I was just thinking about all the top teams in the NFL and one common thread among many is that they have Tight Ends that they actually utilize in the passing game on a semi consistent basis. They aren't the number one recievers or anything like that (except Gates), but it just seems with these teams the TE's are considered threats. I look at teams that are down in the dumps and the one common thread of many is the exact opposite. Maybe it just stands out more on good teams, but it does seem to be a factor.
Just a dumb observation really, but it gives me something to think about when choosing a tight end.
I'm not so sure... I don't really think of Ben Watson as a big part of the Patriots offense, Whatshisname who plays for the Steelers produces but he's not really a big part of their offense, Dallas Clark gets the ball plenty, The Jaguars, Packers, Panthers, Bucs, and Seahawks, I can't even name their starting TEs.
Attention, NFL coaches: There are a couple of guys on your roster who can both block and catch. They're open a lot. So why don't you throw to them? The guys I am talking about are tight ends.
Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Indianapolis, Jersey/A, Kansas City, New England, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Washington are running offenses that feature the tight end. Who's on that list? The NFL's three undefeated clubs, plus a team that put up 41 points at 5,280 feet in Denver on Sunday, plus a couple of other winning teams. Monday night, Terrell Owens was shut down cold and tight end Jason Witten was the Cowboys' receiving star, with nine catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. True, it might be so that the Colts, Cowboys and Patriots are getting good tight end production because they have the league's best offenses right now and every aspect of their play is superior. But Tuesday Morning Quarterback suspects one reason these teams are winning is because they are featuring the tight end...
Atog wrote:I'm not so sure... I don't really think of Ben Watson as a big part of the Patriots offense, Whatshisname who plays for the Steelers produces but he's not really a big part of their offense, Dallas Clark gets the ball plenty, The Jaguars, Packers, Panthers, Bucs, and Seahawks, I can't even name their starting TEs.
That "Whatshisname" is Heath Miller and he leads the team in catches and is tied for first on the team in touchdown passes -- I'd say he is a pretty big part of their offense.
I don't have any stats to prove it, but it seems like the last couple of years the TE has been being used more by several teams. The depth this year at the position seems to back that up - you didn't have to grab one of 3 or 4 TE's to have an impact player at that position.
Heap has been out quite a bit, but Gonzo and Gates haven't been too much more valuable than guys like Winslow, Clark, Watson or H Miller - and Witten looks like he could be the #1 TE by years end. Shockey, Cooley, and Dallas Clark have also contributed more than just a couple points per game.
I thought Chicago's TE production was based more on Grossman's inability to hit his WR's on a regular basis, but Griese seems to be getting them just as involved. It's a bit of a TEBC there, which hurts any single guys total output - but Desmond Clark has managed to eek out solid value since the QB switch.
I'd agree that the TE has been a huge factor in TDs and to a lesser extent, yardage this year across the league... when compared with the last 2 years. I think things like this are pretty cyclical, though. One team finds success, so 5 others copy it, etc. See also: West Coast Offense, Cover/Tampa 2, etc.
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by EWSPECIALTY » Sun Oct 21, 2007 4:54 pm 
