[FarmBoy]

For those who follow Stanford NFL East (aka, the Colts), you'll know that the Indy fans are always ready to throw a log on the Fleener Hate fire. It seems that nothing less than Rob Gronkowski would be suitable at tight end. However, his stats are quite good and it was nice to see the Indy SN blogger defend him earlier this week:

Fleener played in all sixteen games, catching 51 passes (third on the team) for 774 yards (third on the team) for 8 touchdowns (tied for first on the team) while averaging 15.2 yards per reception (second on the team).  He'll likely finish in the top ten in the league among tight ends in terms of receiving yards, touchdowns, and yards per catch and in the top fifteen in the NFL among tight ends in receptions.  A top-ten receiving tight end?  Coby Fleener?  Statistically, he has been this year.

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2014/12/28/7...-the-colts

However, I hadn't realized that the Fleener hate was more generally known, until I saw this from TMQB:

The Football Gods Chortled, Indeed: Indianapolis at Tennessee scoreless, the Colts had first-and-goal on the Flaming Thumbtacks' 7. Coby Fleener lined up as an inline tight end on the right. As Andrew Luck play-faked, Fleener pretended to block, then paused for a beat, then ran into the left flat uncovered for an easy touchdown. Fleener never blocks -- how could Tennessee fall for a fake block by a guy who never blocks?

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=...sPrint=off

I suspect that NFL GMs will judge Fleener a little more kindly when evaluating what his next contract is worth. He may drop a few balls here and there, but the guy has WR speed in a TE body and his blocking is better than most "fans" will allow.

[FarmBoy]

For those who follow Stanford NFL East (aka, the Colts), you'll know that the Indy fans are always ready to throw a log on the Fleener Hate fire. It seems that nothing less than Rob Gronkowski would be suitable at tight end. However, his stats are quite good and it was nice to see the Indy SN blogger defend him earlier this week:

Fleener played in all sixteen games, catching 51 passes (third on the team) for 774 yards (third on the team) for 8 touchdowns (tied for first on the team) while averaging 15.2 yards per reception (second on the team).  He'll likely finish in the top ten in the league among tight ends in terms of receiving yards, touchdowns, and yards per catch and in the top fifteen in the NFL among tight ends in receptions.  A top-ten receiving tight end?  Coby Fleener?  Statistically, he has been this year.

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2014/12/28/7...-the-colts

However, I hadn't realized that the Fleener hate was more generally known, until I saw this from TMQB:

The Football Gods Chortled, Indeed: Indianapolis at Tennessee scoreless, the Colts had first-and-goal on the Flaming Thumbtacks' 7. Coby Fleener lined up as an inline tight end on the right. As Andrew Luck play-faked, Fleener pretended to block, then paused for a beat, then ran into the left flat uncovered for an easy touchdown. Fleener never blocks -- how could Tennessee fall for a fake block by a guy who never blocks?

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=...sPrint=off

I suspect that NFL GMs will judge Fleener a little more kindly when evaluating what his next contract is worth. He may drop a few balls here and there, but the guy has WR speed in a TE body and his blocking is better than most "fans" will allow.

[fullmetal]

Fleener never blocks because if the Colts needed a blocking TE, they'd send in Dwayne Allen.  Well, maybe.  As long as Fleener doesn't keep the stonehands act, he'll be great.

[fullmetal]

Fleener never blocks because if the Colts needed a blocking TE, they'd send in Dwayne Allen.  Well, maybe.  As long as Fleener doesn't keep the stonehands act, he'll be great.

[StanFan88]

Thankfully TMQB is not the Colts' GM.  You don't let a top ten receiving TE walk away and get nothing in return.

Gronk's numbers are better in part because the Patriots WRs are not that good.  If you put Gronk in place of Fleener the numbers might be a little better (10-15 more catches and another 100-200 yards) but he wouldn't be a 100 catch/1,000 yard receiver on the Colts.

[StanFan88]

Thankfully TMQB is not the Colts' GM.  You don't let a top ten receiving TE walk away and get nothing in return.

Gronk's numbers are better in part because the Patriots WRs are not that good.  If you put Gronk in place of Fleener the numbers might be a little better (10-15 more catches and another 100-200 yards) but he wouldn't be a 100 catch/1,000 yard receiver on the Colts.

[dabomb1227]

Thankfully TMQB is not the Colts' GM.  You don't let a top ten receiving TE walk away and get nothing in return.

Gronk's numbers are better in part because the Patriots WRs are not that good.  If you put Gronk in place of Fleener the numbers might be a little better (10-15 more catches and another 100-200 yards) but he wouldn't be a 100 catch/1,000 yard receiver on the Colts.

I think this underrates how good of a receiving TE Rob Gronkowski is.  His numbers would be significantly better in the Colts offense then Fleener's and Fleener's numbers in NE's offense would be much worse. 

The Patriots WR argument is a double edged sword since teams can double team Gronk, while Fleener is often matched-up with either a LB who is too slow for him or a CB who is too small for him and he is never double teamed.

Fleener has flaws as an all-around TE.  People who criticize him might be looking for a Gronk or Jason Witten type of all-around TE.  That is just not Coby's game.  He is more in the mold of Jimmy Graham as a receiving threat with limited blocking ability.

[dabomb1227]

Thankfully TMQB is not the Colts' GM.  You don't let a top ten receiving TE walk away and get nothing in return.

Gronk's numbers are better in part because the Patriots WRs are not that good.  If you put Gronk in place of Fleener the numbers might be a little better (10-15 more catches and another 100-200 yards) but he wouldn't be a 100 catch/1,000 yard receiver on the Colts.

I think this underrates how good of a receiving TE Rob Gronkowski is.  His numbers would be significantly better in the Colts offense then Fleener's and Fleener's numbers in NE's offense would be much worse. 

The Patriots WR argument is a double edged sword since teams can double team Gronk, while Fleener is often matched-up with either a LB who is too slow for him or a CB who is too small for him and he is never double teamed.

Fleener has flaws as an all-around TE.  People who criticize him might be looking for a Gronk or Jason Witten type of all-around TE.  That is just not Coby's game.  He is more in the mold of Jimmy Graham as a receiving threat with limited blocking ability.

[StanFan88]

Fleener has flaws as an all-around TE.  People who criticize him might be looking for a Gronk or Jason Witten type of all-around TE.  That is just not Coby's game.  He is more in the mold of Jimmy Graham as a receiving threat with limited blocking ability.

Agree 100%.  My comments were limited to Fleener as a receiving TE.  No question overall as a TE he does not compare to Gronk.

As for Gronk being doubled, most times I saw him make a great play it was in single coverage.  Teams can afford to double Gronk with some frequency because the Patriots WRs are not that good.

[StanFan88]

Fleener has flaws as an all-around TE.  People who criticize him might be looking for a Gronk or Jason Witten type of all-around TE.  That is just not Coby's game.  He is more in the mold of Jimmy Graham as a receiving threat with limited blocking ability.

Agree 100%.  My comments were limited to Fleener as a receiving TE.  No question overall as a TE he does not compare to Gronk.

As for Gronk being doubled, most times I saw him make a great play it was in single coverage.  Teams can afford to double Gronk with some frequency because the Patriots WRs are not that good.