Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2009: Tight End Preview

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 10, 2009 12:05 PM EDT in 2009 Training Camp

Sometimes you take a few steps back at a position in the offseason, as I don't think anyone can say they are overly pleased with the fact that Kellen Winslow is no longer on the team. On the same note, Browns fans didn't have a huge uproar over Winslow being traded, showing that some of the antics of the highly-talented had become tiresome. In the end, it yielded us an extra second-round draft choice, allowing the Browns to choose receiver Mohamed Massaquoi. The Browns are shifting from a tight end known for their receiving abilities and back to the days of just knowing how to block.

As part of our continuing training camp coverage, the theme this week was "See ball, catch ball...and block". Over the next two days, we'll talk about the tight end position, largely representing the blocking portion of the theme.

1. ROBERT ROYAL - STARTING TIGHT END (BLOCKING SITUATIONS)

Robert Royal (#84)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 257
College: LSU
Experience: 8 years
Note: Not flashy like K2

With Martin Rucker lacking the experience, Steve Heiden coming off of a serious injury, and Mangini's desire to have good blocking for the running game, Robert Royal is heading into training camp as the team's starting tight end.

After spending the past three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, did Royal do enough to qualify as a starting tight end? Brian Galliford, from our Bills affiliate over at Buffalo Rumblings, doesn't think so:

"...trust me when I say that Robert Royal is NOT good. He drops as many passes as he catches, and when he does catch it, he’s a HUGE risk for fumbles. As a blocker, he’s above average. But the dude just straight up isn’t a starting TE in this league."

Yes, it's a big dropoff from the days of having Kellen Winslow as your starting tight end. It would be silly to say that Royal is a better tight end than Winslow. Nonetheless, in Royal, you get a player who is less controversial, a better blocker, and someone who fits well enough into Mangini's gameplan.

In the parenthesis, I note that Royal will be in on blocking situations; probably first and second downs. While Royal is a better pass catcher than Darnell Dinkins was, he's not a sure-handed receiver. We should see a rotation of the tight ends this season, depending on the situation. One thing that stands out in Royal's statistics is that he has fumbled the ball four times over the past two seasons.

Player Quality: C-
Final Roster Odds: 100%

2. MARTIN RUCKER - BACKUP TIGHT END (RECEIVING SITUATIONS)

Martin Rucker (#80)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 260
College: Missouri
Experience: 2 years
Note: 4th round pick in 08

What a waste of Rucker's potential talent last season by head coach Romeo Crennel. After drafting Martin Rucker in the fourth round, we only saw him in action for a few plays later in the season; for the year, he only recorded two catches. It was ridiculous that we were down to Darnell Dinkins and Rucker as our only two tight ends, and yet despite knowing that Dinkins didn't have a future with the team and we were far eliminated from the playoffs, Dinkins got all of the playing time. After he was deemed as first/second-round talent by general manager Phil Savage, it's another example of Crennel having been one of the worst coaches in the league at utilizing younger players.

Rucker isn't known for his blocking, but that remains a part of his game that could be developed over time. His athleticism is more comparable to what Winslow brought to the team, having the ability to run routes vertically down the field. ClevelandBrowns.com just had an article about it being a new year with new chances for Rucker.

"I feel like I'm a better player," he said. "I got stronger in the weight room and I worked hard on perfecting my craft. I'm a better player in every area.

Dustin Keller, an athletic tight end for the New York Jets who was a rookie last season, recorded 48 catches for 535 yards and 3 touchdowns. I think Rucker is capable of having similar production for the Browns this season, especially if Heiden isn't able to return close to 100%.

Player Quality: TBD
Final Roster Odds: 99%

3. STEVE HEIDEN - VETERAN BACKUP TIGHT END

Steve Heiden (#82)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 270
College: South Dakota St.
Experience: 11 years
Note: Coming off torn ACL

There's a big question mark next to Heiden's name heading into training camp this season. He had ACL surgery in the offseason, and returning from that on time and with your body cooperating is a crapshoot at best. Based on the time he had the surgery, he might be able to participate a little in training camp and be cleared to play for the regular season in a best-case scenario.

We already know what type of player Heiden is; he will be entering his eighth season with the Browns. Even if he returns healthy this year, I think he'll officially take over the "Darnell Dinkins" role from the past several years as the third tight end. Heiden would still see plenty of action though, as I imagine a decent amount of our plays with include multiple tight end sets when we're running the ball.

