Tag: tight end

Sean Payton discusses why Josh Hill is so essential to well-oiled Saints offense

Saints coach Sean Payton values nominal backup tight end Josh Hill highly, due as much to his ability to make any block as his versatility.

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Veteran tight end Jared Cook arrived to the New Orleans Saints with much fanfare, but he’s taken a backseat to Josh Hill for much of his first season. And that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Cook’s production has not suffered for it — his 9 touchdown grabs tie All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas for the team lead. Hill has only gained 226 receiving yards this season, which trails even converted quarterback Taysom Hill (234 receiving yards).

But as Saints coach Sean Payton tells it, Hill’s ability to execute nearly any block in the playbook and experience in a variety of personnel packages explains the discrepancy between Hill’s 649 snaps played (6th-most on the team) on offense against Cook’s 502 (11th-most).

“He’s a guy we use in the run game and pass protection. He does a lot of things well,” Payton said. “He plays on special teams, he plays a lot of snaps each week and he’s done so for quite a while.” In addition to Hill’s extended time when the Saints have the ball, he’s chipped in 182 snaps on special teams (8th-most for the Saints, just ahead of kicker Wil Lutz at 180).

Payton continued, “He’s someone that has real good athleticism and it’s difficult because a lot of different personnel groups might run through him. He might be in the base, he might be in 11 (personnel). Certainly, Jared (Cook) is playing a lot of snaps. The two of them together will play a lot of snaps. He’s one of those guys that does a lot of things well.”

This isn’t the first time Payton has talked up what Hill brings to the team; earlier in the season, he likened Hill’s loss during a game to losing the front door of your home, in that you can get by, but it’s going to be significantly more difficult. Here’s hoping Hill and Cook can each remain healthy and continue to help the team as they push towards Super Bowl LIV.

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George Fant capable of stepping up in place of Duane Brown

The Seahawks may be without Duane Brown on Sunday, but left tackle George Fant’s strong performance has the team confident he will step up.

The Seattle Seahawks switched things up at left tackle in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers, replacing Jamarco Jones with George Fant – both who were playing in place of veteran Duane Brown who is dealing with “a pissed off knee” – according to coach Pete Carroll.

Brown is a longshot to play on Sunday against the Eagles, which likely means the team will roll with Fant for the second consecutive week.

While the Seahawks will no doubt miss Brown if he is unable to suit up, Fant earned the praise of his coach after holding 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa in check last week.

“He looked good again,” Carroll said on Monday. “Played very solid, very confident. Played physical football and got out on the perimeter and did some nice blocks and did some things that we like doing with Duane. That’s a really good sign for us. We’re really happy because we need him to come through and he came in and did a nice job going against one of the best pass rushing groups in the NFL. He handled what he needed to handle pretty well for the most part.”

Fant has primarily played tight end this season, serving as an extra run blocker in Seattle’s big packages up front. He has played well in that role, but his performance as a pass-protector on Sunday is what has the Seahawks confident he can continue to help them if they remain without Brown.

“It just gives us some confidence moving forward,” Carroll continued. “We’re a little uncertain how that was going to look, particularly this past week. These guys coming up are good, too. They rush like crazy, so we’re going to need him.”

Seattle is still holding out hope that Brown will make it back this week, but if he doesn’t, expect Fant to start again at left tackle.

How he performs will have a big impact on if this team advances to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs this year.

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WATCH: Eagles to play for NFC East title without TE Zach Ertz

The Eagles play for the NFC East title Sunday, but they won’t have one of their biggest offensive playmakers on the field.

The Eagles play for the NFC East title Sunday, but they won’t have one of their biggest offensive playmakers on the field. Tight end Zach Ertz is ruled out, Philadelphia confirmed Friday.

The news isn’t a complete shock as the 29-year-old fractured a rib in Week 16, despite continuing to play versus the Cowboys (7-8). Ertz didn’t practice Thursday, also dealing with soreness in his back.

The 6-foot-5 tight end leads the Eagles (8-7) in receiving yards with 916, a total number of receptions with 88 and receiving touchdowns this season with six.

Playing depleted isn’t new for this Philly team, but losing Ertz is certainly a big blow.

A win for the Eagles versus the Giants (4-11) Sunday clinches the division, and with that a home playoff game. Philadelphia has won six in a row versus New York and is riding a three-game win streak which began with an OT win against the Giants in the teams’ first meeting this season.

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Seahawks must plan for tight end George Kittle Week 17 against 49ers

The Seahawks will play the San Francisco 49ers Week 17 with tight end George Kittle healthy and must form a game plan with him in mind.

The Seattle Seahawks’ 27-24 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10 was memorable in both the good and bad sense. It featured several back-and-forth scores and mistakes and culminated with a game-winning field goal by Jason Myers. However, San Francisco did not have their star tight end George Kittle playing in that game, which could have been the deciding factor. Seattle will face their bitter rivals with Kittle healthy for the division-deciding Week 17 showdown on Sunday.

This will be the most crucial game this season and the biggest regular-season game for the Seahawks in recent memory. Coach Pete Carroll acknowledged that San Francisco will present a tougher challenge with Kittle in the offense.

“He’s an amazing player, he really is,” Carroll told reporters Tuesday. “He’s a heart and soul guy for them, and a clutch guy, too. They go to him when times are crucial and all that. He’s a fantastic player. Not just a catcher, he’s a blocker as well. He’s a good ballplayer.”

Kittle has been one of the best tight ends in football this season, racking up 78 receptions for 967 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 13 games played. The Seahawks’ injured defense will be hard-pressed to defend him consistently on Sunday. They must formulate an effective gameplan with him in mind.

