AP Photo
Packers tight end Spencer Havner celebrates a touchdown against the Vikings on Nov. 1. A converted linebacker, Havner recently has emerged as a weapon in the passing game, catching three touchdowns in the last two weeks.

Former LB Havner is making a name for himself with the offense

GREEN BAY - Spencer Havner might be opening some eyes these days.

Truth be told, though, he was a pretty decent tight end during his high school career.

"We'd split out a lot and run a lot of receiver routes," he said of his days at Nevada Union High in Grass Valley, Calif. "Had a bunch of touchdowns."

His experience has been similar during the Green Bay Packers' past two games in that regard. The converted linebacker, in his first season as a tight end at the professional level, caught his first career touchdown two weeks ago at Cleveland. He added two more scores on his only two catches in last week's loss to Minnesota.

"All he does is catch touchdowns," said quarterback Aaron Rodgers, evoking former Philadelphia Eagles' coach Buddy Ryan's description of receiver Cris Carter.

It's been a fairly sudden rise for Havner after years spent waiting for an opportunity.

A standout linebacker at UCLA - several publications tabbed him as an All-American as a junior - he went undrafted in 2006. After being waived by the Washington Redskins during final cuts that summer, he was signed to the Packers' practice squad early in the season.

That's where he spent the next season, too, and part of last season before being elevated to the active roster for the final four games.

But he had shown enough ability on special teams to intrigue the team's coaching staff.

"Going through the spring and trying to build the 53(-man roster) and gain some strength on special teams, he's definitely one of the guys we talked to about being a dual role," coach Mike McCarthy said.

McCarthy approached Havner during organized team activities in the spring about the possibility of playing on both sides of the ball, as a linebacker and tight end. During his time on the practice squad, Havner had worked at tight end on the scout team and turned some heads.

"He would go over there and he'd catch everything," McCarthy said. "He obviously had a natural ability, a knack for playing the position."

Havner alternated working at linebacker and tight end during training camp - that's when he first got the offensive playbook - but has stuck to the offensive side of the ball since the start of the regular season and doesn't anticipate moving back.

"I mean, it's up to them, but I'm pretty sure I'll stay here," said Havner, who has six catches for 110 yards.

And a return to defense would seem unlikely given his play of late.

He played primarily on special teams through the season's first seven weeks, though he did see some time on offense in three tight end sets and made his first career catch - a 21-yard gain - in Week 2 against the Bengals.

But when Jermichael Finley went down with a left knee injury at Cleveland, it opened up time for Havner.

On the Packers' next offensive series, he caught a pass over the middle, broke a tackle and outran Browns safety Brodney Pool for a 45-yard touchdown.

Against the Vikings, Havner worked back after being covered on a post route and made a diving catch for Green Bay's first touchdown. On the Packers' next possession, he found a hole in Minnesota's zone coverage and caught a 5-yard score to pull Green Bay within 24-20.

"You play defense your whole life and then the first time you really get any type of action on the opposite side of the ball, you score three touchdowns in a hurry," tight ends coach Ben McAdoo said. "That's pretty good development."

Havner - who also is tied for second on the team in special teams tackles with eight - appeared uncomfortable with the mini-horde of media members around his locker Thursday, saying, "I guess I'm just not used to it."

But McCarthy was pleased that Havner is producing, and getting noticed.

"I think he's definitely someone you could point to as an example of hard work and doing what you're supposed to do," McCarthy said. "I'm very proud of him."