It's no secret that the Tight End position has been one of the most controversial in the league these first two seasons, with players debating over whether archetypes should be improved and how. After two months we can make a couple of observations. First, no TE in the league is in the top 15 for receiving yards and there is quite a significant gap between the TE with the most yards and the next highest player. Second, four TEs are top 15 in receptions, with George Wright Jr. having the most in the league and Maddox the 3rd most. Finally, three TEs are top 15 (or tied) in touchdowns which is a significant improvement over last season. What we see is that Tight Ends are finding a way to make an impact on the field by doubling down on skills, but none of them are becoming big time playmakers even with seemingly elite stats. Also scheme has a huge impact on a TE's performance as Carmel Gibson clearly demonstrates. With just baseline stats he leads the position group in receiving yards, showing the huge advantage that the Balanced archetypes brings as well as the negative effect that a 3WR has on his TE teammate. This post we will be looking at Tight End performances from Weeks 5-11.
1.) Ricky Maddox
@SimmerDownBruhh
|| 49 Rec || 362 Yds || 2 TD || 17 PCK ||
Ricky Maddox has answered the haters in a big way after his first month was a let down compared to his lofty expectations. There's no denying that Maddox combines every talent a TE can have and puts it on the field each week, and has been instrumental in the Wraiths snagging a road win against the SaberCats and going on a 3 game win streak to put themselves back in position for a playoff home stand. With the slow start he still has some catching up to do, but if he can keep it up and hang onto his narrow lead in blocking he will surely unseat George Wright Jr. and Carmel Gibson.
2.) George Wright Jr.
|| 52 Rec || 318 Yds || 2 TD || 17 PCK ||
George Wright's unusual season has taken him where very few expected. With a now ridiculous 73 receptions Wright leads the entire league in the category. He has also found a way to be a consistent, if not major, red zone receiver. Orange County has been flipped on its head this season, and you can see the effects clearly on Wright. Once the league's great running team, Mike Boss now leads the league in pass attempts (but not interceptions!) while the Otters are one of the worst running teams and have yet to score a touchdown on the ground. Wright has been forced to adapt to the new scheme and has done so wonderfully, but you have to wonder if a better athletic talent like Maddox or DiMirio would take better advantage of this opportunity. Wright doesn't boast great yards per reception but hauls in the short passes that keep the Otters offense moving, and has been a great blocker on a team that desperately needs to improve in that area.
3.) Carmel Gibson
@SexualEarwax
|| 32 Rec || 294 Yds || 3 TD || 15 PCK ||
Gibson appeared to be losing a step from his unlikely success early in the season, but a strong performance in Weeks 8-11 has really put him back in the mix. He's an okay all-around player despite a very low TPE, but has the huge benefit of having one of the league's worst receiving duos in front of him. This has allowed Gibson to find a lot of love from Hawks' QB Scrub Kyubee, but what he does with his catches is equally impressive. His 8.8 yards per reception is by far the best for a Tight End, and he has nobody to thank for that but himself. It's really not clear why he is such an efficient receiver compared to other TEs as he has seemingly lower speed, agility, and strength, but the sim is a fickle thing and it seems to like him. Despite never updating his player since creation, Carmel Gibson has 160 TPE. Interesting, perhaps scandalous, and certainly helps explain his production while inactive.
4.) Rich Gucci
@`7Sports`
|| 31 Rec || 230 Yds || 2 TD || 11 PCK ||
Gucci and Bottles are just about neck and neck in the "best journeyman" race. With a great 7.3 yards per reception, Gucci is showing that he's a valuable weapon on a team that only has one receiver in the top 15 for yardage. He's only a mediocre blocker, but Colorado probably doesn't mind as they top the league in rushing average and their league high 48 sacks allowed is not Gucci's fault by any stretch. Gucci should continue improving his speed if he wants to break away from Bottles and establish himself as a starting talent in the league.
5.) Break Bottles
@Blake Bortles
|| 29 Rec || 210 Yds || 2 TD || 13 PCK ||
Break Bottles has settled into his journeyman role on the SaberCats. He has shown himself to be a more balanced player able to pitch in some blocking contribution, but most of his value to the team comes in stretching the field and scoring touchdowns, neither of which he has done notably well this season. Bottles will continue to be a reliable target for QB Ethan Hunt and whoever takes over the Cats next season, but don't expect him to turn many heads as he falls behind players that are able to keep up a higher activity level.
