Top TEs playing poorly, what are ya doing? (1 Viewer)

[Bri]

I've "had it" with Shockey. Most weeks I look at Gates' and Gonzalez' stats and those owners probably feel similarly frustrated. So...what to do?

Trade? If so what did you get?

Most leagues I'm in are 18 or more roster spots. WW TEs are "nothing" and I've been trying. Utecht, Graham, Eric Johnson, rookies Lewis+Pope+Fasano. Not even Gilmore is out there. It seems to me even the WW TEs are worse, as last year I picked up Wiggins in two leagues as my bye week cover.

In 2 leagues I inheritted teams with LJ Smith. Not a fan but I gotta give Pasquino props, he's been way better than any TE I have in other leagues. Jeff was definitely in favor of LJ all preseason while I was not.

Any thoughts on TE struggles this year? If you've got Shockey, Gates, or Tony G you drafted them at a pretty high spot in your draft so...

 

[comfortably numb]

Im sitting tight.

I gave up Gonzo for KJones after week 1 for some much needed RB help.

I was comfortable with Whitten as my back up.

He has been a dud, but with every TE not performing up to par I figure it's a push.

My struggling TE against my opponents struggling TE

 

[Texican]

I've got Shockey, but he's been injured all year (and then some). I can't pick up much off the WW, but I may need to pickup someone and hope for the best. I don't see a trade being the best route.

 

[Bri]

I've got Shockey, but he's been injured all year (and then some). I can't pick up much off the WW, but I may need to pickup someone and hope for the best. I don't see a trade being the best route.

I even grabbed Shiancoe. Can't he sit+heal up so he can come back strong? Geesh

 

[Ilov80s]

Heap has been fine by me.

 

[Chaz]

Unhappy Watson owner here. I just keep playing him, figuring that he'll have a really good game at some point. I've been lucky that my other players having shouldered his dead weight to this point.

As far as what to do, I haven't a clue. The owners of Gates, Shockey and such are still too star struck with their early round picks to trade them.

 

[mr. furley]

Shockey owner too. i've been lucky to not need his production yet. i'm just hoping he gets healthy somehow.

 

[packersfan]

Gonzalez owner here. We only carry 1 TE in my 12-team league so trading Gonzalez is probably out since he may not be viewed as an upgrade for the teams who are also carrying struggling TEs. Cutting him isn't an option so it'll come down to either starting him and hoping he does something or trying to play TEBC off the waiver wire every week with Gonzo and a potential hot free agent.

 

[kupcho1]

The owners of Gates, Shockey and such are still too star struck with their early round picks to trade them.

I think Gates is 3rd (PPG on a weekly basis) in scoring. He's not lighting it up. Yet. However, it looks like Marty finally figured out how to get Rivers out of the plastic wrap he's been keeping him in and I think Gates should fare better down the line.

 

[coolnerd]

The good news is that outside of KWII there is a huge log jam of TE production. The fact that none of the TEs are doing anything special has left a huge log jam of like producers. In short, you are not winning games becasue of your TE, but generally not losing them either. If this continues, next year you will see TE return being drafted just ahead of kickers and DEf as it was only 3 or 4 years ago.

 

[Bri]

The good news is that outside of KWII there is a huge log jam of TE production. The fact that none of the TEs are doing anything special has left a huge log jam of like producers. In short, you are not winning games becasue of your TE, but generally not losing them either.

Like I mentioned above LJ Smith has done well. Maybe not everyweek but he certainly "put me over the top" one week. What did he have 120 yards? Heap was mentionedIIRC Desmond Clark's been a top TE. I gotta look again but I remember him being on my opponent's team.Anyhow I've tried trading for LJ and Winslow and they're gold right now, it's "impossible". I do feel like the "big 3", are completely different than expected

 

[Bri]

If this continues, next year you will see TE return being drafted just ahead of kickers and DEf as it was only 3 or 4 years ago.

I don't know what this means re 3,4 years ago. I don't really wanna bite though and debate that now

 

[coolnerd]

The owners of Gates, Shockey and such are still too star struck with their early round picks to trade them.

