John Stephens Makes The Team

[blueblood70]

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.

That's some high praise and I agree he looks like he has the skill set to do that but I doubt he's taking Ferguson spot Ferguson did nothing last year or so far this year to say he's losing his number one spot but we can say that Stevens is going to be one of those guys nobody knew would make the team and is going to make the team he's going to be the surprise of camp

I think the place some of these fans were in when we allowed Dalton Schultz to walk didn't realize now we may have too many good tight ends in the next two years or so. we might have to trade a couple

 

[blueblood70]

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.

I think you missed the report saying he's a lot better blocker than people gave him credit for

 

[Runwildboys]

His best bet is if he can crush the end zone jump ball.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

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.

I agree but Hendershot is just as raw. And Stephens offers one thing no one else can. And that’s height and length. Can’t teach it.

 

[rambo2]

His best bet is if he can crush the end zone jump ball.

In the redzone Stephens and Deuce will create mismatches which will create touchdowns.

 

[817Gill]

I agree but Hendershot is just as raw. And Stephens offers one thing no one else can. And that’s height and length. Can’t teach it.

Nah Hendershot is not as raw he was an All-Big 10 tight end and only reason he went undrafted was due to off the field stuff.

You’re not “just as raw” if you made the team last year and played meaningful snaps. We’re acting like Hendershot wasn’t on the team last year or didn’t play.

One guy just switched positions and the other was a recognized power 5 TE. I don’t see how they can both be the same amount of raw.

Again, not saying it’s impossible Stephens bumps him off. But let’s not act like Hendershot didn’t actually show something last year and get snaps.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Nah Hendershot is not as raw he was an All-Big 10 tight end and only reason he went undrafted was due to off the field stuff.

You’re not “just as raw” if you made the team last year and played meaningful snaps. We’re acting like Hendershot wasn’t on the team last year or didn’t play.

One guy just switched positions and the other was a recognized power 5 TE. I don’t see how they can both be the same amount of raw.

Again, not saying it’s impossible Stephens bumps him off. But let’s not act like Hendershot didn’t actually show something last year and get snaps.

Ok he's not AS raw. He should be further along than Stephens for sure. But he is raw. He's not ready to start and be a contributor on a playoff team. This offseason and preseason was suppose to be big for a guy like him. Damone Clark, Daron Bland, Sam Williams......this was a big camp for them and Hendershot hasn't separated himself from the pack.

And to me he did nothing last year. He was a situational limited guy and he would be that this year too. So I have no issue with them bringing him back. But Stephens right now seems to be a higher priority from what i've seen then Hendershot. I've been questioning all offseason what's going on with Hendershot and I think we all kind of just assume he's where he's supposed to be. And to me it made no sense to draft Schoon if you liked Ferguson and Hendershot. When the Receivers and Tight ends meet up he's nowhere to be found. He's not getting much work in the preseason....Him not making the team is becoming realistic.

 

[RonnieT24]

That's some high praise and I agree he looks like he has the skill set to do that but I doubt he's taking Ferguson spot Ferguson did nothing last year or so far this year to say he's losing his number one spot but we can say that Stevens is going to be one of those guys nobody knew would make the team and is going to make the team he's going to be the surprise of camp

I think the place some of these fans were in when we allowed Dalton Schultz to walk didn't realize now we may have too many good tight ends in the next two years or so. we might have to trade a couple

Yeah I may have been guilty of a bit of hyperbole in declaring that Stephens will overtake Ferguson.. We know how NFL coaches are about pecking order. But if the kid goes out and has one of those 2 TD 120 yard receiving games he's going to be hard to keep on the bench. That's the main difference between he and the other guys.. He's capable of that sort of game. He can take one to the house from distance. Maybe not coast to coast but 30-40 yards is not out of the question. Unless he suffers a regression over the next two weeks I think he's on the team and instantly becomes the #1 red zone target. That role alone gets him a roster spot.

 

[KJJ]

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

You seem to think everyone is going to be making plays this season.

 

[rambo2]

You seem to think everyone is going to be making plays this season.

Deuce
Stephens

 

[KJJ]

Deuce
Stephens

We’ll see how many plays they make this season.

 

[rambo2]

We’ll see how many plays they make this season.

Deuce as the 2nd back will make a lot.

 

[817Gill]

Ok he's not AS raw. He should be further along than Stephens for sure. But he is raw. He's not ready to start and be a contributor on a playoff team. This offseason and preseason was suppose to be big for a guy like him. Damone Clark, Daron Bland, Sam Williams......this was a big camp for them and Hendershot hasn't separated himself from the pack.

