Mike Tomlin explains why it's 'disrespectful' to label Mark Andrews as just a TE
Although he’s having a down season by his standards, Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews commands the lion’s share of attention from opposing head coaches and defensive coordinators alike.
If you ask Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin about Baltimore’s three-time Pro Bowler, he’ll tell you that Andrews is more than just your typical middle-of-the-field tight end.
“Mark Andrews is a significant guy for them in the passing game,” Tomlin said, via Ravens reporter Sarah Ellison. “Even through some of their quarterback instability he continues to be a dangerous vertical threat. I think to label him as a tight end is disrespectful to his talents. He’s kind of a No. 1 receiving option. He’s like Travis Kelce, if you will, or (Kyle Pitts) in Atlanta — their skillset and the plays that they make are kind of caged in if you describe them in a tight end sort of way.”
Among tight ends with 50 or more targets this year, Andrews has the second-most contested catches (nine), he’s tied for the fifth-most touchdowns (five) and he has the seventh-most yards per reception (11.7).
Despite being considered one of the best in the NFL at his position, Andrews’ track record against the Pittsburgh Steelers has been less than impressive.
In seven career games, Andrews has 27 receptions on 51 targets for 291 yards while averaging nearly two yards per reception fewer than his career average. In fact, Andrews has had five or more receptions against the Steelers just twice, and he’s never had a 100-yard game or scored a touchdown against them.
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