- he's white
- 10 Pro Bowls
- he's played for a single major media market team his entire career
- he has the numbers for now (although in 5-10 years, the current wave of tight ends will lap him)
- superb route runner
- fairly clutch player against division rivals
- never had an issue with the media
- he can actually block

negative side:
- lean postseason resume
- Pro Bowls are shitty gauges of player accomplishment
- his career numbers are very good, but he can also be seen as a compiler (55 ypg average)
- never scored double-digit TDs in any season
- doesn't pass the eye test as an "explosive, special talent", and media members couldn't tell you the difference between a good route runner and bad one anyway
- nobody cares about tight ends who can block