Celek and Demps ready to start
by JasonB on Apr 7, 2009 11:03 AM EDT
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A slew of stories about some of the Eagles younger players hit yesterday after they spoke to the media at the Eagles annual junior football combine. Quintin Demps said he was ready to step into a starting job now that Brian Dawkins has moved on.
"I knew it was coming sooner or later. I didn't think it would be this soon," Demps said yesterday at the third annual youth football "junior combine" hosted by the Eagles at NovaCare. "I know I'm [capable of being] a starter in this league. I'm not looking at it like I'm following him. I'm looking at it like I'm starting my own thing. I'm ready to go. I'm excited."
Demps also said he and Dawkins have exchanged text messages since he left.
The other player to get a few features was controversial TE Brent Celek. Celek isn't personally controversial, in fact I can't think of anyone less controversial... However, whether he's ready to be a starter in the league has been the subject of much debate among Eagles fans.
Overall Celek's regular season numbers were less than impressive and as Tom Heckert remarked his blocking actually regressed. He never really showed during the season that he was ready to be a solid starting TE even after he supplanted LJ Smith as the starter.
However, Celek went on a very impressive run the playoffs with 19 catches and 3 TDs over three games including a 10 reception, 2 TD performance in the NFC title game.
The question is, did he simply have one great game or was his improved play in the playoffs a sign that the light went on for the second year man? Andy Reid expressed confidence in the player, although when doesn't he say this about a player?
"He can be a No. 1 tight end in this league and for us," Eagles coach Andy Reid declared at the NFL owners meetings a couple weeks ago. "I have no problem with that. I expect him to get better in the blocking area, but he's not far off there, and he's very willing."
Celek himself says he understands that his blocking needs to improve.
"I'm trying to get stronger," Celek said. "That's something I need to work on right now. Having surgery last year hindered me in that respect, so I'm working on my strength and my blocking technique. There are things I can improve on in the passing game, too. I can get better at catching the ball and running specific routes."
So what is your level of confidence in both Celek and Demps as starters? Demps is certainly more of an unknown since he was just a rookie and has played less than Celek so far. Personally, I'm cautiously optimistic about Demps. Unlike Celek, he had a pretty poor NFC title game... but played pretty well otherwise. Even more encouraing is that at different times he played corner, free safety, and returned kicks all as a rookie 4th round pick. He even earned a start at safety against the Vikings in the playoffs.
Celek I'm not so sure about. I just a see a guy that's limited athletically and even if he improves from last year, which he should, is still never going to be an above average player in this leauge. He does seem to be a guy that works hard and has a good head on his shoulders, but those two things will only take him so far. If indeed we decide to make this guy the starter, I hope he proves me wrong.
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Demps is physically gifted and seems to be putting in the time in the offseason. I don’t think the kid will be the next Ed Reed or anything, but I think he’s perfectly capable of having the same production that Dawkins did in 2007 and 2008.
Celek… It depends what your expectations are for the kid. If you expect him to be Jason Witten, I think you may be disappointed. However, if you expect him to be a solid starter along the lines of Heath Miller, I could most definitely see that happening.
"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel
by foos05 on Apr 7, 2009 11:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hmm
My question is: did we expect Jason Witten to become Jason Witten? He was a 3rd round pick, not some heralded prospect. Who’s to say Brent can’t turn into a player like that sometime?
by ajay on Apr 7, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
P.S.
Doesn’t he already own the Eagles record for most yards from a TE in one game (Seattle) and most playoff yards in one year?
by ajay on Apr 7, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks ajay!
"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"
by Whodie126 on Apr 7, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha
I knew you’d show up here eventually to defend your boy.
by ajay on Apr 7, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha yeah more people have gained faith in him though it’s not as hard as it was in the beginning of the season. I’m hoping he makes me look like a genius this year.
"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"
by Whodie126 on Apr 7, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I met celek at training camp last year he’s a chill dude.
DeSEAN JACKSON THE ONE
by TheILLadeph on Apr 7, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Celek has shown that he can improve his game each year, which is very important. I am very high on him as far as a pas cathing tight end. He recognizes that his blocking needs to improve and no one is saying that he does not have the size or ability to improve, which is also very important. In all, he can be a Chad Lewis type of tight end if his blocking gets al little better. We will certainyl pick up a tight end in the draft, and there will be some free agents available if necessary.
As for Demps, he has the speed and hitting ability to play safety. It is just a question of reps, which he will now get. I think he will be fine. No one mentioned anything bad about him until that Fitzgerald catch. He was playing real well until then. i havce always maintained that Dawkins let Fitz go free on that play leaving Demps in a one on one situation. not really fair for a safety.
by HowieB on Apr 7, 2009 11:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is the thing about Celek’s improvement. His blocking regressed and his drops went up from his rookie year. While he seemed to “get” the NFL game more and was more productive, I’m not sure if I saw a great net improvement from his first year.
by JasonB on Apr 7, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Celek would make an EXCELLENT number two TE, but I’d like to see us pick up more of a natural blocker who can catch as our starting TE.
I personally think we’d get the most value by drafting Brandon Pettigrew with our #21, who’s blocking skills some people think so highly of that they predict he could transition to OT if he gained an extra 20-30 pounds. With the uncertainty we’ll be having at both OT positions this season, I’d be reassured with Pettigrew out there to prevent another Justice-Giants type meltdown.
