Originally posted by Young2Rice:
Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
I think Delanie Walker is overrated is people are viewing him as a pass catcher or any kind of receiving threat. He isn't at all. However is is really good at everything else he does. For that reason, I want us to lock him up longterm if it's the right price. But the fact is, this guy cannot be a #2 receiving TE in this offense. All we need is a guy to come in and be Eric Johnson (7th round pick). A security blanket that can find soft spots and catch passes thrown his way. He doesn't have to be this great scorer or a guy with great speed like Vernon Davis is. Just a guy that can come in and catch passes thrown his way since the defense will be focused on taking away our other players. Delanie Walker's weaknesses as a pass receiver is what will prevent him from being able to be a starting TE in this passing league.
One of the primary reasons he's out there is to catch the ball, if he's incapable of doing that, then the team is better off using an offensive lineman who can't catch worth s**t either but is a better blocker. Do you want a 6'0", 240 guy blocking or a 6'4", 300+ blocker? Part of being the #2 TE in this offense is the ability to make plays when the defense leaves you open due to having cover guys like VD, Crabtree...etc. If you can't make those catches, then you need to GTFO.
Delanie is a good blocker and is a pass threat. You have to put a DB on him, which frees up other guys. If you put a 300 pound TE, you can cover him with an LB, leaving additional DBs to watch VD, Crabs etc...He has many drops but also some good catches. Just don't throw him the ball in clutch situations and let a DB cover him and go to VD or Crabs, IMO.
Agree, though I have to ask at what point does that become a predictable tendency? If defenses know we won't throw to him in high pressure situations no matter who's covering him, why not just cover him with a LB anyway?