Packers Expected to Meet With TE Marcedes Lewis
-- There's a chance the Green Bay Packers find their final piece to the puzzle that is their tight end position this week -- someone capable of blocking efficiently.
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers are interested in Marcedes Lewis, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars. They're expected to visit with him sometime this week.
A former first-round (28th overall) pick in 2006, Lewis just turned 34 years old this past weekend. We've likely seen all there is to see as far as Lewis being a receiving threat in the passing game, but the Packers don't need him for that.
Lewis' 318 receiving yards in his 12th and final season with the Jaguars was his most since 2013 -- also, that was coincidentally the last time he eclipsed 25 catches in a single season. He's fallen short ever since.
With Jimmy Graham on the roster, who the Packers signed at March, they already have someone capable of starting at tight end, despite Graham playing almost exclusively in the slot and split out wide as a receiver.
Outside of Graham, the Packers have veteran Lance Kendricks, who they signed last offseason and who only caught 18 passes in 2017.
Both Graham and Kendricks, whether they're good at it or, apparently in Graham's case, if they want to, aren't very efficient in the blocking department.
Lewis caught a touchdown pass -- his only catch of the day -- in January's AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.
Lewis' long stint in Jacksonville didn't end over any contract disputes or disciplinary measures. The Jaguars just signed Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Niles Paul in free agency, thus, leading Lewis out the door.
Outside of Graham and Kendricks, the other tight ends on the Packers' roster are Kevin Rader, Ryan Smith and Robert Tonyan -- all of which hope to any sort of relevancy and stay alive in the fight for a roster spot this summer.
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (35)
CJBauckham
May 23, 2018 at 12:59 pm
Always liked him.
flackcatcher
May 23, 2018 at 01:39 pm
Interesting. A one year rental with major age and injury concerns. Still, nice to see IAMGUTE is looking far and wide to upgrade this roster.
Handsback
May 23, 2018 at 01:58 pm
A good pick-up IMHO...
jeremyjjbrown
May 23, 2018 at 03:26 pm
meh...
Lare
May 23, 2018 at 03:53 pm
If he's only going to be used as a blocking TE, why don't they just save the money and use an extra offensive lineman?
worztik
May 23, 2018 at 04:19 pm
I was wondering that myself??? It must be above our pay grades to understand the answer to that question!!!
Mojo
May 23, 2018 at 05:11 pm
This brings up a topic that has intrigued me.
Why don't we see more marginal o-linemen shed some pounds and become tight-ends? Most are in the TE height range or taller to begin with. You'd expect they'd be near the top of the heap for blocking TE's based on their previous skill-set.
In fact, that could be their primary function - a good extra blocker who leaks out and catches a handful of dump-offs per game before rumbling down the field. Even if he's not very fast, someone still has to commit to covering him. Your run game and pass protection should improve with a top blocking TE pseudo o-lineman.
Instead most of those who convert are tall skinny receiver types who over a few years bulk-up. Most of them are terrible to average blockers because of the lack of experience, ability or desire.
I get why you want a receiver type who can get down field, but it would be nice if you could from time-to-time put in a TE who can stone a pass rush, open holes for runners and still leak out to the first down marker when needed.
CheesyTex
May 23, 2018 at 10:09 pm
Very interesting, Mojo. Maybe that player is already on the roster -- Cole Madison played TE in HS, so it is likely he would be able to "leak out to the first down marker when needed". It also appears his pass blocking in college was superb. Hope your idea catches on.
dobber
May 23, 2018 at 10:20 pm
"I get why you want a receiver type who can get down field, but it would be nice if you could from time-to-time put in a TE who can stone a pass rush, open holes for runners and still leak out to the first down marker when needed."
Sounds like Mercedes Lewis.
snowdog
May 24, 2018 at 12:07 pm
Sounds like a description of RR . lumbering , but with better hands .
dobber
May 24, 2018 at 12:51 pm
Except RR couldn't block...
PAPackerbacker
May 23, 2018 at 08:20 pm
Now that makes a a lot of sense to me.
dobber
May 23, 2018 at 09:54 pm
Because that player telegraphs 'not a threat'.
Mercedes Lewis might not be the player he was in 2010, but he's still a threat to run a route or catch a TD.
croatpackfan
May 24, 2018 at 02:40 am
Hmmm, dobber, despite I like your way of thinking, this is not subject I am on your side... If any player can learn (and I believe in the possibility) basics of the TE position, lets other team ignore that player. They will pay for that. And I'm happy with that outcome...
Minniman
May 24, 2018 at 03:04 am
I think that was Mojo's point Dobber, someone to leak out to the down marker and make a reliable catch from time to time - no YAC
Although I'm not pouring cold water on the Marcedes Lewis for that role as it is a weakness of the packers that can be attacked.
