Tight ends?

I remember!

 

Got a link to that story?
I hadn’t heard that.

 

I was excited to be able to see Jake McGee compete for a spot this year after his Achilles injury before preseason started last year. But it sounds like it didn't really get back to 100% and per my understanding he now works for the NFLPA.

 

At this point, it seems likely the Steelers will go with what they've got. Get used to Grimble playing a lot.

 

I don't think they can hope for anything the first week but as the first month rolls on there could be teams with needs and they could cut an average all around TE. I think it is a stretch to think they could get anyone in this week and have them ready to go.

 

Xavier Grimble out to prove Steelers right not adding tight ends

CHRIS ADAMSKI | Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Xavier Grimble wasn’t necessarily worried he might be a casualty during cutdown day this past weekend. But that didn’t mean the veteran tight end wasn’t keenly aware — too much so, for his liking — of what might have happened as the Pittsburgh Steelers set their 53-man roster.

“I mean, man, c’mon,” Grimble said Monday from UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, “ain’t no way you’re not going to think about it. I say (to block it out) just to mentally put yourself in that perspective the best you can to quiet it out because it will drive you nuts, trust me. I have sat in motels all day, looking at the phone, don’t want to look at it, looking online, looking at it, not looking at it…”

The 72 hours or so after the Steelers’ preseason ended were anxious ones for Grimble and fellow Steelers tight ends such as Zach Gentry and Kevin Rader. it was possible the Steelers would supplement their tight ends corps by adding a veteran via the trade market or waivers.

But the regular season begins Sunday at New England, and the tight end depth chart reads: Vance McDonald, Grimble, Gentry.

to read rest of article:

https://triblive.com/sports/xavier-...ther-tight-end-eager-to-prove-decision-right/

 

Roosevelt Nix can block better than Grimble, and probably catch as well. Maybe the best option for the second Y receiver (aka tight end) is already on the roster, but at another position. Just trying to be creative here.

BTW, I don’t know why they still use “tight end” but the terms ”split end” and “flanker” are long gone.

 

I expect Samuels catches to nearly double this year. Many ways to not have to depend on two TE sets.

 

You make a good point about Nix. I have been saying this for a while. He needs to be in the game more and used. Is he the secret weapon? No, he isn't. But if you put him in the I formation and send him out in the flat, he's open 97% of the time. It's an easy 3-5 yard completion. Keep doing it until someone stops it.

 

Glad I am not the only one who sees this. Nope, not a secret weapon but maybe a good option until they find a Y who can do it better, by trade or in the draft next year.

 

Is he really a better option than the slot than any of the Steelers' receivers? It's not like Samuels is much of a blocker. Having him out there with Conner seems like it isn't all that different from having a third wide receiver on the field.

 

Depends how they use him and where they line him up. 3 wides and Conner and Samuels coming out of the backfield can make a matchup nightmare for teams. It takes coverage off wides or a LB committing towards his coverage which takes some pressure off Conner against the run or a mismatch with him against the pass. The backs caught more balls then the tes last year or as many. He's got good hands and defenses better respect that. 3 wides running coverage off creates space underneath.

 

I get that, but if I'm defending that, it allows me to play the pass first. I'd go dime or nickel until the Steelers prove they can run effectively out of that formation. With no tight end on the field, you've got three receivers and a back who doesn't block well at the skill positions with Conner.

 

He can block well enough and so can our receivers. Play action also comes into play. One TE block won't change what they have to defend. It also singles up someone else.

 

On a running play, yes, a tight end block absolutely changes what an opponent has to defend. That's why it matters that a tight end can block. It's one reason we probably won't see much of Gentry this season. He might be able to make a few plays as a receiver, but he has a long way to go as a blocker. That's also a big part of McDonald's value. He's a strong run blocker.

 

my point being you can still run from other formations and get blocks from other areas. A defense has to account for more options from this formation. Using a guy like Samuels and the options he brings makes a team have to respect what he can do and you made that point for me saying they would go to a Nicole or a dime option. When you spread them out with the formation and personal as I'm suggesting that in line block becomes less of a need because they are not going to load the box. If they do shame on them. We then should be able to exploit that.

 

Richter was just quoted as saying how much Samuels has improved as a blocker this year.

 

Richter?

Let's see him do it in games that count.

 

Ah auto correct or fat fingers. Fichtner.

 

that and they have been practicing it since last year. I do believe we will see it this year.