In reality there are only about 10 Tight Ends that you really want to take your time and consider for your draft. Those guys are somewhat obvious. If I try to tell you that this is a really important part of your team than I'd be lying, but you have to have one in your lineups, and the good ones can surprise you and really post some numbers from time to time.
1. Antonio Gates: Gates' athletic ability gives him an advantage over any LB that tries to slow him down and his size gives him an advantage against Safeties and the occasional DB that has to cover him. He is a former college hoopster and can leap with the best of them. He has big hands and can catch virtually anything thrown his way, and with his QB being somewhat young and raw, Gates gets looked to alot. He is option #2 behind Tomlinson in the San Diego offense so he will continue to get used frequently.
2. Kellen Winslow: This positioning of Winslow may stun some people, but when he's healthy and being the "Soldier" that he claims he is than he is as gifted as anybody. He had his delayed coming out party in 2006 thanks to injury setbacks in his first 2 seasons. Last year he led all TEs (Including Colston) in receptions. If only the Browns could put drives together he would've been effective in the Red Zone as well. With the addition of Jamal Lewis perhaps this will make the passing game more effective in 2007. Don't forget that the Browns did draft Some QB named Brady Quinn out of Notre Dame...if the Browns stumble out of the gate in 07, Quinn may be inserted as the starter. Normally rookie QBs don't fair too well, so keep that in mind.
3. Tony Gonzalez: Gonzalez was the late 1990s version of Antonio Gates. Gonzalez was all that Gates is now. However, Gonzalez is older and with the potentially chaotic QB situation brewing in KC, I cannot see anyone doing well consistantly in the Chiefs passing attack. I love his talents, but don't like his supporting cast for 2007.
4. Vernon Davis: Davis lasted a quarter into his rookie season in 2006 before breaking his foot.In that first quarter you did get a glimpse why he was the 49ers first choice in their draft. He scored a TD and then was on a breakaway to score again before he got hit on his ankle (Which broke) and then he fumbled the ball to the Cardinals. Seemingly his season was over, but he did manage to make it back and play in the team's final 4 games. In 4.25 games he posted some very respectable numbers comprising of 20 catches and 3 TDs. Now that he's healthy the young 49ers will be looking to improve in 2007.
5. Todd Heap: Old reliable! This guy is just a workhorse. He just wears down his opponents and before you realize it he'll have caught 5 balls for 65 yds and a TD. He outwills his competition, and that is why Heap is always able to put together solid seasons. With Steve McNair's arm becoming less of a deep threat, that should mean that Heap will see the ball plenty once again in 2007.
6. Jeremy Shockey: Shockey is the TE Media Darling...if you like hearing from the guy that is always complaining about not getting looked at when he's wide open or when he has a complaint about how the team is being run. Shockey is a great talent at this position, but this year he will have to actually do something to make his words hold up. The passing game is all that the Giants have for 2007, so look for Shockey to get noticed by Eli more often this year.
7. Eric Johnson: Last year in SF Johnson just fell out of favor with the coaching staff. He is more of a pass catching TE than he's given credit for, and the 49ers primarily used him as a blocker in 06. Now he is in New Orleans, playing the same position that Colston played last year and flourished in. I would look for some big things out of Eric Johnson and the Saints in 2007. Sleeper Pick!!
8. Alge Crumpler: The apparent loss of Michael Vick will hurt every player associated with th7e Falcons. They are gonna have to use a back up in the likes of Joey Harrington to try and guide the offense under new coach Bobby Petrino. This will more than likely take some time to develop so look for Crumpler's numbers to take a dive until everyone gets used to the new scheme being added by the new coaching staff.
9. Randy McMichael: Now that McMichael is out of the QB graveyard that is South Beach, Miami. He should be able to get used the way he's always wanted in a passing offense that is St Louis. The Rams have been needing a big TE to rely on in the middle of the field to take some of the pressure off of I. Bruce and T. Holt. Look for a solid year from Randy against the weaker defenses in the NFC West.
10. Chris Cooley: This is the big change from my original post. I had Cooley 16th in the original, but there is no way you can leave this guy out of the rankings. Cooley ranked in the top 8 amongst TEs in TDs, Receptions and total yards. I am not sure he'll be able to duplicate that for Washington in 2007, but you have to include him on this list.
11. L J Smith: This is the right spot for him assuming that McNabb is also in the Philadelphia lineup. Smith seemingly has a great repoir with McNabb and his stats seem to increase when they are on the field together. Solid pick as long as McNabb is playing.
12. Benjamin Watson: Watson essentially took a stronghold on this position during the Patriots' run last season. Because of that Daniel Graham has been banished to play in Denver, leaving Watson as the one and only TE in New England for 2007. He doesn't get the opportunity for many catches per game, but the ones he does catch are usually meaningful. His production in the Red Zone will probably take a hit thanks to the arrival of the Randy Ratio, but he'll still be a useful player in the Patriots system.
13. Jason Witten: The Cowboys have some pretty good weapons, and Witten is the icing on the cake. He is a tough cover for defenses,because most teams are so focused on T.O. and Terry Glenn that they tend to forget about Witten. He had a slow start in 2006, but with the new staff the TE position has proven to be quite succesful in other stops for Wade Phillips and his staff.
14. Heath Miller: In 2005, both Heath and Big Ben's rookie seasons, Miller proved to be all that the Steelers thought he was. With the struggles of Reothlisberger in 2006 Heath's numbers came back down to Earth. As documented, the new coaching staff in Pittsburgh wants to spread the ball around more and that can only be beneficial for Miller's sats in 2007. He is Big Ben's safety valve and he can make things happen with his legs and shiftiness for a guy his size.
15. Daniel Graham: Until last season in NE, Graham was a consistant weapon in the Patriots system. Either he was under used,or he fell out of favor amongst the NE coaching staff in 2006, but either way his stats took a hit because of it. With a move to a team that desperately needed help at TE in the Broncos expect Graham to re-emurge as a solid play for 2007. Cutler sorely needed a safety valve in 2006, and now he's got one. Look for Jake to use him frequently.
If you need help picking a defense or a kicker just put all the teams in a hat and pray you don't get K Grammatica or Def. Arizona. Nah, seriously though...for kickers try to take one that plays for a team with a good offense. And for Defenses, if you cannot get Balt., NE, SD, Chi., or Pitt. it really turns into a crap shoot. I generally just add and drop for a defense all year if I didn't manage to get an elite one. Good Luck to Everyone this Season... unless you're in my league of course.
Please visit http://juicednewssportsforum.blogspot.com/ to read more articles by Juiced News!
No comments:
Post a Comment