1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:04,440 Speaker 1: Your tunes about Drive on Home of the Black and 2 00:00:04,519 --> 00:00:51,919 Speaker 1: Gold Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome back to the Drive. I'm 3 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:54,880 Speaker 1: Dale Lolly here with Matt Williamson. Matt, you did your 4 00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 1: tight end rankings. Oh yeah, yeah, we're prof up on 5 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 1: network your top twenty I've entering the season. Obviously this 6 00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:04,920 Speaker 1: does not include any rookies, all right, that's just the 7 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:07,319 Speaker 1: rules that would have been on there, just like Naja 8 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:09,680 Speaker 1: would have been on my running back list. We went 9 00:01:09,720 --> 00:01:12,639 Speaker 1: over my wide receiver ranks. They went live today, running 10 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 1: backs went live the other day. Of course, Twitter's a 11 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:19,200 Speaker 1: flat you know, of course I have you're an idiot, yeah, 12 00:01:19,240 --> 00:01:22,640 Speaker 1: of course, and uh, Tennessee radio stations have already reached 13 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:24,440 Speaker 1: out to me to have me on for my running back, right, 14 00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:28,640 Speaker 1: Derrick Henry four or five, he wasn't one. But my 15 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 1: point is, tight ends are a little different, a little 16 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:33,760 Speaker 1: different animal here. I mean I left a lot of 17 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 1: good receivers off the list. Tight ends were hard to get. Yeah, 18 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:42,040 Speaker 1: you were scraping some part time, part time player type 19 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:45,640 Speaker 1: guys here. So number twenty five you have Jared Cook 20 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: of the Chargers. He'll be he'll be replacing Hunter Henry. 21 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:53,080 Speaker 1: A different kind of player than Henry to some degree, 22 00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 1: Jared Cook is is very much like Eric Ebrunn and 23 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:57,320 Speaker 1: that you don't kind of ask him to do a 24 00:01:57,320 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 1: lot of blocking. Yeah, And when I originated the list, 25 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 1: I had those two right next to each other. Spoiler alert, 26 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:04,200 Speaker 1: Ebron is gonna be on here. But then I started 27 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:06,760 Speaker 1: looking into Cook and he didn't get much in free agency. 28 00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: He's older than I thought. He's up the starting to 29 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:12,920 Speaker 1: play that way. Um, and even in New Orleans Adam 30 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:15,600 Speaker 1: Troutman started to overtake that job late in the year two. 31 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:18,400 Speaker 1: Cook's had a pretty good career. He is what he is. 32 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:21,800 Speaker 1: He's a big slot like Ebron. But the end is near. 33 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 1: And that's just the state. I mean, tight ends wasn't easy. 34 00:02:25,440 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 1: I've told you my Jared Cook's story right in Green Bay. 35 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:32,120 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, yeah, the same day as Yeah. Interesting, Yeah, 36 00:02:32,160 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 1: I went to interview for a job with the Packers. Uh, 37 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:40,080 Speaker 1: I guess five years ago now, and um, I'm on 38 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:42,560 Speaker 1: my I'm sitting in the airport in Minneapolis waiting to 39 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:45,320 Speaker 1: fly to Green Bay. Obviously, our flight to Green Bay 40 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:49,400 Speaker 1: was much smaller than into you and I see that 41 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:52,600 Speaker 1: there's there's a guy sitting you know, the seats are 42 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 1: back to back at the at the airport, I'm sitting 43 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:56,800 Speaker 1: there and a guy like two seats down with his 44 00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 1: back to me, and I hear him talking in NFL 45 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:02,919 Speaker 1: off and like interesting and I saw and he's big, 46 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:05,600 Speaker 1: IM like he's got it's obviously he's a player. I didn't, 47 00:03:05,639 --> 00:03:08,320 Speaker 1: you know, I never had met Jared Cook before. So 48 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:11,120 Speaker 1: we get on the plane. We fly into to Green 49 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:13,359 Speaker 1: Bay and, um, I don't know if it's Green Bay 50 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:17,799 Speaker 1: International Airport, it's it's very very small air Yeah, and 51 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 1: everybody else is going off of their cars and and 52 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 1: and it's me and him walking over to see where 53 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:27,200 Speaker 1: the concierge is who's picking us up at the airport. 54 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:30,120 Speaker 1: And we started chatting a little bit. And he's going 55 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:32,160 Speaker 1: to one hotel and I'm going to another one. They 56 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:35,440 Speaker 1: obviously they put the players up in a better hotel. Um, 57 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:39,560 Speaker 1: so we so I go to bed, I get up 58 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 1: in the morning, I gotta go over and and and 59 00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:45,920 Speaker 1: uh and meet with people the stadium. Meeting with people 60 00:03:45,920 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 1: at the stadium and nim all overnight news had broken 61 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 1: that and I found out that he was Jared Cook. 62 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 1: News had broken at the packers were signing Jared Cook 63 00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:57,080 Speaker 1: and then we ran into each other in the hallways 64 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,040 Speaker 1: as they're showing him around there showing me around and 65 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:02,960 Speaker 1: they him, So I knew Jared Cook was signing with 66 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 1: the Packers before it