Tightends by Steve Siniski

1. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Kansas City

No champion can be dethroned until he’s beaten. Considering Gonzalez led the NFL, not just tight ends, in catches, he remains top dog at his position. Antonio Gates may be a better basketball player, but the San Diego star must still prove he’s more than a one-hit wonder. Gonzalez is Kansas City’s No. 1 pass-catching weapon, and the best part is he’s not even 30. Still in his prime, Gonzalez has seen a huge increase in receptions (63-71-102) and yardage (773-916-1,258) over the last three years.

2004 TEAM REC REC YDS TDS

Kansas City 102 1,258 7

2. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego

Talk about a slam dunk rookie season! In the red zone, Gates had no trouble posting up smaller defenders on his way to 13 scores, six more than any other tight end. He also broke off big plays, registering 13 grabs of at least 20 yards. A surprise to defenses in 2004, Gates can bank on more attention and more people in his face when the ball is thrown his way.

2004 TEAM REC REC YDS TDS

San Diego 81 964 13

3. Randy McMichael, TE, Miami

One of two things will happen for McMichael: One, his quarterbacks will flop in Nick Saban’s new system and force feed him the ball out of sheer panic. Or two, the system will be a hit and McMichael will remain the focal point and continue posting his solid numbers. Chris Chambers may be the best pure receiver on Miami, but he’s a more effective deep threat. McMichael is the true possession receiver than can continuously bail the Dolphins out when they need to move the chains.

2004 TEAM REC REC YDS TDS

Miami 73 791 4

4. Jeremy Shockey, TE, N.Y. Giants

Shockey finally took a step towards realizing his still unfulfilled promise. Shockey seemed to develop a rapport with Eli Manning, and finished 2004 with 14 grabs in the final three games with “The Franchise” leading the show. As Amani Toomer starts hitting the backside of his career, Shockey will step into the lead role for head coach Tom Coughlin. There’s no reason to expect anything less than a 70-catch, 10-touchdown season. The pieces are all in place for a monster effort.

2004 TEAM REC REC YDS TDS

N.Y. Giants 61 666 6

5. Todd Heap, TE, Baltimore

A cheap shot after the play by a Steelers defender in Week 3 ruined what could have been a huge season by Heap. Even rapper’s feuds aren’t so dangerous. The ankle injury he suffered following a late hit kept him sidelined for 10 games and limited him when he did return to the field for the last three contests. The Ravens’ braintrust has beefed up the offense with the addition of Derrick Mason and rookie Mark Clayton, and quarterback Kyle Boller will flourish thanks to the tutelage of Jim Fassel. The biggest issue won’t be catches, but touchdowns, because that’s the area where Jamal Lewis is king.

2004 TEAM REC REC YDS TDS

Baltimore 27 303 3

6. Jason Witten, TE, Dallas

Bill Parcells’ coached teams always seem to be centered around a pass-catching tight end. Remember Mark Bavaro? How about Ben Coates? Even Kyle Brady turned in his best seasons under Parcells with the Jets. So it’s no surprise Witten had more catches than any tight end except Gonzalez. Based on sheer statistics, Witten should probably be a little higher up this list. And he may well end up in the top five by season’s end. He’s ranked here for one reason: After a breakthrough campaign, the former Tennessee Volunteer is now a marked man for defenses and will draw considerably more attention from the start of 2005.

2004 TEAM REC REC YDS TDS

Dallas 87 980 6

7. Alge Crumpler, TE, Atlanta

Aside from Gonzalez and Gates, Crumpler may be the best big play tight end in the NFL. He had 17 plays of at least 20 yards (second to Gonzalez’s 19) and two catches of 40 yards or more. If Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick becomes more consistent with his throws and the wide receivers do more than just stand in the huddle, Crumpler would be a threat to top 1,000 yards. Of course, those are the two biggest questions marks on the entire Falcons team heading into 2005, so we’re not the only ones waiting to see how things work out.

2004 TEAM REC REC YDS TDS

Atlanta 48 774 6

8. Dallas Clark, TE, Indianapolis

Clark can only post huge numbers if he stays on the field. Unfortunately, staying off the trainer’s table has been his biggest issue. Marcus Pollard is gone, removing the biggest obstacle in his quest for the pigskin. He’s got the starting role and no competition for it. Now he has to make the most of the opportunity. Clark will be a huge asset in scoring leagues, because the Colts rarely struggle to score. His yardage totals will be kept down not by defenses but the talent on his own team.

2004 TEAM REC REC YDS TDS

Indianapolis 25 423 5

9. Eric Johnson, TE, San Francisco

Much like Clark, Johnson is a victim of his team. Unlike Clark, Johnson tailed off because of San Francisco’s lack of pass catchers, not because of their greatness. Until Brandon Lloyd or Arnaz Battle becomes a legitimate threat, defenses will key on Johnson. Also working against Johnson, especially in the red zone, was the awful performance of both Kevan Barlow and the trio of quarterbacks. Something has to change for him to join the elite at tight end.

