Cooley quietly shines in D.C.

[rick301]

When people think of the premier tight ends in the NFL, names like Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, Todd Heap and Jason Witten automatically come to mind. However, one name quietly, yet conspicuously absent from that list is Washington Redskins tight end/h-back extraordinaire Chris ey.

An unheralded rookie in 2004, ey impressed on a hapless Redskins team, receiving 37 passes for six touchdowns. Even though he was a third-round pick, few expected the 6-3, 250-pounder to make much of an impact in his rookie season with the wretched duo of Mark Brunell and Patrick Ramsay throwing him the ball. ey managed to defy the doubters en route to a respectable year.

Last season when Washington became one of the better teams in the NFC, ey was a big part of the Redskins' renaissance, catching 71 receptions for 774 yards, and seven touchdowns from the suddenly-refreshed Brunell. The former Utah State star has been a major part of the Redskins' offense, formerly orchestrated by legendary head coach Joe Gibbs.

Now that the Redskins brought in former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders to take the reins as the play-caller, ey should become even better next season. No disrespect to Gibbs, but Saunders will likely be an upgrade, which is why Gibbs unselfishly deferred to him. Thus, the new coordinator will likely find a way to utilize ey even better in what was a somewhat conservative offense in Washington last season. Clinton Portis and the running game will still come to the fore in 2006, but ey will be an even bigger weapon.

The only thing that might hold ey back from further progression next season is Brunell. Although the 35-year-old played surprisingly well last season, Washington never knows what they'll get from him each week. Sometimes he looks like the former Pro Bowler from Jacksonville, and sometimes he looks like the injured, old Brunell who can't find a receiver to save his life. If Brunell can play up to par, ey could make his first Pro Bowl. However, should Brunell fail to stay in his form of last season, the burden will fall on the right arm of backup Jason Campbell, who has never attempted a regular season pass.

Washington Redskins fans would love nothing more than to have ey develop into a better tight end than Jason Witten, a member of the archrival Dallas Cowboys . If the 23-year-old can get some consistent play from his quarterbacks, the Redskins and their fans may be looking at the next big thing at the tight end position in the NFL. Judging by the youngster's development thus far, this possibility should not be ruled out.

This is a good ey article. He should have a great year!

http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/arti ... 00506.html

[Chris Luva Luva]

Jason Witten? WTF has he done in the past two seasons? I dont pay attention to those fags except when we play them so Im not any kind of authority on the Pukes. All I know is that when we've played them I've hardly noticed him.

[DieselFan]

I'm with you...Jason Witten? Uhhhh...no....when I think of great tight ends....Jason Witten NEVER comes to mind. Gates...yes. Gonzales...definitely. Heap...when healthy...yes. But Jason Witten???? C'mon.

Jeremy Cocky comes to mind before Witten. What a joke.

[Mursilis]

Good article. Of course ey hasn't been quietly shining here - we've known about him for the past two seasons! What a find he was. Kudos to Gibbs for digging him up in the third round.
If the Redskins really want to see ey in the Pro Bowl (which he deserves), they ought to quit calling him an 'H-back' and just label him a tight end, if only to end the confusion. I bet he lost several Pro Bowl votes last year just because the voters (NFL players) didn't think to include him for the TE position.

[Mursilis]

Now that the Redskins brought in former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders to take the reins as the play-caller, ey should become even better next season. No disrespect to Gibbs, but Saunders will likely be an upgrade, which is why Gibbs unselfishly deferred to him.

This says so much about Gibbs' character. He realized the offensive struggles were what was keeping the team from the next level, and instead of trying to fix it all by himself, he checked his own ego and wasn't afraid to bring in some help (Al Saunders), just like he brought in Williams to run the defense. So many other coaches would be too afraid of their own assistants getting too much credit, but Gibbs put the team ahead of his ego. Hopefully, when he hangs it up as head coach, he stays around as GM or team president or some other front office position.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I had to sit and think as to whether or not I believe Al is an upgrade to Gibbs. To some that may be an easy answer but to me it isn't.

I actually enjoyed Gibbs offense when it was clicking. I believe our struggles last year came from injury. My biggest gripe with Gibbs offense was that for a while we didn't put teams away. It was like we were afraid to run up the score on people and we allowed them back into games.

Yes, I think Al may be an upgrade to Gibbs offense but a part of me is sad to see it go. I dont want Gibbs to think his offense was unsuccessful or outdated because he proved otherwise last year.

[Primetime42]

Jason Witten? WTF has he done in the past two seasons? I dont pay attention to those fags except when we play them so Im not any kind of authority on the Pukes. All I know is that when we've played them I've hardly noticed him.

