Joyner: Cooley underrated

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I most definitely do not agree. It's rare to find someone with such a combination of hands, blocking and running abilities. You're citing Gates as the best TE in football right now, but I'd have to differ in the fact that when you have the offense they do, it's easy to look good. While I think that Gates is top three, I think Gonzo is the best.

I'm also not taking anything away from Winslow, but if you're asking me who I'll take ANY Sunday between Cooley and Winslow, give me Cooley each and every day.

I can't even remember the best tight end prospect last year, but can you think of ANY TE that really tore up the league last year? If he was so easily replaceable, you'd think that SOMEONE drafted would even come close to duplicating his stats and I don't think that anyone did.

Cooley, Heap, Crumpler. No specific order.

Here's a point I'd like to bring up: Vernon Davis was the 5th overall pick in 2006, because of some incredible set of athletic skills regarding a TE. Now I want everybody to think about that for a second. A TE who is small and can't block but can run 4.3 and jump really high.

That doesn't sound like a TE to me at all. It sounds like SF drafted a receiver who was just playing out of position. Now, a receiver with 4.3 speed really isn't all that special. But this is a thought process that apparently never occured to the 49ers while doing this.

This is the ultimate proof that TEs are valued improperly. And while Antonio Gates is a wonderful fantasy TE, what exactly does scoring TD's prove if you can't block a lick?

Cooley, Heap, and Crumpler are all average to good blockers and smart receivers in the open field. Gonzo should still be in this conversation, but at this point in his career, probably is no longer the elite player at his position. Gates should be the No. 1 TE in fantasy, but when in comes to value to his team, he clearly is quite overrated.

Winslow>Gates, but hes not a wonderful blocker either.