happened. Interesting, but you're right next 67 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:07,600 Speaker 1: to him again, that's five years ago. He was like 68 00:04:07,760 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 1: twenty eight then. Yeah, I think he's like thirty four 69 00:04:10,440 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 1: ishing like that now. And what's funny now you bring 70 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:15,320 Speaker 1: that up. He's been a lot of teams since then. Yeah, 71 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 1: he's he's bounced around to be quite a bit, and 72 00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:20,400 Speaker 1: you know we're seeing it again. Yeah, uh twenty four. 73 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:22,880 Speaker 1: You of O. J. Howard of Tampa Bay. I just 74 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:26,880 Speaker 1: really liked him, and before he got hurts, very small 75 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:29,719 Speaker 1: sample size, Gronk was just getting his feet under him. 76 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:32,040 Speaker 1: Howard was getting the most snaps and most action out 77 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,560 Speaker 1: of those three tight ends, including breat He's the most 78 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:36,560 Speaker 1: athletic one. He's the most athletic. I mean, he was 79 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 1: a former first round pick and is qualified to be athletically. 80 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:42,839 Speaker 1: He's had a rocky start, but a lot of tight 81 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:45,200 Speaker 1: ends did and most positions he wouldn't be in top 82 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:47,839 Speaker 1: twenty five, but I think he could have a better 83 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:49,760 Speaker 1: second half. Of his career, the first half of his career. 84 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:51,680 Speaker 1: As you said, you know it often takes tight ends 85 00:04:51,760 --> 00:04:55,320 Speaker 1: until age eight to kind of hit their stride. Well, 86 00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:58,040 Speaker 1: he's hit. He's entering that era area of his career. 87 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:00,320 Speaker 1: And to be honest, like he's due to a free 88 00:05:00,360 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 1: agent after this year. I thought I'm the stealing and 89 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:05,800 Speaker 1: before the Friar Mooth pick, yeah, i'd be. I'd been 90 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:07,760 Speaker 1: interested in buying at him at that price. You know, 91 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:12,040 Speaker 1: Number twenty three is another guy in that same vein, 92 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 1: except he's older than people think because he played baseball first. 93 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:18,240 Speaker 1: That's Hayden Hurst with the Falcons, Like he was twenty 94 00:05:18,279 --> 00:05:20,720 Speaker 1: six when he came into the league exactly, and you 95 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:22,400 Speaker 1: know they just traded second round pick for him. He 96 00:05:22,400 --> 00:05:24,280 Speaker 1: had a decent year and that was one year ago. 97 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:27,800 Speaker 1: They've obviously drafted Kyle Pitts, who's gonna go right past it. 98 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:30,960 Speaker 1: Didn't pick up his fifth year off because of your option. Uh, 99 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:33,160 Speaker 1: there's been even rumors that maybe they would even deal 100 00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:35,680 Speaker 1: him at this point. I don't know if that's gonna happen. 101 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:38,000 Speaker 1: And it's tough to not pick up what they trade 102 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:40,040 Speaker 1: a second round, second round pick, second round pick for 103 00:05:40,120 --> 00:05:41,760 Speaker 1: him and then you don't pick up the option two 104 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:43,839 Speaker 1: years out of him, you know, And and he's gonna 105 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 1: be a backup for one of them or some degree. 106 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 1: He's not a bad player, it's just I think he 107 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 1: is what it is at this stage of his career. Yeah, 108 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 1: twenty two is the aforementioned Adam Troutman. I like him 109 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:56,560 Speaker 1: a lot. A lot of it's what's in front of him. 110 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 1: I try not to speculate too much on these lists 111 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:01,680 Speaker 1: of what they're going to become. But he was a 112 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 1: really good blocker too as a rookie, which is very rare, 113 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:08,240 Speaker 1: and he runs well limited sample size, but New Orleans 114 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 1: had all kinds of cap problems, but didn't hesitate to 115 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: let Coca leave go to this guy. Twenty one is 116 00:06:14,279 --> 00:06:17,880 Speaker 1: hebron and Steeler fans are probably a lot of Steeler 117 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:19,840 Speaker 1: fans from what I've seen it would disagree with that. 118 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:22,760 Speaker 1: They wanted them released. They want him cut. That he 119 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:25,920 Speaker 1: stinks he's this, he's that he's a weapon. Folks don't 120 00:06:25,920 --> 00:06:28,440 Speaker 1: look at the tea next to his name, right, And 121 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 1: a lot of these guys are we're gonna those Travis Kelsey. 122 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:32,080 Speaker 1: I mean, so there's a lot of the guys that 123 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:34,960 Speaker 1: are better than than Hebron in my opinion, but doesn't 124 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:37,359 Speaker 1: mean does that value. I mean, he's not Mark Brunner. No, 125 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:39,919 Speaker 1: he's not Heath Miller, He's not you know, but he's 126 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:44,160 Speaker 1: you know, he's a receiving tight end. Don't ask him 127 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:45,960 Speaker 1: to do things that he can't do. And I'm not 128 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:48,800 Speaker 1: even implying that his blocking is Okay, it's bad, but 129 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:52,599 Speaker 1: the bar for tight end blocking to even be average 130 00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:55,040 Speaker 1: now is much lower than it even was five ten 131 00:06:55,120 --> 00:07:00,479 Speaker 1: years ago. You know, yeah, absolutely number twenty the great 132 00:07:01,279 --> 00:07:03,679 Speaker 1: moa Ali Cox, at least according to Pro Football Focus. 