Rodgers » Packer Update

POSTCARD FROM TRAINING CAMP

Posted by Michael Rodney at 10:27 am 4 Responses »

Aug 082011

Starks is battling Grant for the starting halfback job

The one thing I’ve learned from watching Matt Flynn the past four summers is that he will always play better than he practices. Aaron Rodgers‘ backup is off to another relatively slow start, but there’s no reason to be concerned. He’ll find a way to move the offense as soon as the opposition is wearing different colored uniforms. I didn’t see what the coaches saw in Graham Harrell last summer and I still don’t see it. His arm is weak and his accuracy is average at best. The lockout is the only argument I can make for keeping him around. At least he knows the system.

I used to think James Starks looked like a poor man’s Eric Dickerson, but now I’m tempted to remove the words poor and man. That’s how terrific he’s looked in training camp. The playoff sensation is running with great power and decisiveness. While Ryan Grant appears fully recovered from the ankle injury that ended his 2010 season, he simply doesn’t possess Starks’ physical ability. The former 1,200 yard rusher may be the nominal starter when the Saints come to Lambeau, but I can’t imagine him getting the bulk of the carries. Rookie Alex Green hasn’t done much through the first week of practices.

Jermichael Finley is an absolute freak. His height, athletic ability and soft hands make him almost impossible to defend. He’s almost toying with the poor souls who are assigned to cover him. Barring injury or stupidity, there’s no way I can imagine general manager Ted Thompson letting this guy get away. Prior to Finley’s return to the practice field, the most impressive tight end was seventh-round pick Ryan Taylor. He isn’t as savvy a route runner as fellow rookie D.J. Williams or as strong a blocker as Tom Crabtree, but he’s a more complete player. He has a good chance of making the team.

The coaches are giving the young receivers plenty of snaps, and a few of them have taken advantage of the heavy workload. Second-round pick Randall Cobb has looked terrific. His incredible quickness makes him stand out from the crowd. I realize the Packers have the best quartet of veteran receivers in the league, but coach Mike McCarthy will find ways to get Cobb on the field. Count on it. If the team wasn’t so deep at this position, either Chastin West or Shaky Smithson would have a legitimate chance to stick. West isn’t flashy, but he runs good routes and catches almost everything. Smithson is a quick as a hiccup return specialist with enough raw skills to eventually develop into a useful NFL receiver.

Bryan Bulaga looks like the player ready to take the biggest leap from season one to season two. He’s so much more confident than he was a year ago. And why not? He now has 16 starts under his belt, and more importantly, the coaches are no longer asking him to learn multiple positions. First-round pick Derek Sherrod has struggled at left guard after spending his entire college career at tackle. Veteran T.J. Lang has been more impressive, but it’s early. If Sherrod doesn’t start, he might find himself backing up Bulaga. That’s because Marshall Newhouse will be hard to supplant as Chad Clifton‘s understudy. The quick-footed youngster been one of the most improved players in camp. I was surprised when Nick McDonald made the team last summer. I didn’t see anything to get excited about – and I still don’t. Right now, journeyman Evan Dietrich-Smith is the second-best center on the roster.

Anyone waiting for C.J. Wilson to flash big-time pass rushing skills had better get a chair. It’s going to be a very long wait. He’s not athletic enough to beat quality offensive linemen on a consistent basis. On the other hand, Jarius Wynn just might be. The undersized three-year veteran is enjoying his finest camp. He looks quicker than before and he seems to have added to his repertoire of moves. If he continues to improve, there will be a place for him on the final roster. Mike Neal has only practiced sparingly, but it doesn’t take long to see his potential. Assuming he can stay healthy, he’ll be a more than adequate replacement for Cullen Jenkins. Ryan Pickett and Howard Green look more like sumo wrestlers than defensive linemen, but extra pounds won’t be an issue as long as they can shut down the run.

Erik Walden has taken the early lead in the battle to start opposite Clay Matthews. The former street free agent is playing more like a high draft choice. He looks bigger, stronger and more explosive than he did last season. Frank Zombo and Brad Jones have been OK, but neither has flashed nearly as often as Walden. Sixth-round pick Ricky Elmore was a productive pass rusher in college, but he hasn’t gotten many sniffs of the quarterback yet. In fact, undrafted free agent Jamari Lattimore has probably been more impressive. He needs to get stronger, but he runs well and seems to pack a punch. Depth at inside linebacker is still a concern, but it isn’t quite as big a concern thanks to Robert Francois. The third-year player is much-improved now that he’s taking all of his snaps at one position. He isn’t a big hitter. but he’s smart and fairly athletic. Not surprisingly, sixth-round pick D.J. Smith is still thinking too much.

