The Biggest Surprise of the Offseason

No, I'm not talking about Sean Taylor's recent arrest (I'm pretty much done with that until more information comes to light). I was convinced that the Redskins would acquire at least one free-agent tight-end and would draft another. Wow, I was wrong.

The major offseason moves are over and the only tight-end on our roster that is even worth talking about is Robert Royal (Cooley is an H-back). Robert Royal started to produce late in the season, but he's hardly a "quality" starting tight-end. Moreover, Royal is more of a pass-catching tight-end; not the prototypical Gibbs' TE.

Is anyone else as surprised as I am about the tight-end situation? What do people think will happen between now and the season-opener to improve our depth at tight-end? Does anyone know if any tight-ends of note on other teams might be released?

I sooooo agree with you on this issue. Everyone seems to have forgotten the necessity of having a good tight end in the Gibbs offense. Back in the days, it was Clint Didier, he could block and catch the ball over the middle. I think that's why I got so upset on draft day when we took Campbell with our second pick. At the time, the highest rated TE was on the board and he would've been a perfect fit for the O. And before anyone starts going on and on about Cooley being awesome, he's not the TE, he's the H-back. As a perfect example, just look at our last game of the season against the Vikings, where Robert Royal caught a TD from the TE position. Yes, we need a solid TE and absolutely nothing has been done to acquire one.

I know Cooley is technically the H-back, but he's basically our tight end in the sense he's the main non-WR receiving option.

In this current offense it seems Gibbs is using the TE as more of a pure blocker, and because of Cooley's versatility and smarts, he was a great fit for the H-back.

Is Royal's blocking really that bad?

I sooooo agree with you on this issue. Everyone seems to have forgotten the necessity of having a good tight end in the Gibbs offense.


I don't agree. I didn't think it was an issue for HOF Coach Gibbs last year, and I still don't think it's an issue. We have what we have. It will all work.

The inactivity (at least until after training camp cuts) we are seeing could be a sign that Mike Sellers is going to see some action. With his size and aggressiveness, he could be the blocker we need out there - especially if Portis's dream of more outside runs is to occur.

I don't agree. I didn't think it was an issue for HOF Coach Gibbs last year, and I still don't think it's an issue. We have what we have. It will all work.

Yeah, because our offense was so sweet last year. lol j/k

I don't think a TE is the answer to our offensive woes.

With the way Gibbs loves TEs, I would think if he was dissatisfied with his current group he would have looked for an upgrade already.

That's a good thought about Sellars. If he could develop into an aggresive blocker without all the penalties, he would be great.

Heath Miller....Argh, sorry guys