Temple 3 - Thought, Word and Deed

You gotta like what the New England Patriots are looking like coming into the 2006-07 season. My Steelers are not the only team with a player who has earned the moniker "Big Ben" The Patriots are stocked up on high quality tight ends. The have Ben Watson, Daniel Graham, Christian Fauria and even picked up another TE in the draft (Dave Thomas - Texas). Tight ends are often underutilized by NFL teams, but many of the most dynamic offenses in league history have featured the tight end.

Take the Air Coryell version of the San Diego Chargers in the 1980's. Kellen Winslow (father of former moto aficionado Kellen II of the Cleveland Browns) was the most outstanding pass receiving tight end of his generation. He was, of course, the most outstanding player in one of the greatest games ever played. He caught passes and even blocked a kick.

The 49ers, under Bill Walsh, always used tight ends like Brent Jones to attack the deep middle of the field. Shannon Sharpe, Mark Bavaro, Mark Chmura, and Jay Novacek were also dominant tight ends for Super Bowl champion teams. It seems the Patriots are resurrecting the love affair among Super Bowl teams with this position.

The Steelers surprised the Colts by hitting Health Miller early and often in last year's playoff game. The Patriots should surprise anyone next year with Watson, Graham and company. Still most defenses won't be able to match up against the big guys on offense. Tight ends are usually around 6'4 and about 255 to 270 pounds. They can block like tackles - and Watson can run like a wide receiver (4.4/40 - if you must know...they're physical enough to get off the line against linebackers and tall enough to play over the top of most corners and safeties.

The NFL is a copycat league and teams moved away from tight ends with the success of the Rams and other spread offense teams. Clearly, the Rams TE Ernie Conwell didn't get enough press. You could blame Marshall Faulk and Torry Holt and the enigmatic Mike Martz...but the tide is turning. From Miller to Watson and Graham to Jeremy Shockey in New York, Antonio Gates in San Diego and many others, offensive coordinators are remembering that tight ends can be more than safety nets for QBs under pressure. They can be more than run blockers. Tight ends are jack-of-all trades players that defensive coordinators don't like to plan for because they know they don't have the personnel to match up. When you don't have personnel - you have to scheme. When you have to scheme for a tight end, everyone else on the offense has more room and more time to do their thing.

Tony Gonzalez, Ben Troupe, Jason Witten, Anthony Fasano, Jermaine Wiggins, Vernon Davis, Jeb Putzier, LJ Smith, Randy McDaniel, Algernon Darius Crumpler (Alge to most), and others represent a high-water mark for the position. No one has as many tight ends as the Patriots and New England's return to the top may hinge on how well those four players represent this new era.