I was watching the 1990 NFC Championship game and was thinking what would you would prefer, a Mark Bavaro or a Jimmy Graham type of TE on the Giants in today's NFL?
For those who witnessed Mark Bavaro in the early years what were your first thoughts, did you think why did the Giants draft Mark Bavaro?
Gronkowski, Davis, Witten, and Miller are all really great players and can handle blocking DE's and OLB's on a consistent basis.
I definitely would prefer someone like Martellus Bennett (who also had a great season), but they don't grow on trees and it takes a bit of luck sometimes nab someone so gifted. Now more than ever, TE's are getting 700+ yards a year on average it seems.
With Graham you get a faster finesse player that should last a lot longer in the league. Much more like a WR INHO. The game is different now and many offenses now prefer this type of TE.
Yes I am biased.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pssDR0ERnw - ( New Window )
As far as the receive-solely or receive-mainly tight-ends, the game is different today because teams are able to run from spread formations. Thus the TE skill set changes. Graham does not look like a finesse player when DBs are trying to tackle him. However, with regard to 89, I will mention what Madden said about him in '86. He said Bavaro blocked Dexter Manley the entire game against the Redskins in Washington that year. John added that he had never seen a TE even asked to block a DE, let alone dominate him. To me, that means just as much as the catch-and-run against the Niners.
Witten Graham and Gronk are HOF WRs but compared to Bavaro and guys like Ditka they are pussies. They would be lit up and laying on the field if they tried running the routes they do today.
Witten Graham and Gronk are HOF WRs but compared to Bavaro and guys like Ditka they are pussies. They would be lit up and laying on the field if they tried running the routes they do today.
Babaro, Ditka and Mackey were the best two way TEs I ever saw
and BB56...yes...John Mackey belongs on that list. Cant think of anyone else I saw play true 2 way tight end as well as Ditka, Mackey and Bavaro back when wars were wars
(Note to USAF, Bavaro credits Carl Banks, not LT, for making him the blocker he became. They went head-to-head every day in practice)
A beast!
and BB56...yes...John Mackey belongs on that list. Cant think of anyone else I saw play true 2 way tight end as well as Ditka, Mackey and Bavaro back when wars were wars
Hey Bill Hope all is well. Better record this date. I don't know I might be correct again lol.
Hate to sound like an old fart but the guys today are more WRs than anything else. Its not meant to be a knock but guys like you mentioned were playing a different game and position.
Ditka --- Bavaro --- Gronk
I think those are the 3 most dominant TEs in NFL history at their best. They were just more "man" than the other players on the field. Just ragdolling DBs and doing a great job of blocking.
Graham is a great player for what he is. But I don't think he's close to Gronk. And if a healthy peak Bavaro played with the Pats and Brady, I think he could make a similar impact to Gronk.
I also respect the hell out of Witten. Hall of Famer. But he's not and never was anywhere near Gronk's level when both are healthy.
As far as the receive-solely or receive-mainly tight-ends, the game is different today because teams are able to run from spread formations. Thus the TE skill set changes. Graham does not look like a finesse player when DBs are trying to tackle him. However, with regard to 89, I will mention what Madden said about him in '86. He said Bavaro blocked Dexter Manley the entire game against the Redskins in Washington that year. John added that he had never seen a TE even asked to block a DE, let alone dominate him. To me, that means just as much as the catch-and-run against the Niners.
Not just Dexter Manley, but he used to block Reggie White, also. And come out ahead in those matchups. Bavaro is such an underrated stud.