Four Tight Ends?

August 28th, 2012

Joe’s not one to care deeply about the bottom of the Bucs’ roster, but that doesn’t mean Joe isn’t paying attention.

And one thing that intrigues Joe is the tight end/fullback situation.

At tight end, the Bucs have injury-prone and mysterious-malady-plagued Luke Stocker, along with Dallas Clark, who has missed 15 games over the last two seasons. So Joe’s not sure the Bucs would be or should be satisfied keeping only one additional tight end. Zach Pianalto and rookies Danny Noble and Drake Dunsmore are the other TEs on the roster now.

Combine that with the Bucs’ situation at fullback, which is starter Erik Lorig, plus Robert Hughes and Cody Johnson, who have no NFL regular season experience, and there’s hardly much depth at these positions. There’s no Insurance Graham to fall back on.

So how do the Bucs proceed? Joe suspects the Bucs might lean toward a fourth tight end that also can take snaps at fullback, and then cut Hughes and hope he’s available for practice-squad duty.  

Of course, how these bubble guys perform on special teams will be key. And that’s something Joe will be watching tomorrow night.

48 Responses to “Four Tight Ends?”

  1. Thomas 2.2 Says:

    If Luke Stocker who has played in 14 out of 16 possible games is “injury prone,” what is Glass Gerald who has played in 19 of 32?

    Just curious because I do not recall you using that term on Glass Gerald before.

    Also, if I am not mistaken didn’t your pet Arrelious Benn play in 14 games also and injure himself this preseason? Is Benn injury prone?

  2. The Dutcher Journal (Pete Dutcher) Says:

    Joe… Luke Stocker is not injury prone, lol.

  3. Vic Says:

    Stocker was hurt I think on the first day of training camp last year and was hurt again this offseason. He wasn’t full strength for much of last year.

  4. Miracle Says:

    Chris Cooley from Was got cut.. just throwin a name out there.

  5. admin Says:

    JOe here,

    @THomas 2.2 – Joe’s written over and over again how McCoy needs to stay healthy and get on the field. Calling him injury-prone would insult the audience.

    Benn is Joe’s pet? That’s a good one. Joe’s the only one in town to suggest that Benn might be cut because he can’t stay on the field. Of course Benn is injury-prone.

    Continue to waste Joe’s time by forcing Joe to defend himself, and you’ll be finding a new website to soil. Again, Joe’s far to busy to babysit you.

  6. ElioT Says:

    Cooley is a poor mans Dallas Clark. The Bucs need Stocker to get his a** on the field and play some ball.

  7. BigMacAttack Says:

    I am pinning my hopes on a good defense. I hope they can keep their mojo rising. The new coaching so far is making a difference with the Schiano scheme. If they can maintain a 17 point defense, I think they can win. We will see soon enough but I am thinking the defensive investments may finally pay off, but too early to tell.

  8. Thomas2.2 Says:

    Yet calling Luke Stocker injury prone has so much more value.
    Anytime you feel like banning me just go right a head. BTW: it’s me who babysits you.

    [Request granted. — Joe]

  9. BigMacAttack Says:

    Thomas, How do you put your foot in your mouth with your head up your A$$? Challenging yes?

  10. BigMacAttack Says:

    Now you’re just being stupid. STFU before he does it.

  11. Adam Says:

    The Redskins just released Chris Cooley – a TE/FB hybrid and one of my favorite non-Bucs. And he should be RIGHT UP BOY BAND GM DOMINK’S ALLEY —-

    HE HAD KNEE SURGERY TWO YEARS AGO!!!

    (all kidding aside, the Bucs should kick those tires. He’s versatile and can fill in two positions with one roster spot)

  12. SteveK Says:

    Lol @ Joe!

    Let the big meat swing.

    Would Dom be considered injury prone as a drafter?

  13. Eric Says:

    We got Jack Pianalto?

    What are we worried about?

  14. SteveK Says:

    Cooley and Clark could rotate plays if we choose to go no huddle.

    Also, liking: Cooley, Clark, Williams, Martin, and Mike Williams in the redone. Deadly two 2 TE sets, is it a run or a pass?

    That would be a pretty solid group. “Best 11”?

  15. CanaBuc Says:

    Well Cooley just got released from Redskins. He is a a year removed from a 70+ catch season and is about 30 years old. Sounds like some depth no?

  16. bucobruce Says:

    All I got to say is super bowl!!!!!!!!Go BUcs

  17. bucobruce Says:

    We will be 11-5 this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!Everyone quit bithin this is the best offence we have ever had in tampa I cant wait wooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

  18. Fritz50 Says:

    “We will be 11-5 this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!Everyone quit bithin this is the best offence we have ever had in tampa I cant wait wooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!”

