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Transcript: Tight Ends Coach Kevin M. Gilbride

Eric from BBI : Admin : 6/7/2017 1:29 pm
Tight Ends Coach Kevin M. Gilbride

June 7, 2017

Q: Can (Evan) Engram block?

A: He can. It’s important to him. He’s very functional in that area.

Q: How many places can he line up?

A: Very similar to most of our tight ends. They have to be flexible lining up everywhere on the field. He’s going to be asked to do all those things. We are trying to figure that out as far as how everyone is progressing – the tight ends we have in the building. As we figure all that out and what they can execute what helps our team win, that’s what they’ll execute during the game week.

Q: Is this as deep a tight end group as you’ve had?

A: I think so as far as the different skillsets they bring to the table. We’re still trying to figure out who they are. The development that Jerell has had, the development that Will Tye has had. Who they were last year isn’t necessarily who they’re going to be this year. That’s the exciting thing because there is a lot of competition. We’ll see how they progress.

Q: What does Will have to do to start? This is a huge summer for him?

A: You’re right and it is for all of them. They have to compete. Not just with themselves as a group but with other offensive players and some of the defensive players as well. You never know how your team is going to shake out. He needs to do well on special teams. He needs to add that into his repertoire. He played some last year but not extensively. Then, continue to progress in the run game and in the pass game.

Q: Ellison is another guy in the mix. What does he bring to the table?

A: He’s been sidelined but everything that we’ve seen from him previously and the work that we’ve seen in phase two, he brings a lot to the table. He’s a veteran guy that has played a lot of football. He’s very bright and he works his butt of as far as the understanding of the playbook. He can catch more than he’s shown from a statistic standpoint. He has good routes and is a good run blocker as everyone knows.

Q: Was he just used as a run blocker because of Adrian Peterson and all the guys in the box?

A: I think that’s part of it. I think the other part is the people they have at tight end in Kyle Rudolph. If you feel like you have a better asset to put out there to execute particular roles, that’s what you’re going to do. I believe that is what they did in Minnesota.

Q: How much is the tight end role going to change?

A: We hope so. You’re figuring out what your team is right now. I can’t speak on specifics but the more you can change up your personnel groupings during the game, the better off your going to be. The more the defense has to prepare for you. Last year, we were predominantly three wide receivers, a tight end and a running back. That doesn’t give the defense that much to have to prepare for. The fact that we’ve added additional pieces is certainly going to help us.

Q: What have you seen from Engram in his willingness to block? Is he a blocker that has developed into his own?

A: I certainly believe so. He shows a very much so willingness to block and to finish and strain the way we’re asking our guys to strain. Again, that’s not pads so that’ll change things to an extent, but I don’t see him backing down. He has a toughness and a willingness to go against anyone on our defense and I’m hoping that remains through the course of this season.

Q: Has Engram’s passing catching been what you expected?

A: Yes, so far. He still has some development to go but he has a good knack for it in the fact that he understands coverage and understands the leverage of the coverage, how it changes and how he needs to run his route. He came in with that and it has continue to progress from there.
In the video  
bc4life : 6/8/2017 9:04 am : link
he makes a comment about having "whip" Will sometimes to get him going. Not good, especially with the added competition
Can't be stated enough how important and rare it is  
Ten Ton Hammer : 6/8/2017 9:15 am : link
These days to find young offensive players who enter the league understanding coverages even before NFL coaching. Great sign.
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