I think Gates is 3rd (PPG on a weekly basis) in scoring. He's not lighting it up. Yet. However, it looks like Marty finally figured out how to get Rivers out of the plastic wrap he's been keeping him in and I think Gates should fare better down the line.

The issue is that you drafted Gates, Gonzo, etc because you expected a huge gap between their scoring and the next tier of TE scoring. this has been the case during the last couple of years. With production really close between Gates/Gonzo/shockey and the pack the 3rd/4th round pick could have been used for other things.

 

[coolnerd]

If this continues, next year you will see TE return being drafted just ahead of kickers and DEf as it was only 3 or 4 years ago.

I don't know what this means re 3,4 years ago. I don't really wanna bite though and debate that now

Until the gonzo/Gates era, TEs were drafted as an afterthought rarely before round 9 or 10 in a standard 12 team/ 15 man bench league.

 

[Kiddnets]

Another frustrated Shcokey owner - picked up McMichael in another deal and may actually start him over Shock this week.

 

[baronson]

gates owner, and i'm frustrated but sitting tight. he's not losing me games, but i take solace in that he's already had his bye, so i can just keep plugging him in there. as a giants fan, i can see why people are frustrated with shockey. he's an afterthought in the gameplan even when he is in there, and eli looks to toomer and tim carter (and plax, obviously) first nowadays. shockey looks to be the 4th or 5th read in most cases.

 

[Cowboys#1]

gates will bust out, rivers looks for him in the RZ all the time. ive been telling people to buy low on him from frustrated owners..

 

[Silver & Black]

Crumpler owner here. I am hoping that he has gotten significantly healthier over the bye week and returns to being Vick's favorite target. Hopefully, Vick will stop running so dammed much, not altogether, just not so much!!

 

[craigboy]

If this continues, next year you will see TE return being drafted just ahead of kickers and DEf as it was only 3 or 4 years ago.

I don't know what this means re 3,4 years ago. I don't really wanna bite though and debate that now

Until the gonzo/Gates era, TEs where drafted as an afterthought rarely before round 9 or 10 in a standard 12 team/ 15 man bench league.

This is not true, there have always been a few tight ends at the top and then a pretty big drop off.Shannon Sharpe had over 900 yards 4 times and 8 or more TD's 4 times dating back to '93Keith Jackson and Wesley Walls had 10 TD's in '96Ben Coates had some great years in the mid 90'sTodd Christensen had 4 straight years over 900 yards from '83-'86TE has always been a hit or miss position.Gates has taken it to another level the past couple of years and there could be this new group of super freak athletes that could take it to an even higher level but we have yet to see it.

 

[Kiddnets]

More bad news for Shockey - no word if he hurt his foot by pulling it out of his mouth

10/09 11:04 Giants: Shockey injures foot

The News

Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey suffered an apparent foot injury during Sunday's win over the Redskins, multiple sources reported. "I'm not sure exactly what it is, whether it's the ankle or whether it's a foot, but we'll see," head coach Tom Coughlin told the team's official web site.

Our View

We don't have many details at this point, but we'll obviously be on the hunt for more information. Shockey's season has been a bust due in large part to an ankle ailment, and it sounds like the bad times may continue.

 

[TheAbeFroman]

Need help at TE??? Join a Yahoo! league and pick-up Colston.

 

[baronson]

Need help at TE??? Join a Yahoo! league and pick-up Colston.

this joke ran its course 3 weeks ago.

 

[TheAbeFroman]

Still makes me laugh!

 

[kupcho1]

The owners of Gates, Shockey and such are still too star struck with their early round picks to trade them.

I think Gates is 3rd (PPG on a weekly basis) in scoring. He's not lighting it up. Yet. However, it looks like Marty finally figured out how to get Rivers out of the plastic wrap he's been keeping him in and I think Gates should fare better down the line.

The issue is that you drafted Gates, Gonzo, etc because you expected a huge gap between their scoring and the next tier of TE scoring. this has been the case during the last couple of years. With production really close between Gates/Gonzo/shockey and the pack the 3rd/4th round pick could have been used for other things.

