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Packers' Andrew Quarless: 'I consider myself the top echelon of tight ends'

Matthew Emmons / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

As a member of one of the league's best passing offenses, it's easy to see why Green Bay Packers tight end Andrew Quarless is supremely confident in his ability.

Although his production suggests everything to the contrary, Quarless believes he's one of the best tight ends in the NFL. 

"I consider myself (in) the top echelon of tight ends," Quarless said to Weston Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "That's really where I see myself and that's really where I'm trying to take it. A couple other guys like (Rob Gronkowski) and a couple guys who are up there. I put myself in that bracket. That's definitely where I'm training to be."

Quarless recorded 29 receptions and three touchdowns, playing in all 16 games for the Packers in 2014. His 323 receiving yards ranked 28th among all tight ends - a far cry from the elite players in the league. 

There doesn't even appear to be much separation between Quarless and fellow Packers tight end Richard Rodgers, as the latter caught 20 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns in 2014. 

"Andrew's kind of been steady for us where Richard's been a rookie," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said last month. "So I think it's more those guys have been getting more opportunities and definitely cashed in on it; when you're on the same page with the quarterback and it's very healthy."

Catching passes from Aaron Rodgers would boost any tight end's confidence, but Quarless's claim appears baseless unless he puts together a breakout 2015 campaign.

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