2010 Roster Preview: Tight Ends

It's been a while everyone how have you been? Me I'm doing fine life is good summer is boring and the Saint Louis Rams are still my favorite team. With that being said there is really nothing going on no new news or anything. So to keep me and you entertained  I will keep writing these blogs to give us fans something to look forward two.

First I will quickly state that I don't like these group of players and if they don't live up to their potential things will get tough on Bradford of Now Lets get into what everybody is waiting for time for Tevin's look at our current Tight Ends.

I know we have more tight ends but teams usually carry 3 a game day so I will just pick 5 players who have the best chance of making the roster, Realistic though we will probably keep one on the practice squad and just suit up with 3 a game but we will see. This will be a general overview of our Tight Ends.

Daniel Fells

Fells Overview: As of OTAs he is the starter,and he has to be the clear cut favorite to be the number 1 TE for the Rams when the season starts barring injury. He is also listed as a Full Back but he will probably play that in certain packages as a receiving threat.

Fells Strengths: He is a pretty good blocker, and our best receiving option at TE right wow, He is versatile, he also played in 14 games last year. Also has consistent hands and could benefit from better passes. Great short yardages option.

Fells Weakness: He isn't fast enough to be a deep threat. Has been a number 2 all career can  he handle being blanketed and all the pressure put on a number 1 TE? Had 3 TD's last year 2 TD's against the Green Bay Packers and another touchdown against the Lions on a fake field goal.

Tevin's Call:  Fells could end up being a key contributor since he can play fullback two. Most likely he won't have big numbers as a number 1 Tight End, but he has a potential to be a very good number 2 option down the road if he stays here longer than the 1 year contract he will have.

Interesting Fells Facts:   He had his best statistical month in November 5 receptions and 112 yards and 1 touchdown. Another fact is he had a majority of his yards and catches at home 13 receptions 168 yards.

Billy Bajema:

Billy Bajema Overview: Was brought here from free agency, to be our blocking Tight End.

Bajema Strengths: He is a great blocker.

Bajema Weaknesses: He is not a receiving option at all. He isn't very quick.

Intesting Bajema Fact: He has never had more than 10 receptions in a season.

Tevin's Call: Depending on how the rookie tight ends develop, he could be out of a job. The more we hear about Michael Hoomanawanui the worst it could end for Billy. He could end up being number 2 on depth chart but I think he will be number 3. 

 Darcy Johnson: 

Johnson Overview: Another player from our head coach old team. Granted I don't know much about him since I never watched him play but I know he was a number 2 tight end to Kevin Boss.

Johnson Strengths: He is hard to bring down, also displays ok hands. Has good athelticism

Johnsons Weaknesses: Has never had more than a 6 reception season, isn't a great blocker or receiver. He is quick but isn't fast

Tevin's Call: He could make the 53 man roster but only as a backup Tight End Johnson and Fells compare  but Fells seems like a better player plus when Johnson was brought in it was hard to believe he would make the roster with two extra players in this position it could be a huge long shot.

Michael Hoomanawanui:

Hoomanawanui Overview: The Rams raised a few of eyebrows when we drafted Micheal Hoomanawanui in the 5th round.

Hoomanawanui Strengths: He is a great blocker, and also shows good hands. He is also a good character guy. He has great size and hard to bring down espically when he has a head of steam. Makes the difficult catch when draped around defenders.

Hoomanawanui Weaknesses: Didn't have many catches his senior year, lacks deep speed, isn't a polished route runner durabilty is a concern.  Lacks ideal burst

Hoomanawanui Fact: I mean come on we need another Tight End with a funny name it's been to long since the Rams released Brandon Manumaleuna

Tevin's Call: He could end up being a very solid player, There have been very solid reports about him becoming a good receiver option since OTA's started(He made a one hand catch in traffic). Also alot of reports say he could end up being a starter if he can become more of a reciever option during the year look for him to be number 2 by the start of the season and maybe a number one down the line.

Fendi Onobun:

Onobun Overview: The Ram's selected their 2nd Tight End in the 2010 draft Fendi Onobun from Houston. Many people hated this pick and then when they found out he was a basketball played and ran a fast 40 yard dash they instantly called him the future star/sleeper of the draft.

 Onobun Strengths: He has very good speed (4.45 40 yard dash) and size. Very athletic blocked two field goals and has a 38inch vertical, ended up cracking the starting line up the last game of the season getting a touchdown catch. looks natural recieving the ball

Onobun Weaknesses: Isn't a great route runner, Only played one year of college football, can he become a good blocker?, Doesn't have great vision but should be hard for linebackers to catch him. Can he be depended on during a full NFL season? Can he develop consistent hands catching the football?

Onobun Fact: He played four years of basketball as a back up mostly and averaged less than 2 points and 2 rebounds.

Tevin's Call: This could end up being a great pickup or just another name we forget about. It's hard for most 1st rounders to become stars it is unrealistic to think the Onobun could end up the next Gates.

As a whole:

This group of Tight Ends has the potential to become solid players and help the offense. It would have been nice to get a veteran here since a TE is a rookie Quarterback main target and our Tight Ends haven't proved anything. This position has me more worried than any other position on the offense because a TE could be a great asset to an offense lets just hope they step up and prove me wrong or this could be another long year.