L.J. May Not Be Perfect, But at Least He Doesn't Wear Hot Pants

Despite decent numbers, L.J. Smith is often considered to be an underperformer, and now that he has to recover from sports hernia surgery in a contract year, there are those among us who would like to see the Eagles explore other options at tight end. L.J. is easily above average at his position, but the expectations for his production have always been high, and the TE's role in the West Coast Offense is key. Just for fun and the sake of comparison, let's look at L.J. in the context of his NFC East counterparts.

We may want tragedy to befall him, but Jeremy Shockey is the best TE in the division, and he probably ranks third overall in the NFL, first in the NFC. Dallas Pro Bowler Jason Witten only scored once all last year, so points-production-wise, L.J. had him beat. Then there's Chris Cooley. Nickname "Johnny White Guy." He's shown a lot of promise and is poised to have a breakout season if Jason Campbell doesn't ruin it for him (likely). But recent photos out of DC have Cooley looking more like a Hooters girl than Pro Bowler, inviting the inevitable "tight end" jokes to fly again. We all know the Redskins fans like to cross-dress, but their players do too? At least he cut his hair.

If given your choice, which NFC East TE would you most like the Birds to have? The numbers.

>>Chris Cooley Continues to Wear Hotpants [Mr. Irrelevant]

Comments

[Juanos]

Look, the last thing I ever want to do is defend a Cowboy, but as a former practitioner of the position at the collegiate level and a keen observer of TE's in the NFL, I must.

Jason Witten, that is 3-time Pro Bowler Jason Witten, is the worst TE in the division? Come on now, thats just absurd.

If all tight ends were on the open market right now, only Gates, Vernon Davis, and maybe Winslow Jr. would fetch a higher price.

[McTumms]

"Look at all them hot pants."

[Matt P]

That's a great point, as usual, Juanos. Where'd you play college ball?

You're probably right that the initial wording was too harsh. Still, 1 TD last year? What happened? He had a good yardage total, as usual, but I still like Shock and Cooley better going forward. L.J. ... I'm afraid to say is probably the worst of the bunch. How do you rank Witten in the context of the division? And, does he wear hot pants?

[Andy]

I agree with Juanos to a degree...

The division breaks down like this...

1) Shockey
2) Witten
3) Cooley
4) Smith

To me, Gates, Davis, and Shockey would all be more valuable in an open market. And I think Heap would pique more interest to many teams around the league despite the fact he's two years older.

As for Witten...it's easy, TO happened. Owens came to town and Romo looked for him first, especially in the red zone. That and somehow Fairy Glenn hasn't quite had his football death yet.

[Andy]

Oh...and Cooley is...umm...well...you know.

http://www.thehogs.net/forum/images4board/camp/IMG_0566.jpg

That's last preseason.

[Juanos]

Matt P, I played ball for Mount San Antonio College (a JC) for two years and then transferred to UC Davis, a 1AA school to finish up. Not big time, but free schooling nonetheless.

Andy has the Witten thing down. T Eldorado O in the red zone caused his numbers to go down. Also, unlike most young QBs, when a play is broken Romo looks to go deep rather than check down to the TE who is normally the safest outlet. Witten's a big ole country boy, hot pants are unlikely in his case.

I see Whitten and Shockey dead even. Witten's better in some areas, and Shockey's better in others. Cooley's more versatile than LJ, making our guy fourth.

That leads us to the questions that the FO are asking themselves: What the hell do we do with LJ? Pay him or let him test the market, and watch him fulfill his undoubted potential somewhere else? The safe money is on LJ walking next March, and getting grossly overpaid somewhere else.

[Matt P]

That's awesome J, I have some friends at UCD and they love it.

My guess is they let L.J. walk given what he's going to want in FA $. Hopefully he puts together a solid contract year for us on his way out.

[McTumms]

They're going to franchise him--the number $4.5 comes to mind, which I think they'd eat for one year. Then, if they can draft a kid they like, they'll remove the tag. Also, I read somewhere that the team's increased emphasis on the running game, which we all believe when we see it, may call for less of a stretch-the-field TE and more of a blocker. Who knows? Another consideration: passing on Olsen (overrated though he is) could come back to bite them on the ass, and in the context of this post, I don't think any of us wants to see that happen, for a variety of reasons.

[Kulp]

I'm not sure I really see the issue with L.J. Smith. He hasn't put up monster numbers and there are a few plays he's left on the field, but I'm not really sure in what ways he has underperformed.

110 catches, 1,300 yards and 8 TD over two seasons isn't bad at all, especially in an offense that spreads it around and throws as many passes to backs as we do. And his blocking has improved dramatically over the past two seasons.

Witten is one of the best in the league, and Shockey is a freak athlete, but I wouldn't be so fast to run our guy out of town. I don't really believe there are too many tight ends out there that would put up much better numbers in this offense.

[Joe Manning]

I think L.J. is looked at as an "underperformer" not because of numbers so much - but because of his inability to come through in the clutch.

It always seems like he drops a pass at a critical moment, or runs 25 yards down the field, only to fumble the ball as he does a backflip after getting hit.

I don't mind L.J., but I am still scared to death anytime he gets the ball. Also, I don't think he's much of a blocker.

I miss Chad Lewis.

[Chris the Philly Phan]

hate to admit it but whiten is a great TE. you forgot a key name juantos, TONY GONZALEZ. that guy is wicked.

that picture of cooley is flat out gross.

[Chris the Philly Phan]

my apologies, it's juanos, not juantos.

[Andy]

Tony G is way over the hill. He doesn't tend to show up until week 9. I think on the open market, Witten would cause much more interest than Gonzalez.

I'm not saying he's bad...he's still a top 10 TE, but he no longer is the force he was and he's got nowhere to go but down.