6.) Paul DiMirio
@124715
|| 31 Rec || 208 Yds || 1 TD || 3 PCK ||
Paul DiMirio is picking up a little steam as a receiver, but on a Liberty team that is routinely being manhandled his speed and athleticism would be better served with strength and toughness. Last in the league in rushing average and second in sacks allowed, the Liberty desperately need to improve their trenches and that's just not DiMirio's job description. As a receiver he has shown the ability to bring in catches, but his 6.3 yards per reception is mediocre for a vertical threat and he only has one touchdown on the season. The rookie continues to aggressively improve, but don't be surprised if he asks for a change of scenery the coming offseason.
7.) Joseph Tkachuk
@Theo667
|| 31 Rec || 177 Yds || 0 TD || 12 PCK ||
I know what you're thinking, "Oh yeah, I forgot about Joseph Tkachuk!" It's okay, he forgot about you too. Tkachuk is a role player in Arizona, as he has been a cheap way to dish out some consistent blocking without having to worry about tampering with their system. That said, he is well below average as a receiver with the worst receiving average in the ranked TE group. Arizona may choose to upgrade in the draft but it's doubtful they will consider it a priority as Tkachuk has proved the position just isn't important to them.
8.) Gabriel Tenzini
@princekyle
|| 23 Rec || 148 Yds || 0 TD || 3 PCK ||
Oh how the mighty have fallen. Tenzini's great first season seems like a distant memory since he joined the Legion. At first he appeared set for another middling season, but at 5th among Tight Ends in receiving yards with no touchdowns and horrible blocking, Tenzini isn't lucky enough for mediocrity. It's likely that the Legion will look to the draft to find a TE sooner rather than later, but Tenzini is still second on the team in receptions and brings a reliable target which Bercovici desperately needs.
---
Well there you have it, what do you think of these rankings? I had difficulty choosing between Tkachuk's superior blocking and DiMirio's edge in receiving yards and a touchdown. Everyone else I am pretty confident in. What do you think of my accusations against Carmel Gibson? Doing the math manually, he appears to have 160 TPE though I don't know where it came from. There are no updates showing gaining or applying TPE and the player has not made a post since mid-July. Should the Hawks be punished if this is the case?
EDIT: Added word count.
GRADED
1.) Ricky Maddox
@SimmerDownBruhh|| 49 Rec || 362 Yds || 2 TD || 17 PCK ||
Ricky Maddox has answered the haters in a big way after his first month was a let down compared to his lofty expectations. There's no denying that Maddox combines every talent a TE can have and puts it on the field each week, and has been instrumental in the Wraiths snagging a road win against the SaberCats and going on a 3 game win streak to put themselves back in position for a playoff home stand. With the slow start he still has some catching up to do, but if he can keep it up and hang onto his narrow lead in blocking he will surely unseat George Wright Jr. and Carmel Gibson.
2.) George Wright Jr.
|| 52 Rec || 318 Yds || 2 TD || 17 PCK ||
George Wright's unusual season has taken him where very few expected. With a now ridiculous 73 receptions Wright leads the entire league in the category. He has also found a way to be a consistent, if not major, red zone receiver. Orange County has been flipped on its head this season, and you can see the effects clearly on Wright. Once the league's great running team, Mike Boss now leads the league in pass attempts (but not interceptions!) while the Otters are one of the worst running teams and have yet to score a touchdown on the ground. Wright has been forced to adapt to the new scheme and has done so wonderfully, but you have to wonder if a better athletic talent like Maddox or DiMirio would take better advantage of this opportunity. Wright doesn't boast great yards per reception but hauls in the short passes that keep the Otters offense moving, and has been a great blocker on a team that desperately needs to improve in that area.
