We know you “In Ted We Trust” clowns are out there.
God forbid we criticize the Green Bay Packers or Ted Thompson! They are above reproach and always get everything right!
Except when they don’t.
And in not signing free agent tight end Jermaine Gresham, the Packers missed an opportunity.
Here’s why.
- Gresham is 6-5, 261. He’s a physical specimen. The Packers have been looking for a tall, athletic tight end to stretch the middle of the field since Jermichael Finley went down and, well, you just let him sign with Arizona. Oh, and he’s only 27, too.
- Gresham has had more than 450 receiving yards in each of his five NFL seasons. He’s made two Pro Bowls. He’s done this with Andy frickin’ Dalton throwing him the ball for most of those seasons. As you’re probably aware, the Red Rifle is no Aaron Rodgers. Meanwhile, the Packers’ tight ends combined for 551 yards in 2014. That’s between three guys. Three guys with Aaron Rodgers throwing them the ball.
- One of those three guys — Andrew Quarless — is going to get handed a suspension from the NFL for unlawfully discharging a firearm. What is that worth? You can bet it’s at least two games and probably more like four.
- Gresham signed a one-year deal with Arizona. That puts the Cardinals at very little risk. And perhaps Gresham comes into camp and just doesn’t have it. Or maybe the rumors are true and he isn’t a hard worker. Well, guess what. Then you have the right to cut him just like you do all of those undrafted free agents. But then the team will have to eat his signing bonus! Who cares? Guys who sign one-year deals only get minuscule signing bonuses if they get any at all.
- But Gresham had surgery to repair a herniated disc back in March! He’s an injury risk! Again, who cares? The Cardinals’ doctors obviously cleared him. The Saints, who also offered Gresham a contract, cleared him. So the risk is that of any other player who walks out on the field. If someone gets injured, you put them on IR and move on.
The Packers were a team with a need. They had a guy who filled that need and presented virtually no risk and all kinds of potential reward.
Maybe it wouldn’t have worked out, but why not even give it a shot when you have nothing to lose?