Yeah, you're right, I could have gone in another direction. I could have taken Anquan Boldin. In my 10 team redraft league he's sitting pretty at #20 overall (weekly ppg avg). He went the pick after I took Gates (which was 3.03). So would I rather have the #3 TE or the worst of the WR2s (to date)? Hmmmm. No contest. Particularly since you can pick up a Berrian/Jennings/Colston off the wire. The same can't be said for TEs. Other than of course Wilcox from BAL, the other TEs were fairly obvious heading into the season, but is anybody rushing to pick him up? Didn't think sthers that went immediately afterward: Westbrook (I didn't want RB/RB/RB and don't like his injury history, although when he plays, he's a world-beater), Randy Moss :X :, a few QBs (Hasselbeck, Brady) and Dunn.

I don't know why Gates owners are frustrated as he's posting 7.0 ppg and looks to be trending upward. Ranked 3rd and averaging 2.6 ppg more than the 10th TE, why would I be unhappy? BTW, I'd make the same pick today knowing what I know now.

(And the notion that you can wait and DEFINITELY get a particular player (e.g., Winslow) later cheaper is bunk because you don't know when they will be drafted. You might think they SHOULD go in the 9th, but if they go in the 8th you are screwed.)

 

[baronson]

Still makes me laugh!

i would expect the sausage king of chicago to have a more discerning sense of humor...

 

[nygiants56]

been a rough season for TE's so far, Heap is the lone bright spot.

 

[craigboy]

been a rough season for TE's so far, Heap is the lone bright spot.

There is a guy in Cleveland that might argue with you.

 

[Kinger]

Three leagues:

Heap - He's fine. As long as he plays, that is, but I do have Wilcox behind him if I get any notice. Wilcox would start for a lot of NFL teams. (Zealots dynatsy, so ADP not an issue)

Gates - What are you going to do, sit him? I can't. Not for the randomness of Dallas Clark, but I have been tempted on certain matchups. (Zealots dynatsy, so ADP not an issue)

Watson - Very small benches in this league so he's my only TE right now. He's doing about what most of the TEs in the league are doing, and still has more potential than any of the WW fodder, so he stays and plays until something better pops up. (Redraft - got him at 10 in a 16 round draft, so it's not like I passed on a lot to get him)

*** ETA league formats ***

 

[the spanker]

Crumpler owner here. I am hoping that he has gotten significantly healthier over the bye week and returns to being Vick's favorite target. Hopefully, Vick will stop running so dammed much, not altogether, just not so much!!

New Crumpler owner here. Just completed a two man trade deal Saturday. I got Portis/Crumpler for Westbrook/DriverNeeded a backup for Watson's bye week and figured Crumpler would become my starting TE if Watson continues to do subpar this week.Crumpler starts this week on out for me and prays he does well.

 

[TheAbeFroman]

Alright, alright...Still giddy about the Bears so my jokes aren't on point this morning.( Can't blame me though, I've had to deal with being a Cubs, Bears, Bulls and Hawks my whole life which includes the past TEN PATHETIC CHICAGO SPORT YEARS!!!) But back to the TE discussion...Someone WAS on point when they said, "My bad TE vs. his bad TE." Since almost ALL TE's have dropped off considerably this year most people will just have to ride their picks or trades out and hope for the best. Since there is nothing in means of FA or WW for TEs concintrate more on the rest of your team and forget about the TE. Just plug him in there and if he gets 8 or 9 points GREAT, but don't be shocked to see just 3 or 4. I had McMichael and LJ Smith before I finally dropped McMichael for an extra roster spot....McMichael weeks 1-4 8 points...McMichael week 5..8 pionts. Don't rack your brains trying to fix that one spot when there's not much anyone can do...fix the other 7.

 

[BoulderBob]

Nothing, Watson will be in my lineup for the remainder of the season. The system doesn't favor his "coming out" party, but he has more talent than anyone I could find on the waiver wire.

 

[Evilhomer3k]

I have never understood why Heap is consistently ranked lower than Shockey, Gonzo, Witten, and others when every year (with the exception of the year in which he was out half the season) he's finished inside the top 5 and usually at #3. Every time I hear Shockey drafted prior to Heap I just laugh. I just don't understand the Shockey love when Heap can be had later, is more consistent, and almost always has a better year. Heap will also not give you the headache of wondering if your loudmouth TE will end up in the coaches doghouse. Outside of Gates there is not another TE in the league I want on my roster.

