Position Primer 2013 - Tight End

I have no problem with the Stevens signing. He's good at blocking and his receiving skills are underrated.

While he only had 1 or 2 receptions in each game he was targeted 31 times and had 23 receptions. Only 3 drops. He has a 12 yard average on his receptions.

The game against Detroit he was targeted 7 times, caught 5 with one drop for 63 yards... He should become a bigger part of this offense.

Uh-Oh is just good enough that I wouldn't be upset if he joined our team, but he's no upgrade to any of our 3 TE's. Right now he'd be our 3 over Thompson, but once Thompson figures things out at TE Uh-Oh would be out of a job.

To me I say we roll with the 3 TE's we have and keep developing them. Cook should start showing signs of improved blocking. Anyone serious about their careers would be taking advantage of NFL Strength & Conditioning programs, and he's been in 4 now, so he should be stronger and ready to take on a full-time role as our go-to TE. Jake Locker should be using Cook way more going forwards. There's only 1 better TE available and to me he'll never get to leave the Giants, so keep Cook and groom Thompson, and have the reliable Stevens around to help out.

Our team currently has 5-6 positions that could stand for changes, no need to add a 6th.

Hernandez just got a $16M signing bonus, Stevens got a $4.5M signing bonus, seems about right to me.

Quite frankly I'm surprised he even had those 3 drops, he's always been a sure-handed receiver for us.

Hasselbeck and Cook will never see eye to eye. Hasselbeck prefers to look outside-in and makes TE's his last read. The other issue Cook and Hass have is Cook sees things Hass cant throw to. If Cook stayed around the line of scrimmage and didn't run deep, maybe he's a Pro Bowler before this year, but since Jared sees holes in defenses and runs to them, its a problem cause Hass can't reach that area of the field.

I remember very clearly 2 plays this year where Cook was left wide open, he was way down field and Hass checked down. Hass doesn't know what Cook's liable to do, but IMO thats on Hass for 1.) not being on the same page as his receivers, and 2.) for not being able to do his job throwing.

According to his mom he wants to stay in NE. Loves the fan base and franchise history. Plus, they actually use him (unlike the Rams). NE runs 3 TEs all the time, he spent time as TE and at FB. NE doesn't carry a FB, so he's techinically #1 FB on their depth chart, plus he played TE with Gronk/Hernz going down. He'll probably stay unless another team offers him a solid deal.

He could be our full-time FB & #4 TE however I'd take him over Stevens (salary reasons)

He should stay in New England. I wouldn't wish playing for Mike Munchak on anyone, and I've come to like Uh-Oh, we get all the Patriots games in my area so I see him playing all the time.

I could see him leaving if he can find a spot were he's a #1 or #2 TE, on a decent team. Chicago Bears I bet interest him, close to home. I'm sure he'll be back after playoffs are over, his parents live a few houses down from my parents. So hopefully he'll be down there and i'll get some inside info. I always joke with him and tell him to come to tennessee, he just laughs. lol

Moving on from Cook and bringing in Walker is a signal that the role of the Tight End in Loggains offense is to work underneath, contribute in the run game and not to stretch the field. Cook rarely got separation underneath, but that is a strength of Walker when he was used in motion for the 49ers. He is also a massive upgrade as a blocker.

I don'texpect us to make any more moves here and I think stevens is a potential cap casualty next season.