fine by me.

Are we talking Ed West or Bubba "all he does is catch touchdowns" Franks?

[pbmax]

Are we talking Ed West or Bubba "all he does is catch touchdowns" Franks?

Either. Preferably Franks. Kinda tired of Quarless getting open and then falling down over yardage chalk or treating the ball like its a grenade and he is Lou Costello.

Now, as soon as those kinds of guys are your TEs, sure as the sun rising in the East, you will get articles about how much better life could be if you had a TE who could get deep into the seams of a defense. I say you must learn to walk before running.

Let Jordy, Boykin, Adams and Janis go deep. Just let the TE keep drives alive and score.

The new running back passing game and Cobb can stretch the D horizontally to help the TEs.

[Zool]

Either. Preferably Franks. Kinda tired of Quarless getting open and then falling down over yardage chalk or treating the ball like its a grenade and he is Lou Costello.

Now, as soon as those kinds of guys are your TEs, sure as the sun rising in the East, you will get articles about how much better life could be if you had a TE who could get deep into the seams of a defense. I say you must learn to walk before running.

Let Jordy, Boykin, Adams and Janis go deep. Just let the TE keep drives alive and score.

The new running back passing game and Cobb can stretch the D horizontally to help the TEs.

I fully agree. Let Cobb run the deep seams and let the TE find 7 yard deep holes and sit down as a check down.

[3irty1]

For that Bubba type of TE role we'd be better off with Tom Crabtree than with anyone we've got. Bubba was a crushing block in the run game.

Quarless isn't good at any one thing. He's a mediocre blocker as an inline TE and a mediocre receiver while flexed out. Bostick may look like a less bulked up WR but he still blocks like one. Utility wise I just don't know where his value is, jump ball specialist? He's the shortest one we've got. Boykin is a better all-around receiver and maybe even a better blocker. Rodgers seems like the most exciting by default but also a rookie whose receiving skills are ahead of his blocking skills.

If any of these guys are going to be good it'll be because they are giant wide receivers, not because they channel their inner Bubba Franks.

[pbmax]

For that Bubba type of TE role we'd be better off with Tom Crabtree than with anyone we've got. Bubba was a crushing block in the run game.

Quarless isn't good at any one thing. He's a mediocre blocker as an inline TE and a mediocre receiver while flexed out. Bostick may look like a less bulked up WR but he still blocks like one. Utility wise I just don't know where his value is, jump ball specialist? He's the shortest one we've got. Boykin is a better all-around receiver and maybe even a better blocker. Rodgers seems like the most exciting by default but also a rookie whose receiving skills are ahead of his blocking skills.

If any of these guys are going to be good it'll be because they are giant wide receivers, not because they channel their inner Bubba Franks.

That is precisely my point. I would be fine with the receiving half of Franks' game. The TEs weren't lights out blocking for Lacy last year either. Packers need a passing game in the middle and short areas of the field to worry those deep safeties.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I'm a bit old school when it comes to TEs. I'd rather have a Jason Witten-type who just catches the ball and can get you 7-12 yds when you need it and can block pretty well, than the Jimmy Grahmn-type guy. I get the benefits Jimmy brings to the table, but it's a preference thing.

So I'm on board with pb at this point. Let's get a guy out there who may not be able to stretch the field, but he's not going to eff things up and makes solid plays.

[3irty1]

That is precisely my point. I would be fine with the receiving half of Franks' game. The TEs weren't lights out blocking for Lacy last year either. Packers need a passing game in the middle and short areas of the field to worry those deep safeties.

The receiving half of Finley's game alone is enough to make an NFL roster but I'm not so sure about Franks'. Really I'd just like to see our guys do something our WR's can't do whether its block a DE or out-jump a safety. Otherwise I don't get the point of even using them.

[pbmax]

The receiving half of Finley's game alone is enough to make an NFL roster but I'm not so sure about Franks'. Really I'd just like to see our guys do something our WR's can't do whether its block a DE or out-jump a safety. Otherwise I don't get the point of even using them.

Not many teams use a WR to block inside. A lot of teams use an TE to block inside even if he is just waving at opponents. I think both Bostick and Rodgers can beat a safety to the ball.