TE Depth

did washington help broderick jones lining up next to him a great deal?

 

if that's all he does in his first year it would be worth it. that big body along with our big line pounding on a defense during the game and wearing them down would give KFP the downfield ability with play action to kill defenses. this alone would help make this offense better this year. tire the defense out and use the good receivers to burn a beat up defense. win win.

 

I think that’s what I expect of him initially as a rookie at a minimum.

However, I am hoping and baking that as he gets more comfortable and our offensive system/scheme developes (even with Canada) that his not only his skills, but expectations and responsibilities in the roll grow to much more of a midrange receiver that a QB can’t miss and defenders can’t cover - even LBers. Muth can be the deeper TE threat because he seems to be faster and more allusively agile with soft hands. Washington has been described as a moving billboard with an exceptional catch radius and huge paws that shows in his tape.

I’m finding it hard to believe what anyone might think he can’t transition well into an even better player and a high value asset in any teams scheme. If he doesn’t become a big time baller or at the least a defensive coordinators “problem” then I will be shocked and eat 2 helpings of crow.

I hope he doesn’t end up in our division elsewhere. Call it a hunch, but I have a feeling he’s gonna be great. Not the best receiver like a Kelsey or Gonzales or Gates or even ever get to a Gronk like all around nightmare, but maybe just under Gronk. He has all the traits be an all time blocker and extremely reliable receiver.

A difference maker at the one position with the most flexible offensive production opportunity in the sport.

 

I like all the things just the same. But if I recollect, he poses the scenario that Washington or another great TE gets chosen early in the second round somewhere and really shifts the narrative of how and what this offense could be. That was my take away and could not agree more.

Kenny won’t likely be a top 3 QB in a traditional base offensive 11 man scheme. But giving it a high level 12 man output and while abstract at this point and yes, hypothetical, it could elevate this offense to not just a higher level and statistical ranking, but throw something at nearly any defense that they aren’t designed to beat on a weekly basis.

It could really show itself in a post season even more than the regular season.

Sure, it seems like I’m looking into a mythical crystal ball, but I’d be so invested in watching this team do that pushing their cards all in Texas hold ‘em style if they did. Completely exciting. If it doesn’t work and the theory flames out, I personally could live it if they took a shot.

I know that they are traditional and I might have wasted far too much energy into something that isn’t even being considered over at the confluence, but all other mocks and off season stuff is kinda getting boring. Cannot wait till the draft to over at think everything all over again.

 

Maybe. Georgia coaches and fan brain trust would have a better opinion of that than anyone else I’ve heard.

Not sure where he lined up most in games. Plus they had some young sophomore TE that is supposedly a receiving monster too that could complicate the analysis.

But all that system did there with 2 great TE is earn them back to back national championships.

Sure, college is different, of course I’ve heard that before. I get it. But it seems more and more that some college type stuff does actually transition into the NFL if the teams earnestly apply it correctly. It used to be that “the option” wouldn’t work in the NFL. But with more athletic QBs it has had lots of success. Maybe not to Lombardies yet, but it now has a piece of the NFL pie. Nothing has to be a mirror reflection, but just tools to bolster a design at this level that operates differently.

Progression will always be sought, but where and how? Maybe 12 man personnel could be one of the next elevations?

 

At what point did everyone stop reading my Gettysburg Address length posts?

I know, I know…

 

Maybe I should broaden my horizons and get my Steelers info from more places than just Yinz



Well and actually watching games

 

Right after “Four score and seven years ago”

 

Dude, those two pod casts and web sites are gems and national treasures.

Steelers Nation that is..

 

That’s how I’ll start them from here on out.

 

yes he did. i read that but as i posted it here it didn't come across that way. but yes he did.

 

I was just thinking of the TE the steelers moved to Oline in the 70's lol. But yes I agree, the TE in the NFL, and especially the Steelers I feel has been an under used position. We have had some pretty decent TE's in years 90(?) to when Heath retired, I am not going to review stats, but it just seems they are a secondary thought, rather than an important schemed part of the game plan.

 

He played his first 2 years at RT and won Freshman SEC awards for his play at RT. Moved to LT his junior year and his play declined. Moved back to RT his senior year and his play significantly improved and won his SEC awards again.

Everyone seems to be believe Wright does not have the foot speed to be able to play in the NFL as a LT.

Chuks has a Salary Cap hit this year of $13 million. That would be a lot to pay your Swing Tackle if Moore wins the Starting LT Job. I still think we trade up in the 1st to acquire one of the LTs (Jones, Parish, Skoronski), and let Chuks stay at RT and have Dan Moore be the swing tackle.

Also, it was nice to see the Player Invite to Anton Harrison a true LT that has played all his games at Oklahoma as their starting LT.

 

Who said his play declined?

 

I read them all. A few paragraphs are nothing. LoL
I just didn't agree with everything. I'm all about the D. Our highest paid is on D, and the oldest is on D.....We must not only become better on D, but Younger, and cheaper, and there is only one way to do that. Draft...Draft...Draft.

 

Well, I have to push back on the shiny new toy misnomer. A TE with this dudes characteristics, traits, and qualities displayed in recorded evidence is far more than just a toy. He could be a foundational and transformative keystone to help pivot this offense into hopefully a very productive and progressively ascending offense. If you want to characterize that as a luxury, then go a head, but I can’t agree.

*If* he works out as many project, he boosts both the running game, line stability, and the passing game.

When Lev Bell developed to being a highly productive receiver during his short, but great stint here, was that a luxury or productive weapon? Our offense was clicking. Do you think the 49ers think Deebo Samuals dual threat is a mere luxury or a main reason why their offense has been effective and he earned his 2nd bag?

If there is a solid and functioning 12 man base (or more frequently used than the norm) offense giving defenses extra fits it not a “luxury” but a smart investment in a flex that should put more points on the scoreboard.

 

Yeah, I’m getting tired of the seesaw tipping of this organization working from a top tier defense while our offense is lacking and back to offense being good while the D suffers and back and forth.

In four years, all these rookie contracts on our new offensive players are going to come knocking while hopefully they are demanding big contracts because of high level production and the defense will have to have a bunch of youth infused on their cheap rookie deals.

Ideally it would be balanced around the whole squad.

 

Speaking of TE Depth. Do you think if they do not draft a TE or FB we will see the return of Derek Watt?

 

I hope not. I’m indifferent to him as a player. I’d rather have someone who splashes more. But maybe that’s just me not really understanding or very rarely and quite literally never actually seem to see or notice him in a game. Maybe the coaches or other fans notice his value more. They must…

 

Unless they see shifting from a traditional 11 man base to something different than most other teams are built to do and built to defend.

It might be hypothetical, sure. It might be unrealistic, maybe. And it might be pie in the sky (for me), but I’ll continue to say I’d like them to take a swing at zigging when everyone else is zagging until it’s obvious that’s not in the cards. I guess I’ll see on day two of the draft. Until then I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed.

And also, Gentry is a really great 3rd TE, but a mediocre or less 2nd. I see it as a need and not a luxury. God forbid if Muth has any multi game physical issues. Then what? Just our WR’s??? Nah…

 

Thought it was

Foreskin and seven sins ago?