The Chicago Bears took care of business on Sunday, defeating the New Orleans Saints 26-14 to win their fourth in a row. This was done primarily through their traditional means: running the ball and playing good defense. Chicago racked up 222 yards on the ground. It didn't come through the pure greatness of their running backs but through excellent blocking up front. One of the best performers on this front was tight end Colston Loveland. The rookie tight end was the second-highest grade run-blocker on the afternoon.
Nobody learned that better than Saints defensive end Carl Granderson. The Bears' rookie introduced himself in the 2nd quarter on 3rd and 2 when he pancaked Granderson on an 11-yard run by Roschon Johnson. D'Andre Swift scored on the next play to put the Bears up 13-0. On the very next series, Chicago was knocking on the door again. This time, Loveland came in motion and picked off Granderson on a seal block. Rather than trying to shed the block and tackle Kyle Monangai, the defensive end focused on putting the tight end on the ground. Monangai scored easily. Loveland spoke on that play to Adam Jahns of CHGO.
“No, no, no,” Loveland said, smiling. “He wasn’t too happy about it.”
Colston Loveland is a pest. In the best kind of way.
Looking at his frame, you'd immediately say he is that type of tight end who runs good routes and can catch the ball. This is true. Colston Loveland can do that. What gets missed until it's too late is that he's much stronger than he looks. That comes from being a product of the Idaho ranching life. He blocks with surprising strength and even more tenacity. Don't forget Granderson is 260 lbs. He outweights Loveland by 20 lbs. For the tight end to ragdoll him anyway was a testament to his strength and technique. Getting shown up by a rookie is one thing for Granderson, but a rookie tight end? That is unacceptable, which explains his clear desire to get his shot back in that second meeting, even if it came at his team's expense.
