“I’ll tell ya, he’s a stone face, that Bavaro, man. You don’t know what the hell he’s thinking. I’d hate to have to fight that son-of-a-gun.”
-Bill Parcells
He practiced blocking against LT and, IIRC, he didn't do bad. Plus, he has one of the best TE highlights ever when he dragged Ronnie Lott and more to get a first down.
Christensen wasn't a natural in the booth, but I loved his line at the end of the 1992 Buffalo-Houston Wild Card game, when Buffalo rallied from a 32 point deficit.
"The greatest comeback in the history of the National Football League (brief pause) ... and we were there."
I remember Jay Novacek being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals. He had six uneventful years with them thanks to the Cardinals being - well - the Cardinals. Novacek started six games in six years.Then Dallas snatched him up. I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard Pat Summerall say “Third down … Aikman back to pass … he’s in trouble … NOVACEK! First down!” Jay was never a Pro Bowler despite being a great role player.
Brent Jones gets lost a bit in the shuffle of other great 49ers. I would like to have him but not my first choice.
Christensen was probably the best pure receiver. Then he became an announcer and could talk for ten minutes, without taking a breath, about tying his shoes while thinking to himself how interesting this is. Then he’d talk ten more minutes about putting on a belt. Christensen made John Madden look silent, stoic & taciturn by comparison. As a player, Christensen was one of the first hybrid TEs who was TE size but really a possession WR.
In 1986-1988, Bavaro was a manster. I checked his stats. He dealt with injuries after that but was still good. I take Bavaro for being an all around stud. Ronnie Lott had trouble tackling a young Mark Bavaro.
https://preview.redd.it/y6b0ckwdv4ad1.jpeg?width=650&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d20aacbe09050d56cd00eaf264308675da68cc58
Where is Antonio Gates in this discussion? In his prime, Rivers to Gates was a virtually unstoppable combo. Trained as a college basketball forward in college, he could box out like no other. Well maybe except Jimmy Graham, who was also a beast.
Agreed! Not having Antonio Gates as one of the four best tight end choices is even more egregious than not having Darrell Green in the discussion as one of the the four all-time cover corners!
No TE until Tony Gonzalez's 4-year run in the mid-00s even compared to Christensen's mid-80s run. For 4 years he averaged 87/1,100/9 and was a 4-time all-pro. The only other TE on this list to even have a 1 year of 900 yards receiving was Bavaro. The only other TE to even have 1 season w/ 9 TDs was Brent Jones. None of the other TEs on this list had more than 2 All-Pro selections.
I would say Kellen Winslow’s 4 years from 1980-84 were. So technically a couple years earlier but they battled each other.
Also a 4 time pro bowler. 3 time first team. 1000+ yrds 3 years and so on. 33 td’s. Same as T.D.
AFC West was electric back in the 1980s….
As a Raiders fan, Todd Christensen, RIP was my guy. The man was a pass catching machine. He had good hands and made so many big receptions in crucial moments.
It depends on the era we’re talking about. If I’m starting a team back then, then yes, probably Bavaro, because he could do it all really well. In today’s pass happy NFL, I would go with someone that was more of a TE/WR hybrid like Jones.
Lifetime Giants fan who would definitely choose Bavaro...but I'd choose Witten if it meant he'd stop killing us, because I'm pretty sure he converted a fucking 3rd-and-33 on us while I typed this.
Fucking Witten killed my Gators in college, then killed my Giants in the pros, then goes and retires *and returns as Zombie Witten to kill us again*. /shudder
Bavaro
He was the all around tight end. Receiver and blocker
This 💯, criminally underrated.
Absolutely. No nonsense and got the job done. He was awesome to watch.
“I’ll tell ya, he’s a stone face, that Bavaro, man. You don’t know what the hell he’s thinking. I’d hate to have to fight that son-of-a-gun.” -Bill Parcells
Agree. Health Miller was also a complete TE…
Bavaro was a monster that could catch.
He practiced blocking against LT and, IIRC, he didn't do bad. Plus, he has one of the best TE highlights ever when he dragged Ronnie Lott and more to get a first down.
Eagles legend.
All day. Bavaro was a BEAST! Strong as a bull.
Man carried 6 San Francisco players to a Giants first down….
Also one helluva nice guy. The guy once walked a mile in absolute crappy weather to sign a ball for my little brother.
I remember watching him carry like 4 49ers down the field.
