I think the player shows pretty good technique when blocking, especially when he's in motion coming down the line, he understands how to engage with solid fundamentals on the move, gets his body in good position and gets the job done..I've said before, I've seen him come down the line against Carolina, and literally crush Quinton Coples to spring the back for 6, I've seen him display good fundamentals when he's in line as well, he needs to be a bit more aggressive and could get stronger, but his athleticism, body genetics, and youth tell me that those things will improve exponentially at the pro level..I had him as a third round pick..
I think this was a pick for Philbin. Obviously they all are, but my guess is that Philbin didn't specify what players he wanted, but rather types of players he wanted. I think Egnew is one of those types that Ireland might not have sought out if Philbin hadn't stressed a desire for that type. I think Philbin stressed his desire for a seam threat TE and that Ireland found a player to potentially fill that need.
He doesn't look to be all that fast to be a seam threat though. All the stuff I saw of him was lined up wide catching fades. Am I wrong raf?
This kid doesn't make the team in last few years' system. Hopefully this means much needed change in offensive philosophy
I don't think he's super fast. He's not going to bust a bunch of 60 yard TDs, but he gets off the line and elevates above the defender. That's seems to be the trend you see now with the way the rules are interpreted. Since you can't hit the receivers high, offenses are using tall TEs or WRs and throwing it high over generally shorter defenders.
Man, the security blanket this kid provided for Gabbert was impressive, he was always looking for Egnew..There's no denying this kids athleticism and hands, he may not have Fleener speed! And he's not the player that Dwayne Allen is, but he moves like he weighs a lot less than 250 lbs, very light feet in route, and I love the spin moves at that weight.
so whos skill set does he mirror in your opinion? I ask you because you seem to be one of the few who actually know what you're talking about.
It does sound like suspiciously like the plot of a porno. "Oh no! My car is having trouble starting" [video=youtube;7TrZFxhrPUI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TrZFxhrPUI[/video] "Maybe I can get your battery started"
It's kind of a misnomer to call this guy a tight end. He's basically a huge slot receiver. He doesn't seem to line up hardly ever if at all next to a tackle or in a 3-point stance. All his blocking responsibilities seem to be more line a WR executing stalk blocks than anything a true TE typically does. He's also much more savvy in terms of screens and the like than most. I wouldn't be surprised if they kept him more towards his college duties than went through all the effort to make him a "real" tight end.
I see what your saying, I see how quick and athletic he moves, I see how he tore up the combine, I see how he looks like he's just a big slot receiver, but the fact is, he came in at 6' 5 252 lbs..My point being, he's doing things at a weight that does not measure up to what he's executing, I mean he's runnin jailbreak screens like their nothing, catching the ball cleanly with his hands,then executing spin moves out of the first tackle, he plays like a slot guy,but has legit size... Very legit speed, 4.53, excellent vertical at 36 inches, and a ridiculous broad jump at almost 11 feet..He might be more than a big slot guy Pate. Here's some blocking stuff. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=98gyiCj_iG0
IMO there are many knowledgable opinions here. As for Egnew, I don't have a true comparison. Graham is the closest. He's a hair smaller than Graham and I don't think he plays as fast although their 40 times are probably close. Similar hands though and a nice ability to high point the ball. I think Graham is quicker in and out of breaks. That probably accounts for the game speed difference. That ability to get separation will be key b/c I don't see Egnew as likely to over power guys like a Gronkowski does. IMO the great ones all figure out some way to make those plays whether it be with size, strength or speed. Hopefully Egnew does as well.
You know, I really wish Missouri didn't run a West Coast/Spread hybrid, because there were far too many screens to get a feel for how he is down the field.
Well, I'm speaking out of ignorance than because it does look like he lined up as a traditional tight end from time to time. It was just not particularly distinguished and seems to have almost all of his receptions split wide. I think based on that you'd still think he would be someone who should overwhelmingly line up as a split tight end, and even in running situations I'd tend to think we'd be better off with Charles Clay in the backfield than Egnew on the line.
Zach Miller is prob the closest comparison I think. Miller was a better route runner coming out IMO. But they are very similar in that they are great at using their bodies to shield defenders and catch the ball in traffic.
Its really just semantics at this point. I think a good reference for his usage will be how GB used Finley. They rarely used him inline.
I think I read after we drafted him that at Missouri he was a wide receiver. At the senior bowl they moved him to tight end and that was really the first time he started playing a lot in line. Also supposedly the Dolphins brass really like how well he could block someone and hit someone lined up at the TE position. Ireland said he had quite a bit of pop to those hits. So the FO sees him as being a TE and he should be a better blocker as a TE.
