Redskins Cooley mentioned in PFW's six emerging TEs

[SoCalBronco]

thought you guys would like this. Im glad my boy Jeb is there too.

By Mike Holbrook (mholbrook@pfwmedia.com)

July 9, 2005

ProFootballWeekly.com's Fantasy Inner Circle 2005 continues today with commentaries about tight ends and other fantasy topics. Having begun June 22, our preseason premium coverage includes nearly 100 commentaries about fantasy prospects and strategy for 2005, a weekly draft board throughout the preseason, mock drafts, fantasy tips, columns by fantasy expert Pat Fitzmaurice, Q&A's in which Fitzmaurice answers members' questions, and much more. Our regular-season coverage will include weekly player rankings based on the matchups and injuries that week, a weekly column by Fitzmaurice, late-week tips, a comprehensive array of fantasy statistics and key weekend injury updates. To see the 2005 schedule of preseason and regular-season content that will be posted as part of the Fantasy Inner Circle, click here.

The following column, which is an example of our Fantasy Inner Circle commentaries, is free to all for a limited time, but the vast majority of the Fantasy Inner Circle content isn't free. The Fantasy Inner Circle 2005 is one of our annual fee-based premium events, priced at only $19.95 for the entire season. To become a Fantasy Inner Circle member, click here to join and choose "Fantasy Inner Circle 2005." To get a free look at the 2004 Fantasy Inner Circle content, which will differ somewhat from our 2005 offerings, click here to browse. For other options, such as becoming an Inner Circle SuperSubscriber, which includes membership in the Fantasy Inner Circle among other benefits, or to learn more about the PFW Inner Circle, click here for more info.

For a position that was once an afterthought in the fantasy football world, tight end is emerging as a potential gold mine for points.

Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez was the head-and-shoulders No. 1 player at his position prior to last season. Then a funny thing happened. Antonio Gates emerged with the Chargers and set a record for most TD catches in a season by a tight end.

Other tight ends started to make plays and suddenly, teams were looking for pass-catching playmakers at the position. This has added to the depth at the position, so don’t panic on draft day if you miss out on Gonzalez or Gates. There are plenty of other capable tight ends to select.

The draft board in the PFW/CBS SportsLine.com Fantasy Football Guide 2005 — now on sale at newsstands and bookstores and at PFWstore.com — lists Falcons TE Alge Crumpler, Ravens TE Todd Heap, Cowboys TE Jason Witten, Colts TE Dallas Clark, Dolphins TE Randy McMichael and Giants TE Jeremy Shockey among its top eight players at the position.

Here are six young tight ends you’ll do well to consider drafting in 2005:

L.J. Smith — Now that Chad Lewis is gone, look for Smith to take another step up with his pass-receiving numbers. He grabbed 34 catches for 377 yards and five touchdowns last year. He should move up into the 50-catch, 500-yard, eight- to 10-TD range this year.

Jeb Putzier — The Broncos matched the Jets’ free-agent offer this past offseason to keep their up-and-coming pass-catching tight end. Denver has a history of throwing to the tight end (anyone remember future Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe?) and loves Putzier’s ability to get down the field and make catches over the middle. He had 36 catches for 572 yards and two touchdowns in ’04. He obviously needs to improve his TD total, but I expect he will. Look for 50-plus catches, 700 yards and half a dozen touchdowns. Not bad for a former sixth-round draft pick.

Chris Cooley — Despite playing out of position as a rookie, filling more of an H-back role and being required to block, something he didn’t do much of in college, Cooley still put up decent numbers for a tight end. He finished with 37 catches for 314 yards. More importantly, he scored six touchdowns, becoming a dependable red-zone option. The Redskins drafted ex-UCLA FB Manuel White Jr. to play the H-back blocking role this year, which should free up Cooley to concentrate on running routes and help Patrick Ramsey as a receiving option in the middle of the field. Cooley was a prolific pass catcher in college at Utah State and has the ability to be a solid receiver at the NFL level. He could easily put up 50-plus catches, 500-plus yards and 6-8 touchdowns.

Doug Jolley — Once the Jets were stymied in their attempt to acquire Putzier, they set their sights on Jolley, who was languishing with the Raiders. The former Brigham Young player has great hands and knows how to find openings in zone defenses, attracting safety attention and opening up things outside for Laveranues Coles and Justin McCareins. Offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger loves to use the tight end with underneath passes and go down the field on occasion, and Jolley should post career-best numbers in the TE-friendly system. Look for 50 catches, 500-plus yards and a half dozen touchdowns.

Heath Miller — The Steelers’ rookie could be just what the doctor ordered, giving Pittsburgh its first pass-catching tight end in years. Miller is an above-average receiver who could get a lot of passes thrown his way by young QB Ben Roethlisberger as a dump-off option.

Benjamin Watson — The Patriots are excited about their second first-round draft pick from 2004. He showed glimpses of his amazing speed, strength and pass-catching ability last preseason, leading the team in receptions. He then caught two passes for 16 yards in the ’04 opener vs. the Colts before getting hurt and missing the rest of the season. He’ll be used as an H-back, teamed in two-TE sets with Daniel Graham. Watson may not catch a lot of touchdowns this year, but his catches and yards may be competitive with the aforementioned tight ends. I’d look for 40-plus catches, 400-plus yards and 4-5 touchdowns, with a big upside for the future.

[feeshta]

I don't see White coming in as a blocker to allow Cooley freedom as a possiblity at all. White was drafted because of his skills with the ball in his hands, not as a blocker. He basically played tailback in college. Cooley will most likely have a good season, but I don't think it will have anything to do with White.

I wish people would do a little research before writing pathetic crap like this, even if it does give our man Cooley some credit.

[Ricky Ervins]

This is an interesting theory that I dont remember seeing discussed on the board before....

Does this have a possibility of happening??

Moving Cooley to the TE and then playing one of our rookies at HB?

It brings up an interesting point, but with Royal coming on like he did at the end of the year and Cooley really taking to the H-back position well, I think we shouldnt mess with a good thing. As talked about before, Gibbs puts a lot of responsibility on the H-back and if he found one that he was so comfortable with, then we probably shouldnt mess with that

[truskinsfan18]

Ive discussed it on thehogs.net, should have mentioned it here I was thinking of that possibility

[bubba9497]

Link Please

[Monkart]

Westbrook36 will love that one, they predict LJ will get 8-10 TD's

Cooley 6-8. We'll see! We'll see!

[Monkart]

Originally posted by bubba9497

Link Please

:laugh: :laugh: He had the "click here" a number of times but no link. That's alright though I wouldn't fork out the $20.00 bucks anyway.

[ohioskinfan]

at least he got some props

[Walking Deadman]

Thanks SoCalBronco for the article.

[G-Prime]

hmmm wonder why we drafted blocking instead of converting Royal a little bit.

[Mr. S]

Royal still seems like our receiving TE. I dunno who fits our blocking TE role though, unless they line Cooley up more often at the TE position with White or Sellars as the H-back.

[garg8050]

Doesn't the TE position require more blocking than the H-Back? Why would Cooley be switched to a position where he'd be required to block more, and go out in pass routes LESS? Doesn't make sense.