Bengals OC Brian Callahan envisions 'a lot of fun' utilizing TE Irv Smith Jr.
Year-to-year consistency has not been an apt descriptor for the Cincinnati Bengals at tight end. The last four years have seen four different leading receivers at the position, creating constant change every offseason. "We've sort of been a tight end improvement factory around here these days," Bengals offensive coordinator Brians Callahan told Bengals Radio Network's […]
Year-to-year consistency has not been an apt descriptor for the Cincinnati Bengals at tight end. The last four years have seen four different leading receivers at the position, creating constant change every offseason.
"We've sort of been a tight end improvement factory around here these days," Bengals offensive coordinator Brians Callahan told Bengals Radio Network's Dave Lapham on a recent episode of Dave Lapham In The Trenches.
The trend very well may continue next year, but in the mean time, there is fun to be had with newly-signed starter Irv Smith Jr.
Impressions of Smith after OTAs and minicamp have all been resoundingly positive. From his deliberate work ethic in mastering the playbook, to the way he moves on the field, there's been a lot to like out of the team's newest tight end. Callahan went as far to include a notable superlative when describing him.
"Irv is probably the most pure pass-catching tight end that we've had," Callahan said. "I thought Hayden [Hurst] was a little bit bigger, a little bit longer than Irv, but I think Irv is a really detailed route runner. He's got good speed. He's a very natural catcher. He's got good awareness, extremely coachable. His speed, athleticism, and ability to catch and then run after the catch as well, I think he'll be a really different element than then we've had."
The competition for "most pure pass-catching tight end" includes Drew Sample, C.J. Uzomah, and the aforementioned Hayden Hurst. All three have started significant games for Callahan and the Bengals' offense in the past three years. Their strengths certainly varied, but Smith drawing that level of praise so early from Callahan bodes well for his involvement in the offense.
It's also a testament to Smith's talent reappearing at the right time. The former second-round pick's career has been stunted by injuries more than anything. Cincinnati has become accustomed to identifying quality players with more to give.
"It's not like we're finding diamonds in the rough here. These guys were good players coming out of college," Callahan said of Smith and Hurst. "We felt like that Irv was one that fit us really well when Hayden decided to go to Carolina, and I couldn't be happier with what he's done so far and how I see him helping us.
"In the pass game he's going to be a lot of fun for us to use, and utilize all the attention that gets paid to the Ja'Marr [Chase] and Tee [Higgins]."
Taking coverage away from the Bengals' two star wideouts would do absolute wonders for the offense. If Callahan is excited about that, then opposing defensive coordinators should feel the opposite.
Bengals starter already looks like an upgrade over predecessors
First impressions are very positive for one of Cincinnati’s newest impact players.
Featured image via © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
