NFL: Preseason Fantasy Football Updates – Week One Tight Ends
With the first week of preseason games in the books it is time to see how the tight ends fared. It is tough to gauge how well a lot of starters play given the limited action they see in the first preseason game but here is a breakdown of how each team’s top tight ends fared in their preseason openers.
Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons – Caught one pass for 7 yards. Until proven otherwise he is still the king.
Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys – Made his lone reception count for an 8-yard touchdown. Witten’s numbers could see a bump if Roy Williams and the receiving corps do not step it up with TO out of the picture.
Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins – Caught one pass for 11 yards. Could a lack of performance by the ‘Skins offensive line cut into Cooley’s production if the team has to use its tight ends to sure up pass protection?
Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts – Was held out of Indy’s first preseason game as he works his way back from a concussion but is a possibility to play this week against Philly.
Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers – Caught three balls for 17 yards versus Seattle. When healthy he is one of the game’s best.
Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Caught one pass for five yards. With a lack of healthy receivers in Tampa Winslow should get a chance to shine if he can keep his mouth shut and out of the coach’s dog house.
Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles – Caught a pair of passes for 30 yards versus the Pats. Celek suffered a shoulder injury but it is not thought to be serious and he should be good to go in time for the season opener.
Dustin Keller, New York Jets – Caught 3 passes for 52 yards against the Rams. With the Jets beholden to an inexperienced starting quarterback and with Coles playing in Cincy this year keep an eye on Keller this summer. Everyone knows a good pass-catching tight end can be a young quarterback’s best friend and the Jets are going to need an established pass catcher to step up in the passing game this season.
Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints – Caught 3 passes for 66 yards including a 22-yard touchdown grab and another that went for 33 yards. By all accounts Shockey is healthy and playing like he has something to prove this summer in camp. If he stays healthy and focused Shockey could put up Pro Bowl caliber numbers this season in the Sean Payton’s pass-happy offense.
Owen Daniels, Houston Texans – Caught a pass for 9 yards. Will he see fewer passes with the additions of two tight ends via the draft?
John Carlson, Seattle Seahawks – Caught a pass for 10 yards. With a healthy group of wide outs he could conceivably see fewer passes, although, Mora was known to feature the tight end in Atlanta.
Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears – Did not play against the Bills.
Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings – Caught four passes for 55 yards against the Colts. Will Shiancoe see as many balls come his way now that the more seasoned Brett Favre is going to be under center for the Vikes?
Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders – Did not catch any passes against Dallas. Keep an eye on him this preseason. His numbers could dip if some of their younger receivers develop this season.
Chase Coffman, Cincinnati Bengals – Caught 2 passes for 11 yards versus New Orleans. With tight ends dropping like flies in camp Coffman is the starter by default right now. The staff is happy with how he has progressed and he seems to be picking up something new every day in practice.
Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens – Did not catch any passes against the Redskins.
L. J. Smith, Baltimore Ravens – Caught one pass for 35 yards. With only one proven wide out in Baltimore Smith and fellow tight end Todd Heap should see their share of passes this season.
Chris Baker, New England Patriots – Baker caught 3 passes for 22 yards and a pair of scores against Philadelphia. It is being rumored that with the strong camp Baker is having Ben Watson could be on the chopping block.
Anthony Fasano, Miami Dolphins – Did not catch any passes against the Jags.
Mercedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars – Did not catch any balls versus Miami.
Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers – Caught a pass for 3 yards in the preseason opener. Miller is as talented a tight end as there is in the league but his numbers were limited due to poor offensive line play last season and the team needing him to help out in pass protection. If the Steelers’ line does not step up this season Miller’s numbers could suffer again this season.
Bo Scaife, Tennessee Titans – Grabbed a pair of passes for 30 yards against the Bucs. Scaife is still the starter but it is hard to overlook rookie Jared Cook who caught six balls for 56 yards.
Randy McMichael, St. Louis Rams – Caught two passes for 25 yards versus the Jets. When healthy McMichael is one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the league, however, the Rams poor line play the past couple of years have limited their ability to utilize the tight end in the passing game.
Shawn Nelson, Buffalo Bills – Caught two passes for 8 yards and a touchdown and by all accounts is only a matter of time until his talent dictates he be a member of the first team offense.
Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions – Was held out of the preseason opener as he works his way back from injury.
Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers – Caught a pair of passes for 41 yards against the Broncos. Davis has all the physical tools to be great it is just a matter of staying focused and disciplined on the field.
Donald Lee, Green Bay Packers – Caught a pass for 19 yards. The Pack does not generally feature its tight ends.
Robert Royal, Cleveland Browns – Caught two passes for 12 yards.
Desmond Clark, Chicago Bears – Caught a pass for 30 yards. Olsen is expected to be the starter but Clark could see his share of action if none of the Bears receivers step it up in the early going.
Martellus Bennett, Dallas Cowboys – Caught two passes for eight yards in the season opener. It is being reported that the Cowboys have been so impressed with Bennett’s development this summer that they are considering running their base offense from a two tight end set. It is worth keeping an eye on this as Bennett would become a huge sleeper pick if it comes to fruition.
Dominique Byrd/Ben Patrick/Leonard Pope, Arizona Cardinals – Byrd caught 2 passes for 29 yards, Patrick snagged one for 17 yards, and Pope brought down one ball for 16 yards. The Cards are basically having an open competition at the tight end spot after getting very little production from the position last season. The only thing is Kurt Warner has never been one to throw to his tight ends very much so don’t expect a lot from Arizona’s tight ends whomever it ends up being.
