TE Depth

And I completely get the perspective you have; sincerely. And if the moon and the stars aligned I too would be crazy happy with unlikely scenario of landing him best at 49 (or later).

But I think it’s worth biting the bullet because in my opinion it lessens the need to try and find a slot type WR and save a mid round pick for edge, LB, or safety. Especially with our new FA signing at WR. So, yeah, I’m gonna gamble that Austin and Robinson combined get the job done. The more I read the more I like Kahn’s work this off-season. Especially if the draft proves to go even decent if not very good.

This team isn’t yet a juggernaut, but I leaning that they are going to be very competitive with or without this proposed slightly wild hypothetical TE scheme.

I’m thinking the biggest X-Factor now, even more than Pickett’s development is Mike Canada. Can he elevate not just his playbook, but can he call a MUCH more elevated game?

The better the squad gets the hotter his seat gets… Yuge pressure!

 

KC won the super bowl with 26 rush attempts and 27 pass attempts. balanced.

philly 32 rush att. 38 pass att. still fairly balanced and trying to catch up.

the passing league thing is fine but the better teams are still pretty balanced or have the ability to run the ball well.

we don't want KFP throwing the ball 55 times a game or even having to.

san fran is a model for this as well. they have ran the ball a lot but it sets up the pass for them. they run it well though to do that.

it's a passing league thing is just like the west coast offense. if that's how you set up your team then thats your strength. it's a team trend. balance still wins more games and even with ben we wanted and played the best with balance.

having the tools in your arsenal to be balanced is key. so he's a first or second rounder, what difference does that make if it helps you team wise? if you want the best guys for what you want them to do, it takes the top player that does that. do we only want to be the 5th or 6th best run team? do we want to be the 7th or 10 best? maybe later. why bother? it's not a luxury if it helps not only the run game but your young QB not have to throw the ball 50 times a game just because somebody says it is a passing league. no it would help the balance and effectiveness of the whole team. isn't that worth a 2nd round pick? we are not always picking a guy to just make him a pro bowler. sometimes you pick a player to help your team be a contender. it's greater than the individual.

 

I totally agree with everything You said, but I still don't want a TE picked in the 1st three rounds for us.
Again ..........
We are the oldest on the D side of the ball, and our most money is spent on the D side of the ball.....only one way to fix that .....Draft....Draft .....Draft.

 

So who are we replacing? We have starters. You want the first 3 picks for backups on the defense? We have added at least 10 players on defense so far. Actually more than that. Kazee, ogunjobi, fehoko, harper, crowder, holcomb, muse, marshall, wren, neal, peterson, pierre, riley, roberts, robinson, roche, watts. We have one guy that is 33 and one that is 32, the rest are under 30. Not really that old.

 

A player who is pretty darn good, but not (yet) great and who has a concussion history is not “covered”IMO.

Gentry is not the depth we need at the position.

But I get it, some people either favor the traditional 11 man systems more or don’t value the TE position in the way that a few others do. Def not a 12 man front.

 

Ok. Running two tight ends with Gentry is not going to cut it. He presents zero down field threat and kind of a dud after (if) he catches the ball. Defenders I bet focus elsewhere and just keep an eye peeled for him in the off chance that he gets and makes a catch. They can halt him right there and cut minimal losses.

Connor will not be fooling anyone. If he’s on the field, he’s there for a pass. He is not an in- line blocker in any way and his presence gives some intel for the smarter defenders in our current system. I know he was drafted late, but without a real defined roll HE is more of the luxury pick for once your team is stacked. We are not.

Washington with his size, skill set, and abilities eliminates everything what I just claimed above while being effective at run and pass blocking.

Shoot - go three tight ends, with Muth, Washington and Connor lined up as a WR.

 

O know some have brought up Muth getting a couple of concussions, and that is a lingering concern, but I also have watched some of his catch's throughout the latter half of last season. He is really good, and from how the Steelers have used TE's he fits the mold and can actually be so much more. Do i think a two TE package could elevate the Steelers O, yea, but its not something you just do without the total re-design of making that O work.

I agree Blast with what you are saying, we can always use another quality TE, this is not just about this year but several years ahead. If one is available at a certain point and is BPA then of course they might grab him, but with the other needs being more prominent I doubt they take a pick like a TE unless their thought is to change into a dominant 2 TE set.

 

I would rather have Mike Canada then Matt Canada

 

They are not drafting a tight end this season. You will hear a lot of MUUUUUTH...

 

I wouldn't be so sure about that, they have shown some interest in Darnell Washington.

 

Personally, I have no problem with the addition of another playmaker but for me the issue lies with where the Steelers would select him. I think it's insane to think TE is the biggest need going into the draft so I just don't see them selecting him at #17. That's if he was even there to begin with. I've seen multiple mocks that have him taken before 17 and I've also heard Kiper put a second round grade on him. About the only way I see them picking Wright at 17 is if all the tackles or cornerbacks that they like are off the board. Even then, there is still a chance they go DL. I don't see Wright lasting until 32. Lot of different ways this draft could play out.

