DALLAS -- Here's a Super Bowl trivia question guaranteed to stump your friends.
Name the Green Bay Packers' starting tight end?
Mark Chmura? Long gone.
Donald Lee? Backup.
Jermichael Finley? Injured.
Does the name Andrew Quarless ring a bell? Didn't think it did. But Quarless will be the No. 1 tight end in Super Bowl XLV. That doesn't mean he will be on the field all the time when the Packers are on offense since they use a lot of three and four-receiver sets.
When they do use a tight end, Quarless, a rookie, will be the main guy.
"It's amazing to be here my rookie season," Quarless said. "A lot of guys don't get to see this throughout their careers. I am so thankful."
When Finley went down with a knee injury earlier this season, the Packers suffered a huge hit to their offense. Finley appeared on the verge of being a go-to-receiver, a split-out tight end who fit perfectly with what teams do now with the tight end in the wide-open passing league.
Quarless had 21 catches for 238 yards and one touchdown during the regular season. He has four catches in the postseason for 41 yards.
Those numbers don't seem like much, but I have a feeling that he will be used more in the passing game Sunday against the Steelers. That makes him one of the five Packers I am targeting as my under-the-radar players, lesser-known players who might make a big play or two.
At 6-feet-4, 252 pounds, Quarless is a big tight end who can also move. He doesn't have the speed of a Finley, but he's capable of making plays down the field in the passing game. He had three catches for more than 20 yards in the regular season.
Look for the Packers to get him isolated on some linebackers and even the safeties in some situations.
"We have a lot of great receivers and in a sense the offense is built around receivers," Quarless said. "I just play my position. Everything I am asked to do, I try to do to the best of my ability. There are a couple of things we can take advantage of in their secondary. It starts with that front seven and they have a great front seven. If Aaron Rodgers has that time, he can pick them apart."
Here are four other under-the-radar Packers for Sunday's game.
Desmond Bishop, ILB: He is another injury replacement. He became the starter when Nick Barnett went down in the third week with a wrist injury. Bishop responded with 103 tackles, three sacks and an interception. He played so well the Packers rewarded him with a new four-year contract for $19 million. Not bad for a guy who was mainly a backup entering the season.That's how well Bishop has played. Barnett, who turns 30 this year, might not get his job back. Or if he does, A.J. Hawk, who is due to have a huge contract, could be the man out. Bishop has earned his spot. And against the Steelers run game, he will be huge. He has to get to the backs and when he does he can't miss tackles. He is also capable in the pass defense.
Bryan Bulaga, RT: When the Packers used a first-round pick on Bulaga last spring, the idea was he might be the long-term left tackle.Instead he's been the starting right tackle. When Mark Tauscher went down with a shoulder injury in the fifth week, Bulaga took over as the starter. He struggled some early, but settled in and played well in the playoffs.Bulaga will be matched against Steelers outside linebacker LaMar Woodley, a power rusher who can create big problems for the Packers passing game. If Bulaga can handle Woodley, the Packers won't have to keep backs in to help him. If not, Rodgers better be prepared to move around.
Jordy Nelson, WR: I always like to put a receiver who doesn't start on this list. The starters usually get the best corners, which is why I think Nelson might have some chances outside.He isn't a burner, but he's sneaky fast and Rodgers seems to like him outside in the passing game. If the Steelers play zone, he's smart enough to find the soft spots. If they play man, he's big enough to make plays down the field. He isn't as good as Donald Driver or Greg Jennings, but with the Steelers focused on those two -- and with the Packers likely in spread a lot -- look for Nelson to come up big. Nelson had 45 catches in the regular season, but had 12 in the past two games, including eight against the Falcons. I don't think he gets to eight, but maybe five for 50 with a score?
Charlie Peprah, S: When you play the Steelers, you have to tackle. That means the strong safety. If he misses, it could be a big play for Rashard Mendenhall or the passing game. Peprah has to tackle well. He's been a pleasant surprise since taking over as the starter when Morgan Burnett went down with an injury in Week Five. Peprah, who was cut by the Packers in September of 2009, re-signed last spring. Some wondered why and injuries to Burnett and Atari Bigby have given him a chance. He has made the most of it with his ability to play the run well. Peprah isn't great in coverage, but he will need to be big against Mendenhall and that run game Sunday.
Source: http://feeds.cbssports.com/click.phdo?i=f3be803b6daa8c10e98d0f31ae297a1f
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