Tag: irv smith

ChatGPT’s top 10 Notre Dame tight ends not including Michael Mayer

Remember any of these guys?

ChatGPT is a useful AI writing tool, but it’s not without its flaws. You have to be specific in what you want when you enter a prompt. Otherwise, it will assume things that aren’t true, and you have to enter the prompt again to account for the things that weren’t correct initially. While it doesn’t take much time to edit and regenerate prompts, it still can be mildly frustrating.

Another problem, at least at the moment, is that it only accounts for information through September 2021. Since then, [autotag]Michael Mayer[/autotag] became arguably the best tight end in Notre Dame history. So when we asked ChatGPT to generate what it believes is the program’s top 10 tight ends, Mayer wasn’t included.

The point of this particular introduction is to explain why Mayer isn’t on this list. But hopefully, you have fond memories of the 10 names ChatGPT did generate. Without further adieu, here it is, edited for accuracy:

Alabama football countdown to kickoff: 82 days

With just 82 days remaining until Alabama kicks off its 2023 football season, let’s take a quick look at a former TIde star that wore No. 82, Irv Smith.

The Alabama Crimson Tide will take the field for the 2023 college football season in 82 days, as Middle Tennessee State visits Bryant Denny Stadium on Sept. 2.

Here at Roll Tide Wire, we will be counting down the days until [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and his team take the field.

Today, with 82 days remaining, we will take a look at one of the best tight ends of the Nick Saban era, [autotag]Irv Smith[/autotag].

Smith had a dominating junior season for Alabama in 2018 when he hauled in 44 receptions for 710 yards and seven touchdowns. Smith was selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Smith now plays for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Freshman wide receiver Jalen Hale currently wears No. 82 for the Tide.

Irv Smith’s Photo Gallery

Alabama listed as a top-five finalist for the No. 1 TE in the 2025 class

Crimson Tide in contention for the top TE in the 2025 recruiting cycle

The one position where Alabama hasn’t always found the most success under Nick Saban is at tight end. O.J. Howard was once a first-round pick, Irv Smith Jr. was a second-round pick, and Cam Latu went in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, but outside of these guys, there hasn’t been a ton of pro potential from the position.

The Crimson Tide would love to get a key contributor from the TE position and they are heavily pursuing four-star TE, Davon Mitchell, of the 2025 class. He is the top-ranked TE in the class and a top-20 player regardless of position coming out of Los Alamitos, CA. At 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds he has a massive frame and would be an outstanding asset for any quarterback.

Depending on the site you look at, he varies between being a four and five-star prospect. This week, Mitchell listed his top-five schools that included Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M and Miami. Hopefully, the staff down in Tuscaloosa can earn his services.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to monitor Davon Mitchells recruitment.

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TE Irv Smith Jr. chose Bengals over Dolphins in free agency

Both teams have talented rosters.

The Miami Dolphins entered the offseason with the potential for holes at tight end, as Mike Gesicki and Adam Shaheen, who missed all of 2022, were set to hit free agency.

Then Miami released Cethan Carter and traded Hunter Long to the Los Angeles Rams, leaving just Durham Smythe and Tanner Conner at the position.

General manager Chris Grier did address the position in the first days of free agency, signing former Denver Broncos tight end Eric Saubert, but that’s not all he wanted.

According to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, the Dolphins were in contention for Irv Smith before he chose to sign with Cincinnati.

“I felt like Cincinnati had the best chance to win a Super Bowl. “It’s a great organization. Great coaching staff. (Head coach) Zac Taylor was very adamant about me coming to the team knowing what I can do to help the offense. And the proof is in the pudding at the tight end position. Having a relationship with Ja’Marr (Chase), getting to play with Joe Burrow and those guys speaks for itself. I’ve watched a lot of Bengals games over the years. I wanted to be a part of this opportunity to chase a ring and be a part of something special … I feel like I’m almost the missing piece to get us that Super Bowl.”

Smith spent his collegiate years at Alabama where he played with Tua Tagovailoa, but he ultimately chose to join Cincinnati. While both teams have extremely impressive rosters, the Bengals have accomplished more than the Dolphins have in recent seasons.

Zac Taylor’s team has made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, making it to Super Bowl in 2021 and losing in the AFC Championship in 2022.

With that knowledge, it’s not all that difficult to see why Smith made the decision that he did.

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Could Giants target tight end Irv Smith in free agency?

The New York Giants are likely to add a tight end in free agency or the 2023 NFL draft, so might Irv Smith become one of their targets?

The New York Giants will be seeking to beef up their tight end group this offseason and luckily for them, there are plenty of options to choose from.

In the draft, this year’s class is very strong with as many as six possibly going in the first two nights.

Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer, Darnell Washington of Georgia, Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave, Dalton Kincaid of Utah, Cameron Latu of Alabama, and Tucker Kraft of South Dakota State could all hear their names called early in the draft. Iowa’s Sam Laporta and Michigan’s Luke Schoonmaker could also be snatched up early as well.

The Giants’ current depth chart tight end reads Daniel Bellinger, Nick Vannett and Lawrence Cager, and they will be seeking a player to partner with Bellinger, who is seen as an ascending player.

They could turn to free agency as well. Some Giants beat writers, including ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, are banging the name of Minnesota’s Irv Smith Jr.

There has been talk about supplementing the receiving corps with a pass-catching tight end to work alongside Daniel Bellinger. A player like former second-round pick Irv Smith Jr. from the Minnesota Vikings is someone to watch. Miami Dolphins free agent tight end Mike Gesicki is also an intriguing option.

Smith is a former second-round pick out of Alabama who has played just 37 games in his four years with the Vikings due to injuries. He has a connection to this coaching staff as Brian Daboll was the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator in 2017, Smith’s sophomore season.

Smith will undoubtedly be affordable because of his injury history and inconsistency, so he’ll have a market but his size (6’2″, 240) is less than ideal for a running team such as the Giants.

The free agent class offers many more attractive options should the Giants want to bid up. Miami’s Mike Gesecki, Dallas’ Dalton Schultz, Austin Hooper, Robert Tonyan of Green Bay, and Hayden Hurst are all hitting the market this week.

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Fantasy football: Sleepers to play in Week 8

Check out these fantasy football sleepers for Week 8.

Though only two teams are on a bye this week, fantasy football managers will be scrambling to replace their studs in Week 8.

With the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers getting the week off, finding sleepers to fill those roles will be vital. Whether you’re looking to continue your winning ways or stay in the playoff hunt, hitting on the right sleepers can make all the difference.

We will be using The Huddle’s weekly PPR projections and rankings as a reference to find some potential boom games this week.

Here’s a look at some sleepers to play in fantasy football for Week 8:

Fantasy Football start ’em, sit ’em: Week 4

Here’s a look at some tough start/sit decisions in Week 4 of fantasy football.

Entering the fourth week of fantasy football, managers can begin separating from their leagues while others look to gain ground in the race. Much of this will be determined by the start/sit decisions.

Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.

Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.

You also can check out our start and sit bench list for Week 4.

Here is a look at some of the tough start and sit decisions in fantasy football for Week 4:

Six points with David Dorey

Friday’s quick look at six fantasy items to know

Week 2 saw the return of scoring with seven teams topping 30 points and Tua Tagovailoa tossing for 469 yards and six touchdowns in a thrilling comeback win over the Ravens, who choked on a 35-14 lead in the fourth quarter. Week 1 saw so many teams come out rusty and unprepared. Week 2 was marked with exciting comebacks and plenty of fantasy points.

We’ve already lost Trey Lance for the year, and Dak Prescott returns anywhere from this week to November, depending on who you ask. After two weeks, there are fantasy stars from 2021 that haven’t been seen much.

Here’s six things to think about this weekend:

1.) Let’s draft WR,WR,WR,WR, RB – Had a feeling, checked it out, and was correct. The decline in rushing is significant. I compared the stats for fantasy positions between 2021 and 2022 through the first two weeks of each season. There was really no statistically significant change from last year except one position. I’ll include the full table at the bottom. But for running backs:

RB RUN RYD RTD Target Catch CYDS CTD FF Pts
2021 1,472 6,359 55 426 330 2,554 18 1,659
2022 1,294 5,651 27 423 324 2,249 16 1,372
-178 -708 -28 -3 -6 -305 -2 -287
Drop 12% 11% 51% 1% 2% 12% 11% 17%

 

None of the positions varied other than running backs. The decline in the number of runs (12%), rushing yards (11%), and rushing touchdowns (51%) was noticeably skewed. Rushing tends to rise at the end of the season with bad weather games, but can we even rely on that anymore?

2.) Da Bears – They have been unbelievably bad on offense through two games and rant at or near the bottom in almost all fantasy categories other than running back. There is no way that this will continue. Week 1 was in the rain against the 49ers, and they won. It meant nothing. They ran well versus the Packers with 170 yards and both touchdowns. But the passing game was even worse – 7-of-11 for 70 yards and an interception. HC Matt Eberflus’ offense is being  installed and was in tough venues and conditions for two games. This week, the Bears host the Texans. This is likely their weakest matchup of the year.

Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet combined for only two catches and four yards but the first two games can be explained away. Eberflus has spoken to the need to involve Kmet and Mooney and they should be force-fed this week. They are also waiting for rookie speedster Velus Jones (4.3 40-time) to heal his hamstring and stretch the field. The Bears have two road games to follow, so this is the week to take advantage. This is the week they have to show at least a return to last year, if not actual progress.

