Ridiculously Early 2010 Saints Roster Breakdown: Tight End
by Dave Cariello on May 19, 2010 6:00 AM CDT
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PrintWe return to the offensive side of the ball in this series of posts detailing each pre-training camp position grouping in an effort to determine who will make the final team. Today we're discussing the tight ends, of which there aren't too many. Not sure how many players the Saints will keep at the position but the competition isn't too extensive and it's possible that only one will be cut. I also wouldn't be surprised if the Saints add one more tight end before the summer is over. Noticeably absent from the list is Billy Miller.
Feel free to agree and/or disagree with my analysis, found after the jump.
Definite
As long as Shockey keeps his feet away from any vending machines during training camp, this one's a no-brainer. Ladies and gentleman: The starting tight end for your 2010 New Orleans Saints.
Likely
We've all got mad love for 'The Baconator' after he stepped it up big time last season. His surprise performance was so good, he wound up costing the Saints a 6th round draft pick instead of a 7th; well worth it. Honestly, he probably belongs in the 'Definite' pile but for the purposes of this post I needed someone to put here so...yeah.
On the Bubble
Based on all the early talk surrounding Jimmy Graham, the feel good Saints story of 2010, he's a shoe-in for the final roster. But right now that's just hype. Truth is, we have yet to see anything from Graham so while we might like to bump him up to the 'Likely' category, that just wouldn't be prudent.
Longshots
The Saints went with four tight ends on their 53-man roster last season. If that's a predictor of what we can expect this year, than one of these players has a good chance of making the lineup. Of the two, Humphrey probably has the best chance thanks to previous experience with the Packers. Lorenzen, on the other hand, is only in his second year and is attempting to make the transition from quarterback to tight end. Advantage: Humphrey.
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Noticeably absent is right
Where’s Billy Miller? Did I miss something?
I know who i am! I'm the dude playing the dude disguised as another dude!
My guess
MIller wont be re-signed, both because of his age and the type of injury he’s recovering from. However I wouldnt be surprised if he gets back in the mix during the season if somebody gets injured
"Saints don't commit sins, they exorcise demons. The NFL most accurate passer was preaching, and the league MVP watched as the Game MVP delivered an impressive sermon"
My guess is that Humphrey and Lorenzen both get cut during camp, but Humphrey ends up back on the roster by the time playoffs roll around. I’d also agree that David Thomas is a definite and Jimmy Graham is a likely.
"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.
Why does Miller get a mention, but not Dinkins? Is limping the new contributing?
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
Dinkins is currently pursuing other interests, including hoping that his inflatable play arena, Bounce City, does not kill or smother any paying customers.
Got a good reason
For taking the easy way out, now
Because people like Miller
who cares about Dinkins?
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by Dave Cariello on May 19, 2010 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Sorry, I didn’t realize it was a popularity contest. Dinkins had as much to do with the Patriots win, as McKenzie did. Maybe he should start tweeting more often. Or buy a pair of crutches.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
Dinkins had as much to do with the Patriots win, as McKenzie did.
One game? That’s all you got? Pfft…
Maybe he should start tweeting more often. Or buy a pair of crutches.
Or have been a member of this team longer. Or done something to impress me. Whatever.
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by Dave Cariello on May 19, 2010 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
You and your crazy math. Here's some numbers for ya...
Dinkins career with the Saints – 5 catches, 22 yards, 1 TD
Miller career with the Saints – 86 catches, 1,036 yards, 3 TD
Did Dinkins play for the Saints last season? Absolutely. Does anyone really care about him like they do about Miller? Doubt it. Sometimes it’s about more than football. I will let you have the final word in this one.
Fun fact: Miller’s middle name is RoShawn.
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by Dave Cariello on May 19, 2010 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Only 3 TDs?
Is that correct for Miller’s total with the Saints? Wow, it seemed like he scored that many in 2006 alone. I guess I’m just remembering big pass plays and not TDs.
Confirmed. You are correct, sir.
