bubba9497 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81132e02&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true Click link for entire article As tight end position evolves, Gonzalez continues to excel Kellen Winslow is credited with revolutionizing the tight end position with his superior athleticism and playmaking ability. The Pro Football Hall of Famer tormented defenses with his versatile skill set and became a star as a hybrid tight end-wide receiver in the San Diego Chargers' prolific "Air Coryell" offenses of the 1980s. Several current tight ends are following the path originally blazed by Winslow. Using their athleticism and diverse receiving skills, these playmakers have emerged as potent weapons in the modern passing game. Last season, 10 tight ends finished with 50 or more receptions, and six (Tony Gonzalez, Jason Witten, Antonio Gates, Chris Cooley, Bo Scaife and Zach Miller) led their respective teams in catches. Position rankings Whereas tight ends in the previous era were expected to have an all-around game that featured exceptional receiving skills and blocking ability, today's tight ends are classified into two groups: Hybrid, or H-back, and conventional. Hybrid tight ends primarily function as pass catchers, and most are exceptional athletes with speed comparable to some receivers. Their physical ability can pose problems for linebackers and defensive backs. Hybrids' quickness and athleticism make them difficult for linebackers to guard in space, and their hulking size gives them an advantage over smaller defensive backs. With creative offensive coordinators willing to manipulate formations to exploit those matchups, hybrids increasingly have become anchors for top-flight aerial attacks. Gates, Cooley, Owen Daniels and Dallas Clark are prime examples of hybrid tight ends used in this manner. Conventional tight ends are three-down players who can excel as blockers or receivers. They can do the dirty work on the edges in the running game and display solid pass-protection skills. They also are effective receivers with the ability to effectively work over the middle of the field. As big targets with good hands, conventional tight ends serve as the quarterback's security blanket in critical situations and are vital weapons in the red zone. Heath Miller, Witten, Gonzalez and Miller fall into the conventional tight end category in most offenses. While most of the tight ends in recent drafts didn't possess the skills needed to be an every-down player, this year's top prospect at the position, Brandon Pettigrew, is an exception to the rule. The Detroit Lions rookie has been lauded for his overall skills and could quickly emerge as one of the league's best all-around tight ends in a few years. With impact and consistency as the critical factors, let's take a look at the top five tight ends in the NFL: 1. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons The most prolific tight end in league history belongs at the top of this list. The nine-time Pro Bowler led all tight ends in receptions (96), receiving yards (1,058) and touchdowns (10) last season, and he continues to be the standard for the position. A precise route runner with exceptional hands, Gonzalez is a dominant playmaker over the middle of the field. Although he isn't considered a speed merchant at this stage of his career, he still made 10 receptions over 20 yards last season while facing a steady diet of bracket or double coverage. In addition, the 12-year pro topped the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season and the fourth time in his illustrious career. With no other tight ends able to match his production or consistency, Gonzalez unquestionably remains the best at his position. 2. Jason Witten, Cowboys The four-time Pro Bowler is arguably the NFL's most complete tight end. Witten is a skillful receiver with outstanding hands and route-running ability. Although he's often the No. 2 option in Dallas' passing game, the six-year veteran has perennially ranked among the reception leaders at tight end. He has five straight seasons with 60 or more receptions and has eight 100-yard receiving days in his career. While Witten is lauded for his receiving skills, he's also regarded as an outstanding run blocker. He excels at doing the dirty work on the edges and is one of the few players on this list who could be considered a throwback tight end. 3. Antonio Gates, Chargers The former college basketball standout has blossomed into an all-star tight end during his six-year career. An ultra-athletic pass catcher with excellent hands, Gates has tormented foes with his unique ability to create mismatches on the edge. Playing as a quasi-receiver in some of the Chargers' spread formations, the four-time Pro Bowler has at least 60 receptions in each of the past five seasons and added 49 touchdowns during that span. Those numbers are even more impressive when considering that Gates has played without the presence of another big-time player in the passing game. While Gates' blocking skills rate slightly below others on this list, his superb receiving skills place him here. 4. Chris Cooley, Redskins The 2008 Pro Bowler is undoubtedly one of the best pass-catching tight ends. A fluid route runner with excellent athleticism, Cooley excels at working between the hashes. The five-year veteran also is an outstanding runner after the catch, and his ability to turn short passes into big gains brings an added dimension to Washington's offense. Although Cooley occasionally struggles as a blocker on the edge, his stellar receiving skills and big-play ability make him one of the top players at his position. 5. Owen Daniels, Texans The three-year pro has quickly ascended to the ranks of the elite after putting together back-to-back seasons with 60 or more receptions. The 2008 Pro Bowler is an exceptional pass catcher with outstanding hands and ball skills. He's also a polished route runner with the speed and athleticism to exploit the middle of the field. Last season, Daniels had 10 receptions over 20 yards and averaged an impressive 12.3 yards per catch. With Houston's high-powered offense sure to put the ball in the air often, Daniels is poised to remain on this list for Video Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soup Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I really think Cooley is underrated, with poor QB play since he has been a redskin, his stats are not what he could have with a quality QB. If Cooley played for the colts or patriots, with his run after the catch ability, Cooley would be number 1 IMO or at least #2, Tony is really good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaimeDeCurry Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Hard to argue with this list, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwack Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Much better list than what Faulk came up with. The only change I might do is put Dallas Clark in the 5th spot instead of Daniels; however, I believe those two are interchangeable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorskin77 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I really think Cooley is underrated, with poor QB play since he has been a redskin, his stats are not what