ESPN Mosley: Celek could be the key vs. Cowboys

[WoodysGirl]

November 5, 2009 9:59 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

Don't look now, but Eagles tight end Brent Celek is quietly emerging as one of the better tight ends in the NFC. The Giants tried to cover him one-on-one with safety Michael Johnson and he made them pay with a 17-yard touchdown catch.

Celek

Celek, now in his third season out of the University of Cincinnati, has 37 catches for 447 yards and three touchdowns. He made the smart decision to study film of Cowboys Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten as soon as soon as he entered the league. He said he's learned a lot from watching Witten -- especially in terms of how to set up routes.

Witten has the same amount of catches as Celek this season, but he only has 348 yards and one touchdown. I believe the Cowboys will try to use safety Gerald Sensabaugh in one-on-one coverage with Celek. And I think that will be a mistake.

I had the chance to visit with Celek on Wednesday via 103.3 ESPN Radio in Dallas. I'll try to get the audio for you guys later today.

 

[Aven8]

November 5, 2009 9:59 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

Don't look now, but Eagles tight end Brent Celek is quietly emerging as one of the better tight ends in the NFC. The Giants tried to cover him one-on-one with safety Michael Johnson and he made them pay with a 17-yard touchdown catch.

Celek

Celek, now in his third season out of the University of Cincinnati, has 37 catches for 447 yards and three touchdowns. He made the smart decision to study film of Cowboys Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten as soon as soon as he entered the league. He said he's learned a lot from watching Witten -- especially in terms of how to set up routes.

Witten has the same amount of catches as Celek this season, but he only has 348 yards and one touchdown. I believe the Cowboys will try to use safety Gerald Sensabaugh in one-on-one coverage with Celek. And I think that will be a mistake.

I had the chance to visit with Celek on Wednesday via 103.3 ESPN Radio in Dallas. I'll try to get the audio for you guys later today.

And why is that Matt? I don't think that will be a mistake at all. I do however like the way Celek plays...he's tough to get down and can carry tacklers. Can't wait for the show!

 

[tomson75]

Sensi did fine with Gonzalez.

Gonzalez >>>>>> Celek.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Sensi did fine with Gonzalez.

Gonzalez >>>>>> Celek.

No doubt.

But Matt hung out with Celek in Philly and they're now BFFs, so...

 

[YosemiteSam]

• Newman on Jackson with Hamlin over the top. (yes, not the best, but)
• Jenkins on Maclin
• Sensabaugh on Celek
• Trust Ware, Spencer, James, and Brooking to team up with the DLine and stuff the run.
• Scandrick on any other wideouts / TEs

If we can keep scoring like we have, that should win the game for us.

..doesn't mean it will though.

 

[WarDaddy]

I respect Mosley's opinion on this one but if we give the same respect to Celek that we gave to Gonzalez I doubt Celek has a better game. I believe we switched up the coverage on the TE in the ATL game and between Scandrick, Carpenter and Sensabaugh, Gonzalez was held in check.

I think we should incorporate a similar game plan in Philly that worked in the ATL game. I think Roddy White is just as fast as Jackson, though he remains under-rated. I also feel he is a better or more seasoned route runner. Maclin may be faster than Jenkins but I feel they are similar talent wise.

Those guys were locked down for the most part and I think the Eagles present a similar challenge to be honest.

The only difference would be that McNabb is more likely to attempt to make a play than Matt Ryan. McNabb may run it, hold the ball longer and throw it into coverage or take a sack while Ryan would throw it away.

Not to sound like a blind homer but we may get more sacks and/or ints in this game if the front seven is up to it.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Eagles' Celek Learns From Witten

Eagles fans in 2009 are discovering Brent Celek much in the same way--with a joyous wonder at the hands, the toughness, the consistency--that Dallas fans did in 2004, as a young tight end out of Tennessee, named Jason Witten emerged as a monument to reliability, a worthy heir to the long-vacated throne of Jay Novacek.

Celek emerged in 2008, particularly in the post-season, when he posted 19 receptions, the third-most in NFL history for tight ends. In his first full year as a starter, Celek continues to impress. With 447 yards, 37 receptions and three touchdowns, Celek is on pace to become the first Eagles' tight end since Pete Retzlaff in 1965 to accrue more than 1,000 yards receiving in a season.

For the Philly faithful, this is a long time coming, an instance of righting a wrong, as in 2003--eight picks ahead of the Cowboys, who took Witten--the Eagles drafted L.J. Smith. For Dallas, this sounds a bit familiar, and for good reason.

First, physically, Celek (6 foot 4, 260 pounds) and Witten (6 foot 5, 262 pounds) are nearly identical. According PhillyBurbs.com, though, the similarity goes far beyond physical make-up--and this is no accident.

"I watch Witten week in and week out," said Celek. "He's still just as good as ever. I just try to watch him and learn some things from him because he's played these (NFC East) teams for six or seven years and been very productive, and I can definitely pick things up from somebody like that."

