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Tight Ends Creating a Stir at the NFL Combine

Author Craig Shemon
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs raises the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Tight ends are catching attention as well as footballs at the NFL Combine this week.  While many focus on quarterbacks and 40-yard dashes this week it is important to remember that a great tight end can make an NFL offense go.  Just look at the final four teams standing in this past season’s NFL championships.  They all had great tight ends on their rosters.  Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, George Kittle and Sam LaPorta.

TIGHT ENDS ON THE RISE

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers will be the first tight end drafted by the NFL in April.  He is athletic but he is a little bit small at 230 pounds.  But he will surely bulk up with an NFL trainer.  Ja’Tavion Sanders out of Texas is impressive at 6-4 and 242 pounds.  And another interesting player to watch is Syracuse’s Oronde Gadsden II.  He is more like a receiver than a tight end at 6-5 and 215 pounds.  This season he caught 6 touchdowns for 969 yards and will probably be more of a slot receiver in the league.

What started us down this tight end conversation?  One of the greatest, Tony Gonzalez was born on this day in 1976.  So let’s fire up some tight end questions on Trivia on Craig Shemon and Company on ESPN Southwest Florida.  Good luck!

 TIGHT ENDS TRIVIA

  1. This tight end is dating Taylor Swift? Travis Kelce
  2. This Tight end won Super Bowls with multiple teams and hailed from the University of Arizona? Rob Gronkowski
  3. This undrafted player spent 16 years with the Chargers and was Philip Rivers favorite target? Antonio Gates
  4. Before Travis Kelce this guy was considered the best Chiefs tight end (maybe still?) and finished his career with the Falcons? Tony Gonzalez
  5. This Iowa product plays for the 49ers and is a two time All-Pro? George Kittle
  6. This Bronco was the first tight end to amass over 10,000 yards receiving? Shannon Sharpe
  7. Who was the first tight end to get 1000 yards receiving in a season? (Hint:  He won a Super Bowl as a player and a coach)? Mike Ditka
  8. This tight end was so bad in the broadcast booth he had to resume his playing career with the Cowboys? Jason Whitten
  9. This former tight end is married to a former member of the USWNT (Julie)? Zach Ertz
  10. This Iowa product broke Keith Jackson’s record for the most catches in a rookie season by a tight end? Sam LaPorta

Craig Shemon has been hosting afternoons on ESPN Southwest Florida since 2017. Prior to that he was a nationally syndicated host in Los Angeles at FOX Sports Radio and in Houston at Yahoo! Sports Radio. Along the way Craig did play-by-play for the NFL on FOX, NFL Europe, Big Ten Network, and The Citadel Radio Network. Craig is a native Detroiter and Indiana University graduate. He has been known to proudly display his Detroit and IU fandom on the air. Craig likes to write about athletes, create quizzes, and covers big sports headlines.

5 NFL Teams That Will Look Very Different in 2024

Football is the kind of sport that isn’t very forgiving when it comes to having time to turn things around. If a coach or staffers aren’t working out in a very short period of time, fans and owners usually move on quickly. I get it. There is a lot at stake. But, that said, each year, several NFL teams end up looking very different from what they did the year prior. The upcoming 2024 season is shaping up to be one of those seasons. So, let’s get into some NFL teams that will look very different in 2024.

Before I get into the list, I want to point out one of the main reasons why so many teams will look different in 2024 than they did in 2023. Lots of head coaches are changing. Believe it or not, the NFL is replacing a quarter of its head coaches in 2024. That’s so wacky. But, it should make for some really exciting games coming up. I’m not one to wish away the spring and summer, but fall can’t get here fast enough.

One team that I’m not including on this list, and one that might draw controversy, is the New England Patriots. They will be entering their first year without longstanding head coach Bill Belichick. So, why wouldn’t they be a team that’s going to look vastly different next season? Well, they’re bringing on Jerod Mayo, who is totally in the family. He’s been with the Patriots for years. Robert Kraft promoted the former Patriots star from within, much like former player Dan Campbell was given the head coaching role with the Detroit Lions. So, yeah, not too different, in my opinion.

Here are five NFL teams that will look vastly different in 2024. Which teams are you going to be watching next season? Hit us up on social media and let us know. Find the 2024 NFL schedule here.

  • 5. Seattle Seahawks

    The Seattle Seahawks are headed for a major makeover, especially when it comes to their defense. They’ve brought on Mike Macdonald, who is the former defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. Seattle’s defense is going to improve greatly with him in charge, and they could look like a different team.

    Seattle Seahawks v Arizona Cardinals

    (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

  • 4. Los Angeles Chargers

    It’s happening. Jim Harbaugh is back in the NFL. Why? He’s very motivated to get a Super Bowl. He’s fresh off a national championship win with the Wolverines, to boot. He also has a great quarterback in Justin Herbert. Other than Herbert, though, expect some big changes here.

    Los Angeles Chargers v New England Patriots

    (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

  • 3. Carolina Panthers

    For the Carolina Panthers, there’s really nowhere to go but up. Now, the team has a new head coach (again) in Dave Canales. He’s a great fit for them, but he has a lot of work to do. Expect major changes. He bring experience from his time with the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

    Carolina Panthers Press Conference

    (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

  • 2. Las Vegas Raiders

    The Las Vegas Raiders let go of their coach, Josh McDaniels, before the season was even finished, because yes, things were that bad. Antonio Pierce was a bit of a hero and helped Las Vegas come back at the end of last season. He’s now their new head coach, and he’ll have to make a lot of changes to get this team to where they need to be.

    Las Vegas Raiders Introduce Antonio Pierce As Head Coach, Tom Telesco As General Manager

    (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • 1. Washington Commanders

    The Washington Commanders have been hurting lately, so Dan Quinn to the rescue. He helped take the Falcons to Super Bowl 51, so he has experience. He’s also working to make some big changes going into the next season, and yes, they will need them if they want to be competitive.

    Dallas Cowboys v Washington Commanders

    (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

  • Bonus

    So, what teams will not look any different in 2024? It’s a safe bet that the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will try to stay with what’s been working for them. The Ravens will look different, with a new defensive coordinator. Also, the Eagles will look different this year, although they’re keeping the core of their team, being their head coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts.

    NFC Wild Card Playoffs - Philadelphia Eagles v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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