http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20130828_Eagles__Celek_rejuvenated_by_Kelly_s_offense.html#3P1sR8v9VwM3yA7H.99TO BORROW a line from Mark Twain, reports of Brent Celek's football death have been greatly exaggerated.
A subpar season and the offseason arrival of two heralded tight ends - free agent James Casey and second-round pick Zach Ertz - had a lot of people in these parts ready to put the 6-year veteran out to pasture.
But when the Eagles open the season in less than 2 weeks against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, Celek, 28, once again will be their starting tight end.
"I love this offense," he said. "Just from a communications standpoint. It's amazing how fast you can execute it."
The Eagles have run 225 offensive plays in their first three preseason games. That's an average of 75 per game, which is more than any other team in the league.
For Celek and the rest of the Eagles' receiving corps, more plays means more opportunities for catches and big plays.
He has seven receptions in the preseason, which is the most he's had since his rookie year (2007). Productive preseasons don't necessarily translate into productive regular seasons. But it's been clear from watching Chip Kelly's offense operate this summer that the 6-4, 255-pound Celek still is going to be a big part of the Eagles' passing game.
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Despite playing 82 percent of the team's offensive snaps, Celek was targeted just 83 times last year. That was just five fewer than wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who only played in 11 games.
That will change this year. In Kelly's offense, the tight ends seldom are asked to stay in and block on pass plays.
gotta agree with you here... last year was a horrible year for Philly... the year before Celek was a top 10 TE... Vick targeted him early and often... I think in Chip Kelly's offense.. Celek is definitely a huge value at the end of the draft with upside to be in the top 10... best part is you can even draft him as a backup TE at this point and potentially end the year with a top 10 TE...I'm going to guess or suppose that Celek is going pretty well underdrafted or undrafted.
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20130828_Eagles__Celek_rejuvenated_by_Kelly_s_offense.html#3P1sR8v9VwM3yA7H.99TO BORROW a line from Mark Twain, reports of Brent Celek's football death have been greatly exaggerated.
A subpar season and the offseason arrival of two heralded tight ends - free agent James Casey and second-round pick Zach Ertz - had a lot of people in these parts ready to put the 6-year veteran out to pasture.
But when the Eagles open the season in less than 2 weeks against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field, Celek, 28, once again will be their starting tight end.
"I love this offense," he said. "Just from a communications standpoint. It's amazing how fast you can execute it."
The Eagles have run 225 offensive plays in their first three preseason games. That's an average of 75 per game, which is more than any other team in the league.
For Celek and the rest of the Eagles' receiving corps, more plays means more opportunities for catches and big plays.
He has seven receptions in the preseason, which is the most he's had since his rookie year (2007). Productive preseasons don't necessarily translate into productive regular seasons. But it's been clear from watching Chip Kelly's offense operate this summer that the 6-4, 255-pound Celek still is going to be a big part of the Eagles' passing game.
...
Despite playing 82 percent of the team's offensive snaps, Celek was targeted just 83 times last year. That was just five fewer than wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who only played in 11 games.
That will change this year. In Kelly's offense, the tight ends seldom are asked to stay in and block on pass plays.
For people looking at names that could emerge at TE it's been Cameron, Finley, Cook, Myers, Bennett.
But maybe Celek now belongs on that list?
Casey seemed enthused about Kelly actually using him than his role in Houston. I don't think he would signed to be just a blocker.I keep hearing all about Ertz and Casey, but in the preseason, Celek is the one getting the ball. I don't think that is just a fluke.
They signed him for $14.6 million over three years. Pretty expensive blocker.Casey seemed enthused about Kelly actually using him than his role in Houston. I don't think he would signed to be just a blocker.I keep hearing all about Ertz and Casey, but in the preseason, Celek is the one getting the ball. I don't think that is just a fluke.
That said, it seems like most of the targets have been for Celek. I am hoping that Kelly's offense is money for TE's. i have no idea what to expect from Casey though.