Head coach Andy Reid, who is well acquainted with both men, has taken notice of the similarities as well.

"They are similar," Reid said. "They are both very physical players and they both make tough catches. I had a chance to coach Witten in the Pro Bowl this past year. I have a lot of respect for him. He is a good player. He has great attitude like Brent does, so there are some similarities there."

Of course, in 2004, his second year in the league, Witten made his first Pro Bowl. Celek, in his third year, is still waiting on that.

On this pace though, he won't have to wait long.

BY Scott Crisp // Wednesday Nov 4, 2009 at 12:30 CST

http://www.nbcdfw.com/blogs/blue-star/Celek-Learning-From-Witten-69124422.html

 

[superpunk]

No doubt.

But Matt hung out with Celek in Philly and they're now BFFs, so...

We did have a little trouble with Carolina's TE. Dominique Dawes or w/e his name is.

 

[casmith07]

Reid saying there are similarities between Celek and Witten?

Comparing a guy who's made a couple nice catches in garbage time against the NY Giants to an All-Pro, first ballot Hall of Fame Tight End?

I lol'd.

>

 

[JonJon]

We did have a little trouble with Carolina's TE. Dominique Dawes or w/e his name is.

Didn't Sensy miss that game though?

Edit: No...he played...when in doubt, google it.

 

[kmd24]

We did have a little trouble with Carolina's TE. Dominique Dawes or w/e his name is.

Rosario Miller, I think it was

 

[WarDaddy]

Didn't Sensy miss that game though?

He played. He got hurt the follwing week in Denver.

 

[skinsscalper]

I respect Mosley's opinion on this one but if we give the same respect to Celek that we gave to Gonzalez I doubt Celek has a better game. I believe we switched up the coverage on the TE in the ATL game and between Scandrick, Carpenter and Sensabaugh, Gonzalez was held in check.

I think we should incorporate a similar game plan in Philly that worked in the ATL game. I think Roddy White is just as fast as Jackson, though he remains under-rated. I also feel he is a better or more seasoned route runner. Maclin may be faster than Jenkins but I feel they are similar talent wise.

Those guys were locked down for the most part and I think the Eagles present a similar challenge to be honest.

The only difference would be that McNabb is more likely to attempt to make a play than Matt Ryan. McNabb may run it, hold the ball longer and throw it into coverage or take a sack while Ryan would throw it away.

Not to sound like a blind homer but we may get more sacks and/or ints in this game if the front seven is up to it.

I agree with most of this post except for one little thing. I don't think White is anywhere NEAR as fast as Jackson. That kid can flat burn. Not only that he's actually learning how to set defenders up on his routes for other routes later in the game. The kid a world class knucklehead, but when/if he ever matches football smarts with his speed, he is going to be unbelievably tough to cover.

 

[skinsscalper]

Rosario Miller, I think it was

It's actually Dante Rosario.

 

[EPL0c0]

I actually said the same thing Mosely's saying in another thread a couple of days ago.

The question is, can Newman cover Desean Jackson one-on-one? If he can't, Dallas will have to committ to a double team on him. Most likely it'll mean Celek will be on the saftey (Sensebaugh). While I have great confidence in Sensebough (he's had a great year so far), Celek is just one of those guys (like Boss, etc) a JAG that can catch the ball when it's thrown to him.

Celek has 447yds on 37rec. and 1TD.
Witten has 348yds on 37rec and 1TD.

Celek is doing a lot with his opportunities. It's not to say Witten isn't, but because Celek has DJ to take the double-team and nobody's gonna double-team him the way teams stack up against Witten, he's been able to move the ball.

Celek could be the key...if Newman can't handle Jackson.

 

[mldardy]

We did have a little trouble with Carolina's TE. Dominique Dawes or w/e his name is.

Dominique Dawes.:laugh2: If she was playing tight end I think a lot of the players wouldn't have let her get too far. Anyway I blame that play against Carolina more on scheme than Sensy.

 

[kmd24]

It's actually Dante Rosario.

That went right over your head, didn't it?

 

[JohnsKey19]

I actually agree with Mosely on his initial point. Celek could very well have a good game. If the Cowboys play a lot of deep coverage trying to limit the big play of Philly, then the middle zones should be open for the TE. You have to give up something, and 6-7 catches for 70-90 yds to the TE wont be so bad if the big plays to the WR is eliminated.

 

[NextGenBoys]

• Newman on Jackson with Hamlin over the top. (yes, not the best, but)
• Jenkins on Maclin
• Sensabaugh on Celek
• Trust Ware, Spencer, James, and Brooking to team up with the DLine and stuff the run.
• Scandrick on any other wideouts / TEs

If we can keep scoring like we have, that should win the game for us.

..doesn't mean it will though.

Yep that's what I'd like to see.

 

[HoosierCowboy]

________________ could be the key for Dallas of Philly this week. About 30 guys who could be the key.