What are the characteristics of an effective NFL tight end?   “Big, strong and athletic, but he also has to have the skill and ability to make the catch and the key block,” says STEVE MARIUCCI, NFL Network analyst and former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers (1997-02) and Detroit Lions (2003-05).   “Athleticism, lower body explosion and intelligence,” says Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end and Baltimore Ravens general manager and Executive Vice President OZZIE NEWSOME.   Combine those two descriptions and you have a player that can present a size advantage when matched up against safeties and a speed advantage versus linebackers.   These attributes have certainly been brought to light in 2007.  Tight ends are on pace to break the NFL season record for the position in receptions (1,945 in 2005) and yards (20,761 in 1984).  Through Week 11, tight ends have totaled 1,312 catches and are on pace for 2,099.  The group also has racked up yardage, posting 13,939, on pace for 22,302.    “Teams are utilizing tight ends because defenses are playing more Cover 2, which matches linebackers on tight ends,” says Newsome, who is ranked third on the NFL career list in receptions (662) and receiving yards (7,980) among tight ends.    Mariucci, who coached Kansas City Chiefs All-Star tight end TONY GONZALEZ at the University of California in 1996, concurs.   “When you have an athletic tight end, you have someone who can separate and work in tight spaces,” says Mariucci.  “Unlike wide receivers, tight ends don’t usually get double-covered, so if the tight end is more athletic than the linebacker or safety, he’s going to win that battle.” * * *   MOST IN 26 YEARS?:  Tight ends KELLEN WINSLOW of Cleveland (767), ANTONIO GATES of San Diego (729), JASON WITTEN of Dallas (696) and Gonzalez (690) are each on pace to reach 1,000 receiving yards, which would surpass the previous position high of three tight ends with 1,000 yards in 1981.    A look at the three tight ends who recorded 1,000 receiving yards in 1981 -- the most all-time:   PLAYER TEAM YARDS Kellen Winslow San Diego Chargers 1,075 Joe Senser Minnesota Vikings 1,004 Ozzie Newsome Cleveland Browns 1,002   The four tight ends that are on pace to reach 1,000 receiving yards each in 2007:   PLAYER TEAM YARDS PROJECTED YARDS Kellen Winslow II Cleveland Browns 767 1,227 Antonio Gates San Diego 729 1,166 Jason Witten Dallas Cowboys 696 1,113 Tony Gonzalez Kansas City 690 1,104