Yes. Gonzalez is always used as the turning point..and he was a phenomenal athlete....he was on the Cal basketball team that Jason Kidd led to the ncaa run in 93...but Sharpe, his skillset and how he was used in Denver, Elway being the QB is what really opened up the Tight End position.

The NFL rules about what defenses can and cannot do , have led to more prolific offenses in the modern era.

Marino and Fouts were the rare QBs who were throwing for the kinds of numbers back then that average QBs throw for today. Tight End used to be a blocking position mainly..but now the value of TE's come from their ability to catch passes and blocking is secondary.


Mark Bavarro was a great blocker and had great receiver instincts/athleticism and hands..and TOUGH as nails...but a little ahead of his time. Kellen Winslow too.