Sparano the ex Te coach is really finicky about the players who fill the position, toss in Dan Henning specialized in using a Te and HBack in Washington, San Diego and Atlanta and Carolina, and they have parameters they will not short change for that position as well.

Toss in:

Joey Haynos broke his foot, and I had really high expectations for him this year, and there went one role playing Te.

David Martin washed out and has not played even in Buffalo.

John Nalbone was waived outright, not signed to the practice squad, just waived.

CFLer Rolly Lumbala went back to the CFL for guaranteed employment.

And a team that normally runs 3 Te's on the roster was down to 1, Anthony Fasano.

Don't forget about Dedrick Epps on the practice sqaud.

 

I'm thinking along the lines that they're not really happy with the effort that they are getting from anyone not named Anthony Fasano. Bring in competition, and bam you instantly get more effort and production from the existing players. Not a bad move IMO. We definitely need good TE's with our offense.

 

just scouting the fringe TEs in the league. Bring em in for a week or two and cut em bring another. seein if there is anyhting interesting out there

 

I like Shuler, but as per usual, the bottom of the roster guys are Temps.

 

Why do we cry about these moves so much? Looking at how little impact Fasano gets to make, this is probably just depth.

 

could it be with john jerry possibly being out that we may need to leave a t.e in to help block?nalbone isn't the best blocking t.e and really niether is fasano.i'm sure we will see alot of this as we go through the year..picking up guys at positions that we may need better out of for a particular opponent?that and we are still searching for that #2 t.e as nalbone just isn't improving as much as we would like.

 

exactly. look for a move or two every week as we adjust to our latest injuries and next opponents. these moves aren't meant to be final pieces but rather short term adjustments

 

probably just trying to find a good TE....

 

Shuler underwhelmed me in college but he;s got a nice lineage so he's worth a look

 

Eh, we shall see, much depends on how well Shuler can block NFL players, if he is good at he sticks, if not, he will not be here for very long.

Imo Shuler is the type of player who will stick his nose in and block that is why I like him but refuse to take the puppy home..:D

 

yeah thats how i saw him in college as a blocking TE but he had a nice pro day workout

The 6-foot-4, 251-pounder ran the 40-yard dash in 4.62 seconds, which would have ranked him third among the tight ends.

He posted a 37 1/2 inch vertical leap, which would have ranked him third.

His 10-11 broad jump, 6.70 in the three-cone and 11.19 in the 60-yard shuttle would have been the top tight end showing, and his 28 bench press repetitions and 4.25 in the 20-yard shuttle would have ranked him second overall.

Shuler was an All-Academic Big Ten selection who caught 27 career passes for 300 yards and four touchdowns.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Mickey-Shuler-has-strong-Pro-Day.html

 

Exactly, he is a good prospect whom the Vikes just ran out of room to keep on the roster as long as he sticks his face mask into some defender's chest and moves him off the ball CONSISTENTLY Sparano will be happy with him.

If he is lucky, he maybe can be the #3 Te during practice and Thiggy can throw him a 3 passes or something, sort of like tossing a bone to Mongo.

 

The way Sparano does things, Mastrud will see the field this game as he has been here for over a week and should have the blocking scheme down pat.

He'll get a shot on a couple of plays, if he sucks, adios Mastrud, hello Shuler next week v the Pastriots.

Sparano just likes taller Te's who can block and run at least passable routes for first downs or TD's..that is about all they are asked to do.

 

here's the best description of him that i found that sorta correlated with my opinion of the guy

Shuler may not have posted eye-popping numbers at Penn State, but he is extremely durable and boasts a fine pedigree and intangibles. The son of Mickey Shuler Sr., a former tight end for the Nittany Lions who played 14 years in the NFL for the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles, the younger Shuler played in all 39 games for Penn State over three years after he was red-shirted. Shuler finished his college career with 27 receptions for 300 yards and four touchdowns, with two of those scores coming in his 2009 junior season - both on 1-yard goal-line patterns. His numbers likely would have been better if he didn't have to share time on offense with fellow draft prospect Andrew Quarless. He doesn't possess the natural athletic ability with which Quarless is blessed, but Shuler has a reputation as an above-average blocker and receiver, and had a strong academic record at Penn State. While he appears to lack superstar potential, Shuler is a good bet to be drafted in the sixth or seventh round by a team looking for a solid citizen.

http://stats.chron.com/nfldraft/players.asp?id=139008

add in the great pro day and there is stuff to work with. they'll probably determine how much work needs to be done with his game and if its not too much may decide to keep him around. if its alot he'll probably be let go for the next TE prospect

BTW we beat out the Giants and Colts who also put in a bid for him

 

(Once he gets up to speed) I have more faith in Shuler than Mastrud.

 

honestly i never heard of mastrud before :lol: i think padre had but not me :lol:

 

Sparano has crushes on Te's who are 6'5 or taller so simply look for the tallest Te available and he will more than likely wind up in Miami if they are a cheapy FA.

 

The more tight ends you have coming in the more loose ends you get rid of.