12-24-2015, 01:53 PM
(12-24-2015, 01:01 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: It is simple, most of our fans don't look at blocking for any TE, RB or WR so they miss these guys block more than they run or catch passes. We see the same thing with our DL and backers, they defend the run or tackle much more than they defend the pass or rush the passer. Some fans measure these guys on sacks or passes caught (offensive guys) because they don't know the game well enough to know a guy like Peko plays a role, MJ plays a role and the role is to stop the run first.
If you were talking about casual fans bitching on Facebook, you might have a point. I think 90% of folks on these boards are smart enough to know there's more to it than sacks and catches. Could it be possible that the people who disagree with you aren't idiots? Maybe we just have an opinion that differs from yours.
Gresh is a polarizing player for a reason. His production used to be pretty solid and he had some big moments for us. While PFF graded him as one the worst blockers at his position over his first 2-3 seasons, he really turned it around and made blocking a strength. Those things were ammo for Gresh guys.
On the other hand, he never made that huge impact as a receiver that most expected (catching, not blocking is why Gresh was drafted so high). While his drops were exaggerated, the fumbles and penalties were not. He had a ridiculously high amount of fumbles for a receiver. Gresh actually has the most fumbles by a receiver in Bengals history. I'm not sure what his penalty numbers were, but it seemed he was good for a few every year. He had one against us this year. On top of these issues, it seems Gresh wasn't exactly well liked in the locker room. Marv stated that Gresh was a man of "many many many many moods".
I kept hearing that Gresh was just used wrong and he'd make an impact elsewhere. Yet here he is, stuck behind a journeyman backup level TE in Daniel Fells. Gresh is now a situational blocking TE. So were his critics wrong based on what we're seeing in AZ? Sure we could've used a good blocking TE as a backup to Eifert, but was it worth the trade off with the fumbles/penalties/bad attitude? Personally, I'm happy with Tyler Kroft so far. I think he's shown a lot of promise as an all-around TE behind Eifert.
The training, nutrition, medicine, fitness, playbooks and rules evolve. The athlete does not.