Davon House and Brandon Underwood were both enjoying solid camps before suffering injuries. The former was making a strong push to be the No. 4 corner and the latter was showing real promise at safety. Veteran Jarrett Bush is covering like a blanket so far, but I’m not getting carried away. He typically plays better in practice than he does in games. Sam Shields was the talk of camp at this time a year ago, but he’s been pretty unspectacular so far. He doesn’t seem to be playing with the same sense of urgency. I’m not worried, but it’s something to keep an eye on. There probably won’t be room for Josh Gordy, but he can play corner in this league. Morgan Burnett has been up-and-down in his return from knee surgery, but his potential is obvious. He has superior range. Brandion Ross and Anthony Levine are talented small-school players who don’t seem to be intimidated by the bright lights.

Mason Crosby is off to another slow start, but he’ll be OK. Tim Masthay, on the other hand, looks terrific. It’s amazing how much better he’s gotten since last summer. Cobb has a chance to be the team’s best returner since Allen Rossum. Under-appreciated long snapper Brett Goode is almost automatic.

-Special thanks to contributor Mike Tahan, who has been covering training camp for Packer Update. Mike wrote this post – all I had to do was edit his shaky spelling and atrocious grammar!

Rodgers talks about “photogate”

Posted by Michael Rodney at 12:00 am 6 Responses »

Jan 302011

Rodgers and Barnett share a laugh at a basketball game

Aaron Rodgers could’ve simply said “no comment” or given a completely innocuous response when asked about the team’s initial decision not to include players on injured reserve in the official Super Bowl photo, but that’s not who the Pro Bowl quarterback is. Here’s what he said: “I was on IR back in 2006. I chose to stick around and finish out the season with my guys and be here every game. Some of those guys didn’t. And so, we love them, we care about them, we don’t wish injury on anybody, but this is a group of guys that’s really come together and has been great to work with. It’s been great to work with guys we brought in. Some of the guys who were injured, you know, they are still part of this team, but some of them didn’t choose to stick around.”

Maybe I find Rodgers’ quote so perfect because I was thinking the exact same thing when tight end Jermichael Finley and inside linebacker Nick Barnett started opining on this subject last Tuesday. While running back Ryan Grant, right tackle Mark Tauscher, defensive end Mike Neal and safety Morgan Burnett have been fixtures at 1265 Lombardi Avenue all season long, others – including Barnett and Finley – have done the vast majority of their rehabilitation away from the team. And while that isn’t necessarily wrong, it does make their decision to ~~speak~~ tweet on behalf of all the players on IR look both hypocritical and self-serving. Essentially, they wanted to be in the photo because they are still part of the team, and yet they distanced themselves from said team the very minute their own individual seasons came to an end. Talk about wanting to have your cake and eat it too.

Soon after Rodgers’ comments were made public, Barnett responded – on Twitter, of course. He wrote: “Well looks like people have something to say about where some people choose to do there rehab… Try rehabing with 16 others then 53 more… Doubt you get the full attention needed.. It’s easy to speak about others when you are not in their position… Talk about ‘union’ ha.” Twitter Dumb soon typed in: “TRUE FACTS RIGHT THERE.”

It’s interesting – not to mention telling – that Rodgers and coach Mike McCarthy had no problem criticizing two of the team’s biggest stars. Why? Maybe because Barnett and Finley are outspoken players who love to draw attention to themselves. And while those personality traits would probably make them instant heroes with Rex Ryan and the Jets, it’s an act that doesn’t play nearly as well in Green Bay. McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson have worked diligently for five years to create a certain culture with the Packers – one that emphasizes the team over the individual. It’s a culture Rodgers obviously believes in and was more than willing to defend on an otherwise sleepy Saturday.

How do you like us now?

