Jermaine Gresham Reportedly Visiting With Packers

The veteran tight end has drawn interest from several teams. 

A few weeks ago, ESPN's Rob Demovsky wrote that we shouldn't be surprised if the Packers made a move at the tight end position. Demovsky also wrote that former Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham could be a possible free agent target. 

So it comes as no surprise to see the below from NFL Network's Rand Getlin.

Gresham has already visited the Arizona Cardinals and the New Orleans Saints offered him a contract back in June, so he is clearly seeing what his options are.

I tend to doubt the Packers will put much of a full court press on the veteran tight end. More than likely they'll do what they often do when it comes to their interest in players from outside the building: Let him know they're interested and ensure him that they'll be waiting if he doesn't like what he finds elsewhere around the league. (I don't doubt they'll also sell him on playing in a prolific offense with the league's best quarterback.)

According to someone I spoke with in the organization, there are several members of the personnel staff lobbying Ted Thompson to sign the veteran. Of course, it's Ted's call, as always. 

Gresham, 27, was a first-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals out of Oklahoma in 2010. In 74 career games, he recorded 280 receptions for 2,722 yards and 24 touchdowns. He is also guilty of a whopping 11 fumbles. 

He is still on the market mostly due to the Raiders possibly discovering that he was in need of surgery for a herniated disc, a surgery that he subsequently had

The Packers currently have five tight ends on their roster: Andrew Quarless, Richard Rodgers, Justin Perillo, Kennard Backman and Mitchell Henry. The Packers are waiting to hear if Quarless will be suspended for any amount of time after his arrest on July 4th

 

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Comments (26)

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Evan's picture

July 23, 2015 at 09:52 pm

Do it, Ted. Do it. Keith Jackson to Richard Rodgers' Chmura.

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Bearmeat's picture

July 23, 2015 at 09:52 pm

I'd be shocked if they sign him unless Q is out for awhile or another injury happens.

Ted gonna Ted.

That said, if his back is ok, then he'd help out the only weak spot on offense.

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PackerAaron's picture

July 23, 2015 at 09:52 pm

Thanks for reminding me about the back. I should have included that. Adding now.

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vj_ostrowski's picture

July 23, 2015 at 10:06 pm

Sure, why not

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MattGeorge's picture

July 23, 2015 at 10:12 pm

Back should be ok by training camp! I say sign the man. He would be an immediate upgrade and make the Packers even more dangerous.

JerMichael Finley had 2,785 yards/20 TDs in six seasons. Jermaine Gresham has 2,722 yards/24 TDs in five seasons.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

July 24, 2015 at 07:58 am

Finley was fighting with 3-4 other receivers for passes.

Graham has been the 3rd option, and at times the 2nd, most of his career.

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Cityboi Willing's picture

July 23, 2015 at 10:24 pm

If I was the packers I would sign him to a two year deal yea he has had some injuries in his short career but only 27 with his size an speed good hands would at another threat a legitimate TE THREAT a change of scenery with better coachs better medical personnel an the best quarterback in football may be a matched in heaven his size speed an what the packers offense is capable of would devastate the middles of oppents defensive take a chance ted sometimes they pay off

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

July 24, 2015 at 08:00 pm

As long as the guaranteed money is negliable I'm cool with it too. Who knows what will happen with Quarless.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 23, 2015 at 10:57 pm

In some ways Gresham is the A.J. Hawk of TEs. A First round pick in 2010 (age 27) who has underwhelmed a bit despite 2 pro bowls. Bit of a whipping boy on the Cincy blogs due to his history of dumb penalties, drops, and fumbles. He also had a lot of talent. He is an okay blocker. Has had some other injuries, and some words with local reporters. No idea what money he is looking for. If TT signed him and he is healthy, my guess is that Perillo and Henry would be unlikely to make the team, and Backman would be looking at the PS (where at the best he belongs). I am not sure that he is the type of receiver that Aaron Rodgers would like.

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Mojo's picture

July 23, 2015 at 11:28 pm

At first was excited by the prospect, but after watching vids of his injuries, I say pass. Barely touched and he goes down with major injuries.

Probable high salary, injury prone, fumbles a lot. Tude problems at Cinncy. Plus, only so many balls to go around in this O.

Save the money for someone on D. Now watch, they'll sign him.

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Chad Lundberg's picture

July 24, 2015 at 01:22 am

Just learned that this guy is 6'5". The TE position is wide open. They could have a very specific role for this guy.

It has also occurred to me that this could mean the Packers are considering possibly dropping Quarless.

In any case, I feel like we need all the receivers and TE's we can get. 2011 proved we can never have too many of them.

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NickPerry's picture

July 24, 2015 at 04:41 am

I say sign him. The Packers don't know how long they'll be without Q and they don't know how big of jump Rodgers may or may not make. If he's on the cheaper side and Thompson can sign him do it.

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TKWorldWide's picture

July 24, 2015 at 03:43 pm

At what price?

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RCPackerFan's picture

July 24, 2015 at 07:26 am

IF Gresham is healthy, he would be a good signing. He would definitely add another presence at the TE spot.