Are you people serious?

Witten and ey arguably had the same season last year...and Witten was a little off.

He also set the team receptions record for a tight end that was held by Jay Novacek. I didn't know that counted as nothing over the past two years(87 for 980 yards)...Chris, I expect better from you.

I've got plenty of reasons why Witten's better, but don't worry, just let the hate flow.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I've got plenty of reasons why Witten's better, but don't worry, just let the hate flow.

Im trying but you're interrupting me.
I dont pay attention to your team and if what you're saying is true, I stand corrected.

[BossHog]

Witten's a good tight end.

ey's a good H-back.

Until they actually play the same position, what criterion do you use to compare them?

The positions are similar, but very different as well. But the position might actually be closer to a fullback than a tight end... an h-back is basically a fullback lined up much closer to the line of scrimmage. The original theory being that since fullbacks didn't typically run the ball with great success... and spend more time blocking... why not put that player closer to the point of that block?

Perhaps in Saunders' system ey will play a more traditional tight end role but until he does, I think it's pointless to compare their relative 'abilities'.

[Mursilis]

I had to sit and think as to whether or not I believe Al is an upgrade to Gibbs.

Gibbs must've thought Al was an upgrade, or at least would help, or he wouldn't have made the move. It's not like Gibbs doesn't know offense; he first got some attention as a San Diego offensive assistant (coordinator) back in the Air Coryell days, and at one time a Gibbs-coached 'skins team held the single-season points record (I think it was the '83 team). Still, since he came back, the offense has consistently struggled (and struggled to be consistent), and Gibbs did something about it. That can only be a good thing.

I actually enjoyed Gibbs offense when it was clicking.

We all enjoyed it when it was clicking. That humiliation of Dallas at the end of the season was a joy to watch.

I believe our struggles last year came from injury.

Every team has injuries. Teams must adapt or lose.

My biggest gripe with Gibbs offense was that for a while we didn't put teams away. It was like we were afraid to run up the score on people and we allowed them back into games.

Hopefully Saunders will fix that.

Yes, I think Al may be an upgrade to Gibbs offense but a part of me is sad to see it go. I dont want Gibbs to think his offense was unsuccessful or outdated because he proved otherwise last year.

I don't think we'll see any huge changes; the Chiefs under Saunders still ran plenty - Priest Holmes and later Larry Johnson got lots of carries. I just think Saunders will mix it up a little more - maybe more 3 and even 4 WR sets, etc. - and keep defenses guessing. It will be quite a show.

[yupchagee]

1 difference between Gibbs & Saunders is that Saunders has usually played a 2 back set. Assuming that he continues this, ey will move to TE with Cartwright starting at FB.

[Chris Luva Luva]

1 difference between Gibbs & Saunders is that Saunders has usually played a 2 back set. Assuming that he continues this, ey will move to TE with Cartwright starting at FB.

Cartwright? What makes you think that?

Id take Sellers as my FB over CW.

[Primetime42]

Witten's a good tight end.

ey's a good H-back.

Until they actually play the same position, what criterion do you use to compare them?

The positions are similar, but very different as well. But the position might actually be closer to a fullback than a tight end... an h-back is basically a fullback lined up much closer to the line of scrimmage. The original theory being that since fullbacks didn't typically run the ball with great success... and spend more time blocking... why not put that player closer to the point of that block?

Perhaps in Saunders' system ey will play a more traditional tight end role but until he does, I think it's pointless to compare their relative 'abilities'.

Witten still plays a lot of H-Back...maybe not as much last year as he did previously, but as far as I know, that's one of his roles.

[box]

I watch alot of football and i cant remember ever hearing bout some J. witten? He is the king of the 3 yd. catch thats all.

[yupchagee]

Cartwright? What makes you think that?

Id take Sellers as my FB over CW.



Cartwright is a better ball carrier. I expect Sellers to play a lot in the red zone.

[1niksder]

What about ...

Nehemiah Broughton and Manuel White they're both on the roster with a new OC at a spot that hasn't been used in pass few years here. It's wide open and they all play Teams

[frankcal20]

Yeah. I know Manny White played FB in college.

[yupchagee]

I think it will be tough for White or Broughton to make the team this year. Figure we'll carry 5 RB/FB's. Portis, Cartwright, Sellers & Betts. Not much room left.

[tcwest10]

I watch alot of football and i cant remember ever hearing bout some J. witten? He is the king of the 3 yd. catch thats all.

Really ? I must've missed the coronation.