Ethan in Cleveland Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 After only two games, the performances we are seeing by tight ends is absolutory incredible I am just amazed at what Gronk can still do. And of course now Kelce seems to be in another stratosphere. Who are you top 5 TE of all time? Here is a good site for stats. https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask?q=most+yards+by+a+tight+end+all-time I'm still going with Tony Gonzalez as #1. You can make a strong case for Gronk though. Gonzalez has played twice as many games as Gronk, yet Gronk only trails Gonzalez by 21 TDs while having a higher yards/game and yards/catch than Gonzalez. . Some of the stats are really interesting. Kelce is #1 in yards/game and by a wide margin. I'm trying to avoid a bias to this eras players but the numbers are staggering. I'm also trying to take blocking into account in my rankings. If Kelce continues at this pace, he will move into the top 5 if he is not already there. My Top 5 1. Gonzalez 2. Gronk 3. Gates 4. Newsome 5. Winslow 6. Kelce 7. Sharpe 8. Witten 9. Mackey 10. Casper Ditka is just outside the top 10 What do you all think? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Einstein Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Like most things in life, it depends on what parameters you apply. If I were given the opportunity to take any TE in history, for one game, to win it all … It’s Gronk and it’s not even close. 2 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Chandler's Hands Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Wait, where is Ertz on the list? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Coot Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 No John Mackey? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie's Dead Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Sorry, I can't give Gronk any props at all. He pushes off constantly, only seen him called once. And what he did to Tre' was the dirtiest thing I've ever seen outside #DirtyKiko. ***** him and the horse he rode in on. The rest of the list is great, we can quibble about the spots, but the names are right. 3 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Kelce is much better than Gates, Newsome and Winslow. 1 2 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dablitzkrieg Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Gronk ( a healthy one) imo, is the best ever. It's really not close. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconator Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 He's overshadowed by Kelce, but George Kittle needs to be in the discussion. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianmoorman4jesus Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Kelce is at worst 3rd 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
947 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Kelce isn't really even a TE, he lines up in the slot or out wide a lot more than he's inline. Kittle is the best true TE in the game today. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0017 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 #1 Dawson Knox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your Brown Eye Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Can I get an Amen for Charles Clay? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dopey Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 (edited) Soon to be Hall of Famer: Jason Peters. My man! Edit: if he ever retires. Edited September 23, 2021 by Dopey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Generic_Bills_Fan Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Freddie's Dead said: Sorry, I can't give Gronk any props at all. He pushes off constantly, only seen him called once. And what he did to Tre' was the dirtiest thing I've ever seen outside #DirtyKiko. ***** him and the horse he rode in on. The rest of the list is great, we can quibble about the spots, but the names are right. Whenever hes reasonably covered I don't think I've ever seen him not push off lol I guess you get some special privileges playing with Brady they had a nice pushoff victory week 1 🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Gronk Mackey Ditka Newsome Winslow 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TampaBillsJunkie Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Gonzalez, Gronk and Kelce are all neck and neck. Gonzelez is my #1 for now but Gronk and Kelce are still playing. I take into account the entire career. Kelce may push to #1 the way he is playing with Mahomes since they may have a longer time together. The Gronk-Brady window may have 2-3 years left tops. Maybe less. Then how will Gronk do with another QB. My wish would be that it's with Allen for a few years and a trip back home to the Super Bowl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBonhamRocks Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Clicked expecting TE (Trent Edwards) highlights 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan in Cleveland Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share Posted September 23, 2021 2 hours ago, Old Coot said: No John Mackey? It was Mackey or Ditka for 11th but I can see him in a lot of top 10 lists Good posts so far Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannc Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 2 hours ago, Dablitzkrieg said: Gronk ( a healthy one) imo, is the best ever. It's really not close. Correct answer. Aside from his ridiculous production as a receiver, which includes about 20 post-season games in which he was absolutely dominant, Gronk is one of the best blocking TEs of all time. Most of the guys on the OP’s list are glorified WRs. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjack151 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Torell Troupe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 I can't believe no one has Aaron Hernandez hanging around in this conversation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ticketssince61 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 As with all "all time" lists, hard to compare TE's from different eras 1. TE's are now much featured in an offense - before they were basically glorified "Tackle Eligibles" 2. In general, all receiving stats these days are so much more inflated due to a. the emphasis on passing game and b. the more liberal rules allowed to the offense t 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsbackto81 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 (edited) 19 hours ago, Draconator said: He's overshadowed by Kelce, but George Kittle needs to be in the discussion. No, cant see it. Only 2 great seasons and only yielded 5 TD's in each. Only 10 games played the last 2 seasons. You want to say "one of the best" in the game today, OK. But All Time Great? Nah! The body of work just isn't there. Great player though when healthy. JMHO of course. To me in no particular order it's: Gonzalez Gronk Kelce Sharpe Gates Witten Edited September 23, 2021 by billsbackto81 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Gonzalez changed the game for TEs. He's alone at the top in my opinion. Always seemed like a class act, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDingus Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 8 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said: After only two games, the performances we are seeing by tight ends is absolutory incredible I am just amazed at what Gronk can still do. And of course now Kelce seems to be in another stratosphere. Who are you top 5 TE of all time? Here is a good site for stats. https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask?q=most+yards+by+a+tight+end+all-time I'm still going with Tony Gonzalez as #1. You can make a strong case for