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TE Leonard Pope, Arizona Cardinals

HT: 6-7, WT: 250, Born: 9-9-1983, College: Georgia, Drafted: Round 3

2008 Projections

Best Case

In 2007 Leonard Pope finally showed that potential that the Cardinals had seen from his college tape at Georgia. His targets, receptions, and touchdowns improved from his rookie season and he seemed more comfortable out on the field. He developed a chemistry with Kurt Warner, and 4 of his 5 TDs were from the red zone. Ben Patrick isn't much of a threat for playing time, so once again Pope should see most all of his playing time as the starting TE. The loss of Bryant Johnson could mean additional passes his way, and more red zone targets. If Pope stays healthy, then he could further develop into the type of weapon that the Cardinals had envisioned.

Worst Case

How many passes are really available for the TE in Arizona? Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin hog a majority of the targets, and with good reason. In 2007 the dynamic duo was targeted a whopping 266 times, while the TE position was targeted a mere 37 targets combined! Bryant Johnson and his 80+ targets are gone, but the Cardinals are hoping that Steve Breaston steps up and takes a majority of those looks. If 2 TE sets are featured more in the offense, then Ben Patrick could see a slice of those passes go his direction as well. So in the end, his numbers may go up -- but will it be enough to break the top 12 TEs?

Outlook

As is often the case with tight ends, Leonard Pope developed greatly in his sophomore season. Despite playing in three fewer games, he improved across the board statistically in 2007. Pope did suffer a dislocated ankle last December, but he is expected to easily be at 100% in time for training camp. The departure of Bryant Johnson to free agency should free up more looks for the developing Pope.

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Pope caught all three balls thrown to him and he was the third or fourth option in the passing scheme.

Week 2 - Pope made the most of his limited looks, showing soft hands on a play action catch that he easily ran into the end zone.

Week 4 - Pope had only one target in the game.

Week 5 - Pope had only one catch for five yards in the game, as Arizona rarely targeted the tight ends in this game.

Week 6 - Pope had once reception for three yards from Rattay.

Week 7 - Pope turned in a solid performance, hauling in three passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. All four of Pope's targets didn't come until the fourth quarter.

Week 9 - Pope was targeted twice in the game and was responsible for one of Warner's interceptions when he didn't finish the route and allowed the Tampa bay defender to cut in front of him for the interception.

Week 10 - Pope had his best game of the year, and the best game by a Cardinals tight end in years. He caught a touchdown pass from Warner (16 yards) and a two yard touchdown pass from Tim Rattay.

Week 11 - Pope caught just one pass that really wasn't intended for him when he was the recipient of a left handed throw by Warner just as he was being brought down by a Bengals lineman. Pope caught the ball one handed and kept the drive alive.

Week 12 - Pope had two receptions for 39 yards with a long catch of 31 yards when he beat the 49ers defense up the middle.

Week 13 - Pope had a fairly quiet day, catching a laser-like touchdown pass from Kurt Warner in the first half. In the second half, Pope dropped a touchdown catch in the endzone and nearly tipped the pass into the Cleveland defender's hands. Following this play, Pope became a non-factor in the Cardinals pass offense. Even before his touchdown drop, the Cardinals did not run many designed plays to Pope, keeping him in as an extra blocker on both pass and run plays.

Week 14 - Pope had a quiet day with only four catches for 16 yards. He left the game late in the third quarter after catching his fourth pass with an ankle injury. He was carted off the field with an air cast on his right ankle.