 

[onionsack]

I have never understood why Heap is consistently ranked lower than Shockey, Gonzo, Witten, and others when every year (with the exception of the year in which he was out half the season) he's finished inside the top 5 and usually at #3. Every time I hear Shockey drafted prior to Heap I just laugh. I just don't understand the Shockey love when Heap can be had later, is more consistent, and almost always has a better year. Heap will also not give you the headache of wondering if your loudmouth TE will end up in the coaches doghouse. Outside of Gates there is not another TE in the league I want on my roster.

I've got Heap, Winslow, Watson and Scheffler in one of my Zealots dynasty leagues. Obviously don't need that much TE depth and I'm trying to peddle one or two of em for a WR. I'm curious as to what you folks who are suffering at the TE position would be willing to give up to acquire one of these guys. I've been trying to trade Watson away but with his tepid performances to date, no one's really interested. And I've gotta agree with Evilhomer3k that for some reason Heap is the Rodney Dangerfield of TEs. I'd really appreciate it if I could get some feedback as to what any of these guys could fetch me in a trade.

 

[coolnerd]

If this continues, next year you will see TE return being drafted just ahead of kickers and DEf as it was only 3 or 4 years ago.

I don't know what this means re 3,4 years ago. I don't really wanna bite though and debate that now

Until the gonzo/Gates era, TEs where drafted as an afterthought rarely before round 9 or 10 in a standard 12 team/ 15 man bench league.

This is not true, there have always been a few tight ends at the top and then a pretty big drop off.Shannon Sharpe had over 900 yards 4 times and 8 or more TD's 4 times dating back to '93

Keith Jackson and Wesley Walls had 10 TD's in '96

Ben Coates had some great years in the mid 90's

Todd Christensen had 4 straight years over 900 yards from '83-'86

TE has always been a hit or miss position.

Gates has taken it to another level the past couple of years and there could be this new group of super freak athletes that could take it to an even higher level but we have yet to see it.

No where did I say there were not good TE performances. Until Gates took it to another level, with one or two exceptions during a given year TE was rarely drafted before the late rounds rounds and that might be in the middle rounds. In other words, the position was not invested in (as in now) and good performance was not expected, especially from a group that extended uo to 6 or 7 deep.

 

[cantrell]

A Gonzo owner here and I'm basically stuck with the guy. Nothing but bums on waivers and Gonzo really isn't trade material right now. So I'm starting him every week and hope for the best.

 

[the rover]

Stevens supposedly coming back for Seattle this week. With Alexander out, he may be a decent pickup.

 

[John Mamula]

LJ Smith is doing just like I thought he would.



No issues here.

 

[turnit643]

Alge owner. Picked up Stevens and stashed him after the draft. I'm holding on and hoping one of the two can start giving me something. (Had neither this week with BYEs, Fletcher filled in with a bagel ... ugh.)

Playing against Heap tonight with a 12 point lead. He's gone 9, 10, 12, 15 so far, so I'm hoping the TE drain hits him really soon.

 

[Two Deep]

I have never understood why Heap is consistently ranked lower than Shockey, Gonzo, Witten, and others when every year (with the exception of the year in which he was out half the season) he's finished inside the top 5 and usually at #3. Every time I hear Shockey drafted prior to Heap I just laugh. I just don't understand the Shockey love when Heap can be had later, is more consistent, and almost always has a better year. Heap will also not give you the headache of wondering if your loudmouth TE will end up in the coaches doghouse. Outside of Gates there is not another TE in the league I want on my roster.

I think Heaps problem up till now has been the QB position. It is hard to rank a guy higher when the guy who is throwing to him blows.

 

[craigboy]

If this continues, next year you will see TE return being drafted just ahead of kickers and DEf as it was only 3 or 4 years ago.

I don't know what this means re 3,4 years ago. I don't really wanna bite though and debate that now

Until the gonzo/Gates era, TEs where drafted as an afterthought rarely before round 9 or 10 in a standard 12 team/ 15 man bench league.

