First things first Dk is out 2 to 3 weeks, what s relief.
I have noticed you have been less than pleased with Fant. When I first picked up on your feeling I thought it a bit harsh, however over the last few games I am there with you. I don't know this for fact, but I would say Fants combine time was better than Parkinson. Colby appears to run much faster than Fant on game day. I would like to see Colby getting more snaps, and it is possible Parkinson blocks better than Fant as that has always been the knock on Fant. Parkinson's catch and run yesterday was very good. Has anybody noticed how often tightends get hit in the knee when they being tackled, usually in the dangerous cross block form. I am surprised that more are not hurt much more often. Dizzly is a pros pro and I was happy we signed him even if he is a bit slower because of injury. I would like to see Fants snaps reversed with Parkinsons, who also has exceptional hands. The Broncos didn't mind letting Fant go because he is a good looking specimen who doesn't play to that level. If we could change those two snap count I think we would be using what is a good tightend group more effectively.
Fant and Eskridge are a drag on the offense at this point with the exception that Fant gives Waldron the ability to field a three tight end formation which has been a real weapon so far. I suspect there are far cheaper guys available that are better blockers and serviceable receivers.
Fant frustrated Bronco's fans for years and now he's ours. Like you said, he's not horrid. He just misses the little things and really challenging catches that could make him special. Seems to have the physical tools.
I really like our TE's room. Dissly and Parkinson make me happy without that "oh shit" sense that Everett and now Fant bring to the program. Both Everett and Fant sometimes make good plays and seem to have all the potential. And then each seem to fall short at inopportune times. Now Everett can do it for LA.
I was surprised to read that the analytics guys consider TE a lower valued position than RB. Personally, I came up with a 4 TE revolutionary offense idea years ago. If we are going to keep relying on 3 TE sets than we need at least 4 TE's suited up. Of course, one could play multiple positions such as FB and/or WR.
From a salary cap position, having high end TE's is cheaper than having high end WR's. People have been harping on the need for at least 3 premium WR's in the modern NFL, but I think an extra TE is a better plan.
The point about 1st round TEs is really interesting, and something I've been noticing for a while. For me, the real test was going to be Hockenson, but he's been more good/average than great. That has pretty much killed the idea of a 1st round TE for me.
One thing I think is a factor is that a lot of these guys are more "weapons" than TEs. The great TEs (excepting Waller) are more of the traditional inline blocker types, it seems, and I think that is for a reason. That versatility matters a lot in keeping defenses honest. Players like Evan Engram, Ebron, and Pitts (who the jury is still out on), were more physical freaks than true TEs. Most guys at that position seem to have similar careers. Irv Smith is another similar player. They produce decent numbers in their best years, but never seem to make it work. Would love to see someone with a scouting background work out why.
I wouldn't be so quick to say Fant is bad. How has he fared run blocking and pass protecting? I don't know. But Geno has been kept clean and out running backs are getting good lanes. Noah is having a hard time as a receiver, that much is true.
I expected more of Fant, especially considering how high Schneider was on him (although maybe that was a red flag. Schneider draft history with TEs:
2010: Anthony McCoy (6/185)
2013: Luke Willson (5/158)
2016: Nick Vannett (3/94)*
2018: Will Dissly (4/120)
2020: Colby Parkinson (4/133), Stephen Sullivan (7/251)
Some contributors there and Dissly still has an upside if he stays healthy, one outright bust (Vannett), but overall undistinguished. The best TE in the PCJS era was Zach Miller, and they haven’t really tried to replace him.
*Collectively, Schneider’s 2016, 2017, and 2019 drafts are the draft equivalent of a post-nuclear wasteland.
Pat Freiermuth was a rookie LAST year.
I only know this 'cuz he was my Fantasy TE last year.
And BTW, Kenneth Walker III is REALLY good.
The “Liking” of negative tweets by the target is often them saying “you don’t bother me” hoping people will back off.
