Stocker’s Stock Has Risen
May 3rd, 2013
Luke Stocker has been transforming behind the scenes
There’s an error on the Bucccaneers website where it says Luke Stocker is 6-6, 253 pounds.
In fact, the Bucs’ third-year tight end has rocked up to 275 pounds this offseason with “real weight and strength,” so said rockstar general manager Mark Dominik to host Justin Pawlowski on 98.7 FM this morning.
Dominik confirmed the Bucs are content at tight end with Stocker and newcomer Tom Crabtree, who Dominik referred to as a do-it-all guy.
Interestingly, Dominik, who once insisted that the Bucs offense is not the Giants offense, went on to note that the Giants have won a couple of Super Bowls recently without household names at TE.
Joe was giddy to hear news of Stocker’s gains in the weight room. There’s no question in Joe’s mind that the Bucs want to run the ball behind their beastly offensive line in the worst way. Having two emerging blocking tight ends rotating in should only help.
May 3rd, 2013 at 10:24 am
I believe in these guys
May 3rd, 2013 at 10:28 am
Stocker at 275 now.. I don’t like that idea of gaining weight. He was already a solid blocker, with some recieving ability to give. Now he’ll probaly be a great blocker, with NO recieving ability to give, rather have the first option. Looking like were hoping Crabtree can be our recieving TE. I think he has the potential, hope he puts it together
May 3rd, 2013 at 10:28 am
And if Stocker emerges as a passing target, defensive coordinators across the league will have their work cut out for them.
May 3rd, 2013 at 10:28 am
Though it makes Stocker a better inline blocker, 275 is not a weight you carry to run routes and catch passes, that’s a DEnds weight. The more weight you carry the harder it is to move that weight around, so if Stocker was 255 and slow running routes, how does adding 20 lbs (of muscle or otherwise) make him a better receiver? I guess the bucs have given up on that role for him.
I remember when Anthony Becht was lauded for gaining weight and cutting his body fat a good amount one offseason. The following season he was still Anthony Becht.
May 3rd, 2013 at 10:49 am
I still think Danny Noble could emerge as a receiving TE.
May 3rd, 2013 at 10:57 am
its not weight as in fat.. its weight as in muscle
May 3rd, 2013 at 11:07 am
@Curmudgeon: What makes you think so. Even if he was from a small school, if he was athletic enough, draftniks would have taken notice to his potential.
May 3rd, 2013 at 11:21 am
Noble is supposed to have soft hands. We did’nt see much before the injury last year.
Re: Luke Stocky. Wow that’s DE size and weight. Had to have been driven by the Bucs though.
Make him the goal line back with Lorig. Jumbo!
May 3rd, 2013 at 11:30 am
I’ve been on the Noble bandwagon since befote his injury. He had a good camp and was having a good preseason until his injury. He will provide a good target.
Many people say this is a need bssed on what the experts say. But the Bucs have options.
May 3rd, 2013 at 12:38 pm
Wasn’t Noble blocking really well before he got hurt??
I think Stocker will always be a sort of ”sneaky” pass receiver, so that he gets forgotten by defenses & left uncovered, like that roll/throwback play the Bucs ran a couple times to good effect last season.
May 4th, 2013 at 12:06 am
He 6’6 so he’ll look like Trueblood out there…kidding. 275 is a load to bring down especially with the new crown rule.