Gronk though. Gonzalez has played twice as many games as Gronk, yet Gronk only trails Gonzalez by 21 TDs while having a higher yards/game and yards/catch than Gonzalez. . Some of the stats are really interesting. Kelce is #1 in yards/game and by a wide margin. I'm trying to avoid a bias to this eras players but the numbers are staggering. I'm also trying to take blocking into account in my rankings. If Kelce continues at this pace, he will move into the top 5 if he is not already there. My Top 5 1. Gonzalez 2. Gronk 3. Gates 4. Newsome 5. Winslow 6. Kelce 7. Sharpe 8. Witten 9. Mackey 10. Casper What do you all think? My top 5: 1. Tony Gonzales (one of my favorite players ever) 2. Antonio Gates 3. Rob Gronkowski 4. Jason Witten 5. Shannon Sharpe I know I'm missing the oldies like Newsome & Winslow, but I just think these guys are the best to ever do it. Olsen & Ertz could be on a top 10-20 list, and guys like Kelce & George Kittle could certainly be on there when their careers are done. I just didn't see as much of the older greats, but the 1990's - current TE's have been some of the best athletes in the entire NFL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 (edited) I can only comment on guys since 2002. To me what separates Gonzalez, Gronk and Witten from Kelce and Gates is they were all around tight ends. Kelce might be the best receiving tight end I have ever seen, but he is a below average blocker. He doesn't suck as a blocker.... he isn't Zach Ertz... but he is below average. Gonzalez, Gronk and Witten could do it all. Edited September 23, 2021 by GunnerBill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDingus Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 4 hours ago, Gugny said: I can't believe no one has Aaron Hernandez hanging around in this conversation. Too soon! Aaron Hernandez was my dad's, friend's, cousin's, son's, half-brother's, other friend's, ex-girlfriend's, dog's name! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill from NYC Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 I would put Casper higher on this list. The running game was much more important in those days and Casper blocked like a left tackle. When they easily defeated the much smaller Vikings in the Super Bowl, he was just crushing defenders and the Raiders ran at will from the opening drive. Casper also had great hands and managed to get open. Stabler often used him in the way that Kelly used Metz, in that he would throw fastballs into the middle of his very wide upper body. These throws were very hard to defend in the end zone. Casper never had the numbers that many on this list had but again, running was at least twice as important. Now, despite the above tribute to Dave Casper, I never saw a better tight end than Gronk. Jmo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatsFanNH Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 7 hours ago, TampaBillsJunkie said: Gonzalez, Gronk and Kelce are all neck and neck. Gonzelez is my #1 for now but Gronk and Kelce are still playing. I take into account the entire career. Kelce may push to #1 the way he is playing with Mahomes since they may have a longer time together. The Gronk-Brady window may have 2-3 years left tops. Maybe less. Then how will Gronk do with another QB. My wish would be that it's with Allen for a few years and a trip back home to the Super Bowl. I think Gronk retires again when Brady retires, if Brady ever retires man keeps going like the freaking energizer bunny. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpberr Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 I'd add Keith Jackson. Most will remember his as an Eagle, but he also went to the Pro Bowl as a Dolphin and a Packer. He was a dominant TE in college at Oklahoma and in the NFL. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBBills Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 I am not that amazed at what steroids can do TBH. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeding Bills Blue Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 (edited) I'd think Gonzalez Gronk Kelce Gates Witten I try to avoid tight ends from back in the day - any of these guys would have dominated back then so... on my all time list they all go ahead. I think Sharpe was a great player, but I think I'd rather have gates in the RZ or witten as a blocker. Edited September 23, 2021 by dneveu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jokeman Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 10 hours ago, Gugny said: I can't believe no one has Aaron Hernandez hanging around in this conversation. I guess it's because he's a deep sleeper. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 (edited) Does having famous relatives increase one's stature on this list? Real and/or imagined familial ties? Edited September 23, 2021 by Ridgewaycynic2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r00tabaga Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 12 hours ago, Rico said: Gronk Mackey Ditka Newsome Winslow ☝️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ned Flanders Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 (edited) John Mackey (SU) set the bar...feel sorry for you youngins who never saw him play. Some other good ones from that era that come to mind: Pete Lammons, Ted Kwalick, Fred Arbanas, Charlie Sanders Edit: Adding Jerry Smith to the list above, in fact, I would give him serious HOF consideration. Edited September 23, 2021 by Ned Flanders 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P Riv Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 I think Keith Jackson and Ben Coates are better than a few on the list, both of them were excellent blockers in the run game but could still hang with everyone else on the list in the pass game from an earlier era (without the two hand touch rules we have now). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsShredder83 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 14 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said: After only two games, the performances we are seeing by tight ends is absolutory incredible I am just amazed at what Gronk can still do. And of course now Kelce seems to be in another stratosphere. Who are you top 5 TE of all time? Here is a good site for stats. https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask?q=most+yards+by+a+tight+end+all-time I'm still going with Tony Gonzalez as #1. You can make a strong case for Gronk though. Gonzalez has played twice as many games as Gronk, yet Gronk only trails Gonzalez by 21 TDs while having a higher yards/game and yards/catch than Gonzalez. . Some of the stats are really interesting. Kelce is #1 in yards/game and by a wide margin. I'm trying to avoid a bias to this eras players but the numbers are staggering. I'm also trying to take blocking into account in my rankings. If Kelce continues at this pace, he will move into the top 5 if he is not already there. My Top 5 1. Gonzalez 2. Gronk 3. Gates 4. Newsome 5. Winslow 6. Kelce 7. Sharpe 8. Witten 9. Mackey 10. Casper Ditka is just outside the top 10 What do you all think? Scott Chandler like #11? Worth honorable mention 🙄😆😆😆 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 17 minutes ago, Ned Flanders said: John Mackey (SU) set the bar...feel sorry for you youngins who never saw him play. Some other good ones from that era that come to mind: Pete Lammons, Ted Kwalick, Fred Arbanas, Charlie Sanders I forgot Charlie Sanders , he can take Winslow’s place on my list. Gronk Mackey Ditka Sanders Newsome 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toomstone.Part.Duex Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Lonnie Johnson is at the 11 spot I presume? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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