Maybe the Hammer isn't on the outs?

[Smidgeon]

How many people were writing off Finley after his rookie year? He barely looked serviceable then. He was a mouth who couldn't catch a jump ball.

Meanwhile, Quarless doesn't have the ability that Finley does (and thus not the ceiling), but he was a rookie. Packers fans have been spoiled by rookies contributing in their first years. It usually isn't until a second or third year that they really take off. Sam Shields was an exception. Zombo wasn't the plan. Bulaga wasn't the plan (and had struggles to prove it). Quarless wasn't the plan either, but he filled in steadily and solidly.

[sharpe1027]

To me, Finley looked better as a rookie, even in his limited chances. Quarless does not use his body as well to screen off defenders, he makes poorer reactions to the ball in flight and he catches the ball against his chest more often. Doesn't mean he won't improve, just gives me enough reason to believe he is in a fight to keep his job. I do not know if the other TEs are going to be good enough to bump him out, but I think it's as likely as not.

[vince]

For what it's worth

TE Andrew Quarless had a bad-looking drop in a move-the-ball drill, but then a couple of plays later made a diving catch over the middle to redeem himself. Later he caught a red-zone touchdown from Rodgers on a nicely executed corner route.

His drop was horrendous, but his diving catch was as spectacular as the drop was bad. Quarless has the talent no question. Hopefully .he becomes consistent.

I was impressed with D.J. Williams last night. He's in great shape, runs well and he had a great catch last night too. He's supposedly has a lot of work to do in the blocking department, but he was working hard at it and held his own in the drills that I saw. Those two and Finley could easily make the deepest most talented TE group in the league.

[Bretsky]

I thought early on Finley flashed high ceiling; never saw that in Quarless. Pack needs Crabtree; he's the only one that can block and IMO he blocks very well. I think Williams is a better receiver than Quarless, who has never looked that smooth to me.

My guess is TT may shop Quarless only to find no buyers and then end up with a very very tough decision

[Smidgeon]

His drop was horrendous, but his diving catch was as spectacular as the drop was bad. Quarless has the talent no question. Hopefully .he becomes consistent.

I was impressed with D.J. Williams last night. He's in great shape, runs well and he had a great catch last night too. He's supposedly has a lot of work to do in the blocking department, but he was working hard at it and held his own in the drills that I saw. Those two and Finley could easily make the deepest most talented TE group in the league.

Plus the deepest most talented WR group in the league, and M3 recently said his CBs were the deepest group he had... Can we say "stacked"?

[Smidgeon]

I thought early on Finley flashed high ceiling; never saw that in Quarless. Pack needs Crabtree; he's the only one that can block and IMO he blocks very well. I think Williams is a better receiver than Quarless, who has never looked that smooth to me.

My guess is TT may shop Quarless only to find no buyers and then end up with a very very tough decision

I buy the "Crabtree is the best blocking TE on the Packers," but I'm selling "Crabtree is a great blocking TE."

[RashanGary]

I thought early on Finley flashed high ceiling; never saw that in Quarless. Pack needs Crabtree; he's the only one that can block and IMO he blocks very well. I think Williams is a better receiver than Quarless, who has never looked that smooth to me.

My guess is TT may shop Quarless only to find no buyers and then end up with a very very tough decision

Can't add much. . . . . Oh, and Quarless has questionable hands.


Goodbye.

[mraynrand]

QJ doesn't seem to have very good hands and isn't the guy they want catching passes out of the backfield - not a lot of shake and bake there. There will be a logjam of those guys this year. QJ has to be a beast on teams to make the squad, but I bet he will be. And he can block like hell. Here's the thing - is he too much a liability when he's on the field? In other words, Stubby like to get all multiple with his options on offense, and QJ limits what he can do. Is that enough of a detractor to risk not having that dedicated blocking FB on the roster?

[Bretsky]

I buy the "Crabtree is the best blocking TE on the Packers," but I'm selling "Crabtree is a great blocking TE."

He's a well above average blocking TE; I don't think I'd call him great. For his size, tenacious would be fair though

[pbmax]

Always forgetting special teams. Unless one of the new TEs or Quarless discover their inner Jarret Bush, or Crabtree is a mortal lock.

[pbmax]

QJ doesn't seem to have very good hands and isn't the guy they want catching passes out of the backfield - not a lot of shake and bake there. There will be a logjam of those guys this year. QJ has to be a beast on teams to make the squad, but I bet he will be. And he can block like hell. Here's the thing - is he too much a liability when he's on the field? In other words, Stubby like to get all multiple with his options on offense, and QJ limits what he can do. Is that enough of a detractor to risk not having that dedicated blocking FB on the roster?

Last year he had 3 catches. I was actually surprised by the throws and he did hang on. It did seem to be an adventure each time. But to be brutally honest, with only 3 to go on, I don't know which of us was more nervous; me watching or him catching.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Johnson rarely plays on special teams, right?

[pbmax]

Johnson rarely plays on special teams, right?

Yes, its not a strength of his compared to other FB, TEs on the roster.

[smuggler]

Crabtree is making the team unless we find another TE who can block. That TE is not on the roster right now, so either way, that's one TE spot accounted for. Johnson is not necessarily a lock, but it would be a surprise if the hammer got the axe.

[Smidgeon]

Crabtree is making the team unless we find another TE who can block. That TE is not on the roster right now, so either way, that's one TE spot accounted for. Johnson is not necessarily a lock, but it would be a surprise if the hammer got the axe.

I don't think Crabtree is a lock. By any means.