133 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:06,200 Speaker 1: They hit They had him as a second team All 134 00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 1: Pro last year. Right. I think he's an interesting player. 135 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:15,360 Speaker 1: He's a really long lean, you know, improving player, gives 136 00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:18,160 Speaker 1: us all as a blocker. I mean, I don't think 137 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:20,800 Speaker 1: he's anywhere close to a Pro Bowl conversation. Don't get 138 00:07:20,840 --> 00:07:24,080 Speaker 1: me wrong, but most positions, a player like that doesn't 139 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 1: make the top twenty five. But he's all right. Nineteen 140 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:30,560 Speaker 1: is cole commit with the Bears A lot like Troutman 141 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 1: to me, I mean, it's hard to judge young guys, 142 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:36,239 Speaker 1: but I think he's ascending for some reason, Jimmy Graham 143 00:07:36,320 --> 00:07:39,040 Speaker 1: still in his way, which I don't quite understand, but 144 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 1: I like to commit coming out of school. He was 145 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 1: first a tight end taking a year ago, not a 146 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:45,280 Speaker 1: first rounder, but sort of friar MUTHI ish. That's what 147 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 1: I just gonna say. This is this is kind of 148 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:49,000 Speaker 1: what you're hoping for with with Pat friar Muth. And 149 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:51,680 Speaker 1: when you're talking about this list next year, he's somewhere 150 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:54,800 Speaker 1: in that teen's area. Yeah, right, showed something as a rookie. 151 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 1: There's a lot of promise here. You see the skills. 152 00:07:57,160 --> 00:08:00,320 Speaker 1: Understand why he was drafted, why why where he was? Yeah, 153 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:04,240 Speaker 1: he's a he's a good ascending player. Eighteen is Austin 154 00:08:04,320 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 1: Hooper with the Browns. I don't think they're getting their 155 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:09,200 Speaker 1: money out of them. And you know they even had 156 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 1: the Joku and the rookie hunter Um what's his name? Hunters? 157 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:21,200 Speaker 1: I don't know, Bryant both played right. Um. Then Hooper's okay, 158 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:24,400 Speaker 1: he's just not worth the money dollars. No, I can 159 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:26,200 Speaker 1: see him being a cap cat really after the year. 160 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:29,240 Speaker 1: Like they're paying their tight ends a lot, like fifteen 161 00:08:29,280 --> 00:08:33,560 Speaker 1: million dollars this year for average. Hooper's Hooper's eighteenth on 162 00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:35,560 Speaker 1: this list. Yeah, I mean, maybe you could make an 163 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:38,840 Speaker 1: argument he should be fifteen, but he's not a difference maker. Yeah, 164 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 1: I don't know if you kind of laughed at it 165 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:41,760 Speaker 1: when they made a move. I don't know as you 166 00:08:41,800 --> 00:08:43,880 Speaker 1: can rank him ahead of any of these guys above him, 167 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:45,760 Speaker 1: because the next guy in the list is Robert Tonyan 168 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:49,080 Speaker 1: better than Hooper. Yeah, I mean if he had loven 169 00:08:49,120 --> 00:08:52,360 Speaker 1: touchdown catches last year, now that's playing with with Aaron Rodgers. 170 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:55,920 Speaker 1: But if he watched him play, I mean he was 171 00:08:55,960 --> 00:08:58,160 Speaker 1: a legit weapon. I mean him and Aaron Jones were 172 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:01,040 Speaker 1: basically the number two, you know, receiving options in that 173 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:05,160 Speaker 1: passing game behind Adams. Um. Is he a special player? No, 174 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:07,840 Speaker 1: I mean I would hope even if Friar Muth will 175 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:10,440 Speaker 1: go past where Tonyon is now. But he had a 176 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 1: really good year and I'm not gonna you can run 177 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 1: pretty well. Sixteen is Smith. I'm a fan, and I 178 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 1: think he's a sending player as well. Uh, sort of 179 00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:26,000 Speaker 1: like the Saints, they walk for a reason. They didn't 180 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,360 Speaker 1: hesitate at all to move on from Rudolph and trust 181 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:31,640 Speaker 1: this guy. He came in the league really young, good 182 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:35,080 Speaker 1: plus athlete will block more than you think from He's 183 00:09:35,120 --> 00:09:39,320 Speaker 1: not the Ebron Mold entirely. Um, you know, I like 184 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:44,679 Speaker 1: him too. Gerald Everett with the Seahawks. I think that's 185 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:47,840 Speaker 1: an underrated pick up in free agency. They've needed somebody 186 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 1: like him. They throw to the tight end. Wilson wants 187 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:55,240 Speaker 1: to likes to um. Everett and Higbee sort of canceled 188 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:57,720 Speaker 1: each other out a little bit with the Rams. Both 189 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 1: to me are starting caliber guys, and I think both 190 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:02,880 Speaker 1: of them best. Your best football's get to come because 191 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:05,920 Speaker 1: the ones all the way. Yeah. The fourteen you have 192 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:09,760 Speaker 1: the aforementioned Higby. Yeah yeah, and again boy two years ago, 193 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:12,000 Speaker 1: the last six games of the year, he insane. He 194 00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:14,320 Speaker 1: looked like the next Rob Gronkowski. Yeah, and we didn't 195 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 1: think that was going to keep up. But he's capable. Obviously, 196 00:10:16,679 --> 00:10:18,960 Speaker 1: it wasn't a two game stample size. And Matthew Stafford 197 00:10:18,960 --> 00:10:20,920 Speaker 1: will throw to the tight end, oh yeah, without question. 