Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2016 4:51:05 GMT -6
What we’ve learned about the Bears tight ends at the bye
by Lorin Cox
The Chicago Bears are on their bye week at the halfway point of the 2016 season, providing a perfect time to look back at what we’ve learned about each position group on the team through eight games.
Tight end is one of the few positions on the team that has gone about as you might have expected. There haven't been any significant injuries at the position, and few roles have changed. Still, we know more about these players than we did eight weeks ago.
Here’s what we’ve learned about the tight ends.
Zach Miller is a legitimate number one tight end
Zach Miller (86) leads the Chicago Bears with 40 catches through eight weeks, tied for the second most in the league among tight ends (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
usatbearswire.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/miller-catch.gif
Zach Miller (86) leads the Chicago Bears with 40 catches through eight weeks, tied for the second most in the league among tight ends (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
When the Bears traded away Martellus Bennett this offseason, there was some concern as to whether Zach Miller could step in and replace his production. So far so good. The 32-year-old is on pace for 80 catches and nearly 800 receiving yards, and he hasn't dropped a pass all season according to Pro Football Focus.
TE'S with 0 Drops this season (Minimum 31 targets): Zach Miller, Greg Olsen, C.J. Fiedorowicz and Julius Thomas.
— Mark Harrington (@pff_Mark) November 1, 2016
Miller has been a fine blocker when the Bears have asked him to, but his role has been primarily as a receiver who has been one of his quarterbacks' favorite targets, leading the team in receptions this year. He's also stayed pretty healthy, an encouraging sign given his past.
Logan Paulsen isn't panning out too well
Known for his blocking, Logan Paulsen (82) hasn't lived up to his reputation this season (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
usatbearswire.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/paulsen-block.gif
Certainly, we've seen worse blocking tight ends in Chicago, but Logan Paulsen has been a bit of a disappointment. Primarily used as a run blocker, he's too often beaten at the point of attack, forcing his own running backs to alter their paths or even blowing up the run.
No one was expecting Paulsen to come in and be a lock-down number two tight end, but with only three catches and a bad drop against the Detroit Lions, he isn't giving his team a ton at the moment on offense or special teams.
Ben Braunecker can contribute on special teams, at least
Rookie tight end Ben Braunecker (43) hasn't played much on offense but has become a four-phase special teams player (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
usatbearswire.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/braunecker-ko.gif?w=560
Ben Braunecker, also known as "Bronk," received some hype this preseason but started the year on the practice squad before being promoted on October 1. He only plays a handful of snaps on offense each game, but his special teams role has grown by the week, and he is now a four-phase player.
The above play is his only special teams tackle so far this season, but he is showing he belongs on the 53, and if Paulsen continues to struggle, the Bears could give the rookie Harvard graduate more opportunities on offense.
NOTE; I did insert the GIFs but they won't post. Maybe one of you with better techical skills than I possess can figure out why the won't. Meanwhile here's a link to them. bearswire.usatoday.com/2016/11/04/what-weve-learned-about-the-bears-tight-ends-at-the-bye/#respond
by Lorin Cox
The Chicago Bears are on their bye week at the halfway point of the 2016 season, providing a perfect time to look back at what we’ve learned about each position group on the team through eight games.
Tight end is one of the few positions on the team that has gone about as you might have expected. There haven't been any significant injuries at the position, and few roles have changed. Still, we know more about these players than we did eight weeks ago.
Here’s what we’ve learned about the tight ends.
Zach Miller is a legitimate number one tight end
Zach Miller (86) leads the Chicago Bears with 40 catches through eight weeks, tied for the second most in the league among tight ends (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
usatbearswire.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/miller-catch.gif
Zach Miller (86) leads the Chicago Bears with 40 catches through eight weeks, tied for the second most in the league among tight ends (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
When the Bears traded away Martellus Bennett this offseason, there was some concern as to whether Zach Miller could step in and replace his production. So far so good. The 32-year-old is on pace for 80 catches and nearly 800 receiving yards, and he hasn't dropped a pass all season according to Pro Football Focus.
TE'S with 0 Drops this season (Minimum 31 targets): Zach Miller, Greg Olsen, C.J. Fiedorowicz and Julius Thomas.
— Mark Harrington (@pff_Mark) November 1, 2016
Miller has been a fine blocker when the Bears have asked him to, but his role has been primarily as a receiver who has been one of his quarterbacks' favorite targets, leading the team in receptions this year. He's also stayed pretty healthy, an encouraging sign given his past.
Logan Paulsen isn't panning out too well
Known for his blocking, Logan Paulsen (82) hasn't lived up to his reputation this season (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
usatbearswire.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/paulsen-block.gif
Certainly, we've seen worse blocking tight ends in Chicago, but Logan Paulsen has been a bit of a disappointment. Primarily used as a run blocker, he's too often beaten at the point of attack, forcing his own running backs to alter their paths or even blowing up the run.
No one was expecting Paulsen to come in and be a lock-down number two tight end, but with only three catches and a bad drop against the Detroit Lions, he isn't giving his team a ton at the moment on offense or special teams.
Ben Braunecker can contribute on special teams, at least
Rookie tight end Ben Braunecker (43) hasn't played much on offense but has become a four-phase special teams player (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
usatbearswire.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/braunecker-ko.gif?w=560
Ben Braunecker, also known as "Bronk," received some hype this preseason but started the year on the practice squad before being promoted on October 1. He only plays a handful of snaps on offense each game, but his special teams role has grown by the week, and he is now a four-phase player.
The above play is his only special teams tackle so far this season, but he is showing he belongs on the 53, and if Paulsen continues to struggle, the Bears could give the rookie Harvard graduate more opportunities on offense.
NOTE; I did insert the GIFs but they won't post. Maybe one of you with better techical skills than I possess can figure out why the won't. Meanwhile here's a link to them. bearswire.usatoday.com/2016/11/04/what-weve-learned-about-the-bears-tight-ends-at-the-bye/#respond
