NFC East: Fantasy TE team rankings going into 2006
by Mike Harmon/FOXSports.com
NOTE THAT ALL INFORMATION IS BASED ON HARMON'S FANTASY PLAYER INFORMATION!
My off-season fantasy football caravan continues this week with a review of the oft-overlooked tight end position.
It was a position left to the wayside several years ago because of a lack of viable fantasy candidates at the position. Other than Tony Gonzalez and Shannon Sharpe, tight ends failed to spark much attention on draft day.
The perception of the tight end position has changed in recent years as offenses have embraced shorter passing routes. Virtually all teams now have at least one viable receiver at the position, and some are stocked with two or more. Today's rankings include some thought about the offensive system and available personnel that surround the tight end as well as the viability of their backups. Therefore, the San Diego Chargers aren't rising to No. 1 on the strength of Antonio Gates on this list. Rather, that honor goes to the trio in Tennessee.
3. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys made a huge splash by adding controversial wideout Terrell Owens to the mix. He and Terry Glenn will cause fits for defensive coordinators, leaving tight ends Jason Witten and draft pick Anthony Fasano to wreak havoc in the middle of the field. Bill Parcells has spoken about his affinity for the two-tight end set and will seek to utilize that formation in 2006.
Witten saw his receptions and receiving yards dip last year, but he remained a force in the red zone. Naturally, some of the quantity of looks to the tight end position will be swiped by Owens as Drew Bledsoe tries to make his new teammate happy, but the quality of the looks for Witten and Fasano will improve.
4. Washington Redskins
The Redskins relied primarily on Santana Moss and tight end Chris Cooley for much of their regular season success in 2005. Cooley caught 71 passes for 774 yards and seven touchdowns in his second NFL season. His reception total was more than double that of the third leading receiver for the Redskins last year (Clinton Portis with 30). The next leading wide receiver was David Patten with 22 receptions. Washington opened the wallet this off-season to add Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El. While that doesn't bode well for Cooley's overall receiving numbers, his role in the red zone will not be compromised.
Veteran Christian Fauria joins the team after four years with the Patriots. He has specialized as a red-zone threat the last two seasons, ceding looks to younger options Ben Watson and Daniel Graham.
11. New York Giants
Despite a nagging ankle injury, Jeremy Shockey improved his receiving totals again in 2005. He improved his reception and touchdown totals marginally, but saw his average reception length improve by almost three full yards. Shockey stands as the second option to Plaxico Burress for third-year quarterback Eli Manning. With the continued development of Manning, Shockey should boost his totals yet again in 2006, perhaps approaching double-digit touchdowns for the first time in his career.
Visanthe Shiancoe remains the second option to Shockey, but barely rates on the scale. In three seasons, he's totaled 23 receptions for 172 yards with three touchdowns.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
Injuries to quarterback Donovan McNabb, running back Brian Westbrook and that little issue with Terrell Owens thrust L.J. Smith into a top role in the Eagles offense. Smith tied Westbrook for the team lead with 61 receptions last year. He became less of a factor in the offense once McNabb opted for season-ending surgery. Look for him to be among the leaders at the position this year as Philadelphia begins life post-T.O.
Former Bengals tight end Matt Schobel (18 receptions, 193 receiving yards and one touchdown) will run alongside Smith in two tight-end sets.
NOTE THAT ALL INFORMATION IS BASED ON HARMON'S FANTASY PLAYER INFORMATION!
My off-season fantasy football caravan continues this week with a review of the oft-overlooked tight end position.
It was a position left to the wayside several years ago because of a lack of viable fantasy candidates at the position. Other than Tony Gonzalez and Shannon Sharpe, tight ends failed to spark much attention on draft day.
The perception of the tight end position has changed in recent years as offenses have embraced shorter passing routes. Virtually all teams now have at least one viable receiver at the position, and some are stocked with two or more. Today's rankings include some thought about the offensive system and available personnel that surround the tight end as well as the viability of their backups. Therefore, the San Diego Chargers aren't rising to No. 1 on the strength of Antonio Gates on this list. Rather, that honor goes to the trio in Tennessee.
3. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys made a huge splash by adding controversial wideout Terrell Owens to the mix. He and Terry Glenn will cause fits for defensive coordinators, leaving tight ends Jason Witten and draft pick Anthony Fasano to wreak havoc in the middle of the field. Bill Parcells has spoken about his affinity for the two-tight end set and will seek to utilize that formation in 2006.
Witten saw his receptions and receiving yards dip last year, but he remained a force in the red zone. Naturally, some of the quantity of looks to the tight end position will be swiped by Owens as Drew Bledsoe tries to make his new teammate happy, but the quality of the looks for Witten and Fasano will improve.
4. Washington Redskins
The Redskins relied primarily on Santana Moss and tight end Chris Cooley for much of their regular season success in 2005. Cooley caught 71 passes for 774 yards and seven touchdowns in his second NFL season. His reception total was more than double that of the third leading receiver for the Redskins last year (Clinton Portis with 30). The next leading wide receiver was David Patten with 22 receptions. Washington opened the wallet this off-season to add Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El. While that doesn't bode well for Cooley's overall receiving numbers, his role in the red zone will not be compromised.
Veteran Christian Fauria joins the team after four years with the Patriots. He has specialized as a red-zone threat the last two seasons, ceding looks to younger options Ben Watson and Daniel Graham.
11. New York Giants
Despite a nagging ankle injury, Jeremy Shockey improved his receiving totals again in 2005. He improved his reception and touchdown totals marginally, but saw his average reception length improve by almost three full yards. Shockey stands as the second option to Plaxico Burress for third-year quarterback Eli Manning. With the continued development of Manning, Shockey should boost his totals yet again in 2006, perhaps approaching double-digit touchdowns for the first time in his career.
Visanthe Shiancoe remains the second option to Shockey, but barely rates on the scale. In three seasons, he's totaled 23 receptions for 172 yards with three touchdowns.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
Injuries to quarterback Donovan McNabb, running back Brian Westbrook and that little issue with Terrell Owens thrust L.J. Smith into a top role in the Eagles offense. Smith tied Westbrook for the team lead with 61 receptions last year. He became less of a factor in the offense once McNabb opted for season-ending surgery. Look for him to be among the leaders at the position this year as Philadelphia begins life post-T.O.
Former Bengals tight end Matt Schobel (18 receptions, 193 receiving yards and one touchdown) will run alongside Smith in two tight-end sets.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:09 PM
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