Positional Reviews: Tight End ... Where, Mostly, We Pass Judgment On Kevin Boss

the kind of TE who are always the receiving end of lots of hard hits, like Todd Heap (and for no good explanation!) But I like him. I also think he would not command as much attention as Giant fans seem to think on the market. So let us just hope we can bring him back for a reasonable price.

When Reese sent Shockey packing we supposedly had this great TE in Boss to replace him. I’m sorry I just haven’t seen it. Boss has overall been below average. At his best he was still barely average. I think Boss is given a lot of slack under the circumstances that he came to hold the position (to question Boss would be to question Reese dealing Shockey). At this point I think you have to look elsewhere for a TE. Boss doesn’t have the ability from an athletic or route running standpoint to consistently get open. Add the drops and he really isn’t a dependable piece to keep the offense moving or a big play threat. He is at best a #2 TE, but he lacks the blocking abilities to actually do that job well and would cost too much probably for that role. I think it is time to wish Boss well wherever he goes because he is a good guy, but we need a good TE.

He can’t block, so he can’t play from the line which makes him useless as a TE. He is just a big slow receiver. Sure he could be a good matchup on a LB, but when you always split him out wide the other team just matches him up with a DB. Beckum doesn’t have the speed, quickness, or route running ability to get open against a DB. That makes him pretty much useless all around.

Would last a little longer without some of those way too high “buddy” passes thrown his way.

Good solid player. I think the G-men should keep him since there are more pressing needs to use draft picks and free agent money on.

Beckum was picked as a luxury. The QB and the OL make 6 bodies on the field. Who are your other 5? Usually two WRs-Nicks and Smith-one RB-and one TE. That leaves one spot open. Do you go FB? 2nd TE? 3rd WR? 2nd RBOr an H-back? That means Gilbride has to choose between putting Manningham, Pascoe, etc…out there or Beckum.

Beckum is a role player and a good one. He is not a starting TE, nor was he intended to be one.

I thoguht he looked skittish this year going over the middle, and all the drops are what stands out in my mind.

I’m indifferent if he stays, but worry about him making the big catch anymore.

Any stat out there, how many of his drops turned into tipped Interceptions? That I would be curious to see.

While Boss was not up to par, he is entitled to one off year. Cannot make a definite decision until we see what he is to be paid and what else is available.

Let’s keep in mind, Beckum is like a grandma when it comes to blocking. Still say a wasted roster space the way we use him.

Also depends on what happens at FB. If we get a good FB and can move the Bear back, more chance to let Boss loose. If not and we need Bear at FB, we have to keep Boss since we have no depth.

But not a top echelon TE. A truly great TE would have made a huge difference when Smith went down. I would be sorry to see Boss on the team next year, but I’ll bet they could do better.

I too noticed Beckam open a lot, but Eli choosing to go to other receivers. He’s got good hands. But again, if he had great potential in the slot, the opportunity was right there when SS went down. Hagans basically beat out Beckam for that role. It’s hard to call him a bust, because he’s caught every ball that’s come to him, but I don’t see where he fits. Not strong enough to play TE, evidently not fast enough to play WR.

Pascoe is a good utility player. I think we’re more likely to see him on the roster than Boss next year, still in the #2 role.

Bad year
Hearing footsteps?
Too many concussions?
Would keep him
Depending on $

not falling on the fumble in the packer game also was a horrible mistake by mister boss. his production was not good, tight ends cannot drop passes. when you are not a home run threat you must catch balls that hit your hands.

he is far from elite and the clock is ticking.

We need to look for an up and coming replacement -

we should be a back up. We will go after Zach Miller(Raiders) if he isn’t franchised. If he is… then he draft a TE who can play now.

Everyone who is a dog person has had that one dog that was perfect, that not other dog will ever be able to live up to, no matter how great a dog it is. We had Mark Bavarro, IMHO one of the two best tight ends ever to play (with Gonzalez), and the most complete TE I’ve ever seen, if only for a few years. So no tight end will ever be quite able to measure up to him. We also had Shockey, who, despite being a jerk, was a force and a complete TE. These are tough acts to follow, and in my opinion Boss does not. I think he is good enough if we are not going to feature the TE in our offense, but if we do utilize the position more in the future we will need to upgrade. It just doesn’t seem like a good year to do it through the draft. Or, rather not to put a high pick on it and just hope we get lucky with a mid round pick. I like Boss, just don’t see him contributing much more than he does, even if the position does get more plays called for it.

An upgrade is needed! Boss is serviceable at best. Beckum is a bigger version of Sinorice Moss. It would help immeasureably to have an Impact player at this position. Ernie pulled the trigger one year early with Shockey, when the following year Dallas plucked Witten. We also could’ve kept Shiancoe, who is better than Boss.

Ed I think you’re being a little harsh on Travis Beckum and was as Giants fans do.

he had 13 catches which is’nt a ton, but what #2 TE’s had more then Beckum?

Not many.

Martellus Bennet

the two backup tight ends in New Orleans (they caught over 60 balls combined), Jeff King, Andrew Quarless, and Fred Davis of the Redskins are about all.

I’m curious how many targets Beckum had and how many catches he had. Do you have those numbers Ed

I know Beckum has been dissapointing for expecdtations, but I also remember that he had at least three or four big catches this year that were overturned by penalties.

Zach Miller.

had only 35 catches this year, but averaged 15.2 Y/C, better than Nicks and second only to Manningham. Had at least 8 catches over 20 yards. My read is that he is not quick enough or fast enough to get separation over the middle – he’s not that hard to cover – but he runs good routes and he understands the route options well enough that he will sometimes pop open behind the defenders if they make a mistake.
We can never be sure how badly he was affected by the hip or the concussions, but I think between 2009 and 2010 we have seen what he can and can’t do. To a defensive coordinator, he will never be more than an after thought. I hope the Giants have the opportunity to draft a top-flight tight end in 2011 and the initiative to do it.

Beckum is too small to play TE.

but I wouldn’t give him big or guaranteed money, and I’d still be looking to upgrade. I wouldn’t cry if he were traded as part of an upgrade package either at tight end or elsewhere either, as he has some value, and more to a team that actually views the TE as a passing option rather than an afterthought.

Boss is a serviceable tight end and I think his injuries partially contributed to the drop in performance this year. I would not break the bank for him but I also don’t think it is fare to compare him to Shockey. Shockey was a real talent coming out of college with size, speed and great hands. Too bad he was a knucklehead as he would have been a great safety valve for Eli.

No one will ever mistake Boss for Shockey or Tony Gonzales. If he is looking for reasonable dollars, I’d resign him. Now that Killbride is not going anywhere, at least Boss knows the offense.

With regards to Beckham, I don’t think Killbride knows how to use him. That being said, I would look for an upgrade who is more similar to Boss in size and is a capable blocker.

who seems to communicate well with Eli. Blame down season on injuries.

I think the Giants have to bring Boss back. But, will he sign the base dollars plus incentives contract or would he take his chances on the open market? The Giants do not have the current depth to just let him walk. I say, offer a competitive contract to Boss, let Travis Beckum go and also re-sign Bear Pascoe. Then, the Giants can look again to acquire some depth and maybe a future starter in the Draft. If Boss walks, then the Giants do not have a proven NFL starting caliber TE for 2011. Even if they take a TE early in the draft, will that player be ready to start? Do you feel comfortable having Beckum or Pascoe as the Starting TE for the Giants?