2004 TEAM REC REC YDS TDS

San Francisco 82 825 2

10. L.J. Smith, TE, Philadelphia

Smith probably has more notable drops than catches at this point in his career, but he is making progress. The Eagles, however, keep him in the long-term plans as a fixture in the passing game. The more Terrell Owens sulks, the better Smith’s prospects look, because the other wide receivers are far from established. If you’re looking for a sleeper at the position, go no further than Smith.

2004 TEAM REC REC YDS TDS

Philadelphia 34 377 5

11. Jermaine Wiggins, TE, Minnesota

When you can go 11 deep on your list of tight ends, it’s clear that the position is no longer a barren wasteland. Wiggins comes off a career year with the Vikings, but still has room to do even more now that Randy Moss is in the Bay Area. Look for him to become more of a player in the red zone as Daunte Culpepper sorts out his new pecking order. After Nate Burleson, no one’s position has been clearly defined.

2004 TEAM REC REC YDS TDS

Minnesota 71 705 4

12. Jeb Putzier, TE, Denver

Putzier didn’t offer much in scoring leagues, and that won’t change in 2005. However, he is a solid source of yardage because Denver does like to get its tight ends involved in the passing game. Putzier isn’t the typical cement-shoed tight end of the past and actually can run away from defenders. His 15.8 yards per catch makes him serviceable in the fantasy world.

2004 TEAM REC REC YDS TDS

Denver 36 572 2

13. Bubba Franks, TE, Green Bay

Anyone on a team with Brett Favre is going to get the ball. Only problem for Franks is that he only gets a look when Green Bay is at the goal line. The influx—and subsequent explosion—of Javon Walker and Donald Driver have taken away some throws that Franks normally would have seen, thus the disappointing reception total (34). Franks also fits the stereotypical mold of being big and slow, so open field catches often end at the point of contact.

2004 TEAM REC REC YDS TDS

Green Bay 34 361 7

14. Ben Troupe, TE, Tennessee

University of Florida wide receivers don’t get much love in the NFL, but Troupe can make a name for Gators’ tight ends. A man among boys in college, Troupe is the type of physically gifted athlete every coach desires. His body’s bendable like Mr. Fantastic and he can make the acrobatic catch seem routine. Sounds great, right? Only problem is, an injury could cost him the first quarter of the year. Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher makes great use of tight ends and H-backs (Frank Wycheck was a regular 70-catch contributor a few years ago), so the system is definitely in Troupe’s favor.

2004 TEAM REC REC YDS TDS

Tennessee 33 329 1

15. Doug Jolley, TE, N.Y. Jets

By the end of the season, Jolley could be among the Top 10 at this position. The Jets have lacked a legitimate receiving threat at tight end for several seasons, but Chad Pennington would welcome someone that can take heat off Curtis Martin and help out the wide receivers as well. Jolley is not a blocking tight end by any stretch. When he’s on the field it’s for one purpose—to run routes. He’ll more than double his 2004 totals.

2004 TEAM REC REC YDS TDS

Oakland 27 313 2

16. Anthony Becht, TE, Tampa Bay

Becht will do just enough to warrant fantasy consideration in Tampa’s new-look offense.

17. Teyo Johnson, TE, Oakland

His biggest competition for time, Jolley, is on the other coast. At 6-7, he is a huge asset in the red zone.

18. Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh

The prize tight end in the 2005 NFL Draft, Miller could develop into a significant weapon for Ben Roethlisberger.

19. Marcus Pollard, TE, Detroit

Pollard is in the same situation as Indianapolis. He is the fifth option behind excellent wide receivers and a stud running back. He will find it tough to make an impact that way.

20. Daniel Graham, TE, New England

Ben Watson missed all of his rookie campaign because of injury, and could take Graham’s shine time away. Graham started like a rabbit on caffeine (five scores in the first four games) and finished the same way (two scores in the last two games), but left owners out to dry for seven weeks in between.

21. Desmond Clark, TE, Chicago

West Coast offense a bonus for solid hands of Clark, but management may have other ideas.

22. Chris Cooley, TE, Washington

A solid red zone target for Patrick Ramsey, he scored six times last year.

23. Ernie Conwell, TE, New Orleans

Boo Williams didn’t scare Conwell out of a job, but Father Time may just take it.

24. Matt Schoebel, TE, Cincinnati

Has shown he can make plays, but doing so consistently (one game with more than three catches) has been a problem.

25. Itula Mili, TE, Seattle

Still must hold off Jerramy Stevens for playing time.