Niklas placed on IR...

[football karma]

TEs seems to take a year before they become productive -- even the first round guys who step right into a starting roles post average numbers.

gronkowski was about the best I could find in my quick look-- something like 45 catches for 500 yards or so (but with 10 yds) -- and he stepped right into the middle of Tom Brady and the Pat offense

Nicklas felt maybe a round early to me, bit I suspect he wouldn't have been there when the Cards picked in round 3. Played the position for only a year in college and was raw coming out. This offseason and camp will be really important for him. The TEs who have made an impact, they pretty much all showed the potential in their second year.

 

[Cardiac]

TEs seems to take a year before they become productive -- even the first round guys who step right into a starting roles post average numbers.

gronkowski was about the best I could find in my quick look-- something like 45 catches for 500 yards or so (but with 10 yds) -- and he stepped right into the middle of Tom Brady and the Pat offense

Nicklas felt maybe a round early to me, bit I suspect he wouldn't have been there when the Cards picked in round 3. Played the position for only a year in college and was raw coming out. This offseason and camp will be really important for him. The TEs who have made an impact, they pretty much all showed the potential in their second year.

Good stuff karma. Those who are writing him off as a bust at this point are jumping the gun IMO.

While we are wringing are wringing our hands over blown 2nd rd picks let's not forget about los and CC. Hell, why not add Boldin to the list.

 

[BW52]

Good stuff karma. Those who are writing him off as a bust at this point are jumping the gun IMO.

While we are wringing are wringing our hands over blown 2nd rd picks let's not forget about los and CC. Hell, why not add Boldin to the list.

It`s too easy for some to label someone a "waste ' or a "bust " after playing 7 games in a position that is still fairly new to the player learning in the highest level while fighting a series of injuries.

 

[cardpa]

I will hold judgment on him until the end of next season. Get him healthy and a full training camp in before we deem him a smelly pile of poop. The only way I would judge earlier is if he can't stay healthy, then his stench gets stronger earlier.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

My whole problem with the Niklas pick is, as BA has stated, that the TE's main job is a blocker first. You don't take blocking TE's, again his #1 priority, in round 2.

 

[GuernseyCard]

My whole problem with the Niklas pick is, as BA has stated, that the TE's main job is a blocker first. You don't take blocking TE's, again his #1 priority, in round 2.

They didn't.

In his 1-year as a starter, he averaged 16 yds per catch.

BASK drafted a blocking TE who can catch.

(This is a kid who came out early and I've read would have been projected as a first round pick in 2015.)

 

[seesred]

Got to give the kid a chance. He was mostly healthy in college so this year may be one of those things. Taking anyone in hindsight is 20-20. Our guys have done a pretty good job in building this team, were in first place, I'll wait for Answer's next year.

GBR
40

 

[Mulli]

Let us remember how long it took for Rashad Johnson to do anything.

 

[jbeecham]

I put this re-injury on Arians... He was vocal in the media about Niklas not needing to be healthy to be a blocking TE. Niklas tried to play while still injured & ended up injuring it further. Arians has called out players a few times for having injuries & not being able to practice or play.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Wolfley was saying this morning that this injury might be an opportunity to work Jonathan Cooper into the lineup as a blocking tight end, especially in running situations.

 

[gmabel830]

Wolfley was saying this morning that this injury might be an opportunity to work Jonathan Cooper into the lineup as a blocking tight end, especially in running situations.

I like this idea.

 

[BigRedRage]

I put this re-injury on Arians... He was vocal in the media about Niklas not needing to be healthy to be a blocking TE. Niklas tried to play while still injured & ended up injuring it further. Arians has called out players a few times for having injuries & not being able to practice or play.

Some guys need a push. And we needed him playing.

It worked with Floyd last year.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Mulligan!!! Woot.

 

[Buckybird]

My whole problem with the Niklas pick is, as BA has stated, that the TE's main job is a blocker first. You don't take blocking TE's, again his #1 priority, in round 2.

 

[kerouac9]

My whole problem with the Niklas pick is, as BA has stated, that the TE's main job is a blocker first. You don't take blocking TE's, again his #1 priority, in round 2.

But okay to use higher pick on run-stopping two-down ILB who can't get on the field and beat out old men and guys playing out of position?

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

But okay to use higher pick on run-stopping two-down ILB who can't get on the field and beat out old men and guys playing out of position?

That's a bit different. Minter may not work out but the pick, in theory, was more sound. What if Minter came in and played, say, as an AJ Hawk type of level. The pick would have been justified even though he's a liability in the passing game. The reason that pick hasn't worked out is the player, not the position drafted.

To pick a guy that high whose main priority is a blocker does not make sense. If the Cards used their TE's more in a Gronk, or even a Heath Miller/Kyle Rudolph role, then I'd have no problem with pick. Instead, it sounds like TE serves more of a Jeff King role in BA's offense. That's not a role you draft in round 2. I mean look what is mentioned above, that Cooper may step into his role a bit. I don't think Big John is going to be out there catching any passes.

BTW, I haven't given up on either Minter or Niklas yet and maybe Niklas can develop into a Heath Miller type.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

They didn't.

In his 1-year as a starter, he averaged 16 yds per catch.

BASK drafted a blocking TE who can catch.

(This is a kid who came out early and I've read would have been projected as a first round pick in 2015.)

