Eagles rookie tight end Zach Ertz said Monday he wants to go down as the greatest tight end to ever play the game.
Zach Ertz had an immediate impact in Chip Kelly's offense even as a rookie, but the Stanford University has much more loftier goals heading into his first NFL offseason.
Just two days after hauling in his first career playoff touchdown reception in his first post-season start, Ertz stood at his locker reflecting on a rookie season that gave glimpses of a future that justifies the Eagles use of a second-round pick on him last April.
"I think I had a good rookie year but at the end of the day I want to be the best tight end to ever play and I'm going to set my sights toward that. That's the foundation of this offseason for me." Ertz said at his Novacare Complex locker Monday."Each player coming out of college wants to think that they can make a difference in this league. I think I showed that I can make a difference and effect the team outcome."
While splitting time with Brent Celek at tight end and ultimately surpassing the veteran in snap counts, Ertz posted 36 receptions for 469 yards and four touchdowns while averaging a paltry 13-yards per catch average.
It wasn't until week nine that Ertz caught his first touchdown – one of Nick Foles' seven that day – that the 23-year old started to see consistent and extended playing time. He took advantage of it with five multiple reception games in the final seven weeks of the season.
"I think they started utilizing me more in the passing game," Ertz explained of his turning point this year. "They lined me up wide, used me in the slot, things like that. I think the game also started to slow down for me.
"I think the coaches did a heck of a job with me personally, helping me find a role even with missing OTA's and that's something that I'll have this offseason that I didn't have last year."
Ertz couldn't even join his teammates until minicamp because of league rules prohibiting rookies from joining their teams prior to their graduating class walking for graduation.
If Ertz legitimately hopes to one day go down as one of the greatest tight ends to play the game, he has the benefit of learning from a well rounded tight end like Celek who finished this year with 32 catches for 502 yards and five touchdowns.
In Kelly's offense, tight ends have historically played a large role during his time at Oregon and New hampshire. That tendency really began to show itself this season once Ertz began to hit his stride in the second half.
That could be the fingerprint of the offense right away next season as Kelly pointed out Monday.
"I've said it since day one," Kelly said. "It's a personnel‑driven sport, and I think the coaches that adapt are the ones that see success.. that's what football is all about is finding out what your players are and then maximizing your abilities.
If Ertz comes in and follows up his strong rookie campaign with improvements made over the off-season there's no reason that this offense can't even further utilize the tight end position immediately and create further mis-matches that Kelly thrives on.
Should that be the case, the Eagles investment of a second-round draft choice on Ertz just may pay significant dividends for years to come.
Matt Lombardo is the Editor-In-Chief of Eagledelphia and also an on-air personality on 97.5 FM The Fanatic in Philadelphia. Join the conversation and follow Matt on Twitter.