198 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:23,560 Speaker 1: So I think both those guys are set up to 199 00:10:23,600 --> 00:10:27,680 Speaker 1: be apart from each other. Um, good receivers, not great players, 200 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:31,080 Speaker 1: but you know, high quality tight ends. Thirteen you have 201 00:10:31,240 --> 00:10:33,640 Speaker 1: Rob Gronkowski and that has to be a tough one 202 00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:36,360 Speaker 1: that where to put him because he's not a full 203 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:39,040 Speaker 1: time player anymore. No, And I went to Pro Football 204 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:41,839 Speaker 1: Focus and went and you know, found some of their 205 00:10:41,880 --> 00:10:45,040 Speaker 1: stats and some of their snap towns. He passed blocked 206 00:10:45,120 --> 00:10:47,240 Speaker 1: a lot last year. I mean for tight ends. He 207 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:49,640 Speaker 1: still does that yet anymore, and he's great at it. 208 00:10:50,240 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 1: He played really well in the Super Bowl. I mean, 209 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:54,920 Speaker 1: I think he picks his spots at this point. He 210 00:10:54,960 --> 00:10:57,400 Speaker 1: ain't what he used to be, but he's still no 211 00:10:57,480 --> 00:11:01,200 Speaker 1: fun to play against. Twelve Another tough one. The rank 212 00:11:01,320 --> 00:11:04,920 Speaker 1: you have Evan Ingram here, Yeah, I know Steeler fans 213 00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:11,240 Speaker 1: were frustrated with Ebron last year. Giants fans are three 214 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:14,160 Speaker 1: years of frustration with Evan Ingram at this point. Yeah. 215 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:16,360 Speaker 1: If you just look at his statue, it's not bad. 216 00:11:16,800 --> 00:11:19,480 Speaker 1: You look at his combine and you're blown away. He 217 00:11:19,559 --> 00:11:21,240 Speaker 1: has a little bit of Ebron to him to your 218 00:11:21,280 --> 00:11:23,880 Speaker 1: point of being the victim of where he was drafted. 219 00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 1: You know, if he was a second round pick, people like, oh, 220 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 1: he's a pretty good tight end, but at first so 221 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:30,600 Speaker 1: it's not quite good enough. He's frustrating, but he could 222 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:33,840 Speaker 1: blow up at any game or any season. I'm curious 223 00:11:33,880 --> 00:11:38,280 Speaker 1: what his market will be after the year. The former 224 00:11:38,360 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 1: quarterback logan Thomas Washington really good year last year, ye, 225 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:46,800 Speaker 1: really good year. I mean he's found his niche. I 226 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:50,440 Speaker 1: would bet his production dips a little with three good 227 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 1: receivers there now, and you know he's probably essentially the 228 00:11:53,120 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 1: number two receivers with mclora and they were hurting for targets. 229 00:11:56,880 --> 00:12:00,520 Speaker 1: They had Samuel, they added Dammy Brown. But obviously the 230 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:03,960 Speaker 1: conversion of tight end has been highly successful. Ten is 231 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:09,120 Speaker 1: another big receiving tight end, Mike Kasicki. He's also in 232 00:12:09,160 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 1: the He doesn't block, he doesn't block anybody. Yeah, I 233 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:14,320 Speaker 1: mean Friar Muth is not like him. They were both 234 00:12:14,360 --> 00:12:17,120 Speaker 1: attached a lot at Penn State, but Friar Muth is 235 00:12:17,160 --> 00:12:20,000 Speaker 1: a lot more apt to put somebody on their back 236 00:12:20,160 --> 00:12:23,000 Speaker 1: or at least engage. Kaseki is a big slot all 237 00:12:23,080 --> 00:12:25,080 Speaker 1: day long. You can see why he was really good 238 00:12:25,080 --> 00:12:29,400 Speaker 1: at volleyball. I means, go up and get it guys young, 239 00:12:29,840 --> 00:12:32,600 Speaker 1: you know, really good vertical things like that. But he 240 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:36,200 Speaker 1: is what I mean, ain't anybody. Nine is John new Smith. 241 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:40,000 Speaker 1: I think and ate his hunter Henry. This is kind 242 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 1: of a Browns like situation, and that you paid these 243 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:45,640 Speaker 1: guys a lot of money, a lot of money, and 244 00:12:45,679 --> 00:12:48,920 Speaker 1: you're not getting the number one like you didn't. You're 245 00:12:48,960 --> 00:12:50,880 Speaker 1: not You're not paying here for Kittle, you're not paying 246 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 1: for Kelsey. You're paying these guys more than what kill 247 00:12:56,280 --> 00:13:00,600 Speaker 1: or Kelsey are making defensive And I don't know that 248 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:02,719 Speaker 1: you're gonna get like I think people are gonna be. 249 00:13:03,880 --> 00:13:06,000 Speaker 1: I don't know the Patriots fans will be disappointed because 250 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:08,559 Speaker 1: I think they won't help them make them a better team. Agreed, 251 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:10,960 Speaker 1: But I don't know that it's going to be. You know, 252 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 1: had they spent that money on on a wide receiver, 253 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:16,520 Speaker 1: uh and one of these guys, I think they'd have 254 00:13:16,559 --> 00:13:19,560 Speaker 1: been much happier. I do too. I assume this just 255 00:13:19,640 --> 00:13:22,480 Speaker 1: screams we're gonna live in twelve personnel. I mean, you're 256 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:24,480 Speaker 1: not gonna have They're not gonna rotate in and out. 257 00:13:24,679 --> 00:13:27,600 Speaker 1: If you're spending this kind of money these guys, um, 258 00:13:27,720 --> 00:13:29,760 Speaker 1: it does kind of feel like Hooper a little bit, 259 00:13:29,800 --> 00:13:32,120 Speaker 1: as you're buying high in terms of what you're paying 260 00:13:32,160 --> 00:13:35,120 Speaker 1: these guys. I like both players. I really like Johnny 261 00:13:35,240 --> 00:13:38,800 Speaker 1: Smith after the catch. Henry's injury history really worries me, 262 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:42,040 Speaker 1: but he did stay healthy last year. Maybe they're flukey things. 263 00:13:43,880 --> 00:13:46,040 Speaker 1: I don't want either one in fantasy, to be honest 264 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:48,520 Speaker 1: with you. I mean, and but I think they will 265 00:13:48,559 --> 00:13:52,640 Speaker 1: make the Patriots a better team. But they're more compliments 266 00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:55,240 Speaker 1: to an outside receiver, right, Yeah. I wish they had 267 00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:57,439 Speaker 1: one more piece there to really get the most out 268 00:13:57,440 --> 00:14:00,360 Speaker 1: of these guys. It's not Aaron Hernandez and rock our House. 