New tight ends ready to fill roster spots

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Though small by comparison, the tight end position was addressed heavily by the Falcons front office this offseason.

Players from 2007 were let go, a new position coach was hired and veteran Ben Hartsock was signed on the first weekend of free agency. Moves were made, in part, to support the team's commitment to running the football in 2008.

But with a former tight end at the helm (offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey) don't think the members of this position group will be a bunch of pass blockers with one or two pass-catching specialists.

"We want it at a point where a defense can't say 'when he's in the game we're going to throw the football or when he's in the game we're going to run the football,' new tight ends coach Chris Scelfo said. "These guys are treated equal. They have to be good at it all."

Hartsock was used primarily as a blocking tight end during his tenure with the Tennessee Titans but last year he caught a career-high 12 passes for 138 yards. When he was drafted by the Colts out of Ohio State, he slimmed down to 248 pounds to fit in with a pass-oriented offense. Hartsock told his hometown paper earlier this month that in Tennessee and Atlanta he's been able to get back to a more comfortable -- and balanced -- playing weight (264 lbs.).

With the look of a more traditional tight end he hopes to be a dual threat on the line and in the open field.

"It seems like most teams now are carrying more role-specific players," he said. "I've gotten into that role of a block first tight end and I'm comfortable with that. I'll say that's my strength but I'll also say very quickly that no one who plays the tight end position can be one-dimensional. You have to be able to run routes, read coverages and catch the ball when it comes to you.

"This offense, this team as a whole, is going to be designed around being physical. I think that's something I can bring to the table."

The only returning tight end from the 2007 roster, Martez Milner, missed the last seven weeks of his rookie season with an injured left ankle.

In eight games on the active roster Milner caught nine passes for 50 yards. He caught two passes in three of his last five games, however, and was getting more involved with the offense. Through the first two mini camps of 2008 and the first week of organized team activities he committed to not letting an injury limit his career progress.

He plans to be one of the dual-purpose strengths among the team's new-look tight ends.

Milner made several nice catches during the team's last mini camp thanks to soft hands and speed that seems unaffected by his injury. Scelfo didn't see much of Milner on tape earlier this year due to the tight end's injury. He was excited when he saw him take the field.

"It was a blessing in disguise," the veteran coach said. " I didn't know anything about him. As Coach Smith has said time and time again, this is a clean, fresh start for everyone. I judge by what I see in meetings, out on the practice field (and) how hard you study... He's doing a real good job of doing that.

"From the first day to where we are now he has improved. He's understanding the tempo of what we expect of him, how to react and how to handle the situations we're in. There's a lot on his plate and there's a lot to be corrected but I'm really proud of how much he's improved."

The only other tight end on the roster with NFL experience is Jason Rader, who had his only career start in 2006 as a member of the Miami Dolphins. He was a solid pass-catcher in college and, at 271 pounds, is the heaviest tight end going into Russell Falcons Training Camp.

Keith Zinger rounded out the 2008 Draft Class and brings experience from a national championship-caliber team (LSU).

"We think Keith can come in here not only as a blocking tight end but also (with) special teams ability," General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "You hear the overtones about special teams being important for us as well, especially when you're talking mid to late rounds."

Later, the Falcons added free agent Brad Listorti. He was regarded by NFL Network Draft guru Mike Mayock as one of five "sleepers" entering the NFL Draft. The UMass product was expecting to be a mid-round pick before his injury. He played in 31 games and logged 39 receptions for 608 yards and four touchdowns, earning Atlantic 10 third-team honors in 2006. Prior to the start of the 2007 campaign, Listorti was a Street & Smith’s preseason All-America selection along with garnering CAA Preseason All-Conference honors.

In all, the tight ends carry what can best be described as an underdog status into the preseason.

But they believe in their abilities on the line and through the air.

"With this tight end corps any one of us can go out and make catches (and) any one of us can block... It's unlimited what we can do," Milner said.

MORE ON FALCONS TIGHT ENDS:

• ONE-ON-ONE: Ben Hartsock
• FEATURE: Former Georgia tight end coming back from injury
• RELEASE: Falcons agree to terms with free agent Hartsock
• NEWS: Free agent additions committed to success
• NEWS: Falcons close out 2008 Draft with tight end selection | Photos
• RELEASE: Listorti added to Falcons roster
• RELEASE: Tight end Rader reunites with Falcons
• BLOG: Listorti Ready to Take Advantage
• BLOG: Hartsock Gives Back

Atlanta Falcons 2008 Tight Ends