Player Quality: B
Final Roster Odds (if Healthy): 100%
Odds of Being Healthy Enough: 50%

4. AARON WALKER - BACKUP TIGHT END

Aaron Walker (#87)
Height: 6-6
Weight: 277
College: Florida
Experience: 7 years
Note: Blocking TE

For entering his seventh NFL season, Aaron Walker isn't exactly a household name at the tight end position. He began his career as a fifth-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2003. Over two seasons, he had 18 receptions for them. He played with the St. Louis Rams the next three years in limited duty, seeing similar-to-less playing time than Dinkins saw with the Browns.

After being with the Ravens in camp last season, he did not make their final roster. This year, he's giving the Browns a shot. At 6'6 and 277 pounds, Walker is the biggest tight end on our roster. You'll see that the Browns do not have any undrafted free agent tight ends in camp this year; the purpose for that is probably due to the fact that either Walker or the player below (John Madsen) might make the final roster depending on Heiden's status. If that's the case, you need some veteran depth in camp, and Walker fits that description. There's also a chance we could keep four tight ends to start the season if Heiden won't be ready until Week 4 or something to that effect.

Final Roster Odds: 40%

5. JOHN MADSEN - BACKUP TIGHT END

John Madsen (#85)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 240
College: Utah
Experience: 4 years
Note: Receiving TE

John Madsen has played for the Oakland Raiders the past three seasons, and was originally undrafted. He has 19 catches for 248 yards and 2 touchdowns in his career. The Browns added him to their roster in December last season due to all of the injuries to our tight ends.

Madsen is an interesting player, because he's fast enough to be a receiver but also just big enough to play tight end. In fact, it was the Raiders who converted him to tight end after he was a receiver in college. If we're looking for a third tight end to take Heiden's place temporarily, I'd imagine we would go for someone with bulk -- that isn't Madsen. Madsen seems more so like the competition to Martin Rucker; in that case, Madsen's roster odds are a little bit less than Walker's.

Final Roster Odds: 10%

TE Position Quality (Overall): D+

After being graded an "A" last season, the tight end position plummets this year. A lot of that has to do with the uncertainty -- Rucker hasn't had the chance to prove himself yet, Heiden might not be ready to go, and Royal isn't even close to being a top-tier tight end.

Poll

If Mangini decided to say, "you know what, I'm having one definitive tight end who will basically be the only tight end who plays", which player would you like that to be, considering the rest of Mangini's gameplan?

Robert Royal

93 votes

Martin Rucker

409 votes

Steve Heiden

295 votes

797 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I pray to god that Royal, Rucker, and Heiden don’t all systematically receive staph infections.

by SpecialBrownie on Jul 10, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

With regards to the Bills guy comment: I think it all depends on your perspective of what a tight end should do to decide if he is a starter in the NFL. Royal will not be a strong fantasy football tight end ever, but I think it’s clear that Mangini values the blocking aspect of the position over the receiving aspect (hence the trade of Winslow, and signing of Royal.) He concedes that Royal is an above average blocker, and if that is the case, who is to say that it doesn’t make Royal good enough to start?

by Roger Dorn on Jul 10, 2009 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with Roger, and not just because that’s my actual name, I think we need to have an extra blocke to help with the running game what with Lewis aging and the uncertainty over whether Harrison can be an every down back

by North Coast Flea on Jul 11, 2009 2:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I think you´re right Mr. Dorn, that the same as all the positions, with a new coach, it is most important to determine how we want it played, not who as a starting point.
It´s a huge opportunity to redefine your brand of football, your approach, your style, your expectations.
The only player I would plan around is Braylon Edwards, and as I´ve indicated I see him as a monster Flanker, due to his freakish athleticism and inconsistency down the field.
So in case of the tight-end, my opinion is, that versatility is indeed the most important aspect of that position. I don´t want an exceptional blocker or exceptional pass threat there, I want an enigmatic unpredictable double threat tight-end.
In the NFL there is a lot of talk about the possession receiver. The tight-end is the ultimate possession receiver. So I´m thinkin short yardage patterns on third and even fourth downs. That´s slant out, down and out with a sharp cut or hook pattern, tight-end pop, come back patterns. Maybe even pitch it to him.
Know what you want, you get who you want.
I have a feeling about John Madsen, he looks like a wiry Bavaro. The Raiders got Zach Miller, who was pretty darn good, so maybe Madsen was just second best not a bad player on the Raiders.

by mooncamping on Jul 11, 2009 8:30 AM EDT reply actions

How is Braylon a flanker?

