Isaiah Likely may be the second-string tight end in Baltimore, but his varied skill set and exceptional versatility mean he’ll continue seeing plenty of playing time.
Likely has become a “Swiss army knife,” or “a chess piece” on offense for coordinator Todd Monken, as he can be moved around into multiple positions.
As Likely said after practice on Saturday, this means he can be a matchup “nightmare” for opposing defenses.
With all the potential roles that he can play, it is likely very difficult for opposing defensive coordinators to scheme against him.
“Being that chess piece as I said, from inline to off the ball to in the slot, to out wide to in the backfield, as long as I know where I am, for that specific play, and that specific design and attaching that matchup, I could be the nightmare (for opposing defenses) that everybody wants me to be,” Likely told reporters on Saturday.
“I know the playbook in and out, so I can tell not only the receivers, but also the running backs where to go, and we can play as fast as we want to.”
He also described himself as a student of the game, stating that everybody watching him play this season will fully display his understanding of the Xs and Os.
“I’m very excited; I feel like I finally get to show everybody my football knowledge,” Likely added.
The season opener is just 39 days away.