Jay Gruden’s weekly visits with Grant & Danny are a little different these days; now that the Commanders’ season is over, the GM search is complete, and the coaching search is what it is, the old coach pretty much hit on the NFL playoffs in this week’s visit.
But within that, whether Ben Johnson becomes the next Commanders coach or not, the new regime could learn a lot from what he has in Detroit, or what Josh Allen has in Buffalo – namely, a big weapon at tight end that can be absolutely clutch in the passing game for a young QB because of how multi-dimensional he is.
“You mention Dalton Kincaid, the rookie who had an outstanding first season, but Sam LaPorta with Detroit even more impressive than Dalton with 73 catches and 673 yards this year,” Grant said. “Man, do I covet a young tight end and a weapon like you had Jordan Reed when you were here; I know there aren't guys like him available in many drafts, but can you speak to just how big a deal it is if you have a pass catcher, and we saw it for a season with Logan Thomas, who could be a mismatch and a guy who could really be a weapon, what that could do for whoever the next head coach is to unlock whoever's starting at quarterback?”
“It means everything, and if you have a young quarterback, you better have a good tight end,” Gruden replied. “I mean, it just is a huge safety blanket for the quarterback, and it's an easy target to throw to. They work the linebackers between the numbers, and those are easier throws for quarterbacks than throwing outside the numbers to speed guys on deep outs and comebacks, and over corners and cover two and all that stuff. You work the middle of the field, and if they can separate and get in and out of their cuts, they get good matchups and man-to-man off linebackers or safeties. All these teams that are left have a quality tight end that can make things happen, especially on third down when the game’s on the line; they’re just great targets, and friendly targets, and they're big and they're physical – and if they can block also, you got yourself a winner.”
Take a listen to that, as well as Gruden’s thoughts in this weekend’s conference championship games, above!