Let's talk about our TEs

[Starkiller]

Stevens is an excellent blocker. Thompson has proven himself to be a good blocker, just not yet as good at Stevens. But TT is a better all around player based on his development we've seen in the preseason and he doesn't have Stevens' concussion history.

[Guest]

Look at your avatar OldSchool and do better or just pipe down.

 

Watch yourself. I never said Stevens wasn't a good blocker. Far from it. I don't consider him one of the best and I don't give a shit what one guy from ESPN has to say about it. 

[volntitan]

Pass efficiency blocking stats say he is.

[Guest]

Pass efficiency blocking stats say he is.

 

PFF Garbage. I'm done with this bullshit conversation anyway. I think Stevens is a very good blocker who can't be trusted due to his injury history. You guys are acting like I said he sucks.

[begooode]

Watch yourself. I never said Stevens wasn't a good blocker. Far from it. I don't consider him one of the best and I don't give a shit what one guy from ESPN has to say about it. 

 

Nah, why don't you just check yourself instead of blowing harder.  You made an assertion I disagreed with and I countered it with a cheeky, but illustrative gif.  You minimized it and chastised me as a homer. I then gave you a report from a respected ESPN quasi-scout,... which you again minimized. Meanwhile you haven't offered up shit other than "Thompson is just as good, cause I said so".  Now you come back with "watch yourself"? C'mon man, weak sauce is weak sauce.  Pipe down and quit showing your ass.

 

Now if you want to have a trade off discussion (giving up some blocking capability vs downfield receiving threat), please let's proceed.  But to just say you give up nothing, then why does Whis continue to start Stevens over Thompson? They must be idiots, too, I guess.

[begooode]

Do you think Stevens is a better blocker than Thompson? I don't.

 

PFF Garbage. I'm done with this bullshit conversation anyway. I think Stevens is a very good blocker who can't be trusted due to his injury history. You guys are acting like I said he sucks.

 

Change discussions much? Yes, please take your ball and go home.

[Guest]

 

 

 

Change discussions much? Yes, please take your ball and go home.

 

Read it again moron.

[IsntLifeFunny]

Ladies, no need for the cat fight.

All 3 of our TEs are proficient in the blocking dept. Walker has actually been somewhat of a disappointment in this arena. Maybe his skill set is best used being moved all over the field?

Thompson offers enough in the blocking dept to put Stevens at the back of the line. He might not like it, but given his injury history I'd say we're doing him a favor if we cut his reps to close to nil whilst paying him a ton of money to sit on the sidelines.

[tgo]

Coffman is a 5 year vet. Doubt he has practice squad eligibility.

[begooode]

LADIES? jeez I'm coming for ya ILF!!

It's all good -- just busting chops.  I tend to jump in when people act like Stevens is just some guy when he's consistently proved himself to be a difference maker on the OLine -- and isn't that what the team has invested in? It's indisputable that his injury history and offensive limitations should be part of the equation, but to act like the guy is just in the way of Thompson just sounds a little much -- and this comes from a big Thompson fan.  And to answer the platitude: of course, everyone wants more threats in the offense -- this is a given.  But don't forget the TE who can play in the trenches and enable that big run or the extra .2 sec on pass protection which enables our other big threats, too.

[OILERMAN]

Stevens is an excellent blocker and doesn't get enough credit as a pass protector......

 

But Thompson is a great run blocker and based on this preseason can add much more to the offense in terms of the passing game.

[Mythos27]

Yep, ESPN's Matt Williamson is such a homer (from July 2013):

 

Who's the best blocking tight end in the division? 

“Allen is also an excellent blocker, but the Titans have some serious blocking tight ends. Walker is exceptional in this department and can do so from all over the formation (will Tennessee utilize this skill like San Francisco did?) and Stevens is one of the best inline blockers in the game, while Thompson might have more overall upside as a receiver, but especially as a blocker -- as much as anyone in the division.” 

I know you likely meant to use this quote to cement your argument for why we should keep Stevens but really it's just the last nail in the coffin. The article explicitly states that while Stevens is one of the best blocking TE's, Walker and Thompson are not far behind at all. The author actually then goes on to say Thompson is a better overall player and has as much upside as anyone in the division as a blocker.

 

So how do you justify wasting a roster spot on a TE who's basically just a blocking specialist, when you've got two guys already on the roster that will not only block more than adequately but actually contribute in the passing game as well? Why not use his spot on a guy who may not be a proven blocker but is a much bigger offensive threat?

 

If we had no one who could block but Stevens I'd be with you but at this point Coffman has shown he's a better receiver and making offensive plays>blocking really well every time. No one in their right mind would cut a RB who can make plays but can't block for a dude who can block his ass off but gets no yards. As we speak Mooney (an amazing blocker) is in danger of losing his job to Battle simply because Battle is more of a versatile offensive weapon. Today's NFL is all about points. Stevens may not get cut this year but his days are numbered. It really comes down to the fact that Walker, Thompson, and Coffman are more likely to score points for us than Stevens and we'll need all the points we can get this season.

[cenj]

Justin Gage was an excellent blocker at WR...anybody want him over Justin Hunter?

 

Stevens has been a good, but not great TE. Considering how atrocious the running game has been, it's fair to wonder if his skillset has been particularly valuable to the offense. We need someone more dynamic at the position for Whiz's scheme, especially since DW is a solid blocker.

 

There's a reason they asked him to take a pay cut. TT has flashed enough to earn more playing time.

[begooode]

@Mythos27, yes the quote very specifically responds to the comment made by OldSchool doubting Stevens as a highly regarded inline blocker. Yes, the quote was left intact and I did not parse it to only fit my argument as I said I am a fan of Thompson and his potential. No, the article does not say Thompson is the better player but rather that he has potential. Yes, I'll answer the platitude yet again, all things being equal i prefer more offensive threats on the field. None of that was questioned. The comment was Thompson is the same level of blocker and I challenged that comment.

I disagree with keeping journeyman Coffman (this years jack Doyle) who will probably never see the field over a guy who can impact blocking schemes. Just seems to me Coffman-type players are more readily available than Stevens-type players.

[Mythos27]

@Mythos27, yes the quote very specifically responds to the comment made by OldSchool doubting Stevens as a highly regarded inline blocker. Yes, the quote was left intact and I did not parse it to only fit my argument as I said I am a fan of Thompson and his potential. No, the article does not say Thompson is the better player but rather that he has potential. Yes, I'll answer the platitude yet again, all things being equal i prefer more offensive threats on the field. None of that was questioned. The comment was Thompson is the same level of blocker and I challenged that comment.

I disagree with keeping journeyman Coffman (this years jack Doyle) who will probably never see the field over a guy who can impact blocking schemes. Just seems to me Coffman-type players are more readily available than Stevens-type players.

Fair enough. We'll have to agree to disagree on Coffman, I love TT but Coffman looks more polished than him out there and I think the kid is hungry to prove himself.