....... I'm probably also going to break CHTV records in downvotes here, but before his mental clock-off, and while the packers were suffering with o-line injury attrition, Martellus Bennett was providing good service as a blocker last year (pity about the catches though)......... then it unraveled.......... spectacularly.
lou
May 23, 2018 at 04:04 pm
To be drafted and play 12 seasons with the same team in the NFL says you have skills, availability, and would suggest you are a good locker room guy, for a 1 year insurance policy why not bring him in. I think you missed Emanual Byrd who played in the last couple of games for the Packers as being on the roster.
4thand1
May 23, 2018 at 06:48 pm
Are we trading our Ford for a Marcedes?
TXCHEESE
May 23, 2018 at 04:22 pm
If they're going after a blocking tight end, I would go with someone younger. Crockett Gilmore ex-Raven is a really good blocking tight end, and has some pretty decent hands. Lewis is over the hill.
TKWorldWide
May 23, 2018 at 05:34 pm
Affordability?
stockholder
May 23, 2018 at 06:30 pm
After Bennet any Te is a plus.
4thand1
May 23, 2018 at 06:50 pm
Never mention that name again, let it be stricken from the Packers records forever.
Finwiz
May 24, 2018 at 12:21 pm
So let it be written.....
So let it be DONE!
(Yul Brenner as Ramses - Ten Commandments)
Cartwright
May 23, 2018 at 04:48 pm
Seems like this guy is over the hill.Why not have two fullbacks and keep Kerridge instead.
Since'61
May 23, 2018 at 04:51 pm
If he is willing to come in on a one year deal and fill the role of a blocking TE I say let him do it. Most important for me is that Gute is trying to fill one of the remaining holes on the team, rather than letting it linger unresolved for season after season, like his predecessor.
An experienced TE can help support our questionable right side of the OL. No harm in bringing Lewis in for a look.
Thanks, Since '61
lou
May 23, 2018 at 06:44 pm
If you look at his stats vs Kendricks, even though he has played several more years, as a receiver (besides his inline blocking ability) he has been more productive catching the ball, he even had 1 Pro Bowl year. All 12 years he has started almost every game as well. With the reduced Veterans Minimum his cap number will not be an issue also. I have seen him on the NFL Network as a guest and he appears to be very bright.
Rossonero
May 23, 2018 at 08:40 pm
He won't count against the compensatory pick formula -- this would be a wise move. Opponents know Jimmy Graham cant run block, which would make us predictable. Gotta keep the defense guessing.
4EVER
May 24, 2018 at 10:06 am
Heres hoping that Graham and Wilkerson 2018 playing time and post season honors are so big that GB doesn't qualify for a single compensatory pick, and that McCarthy is having a hard time sleeping scheming Graham into the O.
NoNonsense
May 23, 2018 at 10:05 pm
According to Zach Kruse, PFF ranked Lewis as the #1 blocking TE last year based on 517 blocking snaps.
I'll take that.
TKWorldWide
May 23, 2018 at 10:16 pm
As will I.
GBPDAN1
May 23, 2018 at 11:15 pm
Best blocking TE by PFF.... I like that a lot. He's an asset as a blocker and can roll out for an occasional pass to keep Ds honest. Sign him to a one year vet minimum deal. Not much to lose .
Finwiz
May 24, 2018 at 09:04 am
I didn't realize this - interesting. Now I know why they want him.
I'll take that too!
ScaryGary
May 24, 2018 at 12:25 am
does the new nfl rule mean when we are in minesota beating the vikings by six points and we have the ball with is less than two minutes left they can play the national anthem so we can't do victory formation?
Minniman
May 24, 2018 at 03:13 am
And it still wouldn't be as cheap as the Anthony Barr hit on Rodgers last year.
....... Yes I know, It was a legal hit. <cough>bullshit<cough/>
RCPackerFan
May 24, 2018 at 06:46 am
This would be a really smart move. And honestly its one that I really don't think Thompson would make. If the Packers do sign Lewis, this would be another move that Gutekunst would have made that would separate himself from Thompson.
They do have a need for an in-line blocking TE. Lewis was rated as the best at that.
But in GB he wouldn't only be a blocking TE. He will be able to help in the passing game also. And with Rodgers and the current offense, with Adams, Cobb, Graham, he would provide a really nice option over the middle. Lewis and Graham I think would form a really nice duo. Graham essentially is another WR, so having a traditional TE with Lewis would provide a boost to the offense IMO.
Lare
May 24, 2018 at 01:13 pm
The Packers must agree, or they wouldn't be bringing him in for a visit.