All time greatest tight end

patsfan13 · Sep 4, 2019

Triumph said:
Ditka was the first great TE

Rookie season 1961 - 1076 yards and 12 TDs.

Unheard of back in those days.

John Mackey was just as good not as long a career, came into the league at the same time as Ditka.

Everyone forgets Mark Bravaro, bet he makes BB list.

Triumph · Sep 4, 2019

patsfan13 said:
John Mackey was just as good not as long a career, came into the league at the same time as Ditka.

Everyone forgets Mark Bravaro, bet he makes BB list.

Mackey started 2 years after Ditka was 300 yards and 5 tds short

TheRainMaker · Sep 4, 2019

Gronk and it’s not even close. Nobody has ever demanded opponents to start diving at his legs.

Ivan · Sep 4, 2019

It’s Gonzalez. Gronk is #2.

ctpatsfan77 · Sep 4, 2019

SBLIII said:
the best ability is availability

It didn't help that (A) the Patriots were so eager to get GRONK back that they probably rushed him back too quickly (necessitating the brace), and (B) he was so dominant that the NFL basically officiated his play different from how they officiated everyone else's.

I.M. Fletcher · Sep 4, 2019

Would you rather have Bobby Orr or Nik Lidstrom?

The reality is, Gronk was unmatched in every way, but as impressive as all of his stars are (and they are incredibly impressive) it really shines a light on how incredible Gonzalez was at being dominant, but also available.

I won’t choose, I’m just glad Gronks 10 year run lined up with Brady’s second act. I got to appreciate both so much more.

TheFlyingWedge · Sep 4, 2019

everlong said:
From a post earlier in the year on a similar topic. In the per game categories he dominates them all during the regular season. In the playoffs he dominates to the point of being in the WR conversations. Those 16 playoff games are a hall of fame regular season never mind playoffs. Throw in the 3 rings and he had the best career. Gonzalez is only average on a per game basis. He's the Yaz of football. Just did it well for forever. In the playoffs he's the worst of all those names.

Interesting stats - Clark has some pretty solid post-season numbers, (especially yards and rec. per game) but he probably won’t even sniff the HOF.

patsfan13 · Sep 4, 2019

Triumph said:
Mackey started 2 years after Ditka was 300 yards and 5 tds short

Ditka was the primary target for Bobby Wade. Unitas OTOH has a HOF WR Ray Berry as a target also. I saw both men play did you?

Triumph · Sep 5, 2019

patsfan13 said:
Ditka was the primary target for Bobby Wade. Unitas OTOH has a HOF WR Ray Berry as a target also. I saw both men play did you?

So?

In 1961 Ditka caught the passes and made the yardage. He racked up 12 TDs as a TE. 2 years before Mackey.

Not my problem that Mackey had competition. What Mackey did in 1963 2 years after has no bearing on Ditkas accomplishments. We are supposed to diminish the career of Ditka because he made the plays he was supposed to make for his team?

Ditka was the first great TE..

Snooky97 · Sep 5, 2019

Gronk.. Who could cover him when he was at his best?

All time greatest tight end

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Triumph

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TheRainMaker

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ctpatsfan77

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I.M. Fletcher

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TheFlyingWedge

In the Starting Line-Up

patsfan13

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