3.) Carmel Gibson
@SexualEarwax|| 32 Rec || 294 Yds || 3 TD || 15 PCK ||
Gibson appeared to be losing a step from his unlikely success early in the season, but a strong performance in Weeks 8-11 has really put him back in the mix. He's an okay all-around player despite a very low TPE, but has the huge benefit of having one of the league's worst receiving duos in front of him. This has allowed Gibson to find a lot of love from Hawks' QB Scrub Kyubee, but what he does with his catches is equally impressive. His 8.8 yards per reception is by far the best for a Tight End, and he has nobody to thank for that but himself. It's really not clear why he is such an efficient receiver compared to other TEs as he has seemingly lower speed, agility, and strength, but the sim is a fickle thing and it seems to like him. Despite never updating his player since creation, Carmel Gibson has 160 TPE. Interesting, perhaps scandalous, and certainly helps explain his production while inactive.
4.) Rich Gucci
@`7Sports`|| 31 Rec || 230 Yds || 2 TD || 11 PCK ||
Gucci and Bottles are just about neck and neck in the "best journeyman" race. With a great 7.3 yards per reception, Gucci is showing that he's a valuable weapon on a team that only has one receiver in the top 15 for yardage. He's only a mediocre blocker, but Colorado probably doesn't mind as they top the league in rushing average and their league high 48 sacks allowed is not Gucci's fault by any stretch. Gucci should continue improving his speed if he wants to break away from Bottles and establish himself as a starting talent in the league.
5.) Break Bottles
@Blake Bortles|| 29 Rec || 210 Yds || 2 TD || 13 PCK ||
Break Bottles has settled into his journeyman role on the SaberCats. He has shown himself to be a more balanced player able to pitch in some blocking contribution, but most of his value to the team comes in stretching the field and scoring touchdowns, neither of which he has done notably well this season. Bottles will continue to be a reliable target for QB Ethan Hunt and whoever takes over the Cats next season, but don't expect him to turn many heads as he falls behind players that are able to keep up a higher activity level.
6.) Paul DiMirio
@124715|| 31 Rec || 208 Yds || 1 TD || 3 PCK ||
Paul DiMirio is picking up a little steam as a receiver, but on a Liberty team that is routinely being manhandled his speed and athleticism would be better served with strength and toughness. Last in the league in rushing average and second in sacks allowed, the Liberty desperately need to improve their trenches and that's just not DiMirio's job description. As a receiver he has shown the ability to bring in catches, but his 6.3 yards per reception is mediocre for a vertical threat and he only has one touchdown on the season. The rookie continues to aggressively improve, but don't be surprised if he asks for a change of scenery the coming offseason.
7.) Joseph Tkachuk
@Theo667|| 31 Rec || 177 Yds || 0 TD || 12 PCK ||
I know what you're thinking, "Oh yeah, I forgot about Joseph Tkachuk!" It's okay, he forgot about you too. Tkachuk is a role player in Arizona, as he has been a cheap way to dish out some consistent blocking without having to worry about tampering with their system. That said, he is well below average as a receiver with the worst receiving average in the ranked TE group. Arizona may choose to upgrade in the draft but it's doubtful they will consider it a priority as Tkachuk has proved the position just isn't important to them.
8.) Gabriel Tenzini
@princekyle|| 23 Rec || 148 Yds || 0 TD || 3 PCK ||
Oh how the mighty have fallen. Tenzini's great first season seems like a distant memory since he joined the Legion. At first he appeared set for another middling season, but at 5th among Tight Ends in receiving yards with no touchdowns and horrible blocking, Tenzini isn't lucky enough for mediocrity. It's likely that the Legion will look to the draft to find a TE sooner rather than later, but Tenzini is still second on the team in receptions and brings a reliable target which Bercovici desperately needs.
---
Well there you have it, what do you think of these rankings? I had difficulty choosing between Tkachuk's superior blocking and DiMirio's edge in receiving yards and a touchdown. Everyone else I am pretty confident in. What do you think of my accusations against Carmel Gibson? Doing the math manually, he appears to have 160 TPE though I don't know where it came from. There are no updates showing gaining or applying TPE and the player has not made a post since mid-July. Should the Hawks be punished if this is the case?
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Word Count: 1417EDIT: Added word count.
GRADED
![[Image: USs0IGI.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/USs0IGI.jpg)