I also love the thought of having both Celek and Pettigrew out there on our short yardage offense. This would be reminiscent of the effective combination of Lewis/Smith/Bartrum to run-block/release into the endzone for the quick dump off.
by Luxury_Used_Vehicles_By_Braman on Apr 7, 2009 11:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I am real high on Demps. I think he is going to be real good and more people(I am not saying anyone here is but other places) will forget about the Cardinal game which I think he gets criticized a little too much for.
As for Celek I have always thought he is going ot be a solid #2 TE but I am not sure about starter.
by The Legend on Apr 7, 2009 12:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well...
…I am way high on Demps. I expect him to make a leap in year two, but I think that even if he doesn’t Quintin Mikell and Sean Jones are a good starting tandem. So I’m not as worried about the safety position.
TE is a bit more worrisome. If Celek doesn’t step up then we really don’t have anyone else (right now). And I don’t know if we can count on a rookie making major contributions. So Celek needs to play better. But the dude is clutch – one of his biggest catches as a rookie was the 3rd down grab in Dallas. Then his play in the playoffs was great. Maybe the light went on.
by ajay on Apr 7, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Celek will be fine as a starter. I agree that he will probably never be an “elite” tight end but he will be fine as a starter, more in the mold of a Chad Lewis. I think it is critical to get another tight end who either starts or is right behind him as the #1.5/#2 tight end. I still think Gonzalez would be perfect, even if he does not start over Celek. If we can get that complimentary player, Celek will be fine. I will be concerned if that #1.5/#2 tight end is a rookie.
As for Demps, you might see more interceptions than Dawkins had in 2007 and 2008 but you will also see more mistakes. He has great closing speed and loves the ball. I see him getting baited a lot this year while he continues to learn. In the long run, he will be good. I just think his first year as a starter will be rocky based on the kind of risk taker that he is.
Similar to most, I am not overly concerned about the safety position either but I do have concerns about the overall situation at TE.
by Dawk on Apr 7, 2009 1:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
disagree
I think the opposite. Blocking is something you can learn and Celek will figure it out. He’d be Cooley or Witten if he was in their systems where the TE gets tons of looks. Celek will be a top 5 TE this year and a total steal in fantasy leagues when he’s still available in the 9th round. Here’s a good article on him
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20090407_Eagles__Celek_aims_even_higher.html
Demps is too hard to tell right now. My bet is Sean Jones starts and Q has a similar role as last year.
by jhavrk8 on Apr 7, 2009 1:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
well technically, a TE should get lots of looks in a WCO
"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel
by foos05 on Apr 7, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My point is Cooley and Witten get a lot more opportunity than Celek has thus far, regardless of offensive system. Reception stats are below. I don’t think that 55 catch difference is due to not getting open or dropping the ball. It’s due to playing time and number of plays ran for you/looks from the QB. Just saying I think Celek will be on the field a lot more next season and has the physical abilities to make the same plays that Cooley/Witten do. Unless we get another big name TE I look for Celek to break out huge next season.
Witten: 81
Cooley: 83
Celek: 27
by jhavrk8 on Apr 7, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is what I'm saying.
Even past that look at there receptions and times they were targeted
Witten: 81 Receptions 121 Target = 67%
Cooley: 83 Receptions 111 Target = 75%
Celek: 27 Receptions 38 Target = 71%
Target Celek 110 times at 71% and he has 78 receptions at 11.5 average for 897 yards that’s a Witten-Cooley-esque year for the kid.
"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"
by Whodie126 on Apr 7, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice
I couldn’t find those target numbers. How bout this. Say we traded Celek for Cooley before last year. Do the stats stay with the player or the team. I say the team.
by jhavrk8 on Apr 7, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well LJ was targeted 64 times last year for 37 receptions (58%) so I think if Celek gets those targets added to his 38 he will be a stud this year. I think if we had Cooley and he was playing behind LJ unjustly his stats would have been the same as Celeks.
"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"
by Whodie126 on Apr 7, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love the target % ...
… those are the kind of stats a dude can buy into!
Still waiting for the Eagles to Bring It Home For Jerome
by D3Keith on Apr 7, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love Demps I love his attitude and I love his enthusiasm he is going to be a player. He won me over with the following quote after he was drafted, and it will take a lot to change my mind on him.
“I am a playmaker. If the Eagles wanted a playmaker, they got one as a steal in the draft. I am going to take what I can from Dawkins and just come in there to play with passion. I am not a Pro Bowl player; I’m a Super Bowl player. I am ready to go. I am fired up.”
Celek … welp you guys know how I feel. I will say he has the same average YPC as Witten at 11.5 he just doesn’t get thrown to 60-90 times a season like Witten does. Up his catches to 70 Receptions a year and you will have Witten like numbers. He does need to learn how to block.
"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"
by Whodie126 on Apr 7, 2009 1:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice post Jason.. Agree with you 100% Whodie
I love both these guys I met Celek at training camp last year and I’m looking forward to seeing him take his game to another level this year… and I have been saying forever how high I am on Demps just like that quote Whodie posted he is a PLAYMAKER he sold me when I was watching him at training camp, constintly around the ball every play i was amazed not to mention how many times he was picking of Kolb and even Mcnabb at LEAST 4 picks for him this year!!
DeSEAN JACKSON THE ONE
by TheILLadeph on Apr 7, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Andy Reid expressed confidence in the player, although when doesn’t he say this about a player?
Ask him a question about Winston Justice.
Still waiting for the Eagles to Bring It Home For Jerome
by D3Keith on Apr 7, 2009 10:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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