Is Brandon Williams our answer for a second tight end?

[magnus]

Yes, Brandon Williams is the answer at #2 TE. The issue though is that Mike Shula is not the answer at OC, as he so seldom used two TE sets or any other personnel groupings designed to move the ball far down field. 

allright.  Set aside that this isn't a Mike Shula thread. 

Set aside that "two TE sets" aren't really "designed to move the ball far down field". 

 

We played a ton of 2 TE sets.  Hartsock played 31% of total snaps and missed time, so at the very minimum the team was in 2 TE a third of the time.  

 

Brandon Williams is a decent TE. He's also a 3rd guy who has 26 snaps under his belt as a pro.  He's a good receiver, and if he can be more consistent, he'll play.  I'm sure they want him to play.  

 

They also have Olsen, a legit top 5 TE, who doesn't come off the field.  Now, maybe Williams will be on the field more. Maybe he is, or isn't the answer.  But a team like this has to have an Olsen, and a Hartsock.  So assuming Hartsock doesn't do anything crazy and move on, Williams is more than adequate to take those 3rd-string snaps and develop a little. 

[Fiz]

one of the worst things about shula was every time he wanted to run off tackle he'd stick Brandon Williams there to block. 

 

Every

 

fuging

 

time

 

HEY GUYS WE'RE RUNNING OFF TACKLE JUST SHIFT TOWARDS WILLIAMS

[neverlosethefeeling]

I hope ol' Swole Bones can do something next year. He's got the frame and build to be an elite pass catcher. He's still raw and rough around the edges. Hopefully he's going to get in a lot of work this offseason and come into camp showing what he's about.

[Evengelion]

Would be nice so we wouldn't need to waste a pick on one.

[top dawg]

Don't forget that we just picked up D.C. Jefferson who appears to be another project.  Per rotoworld D.C. Jefferson is a "pure blocker" however, so I would think that B-Will's game is still incomplete. Didn't know that this guy played QB either.

 

[TN05]

I hope so, but I'm not sure. Having a legitimate #2 at tight end would take bodies off of Olsen and Smith and give us an extra blocker on the line, for whatever that is worth. It's interesting to think about just how scary this offense could be with a couple of line tweaks and another good receiver or tight end in the mix.

[Captain Obvious]

[Cary Kollins]

Nah dog

[4Corners]

Who knows, because we haven't seen enough, the coaches must see something in him though. Two things to give you hope

 

1. He got into the game and ran some routes against San Fran for the first time I can remember

2. Former B-ball players Lance Thomas and Jordan Cameron didn't have a impact until a couples years after being in the league

 

He certainly looks like and NFL player and he most def has that basketball niche that a lot of teams in the league seem to be looking for as they all hope to find the next Graham. Gotta love his story, too. 

[Toundra]

Williams was so promising during the camp, i can't wait to see that kid playing for the team.

[Jmac]

Put it this way,they think enough of him to stash him on the roster and use a spot and not risk losing him on the practice squad.That should tell you loads about his potential

[raleigh-panther]

Olsen goes down. Panthers are screwed. Get a high quality TE. Draft one. Start them together. It helps every thing

No way in the world do Brockel and Hartsock or Williams fit that bill. They don't scare any defense enough to scheme for them and if they can't do that they aren't the answer offensively

Special teams fine.

[rayzor]

maybe yes. maybe no.

 

either way, there's no way we should be counting on it or planning on it.

 

act as if he isn't the solution and a solution is needed.

[doogy]

1. Havn't seen enough of him.

2. Didn't even start in college and ended with 2 catches in his career. 

 

Athletically he is near the top in the NFL which is why I think he's remained on the team but unless he improves this offseason and does really well in mini-camps, I could see him getting cut pretty early this year come training camp. All depends I suppose on what other TEs we bring in/cut, its just hard to say with the little playing time he's received.