Well, I've seen Jeff Heuerman from OSU listed as the #1 TE for 2015. That's all I needed to see to tell me how bad the 2015 TE draft class is. He may even go in late round 1 or early round 2, but I wouldn't take him in the first 2 days of the draft, especially in this offense.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I am far from giving up on Niklas, Cooper and still believe in Taylor who I feel needs extended playing time to get in a groove with his style of running... I have completely given up on Minter, he has approached the realm of Ryan Williams and he has even seen the field lol

 

[kerouac9]

That's a bit different. Minter may not work out but the pick, in theory, was more sound. What if Minter came in and played, say, as an AJ Hawk type of level. The pick would have been justified even though he's a liability in the passing game. The reason that pick hasn't worked out is the player, not the position drafted.

To pick a guy that high whose main priority is a blocker does not make sense. If the Cards used their TE's more in a Gronk, or even a Heath Miller/Kyle Rudolph role, then I'd have no problem with pick. Instead, it sounds like TE serves more of a Jeff King role in BA's offense. That's not a role you draft in round 2. I mean look what is mentioned above, that Cooper may step into his role a bit. I don't think Big John is going to be out there catching any passes.

BTW, I haven't given up on either Minter or Niklas yet and maybe Niklas can develop into a Heath Miller type.

I dunno. I think you can find solid run-stopping ILBs in the middle rounds of any draft. Look at Chris Borman and Narvarro Bowman, who I think were both 3rd rounders.

I think that the intention was for Niklas to be primarily a blocking TE his rookie year and develop into a Heath Miller/Jason Witten type and time went on. I'm not really disappointed in his rookie year and am optimistic about the pick.

 

[football karma]

To pick a guy that high whose main priority is a blocker does not make sense.

I think there is a difference between making "being able to block effectively" as a requirement for TEs his offense and "all TEs do is block" in his offense

If there is a criticism of the pick its this: Coming off 10 wins, --do you spend a low 2nd round draft pick on a developmental player --- one with a lot of upside, but a development player none the less.

I am okay with the pick because i have bought into Mayock's assessment: raw, but could be the best blocking TE in the league and a very capable receiver.

 

[Darkside]

I'm not a draftnik nor do a watch college ball, but I've been watching real football--pro ball, the NFL--for 35 years. All I know is what dudes do on the field. And so far Cooper, Niklas, and Minter have contributed zero, a donut, to this football team.

Don't care about injuries, don't care about ability or ceilings or promise. What they do on the field is what matters and if you can't hit the field, due to injuries or cohesion (lol if Cooper were badass he'd be in there), don't care about any of that. What do you do on gameday?

Some dudes spend all their time in the tub, getting massaged and corrected, and they're always hurt. That's just a fact. I don't give a break to a Ryan Williams or Niklas or anyone.

Play or don't play. It's a man's game. It's not a game for sissies. And no crying man, I don't care what anyone says, this is the NFL, crying is for a lesser league. Can you imagine Dan Fouts or Jonny U crying? Hahaha. Or even Andrew Luck? RG3? That doesn't instill confidence. If you want to cry go do it at home, and frankly even your wife doesn't want to see you cry. Women are always like, I want to see your feminine side, how come you never cry? Lol try it. They are disgusted by it. And think less of you. And immediately want to go find a real man. Crying is for babies.

So no excuses. Those 3 players suck as of now. Pure suck. They're actually taking up roster spots that could help us. They're like a negative to our team right now, period.

 

[GiantCardFan]

Crying is for babies.

Obviously, Brett Favre will never go anywhere in this league

 

[Cheesebeef]

But okay to use higher pick on run-stopping two-down ILB who can't get on the field and beat out old men and guys playing out of position?

saw that coming.

 

[Finito]

I'm not a draftnik nor do a watch college ball, but I've been watching real football--pro ball, the NFL--for 35 years. All I know is what dudes do on the field. And so far Cooper, Niklas, and Minter have contributed zero, a donut, to this football team.

Don't care about injuries, don't care about ability or ceilings or promise. What they do on the field is what matters and if you can't hit the field, due to injuries or cohesion (lol if Cooper were badass he'd be in there), don't care about any of that. What do you do on gameday?

Some dudes spend all their time in the tub, getting massaged and corrected, and they're always hurt. That's just a fact. I don't give a break to a Ryan Williams or Niklas or anyone.

Play or don't play. It's a man's game. It's not a game for sissies. And no crying man, I don't care what anyone says, this is the NFL, crying is for a lesser league. Can you imagine Dan Fouts or Jonny U crying? Hahaha. Or even Andrew Luck? RG3? That doesn't instill confidence. If you want to cry go do it at home, and frankly even your wife doesn't want to see you cry. Women are always like, I want to see your feminine side, how come you never cry? Lol try it. They are disgusted by it. And think less of you. And immediately want to go find a real man. Crying is for babies.

So no excuses. Those 3 players suck as of now. Pure suck. They're actually taking up roster spots that could help us. They're like a negative to our team right now, period.

This post is laughable.

Talking about how this is a sport for real men and being tough and brought up RG3 I understand you watch football but you must not pay to much attention to it.

We should of just cut Calais his first year then huh.

 

[Darkside]

Obviously, Brett Favre will never go anywhere in this league

Please.