The Chiefs Focus on Tight End Will Never Be The Same Again
by Matt Conner on Feb 5, 2010 2:45 PM CST
in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season
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PrintBoy, oh, boy. How things have changed 'round these parts. For years, the face of the franchise was Tony Gonzalez, the Chiefs' all-world tight end who's a surefire first-ballot Hall of Fame entry. He's redefined the position for the next twenty years and became a hero to a new generation of Chiefs fans. All was for good reason, of course; Gonzalez's play was simply exemplary in nearly every facet of the game. He was the offensive focus much of the time and it was an earned trust Gonzalez held with KC's quarterbacks.
Then came The Trade. Gonzalez became a Falcon during the offseason of 2009, an exchange Chiefs coaches and fans still have yet to unveil their side of until this April's draft. At that point, along with the installation of new head coach Todd Haley, the tight end emphasis was no more. The position garnered a last second remembrance in last year's draft with the seventh round choice of Jake O'Connell. In free agency, we grabbed that which was familiar in Leonard Pope from the Cardinals. But largely, the fan base hoped high draft choice Brad Cottam would fill the role (and hole) left by Gonzalez' departure.
But alas that was not to happen - at least to this point. And with the hiring of former Notre Dame coach and Patriots offensive guru Charlie Weis, the Chiefs won't be returning to any real focus in that area for a long time.
More after the jump:
It's been noted early and often that Todd Haley prefers to air it out, giving his wide receivers most of the stats and yardage. One quick look at names like Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin make that observation rather obvious, although one also has to wonder whether that's a product of having such a talented receiving corps in the first place. Yet that's exactly what happened this year, too, with receivers making up the top four in receiving yards at year's end. New quarterback Matt Cassel looked to his WR most of the time and left precious little glances for his tight ends. Then again, perhaps that's a lack of talent there.
Still, one look at Charlie Weis' pro career and it's easy to see this trend continuing in coming years. In 2000, Weis' first year calling plays for New England, the leading tight end, Jermaine Wiggins, had only 203 yards. Even the back-up RB, Tony Simmons, had more than that in only two starts and 12 games overall. It was Terry Glenn and Troy Brown who held the torch most that year and each year only further entrenched the offense in that direction. Wiggins had even less years in '01 and Christian Fauria barely broke 250 yards in '02.
By the end of Weis tenure, things looked up a bit more for the tight ends on the roster due to talent upgrades with Daniel Graham (400 yards in 2003), yet teams started raiding the receiving talent of New England as well - leading to perhaps a shift or leveling out of the talent pool between receivers and tight ends.
No matter the rationale behind Haley or Weis's thoughts toward the tight end position, there's little reason to believe tight end will ever become a position of importance it once was in previous years here in Kansas City. Guys like Cottam, Pope, O'Connell or whoever else the team adds will have to be okay with an occasional look here and there and do their job along the offensive line. As for the fans, I doubt they care one bit as long as the Chiefs find some ways to win.
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Blocking, blocking, blocking blocking!!!!!!!!!
Did I mention that our TEs need to get better at blocking?
Signed: Spoiled by Jason Dunn.
I think blocking oughta be #1, but basically you want viable threats at all eligible spots, including TE.
But to me, it’s a lot like RB criteria: physically dominate anybody who can outrun ya, and beat in space anybody who’s stronger. Great 1-on-1 talents, like Tony G are wonderful to have, but I don’t think TE’s the position on which you break the bank or blow a high pick, hoping for a HOFer. Overkill @ OT is fine. Overkill/top-shelf WR is fine. But a great TE without great WRs brings statistics more than it brings championships.
I thought Cottam was becoming a viable option before he got hurt
….and more in the game plan. I tend to think it’s about maximizing your assets—TE not being one.
We got spoiled
The only reason TE was ever a “focus” to this team was because of Tony. When you have a guy that’s a freakin’ monster like he was…you use him. And we did.
Trying to find “the next Tony Gonzalez” will be an exercise in futility…and I don’t think anyone but the fans are looking. Players like that don’t come around very often, and we were lucky to have the priveledge of watching him play.
Wow, just wow!
I thought I was reading my fanpost all over again…
I thought we were getting away from pretty much repeating what someone else just did?
Oh well…
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Feb 5, 2010 3:34 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I think he was trying to say
that we are “missing Tony Gonzalez” but should probably “upgrade at WR” since the TE may not be part of the plan anymore. That’s not exactly the same thing as your post. It does sound slightly familiar though. :-)
Feeling "The Love" and "Drinking the Kool AId"
Yeah
Cause that was your post!! Porkchop we have been ‘had’ by the Conner!
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Feb 5, 2010 3:49 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Um..Yeah
I was about to bash you for posting again. When I first saw Matt, I was like, didn’t he just post this again? Geez, talk about the dead horse syndrome…
Things to get the Chiefs back on the winning side of football:
1. Haley resign as offensive coordinator or do the following;
a. Feed JC more
b. Take the cuffs off of Cassel and let him air it out
2. Fire Clancy "Calls" Playslikeass
by kcchiefsfan72 on Feb 5, 2010 5:45 PM CST up reply actions
nah
just read your fanpost – the tight end dilemma, if that’s what you mean. nice stats posted, but there’s more than one thing to write about tight ends.
Instead of trying to replace Tony G....
Maybe we should focus more on replacing Jason Dunn instead. A new WR as well as Cottam can solve the pass catching issues but, I think Dunn has been a tough guy to replace…even more so that Gonzo.
Personally, I think it’s pretty fucking sad when the best player on your team is a tight end.
Cottam
Needs to put together a full season of work before we start tabbing him the next TE in KC.
I think we need one of the top TE in the draft..preferrably Hernandez. Match him up with a LB or Safety and he will make them look silly.
