Washington Redskins compare Niles Paul with Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe – NFL News
The Washington Redskins have started to compare Niles Paul who is their wide receiver and tight end as well with Hall of Famer tight end Shannon Sharpe with some players claiming that Paul will take place of Sharpe in future.
Paul has assumed the new role of playing at tight end about two months ago and he is gradually adjusting into the system.
Selected in fifth round of the 2011 National Football League (NFL) draft, Paul played 13 games while starting two in his rookie season in which he rushed for a total of meagre 25 yards on only two receptions.
In the upcoming season, his role might increase as he is now going to play at tight end.
Recently, Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan invited Sharpe to the team’s facility to address the players. Since Sharpe also used to play at tight end, Paul was among the most active listeners.
According to the details present on the team’s official website, Paul said of meeting with Sharpe:
"Sharpe told me that I’m a smaller guy and I’m not going to win every battle. My role is to protect the running back and the quarterback. As long as I’m doing my job, that’s all that matters."
Another tight end, Chris Cooley, who has been playing for the Redskins since starting his NFL career in 2004, thinks that Paul is heading in the right direction.
Cooley is so impressed with Paul that he even went on to say that he is the next Shannon Sharpe.
According to Cooley:
"I think Niles has been fantastic. Niles has the opportunity to be a tremendous player. He's doing a lot of things right.”
He further said:
"We made the move over the offseason, because he was such a physical player. I think the way a lot of our staff looks at him is as the next Shannon Sharpe."
Meanwhile, Shanahan himself has expressed confidence in Paul’s abilities and backed the player for good performance at the tight end position.
According to the head coach, Paul is among those rare players who can catch the ball, run at good pace along with having good blocking skills.
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