269 00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:02,720 Speaker 1: It's not you know, it's it's not that situation. And 270 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:05,680 Speaker 1: then and they don't have they don't have the outside 271 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:09,800 Speaker 1: receiver who's gonna command No, the safety over the top 272 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:12,720 Speaker 1: that's gonna free them up in the field. There's been 273 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 1: a lot of single coverage on the outside. I mean, 274 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:17,959 Speaker 1: Gronk and Hernandez were maybe the two best tight ends 275 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:19,720 Speaker 1: in the league at that point. These guys are what 276 00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:21,720 Speaker 1: eight nine or nine and ten or something like that. 277 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:25,760 Speaker 1: You know, number seven is no offense. I didn't love 278 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:27,480 Speaker 1: him coming out of school. I thought he was, you know, 279 00:14:27,920 --> 00:14:30,920 Speaker 1: sort of a combine warrior, straight line ish. I like 280 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:32,520 Speaker 1: him more and more. You know, they get him on 281 00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:36,680 Speaker 1: like crossing routes after the catches speeding. Yeah, I mean, 282 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:38,600 Speaker 1: I would like to see him. Who had this conversation 283 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:41,200 Speaker 1: a lot about Denver with a quarterback that would get 284 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:43,280 Speaker 1: the most out of a tight end. But he won't 285 00:14:43,320 --> 00:14:46,480 Speaker 1: block anybody not so much. Yeah, I mean that's but 286 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 1: he's got good at it. Most of these guys don't. 287 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:53,760 Speaker 1: Six is Dallas Goddard. I think he's a star. I mean, 288 00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:56,240 Speaker 1: I don't know if we'll ever see the numbers. I 289 00:14:56,280 --> 00:14:59,240 Speaker 1: mean they urt is there. I don't know if he 290 00:14:59,320 --> 00:15:02,240 Speaker 1: still will be. It broke my heart when he went 291 00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:04,160 Speaker 1: in the second round. I thought the Steelers could grab 292 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:07,080 Speaker 1: this guy three or four years ago or whatever. I 293 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:09,280 Speaker 1: really think the best is yet to come. I think 294 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:13,080 Speaker 1: he's an exceptional blocker. Um. Never really been in a 295 00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:16,560 Speaker 1: feature situation though. Yeah, I mean he's He's what you're 296 00:15:16,600 --> 00:15:18,680 Speaker 1: looking for if you're looking for that. He and Kittle 297 00:15:18,760 --> 00:15:21,880 Speaker 1: or the are the combo guys that these guys can 298 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:24,720 Speaker 1: they can catch it and they can they can block. 299 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:27,240 Speaker 1: And if Friar Muth turns into God or Steward, fans 300 00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:29,840 Speaker 1: were really happy. Yeah, and probably people don't look at 301 00:15:29,840 --> 00:15:33,360 Speaker 1: God it that way. Uh. Five is Mark Andrews. I 302 00:15:33,440 --> 00:15:35,880 Speaker 1: might actually have God heared ahead of him just as 303 00:15:35,920 --> 00:15:38,720 Speaker 1: an all around player. Yeah, there's a couple of knocks 304 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:41,520 Speaker 1: on Andrews. Is he doesn't play that many snaps. He's 305 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:43,480 Speaker 1: not a full time player, like they have to have 306 00:15:43,520 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 1: another tight end to to supplement him because he's always 307 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:49,160 Speaker 1: he's always on the injury list. I mean he's there. 308 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:52,520 Speaker 1: He's their best receiver over the Lamar era and most productive, 309 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:55,080 Speaker 1: but still only plays like two thirds of the snaps. 310 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:58,240 Speaker 1: He's an okay blocker and they you know how they 311 00:15:58,280 --> 00:16:00,400 Speaker 1: move their tight ends around, and he'll get goals and 312 00:16:00,440 --> 00:16:03,280 Speaker 1: things like that, but he's not powerful. Um. I think 313 00:16:03,280 --> 00:16:05,480 Speaker 1: he's a very good receiver and a very productive one 314 00:16:05,520 --> 00:16:07,880 Speaker 1: in Lamar trusts him. But I don't think he's a 315 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:10,400 Speaker 1: special receiver. I'm not sure he's better than Gasecki as 316 00:16:10,440 --> 00:16:12,720 Speaker 1: a receiver, you know, stretching the field, double, get the 317 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:15,800 Speaker 1: football after the catch, gets more targets. Yeah, he's good. 318 00:16:16,320 --> 00:16:18,640 Speaker 1: I don't know that he's a difference maker though. Uh 319 00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:21,360 Speaker 1: At four you have t J. Hawkinson. I think he's 320 00:16:21,360 --> 00:16:27,040 Speaker 1: a star too, and really showed it. I mean really 321 00:16:27,080 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 1: good combine and you see that, and he runs well 322 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:32,720 Speaker 1: and he's physical and any Era would be a top 323 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:35,840 Speaker 1: tight end, not in that top tier. These these next 324 00:16:35,840 --> 00:16:38,480 Speaker 1: three year ultra productive. I don't know if Hawkinson can 325 00:16:38,520 --> 00:16:40,960 Speaker 1: get there, but boy, I'd like him on my football team. 326 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:44,840 Speaker 1: At three of Darren Waller. It's such an interesting story. 327 00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:48,600 Speaker 1: Came in the league as a receiver, um alcohol problems 328 00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 1: are well noted, got his crap together, and Gruden is phenomenal. 