FA Part 2- TE

[tm1119]

Fasano, Bennett, Escobar.....all high draft choices, all rode the pine behind Witten and basically did nothing as a Cowboy.
Hanna, Swaim, Geathers, Jarwin......all sit the pine behind Witten now. All might be very good, but none are good enough to unseat Witten.

5 TE's on the roster, and we still think we need to draft a TE that is not just a development 5-7th round guy. I don't understand the logic.
I have no idea if any of the guys behind Witten can really play, but unless you are talking some "generational" talent, then IMO we don't need any more TE's drafted in the top 4 rounds. Too many other needs.

<edit> since this was primarily about FA TE's my point still stands, unless they see a generational type talent. No need to spend the $$$$$.

Witten is 1 step out the door and not mobile enough to be a #1 TE in today’s NFL. The other 4 guys on the roster aren’t good enough. TE is too important of a position to be content with mediocre talent.

 

[Bobhaze]

Burton is intriguing. He has WR speed at 235 lbs and is still young at 26. He wouldn’t be expected to start immediately and could offer a nice matchup problem in certain situations.

The thing missing from the TE position currently is a matchup problem for defenses. Written of course has been a great player for so long...BUT...he is covered now fairly easily by just about any LB. Adding a receiving TE with some size and speed would immediately bring a dimension to this offense we did not have last year.

For example, the Cowboys like to use two TEs in several sets, especially when running the ball or using play action. With a true receiving threat at TE that can be used in situations like this, the defense will have some new problems to solve.

That brings me to over-hyped RICO Gathers. He’s probably worth one more look but I keep thinking that if this guy is as All-world as some cowboys fans seem to believe, it amazes me that he has never even been on the field yet. Yeah, I know he had a concussion, but for 16 weeks? Count me skeptical on Gathers.

Regardless, this team needs a skilled TE.

 

[cowboyec]

Id rather just draft Fumagali from Wisconsin or Ian Thomas,Indiana.

 

[Aven8]

Good grief Fasano is only 33?? How old was he when Parcells drafted him? 16?!?

 

[Leadbelly]

I think it's a low priority position for us but Austin Seferian-Jenkins is who I would sign.

Still just 25. Very good hands. Solid blocker. He was a downfield threat in Tampa. There's an alcohol history with him, though the story is he's recently reached a year of sobriety. Seems pretty humble and professional in interviews. Has had a bunch of little injuries.

Spotrac estimates his market value at $4.1 million. I imagine it would have some team friendly clauses due to the past issue.

 

[jobberone]

We need a starting TE. Witten should be the 2nd blocking TE. Hanna and Swaim are what they are, they aren’t good starters. Rico is nothing but a myth at this point, if he ever amounts to anything it’s a bonus...he shouldn’t be counted on.
San Diego handled the transition from Gates to Henry perfectly. There’s no reason we can’t do the same with Witten and a draft pick. There are a bunch of big, talented TE’s available between rounds 1-4, no reason we shouldn’t take 1 to groom as the #1. A TE that can stretch the middle of the field would do wonders for the offense.

I can't argue with this. I just don't see then sitting Witten. I also don't think Witten can block very well either BTW.

I also agree our depth is not great to be polite. We are marginal as a group although Witten is all around very good. Hanna has never been used properly IMO. Rico may be all around very good esp receiving. We just don't know yet. Witten, Rico, and Hanna plus the hybrid TE.

That's why we need a hybrid receiver.

 

[jobberone]

Id rather just draft Fumagali from Wisconsin or Ian Thomas,Indiana.

That works although I'd go after the Hurst kid out of SC. We don't have to refurbish TE in one off season.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

IMO only why anyone on that list is considered ........during the regular season if Witten injured for the year

 

[McKDaddy]

Burton is intriguing. He has WR speed at 235 lbs and is still young at 26. He wouldn’t be expected to start immediately and could offer a nice matchup problem in certain situations.

The thing missing from the TE position currently is a matchup problem for defenses. Written of course has been a great player for so long...BUT...he is covered now fairly easily by just about any LB. Adding a receiving TE with some size and speed would immediately bring a dimension to this offense we did not have last year.

For example, the Cowboys like to use two TEs in several sets, especially when running the ball or using play action. With a true receiving threat at TE that can be used in situations like this, the defense will have some new problems to solve.

That brings me to over-hyped RICO Gathers. He’s probably worth one more look but I keep thinking that if this guy is as All-world as some cowboys fans seem to believe, it amazes me that he has never even been on the field yet. Yeah, I know he had a concussion, but for 16 weeks? Count me skeptical on Gathers.

Regardless, this team needs a skilled TE.

Rico - On any other team him not seeing the field would be concerning. With our coaches, they like to wait about two years after the player could have contributed.

 

[Verdict]

I have not looked into cap figures or whether these will be resigned or not; at least for all. Again the list may not be up to date. Small market for TEs this year.

