Thoughts on Fred Davis and Run Blocking

Yes, Davis is not a good blocker, but Cooley has never been the second coming of Mark Bavaro either. I have never been impressed with Cooley's blocking. Cooley is an ok blocker, but I would not say his blocking is THE reason why he makes the squad.
More importantly IF Cooley continues to shows can not stay healthy, that would be a major reason to replace him in the coming year or two. We can not continue to hold hostage roster spots for guys like T Jammal Brown who can not stay healthy for more than a handful of games. Time to move on with youth.

People at the practices have been telling me all Cooley does is block. He's not being targeted at all by the QBs, just sit back and block. What does that all mean? I don't know, interesting though

Articles like that are my sports/media pet peeve.
They push the part for the whole fallacy.
This small part of Davis as a blocker is not the sum total of Davis as a blocker.

Some points that jump out at me:

o The Bills have a good front 7

o The OL as unit stunk against them are we gonna jump to conclusions about every member of the OL that played poorly?

o How many good receiving TEs are also very good blockers?

o How many teams by design ask their TE to block the edge without help?

o Notice on the one play where Davis does set the edge (against lol Mario Williams) he has help and is able to spring Royster to the outside

o I'm not sure how much of a carry over there is from TE pass blocking to run blocking but if there is then the notion that Chris Cooley is a better blocker then Davis is wrong to the point of being absurd:

Three Years of Pass Blocking Efficiency: Tight Ends
A Quarterbacks Worst Friend:
Rank Name Current Team Pass Protects Total Pressure PBE
1 Brandon Manumaleuna CHI 264 31 90.63
2 Greg Olsen CAR 198 20 91.67
3 Jeff King ARZ 236 25 91.74
4 Brody Eldridge SL 106 11 91.98
5 Chris Cooley WAS 106 11 91.98
6 Matt Spaeth CHI 180 18 92.08
7 Vernon Davis SF 182 17 92.31
8 John Carlson MIN 169 17 92.31
9 Matthew Mulligan SL 115 10 92.83
10 Jeremy Shockey FA 178 16 93.26


Davis needs to be more consistent with his blocking.
But, for my money/to my eye he's the second best blocking TE on the team behind Paulsen and he's on par if not better then most of the other receiving TEs.

in the alex gibbs zone scheme, the TE is often the seal blocker. it sucks that we don't really have that guy, but it is what it is.

I just noticed both Davis and Cooley was were lined up across from Idonije on the sack fumble by Griffin.

I just noticed both Davis and Cooley was were lined up across from Idonije on the sack fumble by Griffin.Davis actually attempted to block and got beat, probably expected a double team with Cooley who just stood there dazed/confused.

Davis had at least one 1 on 1 block vs Peppers that I'm sure no one will mention.

Looking back at his days at USC, Fred Davis pancaked guys whenever Matt Leinart handed Reggie Bush the football. One would think that Davis gets his blocks in on DEs and OLBs especially on those stretch plays that are ran to his side.

Looking back at his days at USC, Fred Davis pancaked guys whenever Matt Leinart handed Reggie Bush the football. One would think that Davis gets his blocks in on DEs and OLBs especially on those stretch plays that are ran to his side.

As you know, college and NFL are different levels. Perhaps Shanny should move Davis to WR, have him lose little weight if necessary. He could overpower DBs.

I say, the value of a solid blocking TE is critical when your oline is suspect and you have a rookie QB, especially one that expects to spend time around the edge.

Say I am crazy, but I would rather have a solid RT and Cooley, Paulsen, Niles Paul. that Fred Davis with what we have today.

Many have said a TE is a rookies best friend...they seem to forget that their oline would be the equivalent of family...Line first, receivers 2nd....I guess I'm kinda old school

Surprised Paulsen wasn't asked this off-season to bulk up a little to play OT...