Our tight end room

We all know what Freiermuth is.

Everybody except last years coaching staff knows what Washington is. The guy can carry three defenders for four yards pretty consistently but somehow we didn't get the ball in his hands when we needed three.

Tonyan has had some nice accomplishments and he looks strong! Not sure what his injury history is?

 

Good depth at TE. Can't say that about SS and FS though. Safety will be the weak link this year.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see them sign a safety and a tackle before the season starts.

 

Who is out there available at safety?

 

The TE position is in good shape. Freiermuth should see more catches this year . I think he’s going to love McCarthy’s offense.Washington is the one I worry about. Not because of his ability, but how he’ll be used. He’s an A+ blocker and a real red-zone threat. The question is whether Mike will scheme him enough into that role? Will he play enough 2 TE sets? That remains to be seen. Tonyan is the best third tight end we’ve had in years.

On safety I’m not worried about the talent. I’m worried about durability. We’ve got a bunch of guys made out of glass.

 

I think we plan to play with the lead..The best Defense is a good Offense..If we can play that way we can use more Nickle and Dime and more pass defending type LB'S ..

Basically just getting our Defense to protect the lead and look for turnovers ..Not to expect them to just keep it close in a low scoring game..


edit
Also playing with the lead forces Teams to add more help to stop the run this opens up space for TE'S and it creates mis matches for them..

 

Playing with a lead, not that any Steeler fan can remember what that is like, causes the other team to throw the ball ..... and our secondary could be an issue.

 

We have much money invested in this position, it would be nice to get some production from these 3.

 

Possibly ? Or if we have more pass Defenders it might help them ? IMO it becomes way easier to defend the pass if the other Team doesn't have a 2 way go.. It seems to me Teams have took advantage of our LB'S in the passing game getting less on the field should help the pass coverage ..

It seems the Ravens had 1 play anytime they needed it in he past ..3rd. and a mile motion the RB to the slot,out walks the run stuffing LB and boom a big play ..lol

If not the RB the TE ...I want us to stop that and start doing it on Offense..I think MM has similar vision..

 

I'm not sure we know what Muth is...other than a guy we throw the ball to when we play Cincy.

Re: Washington. Do you expect the new staff to use Washington more than we did last year? I'm concerned that in 2026, his numbers will be lower than the 2025 numbers for snap% (57%) and targets (43).

My guess is that MM will prefer to have 11 personnel on the field and that he'll have Muth as the primary TE. Muth is OK...probably at or above average.

But I worry that MM will see Washington as a blocker and not a receiver.

Probably can't tell anything meaningful from the preseason:

• Washington had 14 snaps (all in game one) and zero targets.
• Muth played in the first two games. 9 snaps in game 1 (1 catch on 2 targets). 10 snaps in 2nd game, no targets.

 

Muth catches what is thrown to him, big plus. He doesn't get much YAC but he is reliable!

I simply want MM to use Washington for what he is capable of. He is a great blocker, and he is real hard to bring down. Design plays that get him open, throw him the ball, and watch the carnival act!

 

I agree with you re: Washington. I want him more involved in the offense. But my guess is that it goes the other way for him this year.

We'll likely play a lower snap% in 21. And I think MM will play Muth over Washington more than Smith did.

 

I honestly believe that we were one of the worst pass D's in the league last year, the numbers weren't terrible because we never had a lead and the other team didn't need to play catch-up, but when they needed a completed pass, they got it! And I honestly believe that is because our ILB's and CB's were all running around screaming at each other when the ball was snapped. Horrific coaching!

 

‘by the looks of our offensive line right now something tells me Washington is going to be lined up next too cook in two TE sets an awful lot this year. Forget the 11 personnel set we can’t leave cook on an island right now.

 

Kind of like matching up in a pick up BB game ..The 5'2 guard got the 6'5 center and the 6'3 Forward got the 5'6 fast guard, and so on and so forth ...Teams have been forcing us into this for years and the QB just looks and knows he has what he wants ..Meanwhile half our guys our screaming I can't guard him switch , switch and boom the ball is snapped ..lol

 

I need to see production from this TE group.

 

I predict the TE room will continue to be highly touted by fans and completely uninspiring on the field.

 

Nobody who is going to fix the problem. Khan really blew it on this one. Iheanachor better become a stud or passing on Thieneman is going to look like even more of a disaster.

On the subject of the thread, Tonyan is a solid addition, but a veteran like him should look great against backups.

 

Maybe .... Who were you the GM for again, I forget?

 

That response contributes absolutely nothing to the discussion. None of us are or were NFL general managers, but some have opinions that are better than others. Just because you are starrting to see the wisdom in mine and don't like it isn't any reason to post that nonsense.

 

Making definitive statements that are waaay above your paygrade will tend to make people take your points very lightly.

If I told you exactly what is contained at area 51, you probably wouldn't pay much attention either.

 

This is my concern as well. A drop off in Washington's production. MM has a match up guy in the run and the red zone at TE. I hope uses 2 TE here.

 

If it goes the other way with Washington, and I hope your wrong, how would that be playing to are strengths??

 

The difference being I do know what I'm talking about here, and you don't with that latter example.

 

Care to share why it is you believe you know what you're talking about?