Maybe we can put Ali at TE so we only have to keep 3

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 11, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I have seen a number of teams line up a “flanker” in the position that Braylon typically lines up at. IT is pretty meaningless

by Roger Dorn on Jul 11, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Or better yet, we cut Vickers and Ali, put Heiden and Walker at FB, then set Madsen at Flanker! It’s brilliant!

by SpecialBrownie on Jul 11, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Depending on the system, the term “flanker” can be used to refer to the “Z” WR (the one who is usually on the offense’s right), or it can be used to refer to a WR who is not on the line of scrimmage.

Really, it doesn’t matter where Braylon is or if he is directly on the LoS or not. It won’t change his talent level and he is a big strong dude, so putting him on the line and closer to the DB won’t matter a whole lot.

by rufio on Jul 11, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

You´re right, the flanker can be recognised, because often he is the guy lining up a few yards off the line of scrimmage. He is not per se consigned to a certain side, and he is not forced to line up a certain distance from the line. That is the benefit of utilizing a flanker, he can line up anywhere between the line and the side line. It´s the same thing, you want the defense wondering what he is up to, he´s the inbetweener, stretching the field horizontally.
We don´t want them game planing against a set of possible plays, eliminating players choices based on where they could or could not be based on the schematics. We want total unpredictability, maximum decisionability from every single player.
The tight-end blocks and blocks and blocks, but he´s a passing threat on every play. He can be run blocking and then come off the block and still receive the ball.
The ball is live until the whistle blows, we don´t want their defense down checking possiblities as the play evolves. That´s what the flanker and tight-end can do for you if they play it right, they give you more options.

by mooncamping on Jul 12, 2009 7:13 AM EDT up reply actions

The problem mate, is that we do not have an ‘enigmatic unpredictable double threat tight-end’.

by skipkirk on Jul 11, 2009 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I really hope the Browns can get another good season out of Heiden. He has decent hands and blocks well. I think a more versatile TE would keep the defense guessing on their substitutions. If Heiden can’t come back, then I hope Rucker can pick up his blocking game.

To be fair to Rucker though, I recall reading that it wasn’t so much that he couldn’t block in college as that he wasn’t asked to do so that often. So it was an assumption that he just wasn’t good at it rather than an observation.

by JustBob on Jul 11, 2009 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

To be fair to Rucker though, I recall reading that it wasn’t so much that he couldn’t block in college as that he wasn’t asked to do so that often. So it was an assumption that he just wasn’t good at it rather than an observation.

That seems about right. If you go back to last year’s preview, that’s what I included about Rucker — at Missouri, it’s not like he was asked to block, which is why it was a question mark. I think the assumptions came from the fact that we didn’t play him that much, and training camp reports never made any special notes about his blocking abilities.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 11, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea, Rucker always lined up as part of a 5 wide set. Missouri actually ran a number of short WR screen passes to someone like Jeremy Maclin, and Rucker did an excellent job of blocking for those. I don’t know enough to say if that would translate to hand on the ground blocking, but he does have some ability.

by Roger Dorn on Jul 11, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

We should try lining Rucker up wide on a play like the Harrison TD run. He could be the guy in motion and block the DE or he could stay wide and block from there.

If you are 260 and you can’t at least get in the way of linebackers, I don’t know who is coaching you. I believe Rucker will be able to develop his blocking if he isn’t already at least decent.

by rufio on Jul 11, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

If I had to decide between Walker and Madsen, I would take Madsen.

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 11, 2009 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

I think our TEs’ success will be based on two things:
1. Heiden’s health. When he is healthy, he can definitely block. He’s also not a bad receiver and is just fast enough to keep a defense honest.

2. The versatility of Rucker and Royal. Royal can block, but that won’t matter if we tip our hand by putting him on the field. If a defense knows that we are running the ball or that Royal will be in protection, they will be able to eat us for lunch—especially if that defense is the Ravens’ or steelers’. The same goes for Rucker; if they know we are passing when he is on the field, we are at a disadvantage before the ball is snapped.

Rucker needs to at least be able to block on screens, draws, and outside running plays. Royal needs to be able to at least catch 5 yard first downs.

I’d like to hold out hope for Royal, but he’s been in the league a while and I don’t expect much of an improvement from him. Rucker, on the other hand, hasn’t had a chance to show what he can do. Here’s hoping he gets that chance.

by rufio on Jul 11, 2009 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

Didnt Rucker start ahead of Coughman at Mizzou?

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 11, 2009 7:06 PM EDT reply actions

Do you mean Chase Coffman?

by Buckeye Brad on Jul 11, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

yea sorry for the spelling problem

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Jul 12, 2009 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I guess if you were to list both players on a depth chart, than yes Rucker was ahead. They both saw the field though almost the whole game on offense. Rucker was more productive while he was there.

by Roger Dorn on Jul 12, 2009 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions