FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:
When considering tight ends, the only thing that remains consistent is the fact we’d like to get a player who is dominating in one area. He must have a dominating trait as a blocker or a receiver. He cannot be average in just one area or we have failed.
There must be a clear evaluation of the player in pass protection against a good level of competition, and he must be able to handle that role. At some point, an NFL tight end will have to pass protect and protect the edge.
Tight ends are very hard to find, and when you hit on a player who can dominate in one area, that’s a home run. But if you have a pass-catching tight end, you must have a blocker to complement him, or else your goal-line and short yardage will suffer.
This is not a good year for tight ends in free agency. Most of the older guys can’t help in the kicking game, so that cuts down their marketability.
TIGHT END REMINDERS
1. Can he make plays down the field? Does he have balance to make the catch down the field? Can he get a rebound?
2. Do his 40 times match up on the field? Who from the opposing team covers him?
3. Does he block with quickness or power? What front do they play against the team? Whom does he have to block?
4. Does he block in the run game or in protection? Can he handle seven-man protections?
5. Can he learn both the running game and the passing game mentally?
6. Can he run with the ball after the catch?
7. Can he get in and out of his cuts with a burst? Can he win any match-up?
8. What will his role be on third down? Define and describe the role? Can he make plays? Must be athletic to win on third down.
9. Define toughness blocking and catching. Both can be different.
10. Is he capable of being extended from the formation and win? Can he run routes from the outside?
11. Can he line up on and off the line? Is he able to motion and redirect?
12. Will he block from the backfield, run or pass?
13. Can he long snap? Did he ever do that in his career?
THREE DOWN PLAYERS
Name, team, age, height, weight, speed, year entered NFL, draft pos., agent
Bo Scaife, Tennessee, 27; 6-2, 252; 4.78; 2005, 6th round (179th overall); Kevin Robinson – He’s the best tight end on the market. Although not perfect, he finds a way to make plays, and his hands are sensational. He’s faster on tape than when he’s timed. He makes plays in the passing game and has the toughness to make plays inside in the passing game. Gains yards after the catch and is an all-around productive player.
THREE-DOWN PLAYERS, PASS-CATCHING ONLY
L.J. Smith, Philadelphia, 28; 6-3, 258; 4.68; 2003; 2nd round (61st overall); Brian Mackler -- One of the most overrated UFA players. He was Franchised last year, and this season did not play with consistent effort and intensity. He will need to re-invent himself as a player. He cannot be on the field in SY or GL and is a liability in the passing game. He can play on all downs but not sure he can produce on all downs. A very risky player to put money into.
TWO-DOWN PLAYERS
Jerramy Stevens, Tampa Bay, 29; 6-6, 265; 4.92; 2002; 1st round (28th overall); Marvin Demoff – His off-the-field problems aside, Stevens is a talented player who can protect and block the edge. His hands are always an adventure, though. At times, they look decent; often, they look very bad. He can help a team win, but outside issues might prevent teams from taking a chance.
Jimmy Kleinsasser, Minnesota, 31; 6-2, 274; 4.83; 1999; 2nd round (44th overall); James Sexton – He’s near the end of his career, but he can offer one good year of service to a team that uses a move tight end and wants a big fullback. Hey, if Dan Kleckco can line up at fullback, Kleinsasser surely has another year left.
Sean Ryan, San Francisco, 28; 6-4, 257; 5.07; 2004; 5th round (144th overall); Jonathan Feinsod -- Has played fullback and tight end; not dominating in any area.
Will Heller, Seattle, 27; 6-5, 250; 5.15; 2003; free agent; Philip Williams.
BLOCKING ONLY, NO PASS THREAT
These players will end up being minimum salary benefit (MSB) players and signed late or after the draft:
Tony Stewart, Oakland, 29; 6-5, 252; 5.09; 2001; 5th round (147th overall); Jerrold Colton.
Mark Campbell, New Orleans, 32; 6-5, 260; 5.03; 1999; free agent; Steve Forest.
Daniel Franks, NY Jets, 30; 6-5, 265; 4.94; 2000; 1st round (14th overall); Eugene Mato.
PASS-CATCHING ONLY
These players will end up being MSB-type players and signed late or after the draft:
Justin Peelle, Atlanta, 29; 6-4, 255; 4.79; 2002; 4th round (103rd overall); Frank Bauer.
Darnel Dinkins, Cleveland, 31; 6-3, 234; 2002; free agent; Andrew Benedict.
Jeb Putzier, Seattle, 29; 6-4 256; 4.74; 2002; 6th round (191st overall); Joseph Linta.