And to me he did nothing last year. He was a situational limited guy and he would be that this year too. So I have no issue with them bringing him back. But Stephens right now seems to be a higher priority from what i've seen then Hendershot. I've been questioning all offseason what's going on with Hendershot and I think we all kind of just assume he's where he's supposed to be. And to me it made no sense to draft Schoon if you liked Ferguson and Hendershot. When the Receivers and Tight ends meet up he's nowhere to be found. He's not getting much work in the preseason....Him not making the team is becoming realistic.

I don’t think you’re without reason here, I just don’t think training camp performances are really as indicative of play as we think.

Remember Marcus Canady? Had an amazing camp literally picks every other day, even made plays in the preseason. Didn’t crack the rotation and his snaps in the regular season blowouts (verses Carolina for example) were terrible.

On the flipside there’s been guys with quiet camps who we may have scratched our heads at their roster spot.

Hendershot’s been running with the 1’s a heck of a lot more than Stephans in camp. So we’ll see how it shakes out. I’m extremely sure he’ll make the roster, but again I can see your point of view.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I don’t think you’re without reason here, I just don’t think training camp performances are really as indicative of play as we think.

Remember Marcus Canady? Had an amazing camp literally picks every other day, even made plays in the preseason. Didn’t crack the rotation and his snaps in the regular season blowouts (verses Carolina for example) were terrible.

On the flipside there’s been guys with quiet camps who we may have scratched our heads at their roster spot.

Hendershot’s been running with the 1’s a heck of a lot more than Stephans in camp. So we’ll see how it shakes out. I’m extremely sure he’ll make the roster, but again I can see your point of view.

Has Hendershot run with the ones this camp? If so, I stand correct. I haven't seen much on him.

And yeah trust me I get having a quiet camp. But Hendershot was a fringe guy to begin with. He's not a draft pick and at BEST he's our #3 tight end. He can't afford to have a quiet camp if he wants to make this team. There's a few of guys in that mold. Kelden Joseph and Nashon Wright are two more. Jabril Cox is another. SImi Fehoko.

Fringe guys can't afford to be quiet. Especially not after they just drafted your replacement in the 2nd round.

 

[817Gill]

Has Hendershot run with the ones this camp? If so, I stand correct. I haven't seen much on him.

And yeah trust me I get having a quiet camp. But Hendershot was a fringe guy to begin with. He's not a draft pick and at BEST he's our #3 tight end. He can't afford to have a quiet camp if he wants to make this team. There's a few of guys in that mold. Kelden Joseph and Nashon Wright are two more. Jabril Cox is another. SImi Fehoko.

Fringe guys can't afford to be quiet. Especially not after they just drafted your replacement in the 2nd round.

Yeah I’ve seen him grab some from Dak, but yup all you said is totally fair.

 

[blueblood70]

Yeah I may have been guilty of a bit of hyperbole in declaring that Stephens will overtake Ferguson.. We know how NFL coaches are about pecking order. But if the kid goes out and has one of those 2 TD 120 yard receiving games he's going to be hard to keep on the bench. That's the main difference between he and the other guys.. He's capable of that sort of game. He can take one to the house from distance. Maybe not coast to coast but 30-40 yards is not out of the question. Unless he suffers a regression over the next two weeks I think he's on the team and instantly becomes the #1 red zone target. That role alone gets him a roster spot.

Isn't it crazy how fast narratives are flipped like the Cowboys can't get the safety position figured out, and now look, then it was they never address the defensive tackles, now look and people were worried about the tight end position and now we may end up having too many and we'll have some trade value get rid of one of them maybe for a position of need before the trade deadline you never know....

 

[VaqueroTD]

I've seen 4 TEs kept many years, but have we ever kept 5? Just curious. I would keep him. There is a track record of big receiver TEs drafted late or UFA making it big in the NFL. Ferguson-Hendershot-Schoo-Stephens. Nice young crop. Is McKeon eligible for the PS? Main worry with him would be a team that needs another proven blocker would take him. Or with the new rules on depth, if it's possible, rotate Stephens and McKeon based on the gameplan. You need a receiver or a blocker? Offensive line depth might make that decision for them.

 

[charron]

Does he play special teams? If not then it's doubtful he makes the 53. Even if he does how many snaps he gonna get with little blocking abilities? There's no disguising what he will do on the field. At least with ferg or schoon a defense has to guess a little bit.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

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

not saying its the same. but remember Rico?

Stephens is got a little ways to go to be a TE. he is a PS player. needs one year of seasoning at least.

 

[RonnieT24]

not saying its the same. but remember Rico?

Stephens is got a little ways to go to be a TE. he is a PS player. needs one year of seasoning at least.

Rico was a basketball player who took up football like his last year of college. Stephens is just a wide receiver who never stopped growing until he was the size of a tight end. Two very different paths to the same position. You can clearly see that Stephens is a natural football player. I mean his dad was like offensive rookie of the year as a running back or some such. Them's some good genes.