Post by brasilbear on May 29, 2024 6:46:24 GMT -6
Four parts, I'll update this post when they are all up.
As an aside, I'm long on record as saying that I don't care if my TEs block well or if they can handle stunting DE/DT on their own. I want to know if they can get in the way of a LB or S long enough to keep a hole/lane open and if they can run past a run stopping LB down the seam on 2nd and 2.
with that random editorial aside here are the links: (warning very stat and table heavy)
www.dabearsblog.com/2024/a-deep-dive-into-the-tes-part-1-usage
www.dabearsblog.com/2024/a-deep-dive-into-the-tes-part-2-blocking
www.dabearsblog.com/2024/a-deep-dive-into-the-tes-part-3-efficiency-man-vs-zone-target-depth
www.dabearsblog.com/2024/a-deep-dive-into-the-tes-part-4-3rd-down-red-zone-slot
As an aside, I'm long on record as saying that I don't care if my TEs block well or if they can handle stunting DE/DT on their own. I want to know if they can get in the way of a LB or S long enough to keep a hole/lane open and if they can run past a run stopping LB down the seam on 2nd and 2.
with that random editorial aside here are the links: (warning very stat and table heavy)
www.dabearsblog.com/2024/a-deep-dive-into-the-tes-part-1-usage
Shane Waldron typically likes to play 3 TEs for heavy snaps, but the Bears only have 2 worth playing.
Out of those 2, Cole Kmet is the clear TE1, and he typically plays about 50% more snaps than Waldron’s top TE. I have a hunch that Waldron’s tendencies will change here more than Kmet’s overall snap count.
TE2 Gerald Everett doesn’t seem to match a typical Waldron backup TE at all though. Everett is heavily involved in the pass game, while Waldron’s TE2 is usually more of a run blocker.
Chicago’s loaded roster of pass catchers also makes me suspect Everett will see a surprisingly small role in Chicago this year, unless other players get hurt."
Out of those 2, Cole Kmet is the clear TE1, and he typically plays about 50% more snaps than Waldron’s top TE. I have a hunch that Waldron’s tendencies will change here more than Kmet’s overall snap count.
TE2 Gerald Everett doesn’t seem to match a typical Waldron backup TE at all though. Everett is heavily involved in the pass game, while Waldron’s TE2 is usually more of a run blocker.
Chicago’s loaded roster of pass catchers also makes me suspect Everett will see a surprisingly small role in Chicago this year, unless other players get hurt."
www.dabearsblog.com/2024/a-deep-dive-into-the-tes-part-2-blocking
"Like we saw in part 1, Gerald Everett does not fit the profile of a typical Waldron backup TE. He doesn’t get asked to run or pass block much, while Waldron’s backup TEs typically block quite a bit and don’t get as many chances to catch passes.
Cole Kmet is a well-rounded TE capable of being a pass catcher, pass blocker, and run blocker at an adequate or better level.
That every-down versatility is not something Waldron has really had in the past, and I am curious to see how he will shape Kmet’s role in the offense."
Cole Kmet is a well-rounded TE capable of being a pass catcher, pass blocker, and run blocker at an adequate or better level.
That every-down versatility is not something Waldron has really had in the past, and I am curious to see how he will shape Kmet’s role in the offense."
Cole Kmet continues to improve, and is firmly established as one of the better TEs in the NFL.
He still doesn’t produce much against man coverage, but is a reliable underneath option against zone – much like Keenan Allen.
Gerald Everett’s 2023 profile showed clear signs of decline, giving concern that he might be washed up.
He still doesn’t produce much against man coverage, but is a reliable underneath option against zone – much like Keenan Allen.
Gerald Everett’s 2023 profile showed clear signs of decline, giving concern that he might be washed up.
www.dabearsblog.com/2024/a-deep-dive-into-the-tes-part-4-3rd-down-red-zone-slot
Cole Kmet is good, and well-rounded. He can line up inline or in the slot, can block and catch, and has very few weaknesses in his game.
--He has continued to improve year over year, getting appreciably better on 3rd/4th down, in the red zone, and against zone defense in the last few years. He should be expected to continue to improve over the next few years, as he is just now entering his prime.
--In terms of specific strengths, Kmet is a high-volume, effective weapon against zone who does most of his damage underneath. This profile closely matches that of Keenan Allen, and these two players should serve as Caleb Williams’ safety blankets.
--Kmet only has one noticeable weakness in his profile, which is that he struggles to produce against man coverage. This also matches Keenan Allen’s profile a bit, and DJ Moore and Rome Odunze should be expected to be the main weapons against man.
Gerald Everett doesn’t provide much as a blocker, which seemingly makes him a poor fit in Shane Waldron’s offense.
--On top of that, he showed marked declines as a receiver in 2023, especially against man coverage and on passes down the field. This is eerily reminiscent of Robert Tonyan’s profile when he came to the Bears, and makes me worried that Everett might be washed up.
--Overall, Everett seems to offer the least of Chicago’s main 6 skill position players, which makes me suspect his role will be fairly limited when everybody is healthy.
One area where neither Kmet or Everett are heavily involved is on 3rd/4th down, where both consistently see a lower target share than on early downs. Keenan Allen and DJ Moore should be expected to be the primary weapons on these downs.
One area where both Kmet and Everett shine is in the red zone, which is probably the largest weakness Chicago’s WRs have as a group. The tight ends should feature prominently as weapons when the Bears get near the end zone.
--He has continued to improve year over year, getting appreciably better on 3rd/4th down, in the red zone, and against zone defense in the last few years. He should be expected to continue to improve over the next few years, as he is just now entering his prime.
--In terms of specific strengths, Kmet is a high-volume, effective weapon against zone who does most of his damage underneath. This profile closely matches that of Keenan Allen, and these two players should serve as Caleb Williams’ safety blankets.
--Kmet only has one noticeable weakness in his profile, which is that he struggles to produce against man coverage. This also matches Keenan Allen’s profile a bit, and DJ Moore and Rome Odunze should be expected to be the main weapons against man.
Gerald Everett doesn’t provide much as a blocker, which seemingly makes him a poor fit in Shane Waldron’s offense.
--On top of that, he showed marked declines as a receiver in 2023, especially against man coverage and on passes down the field. This is eerily reminiscent of Robert Tonyan’s profile when he came to the Bears, and makes me worried that Everett might be washed up.
--Overall, Everett seems to offer the least of Chicago’s main 6 skill position players, which makes me suspect his role will be fairly limited when everybody is healthy.
One area where neither Kmet or Everett are heavily involved is on 3rd/4th down, where both consistently see a lower target share than on early downs. Keenan Allen and DJ Moore should be expected to be the primary weapons on these downs.
One area where both Kmet and Everett shine is in the red zone, which is probably the largest weakness Chicago’s WRs have as a group. The tight ends should feature prominently as weapons when the Bears get near the end zone.