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Lewis is more of a classic receiving TE whereas Pope is a better blocker. Watching Lewis at UCLA one would think he's capable of catching 70 balls at the pro level.Additionally, Denny doesn't throw to his TEs...historical stats prove this. In a Monday radio interview with Rod Graves, AZ GM, Graves emphasized his ability to block and be a redzone threat...not necessarily what you want to here from a fantasy perspective.
Whodat, you drew an excellent picture with your words there. I have been beating the drum about being down on Pope because he plays stiff and upright, but you got to the point much better than I have this Spring.I'm not buying this, personally. I get the impression that Byrd might be playing more of an H-back (lining up in the backfield, or in motion in 2 TE sets). He really looks the part and Linehan may decide to utilize him exactly as he did with Kleinsasser. I see Klop as much smoother, bigger, and seems to accelerate very quickly off the line (check his 10m split time, can't remember but it's quite good for a man his size/weight). Anyway, I'd look for Klop to put up pretty good #'s, taking reps at both TE and H/Back in 1 TE sets, and Byrd only getting significant reps on 2 TE sets. We'll know more once we start hearing things from camp.Klop is still my top rookie TE at the moment, however.
This statement is not as insane as it would appear. Lets not forget, the last time these guys played in actual games there was a lot of debate about what tight end would go first. If there was no such thing as a combine, the hype of Vernon Davis would be at about 20% what it is now. Granted it is nice that the guy ran a couple of tenths faster and lifted a bunch more reps, but Mercedes had more catches last year, more touchdowns, and won the award for best tightend in college football. Sometimes people get too carried away with combine numbers.Now looking at the offense both guys are entering, I would say the Jaguars are much stronger, he will have more competition for catches and will play in an offense where tightends have not normally been highlighted. On the other hand Vernon Davis should be far and away the number one target for the niners, but we have yet to see how they will use Eric Johnson, and if Alex Smith does not improve significantly than the 49er offense will not be doing much of anything.
Ditto.
Schleffler is kinda off the radar due to his small schools status....not a lot of information there except his NFL Draft Scouts work up.
i am with ya tex... the Rams traded away their only real pass catching TE, and picked up two rookies. KLOP is the guy in my opinion. while Byrd will be in on 2TE sets, I think Klopfenstein will be in nearly every down, blocking too... my math the more on the field, the better the chance of getting the ball..
Klop might be the favorite and was drafted before Byrd. But you have to think that this will be an open competion
tall+hands does not automatically equal success for receivers... if that were the case, every WR and TE would be 6'6" or taller.
they both had terrible short shuttle and 3 cone times, which is more telling for a TE if you ask me. They will both have trouble separating, at least in the first 10-15 yards. Lewis's natural receiving skills will overcome this, Im not completely sold on Pope being a solid enough receiver to overcome it. He will be a good red zone target, but that could be the extent of his usefulness.
Route running is just as important to receivers success as speed. 4.84 is pretty slow but that doesn't factor in his routes or his speed in and out of routes.
click-clack