 

Dude I Like You a very lot, but this was a dumb reply. I could say the exact same thing about the whole team. So let's just not draft. LoL We have players in every position. LoL.
Doesn't mean they are good.
We were the Youngest offense in the league last year.....So........
Again what side of the ball is oldest in average???
Answer : the D.
What side of the ball is the most expensive right now???
Answer : the D.
Again only one way to get younger, and cheaper...
DRAFT...Draft....Draft.

 

I’ll give you that he’s probably all the willing, but I don’t think he’s effectively able. It’s not his height, it’s far more related to his weight and strength at the line; his anchor. He might be fine blocking a DB or safety on a blitz, but under gunned against DL and LBs. Too many evaluators more qualified than me have said it far too many times.

I’ve said on multiple occasions, I do like Gentry, but as our 3rd string option (Conner has a weird hybrid no-mans-land description of FB/TE) and it’s showed last year when they kicked the tires on him at 2nd in the 12 man. Far less than desirable. Him there is not cutting it on plan ahead and consistent basis. I think that is illustrated by them taking visits by tight ends.

I’m believing that Derek Watt is gone, Conner fills that roster spot and duties (plus some). Then they have room for a more prototype or HYPERtype TE.

Hellllllooooo Mr. Washington.

 

Remember that day well. Wasn’t able to watch but was listening on satellite radio. Thrilled that a guy from my neck of the woods was the number one draft pick of my favorite team. We were born in the same hospital, just a year or two apart.

 

Can we sustain this volly for 5 more days…?

That’s just it man, he’s *barely* (not really) a good enough blocker for the traditional 11 man sets and not in either roll in 12 man. But for a reserve player in 12 - sure.

Let me get this strait, if Muth is gone for more than 2 games, you are good with Genrey’s known and projected output? You don’t think the whole offense will not *severely drop off? Not just in our play call options and strength, but by how defenses will plan against us knowing Gentry is in Muth’s spot and maybe only Conner behind?

I think then it’s strictly 11 man or spread. We haven’t shown to be just a touch better than mediocre in those fronts. And the defenses can focus on stopping 2 designs.

I know, I know, you can’t be rich everywhere. But honestly we aren’t rich anywhere. I’d start at TE with Washington (after O-line at #1) because how it helps BOTH the run and pass game equally. Where Muth lacks Washington helps and vice versa. Mixing them up blocking and receiving at a smart percentage keeps the defenses honest and deeper (ie. softer).

I understand CB or DL or many other spots are more justified for you here. Totally get it. And if there wasn’t a TE with Washington’s size, blocking ability, and ceiling in the pass game (*IMO) better than all the other TE’s, then I’m in lock step with a possible different TE in day 3.

Yes, Washington’s proposed (and evidenced) extra ordinary package make it worth it.

Let me ask you, knowing all you know now, if he was Heath Miller = great blocker and very reliable receiver (but bigger) - that could be paired with Muth and his receiving abilities for lots of 12 man, would you pull the trigger at 32?

Yes, I am saying that I think he can be the physical player that Heath was. However, I have no opinion of him one way or the other, as a heady football guy, student of the game, teammate, leader, character and the other intangibles that Miller had in spades. That’s on the scouts and coaches to assertain. But if he’s good in the head too??? Damn…

 

this says a lot about it and this was last year. fast forward to this year now and say we are up to snuff with 12 and 13 sets.

muth is a fine receiving TE and heyward can do many things but they are not the greatest blockers for what the team wants to do more of offensively.

everyone bitches about canada's offense but when he wants to improve it with these type sets and doesn't have the players to do that, really who's at fault? would one draft pick that many call a luxury and could fix or upgrade it be too much to ask? it is very evident that not just everyone or anyone with the label TE will do what they want. there is a difference in the talent level of the specific thing you want to upgrade on the team. it's like mason rudolph running the offense. sure he can run the plays but if we could have patrick mahomes running it do you think it would be better?

why wouldn't you want to add the best guy for the job? that's not luxury, that's smart.

you added a very good guard to upgrade that part of the offense, complete the job. it's only half done. it's one draft pick. it upgrades half the team. luxury my azz, common sense. if gentry was in the plans and that good they would have signed him before he hit the open market and they would have signed him to more than a year.

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=a71f...HpvbmUtYmVjb21lLWEtYmV0dGVyLWJsb2NrZXIv&ntb=1

 

Cornerback, offensive tackle, inside linebacker, and safety are all higher priorities. "It's one draft pick" is a silly argument.

 

silly? how so? one draft pick that helps upgrade one half of the team is far from silly.

inside linebacker? really? how many upgrade do we need there? muse, crowder, roberts and holcomb, plus robinson. he's the only true one not upgraded.

i'm sure they will get a corner but with the depth at that position in the draft, it doesn't have to be wasted in the first unless one of the top two drop to them.

i don't see safety as a round one upgradable position. we have added two in muse and neal. not saying then wont pick one at some point but not in the first.

i think they like their tackles at this point but again not a huge need in the first round. they will probably draft one and there are some good ones not in the first round still.

https://t.co/xO3ttstShv