Despite the Eagles reliance on the deep ball, I think the most important receiver which Michael Vick needs to be on the same page with is his tight end Brent Celek. Vick and Celek started singing the same tune as the season drew to an end, so I’m very hopeful that they can get it going again this year.
Number seven started looking up Celek in the red zone for touchdowns in the second half of the season, and got the ball to him at every possible chance. It seems as if Vick was starting to realize that it’s easier to get the ball to his tight end than nearly any other receiver position.
After the conclusion of the 2011 season, the Eagles talented tight end had hernia surgery as well as surgery to repair a torn hip labrum. Number 87 said he feels much better after the surgeries.
“I can already tell running routes that I’ve got something back,” Celek said. “I feel a lot better than I did at this time last year, a whole lot better.”
That “something back” might be additional speed or quickness, which will make him a better target for Vick. I could see the Eagles utilizing the two-tight end combination of Celek and his backup Clay Harbor. Tight ends are big targets for the quarterback and they especially effective in the red zone where the Eagles have had problems in the past.
Remember that the Eagles went to the Super Bowl when they had good pass catching tight ends Chad Lewis and L.J. Smith after the 2004 season. Andy Reid coached two Pro Bowl tight ends, Keith Jackson and Mark Chamura when the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl in 1997. Reid will utilize Celek and Harbor to improve the Birds production in the red zone.
Celek wasn’t expected to participate in this past week’s OTA’s, but he was out there running routes and catching the football.
“I hate sitting out. I hate sitting on the sidelines. It kills me,” Celek said. “To be out here is good. I love playing with these guys.”
“I have my ups and downs that I have to work through right now just because (I’m) coming off surgery, but I want to be out here with the guys, do as much as I can do while being smart about it,” Celek said. “I do feel a lot different. It’s a lot easier to run now, a lot more enjoyful. I feel like I’m fixed now.”
He’s going to be singled up on linebackers all the time because of the presence DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin outside. The wide receivers will occupy all the cornerbacks and safeties, so Celek will get the chance to dominate the linebackers who don’t cover as well as the defensive backs.
If Vick can master his connection with Celek it will raise his completion percentage. Any time he misses a couple throws outside to the wide receiver, he can always get his timing and accuracy by connecting on an easier throw to Celek. Most of the routes by the tight ends are shorter and in the middle of the field, which will make them much easier for Vick.
I think it’s nearly impossible to stop a good tight end nowadays because of the way the refs will call pass interference in favor of the receiver. I said all of that to say that a 100% Celek, could be headed for a big year in terms of catches, yardage and most importantly touchdowns.
You can find me on Twitter at #GarryCobb.
A 100% healthy Brett Celek is huge for what he can provide for this Eagle Offense and a nice option for a check-down from Vick when he’s in trouble.. Celek had a very strong 2nd Half of the Season and could be primed for a big year in 2012.He’s improved quite a bit as a Blocker from 2 years ago.
The only negative and advice I could give him, is to save his energy rather than jumping up and giving a 1st Down Sign after he catches the ball ..Maybe once in while, but not as often on routine plays, you’ve been there many times in your career #87, so you don’t have to act like it’s your 1st Down Catch ever… Othere than that, keep moving forward..
Hopefully Plaxico Burress will be in that mix relatively shortly.