Oh my...you on crack or something? :rofl: You've done nothing but make one ridiculous post after the next
:breakdance: .... Wow, ummm, yeah just Wow. To take a line from Billy Madison "Everyone in the room is now dummer for having heard that" Ellis
Actually he's a converted tight end that got a lot bigger to play tackle. He probably could play tight end if he lost some of that bulk but again why would you take a top prospect tackle and make him a tight end?
I would be quite pleased if we drafted Staley. He posesses exceptional natural skills, speed and agility for an OT. And while some may be quick to ridicule and dismiss the idea of him lining up in the near term as a TE, it makes some sense, conceptually at least, in a number of formation packages. Down the road, I think he ultimately could be an outstanding RT for us once he builds a little more size and strength. As a rookie, however, he could provide enormous benefits in both the running and passing game as a blocking TE lining up on either side in one or two TE sets. Who knows if he can catch a ball or run a decent pattern but his 40, short shuttle, 3-cone and long jump measurables do compare favorably with the top TEs in this year's draft. The idea of using him as a TE initially (as well as providing OL depth and the realistic possibility of him becoming a long term OL stalwart in the future) make him an interesting choice IMO and we all know Mangini loves players with superior intelligence and versatility; qualities which accurately describe Staley as a prospect. Finally, the idea of lining up a tackle in the TE position is not new. I seem to recall that Denver achieved pretty damn good results when utilizing 290 lb. Dwayne Carswell as a TE and then, at the end of his career as a tackle. Anyway, the idea is not at all far-fetched when you consider him more in terms of a blocking TE who may or may not catch an occasional pass, whose presence can provide immediate benefits in both the rushing and passing game and also free up Chris Baker somewhat from blocking assignments to allow him more pass receiving opportunities. Anyone notice how our running game and pass protection declined when we let "Hands of Stone" Becht go bye-bye? in 2004 Chad had time to throw and Martin had a career year whereas in 2005 Chad (and his replacements) were little more than tackling dummies for opposing teams' sack practice while Martin was trapped the backfield more times than I care to remember. Certainly the loss of McKenzie also had considerable impact on the performance of our OL that year but one should not underestimate the impact a great blocking TE can have in pass protection and the running game.
Altoona welcome aboard my friend. We need people with your brains on this forum. Great minds think alike
