TE Depth

Yes, and that was especially true years ago ... I just think in this day and age if Muth goes down and the threat of your TE in the passing attack goes to 0 it will hurt you more. Defenses will know and adjust accordingly.

I'd rather find a guy who is competent in both blocking and passing. Gentry is rarely a threat to go out on a route.

 

it's not about one or the other or if one is out how will the other one take over. it's about using them together which would be of greater value than muth and gentry. muth is the pass catcher first. washington would be the blocker first. it doesn't mean at any time the other couldn't do the same. it's both together to increase the run game and give the young qb time and options in the passing game.

 

Well, I might have been under-hyperbolic with the “half” Gronk thing trying to illustrate the point that I can’t reasonably project to be an arguably top 3 TE in NFL history like Gronk or Kelsey. Maybe Gronk-ish light?

There are only 5 TE’s in history with the receiving accolades like Gronk, Kelce, Gonzales, Gates, and Winslow.

Sure, maybe I’m dreaming that we develop into some system where he’s a focal point, but I didn’t ever claim that *exactly* either.

But I have and do envision a system where he AND Muth take a much larger roll in the future (not our past systems) as a tandem where they decoy each other and keep defenses way off balance and without a great multi play solution to these large talented athletes.

Canada (1) and Tomlin (2) are the next X-factors. Either Strummer or Mac posted multiple links with clues about this. The right player(s) make this possible. They gave it swing last year with Gentry and it didn’t have the necessary firepower. Washington has the horsepower.

Those light past numbers you sighted might be just that, a thing of the past.

What else am I supposed to talk about??? The same foggy mock drafts? This one position and player grab could have more scheme ramifications than any other in the game. Only RB offers as much scheme flexibility in regards to blocking, running, and receiving upgrades all at one position and we know who we have there.

The 22 personal package with 2 RB’s has always been discussed, but never came to fruition in the recent NFL or Steelers history. Probably because that position starts their process so far behind the line of scrimmage as opposed to TE where it all begins.

 

Yeah, I’m crushing… Salivating (gross) at the possibilities with HIM. Lol..

Who was yours last year that you guys joked about? I wanna lean in on that one.

 

If they went with Meyer I’d find a similar level of excitement with what they would seem to be more than hinting at. I wouldn’t leave a tear in my beer.

 

Ok, let’s say you are more correct, that he will only garner a couple or few targets. But his presence will help open up and soften the defense for them to have greater impact. Maybe later in the year and for years to come. If it all pans out and gets some critical chunk first downs or game changing TD’s, his value will show. Maybe not in his personal stats but in everyone else’s and hopefully shine in the scoreboards.

Opposing coaches will confirm or deny in interviews. They won’t be able to ignore the problem.

My crush a few years back was DK Metcalf. His college numbers weren't earth shattering, but his freakish qualities could be seen from space. Why we passed on him I’ll never know.

Look over that draft class. It’s not hindsight either. I wasn’t pounding on the table in here the same as Washington lately, but it was close and probably why I’m such a nuisance lately. They just won’t LISTEN to me!!!

Feeling like Fredo over here.

 

That is hilarious. Those quotes are for the 2022 season and Zentry had a total of 19 receptions last year. That 2-TE set with Canada worked great for us last year.

Yeah lets spend a 1st round pick to replace those 19 receptions.

 

what don't you understand about it not just being about the receptions? it's fortifying the run game which in turn helps the passing game and our young QB, which helps the whole offense. we have been for years now trying to get the TE room right. gentry ain't it. muth is good at what he does, catch passes and is a willing blocker but with an addition it could be so much better and it may even upgrade those 19 receptions.

 

That is what I am saying about Canada's 2-TE set. The 2nd TE will just be a blocker, because Matt Canada does not know how to incorporate the 2nd TE into his passing offense, just like he had Pickens running all those Go routes last year. Matt Canada is known for his lazy play calling.

 

pickens was a rookie. canada hasn't had the 2nd TE capable of doing what they want and if he does mainly block it opens up things for every other playmaker on the team including the RB's more as pass catchers. gentry limits the offense greatly. he would be fine staying as the #3 guy for the year he is signed but he doesn't have that overall skillset. he is what he is. the TE is no different than upgrading the guard spot. it will make the offense better for all involved. if that only upgrades the other playmakers then so be it. we need more points and we need to build on what started working towards the middle and end of the season. it wasn't canada's fault for just the bad parts and having nothing to do with the good parts. people assume a lot about what is and did go on with the offense.

 

Not may, but will. And to a justifiable level.

Provide your address and I’ll send you my crystal ball so you can sees for yinz self.

 

Dude, Matt Canada will either increase his own performance level in a very dramatic way or else he’s gone next year if not during the season. Everything has to be much better and/or different than last year.

