|Tigers Johnson| Posted February 27, 2008 Report Share Posted February 27, 2008 2008 free-agent TE class better than last year's By Scouts Inc. Insider Updated: February 20, 2008 * Email * Print The free-agent market opens Feb. 29. Scouts Inc. will give an overview of the upcoming class, position by position. Many tight ends in free agency could have an impact in 2008, if they are put into the right systems. [+] Enlarge Eric Johnson Chris Graythen/Getty Images Eric Johnson tops this year's free-agent TE class. The tight end class of 2008 definitely has more big-name attraction than last year's class. There are several players who could be marquee tight ends given the opportunity to match their talents with the right kind of teams. There are also several second-tier tight ends who could start for the right team and be productive. This year's class would have looked a lot more glamorous if Philadelphia and Indianapolis hadn't put franchise tags on L.J. Smith and Dallas Clark. However, even though those two are not available, there are still several tight ends at the next level who have a chance to make a big impact. Free-agent TEs in '08 Name Team Status Stephen Alexander Broncos UFA Courtney Anderson Falcons UFA Richard Angulo Jaguars UFA Dwayne Blakley Falcons UFA Mark Bruener Texans UFA Christian Fauria Panthers UFA Michael Gaines Bills UFA John Gilmore Bears UFA Ben Hartsock Titans UFA Nate Jackson Broncos UFA Eric Johnson Saints UFA Bennie Joppru Seahawks UFA Brian Kozlowski Redskins UFA Ryan Krause Packers UFA Billy Miller Saints UFA Matt Murphy Bills UFA Ryan Neufeld Bills UFA John Owens Lions UFA Marcus Pollard Seahawks UFA Sean Ryan Jets UFA Mike Seidman Colts UFA Jerramy Stevens Buccaneers UFA Ben Troupe Titans UFA Aaron Walker Rams UFA Kris Wilson Chiefs UFA Billy Bajema 49ers RFA Casey Cramer Titans RFA Tim Euhus Cardinals RFA Bo Scaife Titans RFA Ben Utecht Colts RFA Anthony Becht Buccaneers V-UFA V: Player can void his contract and become a free agent. After Smith and Clark, there are names like Eric Johnson from New Orleans, Ben Troupe from Tennessee and Michael Gaines from Buffalo. Johnson is more of a receiver than a blocker, ranking fourth on the team in catches with 48. He has the ability to stretch the middle of the secondary and force mismatches. Troupe and Gaines are both pretty much in similar situations because neither one is considered a starter, but both see a lot of action and produce given the opportunity. Gaines caught 25 passes for Buffalo and Troupe caught just five for Tennessee. Troupe was not as productive as Gaines, but he may have the best raw talent. He could benefit from a change of scenery and by landing with a team that puts more of an emphasis on the passing game. However, Gaines could flourish as he gets out from behind the shadow of his team's starting tight end, Robert Royal. He offers a little more blocking presence and power than some of the other free-agent tight ends. At the next level we have the likes of Buffalo's Ryan Neufeld, who often lines up at fullback; Chicago's John Gilmore, who was often a third-teamer but has excellent size and some blocking skills; Denver's Stephen Alexander and Seattle's Marcus Pollard, both of whom still produce but are getting on in years; Tampa Bay's Anthony Becht, who is primarily a blocker; and Tennessee's Ben Hartsock, who does everything well, but nothing really great. The restricted free agents at tight end include Bo Scaife, who is more of a receiver than a blocker, and Ben Utecht, who shared the tight end duties with Clark and Troupe. Scaife's 46 catches ranked third among Tennessee receivers, and he has the kind of speed and athleticism to be productive running after the catch. Utecht caught 31 passes for Indianapolis while playing fullback as well as tight end. He gives you a little more blocking power than Scaife and some of the other unrestricted free agent tight ends. Several of these tight ends will find new teams and flourish in their new environment while some will move and flounder. It pretty much depends on if they make the move just to gain a few dollars or move to a team that appears to be a good fit and can use their specific skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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