329 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 1: Going back to Jared Cook conversation we started with of 330 00:16:57,080 --> 00:17:02,440 Speaker 1: scheming uptight ends, he's a mismatch, super productive. Good for him, 331 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:04,679 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, I just speaking of that. Did 332 00:17:04,760 --> 00:17:07,240 Speaker 1: you see that the Giants signed Kelvin Benjamin is a 333 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:09,919 Speaker 1: tight end? Tight end? I guess it's worth a shot. 334 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:13,840 Speaker 1: And again, tight ends don't block anybody, it really don't 335 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:16,040 Speaker 1: if they just get in the way of a somebody 336 00:17:16,080 --> 00:17:19,919 Speaker 1: in the secondary. Did yeah, and don't treat him like 337 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:22,120 Speaker 1: a tight end, but he's really a big receiver. Don't 338 00:17:22,160 --> 00:17:23,959 Speaker 1: ask him to crack down on the on the lineman 339 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:26,359 Speaker 1: or anything like that because I get inside hands on 340 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:29,080 Speaker 1: a big linebacker and push them out or anything like that. 341 00:17:29,160 --> 00:17:31,680 Speaker 1: But we'll see. I mean, it's worth a risk. It's 342 00:17:31,720 --> 00:17:34,000 Speaker 1: better than sign of Tebow. And then the top two 343 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:36,600 Speaker 1: are pretty obvious. You have Kittle two and Kelsey one 344 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:40,879 Speaker 1: that could easibly be the other way around. Nine of 345 00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:43,280 Speaker 1: ten times I would take Kiddle over Kelsey, but I 346 00:17:43,320 --> 00:17:48,760 Speaker 1: think when it came down to it, Kittle's durability and injury. 347 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:52,240 Speaker 1: It's it's a couple of years now and Kelsey's coming 348 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:55,679 Speaker 1: off like the best history, best tight end year in history. 349 00:17:55,920 --> 00:17:58,919 Speaker 1: I think that's hard to ignore. Kelsey's the you know, 350 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:01,879 Speaker 1: if you look through this list, um, a lot of 351 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:05,000 Speaker 1: these guys on this list have been nicked up at 352 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:07,920 Speaker 1: one time or another in their career. Yeah, Kelsey has not. 353 00:18:08,119 --> 00:18:11,520 Speaker 1: It's been like five years of dominance. Yeah, And I 354 00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:14,400 Speaker 1: think ridiculous part of that. I mean we've talked about 355 00:18:14,440 --> 00:18:17,280 Speaker 1: in the past. I think the tight end position, you're 356 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:20,080 Speaker 1: catching so many balls in traffic over the middle, you're 357 00:18:20,119 --> 00:18:22,919 Speaker 1: taking big hits from linebackers and safeties and gets a 358 00:18:22,920 --> 00:18:24,639 Speaker 1: ton of targets, you know, and then you're blocking up 359 00:18:25,240 --> 00:18:27,720 Speaker 1: if you're blocking alignement or a linebacker on you know, 360 00:18:28,200 --> 00:18:31,560 Speaker 1: there's there's just more instances. Yeah, there's more instances where 361 00:18:31,560 --> 00:18:34,120 Speaker 1: they can get hurt. Kelsey has has been the outlier 362 00:18:34,160 --> 00:18:38,120 Speaker 1: in that. I Mean, I hate to get ahead of myself, 363 00:18:38,160 --> 00:18:41,440 Speaker 1: but I think he's maybe surpassed Tony Gonzalez is best 364 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:46,280 Speaker 1: chief tight end ever. And if he's pas Gonzalez is yeah, 365 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:48,680 Speaker 1: he's he's yeah. I mean he's got super bowls. Just 366 00:18:48,800 --> 00:18:52,399 Speaker 1: career achievements are really really strong right now. Um. I 367 00:18:52,440 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 1: thought he was the most important fantasy player in the 368 00:18:54,760 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 1: league last year because he's so much different than the 369 00:18:56,800 --> 00:19:00,200 Speaker 1: other tight ends. He's actually like Gonzalez, he's actually a 370 00:19:00,280 --> 00:19:02,280 Speaker 1: little better as a blocker. It's never gonna be his 371 00:19:02,359 --> 00:19:04,840 Speaker 1: fourte but take a little more pride in it late 372 00:19:04,840 --> 00:19:06,560 Speaker 1: in your career. And some of those guys did that, 373 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:09,680 Speaker 1: Gates and Witton and Gonzo and those dudes. But he's 374 00:19:09,680 --> 00:19:11,560 Speaker 1: a nightmare to play again. Do you do you worry 375 00:19:11,600 --> 00:19:14,280 Speaker 1: that he's gonna turn thirty too soon, that he's gonna 376 00:19:14,280 --> 00:19:17,080 Speaker 1: start to slip a little bit? Probably, But I mentioned 377 00:19:17,119 --> 00:19:20,920 Speaker 1: those guys and Heath Miller, and tight ends fade away 378 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:23,920 Speaker 1: slow because they're smart and they understand where to sit 379 00:19:23,960 --> 00:19:25,920 Speaker 1: down in his zones. But with him, the thing that 380 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:28,760 Speaker 1: has separated him for so long as he's down the field, speed, 381 00:19:29,080 --> 00:19:31,720 Speaker 1: long strides get him in space. You know, I think 382 00:19:31,720 --> 00:19:34,080 Speaker 1: he'll lose those things, but that doesn't mean he won't 383 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:37,200 Speaker 1: be a valuable asks. You won't see him averaging fourteen 384 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:39,159 Speaker 1: yards of catch or anything like that though anywhere it's 385 00:19:39,160 --> 00:19:42,639 Speaker 1: gonna be you know, ten um. I get back to 386 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:45,439 Speaker 1: Kiddle though. I think we had this conversation before the 387 00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:48,000 Speaker 1: season started because a lot of people in different avenues 388 00:19:48,040 --> 00:19:50,679 Speaker 1: asked me who's the best offensive player in the league 389 00:19:51,359 --> 00:19:53,720 Speaker 1: that's not a quarterback, and I said Kiddle in a 390 00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:57,440 Speaker 1: Gronk like manner. Like McCaffrey's coming off an awesome year, 391 00:19:57,520 --> 00:20:01,640 Speaker 1: Michael Thomas was phenomenal, but Kid, it will presents more 392 00:20:01,680 --> 00:20:06,280 Speaker 1: than anyone on this list, that Gronk mismatch of Okay, 393 00:20:06,280 --> 00:20:09,000 Speaker 1: you're gonna play bass personnel, then I'm gonna run past 394 00:20:09,040 --> 00:20:11,679 Speaker 1: you and he'll beat you. Yeah, if you're gonna be lighter, 395 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:14,879 Speaker 1: I'm gonna block like crazy in the Shanahan system and 396 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:17,280 Speaker 1: put people on their back. There's no answer for those 397 00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:19,880 Speaker 1: type of tight ends, and they're very rare. And that's 398 00:20:19,880 --> 00:20:22,280 Speaker 1: why I think Gronk is really like the best offensive 399 00:20:22,280 --> 00:20:25,040 Speaker 1: player I've seen in the last ten years. And that's 400 00:20:25,119 --> 00:20:29,240 Speaker 1: kind of the expectation for pits. Yeah, I think down there, like, 401 00:20:29,320 --> 00:20:32,040 Speaker 1: if we're having this conversation next year, I would expect 402 00:20:32,119 --> 00:20:34,959 Speaker 1: Pitts to be somewhere in the top four. I mean, 403 00:20:34,960 --> 00:20:37,720 Speaker 1: you're talking about the highest drafted tight end in history, 404 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:39,879 Speaker 1: and he will block. I mean, he's not gonna be 405 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:43,120 Speaker 1: a Gronk Kiddle blocker. He'll embarrass you in the opening right. 