This is not true, there have always been a few tight ends at the top and then a pretty big drop off.Shannon Sharpe had over 900 yards 4 times and 8 or more TD's 4 times dating back to '93

Keith Jackson and Wesley Walls had 10 TD's in '96

Ben Coates had some great years in the mid 90's

Todd Christensen had 4 straight years over 900 yards from '83-'86

TE has always been a hit or miss position.

Gates has taken it to another level the past couple of years and there could be this new group of super freak athletes that could take it to an even higher level but we have yet to see it.

No where did I say there were not good TE performances. Until Gates took it to another level, with one or two exceptions during a given year TE was rarely drafted before the late rounds rounds and that might be in the middle rounds. In other words, the position was not invested in (as in now) and good performance was not expected, especially from a group that extended uo to 6 or 7 deep.

That is a very different statment then this:

Until the gonzo/Gates era, TEs where drafted as an afterthought rarely before round 9 or 10 in a standard 12 team/ 15 man bench league.

Which was your original statement.Gonzo is the same as plenty of TE's that came before him. Even Gates really hasn't done anything that much different then the guys that came before him. His difference was he put up huge number right away as a very young player. He could fall back down to earth.

Every time a TE has a huge year he is overvalued the next year and drafted too highly. Gates paid off for people who did guys who drafted him yearly last year, but this year he may be coming back to the pack.

I remember when Keith Jackson had a rookie year of 81 catches 869 yards and 6 TD's in '88 (My first year playing FF) he was drafted in the 2nd round the next year.

The same thing happened to Sharpe. In '93 he had 81 catches for 995yards and 9 TD's. He was drafted very high the next year and did catch 87 balls for 1010 yards, but only had 4 TD's. Then in '95 he only had 63 catches for 756 yards and 4 TD's. People were saying he was dying out and I think he whet in the 5th round or so in '96. He then had a huge year of: 80, 1062 and 10, which then caused his draft status to shoot back up.

Your original statement does not hold up. TE's were not "drafted as an afterthought rarely before round 9 or 10". Most years there have been at least one or two TE's who have been drafted in the 3rd through 5th rounds.

 

[malice]

I have never understood why Heap is consistently ranked lower than Shockey, Gonzo, Witten, and others when every year (with the exception of the year in which he was out half the season) he's finished inside the top 5 and usually at #3. Every time I hear Shockey drafted prior to Heap I just laugh. I just don't understand the Shockey love when Heap can be had later, is more consistent, and almost always has a better year. Heap will also not give you the headache of wondering if your loudmouth TE will end up in the coaches doghouse. Outside of Gates there is not another TE in the league I want on my roster.

The knock I have against Shockey every year is that he has yet to make it through a season without some sort of ankle/leg injury that lingers throughout the season. He starts most of the games, but he rarely gets to perform up to his potential- which means he can be someone else's problem.Unfortunately Heap went earlier this year than the past since the signing of McNair hyped him up...but even with crap QBs, he produced week in, week out. Now he just doesn't get laid out across the middle as much.

 

[coolnerd]

If this continues, next year you will see TE return being drafted just ahead of kickers and DEf as it was only 3 or 4 years ago.

I don't know what this means re 3,4 years ago. I don't really wanna bite though and debate that now

Until the gonzo/Gates era, TEs where drafted as an afterthought rarely before round 9 or 10 in a standard 12 team/ 15 man bench league.

This is not true, there have always been a few tight ends at the top and then a pretty big drop off.Shannon Sharpe had over 900 yards 4 times and 8 or more TD's 4 times dating back to '93

Keith Jackson and Wesley Walls had 10 TD's in '96

Ben Coates had some great years in the mid 90's

Todd Christensen had 4 straight years over 900 yards from '83-'86

TE has always been a hit or miss position.

Gates has taken it to another level the past couple of years and there could be this new group of super freak athletes that could take it to an even higher level but we have yet to see it.

No where did I say there were not good TE performances. Until Gates took it to another level, with one or two exceptions during a given year TE was rarely drafted before the late rounds rounds and that might be in the middle rounds. In other words, the position was not invested in (as in now) and good performance was not expected, especially from a group that extended uo to 6 or 7 deep.

That is a very different statment then this:

Until the gonzo/Gates era, TEs where drafted as an afterthought rarely before round 9 or 10 in a standard 12 team/ 15 man bench league.