    We all can appreciate optimism, but irrational exuberance like this might be going a bit too far. On the other hand, I’m ready for things to start, too, in a big way.

  19. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    “Anytime you feel like banning me just go right a head.”

    ————

    Ha ha, you talk real tough Thomas. We all know you would cry like a little school girl if Joe banned you. To be honest, I probably would too ( if I got banned, not you. Got to admit, I don’t want you to get banned either.)

  20. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    It is forbidden on this site to criticize anyone without the express written consent of Thomas 2.2. Criticism of anyone outside of Gerald McCoy, Raheem Morris, Legarette Blount, Arrelious Benn, Mark Dominik, or anyone Mark Dominik has drafted is strictly prohibited. All compliments to any players and/or personnel moves must also include criticisms of the aforementioned people in order to be valid compliments. Thank you for your understanding.

  21. Miracle Says:

    I wouldn’t say Cooley is ever a poor man version of Clark. Cooley never had a future hall of famer and arguably one of the top qb’s of all time throwing to him his entire career.

    In fact, Cooley made a very good career out of catching balls from very poor qbs.

    Now I like Clark and I wouldn’t want to see him go but Cooley is younger and he isn’t one-dimensional. He will catch a ball and block a blitzing linebacker.

    I’m not saying that we should chase down Cooley and give him a monster contract. I just think it is wrong to say he’s a poor man’s Clark. He has worked hard and made his own name in a successful career.

  22. Eric Says:

    Let’s face it, Clarke and Cooley ain’t what they used to be.

    But it couldn’t hurt.

    Neither is presently as good as K2 but he was cancer so they say. I’ll say this, I’ll bet most pro defensive coordinators would rather defend Clarke, Cooley or whoever other Joe average guy we plug in, rather than K2. Cancer or no cancer.

  23. Have A Nice Day Says:

    “Thomas, How do you put your foot in your mouth with your head up your A$$? Challenging yes?”

    BigMac, you owe me some 12 year Glenfiddich and a new keyboard because I spit it out laughing so hard at that. Some came out my nose too. Burns like heck.

  24. Patrick Says:

    I would be fine with Cooley coming in here for depth and to fight for a possible starting position.

  25. Keys Says:

    Off topic , howa Rennie Curran doing ? I read he did good on the beginning of camps. Any chances of him making the team ?

  26. Ed Kerber Says:

    If I controlled the Bucs I would keep:

    Michael Bennett
    Gerald McCoy
    Roy Miller
    Adrian Clayborn
    George Johnson
    Quincy Black
    Dekoda Watson
    Mason Foster
    Adam Hayward
    Najee Goode
    Lavonte David
    Aqib Talib
    Eric Wright
    Anthony Gaitor
    Leonard Johnson
    Mark Barron
    Cody Grimm
    Ronde Barber
    Ahmad Black
    Keith Tandy
    Michael Koenen
    Connor Barth
    Andrew Economos
    Vincent Jackson
    Arrelious Benn
    Tiquan Underwood
    Jordan Shipley
    Donald Penn
    Demar Dotson
    Carl Nicks
    Jeremy Zuttah
    Ted Larsen
    Derek Hardman
    Dallas Clark
    Danny Noble
    Mike Williams
    Sammie Stroughter
    Josh Freeman
    Dan Orlovsky
    Doug Martin
    LeGarrette Blount
    Mossis Madu
    Michael Smith
    Erik Lorig
    Myron Lewis *
    E.J. Biggers *
    Preston Parker *
    Amobi Okoye *
    Wallace Gilberry *
    Gary Gibson *
    E.J. Wilson *
    Luke Stocker *

    Those with an *, I would consider replacing with a cut Veteran from another team.

    And I would cut:
    Landon Cox
    Bradley Sowell
    Desmond Wynn
    Moe Petrus
    Jamon Meredith
    Jermarcus Hardrick
    Drake Dunsmore
    Zack Pianalto
    Brett Ratliff
    Robert Hughes
    Cody Johnson
    Teryl White
    Jordan Nix
    Frank Okam
    Daniel Te’o-Nesheim
    Jacob Cutrera
    Rennie Curran
    Brandon McDonald
    James Rogers
    Larry Asante
    Sean Baker
    Kai Forbath

  27. JonBuc Says:

    TomTom Tue.Tue got a few kudos ( most likely from himself under an alternate screen name ) because he said Martin would be the starter. I guessed Barron would start so I too am a genious. Now this legal secretary is acting extra tough and stuff.

