Packers Agree to One-Year Deal with TE Matthew Mulligan
The Packers have signed free-agent tight end Matthew Mulligan, formerly of the Rams and Jets. He could replace departed tight end Tom Crabtree.
By Zach Kruse
The Green Bay Packers may have found a potential replacement for departed tight end Tom Crabtree.
According to WCSH 6, an NBC affiliate in Portland, Maine, the Packers have agreed to a one-year deal with former St. Louis Rams tight end Matthew Mulligan.
A five-year NFL veteran from the University of Maine, Mulligan spent three years with the New York Jets before landing in St. Louis last season. The Rams released Mulligan, 28, on March 22. He was due just $725,000 in 2013.
While not a splash signing in any shape or form, Mulligan does provide value in a similar role as Crabtree has played in Green Bay over the last three seasons.
Of Mulligan's 411 offensive snaps last season, only 93 had him run a route as a receiver. He was a run- or pass-blocker on over 77 percent of his 411 snaps. In comparison, Crabtree played 389 snaps in 2012 and was a blocker on over 73 percent of his total offensive snaps.
While Crabtree may be a slightly more accomplished receiver (Mulligan has just 14 career catches for 144 yards and one score, compared to 18, 302 and four for Crabtree), Mulligan has graded out as a better overall blocker. According to Pro Football Focus, Mulligan was the 10th best run-blocking tight end in the NFL last season; Crabtree finished 55th. Mulligan also finished 2011 in the top-10 for run blocking tight ends and graded out as a marginally better pass blocker both seasons.
According to WCSH, the Packers offered Mulligan more guaranteed money than the San Francisco 49ers, who were also interested in acquiring him. He'll join a stable of tight ends in Green Bay that includes Jermichael Finley, D.J. Williams, Andrew Quarless, Ryan Taylor and Brandon Bostick.
Zach Kruse is a 24-year-old sports writer who contributes to Cheesehead TV, Bleacher Report and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He also covers prep sports for the Dunn Co. News. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected].
Comments (15)
April 07, 2013 at 03:37 pm
solid pick up and an upgrade over crabtree. It should be interesting to see how much they paid him
April 07, 2013 at 04:23 pm
Never thought Crabtree was much of a blocker, so perhaps this guy can provide that element. Why is Ryan Taylor still on the roster?
April 07, 2013 at 04:56 pm
special teams?
April 07, 2013 at 05:30 pm
Nobody will ever replace Crabtree!
April 07, 2013 at 05:52 pm
way to make a splash ted! now i see why we didnt spend 2 mil a year on canty, jenkins,spears or perhaps kenny phillips or michael huff or any defensive help,considering we have the worst starting safety in the nfl{jennings}
April 07, 2013 at 06:56 pm
Just wait til #12 and #52 get their extensions. Not much cash going to be laying around for big name free agents.
April 08, 2013 at 07:48 am
Again, there are choices being made here. TT could have picked up both Jackson and Huff, or both Jackson and Canty, for what Finley will be paid this year. There is more going on than just #12 and #52.
April 08, 2013 at 10:08 am
But then there would be a giant hole at TE that would need to be addressed. Seems like robbing Peter to pay Paul.
April 07, 2013 at 09:45 pm
stuff a sock in it.
TT is 78-50 since taking over. What's your NFL record?
I can't hear you through the sock.
Oh Well.
April 07, 2013 at 10:22 pm
Yes. Thanks Oppy.
April 07, 2013 at 09:50 pm
Always thought Crabtree was overrated, but #55?? Sheesh
April 07, 2013 at 09:50 pm
Lets hope this team brings some type of attitude that they are lacking on both sides of the ball!
What ever happened to Kevin Green?
I know he's still coaching OLB, BUT, does his fire still burn?
This team needs a fire lit under there ass!
IF they want to compete w/ the 9ners, Hotlanta and Se,hawks in the NFC!
This team needs leaders, Look at what Woodson did on 2010 SB run!
COME ON MAN!
April 07, 2013 at 10:47 pm
its more compatition :)
April 08, 2013 at 05:20 am
Looks like a solid kid you can count on and if Newhouse is still the starter at LT you know which side he will line up on to chip, McCarthy is very open about not being able to run to the left. This also has to light a fire under Williams who is the annual "camp star" and then fades away when the games start for real, he must show or go this season. Hopefully Mulligan is the next "Eddie West", the most unheralded blocking tight end in Packer history (Velcro was his nickname) who as a UFA played 15 seasons in the NFL. Those kind are hard to find.
April 09, 2013 at 08:59 am
I think the Packers employe about 80% of the tight ends in the NFL