Thoughts on Fred Davis and Run Blocking

[30gut]

Originally Posted by RGIII

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.

[REDSKINS4ever]

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.

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by REDSKINS4ever

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.

[skinsnut]

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

[RGIII]

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

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by RGIII

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

Is that a normal transition? From TE to OL?

[The Goat]

I think Paulsen might be the best all-around TE on the roster at this point between Paul's inconsistency, Davis' poor blocking and Cooley's lead feet lol. Gridiron's idea to make Davis a WR might be a good solution as well. Davis was big for a tight end in college but most of the top TEs at the pro level are bigger e.g. Gronkowski and Graham are the best in pro and both are 6-6 or 6-7 and 265 lbs. Fred Davis and Vernon Davis shorter and lighter. SF seems to use Vernon Davis downfield way more than blocking, right?

Fred to WR...he'd be our only big/strong WR who can consistently break tackles.

Niles Paul is listed at 6-1 and 233 lbs btw...I just don't see how he's a good prospect for TE, particularly in this offense. That he couldn't hold a roster spot as a WR is pretty concerning given the WR corp lack of a bigger, stronger WR. Were his hands not enough to play WR, given the many drops he's had?

[The Goat]

Shannon Sharpe is 6-2 and about 230, but I don't remember him blocking a whole lot and besides that dude was truly a phenom. He reinvented the position.

[30gut]

I think this recent campaign against Fred Davis blocking is misguided.
Davis is one of the better TEs in the NFL he's not an OL nor a blocking TE.
While Cooley is out there completely missing blocks, Fred is getting killed for getting beat 1 on 1 vs Mario Williams, Israel Idoneje and Julius Peppers.
Lets have some prespective, its preseason.
I doubt the regular season game plan is gonna involve Davis blocking the bigger DEs 1 on 1 to set the edge on a zone stretch all the time.

With that being said I actually agree that Paulsen is our best all around TE.
I've thought so ever since the Panthers game last year.
Although Paulsen can't run the whole route TE route tree like Fred he provides a good target on seam routes and corner routes and I honestly don't think I've seen him drop a pass.
And what Paulsen lacks as a receiving TE he more then makes up with his blocking.
Paulsen is a good enough blocker to set the edge in the run game 1 on 1 vs DEs.

[SBXVII]

Wait.... I'm confused.... weren't people talking about how "awesome" Davis is and how Cooley was going to get cut just a few days ago? and how the locks were going to be Davis, Paul, and Paulsen? Now we come full circle to how Davis can't block (which is what I said) and that he is a liablity?

The only thing that I can see keeping him on the team is his pass catching since he was the best WR we had last yr. Maybe we should switch him with Paul completely. Paul becomes a TE and Davis becomes a WR.

[MTK]

Davis has never been a good blocker, neither was Cooley either. Not a deal breaker when you can catch the ball though.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Shannon Sharpe is 6-2 and about 230, but I don't remember him blocking a whole lot and besides that dude was truly a phenom. He reinvented the position.

Cooley is only 10 lbs heavier and Davis is only about 14 or 15 lbs heavier then Paul. I guess that little bit of weight could make a huge difference but I'd think it still would boil down to technique, leverage, and actually blocking the person your supposed to block. How big was Portis? he seemed to be a really decent blocker and he really didn't lock up with too many DE's.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Davis has never been a good blocker, neither was Cooley either. Not a deal breaker when you can catch the ball though.

LOL, I started to add a paragraph about Cooley not being very good either at blocking but took it out since the thread was about Davis.

[KI Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Davis has never been a good blocker, neither was Cooley either. Not a deal breaker when you can catch the ball though.

When the coaches look at what each TE candidate brings to the table they must see a lot of the same things from Davis, Cooley, and Paul.

The one Redskins TE candidate who stands out from the others as a blocker is Logan Paulsen. That's why I think he makes the team.

I think the Skins will end up making a decision between Cooley, the proven but oft-injured veteran with the big contract, and Paul, the younger, cheaper, developing player who can help them on ST. In the end, I think it's up to Paul to show enough to merit being kept because the coaches already know what Chris Cooley can do.

I doubt that serving as the backup FB does anything to help Cooley stick. Finding someone to do that job should be easy enough for the Skins.

[SmootSmack]

Barring injury (or I guess suspension), our TEs will almost definitely be Davis, Paul, and Paulsen.

Cooley's battling for a spot with Morris really