Green Bay Packers offense 2014 year in review and grades

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Richard Rodgers (89) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Tight End  –  While Rodgers managed to put up huge numbers without him, the absence of Jermichael Finley was evident in 2014.  The TE’s inability to stretch the field vertically and split safeties limited possibilities in the passing game, and sometimes allowed opposing defenses to play a box safety closer to the line.

Richard Rodgers and Andrew Quarless combined for just 548 yards and 6 TD.  On an offense that was often without a third impactful receiver, this isn’t enough.  While Quarless has hit his ceiling in my opinion, I do feel like Rodgers can develop into a quality starter as early as next season.

He is far from the athletic tight end that teams are searching for, and I see Rodgers as more of a Bubba Franks than he is a Jermichael Finley.  Still, his ability to make reliable catches for first downs over the middle could be a critical part of the 2015 offense.  Aaron Rodgers clearly grew to trust the rookie late in 2014, and that’s the easiest way to get yourself more targets in Green Bay’s offense.

Rodgers has big, soft hands and boxes out defenders well to protect the football.  If paired with an athletic tight end, the position could be brought back up above the league average.  Brandon Bostick had the potential to be that weapon, but still seems to be far from making any sort of impact on offense.  This could be a position that the Packers address again in the draft

2014 Grade:  C-

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