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Vikings need Irv Smith to buck tight end trend and contribute right away
There isn’t a single position in football that has an easy transition from college to the NFL but tight end is a doozy.
Most of the top college tight ends are matchup nightmares for opposing teams. They are too fast for NCAA linebackers and too big for cornerbacks and safeties. In the NFL the linebackers run 4.5 40-yard dashes and the safeties hit like linebackers. In college top receiving tight ends are weapons in pass-happy offenses and even solid blocking tight ends never face anyone that can prepare them for the athletic freakishness of NFL pass rushers.
The workload is more complicated both in the run and passing game and expectations are usually high, especially if a rookie tight end was impressive at the NFL Combine.
Recent history shows the transition usually requires development. Here’s a look at how all the first and second round tight ends performed in Year 1 since 2013:
| Player | Year | Catches | | Hayden Hurst | 2018 | 13 | | Mike Gesicki | 2018 | 22 | | Dallas Goedert | 2018 | 33 | | OJ Howard | 2017 | 26 | | Evan Engram | 2017 | 64 | | David Njoku | 2017 | 32 | | Hunter Henry | 2016 | 36 | | Maxx Williams | 2015 | 32 | | Eric Ebron | 2014 | 25 | | Austin Seferian-Jenkins | 2014 | 21 | | Jace Amaro | 2014 | 38 | | Troy Niklas | 2014 | 3 | | Tyler Eifert | 2013 | 39 | | Zach Ertz | 2013 | 36 | | Gavin Escobar | 2013 | 9 | | Vance McDonald | 2013 | 8 |
As you might have noticed, only one player caught more than 40 passes and three grabbed fewer than 10 in their rookie campaigns. Over the past 15 years, only two rookie tight ends have gained more than 600 yards receiving.
That’s the uphill battle Irv Smith is facing with the Vikings aiming for him to be an impact player right away. Head coach Mike Zimmer said that his ability to be a difference maker right away could be helped along by his experience in multiple roles.
“A lot of times — not so much for Alabama — these guys line up as wide receivers in college and that’s always a bigger adjustment,” Zimmer said. “We’re fortunate enough that Irv was able to line up in a normal tight end spot, he lined up in the backfield, he lined up wide as well. I think his transition will probably be a little bit quicker.”
https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2019...ight-away/
And how many of those TE's are 6'2"?
I don't really care how "athletic" Smith is, because I know that 6'2" is REALLY short for a NFL TE. But, we shall see how he performs in the regular season, and hopefully in the playoffs. That's how I judge players, coaches, GM's, organizations, etc.....by what they ACTUALLY accomplish. NOT what they TRY to do.
I'll leave prognostcations to the "real" fans. You know, the ones that predict a SB trophy for the Vikings EVERY year?
Quote: @njvike said:
And how many of those TE's are 6'2"?
I don't really care how "athletic" Smith is, because I know that 6'2" is REALLY short for a NFL TE. But, we shall see how he performs in the regular season, and hopefully in the playoffs. That's how I judge players, coaches, GM's, organizations, etc.....by what they ACTUALLY accomplish. NOT what they TRY to do.
I'll leave prognostcations to the "real" fans. You know, the ones that predict a SB trophy for the Vikings EVERY year?
It is on the short side, but Jordan Reed is 6'2, Delanie Walker is 6'0, Evan Engram is 6'3, and Aaron Hernandez was 6'2. There are plenty of instances of productive TEs in that range... especially in today's NFL.
Quote: @Wetlander said:
@ njvike said:
And how many of those TE's are 6'2"?
I don't really care how "athletic" Smith is, because I know that 6'2" is REALLY short for a NFL TE. But, we shall see how he performs in the regular season, and hopefully in the playoffs. That's how I judge players, coaches, GM's, organizations, etc.....by what they ACTUALLY accomplish. NOT what they TRY to do.
I'll leave prognostcations to the "real" fans. You know, the ones that predict a SB trophy for the Vikings EVERY year?
It is on the short side, but Jordan Reed is 6'2, Delanie Walker is 6'0, Evan Engram is 6'3, and Aaron Hernandez was 6'2. There are plenty of instances of productive TEs in that range... especially in today's NFL.
Well, for starters, none of those 4 TE's can be considered great TE's, certainly not by my standards, your's may say otherwise. One of the 4 is actually taller than 6'2" and one is a dead, convicted murderer who really didn't have a spectacular NFL career anyway. That leaves 2 pretty unspectacular examples of short TE's on your list.
If your point is that Irv Smith CAN be a productive NFL TE, then yes, I acknowledge that possibility. Because just about ANYTHING is possible.
My observation was that a short TE is not TYPICALLY a difference maker at the NFL level.
I agree if your premise is. This is all the more reason we need Rudy. We have no 3rd set of proven hands after Adam and Diggs. He may well become a far bigger weapon then Rudy ever did. Wont know if we really needed Rudy if he's gone till maybe it's to late. Next year we will have a much better idea.
Quote: @njvike said:
@ Wetlander said:
@ njvike said:
And how many of those TE's are 6'2"?
I don't really care how "athletic" Smith is, because I know that 6'2" is REALLY short for a NFL TE. But, we shall see how he performs in the regular season, and hopefully in the playoffs. That's how I judge players, coaches, GM's, organizations, etc.....by what they ACTUALLY accomplish. NOT what they TRY to do.
