Blocking TEs v. Receiving TEs

A lot of people say that receiving Tight Ends are the new dominating force in the NFL. It's tough to argue when you look at guys like Jimmy Graham, Vernon Davis, and Aaron Hernandez. They stretch the field vertically and are matchup nightmares, but a lot of them lack the blocking ability of elite blocking TEs. Yeah some of these receiving TEs can be good blockers, but they don't compare to a Jason Witten or Tony Gonzalez on the blocking level.

My question for you guys is would you rather have a receiving or blocking Tight End? Right now, I would love nothing more than a great blocking one. These guys can be like an extra O-line man, and we all know that improving the O-line improves the entire team. The hidden gem is these blocking TEs are still incredibly dangerous on a receiving level. They wont be getting 1,000+ yards a season or burn the defense deep, but they are still matchup nightmares due to their size. They excel at converting those 3rd and 5s and such with their great hands and huge bodies. They can get just enough separation to reel in those 5-10 yard passes all day. On defense there is nothing more frustrating than knowing that on a 3rd down, the offense is going to the TE. You know it, the defenders know it, and yet it is extremely hard to stop. I haven't even mentioned the redzone threat, that's pretty obvious though.

People keep looking in college for the next Vernon Davis or the next Jimmy Graham, but I would rather get the next Jason Witten or Tony Gonzalez. Plus you wont have to deal with the receiving divas like Cook and Finely. Remember Frank Wycheck? He fits the mold of my kind of TE. Aside from the extremely rare ultimate hybrid (Gronk), give me a Witten over a Graham.

I wouldn't call Witten or Gonzalez a "blocking" tight end.

I do agree with you that I would rather have a premier receiving tight end that can block over a premier receiving tight end that can't block.

I prefer TEs who can still seal and edge, but have the ability to catch the clutch 10 yard hook. I don't care if the TE can stretch the field and make 1 or 2 30 yard catches a game, but suck the rest of the game. I want a guy who can block plus get me 5 catches for 40 yards every game consistently.

Jason Witten is my ideal TE.

You don't need to be a GREAT blocker, but just hold your own. Don't get someone killed because you are totally incompetent. Cook couldn't even do that.

If you are a great receiving TE then you demand coverage from defenses and blocking weakness is negated.

If you are a good or quality receiving TE, like Cook, no one really cares about you so your blocking weakness is a lot more evident.

A just good enough blocker with sure hands. That's good enough for me. To me, cook basically showed our hand at the formation, of what we were going to do. It was very annoying to be able to instantly know if it was a pass play or run play depending on if cook was in or not. I'd much rather have a TE that can block the edge and catch 3/5 first downs a game.

You only need to be a competent blocker. Receiving is much more valuable. But the key is that you need to be competent.

Jared Cook wasn't. He was horrendous. When he was on the field, the Titans passed more than 80% of the time. His mere presence on the field gave the defense a huge advantage because they knew what was coming.

I'll be happy to never have to see crap like this again:

Defenses literally knew: If Jared Cook is in, 99.99% chance it's a pass.

This ^ I dont need a Great receiving guy if he can't block at all. What I need is a good receiving guy that can at least hold his own on the line of scrimmage. Doesn't have to be a great blocker, but can get the job done. Realistically what I really want is a great receiver who is an above average blocker a la Gates or Vernon.

Blocking TE's are practically a waste of roster space in my opinion.

Get a good receiving TE and he'll take an LB's focus- whether he can block or not. Add in that he can actually be a threat to score or catch?

I'll take that over an extra offensive lineman.

Cook blocked just fine for a receiving TE but people here just started claiming he cant block and the sheep ran with it, regardless of how many times commentators pointed out that he made a key block.