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
by David "Satch" Kelly on May 19, 2010 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
“Dinkins career with the Saints – 5 catches, 22 yards, 1 TD”
And what a season-defining TD catch it was.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
I’d hardly call it “season defining.” It put us up by 2 scores and the Patriots never scored another point. In the grand scheme of things it didn’t mean anything.
"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.
by VAsaintsfan on May 19, 2010 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
he was just trying to do his best Drew Brees impression
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by Dave Cariello on May 19, 2010 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions
I would not agree
McKenzie had 3 tackles, 3 PDs and 1 INT while holding Randy Moss to 3 catches and 67 yards. Dinkins had 1 catch for a 2 yard TD. Advantage: McKenzie.
And while we’re at it, are we supposed to get attached to Jason Kyle as much as we are to Billy Miller? He contributed more during the season than Miller and Dinkins combined. In games that weren’t end of the season throwaways, Dinkins had one play. Kyle played all season and made few mistakes, if any. Yet I still don’t really care about him as much as Billy Miller simply for the fact that Miller has been with the team for a few years and we’ve gotten to know him better than the rent-a-players.
"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.
by VAsaintsfan on May 19, 2010 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions
I’m not attached to any of the three. I just don’t understand the love affair with Miller. He’s no less disposable than the vast majority of the roster, imo. Certainly no less so than Dinkins, in terms of run blocking.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
he's just one of those guys
seems to work hard, outspoken. he’s on twitter.
I can’t explain it. People just like him.
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by Dave Cariello on May 19, 2010 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Check the Saints roster guys, Miller and Dinkins are free agents w/o homes for now
They weren’t offered tenders by the team and they are no longer contractually committed to the Saints at this point.
Does it matter about Dinkins or Miller?
Guys, I liked Billy Miller as much as the next guy, but with J.Shock, Thomas and now Graham we are deep at tight end and he’s just not needed anymore. He was a great locker room guy, but he’s up there in age and coming off of a brutal injury. I would love to see him come back if one of the other guys has to spend some time on the injured list. Dinkins didn’t really contribute so I’m not sure what the big deal is here. Bottom line we are set at tight end and don’t need to reach.
“Dinkins didn’t really contribute so I’m not sure what the big deal is here.”
Yet, you love a player who contributed even less as much as the next guy. Makes sense to me.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
ummm...
Billy Miller had more receptions (45) in 2008 than Darnell Dinkins has in he whole 8 year NFL career (30).
Billy Miller had more receiving yards (579) in 2008 than Darnell Dinkins has in he whole 8 year NFL career (250).
"Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. " ~Benjamin Franklin
I'm concerned about the blocking of these guys
No one really stands out as a true power run/average pass catching tight end. Jeremy Shockey I would call good at run blocking, not great, particularly when he’s at all injured. Thomas can block linebackers, obviously, since he played fullback, but I still think of him as a catch-first tight end. Graham’s draft report said he needed to get better at blocking. And I honestly don’t know anything about the longshots. I know usually in the past we keep a strong blocking tight end on the roster, unless of course we’re planning to use Strief again entirely in this mode, even with him being one-dimensional and essentially giving the play away pre-snap. And what happens if a tackle goes down and Strief needs to take their position? No power-running tight-ends?
Shockey’s definitely the best blocking TE we have and I agree, I’m not particularly satisfied with that either.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
I miss Dan “the Man” Campbell. He contributed as much to our Lombardi Trophy as Billy Miller did. Zach Hilton, too. Eric Johnson, David Sloan, Ernie Conwell … Boo Williams … let’s bring them all out for a standing ovation.
"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper
Boo!!!!
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by Dave Cariello on May 19, 2010 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed!
Mark Campbell was an excellent blocker. Not sure why the Saints decided to hire Dan Campbell to replace him last year …
Saints offered Campbell a contract, but after rehabbing his knee, he decided to retire.
Got a good reason
For taking the easy way out, now
When are we going to re-sign Dan Morgan
so he can retire…again?
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If he shows up again in training camp.....
GAAAAAAAAAAA!
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
by David "Satch" Kelly on May 19, 2010 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions
So is CP pushing Dinkins for the all time team as TE
?
What wonderful little gifts April Fools Day brings.
~D's Pappy
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