What About Tight Ends?

[Slapstick]

Given that we are paying fabulous sums of money to Antonio Brown, just drafted JuJu last year, are in the process of negotiating with Bell, and just gave Rosie Nix a significant raise,
what will happen with the TEs?

If Nix gets more targets in the passing game, chances are they aren't going to be taken away from AB, Bell, or JuJu...

Vance McDonald will carry a $4.3 million cap hit next season, $3.7 of it fully guaranteed if he's on the roster by April 1st (no dead money if he's cut prior to that)...he caught a total of 14 passes in the regular season (only 10 games), but nearly equaled that in the playoff game...is he fools' gold?

Will Fichtner continue Haley's obsession with multiple TE sets?

Whatever happens will be interesting...

[feltdizz]

I think we keep both. Not sure Vance is worth that amount. He underwhelmed but showed up late.

While im still. Jesse James fan I’m kinda mad at him over that Pats TD. Just hold onto the damn ball.

[Northern_Blitz]

I think we keep both. Not sure Vance is worth that amount. He underwhelmed but showed up late.

While im still. Jesse James fan I’m kinda mad at him over that Pats TD. Just hold onto the damn ball.

I don't blame James for dropping the ball. He is what he is. A league average guy who can sometimes make a play, but shouldn't be depended on. I think that Vance is better, but he's also a replaceable guy...Steelers depot seemed to have some data that showed that the running game (and O in general) was much better with Vance in the game.

Either way, you can't have stars at every position and our TE situation should be good enough.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

...

Either way, you can't have stars at every position and our TE situation should be good enough.

Words of wisdom!

[SidSmythe]

If Vance McDonald's durability wasn't in question keeping him would be a no brainer.
However it's not like the Steelers have a ton of options here.

[Slapstick]

If it is blocking that the Steelers are looking for, Jake McGee looked good last year...

If we need a guy to catch 14 passes per season at the TE position, Xavier Grimble could do that...

[steeler_george]

Good question, I always love great TE, been pushing for us to draft one high since Heath retired.

I am not even sure if McDonal is that much of an upgrade to JJ, who I think is getting better with more experience. There has to be a reason why SF gave up on him for a draft pick.

I don't think McDonald worth that 4 mill, that money be invested in a FA ILB and we run with JJ, XG and a cheaper FA TE, or high draft pick, or future trade.

If we cover depth in FA for ILB, could TE be at play as BPA round 1or 2.

[Steelerphile]

$4 million doesn't sound like that much for McDonald. He has good athletic capabilities. He runs well. He averages 13 yards a reception for his career, which is what many good WRs average. He is a pretty good blocker; so, I think he is a keeper. Only questions I see are his sometimes unreliable hands and durability. If he can stay healthy, he can be a weapon, and he was getting some chemistry with Roethlisberger late last season.

McDonald averages 13.5 yards a reception. James averages 8.5 yards a reception, big difference.

[Slapstick]

James played in 16 games and caught 43 passes...

McDonald played in 10 games and caught 14 passes...

Big difference...in the NFL availability trumps ability...

[feltdizz]

James played in 16 games and caught 43 passes...

McDonald played in 10 games and caught 14 passes...

Big difference...in the NFL availability trumps ability...

damn... maybe it's when he caught them but it felt like Vance had more of a presence in the passing game.

he isn't worth it IMO.

[Slapstick]

damn... maybe it's when he caught them but it felt like Vance had more of a presence in the passing game.

he isn't worth it IMO.

In the playoff game, McDonald caught 10 passes...

That may be fresh in your mind...

[Steelerphile]

James played in 16 games and caught 43 passes...

McDonald played in 10 games and caught 14 passes...

Big difference...in the NFL availability trumps ability...

McDonald has some issues staying healthy this year. Are you suggesting this will be an ongoing issue? I am not certain that will be true.
That is why I said if healthy, but there is a clear difference between McDonald's athleticism and James. I actually like James for his reliability, but McDonald has more potential as a weapon.

McDonald is a 5 year veteran with 78 career receptions and 1,054 receiving yards so I think he has been healthy for the most part in his career.

[Slapstick]

McDonald has some issues staying healthy this year. Are you suggesting this will be an ongoing issue? I am not certain that will be true.
That is why I said if healthy, but there is a clear difference between McDonald's athleticism and James. I actually like James for his reliability, but McDonald has more potential as a weapon.

McDonald is a 5 year veteran with 78 career receptions and 1,054 receiving yards so I think he has been healthy for the most part in his career.

McDonald has an injury history before arriving in Pittsburgh...in fact, the contract we picked up from the 49ers has an escalator that pays McDonald a bonus if he is active for 11 or more games...he did not meet that criteria last season...

[williar]

I'm comfortable with what we have a tight end. No, their not superstars but sufficient enough especially when McDonald is healthy. I knew it was just a matter of time before someone brought up TE. Can we just cut out the "chatter" now and focus on defense, please... Other than a backup RB to go into rotation, for whatever reason, I don't believe Connor is going to stay healthy. I'm tired of beating around the bush.

[Steel Maniac]

Willer, I hear you about Connor but I'm not ready to give up on him because of injury. Bell was injured his first year too but we stayed with him because of what we thought we saw in him. And it panned out.

I think Connor has potential too to be a good back up to Bell. Or maybe more. But I'm for depth also so as long as they don't use a top 3 draft pick on the RB position then I'm cool with it. Because like you, I too want to focus on defense.