Raising Zona
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Arizona Cardinals’ tight ends of the current regime

By Jim Koch

Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Jermaine Gresham (84) and Darren Fells (85) against the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Jermaine Gresham (84) and Darren Fells (85) against the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Since taking control of the Arizona Cardinals’ offense in 2013, head coach Bruce Arians hasn’t featured the tight end position

The tight end position has been kind of like a red-headed stepchild to the Arizona Cardinals. Given the choice, it appears that head coach Bruce Arians would rather call pass-plays for wide receivers and running backs. Tight ends aren’t completely ignored in his schemes, but they’re certainly used more for blocking than for pass-receiving.

Rob Housler had the speed and hands to change the Cards’ way-of-thinking, but he never played to his potential. Arians inherited the Florida Atlantic product when he took over the club in 2013, and did attempt to implement the former third-round pick into his game plans. As far as tight ends under Arians go, Housler put up decent numbers in ’13; 39 catches for 454 yards and the only touchdown of his career.

Arians also got Jim Dray involved to a degree in ’13. The former seventh-round pick snagged 26 passes for 215 yards and two scores. Jake Ballard contributed during Arians’ initial season also, with seven receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

The front office attempted to heighten the importance of the tight end in 2014 when they used a second-round pick on one. Except for a two-touchdown game against the Cleveland Browns in 2015, Troy Niklas hasn’t exactly worked out. A variety of injuries have been the main culprit for his lack of success but, nevertheless, management may be running out of patience with the Notre Dame product.

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John Carlson, who had a couple of good campaigns as a Seattle Seahawk, was also added in ’14. He started 12 games for Big Red, posting underwhelming statistics (33-350-1). He retired after one year in the desert due to concussion concerns.

Another tight end, Darren Fells, also came aboard that season. He tallied 40 receptions, 536 yards and four scores during his three years with Arians. He left as a free agent for the Detroit Lions this offseason.

Ifeanyi Momah arrived in 2015 and, like Niklas, has been held back by injuries. He’s been a preseason star, but has recorded just two receptions for 50 yards during regular-season action. The 6’7″, 255 pounder has been a special teams standout when healthy.

The Cardinals invested heavily this offseason in 2015 free agent pickup, Jermaine Gresham. The 29-year old was handed a four-year, $28 million deal, possibly an indication that the role of the tight end is about to increase.

While his numbers improved last season (37-391-2 after 18-273-1 in ’15), they still wouldn’t get Gresham to the Pro Bowl. But the former Cincinnati Bengal is an emotional leader, the kind of player you want on your side, not lining up against you.

So, has Arizona finally given in? Will the tight end finally be given it’s due with the squad, after years of being an afterthought? 2017 will most likely be the year that those questions are answered.

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