406 00:20:43,480 --> 00:20:47,639 Speaker 1: He's gonna be more receiver versatile than either one of 407 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:50,760 Speaker 1: those guys. I mean, with all respect to Gronk and Kiddle, 408 00:20:50,800 --> 00:20:54,600 Speaker 1: who run very well and to me or outstanding rare players, 409 00:20:55,280 --> 00:20:57,080 Speaker 1: Pitts is going to be a better route runner. He's 410 00:20:57,080 --> 00:21:00,119 Speaker 1: gonna beat press band coverage versus corners like keep eat 411 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:02,520 Speaker 1: up on Jac Horne in man and man coverage. It's 412 00:21:02,560 --> 00:21:04,840 Speaker 1: called his level. Like there's no answer for him as 413 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:07,880 Speaker 1: a receiver. And I think that that off that Atlanta 414 00:21:08,040 --> 00:21:10,199 Speaker 1: offense should do a pretty good job of, you know, 415 00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:13,400 Speaker 1: put him in the right spot. Um, when this is released, 416 00:21:13,400 --> 00:21:16,760 Speaker 1: our Eagles fans gonna give you for no earts on 417 00:21:16,760 --> 00:21:19,240 Speaker 1: the list. I think he's in their doghouse now I 418 00:21:19,320 --> 00:21:23,760 Speaker 1: thought about it. Boy, he's had a good career. Um, 419 00:21:24,240 --> 00:21:26,359 Speaker 1: I think some team will pick him up, the Colts 420 00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 1: or somebody like that, and he'll maybe he fades away 421 00:21:29,080 --> 00:21:31,920 Speaker 1: slowly too. But I thought he was a liability on that. 422 00:21:31,960 --> 00:21:36,000 Speaker 1: I mean, we saw Jason Witten leave the broadcast booth 423 00:21:37,440 --> 00:21:39,520 Speaker 1: and go to the Raiders, and not that he was 424 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:42,679 Speaker 1: he was a part time player, but he was a 425 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:46,240 Speaker 1: part time player for the Raiders after taking Yeah for 426 00:21:46,320 --> 00:21:48,120 Speaker 1: taking a year off, We've seen Gronk take a year 427 00:21:48,160 --> 00:21:50,280 Speaker 1: off and come back and be and be effective at 428 00:21:50,280 --> 00:21:52,440 Speaker 1: that position. It's a good question because I didn't think 429 00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:55,240 Speaker 1: maybe I should just put so he's on the list, 430 00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:57,720 Speaker 1: you know, show that I on tipping the cap for 431 00:21:57,760 --> 00:22:01,400 Speaker 1: the and he might back to that. And I'm sure 432 00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:03,840 Speaker 1: injuries had some kind of factor in it, Like if 433 00:22:03,840 --> 00:22:05,640 Speaker 1: the Steelers picked if he gets caught in Steelers picked 434 00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:07,280 Speaker 1: them up, I would say, okay, you know, if you're 435 00:22:07,280 --> 00:22:09,000 Speaker 1: gonna pay the lead minimum for a year, he might 436 00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:10,919 Speaker 1: be productive. You know, I wouldn't hesitate. I'm not going 437 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:13,880 Speaker 1: to criticize any team that picks them up. His tape 438 00:22:13,920 --> 00:22:17,679 Speaker 1: last year is rough, though. Yeah, he just doesn't run well. 439 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:21,240 Speaker 1: He never did run well. He was peppered with targets, 440 00:22:21,240 --> 00:22:23,800 Speaker 1: smart though, and understands all the all the tricks of 441 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:25,840 Speaker 1: the trade and I'm gonna sit down on the zone 442 00:22:25,920 --> 00:22:30,080 Speaker 1: and all that. But I hesitated to I mean, some 443 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:32,159 Speaker 1: some of the can't miss guys were or they're just 444 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:34,840 Speaker 1: miss guys were like firks or you know, like there 445 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:37,920 Speaker 1: it's a tough position to fill. I mean, I think 446 00:22:38,440 --> 00:22:41,719 Speaker 1: Steeler fans may have an understanding of that now, right, 447 00:22:41,840 --> 00:22:45,040 Speaker 1: you know, after the Steelers of of not that they 448 00:22:45,160 --> 00:22:47,199 Speaker 1: you know, used a lot of high picks on these guys, 449 00:22:47,520 --> 00:22:51,080 Speaker 1: but they've taken some bites. But you see every year, 450 00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:53,600 Speaker 1: like what was it two years ago, three years ago? Now, 451 00:22:54,320 --> 00:22:57,720 Speaker 1: it was a deep tight end class, and they kept 452 00:22:57,760 --> 00:22:59,840 Speaker 1: every every time the Steelers pick would come up, there 453 00:22:59,840 --> 00:23:01,720 Speaker 1: being run off tight ends, three or four we go 454 00:23:01,720 --> 00:23:04,359 Speaker 1: off the board right before they picked. Yeah, and so 455 00:23:04,400 --> 00:23:06,320 Speaker 1: they ended up with Zack Gentry in the fifth round 456 00:23:06,400 --> 00:23:09,000 Speaker 1: and he was the next guy up. Yeah. And even 457 00:23:08,760 --> 00:23:12,600 Speaker 1: a deep tight end class means there's five of them, yeah, 458 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:15,440 Speaker 1: and there's still ten teams that need them. And you know, 459 00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:18,280 Speaker 1: we talked to Labs last segment, and I know he's 460 00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:20,439 Speaker 1: not a huge fan of investing in tight ends as 461 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:23,280 Speaker 1: a role. And you know, he was talking along the 462 00:23:23,320 --> 00:23:26,440 Speaker 1: lines of this a position that's in vogue right now. 463 00:23:27,080 --> 00:23:28,919 Speaker 1: I think a lot of it's coaching. I mean, if 464 00:23:28,960 --> 00:23:31,480 Speaker 1: your coach is not good at scheming this position up. 465 00:23:31,800 --> 00:23:33,560 Speaker 1: You know, a friend of the show, Mike Sando, calls 466 00:23:33,600 --> 00:23:36,639 Speaker 1: tight ends the queen on the chessboard. But if the 467 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:38,840 Speaker 1: guy holding the chess pieces isn't real good at using 468 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:41,360 Speaker 1: the queen, then it's gonna know. You gotta know which 469 00:23:41,359 --> 00:23:44,520 Speaker 1: way she moves. Yeah, just be forward, backwards, the sidewords, 470 00:23:44,560 --> 00:23:46,520 Speaker 1: you can your sideways, you can go. You can use 471 00:23:46,560 --> 00:23:49,040 Speaker 1: all these things and nominate the board. And Kyle Shanahan 472 00:23:49,080 --> 00:23:51,040 Speaker 1: and Andy Reid know how to do that. Rudin knows 473 00:23:51,040 --> 00:23:53,199 Speaker 1: how to do that. But I don't know if it 474 00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:55,560 Speaker 1: also helps to have that guy. You have to have 475 00:23:55,560 --> 00:23:58,040 Speaker 1: that guy, right, I mean, if Pitts would have went 476 00:23:58,080 --> 00:24:00,320 Speaker 1: to the wrong team, or if Waller was on a 477 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:03,080 Speaker 1: team that didn't utilize that position, they wouldn't be the same. 478 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:06,959 Speaker 1: Pitts would, but Waller wouldn't rejuvenate his career on just 479 00:24:07,040 --> 00:24:10,360 Speaker 1: any team. It's it's kind of catch twenty two. I mean, 480 00:24:10,560 --> 00:24:12,399 Speaker 1: you can see why teams would say I don't want 481 00:24:12,400 --> 00:24:15,240 Speaker 1: to invest in this position because I draft one, it 482 00:24:15,280 --> 00:24:17,080 Speaker 1: takes them three years to get good and then I 483 00:24:17,119 --> 00:24:18,760 Speaker 1: got to pay them when they finally do and I 484 00:24:18,800 --> 00:24:20,800 Speaker 1: got one good year out of him. And it takes 485 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:23,880 Speaker 1: a premium pick usually to hit on those guys. Howard's 486 00:24:23,880 --> 00:24:26,480 Speaker 1: and Ingram's and the joke Googles. If you look down 487 00:24:26,520 --> 00:24:28,119 Speaker 1: that list of guys that you had them, there aren't 488 00:24:28,119 --> 00:24:34,560 Speaker 1: many fifth unders. But that was because I had, you know, 489 00:24:34,640 --> 00:24:38,040 Speaker 1: five of those guys, and they always doctor right, right right. 