I'll leave prognostcations to the "real" fans. You know, the ones that predict a SB trophy for the Vikings EVERY year?
It is on the short side, but Jordan Reed is 6'2, Delanie Walker is 6'0, Evan Engram is 6'3, and Aaron Hernandez was 6'2. There are plenty of instances of productive TEs in that range... especially in today's NFL.
Well, for starters, none of those 4 TE's can be considered great TE's, certainly not by my standards, your's may say otherwise. One of the 4 is actually taller than 6'2" and one is a dead, convicted murderer who really didn't have a spectacular NFL career anyway. That leaves 2 pretty unspectacular examples of short TE's on your list.
If your point is that Irv Smith CAN be a productive NFL TE, then yes, I acknowledge that possibility. Because just about ANYTHING is possible.
My observation was that a short TE is not TYPICALLY a difference maker at the NFL level.
Not every response to you is an attack... so I'm not sure why you are getting snippy with me. I didn't say those TEs were "great", just that they have been productive in their careers. Delanie Walker has had the best career by far and he's the shortest of the bunch...
Second, Irv Smith was officially measured at 6'2 3/8... I don't think a half-inch either way is a stretch to include guys that are 6'3. In today's NFL, you don't need a 6'6 TE anymore. Teams are looking for athletic TEs that are mismatches on the field.
All I was pointing out is that there are guys who have played well in the NFL that don't fit the "typical" profile... and that isn't limited to TEs.
Quote: @Wetlander said:
@ njvike said:
And how many of those TE's are 6'2"?
I don't really care how "athletic" Smith is, because I know that 6'2" is REALLY short for a NFL TE. But, we shall see how he performs in the regular season, and hopefully in the playoffs. That's how I judge players, coaches, GM's, organizations, etc.....by what they ACTUALLY accomplish. NOT what they TRY to do.
I'll leave prognostcations to the "real" fans. You know, the ones that predict a SB trophy for the Vikings EVERY year?
It is on the short side, but Jordan Reed is 6'2, Delanie Walker is 6'0, Evan Engram is 6'3, and Aaron Hernandez was 6'2. There are plenty of instances of productive TEs in that range... especially in today's NFL.
Especially considering that Smith projects to play all TE roles (Y, F, U, H). As an H you don't want him much taller than 6-2. For a versatile TE who excels at blocking on the move, his height is not an issue. He's basically Jordan Reed 2.0 IMO. An extremely talented TE who can't stay healthy. Hopefully, ISJ has more luck in that department. I'd say Trey Burton might be another good comp.
Personally, I'm not expecting too much from ISJ this year, as I've made my point about TEs and how long it takes them to develop enough, but this should be our new TE for the long term. Give me one more year, Rudy. Just one.
Smith's height isn't crippling, but I think it will effect the kind of roles he can play. 6'6" Rudolph has different abilities, so does 6'4"-265 blocking TE Morgan. Those three are potentially very complementary.
Pay Rudolph his expected 2019 salary, and if Smith takes a decent # of catches and Rudolph's stats drop, he won't be as expensive to re-sign in 2020.
The Rudolph-Patriots rumor is circling on social media, again...for what must be the 3rd/4th time this offseason....
Quote: @Wetlander said:
@ njvike said:
@ Wetlander said:
@ njvike said:
And how many of those TE's are 6'2"?
I don't really care how "athletic" Smith is, because I know that 6'2" is REALLY short for a NFL TE. But, we shall see how he performs in the regular season, and hopefully in the playoffs. That's how I judge players, coaches, GM's, organizations, etc.....by what they ACTUALLY accomplish. NOT what they TRY to do.
I'll leave prognostcations to the "real" fans. You know, the ones that predict a SB trophy for the Vikings EVERY year?
It is on the short side, but Jordan Reed is 6'2, Delanie Walker is 6'0, Evan Engram is 6'3, and Aaron Hernandez was 6'2. There are plenty of instances of productive TEs in that range... especially in today's NFL.
Well, for starters, none of those 4 TE's can be considered great TE's, certainly not by my standards, your's may say otherwise. One of the 4 is actually taller than 6'2" and one is a dead, convicted murderer who really didn't have a spectacular NFL career anyway. That leaves 2 pretty unspectacular examples of short TE's on your list.
If your point is that Irv Smith CAN be a productive NFL TE, then yes, I acknowledge that possibility. Because just about ANYTHING is possible.
My observation was that a short TE is not TYPICALLY a difference maker at the NFL level.
Not every response to you is an attack... so I'm not sure why you are getting snippy with me. I didn't say those TEs were "great", just that they have been productive in their careers. Delanie Walker has had the best career by far and he's the shortest of the bunch...
Second, Irv Smith was officially measured at 6'2 3/8... I don't think a half-inch either way is a stretch to include guys that are 6'3. In today's NFL, you don't need a 6'6 TE anymore. Teams are looking for athletic TEs that are mismatches on the field.
All I was pointing out is that there are guys who have played well in the NFL that don't fit the "typical" profile... and that isn't limited to TEs.
If you didn't expect a terse reply from this poster, you haven't been paying attention. He puts the prick in prickly.
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