  28. MadMax Says:

    Dunsmore can play both TE and FB, so I would keep him, let Hughes and Johnson battle it out for a spot tomorrow (Johnson will get it IMO because of his size and blocking), and if Stocker doesnt get on the field soon, remove him (IR, PUP, Release), and try Cooley or another TE that may become available soon. I would keep Noble though, he shows some game.

  29. Orlandobucsfan Says:

    Wow these posts took an interesting turn…. Seriously Thomas what did you expect daring joe to ban you? I don’t think there is going to be as much debating in the comments section with Thomas gone.

  30. MadMax Says:

    @ Haveaniceday
    Rofl, I was laughing too. I think the way it can occur is one suffers from just enough plantar fasciitis that the foot pops out right before cranial rectosis sets in….just a guess.

  31. Have A Nice Day Says:

    “[Request granted. — Joe]”

    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

  32. Have A Nice Day Says:

    @MadMax That is a solid guess, albeit a bit misguided. The truth of it is, even with all the wonderful recent advances in modern medical technology and science, we have yet to find a cure for lawyers.

  33. Piratic Says:

    Thomas2.2 Says:
    August 28th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
    Anytime you feel like banning me just go right a head. BTW: it’s me who babysits you.

    [Request granted. — Joe]

    TODAY IS A LANDMARK DAY!!! THANK YOU JOE!!!

    THIS SITE JUST GOT THAT MUCH BETTER!!!

  34. Joe Says:

    Keys:

    Curran played well early in camp but has been invisible since. Uphill climb to make the squad.

  35. Joe Says:

    Piratic:

    Joe likes Thomas and, granted, has given him quite a bit of rope to hang himself over the years.

    Him calling out Joe (for the umpteenth time), begging to be launched and claiming he ran this site, well, the trap door just opened.

  36. Army BUC Says:

    Cooly just got cut!

  37. The Dutcher Journal (Pete Dutcher) Says:

    It’s party time! Thanks, Joe!

    I wonder how the season opener is selling.

  38. Drew Says:

    [Request granted. — Joe] = T2.2 banned and gone.

  39. Drew Says:

    How many times has Thomas 2.2 been banned? I have a sneaking suspicion he’ll be back as Thomas 2.3 or something else. In this day and age it’s hard to close the door completely, especially when the back door is always left wide open.

    I have this ominous feeling he’s monitoring the site as I write this and is planning his evil return to spread doom and destruction.

  40. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    I feel so conflicted about Thomas 2.2 being banned. Although it will be quite nice to not have to read his nonsense, it will at the same time be kind of boring. Then again, I’m pretty sure Miguel Grande is excited about stepping in and filling 2.2’s shoes. Thomas 2.2 is kind of like the Davin Joseph of JBF nonsense, and Miguel Grande would be the Ted Larsen. Those are awfully big shoes to fill.

  41. Piratic Says:

    @Joe(s):

    The arrogance of some people is truly astounding. His most recent posts have been somewhat less douchy, but he sealed his fate long ago. Patience for his schtick simply vaporized. While some might be conflicted about this, I feel confident in stating that the VAST majority of us are very happy to see him gone. Now, more energy can be spent discussing football, rather than being drawn in by an insecure, agenda-driven adolescent.

    THANK YOU.

  42. TheRealVince Says:

    BigMacAttack Says:
    August 28th, 2012 at 9:01 pm
    Thomas, How do you put your foot in your mouth with your head up your A$$? Challenging yes?

    I hereby nominate this for post of the year!!

  43. Matt D Says:

    @Ed Kerber

    Why remove Okoye with a cut veteran? Has he even been on the field for us yet to show why he was a first round pick not too long ago? I like Okoye, otherwise I agree wholeheartedly with your list. Great post!

  44. OAR Says:

    BigMac
    Hilarious, my friend!
    But, knowing Thomass, he could probablly talk himself into finding a way!

  45. Sneedy16 Says:

    Funny stuff. Thomas finally ban.

  46. Bobby Says:

    Thomas banned? Oh….he’ll be back. Even if he has to buy a stack of proxies every time he posts as….. ‘whatever’ ….. little Tommy will be back lke a small yappy dog you shook off of your pant leg. I only wish it were that easy to get rid of the idiots of the world.

  47. BigMacAttack Says:

    @Have a Nice Day,
    Thanks Doc, I’ll buy you a drink at the game. I’m there every home game.

    Lucky post, even a broken clock is right twice a day.

    Thomas, osta la vista baby

  48. lurker Says:

    wow, miss a day or 2 and miss a lot!

    the mood and atmosphere seems wayyyy less heavy with thomas gone.

    also, bma, that was hilarious.
    i think the answer is lots of anal lube.