490 00:24:38,359 --> 00:24:40,199 Speaker 1: It's an odd position to invest in, you know, like 491 00:24:40,240 --> 00:24:43,919 Speaker 1: the Steelers Goe advanced McDonald on the cheap when he 492 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:46,959 Speaker 1: was seven issue, and like, I know what he is. 493 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:49,119 Speaker 1: He's good enough. I don't have to worry about it 494 00:24:49,119 --> 00:24:51,840 Speaker 1: for a while. That's not so bad. Yeah, I agree, 495 00:24:51,960 --> 00:24:54,720 Speaker 1: but let's keep it on the tight end conversation. I mean, 496 00:24:54,720 --> 00:24:56,560 Speaker 1: I think Abron is going to be a big part 497 00:24:56,640 --> 00:24:59,960 Speaker 1: of this passing game. I think his snaps might decrease 498 00:25:00,119 --> 00:25:02,840 Speaker 1: this year. Not by it, Yeah, yeah, I don't know 499 00:25:02,880 --> 00:25:04,480 Speaker 1: that he has to be out there all the time. 500 00:25:04,920 --> 00:25:07,480 Speaker 1: Going back to the conversation we have with Labs, he 501 00:25:07,520 --> 00:25:11,640 Speaker 1: even mentioned receivers blocking in the past and game Abron 502 00:25:11,680 --> 00:25:13,840 Speaker 1: fits that bill too. I mean, if you only have 503 00:25:13,960 --> 00:25:18,680 Speaker 1: five offensive lineman three receivers Ebron, you're not getting enough 504 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:21,200 Speaker 1: help blocking, you know, and they don't have to be great, 505 00:25:21,240 --> 00:25:24,360 Speaker 1: but the Claypools and Jujus have to be above averages. Receivers, 506 00:25:25,160 --> 00:25:29,040 Speaker 1: and I like Ebron, He's on my list, but I 507 00:25:29,080 --> 00:25:34,480 Speaker 1: think his snaps need to be somewhere in that range 508 00:25:34,480 --> 00:25:38,119 Speaker 1: as much like you know, if you want to have 509 00:25:38,200 --> 00:25:41,840 Speaker 1: him on the field, you know, on on passing downs, fine, 510 00:25:43,160 --> 00:25:45,199 Speaker 1: even some first in town. I mean, not just a 511 00:25:45,240 --> 00:25:48,040 Speaker 1: specialty player, right, No, he's not. Uh you want to 512 00:25:48,040 --> 00:25:50,560 Speaker 1: put him on the field in the red zone. He's 513 00:25:50,640 --> 00:25:53,000 Speaker 1: a weapon in the red zone, which is the way 514 00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:55,840 Speaker 1: Indianapolis kind of used him, you know, But he can't 515 00:25:55,880 --> 00:25:58,240 Speaker 1: be your primary guy. No, he caught a lot of 516 00:25:58,240 --> 00:26:00,840 Speaker 1: touchdowns in Indy. Um, it wouldn't bak my heart if 517 00:26:00,880 --> 00:26:03,359 Speaker 1: you see him trot off the field on second and 518 00:26:03,480 --> 00:26:06,600 Speaker 1: five and out comes Joe Haig, you know what I mean, Like, Okay, well, 519 00:26:06,720 --> 00:26:09,280 Speaker 1: the defense better adjusted that they do not keep the 520 00:26:09,320 --> 00:26:12,280 Speaker 1: same personnel out there and you're gonna grind some meat 521 00:26:12,600 --> 00:26:14,720 Speaker 1: or he trots off and here comes you know what 522 00:26:14,960 --> 00:26:17,040 Speaker 1: at fullback. You know, some of those type of things. 523 00:26:17,080 --> 00:26:19,240 Speaker 1: So you know, it's not even just a friar mooth thing. 524 00:26:19,240 --> 00:26:21,120 Speaker 1: But I think Ebron would be better in a little 525 00:26:21,119 --> 00:26:23,080 Speaker 1: bit smaller doses. And I think they have a much 526 00:26:23,119 --> 00:26:25,280 Speaker 1: better idea of that now after having been with them 527 00:26:25,280 --> 00:26:27,760 Speaker 1: for a year. Yeah, yeah, yeah, what you can and 528 00:26:27,800 --> 00:26:29,880 Speaker 1: can't ask him to do. And some of these tight 529 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:31,760 Speaker 1: ends we talked about Jared cook Ebron is starting to 530 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:35,320 Speaker 1: fall in this conversation. They bounce around teams pretty quickly 531 00:26:35,840 --> 00:26:37,959 Speaker 1: because I think sometimes people get it. I don't think 532 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:41,760 Speaker 1: the Steelers did this, but getting inflated, Oh, I'm gonna 533 00:26:41,760 --> 00:26:43,919 Speaker 1: turn him into a blocker, and he finally realized this 534 00:26:43,960 --> 00:26:45,600 Speaker 1: is who he is. This is there's a reason why 535 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:47,480 Speaker 1: he's not a blocker. Here's a reason not a blocker. 536 00:26:47,640 --> 00:26:50,480 Speaker 1: That's not who he is. He's a slot receiver. Yeah, 537 00:26:50,560 --> 00:26:52,720 Speaker 1: and I think that's what that's the way he'll be 538 00:26:52,760 --> 00:26:55,320 Speaker 1: utilized this year. And we'll see what happens in the future. 539 00:26:55,359 --> 00:26:59,160 Speaker 1: But certainly, um, I believe that tight end position is 540 00:26:59,320 --> 00:27:06,240 Speaker 1: one that is changing quickly quickly. Yeah. Um the you know, 541 00:27:06,280 --> 00:27:08,560 Speaker 1: the the combo tight ends or a thing of the past. 542 00:27:08,600 --> 00:27:12,320 Speaker 1: I mean, they're like pure blocking fullbacks. I've been asked 543 00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:14,480 Speaker 1: a million times as Friar moves from my remind you 544 00:27:14,600 --> 00:27:19,760 Speaker 1: Heath Miller. Yeah, but it ut the two thousand twenty 545 00:27:19,760 --> 00:27:23,200 Speaker 1: one version, you know, Like again, the bar for blocking 546 00:27:23,240 --> 00:27:26,520 Speaker 1: for these guys is lower, and I think Friar Moves 547 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:29,480 Speaker 1: can get to where Heath was relatively speaking. You know, 548 00:27:29,480 --> 00:27:31,359 Speaker 1: if you watch both their tapes, He's always going to 549 00:27:31,400 --> 00:27:33,800 Speaker 1: be a better blocker than Friar Moves. Yea, even at 550 00:27:33,880 --> 00:27:35,960 Speaker 1: eight years from now if he's a pro bowler. Two. 551 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:39,280 Speaker 1: But you don't need as much, you know. And so 552 00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:42,480 Speaker 1: I think there's a comparison there, but it's a little 553 00:27:42,520 --> 00:27:44,800 Speaker 1: bit of a too easy comparison, you know what I mean, 554 00:27:44,840 --> 00:27:47,840 Speaker 1: Like it's a little too convenient. Yeah, I mean, just 555 00:27:47,920 --> 00:27:50,320 Speaker 1: they both have a T next to their name, you know, 556 00:27:50,400 --> 00:27:53,200 Speaker 1: That's that's the way it goes. But that is going 557 00:27:53,240 --> 00:27:55,560 Speaker 1: to do it for our show today. So for Matt Williamson, 558 00:27:55,760 --> 00:27:58,040 Speaker 1: for Jacob rect here on site keeping us on the 559 00:27:58,080 --> 00:28:02,160 Speaker 1: air and making sure we the time limit. I'm Dale Lally. 560 00:28:02,320 --> 00:28:04,119 Speaker 1: We thank you for listening to this edition of The 561 00:28:04,240 --> 00:28:05,960 Speaker 1: Drive on Steelers Nation Radio.