(08-08-2014 11:30 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(08-08-2014 10:29 PM)Racinejake Wrote:  

(08-08-2014 09:11 PM)Mopper Wrote:  

(08-08-2014 09:26 AM)Marcus Wrote:  

(08-08-2014 09:07 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  They figured out how to utilzed Kelce, but looking back I think they underutilzed Blake Annen as well. Annen ran a 4.41 40 at his Pro Day. They could have better utlized both in 2012.

In that case you could say they underutilized Annen big-time last year as well. Didn't he only have like 180 receiving yards last season?

It wasn't that Annen was under utilized, it was that the receivers were properly utilized at the expense of the tight ends and running backs. The Bearcats were damn near unstoppable in three and four receiver sets and very, very average anytime they tried to get big with their personnel. Look at it this way, Annen was targeted 23 times last year, from which receiver are you taking targets and giving them to Annen? I would argue none of them.

Morrison. But otherwise I agree. Annen never quite stood out to me the way other star TEs have here. I wash shocked at his pro day numbers.

As good as our receivers were last year, it's kind of hard for me to believe that a guy with Annen's size and speed didn't present a bigger matchup problem than most if not all of our receivers. I don't know how his hands ranked but that's at least partially because we didn't throw to him enough to find out. As far as where his targets would come from I think they'd have been spread out rather than just eliminated one particular receiver.

I get your point in theory; a guy with his size and athleticism could have been utilized better, and in another offense he probably would have been. In fact if Munchie hadn't got injured and the Bearcats weren't forced to completely change their approach on the fly Annen would have been a bigger part of the offense. 9 of his 23 targets, 7 of his 16 catches and 92 of his 182 yards came in the first four games when the Bearcats were still in the pistol a lot, still trying to run with power to set up the play action. That offense would have been a perfect fit for Annen, and he could have exploded like TK did. They kept a lot of the offense the same after the Illinois game, but robbed of Munchie's athleticism the offense was very pedestrian. They had to put Kay in a position where he could succeed, so when the offense changed for the USF game Annen's influence waned because there was no space for him in the offense that made Kay comfortable.

This wasn't an offense built on four verts the way BK's was, so Annen's value as a seam buster was pretty limited. UC did have a couple wrinkles that used Annen in that way. But they were never going to live and die with that stuff. If they were going deep, which they didn't do all that often (only 15 percent of UC passes covered 21+ yards for the year) it was usually shakes or switch, and it was always with the receivers involved.

So if Annen didn't have a chance to work the seams the next option would be to work him underneath. The problem with trying to use Annen in the intermediate routes is that someone else was already dominating in that space, Shaq Washington. Yeah Annen is bigger and stronger than Shaq, but Shaq had three things going for him that Annen did not. He is always aware of down and distance (15 of his 19 3rd down catches went for first downs), he never has trouble getting open against his (usually) bigger and more physical opponents, and he never, ever dropped the ball. Shaq so routinely murdered underneath coverage that there was no space for anyone else to have an influence there. Anthony McClung became almost exclusively a downfield receiver because of Shaq. This after making his living in the intermediate area for the first three years of his career, thats how good Shaq was against linebackers and nickel backs.

Annen was heading for a pretty big season before the Bearcats changed their approach in October. But when the offense changed there were people who were better at doing what Annen was best at within the confines of the new offense. It can't really be argued that the approach didn't work out, or that the staff should have gone out of their way to create opportunities for Annen. What they did was the best thing for the team. I mean crap, the team came within 66 yards of breaking the school record from 2009 for passing yards in a season. That's with having a completely healthy quarterback for all of 7 quarters

Love Kelce...he had an attitude and an edge to him. I saw him as a guy you would hate if you weren't a UC fan....

He had a 43 yarder this evening. Looks like things are going well for him.

