Tight end problems on both sides
Paul Domowitch outlined the Eagles' inability to land Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez in his NFL Notes column today.
Tight end problems on both sides
Daily News staff
Paul Domowitch outlined the Eagles' inability to land Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez in his NFL Notes column today.
As noted, L.J. Smith, Brent Celek and Matt Schobel have combined for 16 catches for 132 yards (8.3 average) and two touchdowns. The Eagles have converted just six of their 17 red-zone opportunities into touchdowns.
Not only are they not catching the ball, their blocking has been troublesome. Smith had worked on his blocking and gotten better last year, but he has not been better this year. Smith seems to have all the tools to be an above-average tight end in the NFL, especially given what the Eagles are paying him by placing the franchise tag on him. Again, however, he seems caught in a funk. Stop us if you have heard this story before.
Celek is not as dynamic a talent and not as good a blocker, but the notion that he would take a step forward this season in his second year has proved unfounded. Schobel has not caught a pass and will be haunted by his missed block on the goal line in Chicago. At this point, Schobel will not dress regularly.
Of course, the tight end position has hurt the Eagles defensively, too. Compare the 16 combined receptions by their tight ends vs. the 34 receptions by the opposition. Jason Witten had 11 catches; Chris Cooley had eight. Even Vernon Davis, from the 49ers, was able to put up a play of 50-plus yards. Not all of that is the linebacker's fault. The long play to Davis involved a missed tackle by Brian Dawkins.
This, too, is not a new storyline. The results speak for themselves.
And, in case you were wondering, Tony Hunt, who was cut earlier this week, has not been picked up by another team.
I agree with what scobie1 had to say and what i have been saying for years---Our GM--or evaluator needs a wake up call--I know it's hard to judge talent-but if u have been watching a player in high school and college for awhile then u should have a good idea about his talent and another thing -If you decide to trade or get a player who wants out his contract from there current team-then you have to see what you can give up for that player early and most of call he better be worth it—But Please don’t get somebody on there last leg---I agree that we have some talent at key skill positions-but we still need more talent and a difference maker and our back up players need to be able to step in when the starter goes out and perform at a high level.— phillyboymike7
It's not surprise that Fat Andy can't pick a good tight end. Every team that has a decent one, not spectacular, kills us. He doesn't know how to pick one, he doesn't know how to use the ones that he has and has no idea how to defend one. Fat Andy is good coach but in order to succeed in this league you can't be ordinary and you can't be soft on non-contributing players or players that continue to make the same mistakes week after week. LJ is dropping passes at record pace and he's running wrong routes. We have reached the point of diminishing returns with him.— bigcityballer- The biggest area this team needs help in is for some one to be a better evaluator of talent. When we can release 3 3rd rounders, they don't know what they are doing and are guessing. We need a real GM. Second is play calling. We are so predictable. I thought for sure Celek would show that we don't need LJ but when you don't throw to guy how can he show you?(other then blocking). Also somebody has to start and over/under on the 2 first rounders for next year. They trade both, keep one, or draft using both?? (HA!! like Joe "show me the money" Banner is going to let that happen)— Scobie1
- Everyone pated on Jason Whitten.......he was a 3rd round pick. Celek has been a big dissappointment....LJ has turned into a Mashed Potato. Schobel doesn't belong on the NFL.— Cant Climb
- If only old Andy would just take my advice, at the end of the college football season, look at the 1st and 2nd team All SEC football teams. Then just draft from there. Remember when SHEPPERD\BROWN were drafted ? That's Florida\S Carolina, coincidence ? I think not. Just take the SEC player, dummy.— rjdjrmd
- I'm in the same frame of mind Jackalot. I'm going back over Reid's performance over the the last 10 years and I have to wonder if the earlier successes resulted from diluted competition. Again, before beating Pittsburgh in Week 3, Reid was 0 - 13 against playoff AFC teams.— JeffA
- LJ is just "playing" his way out of town. He hasn't been happy here for some time and it shows. Shame about Celek, I was hoping to see a step up this year. He's a load once when he has the ball but that's a rare event these days.— Trifecta
Comment removed.- God..PLEASE get rid of LJ...the man has never been a starting TE. The others are even worse. Maybe they could open up at least 2 roster spots by dumping 2 of them and moving Bassett to TE ... he's big and can at least catch the ball (don't know about his blocking but it can't be worse than what we have)and use the roster spots to bring in another safety and RB. And, as much as I hate to say this, BDawk is really strating to become a liability. Yes, he's the sould leader of that defense, but his physical skills are noticeably diminishing. I think it's time to simply spot play him in the right situations - up at the line on obvious running plays eg - but he just can't cover anyone decent receiver these days. And PLEASE get rid of Considine - he's got to be the most over-rated player on the team.— njguy2007
- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- We stole LJ from the Cowboys. It's the guy they really wanted. They had to settle for Jason Whitten. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA— Bama
- Comment removed.
- this is typical of andy reid and his "system" although i'm surprised that he has been so foolish to continue to stick with his current crop of TEs since they are considered lineman and big andy loves lineman--we can't draft enough of them....i think this just shows how far the eagles have fallen in the front office/head coaching area, we continue to make the SAME mistakes over and over again...poor drafts, over valuing our draft picks, a refusal to go outside of our comfort zone in calling plays or making a game plan and a continuity insistence that the "system" is more valuable than talent or ability, e.g. we can pass off DT as FB and anyone can run back kicks...sad, very sad. i hate to admit it but i'm beginning to think andy reid wasn't so good the first five years he was here..the rest of the division was simply that bad.— jackalot
- Comment removed.
