Eifert not practicing

[Shake n Blake]

(10-06-2016, 02:48 AM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: I think he's just a bit of a product of what they need in Arizona. Last year Fitzgerald had 1200 yards, Brown had 1000 yards, and Floyd had 850 yards. They didn't need more receiving threats. They needed someone to block.

This year again they have 3 people with over 200 yards receiving, and 5 with over 150 yards, and that's even with Palmer regressing a little.

True, TE's block more in AZ, but that doesn't explain why a supposedly still gifted pass catcher like Gresh has been outproduced by a UFA. Plus why would a supposedly still talented TE sign with a team where he'd be stuck in a time share with said UFA in an offense that limits his pass catching opportunities? After all, pass catching - not blocking alone - is where TE's earn the big bucks. He'd be limiting his future earning potential. It doesn't jive with me.

It seems more likely that AZ was one of the only teams that was interested after his surgery, and that Gresham losing a step is why the UFA is outproducing him.

(10-06-2016, 05:08 PM)Nately120 Wrote: AZ just uses TEs differently, I guess.  It's hard to look at Gresham being a moderately important part of what was 2015's #1 offense and declare that he's clearly turned to crap because the stat sheet looked better when he was here.

Meh, the whole "good riddance Gresham" narrative held some water in 2015 when we were convinced we couldn't have Eifert and Gresham on the field at the same time, but this year we have 0 TEs and I'm not really SURE Gresham couldn't put up another 500 yards and 5 TD season here.  

I wouldn't even say Gresh was a moderately important player for them. Blocking TE's are easier to stumble on and that's mostly what he's asked to do. Fells has doubled Gresh's catches this year. Fells. A UFA.

I'm not "sure" Gresh wouldn't go 500 and 5 this year for the Bengals, but I'd certainly bet against it. Bfine brought up his age (28) as if it's unheard of for a TE to fall off before 30. Look at Brandon Pettigrew (very similar player). Look at Chris Cooley, Kellen Winslow and Vernon Davis, etc etc. It's a rough position.

I wouldn't be totally opposed to having Gresh now, if it were an option, but at this point, I don't think he'd bring THAT much more than the young guys. So we may as well let them get their experience in.