In a couple expert fantasy leagues I am drafting in, I was planning on snagging Kelce as a backup TE (We have big rosters), but others beat me to him. He is becoming a popular sleeper and with good reason. Still not a guy to draft in most leagues, unless you need 2 TEs or don't want to pay for a waiver move (Though if you miss out on proven TEs and decide to wait until late and take a flyer, he could pay off). But my prediction has been that he will be a big surprise this year and finish outside the top 10 TEs, but be a popular mid-season waiver addition and next year firmly entrenched himself as a top 10 guy (With top 5 potential) that will get drafted. Just needs to stay healthy and make sure he limits his stupid 15 yard penalties.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. Second-year tight end Travis Kelce keeps showing the Chiefs what they missed last season.
Kelce, who missed all but one play last season because of a bothersome knee that required microfracture surgery, caught a 47-yard touchdown pass from rookie Aaron Murray in the third quarter of the Chiefs’ 28-16 loss to Carolina on Sunday night at Bank of America Stadium.
On Aug. 7, Kelce caught a pass from Chase Daniel and blazed through the Cincinnati secondary for a 69-yard touchdown play that gave the Chiefs the lead for good in a 41-39 victory at Arrowhead Stadium. It was the longest play in a Chiefs preseason game in more than 15 years.
The scenario was much the same Sunday night. With the Chiefs trailing 14-9, Kelce got behind the Carolina defense and hauled in rookie Aaron Murray’s pass for a 43-yard touchdown catch — the longest pass play of the game — that gave Kansas City a short-lived 16-14 lead.Related Galleries
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Related LinksKelce finished the night with four receptions for 63 yards and was also open on a pass from Murray that was intercepted.
“Kelce has made two huge plays, and he even had some other ones underneath tonight and making guys miss and getting north and south,” quarterback Alex Smith said. “It was good to see. He’s going to add another element to the tight end position. He’ll stretch some defenses and do some things with the ball in his hands. It’s exciting to see.”
Big things were expected from Kelce last season after he was selected in the third round of the 2013 draft out of Cincinnati. Kelce had an outstanding offseason program and the Chiefs were splitting him wide, in the slot and on the line of scrimmage during training camp and preseason games before he came up injured at the end of the preseason.
Consequently, in coach Andy Reid’s tight end friendly offense, Kansas City tight ends caught just 54 passes for 537 yards in 2013. By comparison, in Reid’s last four years in Philadelphia, his tight ends averaged 72 catches for 855 yards.
“I like what he’s doing,” said Reid. “He has to keep coming with it. There’s more to it than just route running. You have to run block, and detail all your work there. You have to give him credit for the effort he’s given in the pass game, and he sure has a nice skill level.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kan...rylink=cpy

(08-18-2014 08:25 AM)BigDawg Wrote:  In a couple expert fantasy leagues I am drafting in, I was planning on snagging Kelce as a backup TE (We have big rosters), but others beat me to him. He is becoming a popular sleeper and with good reason. Still not a guy to draft in most leagues, unless you need 2 TEs or don't want to pay for a waiver move (Though if you miss out on proven TEs and decide to wait until late and take a flyer, he could pay off). But my prediction has been that he will be a big surprise this year and finish outside the top 10 TEs, but be a popular mid-season waiver addition and next year firmly entrenched himself as a top 10 guy (With top 5 potential) that will get drafted. Just needs to stay healthy and make sure he limits his stupid 15 yard penalties.

Who is on your Love/Hate list (Steal from Matthew Berry)

What sleepers do you like this year?

(08-18-2014 11:04 AM)HoopsJunky Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 08:25 AM)BigDawg Wrote:  In a couple expert fantasy leagues I am drafting in, I was planning on snagging Kelce as a backup TE (We have big rosters), but others beat me to him. He is becoming a popular sleeper and with good reason. Still not a guy to draft in most leagues, unless you need 2 TEs or don't want to pay for a waiver move (Though if you miss out on proven TEs and decide to wait until late and take a flyer, he could pay off). But my prediction has been that he will be a big surprise this year and finish outside the top 10 TEs, but be a popular mid-season waiver addition and next year firmly entrenched himself as a top 10 guy (With top 5 potential) that will get drafted. Just needs to stay healthy and make sure he limits his stupid 15 yard penalties.

Who is on your Love/Hate list (Steal from Matthew Berry)

What sleepers do you like this year?

Haven't really put together any official list, but some thoughts off the top of my head.

QB wise, nobody really jumps out at me. I see Brady and RG3 bouncing back this year and they are both falling farther than expected (I've seen them going in rounds 8 and 9) and Matt Ryan has pretty good value considering he gets Julio Jones healthy again. I'm looking at Josh McCown as a backup late since I really like the weapons he has, so he could surprise.

There is a lot to like with this year's rookie class. RB wise I can see James White, Andre Williams being nice options that can be had late (Though he is rising up the charts with Wilson lost). Carlos Hyde has a good chance, but he has been creeping up as everyone predicts Gore breaking down. Bishop Sankey will probably be the best of the bunch, but he is going pretty high and I'm not sure he is worth that large an investment.

I really like Brandin Cooks, Kelvin Benjamin and Mike Evans. Cooks is starting to shoot up pretty high though, but if he slips, he is a good option. Watkins is going way too high for my taste, but if he slips, I like his upside.

I think Andre Ellington steps up this year, but again, he is a popular pick. Trent Richardson is in most peoples dog house, which means you can grab him as a backup RB. He faces a super easy schedule and with defenses focusing on the passing game, he may just finally do something. Still a gamble, but I like the value he presents.

I think Cordarrelle Patterson could really jump up this year, but he is starting to become a popular pick as well, going in the 4th and 5th round now, but I think he may be worth it. Michael Crabtree has been slipping quite a bit in some leagues and when he is healthy, he can be a top 10 guy
Not really a sleeper, but a guy that is under-valued a good bit). Justin Hunter is another guy I can see being a nice sleeper who can be had really late.

Thanks for the good info

I won't take a QB early this year since it's so deep

I draft 12th in my 1 league and 17th in other (I traded out of 1st round).

I will probably go WR/WR or Jimmy Graham/WR first 2 picks.
Load up on undervalued RBs.

