Klopfenstein

[r8rh8rmike]

I'm at a loss why this kid is not getting utilized more. He's athletic, has great hands and has proven he can make the big catch when given the chance.

So far he's only averaging 1.1 catches a game, but what he's done with those 1.1 catches is impressive. He's averaging 15.1 yards per reception with 3 going for 20+, has a TD and 5 of his 8 total grabs have resulted in a first down.

I know protecting Bulger is paramount, but Klopf's talents are being wasted IMO.

[rampete]

i think, as bulger becomes more confident in klops, balls will start to come more often towards him in the future...with holt, bruce and jackson as his 1st, 2nd and 3rd options most often, it's no wonder klops is left out on most pass plays, unless it's designed specifically to free up the TE...speaking of which, only linehan knows why he hasn't focused more pass offense around klops talents...maybe linehan wants klops to earn his stripes as a blocker first...

[laram0]

Protecting Bulger so that he can find Holt,Bruuuuce, Curtis and Jackson out the backfield seems alot more important at this point.:r

[r8rh8rmike]

As I stated earlier, protecting Bugler is first and formost, but I just see Klopf having immense value as a go to guy when things break down, as an option in critical third down situations, as a big target in the red zone and as a weapon that would give opposing defenses one more thing to worry about.

IMO, an effective TE in the mix only adds to the potency of an offense and compliments the other skill positions.

[Fat Pang]

I'd like to see Klopfenstein get the ball more often to free things up elsewhere on the pitch by mkaing teams respect the middle of the field a bit more.

As a sidenote however, occasionally a high average per catch is a by-product of not getting thrown to very often.

[r8rh8rmike]

Originally Posted by Fat Pang

As a sidenote however, occasionally a high average per catch is a by-product of not getting thrown to very often.

Very fair point Pang, but I'm more impressed with the fact that of his 8 total receptions, 5 have gone for first downs. That tells me he has the makings of a go to guy in the clutch.

I also see the damage that athletic pass catching TE's can do in the league and I wonder about the possibilities with Klopf, especially considering what he has accomplished with his limited opportunities.

[bigredman]

I'm so so with this guy. I agree somewhat with what you say on his up side, but on the down side, he gets tackled easily, and my impression is that he gets manhandled (when tackled, he comes out the guy who felt the pain more than the defender). At best, he's average and below as compared to other TE's in league.

[ramsanddodgers]

I still, in my mind's eye, see Kolp standing there looking at the fumble recovery and NOT touching down the player...

RnD

GO RAMS!!

[r8rh8rmike]

Originally Posted by bigredman

my impression is that he gets manhandled (when tackled, he comes out the guy who felt the pain more than the defender).

He may feel the pain, but he always jumps right up and more importantly, he holds on to the ball, another thing go-to-guys do.

[bigredman]

Originally Posted by r8rh8rmike

He may feel the pain, but he always jumps right up and more importantly, he holds on to the ball, another thing go-to-guys do.

I don't know. I've seen quite a few incidents where he got up slowly, but jogged precariously off the field instead of returning to the huddle.

[r8rh8rmike]

Originally Posted by bigredman

I don't know. I've seen quite a few incidents where he got up slowly, but jogged precariously off the field instead of returning to the huddle.

I don't know either. My impression has been the guy can take a hit.

[Nick]

Originally Posted by bigredman

At best, he's average and below as compared to other TE's in league.

Maybe as of right now, but potentially Klopfenstein has everything you look for in a highly productive tight end. He's a rookie who has played in seven games and has been used minimally. He's got a ways to develop but has already shown the ability to be a weapon and should only get better.

[ramsplaya16]

Nick is right.... Klop has a lot of potential, you just have to give him time, IMO he could be like a todd heap or as good as ANY tight end in the league, he has great hands, he is pretty quick for a tight end, he can run routes, he holds on to the ball, he just needs to block a little bit better. And BRM don't forget that taking hits in the NFL is a lot harder than taking a hit in college, they hit much harder in the nfl than in college and since klop is only a rookie you have to give him more time to ajust to hits like that.

[RamOfDenmark]

I agree that Klopfenstein has done very well with the limited opportunitites he has had to make catches. We should try to use him more, especially in situations where we can use his size to get favorable matchups. He's one of the only really big targets we have in the passing game (well we have Steven Jackson too of course).

[viper]

The Klopmeister has not dissapointed at all. He has come thru with some tough and much needed receptions. As mentioned previously, only Linehan knows why he hasn't been involved more often. But, when we do finally get to utilize him fully, he will be a force in the passing game to be reconned with. As defenders concentrate on Holt, Bruce, Jackson and Curtis, that will only free the big Klopmeister up to make the big catches to move the chains, open up the middle and get the TD's that we need to propel us forward. I'm thinking this is a huge weapon that so far has been under utilized. Now, he is a rookie that needs to gain game experience, and that may be one reason that he hasn't been utilized more often,. But, we all know that Linehan is big on adding the TE position to the mix. So, I have to believe that its only a matter of time before he becomes a mainstay in our offense. At least I hope thats the case.

Go Rams!!! :l