he could have with a quality QB. If Cooley played for the colts or patriots, with his run after the catch ability, Cooley would be number 1 IMO or at least #2, Tony is really good. Tony Gonzalez has played with terrible Qb's on one of the worst teams I've ever seen the last few years and he still manages to be the most productive TE in football I love Cooley but nobody is in the same class as TG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soup Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Tony Gonzalez has played with terrible Qb's on one of the worst teams I've ever seen the last few years and he still manages to be the most productive TE in football I love Cooley but nobody is in the same class as TG Yeah, I agree, Tony is amazing when you take a look at his career. I believe Cooley is one of the best run after the catch TEs I've seen. I still don't know how cooley gets open sometimes. He runs like a duck which is funny if you slow it down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgun88 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I love how you always put the cowpukes in pink, bubba. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba9497 Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share Posted July 9, 2009 Tony Gonzalez has played with terrible Qb's on one of the worst teams I've ever seen the last few years and he still manages to be the most productive TE in football for most of his career he spent with Trent Green in a wide open offense I love Cooley but nobody is in the same class as TG Sorry but Gonzales skills have started to fade, and he's not the same, still top 10 but not #1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorskin77 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 for most of his career he spent with Trent Green in a wide open offenseSorry but Gonzales skills have started to fade, and he's not the same, still top 10 but not #1 I said the last few years and he's had over 1000 yards in each year since Green left including last year when he led the NFL in yards catches and touch downs by a tight end His age may be slipping but his production isn't Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam291 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I see so much said about how poor a blocker Cooley is, but is it true or just one of those conventional wisdom things that doesn't seem to go away? I don't specifically remember him giving up sacks in pass blocking or not holding the edge on running plays. For a catching TE, he seems at least average. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeoDC Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I really like Dallas Clark, He did kinda fall off last season though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorskin77 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I see so much said about how poor a blocker Cooley is, but is it true or just one of those conventional wisdom things that doesn't seem to go away? I don't specifically remember him giving up sacks in pass blocking or not holding the edge on running plays. For a catching TE, he seems at least average. Yeah I don't get that either. I think he's a pretty good blocker he's definitely not a liability, I think most people in the media feel like they have to say something negative about redskins and that's the only thing they can come up with Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieHardWSHfan Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I said the last few years and he's had over 1000 yards in each year since Green left including last year when he led the NFL in yards catches and touch downs by a tight end His age may be slipping but his production isn't I always assumed TG's production was slipping, but yea when you look at the numbers he's still on fire. I can't believe how great he is, and in KC, it's insane. TG is legitimately #1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conn Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 A solid list, very tough to argue with, in my opinion. Give it a year or two, especially if Campbell/Zorn are successful and stay, and Cooley will be #2, or #1 when TG retires. Especially if he's used as the Red Zone threat he used to be. And with the (hopeful) emergence of DT across the field from Moss, I can see that happening very soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenegadeTK Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 well... better than faulk's list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IbleedBnG83 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 The ONLY thing I would change about Cooley is his blocking...IT SUCKS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuraitengai Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Much better list than what Faulk came up with. The only change I might do is put Dallas Clark in the 5th spot instead of Daniels; however, I believe those two are interchangeable. thats my only beef with the list. dont know about being interchangeable though. not sure if clark=daniels when it comes to blocking. but in terms of receiving, clark is much better, imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Mike Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I hesitate to bring up that draft because of the painful memory of the loss of Sean Taylor. But think about the choice we faced between Taylor and Kellen Winslow Jr. Our FO did a simply amazing job in drafting Taylor AND a tight end that has so far been better than Winslow and a better fit for the team. Just sayin... Credit where credit is due... :2cents: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba9497 Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share Posted July 9, 2009 The ONLY thing I would change about Cooley is his blocking...IT SUCKS!!! you must not watch any games Cooley has become a pretty good blocker under Buges, used quite a bit in blocking packages one on one againt LB'ers and DE's read Hixon's interview thread, where he talks about how much Cooley's blocking has improved. http://www.extremeskins.com/showthread.php?t=291075 Cooley has dropped weight and looks "magnificent" this year. His blocking is light years better than it was when he came into the league. Highest praise for Cooley by Hixon. You can hear in his voice that he absolutely loves Chris. More downfield catches this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardcore Zornography Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Sorry Bubba, but Cooley (my favorite Skin, and one hell of a TE) is, indeed, not in Gonzalez's class. That is all there is to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba9497 Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share Posted July 9, 2009 Sorry Bubba, but Cooley (my favorite Skin, and one hell of a TE) is, indeed, not in Gonzalez's class. That is all there is to it. you're entitled to your opinion even if your wrong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOLASKINSFAN Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Well, at least NFL.com knows where to rank CP and Cooley. Faulk needs to find a golf course and retire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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