Zach Gentry

It seems most fans are writing Gentry off as being a contributor at TE in 2020. Maybe he can work his way up to being the #2 TE next season.

 

Of course he is.

 

I don't doubt that Gentry will be better in 2020, but he had an extremely long way to go to even be a viable backup. The Steelers acknowledged that when they traded for Vannett.

 

They just need him to be a Jesse James type, just be serviceable.

 

I agree. He wasn't even close to that as a rookie.

 

I think Gentry in time will be a lot like Jesse James, which is a good thing, it is just that I'm not sure we have that long.

I'm not sure how it all shakes out contract wise with everyone on the team. But I truly believe this upcoming season is our last shot with Ben to make a SB run.

I don't see him playing until age 40, and I don't think he plays the final year on his contract.

 

I do believe he will get better. How much so remains to be seen. That said, I still believe that, in all likelihood, Pittsburgh will acquire one early.

 

Ben will make him serviceable, unless he catches like Sammy Coates.

 

Gentry and Layne are still big question marks after the 2019 season.

Both have upsides that will need to be showcased this preseason. Both have the height to stand out at their positions next season.

 

Layne does not bother me as much. His time at Michigan State in addition to his improvement on Special Teams this season signal he was on the up so to speak. Add the Offseason in which he gets to train in any way he sees fit and I do see a jump from him given his performance on Special Teams this season. Gentry is not a concern but more so a hesitation for me.


Granted, Gentry will put in the work. I just wonder as to how much he can improve for what will be expected of him this time around. Unlike Justin, Zach really does not have too much wiggle room. Time will tell for Gentry.

 

If it's up to Ben and Randy it will be WR, RB first and McDonald kept. For what Vannett will cost I'd get him back. Ben can easily make him a better jesse James. He's already better at blocking. We just need gentry and or rader to be good enough to be the number two when McDonald sits out at times.

 

If they let Vannett walk you think they draft one instead of a late fa pickup?

 

Jesse James just serviceable? Maybe i'm the only one but he would look good on the Steelers right now.

 

No. I believe we need a guy that has been proven before we add more uncertainty. Vannett isn't expensive, knows our system for the most part and knows the pro game. Gentry and Rader know our system, have been introduced to the pro game and are now refining their skills to fit it. McDonald is the clear number one but Vannett brings us close as a number two with little investment. More stability with familiarity. When Ben goes is the time to look for the new heath.

 

They dont need to draft a TE, just grab Donald Parnham as soon as the xfl season ends, this kid is 6-8 and catches balls all over the place, he had 2 TD catches saturday one for 65 yards and with his 4-6 speed outran the whole secondary, he plays for the dallas renegades, he's a young guy who is very talented....

 

Donald Parham continues to impress

The Renegades’ most talented player might be their youngest. Parham, a 22-year-old out of Stetson, had a big game for the second week in a row. The 6-8 tight end finished Saturday’s win with five catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns, including a 65-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter to make it a nine-point game.

“We have a star on our hands,” Fox color commentator Joel Klatt said after Parham’s second touchdown.

Parham has 14 receptions for 218 yards and three touchdowns through three games. It’s an impressive start.

 

Why haven't we signed this guy yet?

 

Haven't seen any XFL. Probably won't. But a 6' 8" guy who runs a 4.6 isn't built for TE in the NFL. He's got to be too light. He won't be able to drive block. Best you could hope for is him being an impedance...an obstacle to run around, if not over. And he won't be outrunning many defenders in the NFL either. Being that long, it will take a few strides to hit top speed. Sounds like he's a talented kid, but there seem to be a number of reasons he isn't on an NFL roster.

 

I honestly don't have any clue about Gentry, but trading a 5th for Vannett didn't exactly give me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

The guy took a total of 50 offensive snaps last year. That was 10 less than Grimble for pete's sake. He doesn't even play special teams taking only 2 snaps last year on ST.

 

If Ben is healthy, he's not leaving over $30 million on the table due in his last year.

 

Jesse could never hold down the #1 TE job, Detroit overpaid for him, he lost his job to a rookie there. He's a good #2 TE, so yeah he's serviceable.

 

Except Rader can't catch

 

LOL