Justin Perillo Likely to Come Out on Top of Preseason Tight End Battle
The tight end position for the Green Bay Packers appeared to some to blown open after the legal issues swirling around Andrew Quarless were revealed.
By contributor
The tight end position for the Green Bay Packers appeared to some to blown open after the legal issues swirling around Andrew Quarless were revealed, with Richard Rodgers expected to get the majority of snaps after Quarless ate up the lion’s share of the playing time late last season. However, with the Packers standing behind Quarless as he addresses the off-field issues, there is more clarity in this unit than expected.
It is all but assured that Rodgers will enter camp with every opportunity to firm up the starting role now that Quarless has lowered his stock, despite setting career-highs of 11.1 yards per catch and three touchdowns in 2014. Sportsbooks have released week 1 NFL odds giving the Packers a -5 edge over Chicago in their season opener, and if Rodgers can put all the pieces in both the run-blocking and pass-catching facets of his game, the discussion could be resolved before Quarless even has a chance to prove himself again.
The larger beneficiary in all this may be Justin Perillo, however. Perillo was on the active roster last season and is poised to secure the third tight end roster spot over other draft picks due to his solid run-blocking and experience with the team. Perillo played two games last year, both on special teams.
Where the Packers might have otherwise focused their attention on getting the most from their top tight end duo, they may now be more interested in ensuring they have depth in case there are any delays or additional concerns around Quarless.
Should Quarless be suspended, Perillo would likely slide into the second string position and could see playing time at tight end, if only because of the sheer variety of ways Aaron Rodgers likes to use tight ends.
Comments (11)
JDH1313
July 12, 2015 at 06:56 pm
I like Perillo and hope he gets his chance he has good hands with better than average speed and he is also a decent inline blocker so if he gets playing time he could prove to be better than Q
Icebowler
July 12, 2015 at 07:39 pm
TE is one of the more complicated positions in the Packer playbook, because of the different positions that they line up in, in various formations. It's my understanding that Bostick couldn't get on the field on offence because he couldn't get his head around the playbook. His screw-up on special teams in the final playoff game was just the last straw (good luck with that Vikings). So TE is not a position where we can just pluck some guy off the waiver wire in the final cut downs and go with. So yes, Perillo definitely has a leg up for the third TE position.
Turophile
July 13, 2015 at 02:51 am
Perillo is a good athlete, with the same height/weight as Bostick (in the 6'3", 255lb range). If he can handle the mental side of things, he has a real chance to stick.
Ron Heider
July 12, 2015 at 08:00 pm
The tight end position is very important to McCarthy offense I really don't see them signing any free agents!!
chaka
July 12, 2015 at 11:06 pm
They should sign Colt Lyerla, he is far better than the scrub TE's on the roster. He is an impact player.
phillythedane
July 12, 2015 at 11:25 pm
Chaka, you are going for laughs, right? Irony is such a tough nut to crack on discussion boards.
Thegreatreynoldo
July 13, 2015 at 12:35 am
I've always been under the impression that Perillo was not a good in-line blocker. He has good hands. Limited athlete.
NewNikeShoes
July 13, 2015 at 02:24 am
yeah, i feel the same way mate. he kinda reminds of banjo, good players who somehow make it onto a roster because of effort and playbook memorization.
IMO, he's kinda a stopgap.
but hey, training camp didn't start, maybe he's done some major improvements to his game.
P.S
Satoru Iwata died today, and my childhood felt it. RIP in Peace
lou
July 13, 2015 at 12:44 pm
Best thing that could happen is Richard Rodgers blocking improves to the point that he is called "Velcro" like Eddie West who was a very under rated starting TE for a dozen years. Rodgers hands to date have been outstanding, if his blocking improves the TE questions for the next 5 years evaporate - he's the man, the only question is who backs him up.
Tundraboy
July 14, 2015 at 09:38 am
I think that has already happened. Great hands and the size he has makes him hard to bring down. That's his game.
Thegreatreynoldo
July 15, 2015 at 09:19 am
His blocking has improved? Well, Rich Rodgers should have been focused on that during the off season, so maybe it has. Hope you're right.