Tight Ends

Jimmy Graham (31)
Tyler Eifert (27)
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (25)
Trey Burton (26)
Virgil Green (29)
Niles Paul (28)
Luke Willson (28)
Ben Watson (37)
Antonio Gates (37)
Ed Dickson (30)
Crockett Gillmore (26)
Troy Niklas (25)
Chris Gragg (27)
Darren Fells (31)
Richard Rodgers (26)
Lee Smith (30)
Anthony Fasano (33)
Jeff Cumberland (30)
Derek Carrier (27)
Brandon Williams (30)
Clay Harbor (30)
Zach Miller (33)
Logan Paulsen (31)

Jimmy Graham (31) Ten TDs but 9.18 YPC. Reported not likely to stay in Seattle. Lukewarm on him.
Tyler Eifert (27) Young but missed 41/80 games two back injuries and recent knee scope. One yr deal??
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (25) Injuries. Good foot speed and agility. Builds to speed not explosive. Hands+
Trey Burton (26) Backup but expected to sign for starter money. 4.62 good shuttles. 6-3 and 235.
Virgil Green (29) Not a player
Niles Paul (28) One decent year 2014 otherwise nuttin'
Luke Willson (28) TE2 for Seattle. If Graham goes he's TE1.
Crockett Gillmore (26) Big but slow
Zach Miller (33) 9 leg surgeries. Career may be over

Graham and Jenkins looks like the pot. Maybe you people know others.

I want a big, fast hybrid. Looks like that is draft time. We don't have to have another TE but we need a receiver.

We have a pretty good one on the roster on Hanna. He just never sees the field and gets no opportunities. That's a shame because I really believe he is a superior player to Witten and has been for some time. He has speed to stretch the field too.

 

[Verdict]

Rico - On any other team him not seeing the field would be concerning. With our coaches, they like to wait about two years after the player could have contributed.

Two years or ten. But who's counting. Lol

 

[Alexander]

Garrett lusted after Eifert and pouted when he did not get him in the draft, so there's that.

 

[Sydla]

Garrett lusted after Eifert and pouted when he did not get him in the draft, so there's that.

Reports are Bengals want him back on an incentive deal and have the cap space to make it happen.

And I am curious as to what Philly is going to do with Burton. They could cut Celek and resign Burton who frankly is a better TE at this point.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Honestly I just think free agent spending on a tight end is a waste of money.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Garrett lusted after Eifert and pouted when he did not get him in the draft, so there's that.

I like the player....the injuries are a concern though.

 

[Alexander]

Reports are Bengals want him back on an incentive deal and have the cap space to make it happen.

And I am curious as to what Philly is going to do with Burton. They could cut Celek and resign Burton who frankly is a better TE at this point.

Celek is an all around TE who blocks well. Burton is a juiced up ex-WR. I would keep Celek over him.

 

[Sydla]

Celek is an all around TE who blocks well. Burton is a juiced up ex-WR. I would keep Celek over him.

Celek is a non factor in the passing game anymore. He has 14 and 13 catches the last two seasons.

He's basically their blocking TE at this point. And a $5MM cap hit in 2018 for a guy who just blocks at this point on a team that has cap issues, yeah............ I think he's long gone.

 

[Alexander]

Anthony fasano. we need him on this team.

I still remember when Jones threw him in as a sweetener to Miami along with Akin Ayodele for a 4th round pick

That was some quality General Manager work.

 

[Alexander]

Celek is a non factor in the passing game anymore. He has 14 and 13 catches the last two seasons.

He's basically their blocking TE at this point. And a $5MM cap hit in 2018 for a guy who just blocks at this point on a team that has cap issues, yeah............ I think he's long gone.

Burton's only charm is that he is younger. He had a whopping 23 receptions for under 11 yards a catch versus Celek's 14 catches. I don't see what Dallas would do with a TE that can't block as long as Witten is around.

 

[Dalmations202]

Witten is 1 step out the door and not mobile enough to be a #1 TE in today’s NFL. The other 4 guys on the roster aren’t good enough. TE is too important of a position to be content with mediocre talent.

TE being an important position is greatly exaggerated. It is a very important position in some offenses yes. It isn't that important depending on how the players are utilized. I have no problem with a great catching TE/Hback being in the system. I have no problem with a great blocking back.

I do on the other hand have a big problem with the offense when it tries to force things to specific players (ie Dez), tries to define a TE by the catches and not the overall production, and doesn't maximize the talent that is on the team. 5 TE's are too many for any team, IMO. They should have a balanced TE, a receiving TE, and a blocking TE (and truth be known, you can use a backup OL for this position and FB in today's NFL). 3 at most TE's.

There are OC that would utilize an H-Back/TE/Slot back much better than Dallas does. NE utilized small quick slot guys. Back in the day, SF utilized Jerry Rice as a get him moving, and get him the ball, and he was just bigger and stronger than most DB's. Denver used Shannon Sharpe to destroy LB's. All of these are just different ways to attack what the defense has -- I just think that Dallas needs to exploit what the defense gives them and maximize the strength of their players instead of playing into the other teams strength by trying to force things to certain players. IE Dallas is a running team -- when Dallas can run, but beats you with the slot, unless you defend that well, and uses the WR when they try to defend the slot. All should be possible, and I don't understand why Dallas can't seem to understand which teams have players that will take away certain aspects of their game (ie having issues making changes at half time).

I just don't see the coaching - matching up to the talent that is there. This is why it seems like most of the players seem to do well, when they leave Dallas. At least Fasano, and Bennett did.