I like Romo a lot this year.
Cowboys may have the worst Defense in the NFL and will need to score

(08-26-2014 02:47 PM)HoopsJunky Wrote:  Thanks for the good info

I won't take a QB early this year since it's so deep

I draft 12th in my 1 league and 17th in other (I traded out of 1st round).

I will probably go WR/WR or Jimmy Graham/WR first 2 picks.
Load up on undervalued RBs.

I like Romo a lot this year.
Cowboys may have the worst Defense in the NFL and will need to score

I think that is a sound strategy out, but you never know who could fall to you, so don't at least checkout RB to see if someone who shouldn't be there slips.

Romo is really slipping this year (I've had a few drafts since the previous writing) and he always seems under-appreciated. I just grabbed him at the end of the 7th round as my QB1 in a 12 team league. In another league (I had Stafford), he was there in the 8th round and I almost grabbed him as a backup, but don't like to reach that early on a backup if I get an elite QB. Lots of people seem down on him, which I don't get. Dude is a top 5-7 QB almost every year and can be had at a bargain price.

(08-27-2014 12:39 PM)BigDawg Wrote:  

(08-26-2014 02:47 PM)HoopsJunky Wrote:  Thanks for the good info

I won't take a QB early this year since it's so deep

I draft 12th in my 1 league and 17th in other (I traded out of 1st round).

I will probably go WR/WR or Jimmy Graham/WR first 2 picks.
Load up on undervalued RBs.

I like Romo a lot this year.
Cowboys may have the worst Defense in the NFL and will need to score

I think that is a sound strategy out, but you never know who could fall to you, so don't at least checkout RB to see if someone who shouldn't be there slips.

Romo is really slipping this year (I've had a few drafts since the previous writing) and he always seems under-appreciated. I just grabbed him at the end of the 7th round as my QB1 in a 12 team league. In another league (I had Stafford), he was there in the 8th round and I almost grabbed him as a backup, but don't like to reach that early on a backup if I get an elite QB. Lots of people seem down on him, which I don't get. Dude is a top 5-7 QB almost every year and can be had at a bargain price.

I too grabbed Romo and Cutler at bargain prices. Romo coming of injury is the only thing that scares me. Never been a big Cutler guy but that offense put up huge numbers last year and there is talent across the roster offensively.

(08-27-2014 01:05 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(08-27-2014 12:39 PM)BigDawg Wrote:  

(08-26-2014 02:47 PM)HoopsJunky Wrote:  Thanks for the good info

I won't take a QB early this year since it's so deep

I draft 12th in my 1 league and 17th in other (I traded out of 1st round).

I will probably go WR/WR or Jimmy Graham/WR first 2 picks.
Load up on undervalued RBs.

I like Romo a lot this year.
Cowboys may have the worst Defense in the NFL and will need to score

I think that is a sound strategy out, but you never know who could fall to you, so don't at least checkout RB to see if someone who shouldn't be there slips.

Romo is really slipping this year (I've had a few drafts since the previous writing) and he always seems under-appreciated. I just grabbed him at the end of the 7th round as my QB1 in a 12 team league. In another league (I had Stafford), he was there in the 8th round and I almost grabbed him as a backup, but don't like to reach that early on a backup if I get an elite QB. Lots of people seem down on him, which I don't get. Dude is a top 5-7 QB almost every year and can be had at a bargain price.

I too grabbed Romo and Cutler at bargain prices. Romo coming of injury is the only thing that scares me. Never been a big Cutler guy but that offense put up huge numbers last year and there is talent across the roster offensively.

Really like the duo of Romo and Cutler as a QB platoon to play the matchups with. The weapons those guys have are just unbelievable.

Their defenses will do a great job of letting the other team score to get the ball back too. Only concern would be Romos health but both should be top 10 fantasy QBs.

Got Travis with my second to last pick today. Heard a lot of groans in my draft room, a lot of people were hoping to get him as their late round sleeper.

(08-28-2014 01:55 PM)ThinkBigPine Wrote:  Got Travis with my second to last pick today. Heard a lot of groans in my draft room, a lot of people were hoping to get him as their late round sleeper.

Picked him up in my last round. Made sure to let everyone know that this would be the best pick of our draft.

He went in the 11th round in my Fantasy Sharks staff league (It is a 20 round draft with best lineup automatically chosen and there are no waiver moves, so you draft 2 TEs). I thought I'd have to jump on him around the 14th round as my backup. Now everyone is touting him as a sleeper, but unless you are in a league that some owners draft backups, you can probably wait until late. But he is become a very trendy pick.

I think he is a trendy pick in regions where they know about him. Two drafts out here in AZ and no one has sniffed him. Which is good for me when I lose Jimmy Graham to injury.

Two games in and he's averaging 18.6 yards a reception. To put it in perspective

Quote:Some TE yards per catch numbers:
Witten - 7.7
Gronk - 9.0
Graham - 11.1
J. Thomas - 13.0
Kelce - 18.6

https://twitter.com/LyleGraversen/status...2563898368

This after he went from 17 snaps to 32 yesterday.