Posted by Michael Rodney at 12:00 am 8 Responses »

Jan 252011

Perceptions have changed quite a bit in 29 months

Perceptions about Ted, Mike and Aaron have changed quite a bit in the past 29 months

It seems like only yesterday when Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy were being portrayed as Dumb and Dumber and Aaron Rodgers was being heckled by dozens of “fans” at practice. Needless to say, things have really changed since the tumultuous summer of ’08. Nowadays, Thompson and McCarthy are being favorably compared to Ron Wolf and Mike Holmgren and Rodgers has even the most ardent Brett Favre supporters finally ready to get on board. That’s what tends to happen when the team you built, coached and quarterbacked earns a trip to the Super Bowl. And even though Thompson, McCarthy and Rodgers have every right to scream, “I told you so” from the top of their respective lungs, don’t expect to hear those words any time soon. All three are too classy to do something like that. We, on the other hand, are not.

Thompson might be the least media-friendly GM in the league, but so what? Vinny Cerrato hosted his own radio show while working for the Skins. Want him running your team? John Elway tweets more than Paris Hilton. Want him hiring your next coach? All Thompson has done since being hired in January 2005 is work his ass off to make this a championship-caliber team. Mission accomplished. McCarthy, who was a virtual unknown when he replaced Mike Sherman in 2006, has already taken Green Bay to a pair of NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl. You won’t need more than one hand to count up the number of active head coaches who have accomplished so much in their first five seasons. And Rodgers is now being called an élite quarterback by almost everybody in the national media. The funny thing is, Packer fans have known this for well over a year. The only people who still questioned the former Cal star were those who didn’t watch him play on a weekly basis.

How good have Thompson, McCarthy and Rodgers been since coming to Green Bay? The fact that it’s pretty difficult to come up with many legitimate criticisms should answer that question. And while nobody’s perfect – especially in a league as demanding as the NFL – the Packers’ three most important people are among the very best at what they do. Think about it for a minute. Who’d you take over Thompson? Indianapolis’ Bill Polian and Baltimore’s Ozzie Newsome. Over McCarthy? New England’s Bill Belichick and maybe Philadelphia’s Andy Reid. Over Rodgers? New England’s Tom Brady and Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning. Fact is, these three guys are in pretty heady company these days. And that’s not too shabby for a couple of grown men who were being ridiculed for their handling of Favre and a twentysomething who was being heckled by fans of all ages not too long ago.

Go ahead, blitz him if you dare

Posted by Michael Rodney at 10:22 pm No Responses »

Jan 082011

No quarterback is better against the blitz

No quarterback in the NFL is better against the blitz

Experts talk about how good Aaron Rodgers is against the blitz, but words don’t do justice to the quarterback’s brilliance in the face of pressure. So here are some numbers: the former Cal star has a league-best 107.4 passer rating against the blitz this season. Defenses have sent extra rushers after him 166 times. He has completed 66.5 percent of his passes, thrown 11 TDs and 4 interceptions and has been sacked only 8 times.

What makes him so good? “Rodgers is terrific at the line of scrimmage,” Greg Cosell of NFL Films told Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News. “He’s right up there with [Tom] Brady, [Drew] Brees and [Peyton] Manning as far as pre-snap recognition and being able to check protections and move running backs.” And it’s more than his brain that allows the 27-year-old Rodgers to thrive when other quarterbacks often wilt. “The other thing that helps him against the blitz is that he’s got the quickest, most compact delivery in the league,” added Cosell.

Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott loves to bring pressure, but will he dare come after the league’s best quarterback against the blitz – especially with so many inexperienced players in the secondary? He may have no other choice. His top two pass rushers – Trent Cole and Juqua Parker – have combined for only 6 sacks since week 9 and explosive rookie end Brandon Graham is on IR. In reality, McDermott’s best ally on Sunday might be the weather. It’s expected to be windy in Philadelphia.

Plenty of Packers got snubbed

Posted by Michael Rodney at 1:47 pm No Responses »

Dec 292010

Raji is one of a number of deserving players who didn't make the Pro Bowl

Five Packers deserved to go to the Pro Bowl and five were chosen on Tuesday. The problem is which players will be in Hawaii on Jan. 30, 2011 and which players will be on a golf course that Sunday (of course, fans hope that none of the five Packers will be playing in that “game” and instead they’ll be preparing for a much, much bigger one a week later). Offensive tackle Chad Clifton, safety Nick Collins, wide receiver Greg Jennings, outside linebacker Clay Matthews and cornerback Charles Woodson were named to the NFC squad. That’s the highest number of Packers selected to the Pro Bowl since 2007.

