John Stephens Makes The Team

[jaythecowboy]

I think McKeon will go to the practice squad to keep Stephens on the roster. Stephens would probably get sniped if he's not on the 53. I think the Cowboys will go with 4 te's

 

[Stash]

I don’t think he leapfrogs Hendershot, but it’s not impossible.

I’ve heard Hendershot has been struggling a bit this camp. That, coupled with Stephens’ excelling is making me start to believe that ‘Shot might get bumped off the roster.

 

[Stash]

I for sure think he will

They might keep McKeon and possibly trade Hendershot.

I’m thinking the same.

 

[blueblood70]

He is going to make this team. He is going to get some playing time and he will make plays.

He definitely might take McKeons spot and the fact that we haven't even heard from Hendershot..

I mean it's very confusing we have not heard hendershott's name in practice training camp or in this game I mean since the end of last year hendershott's name hasn't even come up I mean is he hurt is he about to be suspended has he been arrested I mean is there something going on where this guy is just disappeared? So given the fact that we saw them basically feed the ball to number 49 Stephens, he has a shot he's big he can block and apparently, he's above Hendershot right now..

So the depth chart possibly could be Ferguson Luke Schoonmaker and Stephens if they keep 4 i guess Hendershot is a possibility.

Be crazy to think of the Dallas Cowboys front office end up with too many tight ends and end up having to trade a couple of them if some of them are good enough and we have too many we could have some trade value there..

 

[blueblood70]

I’ve heard Hendershot has been struggling a bit this camp. That, coupled with Stephens’ excelling is making me start to believe that ‘Shot might get bumped off the roster.

Very possible or maybe he gets exposed on the practice squad maybe traded be nice to have many options at tight end that we might have to trade one..

 

[blueblood70]

How can you be so sure?

We can't but the fact that hendershots been Mia and they the way they fed this guy Stevens the ball in the preseason game says a lot he's big he can block and it at least he can catch some he's probably above hendershot and McKeon right now..

 

[Jarntt]

Sans an injury or two, If he makes the team it most likely will be as the #4 TE and it will require him to be a really good blocker and STs guy. I don't think he is as good as McKeon at either of those two things so he looks like a PS guy to me. But heck, let's hope he balls out and earns a job and some game day snaps. Can only be good for the team to have these cheap young guys step up and become players. Every once in a while one becomes a perennial starter even...but...it's not very likely and especially not off of the first preseason game. But, I'm rooting for the kid.

 

[Stash]

Very possible or maybe he gets exposed on the practice squad maybe traded be nice to have many options at tight end that we might have to trade one..

Right? Who would have guessed that? Not me!

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I don’t think he leapfrogs Hendershot, but it’s not impossible.

I think he can absolutely leapfrog Hendershot.

He’ll need to continue to be developed but he’s an instant red zone mismatch up from Day 1 in certain packages.

Hendershot has some developable traits too, but he’s an absolute spaz as a blocker and IMO, is slightly undersized, and doesn’t have a singular special trait that he brings to the table.

 

[OmerV]

He is going to make this team. He is going to get some playing time and he will make plays.

He definitely did a good job Saturday, but I think it's way premature to say this. We've seen TC/preseason successes that didn't work out, and it's hard to ignore that he was barely used as a receiver in college. That could have been a mistake, and maybe he was just out of position at WR & should have been a TE all along, but it's pretty early to say any of that with any certainty. And, of course, being new to the TE position works against him.

In short, I doubt very much he will make the active roster unless they decide to keep 4 TE's. His best hope is probably to make the practice squad and spend a year learning to be a TE.

 

[Sandyf]

If (and as always a big IF), Stephens keeps playing and practicing like he has all of camp and against the Jags they he will make the team probably as the 3rd TE. He is listed at 6'6", 245 and with a 4.62 40. According to what the coaches and media have said is that his blocking is much better than expected and probably best current blocker among the TE group but remember Schoonmaker has only been at a couple of practices and blocking was his greatest thing at Michigan.

Actually Stephens reminds me a lot of Antonio Gates who was undrafted guy that the Chargers signed after that draft and went on to a HOF career. He has that sort of talent but the next 3 weeks will determine what goes.

As to McKeon and Hendershot, could easily see one of both traded since several teams are having TE problems with injuries. Won't get much, more like a 7th or conditional pick but could easily happen.

 

[rambo2]

They

If (and as always a big IF), Stephens keeps playing and practicing like he has all of camp and against the Jags they he will make the team probably as the 3rd TE. He is listed at 6'6", 245 and with a 4.62 40. According to what the coaches and media have said is that his blocking is much better than expected and probably best current blocker among the TE group but remember Schoonmaker has only been at a couple of practices and blocking was his greatest thing at Michigan.

