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TE Options Bleak For Saints If They Can’t Sign Jermaine Gresham

By Gene Higginbotham

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The saying goes that “no news is good news” which rings true regarding the New Orleans Saints and free agent tight end Jermaine Gresham.

Since Gresham visited New Orleans not that long ago, very little was heard about how close the team was to signing him until early Sunday morning.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter the Saints did offer Gresham a contract but is also scheduled to visit several other teams starting with the Arizona Cardinals this week — so much for the good news.

The Saints are low on funds with reportedly a little close to $3 million left to spare on their salary cap and the Cardinals at close to $7 million.

If it’s money that Gresham is after then the Saints would lose out to the Cardinals in that area and most likely to the “other teams” that will visit with him.

Nov 30, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham (84) points against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

With Gresham off the table the Saints would be in a crunch to find a tight end to sign before training camp mainly because he is the last viable option they would have as a starter or at least a significant contributor on offense.

With Benjamin Watson and Josh Hill penciled in as the current #1 and # 2 tight ends respectively, that leaves Orson Charles and undrafted rookie Jack Tabb battling for the #3 spot…start biting your nails now Saints fans.

There are some options left in free agency beyond Gresham but it’ll be like going through a bin at the local thrift shop for some hand-me-downs.

No…I’m being serious..like literally “Island of Misfit Toys” type of options.

Zach Miller

Dec 2, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller (86) is pursued by New Orleans Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis (28) on a 48-yard reception in the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Miller has been discussed in a few articles by me and in the beginning I thought he might get signed before Gresham.

But apparently the ankle injury that lead to his release from the Seattle Seahawks in March due to a failed physical is a bit more serious than first thought.

The 6-4, 255 pound Miller is a huge blocker and has 328 receptions for 3,804 yards and 20 touchdowns since 2007.

Miller only played in three games last year before being placed on injured reserve due to his injury so how much “football shape” he’s in is unclear.

But with zero buzz that he’s received since free agency began might tell the story of how his recovery is going.

Chase Coffman

Oct 12, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Chase Coffman (86) catches a pass during warm ups prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Hey you remember Chase Coffman right?

No?!?

Well you’re not alone in that area due to the disappointing career that the former 2009 third round pick for the Cincinnati Bengals has been.

Coffman was featured in HBO’s “Hard Knocks” series that year and to say that he had little to say is an understatement.

Bengals tight end’s coach Jonathan Hayes, who played with Coffman’s father Paul in the NFL, could barely get a rise out of him other than the occasional “Yep” or “Mmhmm” during positional meetings.

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Coffman’s career has been just as exciting with him bouncing off practice squads and rosters of the Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, and Tennessee Titans.

His best year, and that’s a stretch, was in 2014 with the Titans where he was active for 13 games and caught 6 passes for 64 yards and 1 touchdown, which is the only touchdown of his career by the way.

The Saints did give Coffman a tryout during rookie mini-camp but even he couldn’t beat out undrafted rookie Harold Spears who the team eventually released..not promising.

Fred Davis

September 29, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis (83) stands on the sideline before the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. The Redskins defeated the Raiders 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The former 2008 second round pick of the Washington Redskins has really had ups and downs in his career.

He caught traction his sophomore season with 48 receptions for 509 yards and 6 touchdowns but has slipped since then.

Davis’ production dipped some in 2010(21 receptions/316 yards/3 touchdowns) before he came back to form in 2011 with 59 receptions for 796 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Most likely 2011 could have been even better had he not been suspended for four games due to failing a drug test rumored to be because of marijuana.

Davis would be suspended for the entire 2014 season due to violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy which, per CBSSports.com, was again rumored to be marijuana although Davis contends it was a supplement that contained a banned substance.

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After being reinstated by the NFL for 2015 Davis was signed by the New England Patriots in May but was released on June 19th due to his slow progress as well as their depth at the position.

The one positive in Davis’ favor is that if the Patriots took a chance on him then it should be safe for the Saints to as well IF he would even be on their radar.

And the list goes on and on and on for potential one-year deal tight ends that would simply fill a roster spot or be a camp body at the position.

But the Saints need more than that, so landing Gresham is pretty crucial right now considering the options that are left.

In truth the only real option is for general manager Mickey Loomis to make a hard push to land the former Bengal — before someone else does…..

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