Learning TE Group has High Hopes

Since losing veteran starting Tight End L.J. Smith late in free agency to the Ravens, the Eagles have taken a new approach this offseason on the position. Usually favoring league veterans that provide knowledge and insighful mentoring ability, the team instead brought in young stars that have alot of potential but must prove their worth on the roster.

 

Brent Celek, the assumed starter, was selected in the 5th round of the 2007 Draft, and spent 2 years as a backup to Smith. But injuries and inconsistency from Smith last season gave Celek (pictured above left) more opportunities, which he clearly took advantage of. With a career total of 496 receiving yards and 2 TDs (surprisingly good for a reserve player), Celek also performed well in the 2008 playoffs, recording 19 catches, 151 yards, and 3 touchdowns. He has never been considered a dominant TE by NFL scouts and analysts, but with full responsibilities this season, Celek should improve even more and possibly become one of QB Donovan McNabb's favorite targets in the passing game.
Matt Schobel, perhaps one of the least known Eagles on the roster, has quietly provided the team with a solid backup at the TE spot and a consistent special teams player in his 3 seasons as an Eagle. He will never be ranked among the best TEs, and it is likely he will never start again in his NFL career, but Schobel is one of the team's quality reserve players. Whether he plays in 2009 as the backup, 3rd string TE, primarily on special teams, or not at all, Schobel should at least give the team some competition during the remainder of the offseason, and provide the other learning TEs with useful knowledge. Cornelius Ingram, one of the Eagles' most recent draft picks, will be one of the most watched players on the team. Rebounding from a season-ending knee injury that kept him off the field in '08, Ingram was ranked as one of the best college football TEs in his previous seasons of play. His extreme athleticism made him a Draft "steal", for he was predicted to be taken far sooner than in the 5th round where he was selected. He is likely to play this season as the 2nd or 3rd TE, and should learn over the years under Celek and/or Schobel. Despite Celek's move into the starting role, Ingram is the focus in this young Tight End group. Eugene Bright, a rookie free agent signing of this offseason, grew up an Eagles fan and now has a chance to play for them. Playing primarily as a defensive end at Purdue in college, Bright recorded 7.5 career sacks in his collegiate career. Known as a versatile athlete, he saw action at seven different positions in high school, notably Tight End, his current position. Bright has the largest frame of the Eagles' 4 TEs, and despite fans' and analysts' disregard of his chances to make the final roster, I believe that Eugene has a decent shot at making the team. For Bright (seen in picture [number 82] alongside Celek) to do so, he must prove he is worthy in the upcoming camps (Rookie Camp, Training Camp) as well as preseason. The TE position has certainly changed during the offseason, and there is alot of potential explosiveness to be revealed. But at least 3 of the 4 men listed under this roster spot must prove that they can display this explosiveness on the field. Expect a ton of surprises to emerge from this curious group of players in 2009.