Who's on the roster?
#83 Alge Crumpler (6'2" 262, 3rd yr., North Carolina)
#89 Lamont Hall (6'4" 260, 5th yr., Clemson)
#46 James Hugo (6'6" 265, rookie, Arizona)
#85 Brian Kozlowski (6'3" 250, 10 yr., Connecticut)
#48 Derek Rackley (6'4" 260, 3rd yr., Minnesota)
Projected starter: Crumpler
Top backup: Kozlowski
Newcomers: Hall (free agent/Saints), Hugo (undrated rookie)
This position was a strength due to quality depth in 2002. It has taken a hit for 2003, but still looks like it will shape into one of the team's offensive strengths.
Alge Crumpler will move into the starting lineup for the first time in his career. It will be a chance for the third-year pro to prove himself. Crumpler has been stuck coming off the bench the past two seasons, but has made quite an impact in that span. He's caught 61 passes and 8 touchdowns, easily exceeding any two-year totals for a Falcons tight end in quite some time.
Crumpler possesses excellent hands and has solid blocking skills. But in the latter category, he is not as skilled as his predecessor, Reggie Kelly. Crumpler will have to prove himself more as a blocker since the Falcons have opted to use him mostly as an H-back over his first two years than a traditional tight end. If Crumpler is lacking as a blocker, he may see some playing time in certain situations diminish.
But Crumpler more than makes up for it with his receiving abilities. He has hands of Velcro, and it would be hard to prove that he is not the best receiver on the roster. From day one, he's had an excellent rapport with Mike Vick, and that should show on the field this year.
Crumpler's biggest worry will not be his blocking skills however, it will be his attitude. In the past, he's not shown exactly the dedication the coaching staff has wanted in their own methods. Crumpler realizes that he is a very important asset to the offense, but the coaching staff has been reluctant to use him to a huge extent. In the past, Crumpler has grown frustrated with this. If this frustration resurfaces again this year, he might be yanked for a player that is more open to the decisions of the coaching staff.
Most likely that player is Brian Kozlowski. Kozlowski lack's Crumpler's talent and ability, but he has quietly been one of this team's hardest-working and versatile veterans over the years. Kozlowski was one of the first players Dan Reeves signed back in 1997, and has been a consistent role player on the roster. Only Bob Whitfield and Travis Hall have had longer tenures in Atlanta. Kozlowski has solid hands and is a natural H-back. He also performs well on special teams and has shown that he can be a capable fullback if pressed for duty. Kozlowski is not an outstanding blocker, but he gets the job done in that area. Kozlowski's offensive reps have slipped over the past two years due to the added presence of Crumpler, but now he'll regain some of those lost reps with Crumpler ascending into the starting role.
Kozlowski and Crumpler give the Falcons two solid receiving threats, but Dan Reeves has always ran a run-first, and if possibly run-all day offense. That means blocking will have to integral part of determining any tight end's playing time. The team lost out on Reggie Kelly because they felt his contract demands were a bit lofty for someone that was mostly a blocker. The team replaced Kelly with Lamont Hall, who has served as a backup in both Green Bay and New Orleans in that role. Hall has caught only 12 passes in his four-year career, but he is a capable enough receiver to catch 5-10 passes per season. But Hall's principle role will be to help clear running lanes for Falcon runners. Hall is more than able in that area. But because he's mostly unproven in the eyes of the coaching staff, he will face a steady stream of competition in training camp.
The Falcons added undrafted rookie James Hugo to promote competition. Hugo was added after another undrafted rookie Robert Johnson was released. Johnson was noted for his blocking skills in college and figured to be a top pick in the draft, but due to character concerns he went undrafted. Those concerns carried over onto the field as Johnson was not healthy enough to pass the Falcons physical. Hugo served mostly as a blocker at Arizona. He has an excellent frame and would be recognizable amongst his fellow tight ends with his 6'6" 265 frame. He will push Hall for the role of the blocking spot. And he does have a legitimate chance of making the roster.
Derek Rackley is also in the mix at tight end. Rackley is the team's full-time long snapper, but could see more work at tight end this summer due to the questions about the No. 3 spot. Rackley has shown a basic ability as a blocker and receiver. He's a proven long snapper, that has yet to both a snap, meaning that his practice time snapping could be reduced somewhat in order to get him more reps practicing with the offense in camp.
It's likely the team will keep four tight ends. Crumpler, Kozlowski, and Rackley are sure shots, but the fourth spot is up in the air. It most likely will fall on Hall since he has the edge in experience, but Hugo has the potential.
Salary Cap Sense
The team would definitely save money by opting for Hugo over Hall. Such a move would save the team about $250,000 in cap space. If the race is close, you can probably kiss Hall goodbye.
Predictions