Adding a TE

[Hawkstorian]

Until we know if Luke Willson can contribute as a rookie -- it sure seems like right now we have Zach Miller and a whole lot of question marks after that. Are there any decent options out there to add a veteran TE? Does Dallas Clark have anything left?

Available free agents (from Adam Caplan)

Kellen Winslow
Visanthe Shiancoe
Daniel Graham
Todd Heap
Randy McMichael
David Thomas
Dallas Clark
Chris Cooley
Evan Moore
Leonard Pope
Travis Beckum
Dante Rosario
Will Heller
Billy Bajema
Martin Rucker
Jeron Mastrud
Jake O'Connell

 

[iigakusei]

That is one horrible looking list.

 

[Bigpumpkin]

That is one horrible looking list.

:13: Pathetic, really!

 

[kobebryant]

ugh. Let Willson,Mcgrath,Helfet and Fells battle it out.

That free agent list is ugly.

 

[DavidSeven]

I think I'd only become concerned if Miller went down for any significant amount of time. McCoy played pretty well last year, but his production can be made up for by other positions and not just TE #2. The fact that they're so high on Willson gives me another added sense of security. We have so many weapons on offense (at both catching AND blocking) that I don't think we'll feel this loss too badly.

 

[jlwaters1]

I think we're past the point of needing to go grab an aging vet everytime an injury occurs (or suspension). If you listened to "town hall" meeting PC was pretty clear-- Luke Willson will be a factor at TE this year. Now it all depends to what degree. I'd don't think there's much to be gained by adding a old vet- when you've got McGrath and Helfet who've been in the system for over a year now, I'd think they would make a decent #3 TE.

We've got a number of young TE's and I think they offer a good mix of pass catchers and blockers and a combination of both. Should be interesting to see what happens in training camp.

 

[CANHawk]

No doubt. Let the best of the camp fodder be our #2 TE. IIRC Helfet & McGrath looked really good last year and lots of people were chirping for them to make the team. Willson's probably a given, but I wouldn't be surprised to see one of those two make it.

Fells could be an X-factor, but I doubt it. He looks like a freak athleate, but I don't really see him just "picking up" pro football at 27 after last playing in High School...

 

[Digsbone]

Man I hope were not that desperate there's nobody on the list i want to see in a Hawks uniform.

 

[Sac]

Meh. I'm thinking we're going to see a lot of 3 wide, 1 back, 1 TE or 2 back, 2 wide and 1 TE this year anyway.

Luke looks good so far, but I can't imagine he'll get a bunch of snaps either way.

 

[CANHawk]

What are you talking about!? Dallas Clark is AWESOME!!

I typed this on a Motorola Razr.

 

[Smelly McUgly]

I am all for signing Heller to the vet minimum to be an in-line blocker if Willson/Helfet/McGrath are not yet up to the task.

 

[Happypuppy]

I think we will be fine. We can always do what SF does as well, use another lineman if we need to. I suspect with Harvin we will would have seen less double TE sets to get him into the game as much as possible.

 

[Hawks46]

I'd be down with Heller as well. He can block really well, and can sneak out to catch some passes.

He's a big dude with decent hands, he's just slow. But he'd make a good red zone target if we were somehow lacking in that category after camp.

This may not be popular sentiment, but Winslow didn't put a lot of tread on the tires last year. We liked him in camp, he just wouldn't restructure. I'm fairly confident that he'd probably take a vet minimum deal to play, or a value contract.

 

[Brahn]

I have said it before you bring in Visanthe Shiancoe and you will have an issue with not enough censor bar being available during any locker room accident on the big screen during half time.

 

[hawkfan68]

Isn't Fred Davis unsigned? If so, he may be worth a look at a reasonable price.

 

[Subzero717]

Meh. I'm thinking we're going to see a lot of 3 wide, 1 back, 1 TE or 2 back, 2 wide and 1 TE this year anyway.

Luke looks good so far, but I can't imagine he'll get a bunch of snaps either way.

How many NFL snaps have you seen Wilson take to form that opinion? I'd sign Shaincoe if I thought there may be an issue with depth. Or wait until other teams make cuts and scoop up a stud like Evan Moore turned out to be last year.

 

[Subzero717]

Isn't Fred Davis unsigned? If so, he may be worth a look at a reasonable price.

No. If he we're unsigned he woild be worth a look at about any price.

 

[Jville]

This is a creative outside the box outfit. It also utilizes, so called, hybrid players.

Darren Fells is an unconventional prospect .... outside the box.

Waist down flexibility and mobility has been an offensive line priority this off season. An offensive lineman making an appearance as a de facto blocking tight end is a Cable option.

And how about considering a John Wesley Sawyer type hybrid to create unique problems for opposing defenses?

 

[Anonymous]

What are y'all worried about, Russell can play TE too?

 

[SonicHawk]

Fred Davis re-signed with the skins.