Collins, Jennings and Matthews are very deserving. Collins hasn’t had a great season by his standards, but he’s still one of the top three safeties in the conference. Jennings, who only caught 14 passes in the first five games, has been arguably the league’s premiere wide receiver since the middle of October. Matthews is the most feared member of one of the league’s best defenses and a likely top-5 finisher in the defensive player of the year voting. So that’s where the fans, players and coaches got it right. But they got it wrong by rewarding Clifton and Woodson and snubbing Aaron Rodgers and Tramon Williams.

Clifton deserves all the credit in the world for bouncing back from a week 2 benching and putting together a very solid season. But at this point in his career, the only way he should be in Hawaii in January is if he’s taking his family on vacation. The 34-year-old has never been much of a run blocker, but he was so good in pass protection earlier in his career that a trip to the Pro Bowl wouldn’t have raised an eyebrow. That’s not the case now. He’s still not much of a run blocker and his protection isn’t good enough to offset that deficiency – at least as far as postseason honors are concerned.

Woodson is having a good season, but he isn’t even the best corner on his own team. That distinction goes to Williams, who was named the first alternate. While Woodson, the reigning defensive player of the year, is third on the team in tackles and has forced 5 fumbles, his coverage has been spotty. And since covering receivers is a pretty big part of a corner’s job, it’s safe to say this trip to Hawaii is borne more out of respect for what he’s done than for what he’s actually doing. Williams, on the other hand, has played so well that it’s actually a surprise when a receiver catches a pass on his watch.

Mike Vick, Drew Brees and Matt Ryan are the quarterbacks. All three are having very good seasons for very good teams, but the latter two simply aren’t as deserving as Rodgers, who’s the first alternate. Brees has thrown 21 picks in what has been an up-and-down year and Ryan is blessed to have Pro Bowlers all around him on offense. The Falcons’ star gets to hand off to Michael Turner and throw to Tony Gonzalez. The Packers’ star gets to hand off to Brandon Jackson and attempt to beat the cover-2 with Andrew Quarless. Rodgers has carried the offense on his back for the past nine weeks. That will likely get him some strong MVP consideration. Somehow, it didn’t get him to Hawaii.

The good news for Rodgers and Williams is that they’ll probably wind up in Hawaii if the Packers don’t get to the Super Bowl. Since either Philadelphia, New Orleans or Atlanta is likely to get there if Green Bay doesn’t, the first alternate would step in for Vick, Brees or Ryan. The only fly in the ointment would be if the Bears and Jay Cutler make it all the way to Dallas. As for Williams, he’ll get his ticket punched the minute Woodson begs out of the game. And the odds of No. 21 making the trip are about the same as, well, they’re about the same as the Bears and Jay Cutler making it to Dallas.

Offensive guard Josh Sitton and nose tackle B.J. Raji were also overlooked, but that didn’t come as a big surprise. Young linemen often have to wait their turn while bigger-named veterans bask in the Hawaii sun for an undeserving year or two. Guard Chris Snee of the Giants and nose tackle Jay Ratliff of Dallas are two prime examples. Both are perennial Pro Bowlers, but neither has had a particularly good season. Unfortunately, that’s how this whole process works and why it’s so flawed. Fans vote for their favorites, and let’s be honest, players and coaches vote for who they know and who they see. For example, do you think Sitton and Raji got votes from any coaches or players from the Saints?

Anyway, we’ve spent way too much time writing about a fake game – especially when the Packers have such a huge real game coming up in a matter of days. And if the Packers are to beat the Bears and then go on a run through the playoffs, they’ll do it on the backs of players like Rodgers, Sitton, Raji and Williams. And if those four are sipping champagne and holding the Lombardi Trophy on Feb. 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium, do you think any of them will care one iota about not making the Pro Bowl?

No news on Rodgers until midweek

Posted by Michael Rodney at 6:31 pm 3 Responses »

Dec 202010

Rodgers' status for the Giants will be updated at midweek

Anyone interested in the condition of Aaron Rodgers will have to wait until Wednesday. That’s when coach Mike McCarthy said he’ll have an update on the Pro Bowl quarterback. Rodgers, who suffered his second concussion of the season on Dec. 12 at Detroit, didn’t play in last night’s 31-27 loss to New England. And while the team will continue to take a very cautious approach with Rodgers, it’s hard to imagine No. 12 not being under center when the Giants visit Lambeau Field on Sunday. The fact that he attended practice last Friday and made the trip to Massachusetts bodes well for his being medically cleared to play in what’s essentially a playoff game.

