FA tight end preview

UFA TEs as of 02/17/2009 (from kffl.com)
RamView's Top 5 TEs: 1 - Bo Scaife 2 - L.J. Smith 3 - Justin Peelle 4 - Jim Kleinsasser 5 - Tony Curtis

Sleeper: Curtis

Gawd No: Jerramy Stevens

Rams FAs: Humorously, kffl.com has Dominique Byrd listed as a restricted free agent. Wouldn't want to let him go for nothing!

Rams analysis: Despite Scott Linehan's exaggerated emphasis on the position throughout his tortured tenure as Rams head coach, tight ends continued to contribute little to nothing to the Ram offense last year. Randy McMichael led Rams TEs with 11 catches, and he didn't make it out of September, going down early with a season-ending ankle injury. A healthy McMichael, though, is still easily the best receiver and blocker of the team's TEs, especially considering the motley group behind him. Anthony Becht can catch a little, but was brought here as a blocking TE, where he's been a mixed bag. He seems solid enough as a run-blocker but isn't enough help in pass protection. Joe Klopfenstein has been a bust almost right out of the gate. He's inadequate in the blocking game - hasn't picked it up - and didn't show good enough hands last year to be considered a reliable receiver. Daniel Fells, on the other hand, represents one of the better personnel moves of Jim Haslett's short stay in the head coach's office. He showed good hands and good, physical after-the-catch running in very limited action. The Rams' new regime would be wise to give him a lot of attention in training camp and see what they have.

Viewing the field: Outside of Scaife, this is a terrible market, and Tennessee's well under the salary cap and not likely to let one of their best offensive players (58 catches last year) get away. Smith's still listed as Philadelphia's TE1, but Brent Celek will likely take over that job and the Eggles won't put up a big fight to keep Smith. His productivity has dropped well off his 2005-06 peak, and Eggles Nation will tell you he's a poor blocker that drops too many passes. Peelle had 30 catches for Miami in 2007, but most of his career he has been a one catch a game for 8-10 yards guy. Kleinsasser peaked as a receiver six years ago, but would be better than any Rams fullback candidate if they don't get Leonard Weaver. Same for Curtis, who is Dallas' 3rd-string TE but got a good amount of work there last year at fullback. Another bonus with Curtis is that he's just 25. Stevens is statistically better than any of the available TEs besides Scaife and will make big plays for you, but no new coach who says he's about character would ever bring that guy aboard.

RamView's moves: Cut Klopfenstein, go with three tight ends on the roster and use the freed-up roster spot on a position of actual value. I'll keep McMichael and even Becht, but give Fells every chance to take over at TE2.

What the Rams could do: There's no buzz about it in the rumor mill, but I think L.J. Smith could be in the Rams' plans. Pat Shurmur's going to want to be able to throw to the TE; Eggles TEs had close to twice as many catches (67) as Rams TEs (35) last year. And as Eggles QB coach, Shurmur's going to know what Smith is all about. The Rams probably have to try to make the best of a bad market, with McMichael in the last year of his contract, Fells still an unknown quantity and neither of the other two a remote offensive threat. Sure, they could decide to keep Klopfenstein. Which would mean they'd be agreeing with a Scott Linehan personnel decision that everyone else thinks was a bad one. Someone like Kleinsasser or Curtis could be in play if they were unable to land a true fullback such as Leonard Weaver.

Prediction: Klopfenstein out; Smith in.

Other FA TE previews: Nick Wagoner