Not if he helps keep Vick in one piece and helps McCoy score Tds..They signed him for $14.6 million over three years. Pretty expensive blocker.Casey seemed enthused about Kelly actually using him than his role in Houston. I don't think he would signed to be just a blocker. That said, it seems like most of the targets have been for Celek. I am hoping that Kelly's offense is money for TE's. i have no idea what to expect from Casey though.I keep hearing all about Ertz and Casey, but in the preseason, Celek is the one getting the ball. I don't think that is just a fluke.
Maybe they are keeping the offense very vanilla, but the guy only has 1 catch in the preseason. Has he been injured?They signed him for $14.6 million over three years. Pretty expensive blocker.Casey seemed enthused about Kelly actually using him than his role in Houston. I don't think he would signed to be just a blocker.I keep hearing all about Ertz and Casey, but in the preseason, Celek is the one getting the ball. I don't think that is just a fluke.
That said, it seems like most of the targets have been for Celek. I am hoping that Kelly's offense is money for TE's. i have no idea what to expect from Casey though.
That's the problem with rookie TE's. They have to learn two skill sets at the NFL level, blocking and receiving.FWIW, I heard that Ertz was having problems with blocking. If Kelly's running a high paced offense...he's going to need players who can stay on the field and be versatile.
You don't pay a TE $14.6 million to block, unless of course you're just a drooling moron. Blocking TE's are relatively cheap. For example the Pats signed Hoomanawanui, who is one of the best blocking TE's in the league (capable of blocking most DE's 1 on 1), for $1.3 million. Trust me, Casey got paid because they want to utilize him as a weapon. The question is, has something changed, or are they just keeping him close to the chest?Not if he helps keep Vick in one piece and helps McCoy score Tds..They signed him for $14.6 million over three years. Pretty expensive blocker.Casey seemed enthused about Kelly actually using him than his role in Houston. I don't think he would signed to be just a blocker. That said, it seems like most of the targets have been for Celek. I am hoping that Kelly's offense is money for TE's. i have no idea what to expect from Casey though.I keep hearing all about Ertz and Casey, but in the preseason, Celek is the one getting the ball. I don't think that is just a fluke.
I have a feeling from that game and past Ducks stats that receiving will go 1. Jax, 2. McCoy, 3. Celek for the year.FBG's wasn't too impressed with Celek in Week 2's Top 200 going forward. I was actually surprised. No love.
He's not a beast of a TE but he's steady. The rookie TE has had trouble both blocking and receiving evidently. Jackson is the only super threat on the outside. Outside of the backs, I look at him as the #2 in this offense.
He was in on 66 snaps, 82% of plays.
Casey is a TE to watch for but I don't know much about him.
One things for sure, the Eagles are going to run a lot of plays and I think that they'll have to pass more than they did against the Skins in future games.
That's a good call.2 big games in a row and no Ertz. May roll with him tomorrow. Rest of Philly receivers blow
I have reed too and an definitely rolling with but does celek have ros value? My only backup for reed right now is asjThat's a good call.2 big games in a row and no Ertz. May roll with him tomorrow. Rest of Philly receivers blow
If I didn't get a positive report on Reed today, I was going to bid on Celek and play him tomorrow.
I would do the same, I dont want to throw Gates in the pool though, and no one else to drop. I like him today.Leaning towards rolling out Celek this week over Gates.
Can't afford another 6 yard day out of Gates and Celek got ten targets last week from the Sanchize.
nice call so far.Leaning towards rolling out Celek this week over Gates.
Can't afford another 6 yard day out of Gates and Celek got ten targets last week from the Sanchize.
Pretty much no matter what he does the rest of the game I'm happy with the results. Makes the turkey taste that much sweeter.nice call so far.Leaning towards rolling out Celek this week over Gates.
Can't afford another 6 yard day out of Gates and Celek got ten targets last week from the Sanchize.
Ok, so not so much.Pretty much no matter what he does the rest of the game I'm happy with the results. Makes the turkey taste that much sweeter.nice call so far.Leaning towards rolling out Celek this week over Gates.
Can't afford another 6 yard day out of Gates and Celek got ten targets last week from the Sanchize.