can he block?

"Once he learns all of the system - and he has done a good job learning, he's a smart young man-- ... But really the rubber is going to hit the road once we put the pads on," Malone said. "We will find out if the can hang in there and play his position and be a force where we need him."

Hamm believes he will be able to deal with the physicality that comes with the tight position. As a receiver he never had to deal with blocking a defensive end but that will at times be his reality as an NFL tight end.

"I look about Ben who is about 250 and I'm 240 so I try to do what he does, stay low, get hands inside and drive my feet," he said. "If the running back gets through fast enough, as long as I'm there to shield them off."