Chiefs TE Brad Cottam All of a Sudden Relevant

by Joel Thorman on Dec 21, 2009 1:52 PM CST in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

When the Kansas City Chiefs spent a third round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft on a tight end of Tennessee, there was some excitement. He wasn't intended to be Tony Gonzalez's eventual replacement but those questions and comparisons (or lack thereof) surfaced before he even began his rookie season.

A seven catch rookie year ended many of those questions and I think there were a lot of us that began to write off Cottam's future with the Chiefs.

Now, Cottam has, for the first time in his career, caught a pass in three consecutive games including a career high 62 yards on four catches against the Cleveland Browns yesterday. His eight catches over the last three games are more than he caught his entire rookie campaign.

"It feels good because you go out there and practice and work on things all week. Then, when things work, you get to get the ball a little bit, it feels good."

Cottam recognized the fact that career highs don't really matter if you don't win the game (just ask Jamaal Charles). However, it's an encouraging development in an otherwise obscure season for Chiefs tight ends.

He also said the Chiefs were doing a little more motion and a hurry up offense to keep the defense off balance. With his career high in catches, he was obviously one of the beneficiaries of the offensive moves.

"The whole game, we’re talking to each other, telling them what we’re seeing, they might have two safeties or just one, and what we think we can do. We try to keep it within the offensive plan for the week, but we’re talking the whole time and trying to see what we can exploit on the defense."

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Glad to see him

Looks like he has more confidence in where he is going now. Saw him use his hands to catch the ball compared to previous years where he would try using his body. He stays on his feet and has average if not above average speed for a TE. I believe he is definitely better than Pope, Ryan. If he turns into half the player Gonzales became, I would be happy

by WannabeChief_83 on Dec 21, 2009 2:01 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Blocking and Greshem

I thought we always knew he was quick and had good hands…. but can he block all the time? I hear a lot of good things about that injuried TE from Oklahoma, Greshem. I think he would be the best solution to the situation at the TE position. What do you think? Use the Tony trade for him…. so it’s like we traded Tony for a year of no TEs then we get the #1 TE out of college. Not a bad trade.

by SwimCoach on Dec 21, 2009 2:17 PM CST reply actions

I would love to see us take Gresham in the 2nd

If he shows he is healthy at the Combine though I think he will go in the late first.

We do have more pressing needs than TE though. Pope and Cottam are servicable, and we may be able to pick up another vet in FA. Thus, I don’t think we will draft a TE on Day One. You never know with Pioli though.

by Nick Britt on Dec 21, 2009 2:38 PM CST up reply actions

again, I'm on the same page w/ Nick

Pioli always surprises me, but he seems to always draft a TE

I’m ready to write off Ryan (have been for a while)
and probably O’Connell, though he hasn’t had much of a chance.. he sure has blown the ones he has had.

* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
* Stats are for losers

by stagdsp on Dec 21, 2009 3:06 PM CST up reply actions

The O'Connell pick still drives me hazy..

And we traded up to get him if I recall.

by Nick Britt on Dec 21, 2009 3:08 PM CST up reply actions

yep, traded back into the draft w/this year's 7th

they saw SOMETHING they loved about him… just not sure yet what that is

he’s supposed to be crazy athletic

by stagdsp on Dec 21, 2009 3:40 PM CST up reply actions

they saw something with the tight ends there as they took crabtree out of the same school into training camp.

by SDChief on Dec 21, 2009 3:47 PM CST up reply actions

yeah

both guys were supposed to be good blockers, special teams players and athletes

so far… not seeing much of any of those things

by stagdsp on Dec 21, 2009 4:21 PM CST up reply actions

It becomes more and more clear...

…that the 2008 Chiefs Draft wasn’t that bad (Flowers top; Charles semms to be the future back, Dorsey gets better, now Cottam)!

by peine23 on Dec 21, 2009 2:21 PM CST reply actions

+

Brandon Albert is pretty good… I wish we had something a little better so we could put him at LG and have a best of a left side. Brandon Carr is doing pretty good too…

by SwimCoach on Dec 21, 2009 2:27 PM CST up reply actions

+1

by peine23 on Dec 21, 2009 3:12 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

yeah the ONLY major gripe is morgan, had they hit on that pick too, and wow.

by SDChief on Dec 21, 2009 3:48 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, considering how

bad we needed o-line help, still do.

