Three’s too much company at FB
Hall is one of three fullbacks likely competing for two jobs
Fans and members of the media were shocked when Green Bay decided to keep three fullbacks on the active roster last season. At a time when many teams have only one player at the position, holding on to John Kuhn, Korey Hall and rookie Quinn Johnson seemed excessive. But there proved to be a logical reason behind the move – Johnson simply wasn’t ready to play and GM Ted Thompson didn’t want to risk placing him on the practice squad. Ironically, this exact scenario could unfold again this summer – albeit at a different position.
Don’t be surprised to see Green Bay keep four tight ends on the 53-man roster in 2010. Barring something unforeseen like an injury or a trade, it’s hard to imagine Donald Lee, Spencer Havner and rookie Andrew Quarless not making the team. Lee is vastly overpaid at $2 million, but he’s long been one of coach Mike McCarthy’s favorite players. And while the 29-year-old clearly regressed as a receiver last season, he does provide capable blocking and a willingness to throw his body around on special teams. Havner literally hurt his chances to make the team by breaking his shoulder in a motorcycle accident a few months ago, but as long as he’s healthy in time for training camp, it’s hard to imagine him not sticking around. The former linebacker showed potential in his first year on offense, and at age 27, he should only get better.
The wild card in the equation is Quarless. Since teams rarely release talented fifth-round draft picks (don’t tell Jamon Meredith that), he’ll have to play his way off the roster. Based on his work during the offseason, that could happen. The former Penn State star dropped way too many passes, and truth be told, he didn’t look nearly as athletic as advertised. Still, he’s far more talented than either Lee or Havner, so as was the case with Johnson a year ago, it’s unlikely that Thompson would risk sending him to the practice squad.
Should all four tight ends manage to make the team, one of the fullbacks will almost certainly have to go. Conventional wisdom points to either Kuhn or Hall being the odd man out since they are very similar players. And while that’s probably how things will work out, don’t hand Johnson a roster spot just yet. The former LSU star, who will never be as good on special teams as either Kuhn or Hall, didn’t have an overly impressive offseason. That said, he appears to be one of those players who’ll always look better in pads than he does in shorts. That’ll need to be true if he wants to keep his No. 45 jersey because the competition will be fierce and the days of collecting fullbacks appear to be over.
WHy is it that everyone sees potential in Havner?!! He caught a couple balls when he was completely uncovered!!! Don’t you understand that? The D totally ignored his presence on the field. That was a mistake, but at the same time it was for a reason. Havner scares NOBODY!!! He is nothing more than a fringe roster player only due to his ST play. Lee is the only really accomplished blocker, a willing and capable ST player and has more experience than all the other TE’s combined. He’ll take over Havners ST roles, mentor both Finley and Quarless and be the TE if Finley gets hurt. Havner really has no place on the team. It would be a complete waste of a roster spot to keep him. Nothing about him cant be easily replaced!
Havner has a knack for the end zone. That’s a cliche of course. “Knack for the end zone.” Which means he has intangibles.
You know, we’re thin at OLB, right? LOL.
It shocks me when people mention Donald Lee in the same sentence as “blocking.” Is that just me?
Quarless was lacksadaisical in preparation and work ethic in college, and it’s his job to make this roster or get cut. After that, it’s a legit question between Lee and Havner. Lee dropped way too many passes last year. For the amount of money he was paid. Considering he’s a “pass catching tight end.”
He has a knack for the end zone cuz nobody bother to cover him!!! LMAO Seriously get over the crush on the guy…
Lee is a good blocking TE. He isn’t going to be as good as Bubba Franks was, but he’s good. Much better than any other TE on the roster. Lee can play ST every bit as well as Havner, better blocker and if Finley were to miss a couple games, Lee is the only TE capable of playing everydown. Havner certainly is NOT and Quarless isn’t ready and probably won’t be this year.
Can you say good by Spencer?!
You’re underestimating Havner. He’s a decent athlete who impressed the coaches in training camp with his route running and his surprisingly good hands. Nobody’s calling him the next Antonio Gates, but he’s a nice player to have around. He’s an OK third TE, a good special teams player and he can obviously step in at LB in a pinch. Can the Packers survive without Havner in 2010? Of course they can, but to say “it would be a complete waste of a roster spot to keep him” is just wrong. Breno Giacomini has been a complete waste of a roster space these past two seasons. Havner, on the other hand, contributed his share to the team’s success a year ago.
Giacomini has potential as a RT, but he never makes the game day roster cuz the backup OL on gamedays MUST be versatile! You do realize not every player on the 53 man doesn’t dress don’t you?! So Giacomini hasn’t been given the chance to contribute on ST…
Havner couldn’t cut it as a LB, isn’t a good TE, so all he has to rely on is ST and that just won’t cut it! Lee can easily play any ST that Havner does. And Havner getting the DUI and shoulder injury in the accident did him no favors! Bye Spencer!
[...] Johnson isn’t a lock to make the roster this season says Michael Rodney of Packer Update. “Don’t hand Johnson a roster spot just yet,” writes Rodney. “The former LSU [...]
I thought moving Havner to tight end was a joke, but he proved me wrong. The fact that he was on the field at the end of the playoff game shows just how far he had come from training camp.
FB I expect to make the roster are Johnson and Kuhn. Kuhn starts…
Johnson (FB) and Quarless (TE) are key guys going forward. Lee, Havner, Kuhn and Hall are all forgotten a year or two down the road. All, of course. IMHO.
if quarless cannot prove to live up to the hype, I am not in favor of his spot being garaunteed. If he continues to drop balls, and make mental mistakes then stash him, or cut him. We have let go of good TEs before, and we qwill do it again.
Having two TEs on the team that will drop crucial passes/TDs is NOT a problem the packers need. Especially when we need to carry as many capable DBs as possible.
Keeping extra TEs, FBs, fat italian RTs just hurts a position that was our teams weakness last year(when it counted most).
Aron rodgers can make due with less(er) talent on offense. But if jarret bush is forced to play too much, then THAT becomes a problem….
JMO