Which was your original statement.Gonzo is the same as plenty of TE's that came before him. Even Gates really hasn't done anything that much different then the guys that came before him. His difference was he put up huge number right away as a very young player. He could fall back down to earth.

Every time a TE has a huge year he is overvalued the next year and drafted too highly. Gates paid off for people who did guys who drafted him yearly last year, but this year he may be coming back to the pack.

I remember when Keith Jackson had a rookie year of 81 catches 869 yards and 6 TD's in '88 (My first year playing FF) he was drafted in the 2nd round the next year.

The same thing happened to Sharpe. In '93 he had 81 catches for 995yards and 9 TD's. He was drafted very high the next year and did catch 87 balls for 1010 yards, but only had 4 TD's. Then in '95 he only had 63 catches for 756 yards and 4 TD's. People were saying he was dying out and I think he whet in the 5th round or so in '96. He then had a huge year of: 80, 1062 and 10, which then caused his draft status to shoot back up.

Your original statement does not hold up. TE's were not "drafted as an afterthought rarely before round 9 or 10". Most years there have been at least one or two TE's who have been drafted in the 3rd through 5th rounds.

I think we are going to wind up doing a semantics dance, and have too much real work to do for a lengthy TE draft reseasrch project to prove or disprove my statement. It is there flawed or not. I will take responsibility for not being clearer originally.

 

[bostonfred]

antibumping this to fix the time zone issue

 

[Bri]

I have never understood why Heap is consistently ranked lower than Shockey, Gonzo, Witten, and others when every year (with the exception of the year in which he was out half the season) he's finished inside the top 5 and usually at #3. Every time I hear Shockey drafted prior to Heap I just laugh. I just don't understand the Shockey love when Heap can be had later, is more consistent, and almost always has a better year. Heap will also not give you the headache of wondering if your loudmouth TE will end up in the coaches doghouse. Outside of Gates there is not another TE in the league I want on my roster.

The knock I have against Shockey every year is that he has yet to make it through a season without some sort of ankle/leg injury that lingers throughout the season. He starts most of the games, but he rarely gets to perform up to his potential- which means he can be someone else's problem.Unfortunately Heap went earlier this year than the past since the signing of McNair hyped him up...but even with crap QBs, he produced week in, week out. Now he just doesn't get laid out across the middle as much.

I agreeEvil, Heap misses time that hurts his draft value. Yes I expect Shockey NOT sitting and struggling thru will negatively affect his next year but...I figure that's why

 

[tommyGunZ]

Happy Gates owner here. He's had his bye, weathered Rivers' first couple of starts, matchups against Baltimore and Pittsburgh, and 3 weeks of Martyball. Even with those factors, he's TE5 in one league and TE6 in another. It's smooth sailing from here on out.

If the Gates owner in your league has a good backup and is frustrated with Antonio's performance thus far, now's the time to move for him. He'll put up an 8/94/2 line in the next couple weeks and vault to the top of the TE rankings in a hurry.

 

[Bri]

antibumping this to fix the time zone issue

thats pretty weird, your post before Gunz timewise...hmmm

 

[packersfan]

A Gonzo owner here and I'm basically stuck with the guy. Nothing but bums on waivers and Gonzo really isn't trade material right now. So I'm starting him every week and hope for the best.

That's the same boat I'm in. If some decent TEs start to emerge on the WW as the season goes on, I'll play the matchups if Gonzalez doesn't start to show more. Until then it's start him and hope. Not sure what else can be done.

 

[broncofan13000]

Happy Gates owner here. He's had his bye, weathered Rivers' first couple of starts, matchups against Baltimore and Pittsburgh, and 3 weeks of Martyball. Even with those factors, he's TE5 in one league and TE6 in another. It's smooth sailing from here on out.If the Gates owner in your league has a good backup and is frustrated with Antonio's performance thus far, now's the time to move for him. He'll put up an 8/94/2 line in the next couple weeks and vault to the top of the TE rankings in a hurry.

 

[tommyGunZ]

antibumping this to fix the time zone issue

thats pretty weird, your post before Gunz timewise...hmmm

I'm always one step ahead of BFred, even when he posts before me.....