Faceoff - TE Alge Crumpler, Tennessee Titans

Posted 7/7, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Upside - by Mark Wimer

The Falcon's offense imploded during 2007 in the wake of the Michael Vick scandal and due to the inept coaching of Bobby Petrino, who eventually tucked tail and ran back to the college ranks. Alge Crumpler suffered from both the chaos at the QB position (3 different players took snaps for the Falcons last year) and from injuries (he had a nagging left knee problem and a tweaked ankle that dogged him for much of 2007). However, entering 2008 he is reportedly both healthy and happy to be in a more stable environment with the Tennessee Titans, as well has in good shape entering training camp - Crumpler has reportedly lost 15 pounds and feels "fresh" after a surgery-free offseason.

Given the dearth of talented wide receivers on the Titans' squad, a situation similar to what went on in Atlanta during the 2004-2006 seasons when Crumpler led the Falcons in receiving each year, Crumpler is once again posed to be the favorite target of a mobile young QB. This time, it is Vince Young who will benefit from working with Crumpler. During his heyday in Atlanta ('04-'06), Crumpler routinely gained 774 or more passing yards, with between 5 and 8 pass TDs to his credit, and he never finished lower than 5th among fantasy TEs in those years, with a high-water mark of fantasy TE #2 at the end of 2006. He should be able to bounce back to those levels in Tennessee without any difficulty.

Crumpler is one of the premier pass-catching TEs in the NFL, he has proven his abilities over multiple seasons, and looks like a lock to land among the top 10 fantasy TEs again this year. If he establishes a good rapport with Vince Young early in the year, there is no reason why he couldn't land among the top 5 TEs by year's end. In short, Crumpler is a very safe pick for TE 1 on your fantasy squad, and has a ton of upside potential given where he is currently being drafted (as of mid-June, his average draft position was TE #13). I plan to roster him in TE-required leagues with regularity this year.

Downside - by Andy Hicks

The Alge Crumpler story is one that's all too familiar. Long time club stalwart gets injured then performs disappointingly in the twilight of his career and is no longer wanted. New club believes it can get something out of the veteran, but the player disappoints and is soon out of the NFL. I'm fast forwarding to 2009, but I can only see lamentations for those expecting Crumpler to return to his former fantasy glory.

Let's examine the reasons I have for being pessimistic about Crumpler's prospects for 2008.

Alge Crumpler will be 31 by the conclusion of the 2008 season. If 30 is ancient for a Running Back in the NFL, it isn't much better for a pass receiving tight end. Marcus Pollard and Tony Gonzalez are the only 2 to reach the Top 12 in the last 5 years at the age of 31. Pollard and Gonzalez were established franchise players, Crumpler moves to an offense that is bottom 5 in most passing categories and is coming off an injury plagued campaign himself. Is Crumpler capable of fighting through injuries at his age? Ankle and Knee injuries for an older player are sometimes hard to get rid of.

The Titans just love those tight ends don't they! Well do they?

• In 2007 the 4 Titan tight ends combined for 1 touchdown and recorded 64 receptions for just over 600 yards.
• In 2006 there were a measly 48 receptions for the tight ends and less than 600 yards, with 4 touchdowns.
• 2005 is where people get all giddy about the Titan tight ends. They combined for 147 receptions, almost 1350 yards and for 8 touchdowns. 2005 also has nothing to do with the current quarterback or offensive coordinator.

Outside of 2005 the Titan tight ends have done very little since Frank Wycheck was around. By the way how old was Wycheck when he stopped being fantasy football relevant? You guessed it - 31.

There is an argument that the return of Mike Heimerdinger will restore tight end production. The 2005 season had nothing to do with Heimerdinger; he was with the Jets for that year. The declining Wycheck and the other tight ends from 2002 to 2004 did little and under Heimerdinger in 2000 & 2001, Wycheck was continuing his stellar work from the previous 4 seasons.

As for the argument that Vince Young will use them, well that's just laughable. Bo Scaife has ranked 17th and 25th and no other Titan tight end has been anywhere near fantasy radars since Young became starter. Scaife is still around and Crumpler won't have a mortgage on production from the position. It's probably irrelevant anyway, because until Vince Young demonstrates some kind of rapport with any receiver, you cannot consider Crumpler in any way, shape or form. Tennessee also has about seven wide receivers that are eager to display their wares and there simply aren't enough balls, especially with Vince Young throwing it, for someone to become a productive fantasy option.