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What makes a TE elite?
by: Marwan Maalouf
posted: Friday, December 14, 2007 | Print Entry
filed under: Antonio Gates, Dallas Clark, Kellen Winslow, Tony Gonzalez, Jason Witten, Jeremy Shockey
Offensive coordinators that have an elite tight end at his disposal have a distinct advantage over coordinators that do not have one. There a good amount of tight ends that can be considered difference makers, but only a handful that could be considered among the elite.
Tight ends such as San Diego's Antonio Gates, Indianapolis Colts' Dallas Clark, Cleveland Browns' Kellen Winslow and Kansas City Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez compete for Pro Bowl consideration in the AFC. While Dallas Cowboys TE Jason Witten and New York Giants TE Jeremy Shockey stand above the rest in the NFC. But what makes these players a cut above the rest?
For starters, the elite tight ends have are some physical characteristics the rest of the tight ends don't have. They are quicker off the line of scrimmage, which is important because it makes it tougher for defenders to jam them at the line of scrimmage and mess up their route timing. However, the quickness is not only in their feet, but also with their hands. In fact, they will often use techniques with their hands in order to get open that are more familiar with defensive linemen. Players like Gates and Gonzalez use rip and swim moves that are similar to what defensive linemen use in order to avoid contact on the line of scrimmage.
However, the biggest advantage to having an elite tight end on your roster is that he doesn't always have to line up on the line of scrimmage in his traditional spot. Winslow and Clark are able to motion all over the field or even align as the slot receiver in order to avoid contact and contribute to the passing game quickly. Formations like bunch-trips, which is set three yards away from the tackle on offense or even aligned in the backfield will also allow the tight end to get into the flat when the ball is snapped and catch a pass for an easy 5-yard gain.
The creativity of the offensive coordinators these guys play for must also be recognized. The coordinators know that they have a special weapon with their elite tight end and they will do a variety of things to get them open and make them apart of every down.
by: Marwan Maalouf
posted: Friday, December 14, 2007 | Print Entry
filed under: Antonio Gates, Dallas Clark, Kellen Winslow, Tony Gonzalez, Jason Witten, Jeremy Shockey
Offensive coordinators that have an elite tight end at his disposal have a distinct advantage over coordinators that do not have one. There a good amount of tight ends that can be considered difference makers, but only a handful that could be considered among the elite.
Tight ends such as San Diego's Antonio Gates, Indianapolis Colts' Dallas Clark, Cleveland Browns' Kellen Winslow and Kansas City Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez compete for Pro Bowl consideration in the AFC. While Dallas Cowboys TE Jason Witten and New York Giants TE Jeremy Shockey stand above the rest in the NFC. But what makes these players a cut above the rest?
For starters, the elite tight ends have are some physical characteristics the rest of the tight ends don't have. They are quicker off the line of scrimmage, which is important because it makes it tougher for defenders to jam them at the line of scrimmage and mess up their route timing. However, the quickness is not only in their feet, but also with their hands. In fact, they will often use techniques with their hands in order to get open that are more familiar with defensive linemen. Players like Gates and Gonzalez use rip and swim moves that are similar to what defensive linemen use in order to avoid contact on the line of scrimmage.
However, the biggest advantage to having an elite tight end on your roster is that he doesn't always have to line up on the line of scrimmage in his traditional spot. Winslow and Clark are able to motion all over the field or even align as the slot receiver in order to avoid contact and contribute to the passing game quickly. Formations like bunch-trips, which is set three yards away from the tackle on offense or even aligned in the backfield will also allow the tight end to get into the flat when the ball is snapped and catch a pass for an easy 5-yard gain.
The creativity of the offensive coordinators these guys play for must also be recognized. The coordinators know that they have a special weapon with their elite tight end and they will do a variety of things to get them open and make them apart of every down.
