Vikings need more production from TEs in ‘07

By Krupka  |   Thursday, August 09, 2007  |  Comments( 11 )

Minnesota Vikings
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Once an unheralded position known for its blocking skills and the occasional reception, the tight end position has transformed into essentially another form of wide receiver over the past few years.

Prior to today's era of tight ends, rarely would a team have an offensive weapon at the position. Now it's almost a necessity to have a player capable of being a threat on every play at tight end.

In 2006, Minnesota's offensive woes couldn't be blamed solely on the tight end, but the lack of production from the trio of Jermaine Wiggins, Jimmy Kleinsasser and Richard Owens was nonexistent, for all intents and purposes.

Wiggins, no longer with the team, had 46 receptions for 386 yards and one touchdown, a far cry from his previous two seasons with the Vikings in which he tallied 140 catches, 1,273 yards and five scores.

Kleinsasser, although he had two decent seasons (2002 and '03) receiving, is more useful as a blocker. And Owens, finally, is a solid special teamer.

As a whole, the Vikings' tight ends managed just 59 receptions for 478 yards and a pair of TDs in '06. And one of the touchdowns came as the result of a successful fake field goal attempt.

Clearly, the Minnesota front office and coaching staff saw the need to add production to the position during the offseason. Early in free agency, the Vikings added the tall Visanthe Shiancoe, signing the athletic tight end to a five-year, $18 million contract.

With second-year quarterback Tarvaris Jackson likely to be the starter, Minnesota's tight ends should see plenty of balls thrown their way this season. For Shiancoe, it provides the perfect opportunity to make a name for himself after being the backup to the New York Giants' Jeremy Shockey.

"I'm going to put up some pretty solid numbers. Very solid numbers. Very high numbers," Shiancoe told the Star Tribune's Kevin Seifert.

And those numbers would go along way to improving an anemic passing attack.

-You can reach Eric Krupka at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

Get more Vikings coverage at RealFootball365.com
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CommentsComments: 11  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
mike f		09:59 AM
08/09/2007
you would think real football would include braden jones TE in article he is the best reciever (great hands,speed and smart)
No.2
michael		11:38 AM
08/09/2007
It doesn't matter who the tight ends are if the team runs the ball up the middle for 3 on first down, runs the ball up the middle...
No.3
sean		01:11 PM
08/09/2007
last time i checked braden jones wasnt on the roster and i agree with michael. there was never a more painful team to watch than...
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