Daniel Wilcox, Baltimore, 31; 6-1, 245; 4.8; 2001; free agent; John Rickert.
Also, Putzier finished the year with the Broncos not the Seahawks.
The Raiders shouldn't be looking to upgrade their TE position.Zack Miller is about ready to become a Pro Bowl TE if they don't have to use him as a blocking TE. He is capable of a big year doubling his reception totals. Wakefield has been a good backup who is versatile.
Mike,
How can L.J. Smith be par of the "Three Down Players: Pass Catching Only"
But
"He cannot be on the field in SY or GL and is a liability in the passing game."
Liabiity in the passing game? What? I thought that was his strong suite?
As a diehard Titans fan, I feel there is a little bit of a fool's gold quality to Scaife. He is a product of the system the Titans run, which has been TE heavy since Jeff Fisher has been coach of the Oilers/Titans. Arron (I believe that's how his first name was spelled, it was always really weird) Kinney even put up good numbers in the Titans offense. If Scaife goes somewhere else, which I think he will, he won't be nearly as productive.
Jake,
I think he means in pass protection, I remember hearing early in Veron Davis' career that is what hindered him, although I dont know that to be true myself. Now I hear he Coach Singletary rave about him blocking like a LT.
Mike what kind of player to the Raiders have in Ben Troupe? Is he a free agent? Does he have anything to offer a team? I really liked the pickup at the time, but he went on IR after only a few practices.
Sam H,
I think Scaife would be an upgrade for a number of teams. I think he compares favorably to Jermaine Wiggins who was a key cog for the Patriots a while back.
I agree that Scaife's production is aided by the Titans lack of big play wide outs but he will have value for a team looking for a reliable playmaker who can work the middle of the field.
Michael C,
I agree with your statements that he will be an upgrade, I just have seen some rather ridiculous numbers he might command in free agency, and if those hold to be true, I think he will be highly overpaid.
I don't get why Bubba Franks was so underutilized this season. He seemed to be Favre's favorite target in the previous season. Then the rookie TE the Jets have (name eludes me) was awesome in the first half of the season, then they seemed to phase him out of the playbook. I think that is the main reason the Jets suffered this season. Still thinks Franks is a good pass threat, he just wasn't utilized as such this season.
If indeed this is a complete list of TE free agents it is one of the worst in years. None of these TE's are equal to a 4th or 5th round talent. Do not look for any of them to be signed with new teams anytime soon.
Kleinsasser is the most complete, Scaife is a good pass catcher. Both will resign with current team. LJ Smith is not getting a contract because he can't play through pain.
No GM is even looking at this list. They are scouting the combine. Waste of an article.
Raiderlifer
Wakefield was waived during the season.
Mike,
I agree with most things here but Dinkins is 6-4 259 not 6-3 234. He is not strictly a pass catcher. He is a good special teams player, a dependable not great receiver and a very good blocker in the run and pass game. He is not a superstar or doesn't really excel at one thing more than another but he does do everything well. He is not fleet of foot so he can't stretch the field or run away from LBs. He is tough and works hard on offense and special teams.
My crystal ball says: Bo Scaife, welcome to your new team, the New England Patriots.
Your crystal ball is wrong... I think that DE/TE Connor Barwin, much-hyped on NFP, is going to be pulling on a Patriots jersey on draft day. He's got the type of versatility that Belichick loves. Plus Ben Watson and David Thomas are still around, and we all know that Vrabel does a lot of the goalline work. Can't see the Pats spending money on a FA TE when they've just committed $29m to the QB position.
Scheffler and Graham are both good so I'm glad to have them in Bronco orange and blue.
London Ben, you can't see the Pats spending money on a TE? The team that drafts one every year (including high draft picks)?
Ben Watson is a semi-bust. That may be a little too harsh but he is what he is, a phenomenal athletic specimen who can't play football. Thomas can't stay healthy and is not much of a blocker. Scaife is not going to be very expensive in the grand scheme of things, what TE ever is?
Sam H - it's Erron. Erron Kinney. And he was a solid tight end. Agree that Scaife shines because the Titans' receivers are less threatening, but I believe he is big, tough and reliable. I would hate to lose him.
Charles - Ben Troupe? Are you kidding me? The Titans and Bucs cut him in the same year. Oakland picks up everybody's crumbs, that's the only reason Troupe is even on a roster. He's lazy, brings no enthusiasm to game, and he's a perennial underachiever. Good luck with him in Raider Nation.
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Feb 09, 2009
04:59 PM
For those scoring at home "Daniel" Franks is better know as "Bubba".