When will the Chiefs be a winning franchise again?

by Eric Allen on Dec 21, 2009 3:49 PM CST up reply actions

and Franklin.

Can’t let him off the hook of disappointments

by MadMattox on Dec 21, 2009 5:24 PM CST up reply actions

give a lot of love to herm

he is a very good talent evaluator LOL

by 72chiefs on Dec 22, 2009 8:31 AM CST up reply actions

I can see Cottam

being a much bigger part of the offense next year. He was grabbing balls out of the air using his HANDS and his HEIGHT…….he’s a big target, and his hands have gotten much better it seems…….somebody here yesterday called him Caught em’ : )

by reedeasy on Dec 21, 2009 2:34 PM CST reply actions

He watched Gonzo last year :]

by worc on Dec 21, 2009 3:29 PM CST up reply actions

I love all the motion plays. It reminds me of the vermile years. I just worry about w/ so much motioning, we might get caught in an illeagle formation. But I havent noticed that yet either.

by motrepip on Dec 21, 2009 2:41 PM CST via mobile reply actions

well

we need to make sure we dont motion into the exact same play…As the defense calls out draw on one of those motion and movement seqeuences where cassel goes shotgun and hands to charles…so they saw some of it coming, and they need to keep changing things around…fortunately, Jamaal Charles can run for over 5.5 a carry behind a line that gave the 2nd all time KC leading rusher 2.7 YPC…so he can also handle the defense knowing the play as he just runs around them.

by SDChief on Dec 21, 2009 3:50 PM CST up reply actions

Another reason Haley needs to be fired...

Haley made him inactive for 10 games this year..

by NFL season ticket holder on Dec 21, 2009 3:24 PM CST reply actions

Perhaps Cottam wasn't prepared at the beginning of the season.

I suppose the other TEs could have adapted to Haley’s offensive season quicker and looked better in practice
Or maybe Haley is human and is still trying to sort through the players Herm left him to see which ones deserve to play

by Aperture on Dec 21, 2009 3:29 PM CST up reply actions

Actually it motivate Cottam

to work harder. Give Haley a credit. He makes the players tough.

by 72chiefs on Dec 22, 2009 8:38 AM CST up reply actions

Cottam/Pope

Could be a decent combo. Kind of like Gonzo/Dunn only not as good. Pope needs to work on his blocking ALOT if he wants to be mentioned in the same breath as Dunn.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 21, 2009 3:25 PM CST reply actions

Damn 1970,

I was getting ready to say the exact same thing! With Charles looking like a faster version of Priest, if those two could develop into the mirror image of Gonzalez, Dunn, with some help on the o-line this offense could be dangerous, and fun to watch again!

When will the Chiefs be a winning franchise again?

by Eric Allen on Dec 21, 2009 3:40 PM CST up reply actions

yeah he does show great patience....and the shocker to most is his age....22..

by SDChief on Dec 21, 2009 3:52 PM CST up reply actions

charles that is

by SDChief on Dec 21, 2009 3:52 PM CST up reply actions

So what if we put Ndukwe in as a TE in some situations to blow defenders off the line in running downs?

I’ve seen Arizona do that and it’s pretty damn effective. Especially around the goal line.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 21, 2009 4:30 PM CST up reply actions

With a solid o-line he would be unstoppable,

that should be our biggest priority in the draft, if we pick another d-lineman, my head will explode!

When will the Chiefs be a winning franchise again?

by Eric Allen on Dec 21, 2009 4:05 PM CST reply actions

Mine too!

I’ve actually mentioned it alot.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Dec 21, 2009 4:31 PM CST up reply actions

I'd love to improve the offense

I think they need more O-line talent and depth, and more playmakers on offense.

But geez, after yesterday, I’m thinking the defense has absolutely NO margin for error: one DL starter goes out and the roof caves in. I couldn’t stand many more back-up RB’s setting NFL records against us. And I’m skeptical that we will sign a significantly good NT in free agency— just don’t think Hampton or anyone else would want to join a team with nine wins in three years, even if you over-pay them. So where is the 2010 nose tackle going to come from?

by Wheatboy74 on Dec 21, 2009 5:04 PM CST up reply actions