TIGHT ENDS POSE A BIGGER RECEIVING HEADACHE FOR DEFENSES
Dallas Clark Jason
But the new-wave tight ends are so multidimensional that no matchup is a perfect fit. They have the speed to run away from a linebacker. The Houston Texans put linebacker Brian Cushing on Clark on Nov. 8 and Clark caught 14 passes  tying for the third-most receptions in a game by a tight end in league history.
 Because of their speed  tight ends are more of a threat to catch intermediate and deep passes now  which makes them a greater threat on third down. Clark caught 28 passes on third down  the fourth most in the league  and his overall reception average was 11.1 yards. Gates had 21 receptions on third down  with an average third-down reception of 15.5 yards. In all  he had 18 receptions for at least 20 yards this season and an average of 14.6 yards per reception.
 In his 13-year playing career  Ozzie Newsome  the Cleveland Browns' Hall of Fame tight end  who is now the Ravens' general manager  had three seasons of at least 900 yards  and he had two seasons in which he caught 89 passes. Gates has caught at least 71 passes in five of his seven seasons  and has passed 900 yards five times.
 Clark's breakthrough this year  though  has been a matter of circumstance. In 2008  as receiver Marvin Harrison faded  Clark had his career high of 77 receptions for 848 yards. But in 2009  with Harrison gone  Anthony Gonzalez injured in the opening game  and the Colts working in two inexperienced wide receivers  Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon  Peyton Manning leaned on Clark more than ever. The Colts had found Harrison's replacement  in a much bigger body.
 "For most of my career  we've had the luxury of having phenomenal receivers " Clark said. "You know your place early. Now  I'm everywhere  in the backfield  in the slot  out wide. Everywhere but under center -- that job is taken."
But the new-wave tight ends are so multidimensional that no matchup is a perfect fit. They have the speed to run away from a linebacker. The Houston Texans put linebacker Brian Cushing on [TGT] on Nov. 8 and [TGT] caught 14 passes  tying for the third-most receptions in a game by a tight end in league history.
 Because of their speed  tight ends are more of a threat to catch intermediate and deep passes now  which makes them a greater threat on third down. [TGT] caught 28 passes on third down  the fourth most in the league  and [TGT] overall reception average was 11.1 yards. Gates had 21 receptions on third down  with an average third-down reception of 15.5 yards. In all  [TGT] had 18 receptions for at least 20 yards this season and an average of 14.6 yards per reception.
 In [TGT] 13-year playing career  Ozzie Newsome  the Cleveland Browns' Hall of Fame tight end  who is now the Ravens' general manager  had three seasons of at least 900 yards  and he had two seasons in which he caught 89 passes. Gates has caught at least 71 passes in five of his seven seasons  and has passed 900 yards five times.
 [TGT]'s breakthrough this year  though  has been a matter of circumstance. In 2008  as receiver Marvin Harrison faded  [TGT] had [TGT] career high of 77 receptions for 848 yards. But in 2009  with Harrison gone  [TGT] injured in the opening game  and the Colts working in two inexperienced wide receivers  Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon  Peyton Manning leaned on [TGT] more than ever. The Colts had found Harrison's replacement  in a much bigger body.
 "For most of my career  we've had the luxury of having phenomenal receivers [TGT] said. "You know your place early. Now  I'm everywhere  in the backfield  in the slot  out wide. Everywhere but under center -- that job is taken."