In other injury news, Cullen Jenkins has already been ruled out for Sunday. The defensive end has missed the past two games with a calf injury. Nick Collins, who left last night’s game in the second quarter, will likely be ready for the Giants. Not only were x-rays on his ribs negative, but the Pro Bowl safety has a long history of playing hurt. Outside linebacker Frank Zombo (sprained knee) continues to make progress and could return after missing his first game of the season.

Quick thoughts from yesterday:

-While quarterback Matt Flynn has always been held in high regard by McCarthy, many people still questioned whether he had the talent to start in the NFL. Try finding those people today. The former LSU star certainly has some physical limitations, but he’s a born leader whose poise is off the charts and whose arm is just good enough. In a league where Chad Henne, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Colt McCoy, Kerry Collins, Rex Grossman, Jimmy Clausen, Alex Smith and John Skelton all started games this weekend, they’ll be a market for Flynn should GM Ted Thompson look to move him in the offseason.

-Maybe it was playing in front of family and friends or maybe it was being on the same field as Vince Wilfork, but something got into B.J. Raji last night. Already having a very good season, the second-year nose tackle took his game to another level. He recorded two sacks and generally made life difficult for the interior of New England’s offensive line – including perennial Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins. Raji may never be quite as stout against the run as Wilfork, but his ability to get into the backfield makes him unique among nose tackles. Anyone still upset with Thompson for not drafting Michael Crabtree?

-James Jones will undoubtedly look to make a lot of money as a potential unrestricted free agent during the offseason, but it’s hard to imagine any GM paying big bucks to the enigmatic wide receiver. While the former San Jose State star is a very good No. 3, he’s just too inconsistent to be given a more substantial role. Whether it’s a costly fumble, a big drop or not fighting hard enough for the ball, Jones somehow seems to find a way to hurt his team at the most inopportune of times. Last night, for example, his failure to complete a route led to a momentum-turning pick-6 for the Patriots.

SHHH…HERE’S WHAT WE’RE HEARING

Posted by Michael Rodney at 7:10 am 1 Response »

Feb 192010

Remember all the people who criticized GM Ted Thompson for signing Aaron Rodgers to a six-year, $65 million extension after only seven career starts? Well, according to one agent, the Pro Bowl quarterback would command at least $30 million more if negotiations were held today….. Of Green Bay’s eight restricted free agents, fullback John Kuhn is the most likely to be wearing a different uniform next season. The former Shippensburg star could look to sign with a team that will offer him a better chance to play (i.e., less competition). The Packers already have Korey Hall and promising second-year man Quinn Johnson at the position….. Defensive lineman B.J. Raji will be asked to drop a few pounds between now and the start of training camp. That’s because the coaches believe that last year’s top draft pick will be more effective as a nickel pass rusher at a lighter weight. He played at 335 as a rookie….. We have no idea what Thompson thinks of Antonio Cromartie, but we’ve been told that his counterpart in San Diego, A.J. Smith, would have little interest in trading the former Pro Bowl corner for Ryan Grant. While the Chargers are definitely in the market for a back, Smith wants that player to be closer to 25 than 30. Grant turns 28 in December.

DON'T POINT THE FINGER AT RODGERS

Posted by Michael Rodney at 4:03 pm 4 Responses »

Jan 112010

QB was heroic in defeat

There’s an old saying that a quarterback gets too much credit when his team wins and too much blame when his team loses. The second part of that platitude was proven accurate in the aftermath of Green Bay’s 51-45 overtime loss to the Cardinals on Sunday. While the sieve-like defense rightly took the brunt of the criticism, Aaron Rodgers was hardly immune to finger-pointing. Yes, the same Aaron Rodgers who passed for 422 yards (406 in the final three quarters) and four scores. Yes, the same Aaron Rodgers who led the offense on five consecutive touchdown drives en route to erasing a 31-10 deficit in the game’s final 26 minutes. “He wasn’t perfect like Kurt Warner, but that’s hardly a crime,” said a former scout. “Other than his very first pass, I thought he played great.”