We could definitely use more help there especially considering Quarless will likely be suspended for some time.

An area in which Gresham could really help out with is in the Redzone. The Packers had struggles down in that area in a few games and adding 6'5 target down there would definitely help.

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the_clinic's picture

July 24, 2015 at 09:00 am

From the Cincinnati Enquirer:
"There are many coaches within the building who want zero to do with Gresham at this point. Not all, but some. A mantra of this organization has for a long time been about acquiring players you can trust. I don’t know that this team can trust Gresham anymore. His low tolerance for pain and a career peppered with games missed when he probably could have played through the pain while others, in fact, did play through their pain doesn’t help. His inconsistency with fumbles, penalties, etc., only adds to the lack of trust."

33 Penalties and 11 fumbles in 5 years.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

July 24, 2015 at 09:45 am

Uh oh...

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J0hn Denver's Gavel's picture

July 24, 2015 at 10:21 am

Worst case scenario for Quarless
The self described all world TE may never play another snap in the NFL again. His suspension is lengthy and the Packers cut all ties.

Best case scenario
Q gets under a 4 game suspension and sets the league ablaze to the tune of 300+ yds and a couple TDs again this year, solidifying his thoughts of "upper echelon" tight end play in his and only his mind.

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NewNikeShoes's picture

July 24, 2015 at 04:26 pm

This is Goodell tho, the same man who thinks drug abuse is worse than rape, so we probably aren't gonna get the worst case scenario.

Anyway, spot on with Best Case scenario lol

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vj_ostrowski's picture

July 24, 2015 at 12:36 pm

One is a 2x Pro Bowler that admittedly has some mental/concentration lapses.

The other has accounted for about half of the first one's production and is named Andrew Quarless.

I'll take the clear upgrade here.

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Since'61's picture

July 24, 2015 at 02:35 pm

As much as I would prefer for the Packers to have better talent at TE I don't think that we need a player with 33 penalties, 11 fumbles and trust issues on our team. We had the #1 offense in 2014 without him. Why take a chance on a guy who may cost a game or 2 with a stupid penalty or a fumble. Also, he may be a negative factor in the locker room. Does any one know if he is at least a reliable pass catcher or a good blocker? On top of everything else he has been injury prone. The best way to stay out of trouble is to avoid it altogether. I'd rather take the chance on R. Rodgers evolving into a true starting TE. As for Quarless we know what we have with him regardless of any disciplinary action for his stupidity. I would only go for Gresham in an emergency situation such as R. Rodgers being hurt or also suspended for some reason. Thanks, Since '61

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 24, 2015 at 02:58 pm

Yes, if his back is okay, Gresham is more than adequate as a blocker. Pretty good hands, and averages 6 TDs per year (which is decent). He has had run ins with reporters, even the guy who works for the station that has Cincy's game. In GB, it would be like a player having battles with Max or Larrivee.

If we are talking about taking in bad boys, Junior Galette would upgrade and deepen the D immediately, assuming NO cuts him and takes the $17 million cap hit. Still, at 27, OLB Galette's 10 sacks, 3 FFs, 2 safeties, in 13 games would look good. A little off-season stuff, violence against women allegedly, no charges apparently, and no guns and no weed, though ( I am kidding TT isn't going to touch this guy unless the stories prove to be unfounded).

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the_clinic's picture

July 24, 2015 at 03:23 pm

SB Nation:
"He is not known as having the best hands. Pro Football Focus credits him with 28 dropped passes in his career, with as many as 10 in a single season. However, he only dropped one pass in 2014." PFF rating of-3.5 for 2014

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 24, 2015 at 07:59 pm

28 drops in 5 seasons, or 5.6 drops per year. In other words, a good year for Jmike. Joking aside, he has 280 receptions on 414 targets (67.6%). Drop rate is a little high at about 9.1% by my calculation. His average per catch of 9.7 yards is okay, even a little below average.

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MagnumGB's picture

July 24, 2015 at 06:39 pm

I highly doubt that TT pulls the trigger on this, but if Gresham is interested in playing here for relatively cheap, the move might make sense. In terms of pure skill, he's a very impressive TE in the JMike mold, but he's never properly progressed and broken out as the threat that he should be.

If he was signed, it wouldn't look good for Q or Abbi, I think. I would assume we keep only 3 TES this year with such a strong WR corps. Keeping 4 means losing the weakest link at receiver. Keeping 3 TEs means, I think, that Q is gone. Backman has shown some good tenacity, much needed on ST, and I would doubt that Ted parts with a 6th rounder right away. I'd guess they brought in Gresham to give him a look so they have some options if they're not happy with what happens with Q.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 24, 2015 at 08:12 pm

Gresham speculation is over. Gresham signed with the cardinals - a one year deal with no $ given out. Link:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13314626/arizona-cardinals-sign-tight-...

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TKWorldWide's picture

July 27, 2015 at 05:46 am

Math:
Free agent + name recognition= interested fans.

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