A History of Stiller Tight Ends

Being slightly bored, I decided to do a little research into Stiller Tight Ends (TE) over time.� I decided to start at 1969, Chuck Noll�s first year through last season to cover Bill Cowher.� The results were relatively close, both did not utilize TEs all that often in their offensive roles.� I�m not sure what it really will tell you, other than what we already know, but since I wrote the stats down I figured I�d share.

With the exception of Eric Green, who led the Stillers in receiving yardage in 1993, production by Stiller TEs is minimal.� Pittsburgh has always been dubbed a running team thus transforming a TE into an additional blocker or in the H-Back role.� This is OK but I believe that teams that are balanced rather than one dimensional will progress in the current game.� This is the core of my complaint with drafting Heath Miller at #1 in the 2005 draft.� As I�ve stated before, I absolutely have no problems with Miller.� He is a great player and should be a great value to any NFL team other than the Black and Gold.� Like many, I�m hoping a highly regarded TE coupled with a new franchise QB is a sign that our offense is going to open up a little more and Stiller fans across the world can see value in having a receiving type TE.� Unfortunately, hope is not a method and if history is a guide, Big Ben and Miller will connect sparingly.

The following table shows the Stillers top TEs and their production (career):

The following shows the numbers for some top TEs (Note: Todd Heap�s production in a relatively short time):

The latter table shows players across decades and how they were fully integrated into offensive schemes.

Here are the Stiller stats for TEs from 1969 to present.� The yardage and TDs are a total of all TEs that played that particular season.� Over time, the Stillers typically had three to four TEs get some sort of playing time each season as an average; some more, some less.

Other Notes:

• Since 1967, the Stillers have drafted 40 Tight Ends.� That is 40 within a 38 year time period.
• The Stillers have not had a single TE catch 20 or more passes since 1995.
• Last season the Stillers utilized five tight ends for a combined 22 receptions.
• Stiller Offensive Coordinator, Kevin Whisenhunt (ex-Stiller TE coach), played TE in the NFL for the Falcons, Skins and Jets.� He played in 74 games caught 62 passes for 596 yards and scored five TDs.

Again, some trivial numbers but I think they show over four decades of mediocre production in the TE area.� It clearly shows why Stillers.Com refers to the acronym TE as Tackle Eligible.� It also shows why being on the Stiller roster as a TE is akin to having a job like a Maytag Repairman; getting paid for little work.

Data Source:� www.pro-football-reference.com