Apparently, Arizona safety Antrel Rolle feels the same way. “Let me tell you something – that dude is scary,” said the safety to Yahoo! Sports. “We have a great defense, and we were up on him and ready to pounce, and he found ways to tear us apart. I don’t ever want to face him again in my life. I am dead serious. I’ll face Drew Brees any day of the week before I face him again.”

The nitpickers were quick to point out the handful of passes that Rodgers missed and the part he played in some of the five sacks – including the final one that ended the Packers’ season. And they weren’t wrong. He did miss some open throws and he did hold on to the ball a bit too long at times. But to denigrate his performance because of a few imperfections is akin to dismissing Heidi Klum’s beauty because she has a pimple on her forehead. “Green Bay would be getting ready for the Saints right now if the defense showed up even a little on Sunday,” said the scout. “It took a near flawless performance by a future Hall of Fame quarterback to beat a 26-year-old kid making only his 33rd career start. I think that says it all.” Amen.

FEW PACKERS WILL POPULATE PRO BOWL

Posted by Packer Update at 10:35 am 1 Response »

Dec 282009

Going to Miami

Green Bay has one of the best records in the entire league, but it won’t seem like that when the Pro Bowl rosters are announced on Tuesday. The 10-5 Packers figure to have no more than three representatives in the all-star game that will be played in Miami on the Sunday before the Super Bowl. So is this a sign of disrespect? No, not really. “Green Bay has a lot of players enjoying good to very good seasons, but not many are performing at a Pro Bowl-level,” opined a former scout. “And that kind of fits with [GM] Ted Thompson’s philosophy on building a team. He’s not enamored with superstars or big names. He prefers a roster filled with good players and quality people. And while that may not make the Packers all that popular on Tuesday, it could serve them very well in the weeks to come.”

We asked the scout to predict which players will get an invite to the Pro Bowl, which players won’t but should and which young players are on the verge:

LOCK

CB Charles Woodson: “He’ll start for the NFC. Not only is he a lock for the Pro Bowl, but he should be one of the favorites for Defensive Player of the Year. No corner does more for his team. He lines up at multiple positions and excels at all of them. Plus, his overall statistics are eye-popping. He’s really revived his career in Green Bay and Canton now looks like a definite possibility.”

VERY GOOD CHANCE

QB Aaron Rodgers: “He should be a lock, but you never know when it comes to this position and the Pro Bowl. Only Drew Brees has had a better season in the NFC. Anyone who thinks Brett Favre is more deserving either works for ESPN or doesn’t watch much football. He’s already one of the top 7 or 8 quarterbacks in the league and he could move into the top-5 by next season.”

PRETTY GOOD CHANCE

FS Nick Collins: “He went a year ago and he’s been just as good this season. He deserves to go, but the competition at his position is very stiff. Darren Sharper is a lock and Adrian Wilson is extremely popular with NFC players and coaches. That leaves only one spot. He should get it, but you never know.”

SLIGHT CHANCE

RB Ryan Grant: “He’s third in the conference in rushing and fourth in yards per game, so he has a chance. But I don’t think most players and coaches consider him as good as guys like DeAngelo Williams, Frank Gore or even Jonathan Stewart. He has the numbers to go, but he probably won’t get the votes.”

NO CHANCE, BUT DESERVING

DEs Johnny Jolly and Cullen Jenkins: “Jolly has played the run as well as any defensive end in the league. Jenkins is solid at the point of attack and far more productive as a pass rusher than most players at his position. They won’t go because they don’t have the statistics, but they’re playing at that level.”

SOMEDAY SOON

OLB Clay Matthews: “He should get some consideration, but it’s tough for any rookie to make the Pro Bowl – especially one who didn’t even start until the fifth game of the season. With his talent and work ethic, this may wind up being one of the few Pro Bowls he doesn’t play in over the course of his career.”

TE Jermichael Finley: “He’d have a chance if he didn’t miss four games during the middle of the season. He has the potential to be more than a perrenial Pro Bowl tight end; he has the potential to be the best tight end in the league. Few players have his combination of size, soft hands and athleticism.”

OG Josh Sitton: “He’s quietly developed into one of the best young interior linemen in the NFL. He’s not a great athlete, but he moves well enough to make all the necessary blocks. He’s also strong and nasty. It took Marco Rivera a while to be appreciated. It could be a similar story for this right guard.”