[DC 86]

Anyone have insight into what's going on with Fleener in NO? Today he had 1 catch on 1 target for -1 yards. Apparently he only had 20 snaps last week. There were expectations that he would fit in well with a Drew Brees quarterbacked offense.

Fleener had a disappointing season last year relative to expectations and actually seems to be be behind Hoomanawanui and Hill on the depth chart at this point.

I think the main issue is that New Orleans is determined to be a more balanced football team and indeed they are running the ball more and running it more effectively this year (in part because they are playing with the lead more often this year), so Hoomanawanui (an exceptional blocker) has become the primary TE. It does seem that Fleener has lost Payton's confidence, but I think it's related to his blocking rather than anything else. Fleecer can be a very effective flex tight end and it was expected that he would fill Graham's role but the NO offense has evolved in a different direction.

[DC 86]

Anyone have insight into what's going on with Fleener in NO? Today he had 1 catch on 1 target for -1 yards. Apparently he only had 20 snaps last week. There were expectations that he would fit in well with a Drew Brees quarterbacked offense.

Fleener had a disappointing season last year relative to expectations and actually seems to be be behind Hoomanawanui and Hill on the depth chart at this point.

I think the main issue is that New Orleans is determined to be a more balanced football team and indeed they are running the ball more and running it more effectively this year (in part because they are playing with the lead more often this year), so Hoomanawanui (an exceptional blocker) has become the primary TE. It does seem that Fleener has lost Payton's confidence, but I think it's related to his blocking rather than anything else. Fleecer can be a very effective flex tight end and it was expected that he would fill Graham's role but the NO offense has evolved in a different direction.