FanPost

Looking at our TE/FB positions

We have a ton of talent this year all over the place! We are crammed at DE, DT, WR and CB. As for RB, TE, FB and S we are looking for some guys to step up and either be an upgrade or an improved version of last year as a starter or as a back up. Celek is a very solid TE. He brings a toughness to the team. He plays through injuries, gives maximum effort to get every inch after the catch and has pretty good hands. But after Celek our TE's have been blah for the last few years. Teams around the league are rushing to copy the Patriots 2 TE formula. Added to the possibilities teams have doubled their more athletic TE's as a H-back/FB positions. The Eagles could go this route. BUT at the very least they are looking for more from their 2nd TE. Out of the TE's who has made the best impression so far? Who seems to be the best fit? Will we go 3 TE's and no FB or 2 TE's and a FB?

Clay Harbor, Alex Smith, Matt Schobel, LJ Smith,Garret Mills are just the guys who recorded stats over the past few years at the TE position. NONE of these guys have been clutch or contributed to a level of my(hopefully your) satisfaction. So who is the most likely guy to try and change the lack luster 2nd TE position? It's a two man race(Case Ford not being considered) between Harbor and Brackett. Lets look at their measurables:

Brackett is 6'6" 248. His straight line speed(40) is 4.58(low) - 4.64(high). His quickness(20 yard shuttle) 4.24. His explosiveness(vertical) 34" and his strength(bench) 22 reps. Brackett can make plays as seen below.


Harbor is 6'3" 252. His straight line speed 4.56(low) - 4.62(high). His quickness is 4.36. His explosiveness 40". And his strength 30. Here's Vick doing his magic and getting Harbor open for a TD.


Clearly off of the football field Harbor is as fast, stronger, more explosive and trails by a tiny bit when it comes to quickness. It is also clear that besides blocking, Harbors athleticism has not translated to success on the football field. So can Brackett unseat his more athletic counter part?

If we were going on how they looked w/o the pads on from mini camps and OTA's and the beginning of camp, yeah he could. Brackett has impressed per reports(Ray Diddy) by catching everything thrown his way, while also getting separation in running his routes. IF Brackett can continue to do this with the pads on, I think he can win the spot. In fact I think he does win the spot. Time and time again, we see crafty players beat out their more athletic counter parts. I think Brackett is a crafty player.

IMO dropping the FB and keeping 3 TE's is the way to go for the Eagles. I think Harbor is explosive enough to play FB and could double as a great goal line TE when we send 3 TE's in the game. If we eliminate a FB but keep 3 TE's we add a roster spot for the crammed positions. Maybe we keep Hanson and Boykin or Tapp and Hunter or Dixon and Thorton.

Besides our best FB option is Havili. 6'0" 227 and runs about the same speed(bit slower) than the TE's. So I am guessing if he is better in one area it wold be rushing the ball. And.....the Eagles don't really give their FB's a chance to do that. How would you like to see this play out?