Actually Stephens reminds me a lot of Antonio Gates who was undrafted guy that the Chargers signed after that draft and went on to a HOF career. He has that sort of talent but the next 3 weeks will determine what goes.

As to McKeon and Hendershot, could easily see one of both traded since several teams are having TE problems with injuries. Won't get much, more like a 7th or conditional pick but could easily happen.

They could trade a tight end and a dlineman for an offensive lineman.

 

[John813]

McKeon was on the practice squad last year to start the year. He's a limited TE, which is a dime a dozen around the league. He'll probably start out on the PS again this year depending on how well Shot and Stephens do.

To me the locks are Ferguson and Schoon. #3 is up for grabs. I doubt there's any trade market for Hendershot.

 

[RonnieT24]

I think by year's end Stephens will be the #1 TE. He is the best athlete of the group, the fastest of the group and has the largest catch radius of the group. He is a jumpball automatic in the red zone as there aren't 5 DBs in the NFL who can go up with him and contest the ball. He can be what Dez used to be in that regard. Basically if you put it up high enough he's the only person on the field who will be able to go get it. It's just going to be on the QBs to put the ball in that sweet spot. I do share the concerns about his blocking but hell it's not like any of our TEs are out there pancaking people on the regular anyway. The best use of Stephens will be as a pass catcher flexed tight end. Let the other guys they keep rassle with DEs. McCarthy aint no idiot.. He'll figure it out.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I don’t see how he makes the top 3.

He’s in competition with McKeon for the 4 spot, which isn’t even a guarantee to be active week in and week out.

If he makes the 53, he won’t see many snaps on a weekly basis.

Oh as of now I’d say he’s in competition for the 3rd spot based on preseason and training camp. He’s been killing it.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Blocking. They’re kind of the opposite. McKeon is a trusted blocked but brings little as a receiver. Stephens is raw and can’t block much but his ceiling as a receiver is incredibly high,

So it all depends on what the coaches want. My guess is they both stay on, one on PS and one on the 53.

Please keep in mind that the WCO asks the TE’s to block a lot more than Coryell. So while I personally would keep the receiver over the blocker, I can’t discount the importance of blocking for TE’s in this scheme and hence the staffs apprehension to let a dependable blocker go.

Again, I think both stay with the organization.

If Mckeon provided blocking then what does Hendershot provide? He may be the odd man out.

 

[817Gill]

If Mckeon provided blocking then what does Hendershot provide? He may be the odd man out.

Ok let’s not forget why the team likes Hendershot. Just cause there’s hasn’t been a bunch of camp highlights doesn’t mean we don’t know what he does.

He’s a field stretcher and is the most pure receiving TE we had coming into this year. He’s the new mold of TE. Not a good blocker but really challenges DB’s and LB’s as a pass catcher. That sideline TD route verses Jax is a prime example.

 

[lkelly]

I think by year's end Stephens will be the #1 TE. He is the best athlete of the group, the fastest of the group and has the largest catch radius of the group. He is a jumpball automatic in the red zone as there aren't 5 DBs in the NFL who can go up with him and contest the ball. He can be what Dez used to be in that regard. Basically if you put it up high enough he's the only person on the field who will be able to go get it. It's just going to be on the QBs to put the ball in that sweet spot. I do share the concerns about his blocking but hell it's not like any of our TEs are out there pancaking people on the regular anyway. The best use of Stephens will be as a pass catcher flexed tight end. Let the other guys they keep rassle with DEs. McCarthy aint no idiot.. He'll figure it out.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Ok let’s not forget why the team likes Hendershot. Just cause there’s hasn’t been a bunch of camp highlights doesn’t mean we don’t know what he does.

He’s a field stretcher and is the most pure receiving TE we had coming into this year. He’s the new mold of TE. Not a good blocker but really challenges DB’s and LB’s as a pass catcher. That sideline TD route verses Jax is a prime example.

This is why I think he finds himself on the out. Ferguson and Schoon can stretch the field and both can block.

I’d stash Hendershot on PS.

 

[817Gill]

This is why I think he finds himself on the out. Ferguson and Schoon can stretch the field and both can block.

I’d stash Hendershot on PS.

Yeah but we’re talking about TE3. Stephens is another receiving no blocking TE. In fact he was just converted from WR.

If the argument is Stephens vs Hendershot you’re arguing two guys with the same skillset but with one being experienced at it and one being raw.

Usually the raw one goes to the PS, not the one who’s actually made plays in the regular season.