Royal pushing for starting job

[DCopper04]

I don't see Royal securing the starting spot next season. He's not terrible, but he is below average in most aspects of the game. He is fine as a backup, but no more.

Barring a great improvement during the offseason, I don't anticipate Gibbs giving the starting job to Royal. Remember last season when Gibbs was considering taking Kellen Winslow #5 in the draft? That tells me that he is looking for a stud TE, not only to block but also to catch a good number of passes and to attract attention from the defense. Despite his surge in production late in the season, I think it is a fair assessment that Robert Royal won't exactly strike fear in his opponents this coming season. I know that TE is not our biggest need, but I anticipate Gibbs will look to upgrade the position via free agency.