(Photo: The Press Democrat)
The Tight End position has really grown in the last 20 years. I still remember when they were bigger receivers that bulldozed people to get open or even block downhill in the running game. Tight Ends still block today, I’ll say that much. In this era of football, they are much quicker and some of them are even smaller. Or, they are used in the same capacities as a Wide Receiver because they will be flanked out wide or in the slot because they create so many mismatches all over the field. There isn’t a Cornerback, Safety or Linebacker that can defend a Tight End today. The Georgia Bulldogs have been the best team in the country the last two seasons and have repeated as National Champions in those two seasons. One of their most important players is a guy named Brock Bowers. On Saturday against Vanderbilt, Brock suffered a high ankle sprain and missed the rest of the game. Today, it was announced that he will miss 4-6 weeks of action after undergoing surgery.
Brock is the best Tight End in the country and one of the best non-Quarterback offensive players in our game today. Standing at 6’4 and weighing 240 pounds, he’s so fluid in space with the football in his hands. I think he will be the next great Tight End at the NFL level. I don’t think people realize how versatile this guy is because the Bulldogs use him in so many different capacities weekly and no matter where he is, Brock is productive. He has that wide catch radius and wherever you throw it in his vincinity, he will come away with it. I love his ability to move with the football after the catch because he’s such a tough guy to bring down. I’ve always called him a wrecking ball with 4.5 speed, power, strength and Brock also has great feet and balance to complement his skillset. Look at all the ways they get him the ball such as screen passes, pitch plays and once he has the ball in his hands, he’ll show his physical side and run you over. He’s so difficult to bring down and so quick for a man of his build. I’ve even seen Brock get the ball on jet sweeps and I want you both to tell me how often do you see Tight Ends getting the ball on reverse plays? This is what I mean when I say the position has changed because in today’s game, the Tight Ends are much quicker which allows teams to do much more with them.
This is a big blow for the defending champs. Brock is their best playmaker and this 0ffense truly travels through him. He leads the Bulldogs offense in many major statistical categories such as touchdowns with four, receptions with 41 and yards with 567 on the season. Brock is one of the more dynamic players in the sport and is a top ten draft prospect due to his combination of blocking and route running. Here’s to hoping he’ll be back in time for the stretch run of the season. I’m wishing him a speedy recovery.