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Feb 5, 2010 3:52 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
if we HAD another TE who COULD do what TonyG did and we DIDN'T use him like that ...
… THEN I’d be steaming, oh yeah …
still wish we’d gone for Chase Coffman last year instead of McGee … (I think he was around for our 3rd round pick) … had visions of him becoming “the next” TonyG
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
Whilock Rocks!
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
Why is this a surprise to anyone?
Haley hardly even used a tight end in the passing game in Arizona anyway. Check the stats from their Super Bowl year in 2008:
Leonard Pope: 9 catches, 77 yards, 0 TD
Ben Patrick: 11 catches, 104 yards, 0 TD
Jerame Tuman: 3 catches, 41 yards, 0 TD
Combined: 23 catches, 222 yards, 0 TD
2009 in KC:
Leonard Pope: 20 catches, 174 yards, 1 TD
Brad Cottam: 9 catches, 120 yards, 0 TD
Sean Ryan: 14 catches, 135 yards, 2 TD
Jake O’Connell: 2 catches, 7 yards, 0 TD
Combined: 45 catches, 436 yards, 3 TD
Even though we all felt our tight ends played terrible last year, they actually doubled the output of Arizona’s tight ends during their Super Bowl season. Someone else already said this above, but we need to upgrade the receiver position. Our tight ends aren’t superstars by any means, but they’re good enough to win with. Also, I would also like to acquire a stud blocking tight end to team with Pope and Cottam. Carrying four tight ends is a waste of a roster spot to me.
When
U have Fitz, Bolden, and Breaston, you don’t need TE production.
We do need TE production to help our WR out.
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Feb 5, 2010 5:43 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
So you don't think it would have helped us
To have had a reliable pass catching TE? Please tell me why…
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Feb 5, 2010 5:50 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I wouldnt be against getting a better TE
and KC definitely missed TG last year, but in Haley’s offense he relies more on 11 personnel sets (1 back and 1 tight end) in which the TE was often a 6th blocker instead of your typical 21 personnel (21 meaning 2 backs and 1 end).
But who knows, if Jermaine Gresham is somehow available when we pick at the top of round two, I’d bet they pull the trigger and draft him. If they have a great talent, they’ll find a way to utilize him.
We've just been spoiled for a decade with Gonzalez
Even the 95 Chiefs went 13-3 with Keith Cash. Aside from Dallas Clark (who is more of a big slot receiver), I cant think of any Pro-Bowl tight ends who have won a Super Bowl. Shannon Sharpe in Denver and Baltimore maybe?
Well
Just about every playoff team has a good TE. The two SB teams have good TE’s….
It’s pretty essential for a playoff team…
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Feb 5, 2010 5:58 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Hmm
Dallas Clark – playoffs
Antonio Gates – playoffs
Jeremy Shocky – playoffs
Jason Witten – playoffs
Dustin Keller – playoffs
that’s just to name a few…I am sure I’m missing some more.
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Feb 5, 2010 6:01 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Yea, I've thought of them
but in the Super Bowl, names that came to mind in recent memory were Heath Miller (solid but no Pro-Bowler), Jeramy Stevens, Kevin Boss (Shockey was injured and/or banished from the team at that time), pretty much any Patriots TE was just average, the Bears had Desmond Clark, the Panthers had Jeff King, etc. Sharpe was the only one I could think of who I know made Pro-Bowls.
Ok
Most every team you named were in the SB because of their defense…not offense.
It’s more probable for a good NFL team to have a good TE then otherwise.
Brad Cottam and Pope just ain’t gonna cut it…sorry but it’s the truth.
"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden
by Matt_Grbac on Feb 5, 2010 6:12 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Yes. And the TEs we had last season were beginning to emerge, after Jamaal's running and better pass-protection...
… gave Cassel more time to get ’em the ball.
But after years of watching defenses easily cheat up and smother drives, because TG was our #1 threat, I think WR comes before TE. And then, like as not, one amongst your current corps shows up well.
When was the last time a team whose TE was the #1 receiver won a playoff game? Championship? And how much does a world-beater TE limit your opportunities to install other, more decisive pieces of the personnel puzzle?
Well, what do you expect??
The focus of the offense often changes and molds around the players that are there. This should be obvious and expected of any coordinator/coach worth his salt.
Of course Haley used Fitz and Boldin like crazy - they were the best weapons on the team! He should have been shit-canned if he didn’t. If he’d tried to feature Leonard Pope while those two were on the field he would have been a laughing stock. I also don’t understand this notion that Haley favors WR’s to TE’s because of what happened in Arizona. He didn’t draft those guys people – they were there for his use and he used them like he should have. Who the hell else would you feature?
Did Atlanta throw to the TE for shit before Tony G. got there? No – they threw more to the TE this year because he was one of the best players and weapons on the field. The Chiefs didn’t scheme around him because we had a system that favored the TE – we had a system that allowed the TE to shine because he was a beast and we would have been foolish not to.
The reason Wiggins, Fauria and Graham didn’t blow it up is because they’re Wiggins, Fauria and Graham – not because Charlie Weis just doesn’t care about production out of the TE spot. Let’s not forget that the QB still has to deliver the ball to these targets. If they’re not open or effective they’re not going to get the ball as often. If their skill-set is more in line with blocking than receiving, that’s what they’re going to do more of.
We will be lucky if we EVER see a TE of Tony’s skill and ability again. Shit, the NFL may never see a TE like Tony again. He’s the effing Jim Brown of TE’s – only he played longer.
I just don’t get this notion that we’ll never have another star TE because we don’t feature a TE in our offense. If we are lucky to ever have a talent at TE that’s in the same area code as Tony G – I’m sure we’ll find a way to feature him.
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