Ok, let's talk about TE

[btcutter]

So want someone like Gonzo...maybe a TE like Vernon Davis?

Then again we didn't have a top 10 pick to get the guy this year so I guess we had no real chance of getting him.

Also if we picked up a player in the draft like the chargers did with Antonio Gates when they drafted him. Cowboys fans would be screaming bloody murder.
Why, because most never heard of him, the kid was not playing football for a top program the whole time in College and he was viewed as a PROJECT player with upside.

Look at how people are talking about Hatcher, at least hatcher has been playing football.

Just something to consider.

Those two players you mentioned one was a long shot project player with limited football exp and the other was a top pick in the draft.

I think people are missing my point.

My first two picks needs to have good upside....Fasano doesn't fit the bill.

If we want TE, go for it.....take a great one in the 1st or someone much later but with great upside like Gates. Hell, we got 2 7th rounders...take two shots at TEs'.

 

[big dog cowboy]

My first two picks needs to have good upside....Fasano doesn't fit the bill.

This guy has nothing but potential. To say he doesn't have good upside is just wrong. From Goose's top 100 list.......

54. Anthony Fasano TE Notre Dame
There could be as many as four tight ends selected in the second round: Marcedes Lewis, Leonard Pope, Anthony Fasano and Joe Klopfenstein. Lewis won the Mackey Award last season as the best tight end in the college game. Klopfenstein is big (6-5, 255) and Pope bigger (6-7, 258). But maybe the most intriguing prospect is Fasano, who left his senior season on the table at Notre Dame to turn pro. He reminds NFL talent evaluators of another Notre Dame tight end – Mark Bavaro. "I pride myself on being an all-around tight end, a tight end who doesn't come off the field in any situation," Fasano said.

Or perhaps you should read the scouting reports that say he is a good blocker and pass catcher with a frame to add weight and get stronger making him an even better player.

 

[Hailmary]

Well, I will say I'm not too excited about this draft, but if we were looking for receivers, the WR position was horrible this year so at least we could add a TE in a relatively deep draft for TEs. You are just getting the most talent on the field as possible, whether it is a 2nd TE or a 3rd WR.

We still haven't touched some pressing needs though. Hopefully we will real soon.

A very good post.

This pick is growing on me. A second pass catching TE should greatly improve our 3rd down and redzone effeciency.

I was hoping we'd do something to address our aging WRs, but a solid receiver is a solid receiver regardless of position I guess.

Still hoping for Brandon Marshall in the 4th or 5th, however.

 

[jamhap]

I'm from Wisconsin, so I was able to see Keith Jackson and Mark Chmura in the Packers 2 TE offense and it was pretty scary. If Witten and Fasano are even close to that, we're going to be very happy with this pick.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I didn't say he won't start in a two TE set. What I am saying is that he is not "explosive" or "dynamic". If BP wants TE, get someone who has that game changing potential like the Gates, Gonzo etc....
Again, Fasano will be fine in BP's offense because it's designed for TE's. However, if we had another TE like a Ben Coates, it would be Awesome and worthy of that pick. Again, I expected more upside from my 2nd rounder.

why do you need so much when you already have a Witten?

 

[rkstevens]

This guy has nothing but potential. To say he doesn't have good upside is just wrong. From Goose's top 100 list.......

54. Anthony Fasano TE Notre Dame
There could be as many as four tight ends selected in the second round: Marcedes Lewis, Leonard Pope, Anthony Fasano and Joe Klopfenstein. Lewis won the Mackey Award last season as the best tight end in the college game. Klopfenstein is big (6-5, 255) and Pope bigger (6-7, 258). But maybe the most intriguing prospect is Fasano, who left his senior season on the table at Notre Dame to turn pro. He reminds NFL talent evaluators of another Notre Dame tight end – Mark Bavaro. "I pride myself on being an all-around tight end, a tight end who doesn't come off the field in any situation," Fasano said.

Or perhaps you should read the scouting reports that say he is a good blocker and pass catcher with a frame to add weight and get stronger making him an even better player.

Yep. Pope and Byrd were available, but the reports I've read on them say that they're not good blockers. Fasano can both block and catch, albeit not as well as those two according to what I've read (although he had better stats than Pope and Byrd, but not as many TD's as Pope.)

 

[rkstevens]

I'm from Wisconsin, so I was able to see Keith Jackson and Mark Chmura in the Packers 2 TE offense and it was pretty scary. If Witten and Fasano are even close to that, we're going to be very happy with this pick.

I think the Colts run the 2 TE set also. If Jerry and Bill are actually serious about this, imagine being able to do this out of the same formation (2 WR, 2 TE, no FB):

1. Julius Jones runs off right tackle with Witten providing additional run blocking.
2. Throw to Glenn with both Witten and Fasano staying in on max protect (we did this on the flea flicker in the KC game).
3. Draw play to Julius Jones with Witten and Fasano either blocking the LB's or spreading out to pull the LB's in coverage.
4. Send T.O. and Glenn deep and match up Witten on a LB, nickel corner or safety.
5. Screen pass to Julius Jones with Fasano blocking (they did this last season with Campbell).
6. Witten and Fasano tying up the LB's leaving allowing T.O. to catch a short route and beating the secondary.

The way I look at it, without drafting an offensive lineman, we improved the pass protection by adding a TE who can pass-block. We improved the running game by adding a TE who can help us run off the edges (a big weakness) and block upfield on sweeps and screen passes. We improved the passing game by adding a TE who can catch. I think this is better than just adding a WR that would be only a 3rd WR who can only catch passes or play if someone is injured or a rookie offensive lineman who we don't know is better than what we already have. Plus, I feel better about a TE helping Fabini or Petitti blocking over drafting a rookie OT like Eric Winston and leaving him out there to block by himself. There also seem to be some quality offensive linemen left that we can pick up on the second day.