We all kind of scratched our collective heads when the Green Bay Packers drafted tight end Andrew Quarless in last year’s draft.
The team seemed stocked at the position at the time, with Jermichael Finley, Donald Lee and Spencer Havner. The Packers ended up cutting Havner, Lee didn’t perform and Finley got hurt, so it was a good thing Quarless was on the roster.
This year, the team is in a similar position with Finley, Quarless, Tom Crabtree and Havner, who was re-signed midway through the season. And they’ll probably add another tight end anyway.
Quarless didn’t show much during his rookie season, catching only 21 balls for 238 yards. Tight ends usually take a year to develop, but the Packers can’t bet the house on Quarless turning into Finley.
Crabtree is a great blocker, but hasn’t shown anything as a receiver. Havner is solid around the goal line and on special teams, but is never going to be confused with Kellen Winslow.
That brings us to Finley and the reason the Packers could be looking to add another tight end to the mix.
According to Tom Silverstein, Finley could be gone after the 2012 season.
But GM Ted Thompson can’t sit around and wait to see if Quarless develops because there’s a very good chance that after this year Finley will demand truckloads of money the Packers aren’t willing to deliver.
Thompson will have the option of slapping the franchise tag on Finley next year if he needs to, but good luck getting him into camp with a one-year deal worth $6 to $7 million. That’s why he has to look ahead.
While it would seem to go against the Packers way of doing business — the organization typically rewards young, core players with extensions before they hit free agency — they obviously have to prepare for the worst.
Look for the team to go for a tight end in the middle rounds of the draft. They’ve worked out at least three prospects so far — South Dakata State’s Colin Cochart, UNC’s Ryan Taylor and Virginia’s Joe Torchia.
Check out the full list of players the Packers have worked out.
I don’t understand this talk about letting Finley go. Like you mentioned GB rewards their young players that step up and deserve the money. How do you let one of the best TE’s in the game that has yet to hit his prime walk. Maybe if injuries plague another season I understand it but if he lives up to his potential he has to get a hefty contract from the packers.
Silverstein doesn’t know what’s he talking about. If Finley has a monstrous year next year (if there is a season) no way in hell does TT let him walk. I’m sorry but you’re not going to piss off your SB MVP QB by getting rid of his favorite target…ain’t gonna happen period. And another thing, how many of TT’s own guys has he gotten rid of, let alone talented ones? This is such a reach its ridiculous…a phenomenal skillset TE like Finely is an outlet for A Rod, which in turn could keep him off his ass for years to come. I literally laughed when I read this…just dumb.
I concur
While I hate his character, Finley will be kept. Dude is a beast, and with the possible loss of Jones and Driver regressing, we will be depending a lot on Jennings and Finley.
Thank you Kevin and Cody, totally agree. Makes me sick to think the Packers would get rid of a phenom like Finley. He’s our own Megatron for cripes sake!
YEAAAAA keep finley!!! come on the guy can play. we need him
Heard/ read that kid Colin Cochart is a BIG time sleeper in the draft and a potential mid round steal!!
LANCE KENDRIKS ANYONE??? 2ND RD?
Never underestimate the Packers ability to get rid of a guy who doesn’t fit into our idea of what is best for our locker room comraderie. Isn’t that what initially got the ball rolling on Brett’s departure? His mouth could run him right out of town and I have no problem with it.
Finley will “demand truckloads of money.”
Why?
He’s worth it…
Finley isn’t worth shit right now. I am as pumped about his physical skills as anyone, but if you can’t stay on the field, then WTF does it matter? He has yet to play a complete season.
If Finley plays 16 games this season, then yeah, the Packers should keep him.
Before we get too up in arms over the thought of losing him, we should perhaps remember that we won a Super Bowl without him.