Keep An Eye On Brad Cottam

As mini-camp starts today, I must admit that I am most excited about TE Brad Cottam. In the NFL you cannot succeed without the opportunity to do so. Opportunity simply means playing time. With the God of Gods gone, Brad will have plenty of that. Brad has a huge hole to fill, and at 6’7, 269 pounds, I believe he can (some sources have him listed at 6’8, 271 pounds).

Listen, I know, you know, and he knows, that he will never be Tony Gonzalez. I love Tony and he will be missed by us all. Those spectacular tough catches might be few and far between from now on. 1000 yards and 10 TDs will not be replaced easily by one player. For many, many years we have been spoiled by Tony Gonzalez. However, Brad Cottam really gives the Chiefs an exciting TE option for the following reasons: first, as a rookie he received some great starting experience; second, he is a bigger target than most, if not all, tight ends in the league; and third, he is very fast for his size.

As a rookie, this third round pick played in all sixteen (16) games last year starting seven (7) of them. He spent most of the year honing his blocking skills and playing second string to Tony. He had no passing plays until week eight (8) against the Jets when Chan Gailey finally split him out like the Chiefs did with Tony. Per Cottam “splitting him out was only to last for one series but they did it on four (4) series since it worked so well”. He had four catches for thirty four (34) yards that game. Of course those aren’t Tony numbers, but those are pretty good. He averaged 9.0 yards a catch for the year. Not too bad for a rookie playing behind the greatest tight end ever to play the game. (It is also a good thing that Chan Gailey knows Cottam can “split out” and run some of the plays Tony ran last year).

Additionally, Brad Cottam is bigger than any linebacker or cornerback in the league. His size will create serious mismatches. This size disparity will allow him to outreach defenders for all footballs thrown his way. Can you imagine a six (6) foot corner (which is big by NFL standards) or a six foot two inch (6’2) LB on him? That’s a five (5) to seven (7) inch height difference, and at 269 pounds he will be able to “post up” like Tony used to. (Brad Cottam will make an excellent red zone threat with Bowe probably receiving double coverage).

Best of all, Brad is also very fast for his size. He can run a 4.65 forty (per rivals.com). That is faster than some linebackers in the league. We all know that Tony was and is the greatest tight end to play the game, but he was never a burner. I expect Brad’s yards after the catch to be some of the best in the league for TEs.

What is Brad’s only negative? He has battled the injury bug. During his career, he has had five surgeries, including one upon his wrist in 2007, and another injury as a result of a car accident. If Brad can escape the bug, I predict that he will have forty five (45) catches, five hundred yards (500) receiving and six (6) touchdowns in 2009, only to do better in 2010. Is that reasonable? What say you?