That prime real estate between the hashmarks is a dangerous area on a football field. It’s heavily populated with linebackers and safeties ready to inflict bodily harm to anyone crossing their path.
It’s also where a quarterback looks if his primary target is covered. It’s also an area of opportunity, where fearless tight ends can outrun and outmaneuver a defender and find a soft spot in the coverage.
It’s where a quarterback looks for his comfort receiver. Carson Wentz did it constantly with Zach Ertz. The Eagles think Dallas Goedert can provide that same level of support for Jalen Hurts.
“Dallas is a tremendous player, one of the best tight ends in the NFL,” Hurts said.
“He has a unique talent, unique size and he has a lot of speed and solid hands. A lot of those guys [his receiving corps], one-on-one, I feel it’s good to have.”
The Eagles believe A.J. Brown’s presence on the outside will open more of that real estate over the middle, providing an appealing location for Hurts to throw. The Eagles reportedly were last in the NFL in throwing ball over the middle last year.
FIRST TD OF THE SEASON
Goedert caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Hurts on the Eagles’ dominant opening drive of the preseason against the Jets.
- “It was fun out there,” Goedert said in an interview posted on the Eagles’ website. “Everybody was flying around. Jalen did a good job controlling everything.
- “I think that is kinda what we have in store for the season.
- “We want to be a detail team doing the right thing all the time, people in the right spots and it was a good start.
- “Jalen showed a little bit of what he can do anytime he gets out of the pocket. He’s going to scramble and find ways to keep the chains moving and we did a great job finding pay dirt on the first drive.”
When the Eagles traded Ertz in Week 6 last season, they put their faith and future in Goedert. He responded. He had 56 catches for 830 yards and four touchdowns. His career high for receptions is 58 in 2019.
“Dallas is one of our leading target guys,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said about the fifth-year player.
“So, he’s one of our main guys, right? I don’t think that’s any secret.
“The chemistry between the two [Goedert and Hurts] looks great, and you can tell they’ve worked not just in the OTAs or not just in the training camp, but they’ve worked other places on this chemistry together.”
POSSIBLE BIG SEASON
Goedert is poised to have a splendid season. Defenses will be forced to prioritize coverage on the Eagles’ talented and versatile wide receivers. Goedert should find himself with opportunities.
“It’s really exciting,” Goedert said. “We have a lot of good weapons on the offense and we’re going to spread the ball around and defenses are going to have troubles.
“Who are they going to guard? What are they doing to do? And hopefully we can find mismatches all over the field.”
LACK OF DEPTH
The Eagles’ tight end room isn’t stacked. They drafted Grant Calcaterra in the sixth round. They brought back 30-year-old Richard Rodgers.
Undrafted second-year player Jack Stoll is Goedert’s back-up. The Nebraska graduate had four catches for 22 yards last season but is known for his blocking skills. They also have 2021 undrafted free agent Noah Togiai, an intriguing and athletic tight end.
Calcaterra returned to practice for the first time since late-July in the joint workouts with the Browns. As their own draft pick, Calcaterra will get a long look.
“I think with anything, most guys that are playing tight end in the NFL, it’s that in-line blocking,” offensive coordinator Shane Steichen said.
“We want to see that from him this week. See where he’s at with that. Feel good about it. But we have to see it.
“Feel really good about his receiving skills, running routes. He’s proven that early on in camp. But it’ll be good to get him back out there.”
OPPORTUNITY FOR TOGIAI
Injuries to one player means opportunity for another. Togiai is getting reps and leaving an impression.
“I think going into Year Two here with [tight ends] coach [Jason] Michael, and he’s had some experience with Jason in Indianapolis, he knows the system well and then just keep improving every day,”
Steichen said about the Oregon State product.
“The pass game he’s gotten really good [at]. His routes are looking crisper and obviously in the run game in line.
“Blocking defensive ends is a tough challenge in this league and it’s all about leverage on those big guys and he’s been doing a nice job.”
Togiai might be facing a numbers battle. Of the five tight ends on the roster, two likely will get cut.
