1) Introduction: Quarless, or “Q”, entered the season the starting tight end and was a steady veteran presence for the Packers this season. He had a second-straight solid campaign and furthered his chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
2) Profile:
Andrew Quarless
- Age: 26
- Born: 10/6/88 in Brooklyn, NY
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 252
- College: Penn State
- Rookie Year: 2010
- NFL Experience: 5 years
3) Expectations coming into the season: Quarless entered the season as the Packers starting tight end. With second year man Brandon Bostick and rookie Richard Rodgers in the mix, Quarless was looked at to carry the load at tight end while the younger players continued to develop. Quarless was also relied on as a blocker at the H-back position.
4) Player’s highlights/low-lights: Q was the recipient of a game-winning touchdown throw by Rodgers against the Dolphins with six seconds left in regulation. It was one of only three touchdown catches Quarless had during the regular season. On the play, Rodgers immediately turned and threw it to Quarless, exuding supreme confidence in the tight end’s ability to make a huge play. Quarless’s lowest moment came with about five minutes left against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC championship game when he dropped a third down pass that would have converted and kept the ball in the Packers’ hands.
5) Player’s contribution to the overall team success: Despite catching just three touchdowns all season long, Quarless was a steady rock and made some key catches along the way. He further gained the confidence of Rodgers and continued to mature into the team’s offense.
6) Player’s contributions in the playoffs: Quarless had a touchdown catch against the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round win at Lambeau Field. He had zero catches against Seattle the following week.
7) Intangibles: Aaron Rodgers has described Q as a smart player who often would approach him on the sidelines with his observations of what was going on on the field. While he has the occasional big drop and isn’t the flashiest guy on the field, Quarless has turned into a player who can be counted on as a regular part of the Packers’ offense.
Season Report Card: (Player Grades)
(B) Level of expectations met during the season
(B) Contributions to team’s overall success.
(B-) Contributions to team during the playoffs
Overall Grade: B
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Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com
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Quarless was not only reliable but healthy all season. Quarless made tough catches at critical moments. He did everything to his ability whether it was blocking or catching. Thank god he caught that pass in Miami.
Amen. I have been defending Quarless for quite a while. There are many who think he should be cut. Your grades are higher than I would have given him: I probably would have given him B, B-/C+ and B-/C+, with an overall grade of B-. He made some mistakes on STs and his blocking was inconsistent, to say the least. I didn’t think he was successful as an H-back either. I always viewed him as a #2 or better a #3 TE who was forced to play #1 too much. His salary is reasonable too ($1.75 million cap hit) and reflects a good veteran back up.
But only 3 TDs all year. Keep Q, but, we need to add some end zone producers on this team. The Packers did a good job moving the ball against the top teams this year, but, had difficulty punching it in and it cost them ultimately in the end. Those first 6 points in the NFC Championship game should have been 14.
Between Q and RR, the Packers have 2 guys that can reliably platoon the position. They both show growth, and because of that the Packers won’t have to piss away a high draft pick on the TE position this year. They’ll find the 3rd guy later or as a UDFA.
Personally, I’m hoping someone on the scouting staff has spotted a 6’7″, 260lb. bballer with some vert who’s not going to play hoops at the next level, but has the athleticism to transfer his skill set to the NFL. Red zone/3rd down guy. Worth the roster spot for the potential value contribution to the situations.
Q is fine as part of a TE rotation, but he doesn’t scare anyone on defense. He is a good #2 or #3 TE. He is not the threat down the middle of the field that defenses need to account for. Pack still needs a top TE to complete their offense and hopefully can get one in round 1 or 2 of the draft this year. Thanks, Since ’61