“We won’t be able to play them the way we did last time,” Carroll said. “We’re going to have to do things much differently because he’s in the game.”

The Seahawks are set to face off against the 49ers on Sunday, Dec. 29 at CenturyLink Field at 5:20 p.m. PT.

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Andrew Beck made Broncos history against Lions

Broncos fullback/tight end Andrew Beck had a huge game on Sunday, even if the box score doesn’t reflect that.

Broncos fullback/tight end Andrew Beck doesn’t get much glory. He plays a thankless position that’s often overlooked by fans.

Against the Lions on Sunday, though, it was hard to miss No. 83’s contributions in a 27-17 win. Beck delivered key blocks on two touchdown runs, made a tackle on special teams, rushed for a first down, caught a pass and — get this — threw a pass!

Facing a 4th-and-1 near midfield, Denver decided to go for it and they ran an option with Beck. It might have been intended to be a lateral but Beck ended up tossing the ball forward for what the NFL considered a six-yard pass.

Beck became the second Broncos player in the last 11 years to complete a pass, catch a pass and run the ball in the same game, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Denver wide receiver Courtland Sutton accomplished the same feat against the Vikings last season.

Beck was initially serving as a fill-in for an injured Andy Janovich, the team’s starting fullback. After playing so well, though, Beck will probably be brought back in 2020 to serve as a tight end and backup fullback.

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Texas Longhorns of The Decade: Tight Ends

The TE position has not been a strength of the Longhorns throughout the 2010s. The best TE for Texas this decade has been Andrew Beck.

The tight end position has not been a strength of the Longhorns throughout the decade, only producing one NFL talent in Geoff Swaim. While Swaim has had a solid career, his numbers as a Longhorn are less than impressive. The best tight end to play for the Longhorns in the past few years has been Andrew Beck.

Switching to the position after playing linebacker in high school, Beck became a fan favorite for the Longhorns. Also lining up as a full back, he was an excellent blocker for both quarterback Sam Ehlinger and running backs.

As a pass-catcher, his best season came in his senior year in 2018. After missing 2017 with an injury and redshirting, he was able to haul in 28 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns. He had at least one catch in all 14 games, with his career-high of four catches coming against Kansas State.

Here is the tight end of the decade, Andrew Beck:

Years played: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018

Receiving stats: 39 receptions, 435 receiving yards, 11.2 yards per reception, four touchdowns

Best game: vs Oklahoma State in 2018. Three receptions, 51 yards, 17 yards per reception, one touchdown

STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 27: Tight end Andrew Beck #47 of the Texas Longhorns pulls in a catch for a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the fourth quarter on October 27, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State won 38-35. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Best moment: Go ahead touchdown vs Oklahoma State in 2016

Accomplishments: First-team All-Big 12 (2018)

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Notre Dame Football: Kevin Bauman Signs with Irish

Kevin Bauman, four-star tight end out of Red Bank, New Jersey was the second player to send his in Wednesday morning.

Some things we’ve known for weeks, months and in some cases years are becoming official today as the early signing period has officially opened.

Notre Dame is hot out of the gate this morning as the class of 2020 sends in their National Letters of Intent.

Kevin Bauman, four-star tight end out of Red Bank, New Jersey was the second player to send his in Wednesday morning.

Bauman is listed at 6’5” and 235 pounds and chose Notre Dame over the likes of Boston College, Michigan, Nebraska and North Carolina, originally commiting all the way back in June of 2018.

Bauman is listed as the fifth best tight end in the nation by Rivals and the second best player in the state of New Jersey.

Broncos legend Shannon Sharpe snubbed from NFL 100 All-Time Team

Former Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe was snubbed from the NFL 100 All-Time Team on Friday. He won three Super Bowls during his career.

Denver Broncos legend Shannon Sharpe was not among the five tight ends named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team on Friday evening. Instead, the league selected Mike Ditka, Tony Gonzalez, Rob Gronkowski, John Mackey and Kellen Winslow.

Sharpe isn’t the first former Bronco to get snubbed. Cornerback Champ Bailey, safety Brian Dawkins, defensive lineman DeMarcus Ware, linebacker Von Miller and running back Terrell Davis were all nominated but did not make the cut. NFL Network is yet to reveal which wide receivers and quarterbacks made the all-time team.

If former quarterback John Elway does not make the list, there’s a chance that the Broncos won’t have any representatives on the all-time team. That would be surprising given that Denver has made it to eight Super Bowls since 1970.

Sharpe won three Super Bowls during his career, two in Denver and one with the Ravens. The eight-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro is a member of the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade Team and the Broncos’ Ring of Fame. Sharpe ranks third in receiving yards (8,439) and third in receiving touchdowns (55) on Denver’s all-time list. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Ditka and Winslow were questionable selections over Sharpe.

Ditka made five Pro Bowls and won one Super Bowl as a player, totaling 5,812 receiving yards and catching 43 touchdowns in his career. Winslow was also a five-time Pro Bowler but did not win a Super Bowl. He totaled 6,741 receiving yards and 45 touchdowns in his career.

Sharpe’s 10,060 career receiving yards rank fourth in NFL history among tight ends. His 62 receiving touchdowns represent 19 more than Ditka’s total and 17 more than Winslow’s total.

Sharpe is ranked No. 3 on Broncos Wire’s list of the 100 greatest players in franchise history. Sharpe now stars alongside Skip Bayless on FS1 talk show Skip and Shannon: Undisputed, which airs on weekday mornings.

The complete team of 100 players and 10 coaches will be revealed on NFL Network on Friday, Dec. 27 in celebration of the league’s 100 years.

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