Maybe Fant is building a chip to put on his shoulder? That would not be a bad thing if it makes him play a bit sharper.
First things first Dk is out 2 to 3 weeks, what s relief.
I have noticed you have been less than pleased with Fant. When I first picked up on your feeling I thought it a bit harsh, however over the last few games I am there with you. I don't know this for fact, but I would say Fants combine time was better than Parkinson. Colby appears to run much faster than Fant on game day. I would like to see Colby getting more snaps, and it is possible Parkinson blocks better than Fant as that has always been the knock on Fant. Parkinson's catch and run yesterday was very good. Has anybody noticed how often tightends get hit in the knee when they being tackled, usually in the dangerous cross block form. I am surprised that more are not hurt much more often. Dizzly is a pros pro and I was happy we signed him even if he is a bit slower because of injury. I would like to see Fants snaps reversed with Parkinsons, who also has exceptional hands. The Broncos didn't mind letting Fant go because he is a good looking specimen who doesn't play to that level. If we could change those two snap count I think we would be using what is a good tightend group more effectively.
Fant and Eskridge are a drag on the offense at this point with the exception that Fant gives Waldron the ability to field a three tight end formation which has been a real weapon so far. I suspect there are far cheaper guys available that are better blockers and serviceable receivers.
Fant frustrated Bronco's fans for years and now he's ours. Like you said, he's not horrid. He just misses the little things and really challenging catches that could make him special. Seems to have the physical tools.
I really like our TE's room. Dissly and Parkinson make me happy without that "oh shit" sense that Everett and now Fant bring to the program. Both Everett and Fant sometimes make good plays and seem to have all the potential. And then each seem to fall short at inopportune times. Now Everett can do it for LA.
I was surprised to read that the analytics guys consider TE a lower valued position than RB. Personally, I came up with a 4 TE revolutionary offense idea years ago. If we are going to keep relying on 3 TE sets than we need at least 4 TE's suited up. Of course, one could play multiple positions such as FB and/or WR.
From a salary cap position, having high end TE's is cheaper than having high end WR's. People have been harping on the need for at least 3 premium WR's in the modern NFL, but I think an extra TE is a better plan.
The point about 1st round TEs is really interesting, and something I've been noticing for a while. For me, the real test was going to be Hockenson, but he's been more good/average than great. That has pretty much killed the idea of a 1st round TE for me.
One thing I think is a factor is that a lot of these guys are more "weapons" than TEs. The great TEs (excepting Waller) are more of the traditional inline blocker types, it seems, and I think that is for a reason. That versatility matters a lot in keeping defenses honest. Players like Evan Engram, Ebron, and Pitts (who the jury is still out on), were more physical freaks than true TEs. Most guys at that position seem to have similar careers. Irv Smith is another similar player. They produce decent numbers in their best years, but never seem to make it work. Would love to see someone with a scouting background work out why.
I wouldn't be so quick to say Fant is bad. How has he fared run blocking and pass protecting? I don't know. But Geno has been kept clean and out running backs are getting good lanes. Noah is having a hard time as a receiver, that much is true.
Fant is working his way into being TE 3. Dissley is consistent and Parkinson is coming on strong as a 6'7" red zone mis match.
With DK out for an indeterminate time and Eskridge a bus,.time for a trade .
I expected more of Fant, especially considering how high Schneider was on him (although maybe that was a red flag. Schneider draft history with TEs:
2010: Anthony McCoy (6/185)
2013: Luke Willson (5/158)
2016: Nick Vannett (3/94)*
2018: Will Dissly (4/120)
2020: Colby Parkinson (4/133), Stephen Sullivan (7/251)
Some contributors there and Dissly still has an upside if he stays healthy, one outright bust (Vannett), but overall undistinguished. The best TE in the PCJS era was Zach Miller, and they haven’t really tried to replace him.
*Collectively, Schneider’s 2016, 2017, and 2019 drafts are the draft equivalent of a post-nuclear wasteland.