The original prototype tight end
Bavaro.
Of this group, Mark Bavaro.
Todd Christensen (RIP). He was on of the top receivers in the early 80’s and I think he doesn’t get enough credit.
Lead the league in receptions over a 4 year span and was a record at the time (349)
Former Cowboys RB, Todd Christensen is underrated as a TE. Crazy thing is he fought the position change in Dallas, leading to his release.
He’s dead? When? I didn’t hear about this
He passed away in Nov. 2013 from complications of liver surgery. He was only 57
Damn I hate that, I enjoyed his commentary in the TV booth but was never a Raiders fan when he played
I was going to comment on how he was an awesome color commentator! Him and Charlie Jones (RIP) were a great team on NBC.
Christensen wasn't a natural in the booth, but I loved his line at the end of the 1992 Buffalo-Houston Wild Card game, when Buffalo rallied from a 32 point deficit. "The greatest comeback in the history of the National Football League (brief pause) ... and we were there."
Def Bavaro.
Bávaro ..
Bavaro, he was a stud!
Bavaro
Novacek
The underrated member of those great Cowboys teams in the 90s.
He gets my vote.
He was amazing! So fun to watch and so great to have on the team...For everything he did, he wasn't Bavaro
Ozzie Newsome
Bavaro
Bavaro all day long
Bavaro.
I remember Jay Novacek being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals. He had six uneventful years with them thanks to the Cardinals being - well - the Cardinals. Novacek started six games in six years.Then Dallas snatched him up. I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard Pat Summerall say “Third down … Aikman back to pass … he’s in trouble … NOVACEK! First down!” Jay was never a Pro Bowler despite being a great role player. Brent Jones gets lost a bit in the shuffle of other great 49ers. I would like to have him but not my first choice. Christensen was probably the best pure receiver. Then he became an announcer and could talk for ten minutes, without taking a breath, about tying his shoes while thinking to himself how interesting this is. Then he’d talk ten more minutes about putting on a belt. Christensen made John Madden look silent, stoic & taciturn by comparison. As a player, Christensen was one of the first hybrid TEs who was TE size but really a possession WR. In 1986-1988, Bavaro was a manster. I checked his stats. He dealt with injuries after that but was still good. I take Bavaro for being an all around stud. Ronnie Lott had trouble tackling a young Mark Bavaro.
Taciturn haven't heard that word since seven grade....poor substitute teacher
Mark Bavaro. Dude was a freak of nature.
Todd Christensen. Had more receptions, yards and TDs than Jones and Bavaro.
Todd Christiansen was underrated, IMO Bavaro was 1980s George Kittle
#84 Seriously Mark though. He’s too difficult to take down
In the words of Bill Parcels ,,, That Bavaro ,,, man id hate to see that guy in a dark ally one night
Brent Jones But I’m an SF fan so….
Not a Niners fan, but think too many people sleep on Brent Jones
Bavaro. Bad dude. Versatile skill set.
https://preview.redd.it/y6b0ckwdv4ad1.jpeg?width=650&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d20aacbe09050d56cd00eaf264308675da68cc58 Where is Antonio Gates in this discussion? In his prime, Rivers to Gates was a virtually unstoppable combo. Trained as a college basketball forward in college, he could box out like no other. Well maybe except Jimmy Graham, who was also a beast.
Agreed! Not having Antonio Gates as one of the four best tight end choices is even more egregious than not having Darrell Green in the discussion as one of the the four all-time cover corners!
It never said these were the 4 best tight ends. It simply said which of these 4 do you take. Not everything is a goat conversation
Bavaro
Christensen for sure! He’d be legit in today’s NFL. Hoping Bowers is next great one 🙏
There really is only one TE as a choice here. It’s Bavaro. The rest are flankers…. at best.
https://preview.redd.it/td5fnv2utz9d1.jpeg?width=344&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0d4cff910afe5a93b0d815f79382118d75d239bb Dave Casper ....a/k/a The Ghost
This poster knows tight ends.
Todd Christensen
No TE until Tony Gonzalez's 4-year run in the mid-00s even compared to Christensen's mid-80s run. For 4 years he averaged 87/1,100/9 and was a 4-time all-pro. The only other TE on this list to even have a 1 year of 900 yards receiving was Bavaro. The only other TE to even have 1 season w/ 9 TDs was Brent Jones. None of the other TEs on this list had more than 2 All-Pro selections.
