Okay, so I was poking fun in Fan Shout at some saying X is a WR who's Y pounds. Why do we do this? What's the difference between a big WR vs TE who can catch?

Why does it feel like we're slighting a TE just cuz he's tall and heavy but can catch the ball really well?

Whats a TE?
Whats a WR?

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After someone accidentally implied Kelce is a WR, I said Kelce is a 250lb WR... because IMO that's exactly what he is, a receiver.


Quality blocking (especially inline blocking) is the main difference.

I look forward to seeing Martha's definitions, as she's old school, and the distinction that I make, probably goes back to the old school. True TEs can seriously block. Where more and more of today's TEs are more pure receivers.

Not that it's a bad thing, it's just a distinction. I think it comes more from the defensive mindset of how are you going to stop this guy. Is he physically and you need a physical (LB) to stop him? Or do you need a coverage guy (LB/S/CB) to stop him? And with Kelce, like Jimmy Graham, there is no debate, it's 1,000% a coverage guy.


As for TE blocking, it's run blocking in today's NFL, as usual TEs are sent out into routes on pass plays and don't do much pass blocking. Like Travis Kelce, in 11 games, has 12 pass block snaps. That's probably an extreme example but Titans Trevon Wesco has 88 pass blocks, the most in the NFL for a TE (next is only at 64) but Wesco has 244 run blocks, run blocks always seem to 2.5 times more likely or much higher.


Hmm, 🤔, why does it feel like a slight to you?

Couldn't it be a compliment?

Despite being banged up to start the season, Kelce has the 16th most receiving yards... WRs get paid more than TEs, Kelce should be getting that higher WR money as he is a WR.

16 teams (including the Packers) don't have a receiver that can keep up with Kelce.

He can't block well for a TE... so what... that doesn't bother the Chiefs, that shouldn't bother anyone, he's not a good blocker, but he is an elite receiver.

TE vs WR label (to me) is more about what type of player you are... not in terms of good or bad, but in terms of, how you have to account for them defensively.

Like Jimmy Graham, according to TJ Lang, you didn't have to worry about Graham blocking anyone, it was his receiving abilities you had to watch for.

Kelce is PROBABLY a future Hall of Famer, due to his receiving abilities. He's not a very good blocker and based on his podcast with his brother he'll probably tell you that... or agree with you on that, as long as you aren't saying it disrespectfully. I know he has talked about edge blockers on Punt/FG teams and how they're basically out in a no win situations where they're going to get nailed every single time and they're some of the most toughest guys and he couldn't do that, as one blocker is being asked to block two guys, and one of them is going to nail you.

Just Kelce is an elite receiver, not a good blocker. Nothing wrong with being an elite WR.

Also the Kelce brothers have semi-jokingly (or simply laughing when they're not joking at all) told George Kittle if he wants to get the ball more, simply stop being as good of a blocker. As the better blocker you are, the less routes you get to run, which is probably a factual statement. The better blocker you are, the more you'll be used for blocking and less receiving. But it'll help the team more if you are a complete player. This is not to say, Kelce doesn't give it 100% when he is asked to block, he probably does, but he probably cares much more about receiving.

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To summarize for those that like short posts.

It's more of a style thing.

Like Dugara is an H-back type TE.
Musgrave is a WR like TE.
Kraft is a true TE like TE.

In my opinion, one isn't nessarily better than the others, it's more about size and styles of play

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Like people arguing if Tom was a C, G or OT... he's got the size for the interior, but that guy is athletic enough to stay at OT.

Same with Bakhtiari, and Bakhtiari might lack the physical mauler style to succeed at OG despite having the OG size.

Different styles, more than good or bad.

Though then you get a guy like George Kittle, and he's an every single style, do it all type.

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Beast, is absolutely spot on in his breakdown.

Kittle is the best TE by far. Kelce is a large WR who blocks ok.

Kraft is closer to becoming a Kittle kind of guy than Musgrave IMHO. Let's hope both get there. Blocking is about mentality as much as physical prowess or technique. I see it in Kraft.

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A man of the people, for the people!

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