TE position discussion/revision 2/spring practices

[BWahlberg]

From fall camp you could see great potential with all of the red-shirted freshman. With the summer/spring to bulk up and get prepared it's one area I'm really looking forward to seeing progress.

IMO Jordan Harper is poised to really bust out. He showed he's a very good pass catcher and quick/tough to cover in the red zone, what he needs to improve is overall strength so he can be on the field more for blocking support.

Also, I think it's kind of funny the posts on here about "not using" the TE. Um... ok. If you look at the TE's on this team JJ had Pierson, Harper, and Hagfors. Saylor was also used (I think) to line up in the TE's spot as a pass catching option.

Between Pierson, Harper, and Hagfors they had 33 catches (14.5% of all catches), 324 yards (10% of all yards), and 9 touchdowns (26% of all receiving TDs).

Add in Saylor, which probably isn't fair to do since his numbers come from playing more as a WR and it goes up to 41 catches (18%), 412 yards (12%), and 11 TDs 31.5%.

Seems to me that JJ loves looking for the TE in the red zone. I agree more receiving yards would be great and I hope that's expanded. But saying they're not used doesn't seem like a very accurate statement, especially considering how dangerous our TEs were in the red zone this season.

 

[AZGrizFan]

IMO if our offensive players were used effectively we rarely would have any te's in but I dunno. I don't see our te's getting much passes as our receivers are loaded with talent but who knows maybe jj matures as a passer and utilizes the mismatches our big te's can make.

Don't forget that last year 9 of JJ's 32 TD's or 28% went to TE's last year. I'd say that's pretty good use of them.

Well, if he were to look for them more often (as in, not just when we are 10 yards from the end zone) I think he'd have been even MORE effective. Lots of checkdown and short yardage passes that would have moved the chains instead of chucking it 30 yards downfield when you only needed 5.

 

[Eriul]

IMO if our offensive players were used effectively we rarely would have any te's in but I dunno. I don't see our te's getting much passes as our receivers are loaded with talent but who knows maybe jj matures as a passer and utilizes the mismatches our big te's can make.

Don't forget that last year 9 of JJ's 32 TD's or 28% went to TE's last year. I'd say that's pretty good use of them.

Well, if he were to look for them more often (as in, not just when we are 10 yards from the end zone) I think he'd have been even MORE effective. Lots of checkdown and short yardage passes that would have moved the chains instead of chucking it 30 yards downfield when you only needed 5.

This is basically what I meant when I made my comment. Jj only looked for te's on short yardage Td situations. I don't think jj ever really used them in the middle of the field but I could be wrong that was just my initial perception.

 

[Eriul]

From fall camp you could see great potential with all of the red-shirted freshman. With the summer/spring to bulk up and get prepared it's one area I'm really looking forward to seeing progress.

IMO Jordan Harper is poised to really bust out. He showed he's a very good pass catcher and quick/tough to cover in the red zone, what he needs to improve is overall strength so he can be on the field more for blocking support.

Also, I think it's kind of funny the posts on here about "not using" the TE. Um... ok. If you look at the TE's on this team JJ had Pierson, Harper, and Hagfors. Saylor was also used (I think) to line up in the TE's spot as a pass catching option.

Between Pierson, Harper, and Hagfors they had 33 catches (14.5% of all catches), 324 yards (10% of all yards), and 9 touchdowns (26% of all receiving TDs).

Add in Saylor, which probably isn't fair to do since his numbers come from playing more as a WR and it goes up to 41 catches (18%), 412 yards (12%), and 11 TDs 31.5%.

Seems to me that JJ loves looking for the TE in the red zone. I agree more receiving yards would be great and I hope that's expanded. But saying they're not used doesn't seem like a very accurate statement, especially considering how dangerous our TEs were in the red zone this season.

Yah I think we used then great last year. I personally would like to spread out more next year and if we do use a te maybe use him the same way the pats used gronk or saints graham. I think our offense looks deadly next year and I'm not quite sure what role our te's will play as opposed to have played in the past. Maybe the same kinda deal where they're dangerous in the red zone but not so utilized in the middle.

 

[BWahlberg]

I think Harper could be that kind of guy, put him in the slot and get him the ball up the field. Should be a mis-match in most cases.

 

[alabamagrizzly]

added Kole Swartz and Reggie Tillman

 

[grizatwork]

added Kole Swartz and Reggie Tillman

From Swartz's recruiting video, I see him as a defensive end. As tight end, he did not use his hands well to catch the ball. It didn't seem natural to him. He appeared to let it get into his pads a little too much. I know a video is just a snapshot of his year, but I really liked him at defensive end.

 

[alabamagrizzly]

added Kole Swartz and Reggie Tillman

From Swartz's recruiting video, I see him as a defensive end. As tight end, he did not use his hands well to catch the ball. It didn't seem natural to him. He appeared to let it get into his pads a little too much. I know a video is just a snapshot of his year, but I really liked him at defensive end.

I agree 100%

 

[alabamagrizzly]

The ranks have been thinned out a bit. For the second year in a row a good recruit left to walk on at his local 1-A school. Scarver this year has gone home to Minnesota. Sprunk has been moved to OG. I like the move of Saylor switching to TE to add some pass catching ability. He's always been a great downfield blocker. I just hope he does alright against the bigger LB's and DE's. really excited about Ralston. I really think he's gonna be a good one.