Falcons seek tight end with good hands

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/18/08

Editor's Note: The AJC will run a series of stories leading up to the NFL Draft focusing on a position as it relates to the Falcons' needs. Today's story focuses on tight ends.

With the release of tight end Alge Crumpler, the Falcons created a gapping hole in the offense.

Even though Crumpler's production had slipped from his Pro Bowl days, he still was a force.

General manager Thomas Dimitroff added blocking tight ends Ben Hartsock and Jason Rader and retained promising second-year player Martrez Milner and George Cooper.

The Falcons probably will add another tight end in the draft and likely will look for the best blocking tight end. But there aren't many options for the type of punishing blocker that new offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey prefers.

"The one thing that's unique this year, and I think you'll see it for the future, is that with a lot of these college offenses going to three- and four-receiver sets, you're going to see more tight ends flexed out or detached from the line of scrimmage," San Francisco general manager Scot McCloughan said. "They're used more as receivers rather than really blocking tight ends."

The top blocking tight end is California's Craig Stevens. He only caught 51 passes during his career, but he had twice as many pancake blocks. He could be available in the third or fourth round.

Tennessee's Brad Cottam, 6 feet 7, 270 pounds, is the next best blocking tight end.

If the Falcons think Hartsock, Rader and Cooper can handle the blocking, they could go for a pass-catching tight end like Missouri's Martin Rucker, the younger brother of Carolina defensive end Mike Rucker.

Rucker, who played in a spread offense, caught 203 passes. He also has running ability after the catch and can stretch defenses on seam routes.

With his receiving ability, he'd fit best in the new offense as a H-back, moving around and creating mismatches in the passing game.

"You'll see guys who are 6-3, who in the past were too short for a [NFL] tight end, they were considered H-backs," McCloughan said. "I think you'll see more offenses in the NFL going toward using the H-back because of the supply of guys coming out of college these days."

The knock on Rucker is that he doesn't block well when lined up close to the line.

"Everybody knows that I can run," Rucker said. "And everybody knows that I can catch. The big thing that they want to see me do is block on the line."

The wide receivers position, once considered the sore spot on the roster, now looks like a team strength with the development of Roddy White and Laurent Robinson. There's still a place for a big, steady receiver like Michael Jenkins.

The group could receive a boost from the return of Brian Finneran from two knee surgeries. But if the Falcons opt to address the position, they will have a chance to add another big receiver late in the draft or as an undrafted free agent.

"You look at the receivers coming out of college and you see those 6-3 and 6-4 guys," Falcons wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie said. "That's what I'm happy about. We've got a couple of big guys here, and they are physical players. There is always a place in there for the smaller, quicker guys. But that's the trend, the big guys."

Arkansas Marcus Monk (6-4 1/2), Louisville's Mario Urrutia (6-5) and Iowa State's Todd Blythe (6-4) could be available in late rounds.

Monk is the most intriguing. After a promising rookie season, his career never really took off, in part, because of the Razorbacks' problems at quarterback.

TIGHT ENDS/WIDE RECEIVERS

A look at five tight ends or wide receivers the Falcons May select in April 19's NFL Draft:

1. Craig Stevens, California: Punishing blocker who would be a perfect scheme fit in the new smashmouth attack.

2. Brad Cottam, Tennessee: Only caught 21 passes, but Falcons want blockers. At 270, he'd be like a tackle at tight end.

3. Martin Rucker, Missouri: Dazzling receiver in the Tigers spread offense. Needs to improve his blocking. Could be a dangerous H-back.

4. Marcus Monk, Arkansas: Needs to refine his route running. Didn't get to showcase his skills in a run-heavy offense.

5. Mario Urrutia, Louisville: A huge receiver who has enough speed to cause problems on vertical routes.

we got Milner, and MIlner will be our H back. I think Milner can do a lot, because he is gonna at passing and blocking. i think him and our Wes welker type will be the short yardage guys.