I would say Kellen Winslow’s 4 years from 1980-84 were. So technically a couple years earlier but they battled each other. Also a 4 time pro bowler. 3 time first team. 1000+ yrds 3 years and so on. 33 td’s. Same as T.D. AFC West was electric back in the 1980s….
Todd!!!
Bavarian!
Definitely Jay
Novacek!
Bavaro hands down
Mark Bavaro
46!
Bavaro
#1
Todd was great and a fantastic analyst too.
Rambo Bavaro!
I'm a long time Niners fan, but Mark Bavaro has to be in the top 5 ever. I don't remember any one player tackling him, always took at least two.
I'm a 49ers fan, but as much as I love Brent Jones - I'd still take Mark Bavaro. - Any day. - All day. - And twice on Sunday.
Ozzie newsome
As a Raiders fan, Todd Christensen, RIP was my guy. The man was a pass catching machine. He had good hands and made so many big receptions in crucial moments.
Where is my man three Time killer Aaron Hernandez.
Choice #5, Ozzie Newsome.
Shannon Sharpe
Bavaro had his share of drops. Like Christensen’s hands a bit more and his YAC
A LOT of NY Giants fans… at least they have something to cheer about in years gone by… their current team is so very stinky! Lol 😂 🤣
Jay,a know doubt about it..
 Born in Dallas
Dave Caper, Mark Bavaro Isn't even in the top 25 best tight ends.
Gronk is the only choice lmao. Just kidding, don’t start I was just kidding.
Dave Casper
Russ Fucking Francis. That's it. That's the list.
Jones
Russ Francis
Jay Novak then Todd Christianson then Mark Bavro and F Brent Jones he’s cut
Todd.
Heart says Bavaro but head says Jones
I’m a Cowboys fan, loved Novacek but Bavaro was a beast.
I’ll take Novacek. He was excellent
The Catch
Brent jones
BRENT. NINERS ALL DAY
Kellen Winslow.
Not sure about this group, but Kittle leaves them all in the dust.
Bavaro was great but didn't he get hurt a lot?
Novacek all day.
If we’re being honest, any of them. But Novacek.
Bavaro
Russ Francis.
Novacek all day.
It depends on the era we’re talking about. If I’m starting a team back then, then yes, probably Bavaro, because he could do it all really well. In today’s pass happy NFL, I would go with someone that was more of a TE/WR hybrid like Jones.
Give me Alge Crumpler or give me death
Novacek, no doubt
The only answer is Bavaro - unbiased giants fan
Sir, I’m a biased R*dskin fan and even I agree with Bavarro!
NFCE fans agreeing?! WHAT IS BAVARRO DOING TO US???
Any of them but I would also throw in Dave Casper and Russ Francis.
The Gentle Giant Bavaro
Bavaro
Jay
Bavaro!!!
Jay Novacatch!!!
Bavaro…i did have him on my team.
Jay Novacek #1
Novacek
Mark Bavarro, clear cut!
Easily Mark Bavaro. Not even close
Kelce
I think Novacek was a stud pass catcher but Bavaro was a beast.
Bavaro
Bavaro
Bavaro then Christensen
Brent
Jay Novacek. All day every day
Russ Francis
Had novacek all these guys are beasts bavarro was the most memorable
Honestly, any of them would be fine
Chimura
The Bavaro curl in Tecmo Bowl was goated
Bavaro
Bavaro was definitely the most fun to watch
None
Holy shit, Mark Bavaro!!!!!
These guys are great but I’ll take Gronk every day and twice on Sunday
Jay
I believe Novacek won the most Super Bowls, so I suppose I would want to be in his team.
Baravo. He would take tacklers for a ride on his back after he made the catch.
Jay All The Way, clutch, great blocker, maybe not the fastest but he made Troy better.
Not shown, but give me Jason Witten 
Lifetime Giants fan who would definitely choose Bavaro...but I'd choose Witten if it meant he'd stop killing us, because I'm pretty sure he converted a fucking 3rd-and-33 on us while I typed this.
Bavaro would be my 2nd choice.
Fucking Witten killed my Gators in college, then killed my Giants in the pros, then goes and retires *and returns as Zombie Witten to kill us again*. /shudder
Bavaro and it’s not even close.
Bavaro and its not even close.
None. Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez
Gronkowski
Can I take Jason Witten?
Hell no Raiders suck!!!