Pick #85: Craig Stevens, TE, California

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by goTitans.com, Apr 27, 2008.

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  1. newtitanfan

    newtitanfan Camp Fodder

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    sticking up for Craig Stevens

    Craig UCLA Touchdown 07 small version.jpg Sorry Gloat, but you are way off in your assessment.

    Stevens was actually on the phone with Baltimore who were going to take him at 86. So no the Titans couldn't have gotten him later, like some other people have stated.

    With the interest directed at him by different teams, including the Seattle he expected to go 2nd through 4th round.
    I think one of the reasons people didn't have him higher on their boards is that he isn't flashy and didn't get all the press that some of the other cal players got.
    What he is, is a hardworking young man, that was team captain, was thrown the ball almost exclusively on 3rd downs, blocked every play until the whistle was blown, wasn't needed as a pass receiver since Cal had two great WR and a RB that also caught the ball often and spent most of the season running to the side Stevens was playing on.

    Stevens is a blocking STUD and will surpise most of you with his hands by mid season. Notice the touchdown photo above against UCLA his Senior year, oh yeah, that was a 3rd down play. You go with your money plays on 3rd when playing away and after working hard to get in scoring position.

     
  2. Deuce Wayne

    Deuce Wayne NOW Y'ALL GET THE MESSICH?!

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    Whooo! A BLOCKING stud!! Wait, is he a tight end or an offensive lineman?
    And the Ravens were going to take him. Thanks for giving me that info. Now I REALLY hate the pick.
     
  3. Stud blockers are very valuable. Especially stud blockers with 4.6 speed...
     
  4. Bobo

    Bobo Guest

    I agree with what SK said. Hartsock made a big difference in the run game last year. The more I watched him, the more impressed I was and the more it was evident that he was valuable to the run game. Of course he was sub par as a receiver.

    So the thought of another good blocking TE with more upside as a receiver sounds good to me.
     
  5. Fry

    Fry Welcome to the land of tomorrow!

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    if he can do this, i'll be happy.

    <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bpfzBZe8EII&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bpfzBZe8EII&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
     
  6. newtitanfan

    newtitanfan Camp Fodder

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    I may not be totally impartial, he's my cousin, but he did that semi regulary in college.
    We'll see how it goes.
    To be perfectly honest I only saw one Titan game last year and know very little about the team. I'm looking forward to seeing what they all can do not just Craig.
     
  7. Deuce Wayne

    Deuce Wayne NOW Y'ALL GET THE MESSICH?!

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    Hartsock was a good blocker. But he sucked as a tight end. I'd rather have someone on the field that can be a threat to score rather than a guy that'll make 1 good block here and there.
    If you want a good blocking TE, you should probably just pick one up easy through FA.
     
  8. Childress79

    Childress79 Loungefly ®

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    Welcome aboard & thanks for the the draft insight.

    The teams personality is a hard nosed Defence & a conservative time of possession,pound the rock type of Offence.It's a great recipe for high blood pressure as a fan but never dull.

    We are a passionate bunch here & the Titans are a great team.I'm sure you'll like both the board & the team.
     
  9. Soxcat

    Soxcat Pro Bowler

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    Hmmmm. If I remember right doesn't the TE linup as the 4th man to either side of the center right next to the OT. On running plays the guy is basically an OL guy. If your TE can sustain blocks on the OLB it can make the difference between having an average or great running game almost as much as having a real road grader OT. You might want to watch a few football games and then you will also notice that many running plays are off tackle meaning the TE is the guy blocking at the point of attack for the run. A TE who can block real well is huge especially in the red zone where you can be one good block away from scoring a TD or kicking a FG. Add in the fact that Scaife and Crumpler aren't tremendous blockers the guy was a serious need on a team that is run oriented. Now if the defense forgets about guarding the guy he can hurt the defense with his 4.6 speed and he also has shown he can run with some power after the catch.
     
  10. wplatham

    wplatham U of M Class of 2012

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    That's why we like this pick though. I would be skeptical if he was a blocking tight end with 15 career catches and a 4.8 forty time. But this guy was consistent catching the ball and he has the speed to be a threat as a receiver. And he blocks like an offensive lineman!

    Instead of resigning Hartsock to just block, we drafted a guy who can block as well as Hartsock and potentially be a good receiver too.
     
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