3.) Kyle Pitts – I speak for all the other Pitts owners who spent a third-round pick. We did not sign up for  consecutive 2-19-0 stat lines. It’s been brought up to the still-calm HC Arthur Smith and he said that Pitts is every bit as much a part of the game plan as fantasy leaguers hope, but coverages have allowed other players to do more – like Drake London’s 13 catches for 160 yards and a score over two games.  He said there have been plenty of plays where Pitts was the first read. The first games were versus the Saints and at the Rams. Both are above-average defenses. Pitts’ final game in 2021 was versus the visiting Saints and he turned in just two catches for eight yards. Smith said, “The ball will find him. He’s going to break out here again, and we’re going to win because of it.”

Stat rankings are hardly reliable this early, but Pitts faced the current No. 2 and No. 5 defenses versus tight ends. The Seahawks this week are No. 24. He’ll be better this week as were the Broncos (7-85) and the 49ers (1-38, TD) who played without George Kittle. If Pitts turns in another 2-19 game, then it is reasonable to start breathing into a bag. But no need to  hyperventilate yet.

4.) Cowboys receivers – It was bad enough losing Dak Prescott for a few weeks or so. But now Dalton Schultz is not a lock to play on Monday night which would bring in a tag team of rookie tight ends of Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot. Last year, Schultz turned in 79 yards in each meeting. But the receiving picture is further compounded with the return of Michael Gallup who has undergone full practices. He may be on a pitch count, but the receivers could use more help.

The question is how the Cowboys handle Gallup. Noah Brown is a fifth-year receiver that just now has been a part of the game plan. He leads the Cowboys with ten catches for 159 yards and the lone receiver touchdown of the year. He should remain in the slot, but the Cowboys need to get CeeDee Lamb into the endzone and not outplayed by a fifth-year depth receiver.

5.) Malik Willis – The Titans were dominated by the Bills last Sunday night and they finally benched Ryan Tannehill after he threw for only 117 yards, two interceptions and a 32.7 QB rating (if you just throw one incompletion and stop, you get a 36.9). He gave way to the third-round pick Malik Willis. It’s no changing of the guard, yet, and Tannehill remains the starting quarterback. But the Titans are 0-2 and if they rack up many more losses, then Wilson could get a start.

Whenever they do rely on him, the offense will change with a quarterback that ran for over 800 yards in each of his last two season in Liberty. And that probably depresses the passing production. Tannehill needs to connect with Robert Woods (5-52) better and throw a score to anyone other than a No. 2 running back. Poor blocking is leaving Derrick Henry less productive, so the Titans need to get back on track these next few weeks. This is a team that is struggling and pulling down the fantasy fortunes of their best players.

6.) Irv Smith – The Vikings tight end opened the year with no catches on two targets. Justin Jefferson took over in the win against the Packers. But in Week 2, Smith accounted for eight targets – second to only Justin Jefferson. And he caught the lone touchdown in the loss to the Eagles. It is notable that while Jefferson was being contained, neither Adam Thielen nor K.J. Osborn saw an uptick in their targets. The Vikings play the Lions this week and Jefferson should be a lock to do well. But Smith’s usage will say a lot about how this new offensive scheme regards Thielen and Osborn.

 

Below are the total from the first two weeks of 2021 vs. 2022.

QB RUN RYD RTD PASS CMP PYDS PTD FF Pts
2021 273 1,194 16 2,235 1,489 16,585 108 1,477
2022 270 1,075 10 2,234 1,435 15,526 105 1,364
(3) (119) (6) (1) (54) (1,059) (3) (113)
RB RUN RYD RTD PASS CMP PYDS PTD FF Pts
2021 1,472 6,359 55 426 330 2,554 18 1,659
2022 1,294 5,651 27 423 324 2,249 16 1,372
(178) (708) (28) (3) (6) (305) (2) (287)
TE RUN RYD RTD PASS CMP PYDS PTD FF Pts
2021 3 14 0 456 311 3,311 33 842
2022 10 93 1 441 283 2,918 18 698
7 79 1 (15) (28) (393) (15) (143)
WR RUN RYD RTD PASS CMP PYDS PTD FF Pts
2021 45 316 1 1,286 852 10,839 58 2,322
2022 66 441 1 1,296 822 10,329 71 2,331
21 125 0 10 (30) (510) 13 10

 

Fantasy football training camp roundup: July 29-Aug. 2

The most important fantasy football news updates from camp.

Too busy to sift through all of the news from NFL training camps? Here’s a spin around the league for a look at the most notable fantasy football news through Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Fantasy football training camp roundup: July 24-28

A spin around all of the fantasy football buzz as training camps get underway.

Now that all teams have reported to training camps across the NFL, here’s a spin around the league for a look at the most notable fantasy football news as of Thursday, July 28.