Additionally, they aren’t drafting these guys for one season. Washington’s blocking will show up in game 1, Gentry’s will blocking progress will be inertia, the needle is where it is. Washington’s ceiling is going to reveal itself much higher in the next two years in blocking, but most importantly in receiving. Marathon dude, not a sprint. Even if we got two HOFers in these first two picks, we most likely aren’t winning the Super Bowl. Still in foundational build mode starting last season.

If a big sodium vapor light bulb fires up for Canada or they will find a new OC who has the right game plan for the personnel. Nobody thinks last year is the standard.

 

Gentry is a solid in-line blocker. In no way is Washington enough of an upgrade to be worth spending a first-round raft pick on him when the team has much bigger needs at offensive tackle, cornerback, defensive line, safety, and inside linebacker. Some of those needs are immediate. Some long term. All are higher priorities than tight end.

Also, the argument that bringing him in addresses the offensive line is crap. Part of the idea is to strengthen the tackles enough that they don't have to keep tight ends in to pass protect. The second tight end isn't even going to be on the field all the time and if it is only one of them, it will be Freiermuth.

 

Washington wasn't even that good of a receiver in college, but you think he's going to get some huge share of the targets as a No. 2 tight end? That's just comical.

 

I think it’s comical that your incorrect take away read was “huge share” from any of my comments and claims.

But I do think he can develop into a larger share than other are thinking he will be looked at starting from day one. I also don’t agree with *your personal assessment that he wasn’t a good receiver in college. His QB rating when targeted is 112 against SEC defenses in the majority. I’ve stated that he was a 2-1/2 year starter in a high powered back to back National Championship winning offense that also had a crazy receiving TE his final year. He was a foundational piece in that packed offense where balls had to be shared. If he was used as a piece of that high powered offense with two TE sets then it stands to reason that is something that can translate into the pro game. With his size and his overall TE abilities of coarse they used him as they did to win those trophies.

And he’s not a finished product. He’s worth the 32 pick and would help this offense leap forward.

 

well you are pigeon holing what has been being said.

nobody ever said he's taking friermuth off the field.

who said he would address the offensive line?

as we have been saying as well, 17 or 32 i don't care where we get him.

nobody said the second TE will be on the field all the time. what we said was it will strengthen the running game and could add if used with play action to be a benifit in the passing game. if he is kept in it sure would help the passing game as well. do you think he would only be used in one scenario?

it's well known they are trying to use this set more and more.

gentry can block but he's not great and does limit how they use him if he does go out into the routes. they signed the guy after awhile for one year. nothing is guaranteed he will stay if he is replaced by a better TE. he's been here for 4 years and has never seen the end zone.

should we move up for a guy that's played tackle for one year? that is all paris johnson has played that position.

which of those positions are immediate?

 

I do think he will help the O-line blocking schemes in pass pro and the run game. He’s that big and that strong.

 

That’s just as much speculation as I’ve been doing. Look, lots of guys if they have the goods, like I’m believing he will, start right away or very soon. That’s an NFL trend that has also been happening in Pittsburgh for a while now despite how it was in the Cower years and before.

The - a lot to absorb and adjust to -statement is something so basic that 1) nobody would dare argue against and 2) goes for all players. So much so that it’s not really a statement. It’s like saying water is wet.

I would say a 1st round RB would have a similar daunting learning curve as TE’s. But I’m not interested in going down that rabbit hole. TE’s get drafted early every year and I never hear someone say they shouldn’t because it’s too difficult. Doesn’t matter what round.

Everyone is making it seem like this guy is a reach at 32. Depending on the prognosticator he’s ranked at 2nd or 3rd best in a deep class; maybe the deepest of all positions. Mike Tomlin sure called it out.

I’m not worried at all about his fit or his potential. Dude will be an upgrade. Probably anywhere he lands for someone’s #1 or #2.

 

So We want to grab a Guy within the top 2 picks that will only be on the field for small parts of the game. Hell We would get more out of a backup OLB in rotation then We would a another TE.

 

If they draft him, I think they are making a concerted effort to be in 12 man much more than they have been due to a new QB and he’s the tool that makes it work. Gentry is not. He should be third string back up.

Related - he also should provide great depth in the room. Muth has had some concussions.

 

“Maybe the first game he plays in but that won’t be game one of the season.” - That’s the speculation.

Regardless of whether or not it is or isn’t the hardest position it doesn’t mean you don’t draft someone. Were you pasting these quotes when they drafted Muth?

Or are you just focused on being right and winning debates?

You’ll likely get your chance Friday evening. If Tomlin was that psyched about the depth of the TE class it’s just as likely they draft one late as opposed to one of the best in the deep class.

But that won’t stop me from wanting what I want. And neither will his learning curve. He’s probably used to knowing what other positions around him are doing since he was a 3 year starter in a premier program. Unless that’s not material for you.

RB’s drafted high and expected to start right away, don’t have to know not only the plays that are called, but the blocking assignments of the line so they know where to run? They don’t have receiving routs? Pick up blitzing pass rushers? Seems pretty difficult to me - or am I speculating incorrectly?