2010 49ers Roster Projections: Tight Ends
by David Fucillo on Jul 1, 2010 7:01 AM PDT
in Roster Projections
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PrintAnd we're back for another round of roster projections for the 49ers 53-man squad. To date we've discussed the wide receivers, the inside linebackers, the offensive line, the defensive line, the quarterbacks, the running backs, the fullbacks, the safeties, and the cornerbacks.
The 49ers have a pair of the more athletic tight ends in the league. Vernon Davis can run with just about anybody in the league, and the team has used Delanie Walker as a kick returner at times. Although Michael Crabtree could very well emerge as the leading pass catcher on this team going forward, Vernon Davis remains arguably the biggest threat on a play-by-play basis. Davis can blow past linebackers and is way too physical for safeties.
Delanie Walker has never put together amazing numbers outside of the preseason, and yet he continues to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. Given Vernon Davis' strong blocking abilities, the team can roll out Davis and Walker on a given and break the field wide open.
Locks
Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker
Bubble
Nate Byham, Tony Curtis, Joe Jon Finley
The issue with the tight end position is whether the team will bring along a third tight end, and if so, who it will be. A year ago, when I wrapped up the roster projections, I had everyone's favorite, Bear Pascoe, as a lock to make the roster. In fact, I even initiated discussion as to whether Pascoe or Walker would be the more productive tight end. Walker didn't have a monster year, but seeing as Pascoe didn't even make it on the 53-man roster, that ended up being a non-issue.
So, as we look at the 49ers roster bubble, we've got a trio of tight ends in Nate Byham, Tony Curtis and Joe Jon Finley. At this point, Finley seems to be on the wrong end of the spectrum. He's spent two full seasons on the practice squad and without the rules in front of me, I'm not entirely sure of his eligibility at this point for a third season (there are some exceptions allowing for a third year).
Tony Curtis is a guy who people were intrigued by at the time he was signed, but I think the general interest has waned a little bit. Sure he's got some talent, but when a player is signed to a reserve/future contract, there's a reason for it. With the 49ers decision to draft Byham, I'd think Curtis has a tough road in front of him.
In the end, will the 49ers even go with a 3rd tight end? They've practiced plenty of times utilizing an offensive lineman in that third tight end role for their goal line and short yardage situations. Do they stick with that, or does Nate Byham end up as more than waiver wire/practice squad fodder?
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I voted none.
It’s a gut feeling right now. I’m so happy with Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker, but I’m starting to feel like there won’t even be situations where this guy can see the field much. If any of the three make it for the third spot, it will be Nate Byham, and I’m pretty positive on that.
The main reasoning for keeping a third tight end for blocking instead of kicking in another offensive lineman is because all tight ends are supposed to represent a dual threat, so when the third guy is out there, opposing teams are supposed to say “Oh well he could block.. or look out he could catch!” but 100% of the time if we are actually going to resort to use the extra tight end in a passing situation, we’d be better off with Delanie Walker out there. So basically, for the 49ers, when you see that third tight end out there you absolutely KNOW they are running it no matter what because they have Walker on the sidelines.
That was kind of convoluted but what I’m getting at is, with two good pass-catching tight ends on the roster, if we’re going to tip our hat and let them know we’re running by kicking in the third tight end – well he might as well be an offensive lineman like Alex Boone or even a versatile Brit Miller who is actually a threat in the passing game.
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this
Unless the guy is another Vernon Davis-esque player (who would be equally an asset in run blocking as he is in pass receiving) then there’s really no reason to keep a 3rd TE for these situations. Sure, Maybe Byham can catch the ball but we all know the play calling isn’t uber creative here in SF and those kinds of plays are few and far between. Why take up someone else’s roster spot with a guy who will make an impact on maybe 15 plays a year, if that?
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I'd much rather focus on getting DW to be a better blocker
or replacing him with another VD type freak who can do both.
"I will speak at times, when it's necessary, but I don't believe in talking just because you can." - P-52
Let's talk on Twitter
Uh
DW was a Wide Out and was transformed into a pass catching TE. If 15 plays from Byham leads to TDs, First Downs or Gore closer to 15-20 tds. I am all for that! We were a few plays last year from winning crucial games Vikings (I still hate that site restricted verbage play) Colts trick play (hate that one too) Seahawks (just could not get that 1st down) The only person I am not sure will make the team is Adams. He got a long shot to me.
Santa Clara, You are the Father!
byham probably only be in on those 15 plays
On offense and how many you think he gonna have a impact on? I aint gonna be mad if he makes it but he better have a lot of impact or else someone else lost a spot for what?
by random_guy on Jul 1, 2010 2:18 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
nate
was converted to a blocking te (jr yr) after being a recieving te in in hs and early college yrs..throw him a few passes early in the season and the opposition will NOT know what to expect..realitity is this kid was the #1 te coming out of hs in 2006….B.E . TE 2008 and 2009…
We will keep Byham, I will tell you why.
Last year we drafted Bear. Why? ’Cause we want a blocking tight end. This year we drafted a tight end that all he wants to do is, to use his own words, “Bloody somebodies nose!” It would give the defence something else to think of. A tackle is not going to catch the ball, a TE just might. Sing must want that option.
"Moving Forward."
Agree
There must be a reason the organization continues to search for a block-first TE. If he doesn’t have the skill (see: Pascoe, Bear) then it makes sense to release him, but not for so called “tipping your hat” when the player enters the game.
And at the end of the day, the man can still catch a pass which makes him a threat. It may be a small threat, but a threat nonetheless.
I think the same way.
I don’t see how we have room for a third TE when Sing has said he’s wanting to keep two or three ST players. Unless a new CBA gets done before the season starts and the rosters are increased I can’t see any of them making it.
Joe Jon Finley has already spent two seasons on the practice squad and hasn’t even cracked the lineup yet. I think he’s released this season.
Tony Curtis has had actual NFL experience, all of it with the Cowboys. He’s also scored three TDs for them in 2007, but he was cut following the 2008 season and bounced around from the Ravens to the Chiefs, and then the Eagles in 2009, finally landing with us after the 2010 season. He has a better chance than Byham at this point, because he’s shown he can do the ST work, but going through three teams in one season is not good for your resume.
I think the best that Byham can hope for is to make the practice squad.
Logic merely enables one to be wrong with authority
If we are going to run the ball....
This feels more like a Coach Sing draft pick. They said he did his homework on these players. so I am going to give him 80% chance of making the team (PTI moment) lol. I need to see him do two things in preseason. (1) Runblocking and learning from mistakes after week 3. (2) Redzone play can he move the pile for the RBs to get that 1-2 yds and can he get in position for a tough catch for 6 pts.
Santa Clara, You are the Father!
If Byham is the extra tackle as he was touted...
then they might just convert him, bulk him up and keep him on the roster that way.
I voted Nate Byham
We have Davis who excels in both catching and blocking. We have Walker who excels in catching but not blocking. It makes sense to add a tight end who excels in blocking. However, from what I read about in OTA’s and seen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgUL-CmVp5c) he is capable of catching the rock.
Nate Byham is
a 275 lb. lineman who can catch the ball when needed. HE CAN PLAY ALOT OF SPECIAL TEAMS, AS WELL AS A PACKAGE ON THE OFFENSE. That will be a lot more than 15 plays a year.
I VOTED NATE BYHAM, TOO
Hopefully, the rumors are true and he will get signed tomorrow. Sing is no dummy. He’s got a plan and I hope it works!
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