I have been reading a lot of threads concerning the reasons why we shouldn't draft a QB or a WR in this upcoming draft because there may be talent already hidden on this roster that could fill the voids. That got me thinking that maybe there was other hidden talent on the roster that could also be utilized instead of drafting additional players and wastinge draft picks that could be stockpiled for future use in 2010. So after hours of reviewing the depth charts vs the glaring needs on this team I found a true gem that has been hiding right in front of our eyes for 9 years!!!... James Dearth Player size: at 6'4" and 270 lbs he has ideal size to be a stay at home blocking TE Experience: 9 years. Statistics show that a 9-year vet has more experience than an 8-year vet Career Highlights: He has played 112 consecutive games as a Jet - shows he is a durable player He has 28 ST tackles - shows he is an all around gamer He has 3 whole passes in his 9 years AND one was a touch down thrown by Vinny himself!! His first pass was thrown by Tom Tupa on fourth-and-2 after team lined up in Wing-T formation - How is that for versatility? Has served as long -snapper on punts and placekicks in every game since start of 2001 season. ? Occasionally lines up as third TE in goal-line and short-yardage sets<----that is the key, he is used almost exclusively on goal-line and short yardage sets..That is right, he is used almost exclusively in crunch time, where games are won or lost and only the most seasoned trust worthy players can be relied on.. Please Rex, don't mortgage the future by bringing in another TE when Dearth MAY have the goods to be a full time blocking TE.
James Dearth is a long snapper...and I think he's Sloth from The Goonies' stunt double. This guy has zero potential as a blocking tight end. "Statistics show that a 9-year vet has more experience than an 8-year vet" -- Really? Are you fucking serious?
No, he's not. It's sarcasm. He's implying that there's no such thing as hidden potential by saying that every player on the team should have a cheerleading squad screaming about their potential to do something, however he missed the mark by saying someone should play a different position. What people are doing at WR is saying "let's see what we have at WR", not "let's move Abram Elam to WR", which is what he's doing by saying Dearth could play TE. So, yes, it was sarcasm, but sadly, it was horribly implemented. I give it a C-. I suppose he gave it some effort.
That is part of the problem that I am pointing out. We really have some glaring needs on this team and everybody seems content with taking a wait and see approach to see how players develop. In this case, the second tight end is the long snapper and not even a full-time tight-end. So in essence, we have one real tight end on the team and couldn't use true jumbo package on short yardage plays. with that being said, I agree it is not a solid A post, but a C- seems a little tough.
I will say in defense of his point (though not necessarily his Post) is that Dearth is listed as a backup TE... whereas Elam is certainly not our #6 WR, lol...
Dearth wasn't used at TE this year to my knowledge. We used an eligible tackle (Robert Turner/Wayne Hunter) along with Baker and Keller.
This team's biggest need above all else is quality depth. When that is the case you draft for best player available. If a TE is far and away the #1 guy on the board when the jets pick...he should be the pick. The only guy who fits that bill is Pettigrew. What you hafta like about him is he is a football player through and through. Barring injury he'll be a dependable run blocker, short yardage reciever and red zone threat.He doesnt have much of a "floor" so to speak. Safe picks in round 1 are never a bad thing.
If we take a tight end in the first round, I will flip the hell out. We have Dustin Keller. We don't need to spend another first round pick there. There's no tight end worth doing that for in this draft, and we don't need one who is going to ever start for us. We need a veteran like Baker as the #2. I would deal with a mid-late round pick tight end, but we can't take one in the first round. And Dearth can't be the tight end except in a pinch when other guys get hurt. What happens if your long snapper gets hurt?
I still don't understand what point you're trying to make. What positions are people saying we should wait and see how players develop? Aside from QB, obviously.
The case against drafting a TE is the fact that we have a gaping hole at WR and we drafted a TE last year. I think it'd be ridiculous to pick a TE rd 1 this year....
I'm with Kurt. Depth is our biggest need. We go BPA, and with the depth at WR, I am sure we will get a solid addition wherever they take one. Yes we do need a blocking TE, and I think we could probably pick one up in FA pretty easily. I would prefer based on the franchises history of drafting TE's early, and also the fact that we just took a TE in the first last year, that we pass on going TE in round 1. I would like a RB in round one, but it is all about the board and who you evaluate to be the better player when your pick comes.
Let's see, just about every skill position out there. My favorite is trade TJones and let Leon prove that he can carry the load by himself.
You know he's not much of a TE when you're team is using backup offensive lineman to go out for passes ahead of him. He's been a terrific long-snapper for a long time and that's pretty much all he is. But that should still earn him a roster spot. I wouldn't mind a TE in the draft, but preferably no earlier than the 4th round...
^ Agreed. If we waste our #17 pick on a fucking TE, I'm boycotting the season. We have bigger needs in QB, WR, and CB. This cannot happen.
