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New Jersey – I want to talk about a particular position today that might be in better shape for Gang Green than the critics will admit . . .
The Chargers are signing Jeff Cumberland.
Nice signing by the San Diego Chargers.
Tight ends who are 6-4, 260, and run 4.5, don’t grow on trees.
Look, I’m not putting him in Canton.
I’m just saying he’s a match-up nightmare the Jets underutilized.
Cumberland should do very well in San Diego.
It’s a very tight end-friendly offense.
Phillip Rivers loves throwing to tight ends.
We all know about the exploits of Antonio Gates, but they also threw to their other tight end a lot the last few years – LaDarius Green. And Green just signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, so Cumberland could end up with a decent number of catches taking over for Green.
But you know what, the Jets have some talent in the tight end room.
People are talking about how the Jets need to get another tight end, but that is kind of snobby outlook.
That room isn’t devoid of talent.
First of all, they re-signed Kellen Davis, who did a real nice job of blocking last year. He’s like having an extra tackle – he’s a massive tight end who is very athletic.
Zach Sudfeld is coming back off a knee injury suffered last spring. Aside from being one of the Jets’ best special team’s players two years ago, he was emerging as a tight end. He’s 6-7, 260, and has quite a catching radius. He’s also improved a great deal as a blocker since entering the league out of Nevada (Reno).
Wes Saxton is an underrated player. He signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent last year, but easily could have been drafted in Rounds 5-7. He’s 6-3, 250 with 4.65 speed. He can stretch the seam. Saxton wasn’t a great blocker when he came to the Jets, but has improved a great deal over the last year, under the tutelage of tight ends coach Jimmie Johnson. Keep an eye on this guy.
The Jets had Brandon Bostick on their practice squad part of last year. He’s a former Green Bay Packer and Minnesota Viking. He’s 6-3, 245 and runs under 4.6.
Another good size-speed guy in the room is former Giant draft pick Adrien Robinson – he’s 6-4, 267 and runs in the 4.5 area.
And lest we forget Jace Amaro coming off a shoulder injury. He has a lot of potential, but must improve the consistency of his hands and his blocking.
So as you can see, there is talent at this position to work with.
People who say there isn’t are just being elitists.
It’s easy to down play people when they aren’t big names. It’s the cool thing to do.
I’m not saying this is the best tight end group in the league.
What I’m saying is that with Davis, Sudfeld, Amaro, Saxton, Bostick and Robinson, the cupboard isn’t empty.
So there is no reason for the Jets, or their fans, to panic about the state of the position.
April 4, 2016
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