Stock Up/Stock Down: Tight Ends

[casmith07]

How's the Tight End group looking to you? Who makes the 53?

[SDCowboy85]

Stock down. I'm concerned Witten has begun his decline the past 2 seasons and the backup situation is an unknown.

[wittenacious]

TE group: Witten rock solid; Phillips should be improved, more time to have healed and trust his recovery from his 2010 ACL injury; Marty B gone, of course, with no clear replacement for him just yet.

Not thinking Hanna will make the 53 this year. Hope I'm wrong about that. Could use him. Expect him to be slid to the PS as it stands right now. No faith, whatsoever, in John Nalbone making the team. Maybe he'll shock me.

Kinda sorta thinking the Cowboys may look to sign another TE before the season starts. IDK.

Overall, stock down.

[DFWJC]

Even or slightly down

Hanna and/or Phillips (1 year removed from injury) could help with more reps.
Losing Marty B hurts the run game some but helps the team chemistry.
Witten should still be great but has probably peaked.

[Boys122]

I'm going to say we're even at tight end. Witten has probably peaked, but he still can be very effective.

Unlike a lot of fans I think Phillips will do a good job at the #2 tight end spot. I also think highly of Hanna. Will he do much of anything this year? Probably not, but he at least makes the practice squad this year and at some point may be brought on the 53 man roster to get some snaps.

Phillips may not be the blocker Bennett was, but he sure has the skill set to be an effective #2 tight end in our offense. I don't miss Bennett one bit. In fact I'm glad he's gone.

[dexternjack]

Stasis (even) only because we still have Witten. Peaked or not, he still is a force. The rest of the crew, who knows, certainly not me.

[Kingsmith88]

Until someone proves as effective as the malcontent now in NY at run blocking I would have to say down. Witten is always solid behind him, yikes. (Phillips included)

[RS12]

Down: Whatever Marty brought it hasnt been replaced. Witten isnt getting any younger and Phillips has alot to prove. Hanna may or may not have the hands to play in this league.

[jazzcat22]

Stock Down.
Witten still one of the best, but past few years seems he's been off a little bit. More penalties and a few more dropped passes.

No replacement for Marty B, from a blocking stanpoint. I think his value was under estimated by many of the fans that hated him, because of his immaturity.

Phillips needs to show he is really back from his injury as well.

From what I have been reading about Hanna, he will not be able to replace Marty B as a blocking TE, nor even a receiving TE. But yet I would bet the Marty B haters think Hanna is better at this point.

The other TE's are just camp bodies.

I like Phillips still, so hope his blocking improves. And am pulling for Hanna he can learn to catch better.

[AbeBeta]

Witten -- we need to use him more strategically. Guys who have long careers cannot be the sort of do-it-all TE we ask him to be. 10 fewer blocking plays a game and I expect we keep him much more fresh in the passing game.

Phillips -- Me, I tend to think the Phillips got a ton of love because people hated Bennett. Regardless, he's got to step up this year. We need a solid #2 who can catch and block so that when we rest Witten, the play isn't obvious. I have little faith in this kid -- the stuff about him not being fully recovered from the ACL last year I don't buy. He had a very long period for recovery.

Hannah -- This guy's roster spot is really contingent on Phillips being able to take the next step as a blocker. If Phillips remains a guy whose blocking isn't there yet then we'll have a tough decision to make on Hannah. Hannah is a pass catching TE. He may develop as a blocker but that will take a while.

Free Agent TE -- Someone is going to come in and end up in the #2 spot. He will likely be a veteran last cut down guy. Keep an eye on Anthony Fasano here.

[CyberB0b]

Originally Posted by SDCowboy85

Stock down. I'm concerned Witten has begun his decline the past 2 seasons and the backup situation is an unknown.

Witten had one of his better seasons last year.

[cowboy_ron]

At this point I would say down...hopefully that changes during TC

[SDCowboy85]

Originally Posted by CyberB0b

Witten had one of his better seasons last year.

No he didn't...

[CyberB0b]

Originally Posted by SDCowboy85

No he didn't...

The only stat that dropped off much was receptions. His yards per catch was tied for the highest its ever been. His production was there, they just didn't use him as much.

[Muhast]

Originally Posted by SDCowboy85

No he didn't...

79 catches for 942 and 5 tds isn't what I'd call breaking down.