The addition of Alex Smith seems to be a strategic move by the Birds to improve their pass catching ability at the tight end position. Smith replaced Tony Curtis and will probably be a top option pass catching target in the red zone.
Smith is a much better pass receiving threat than Curtis, plus he knows the west coast offense. It also points at their concern about the red zone offense.
The two tight end sets are a big part of the Birds red zone attack and it’s something that Smith has been playing in for years.
“Coach Reid has told me that they love to use the two-tight-end set,
and this is an offense that I’ve been running the last four years, so
he doesn’t see any problems throwing me right in the mix,” Smith said.
I can remember Andy Reid and Mike Holmgren utilizing two Pro Bowl tight ends Mark Chmura and Keith Jackson to help win a Super Bowl for the Packers.
Brent Celek showed everybody how effective he could be as a pass catcher in the NFC Championship game.
Reid and Donovan McNabb are adept at utilizing tight ends in the red zone. Do you remember Chad Lewis? He was amongst the slowest tight ends in the league, but Reid and McNabb were able to get the ball to him in the red zone.
I know they feel that they can get the ball to Celek or Smith down there by the end zone.
Curtis is regarded as the better blocker of the two, but Smith is by far the better pass receiver. Again the Eagles make it very clear about their desire to throw the football.
I know they have been looking for a second tight end whom they feel can be a tremendous pass catching threat in two-tight end sets. Smith has the size, speed and knowledge of the west coast offense to the Birds likings.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Curtis returns to the Birds because I think they realize they need three tight ends and also a tight end who can block for the run.
Expect the Birds to get a third tight end when they trade one of their seven receivers.
