This is something I posted in the Club Level on January 15th of this year, during the NFL playoffs: The problem with "penetration" against our running game alluded to in Barry Jackson's Miami Herald article today I believe is a product of the weakness at tight end. When you can't keep opposing linebackers and safeties honest in pass coverage, they're free to play the run almost exclusively. Moreover, Ryan Tannehill has no security blanket over the middle of the field, which is essential for optimal quarterback development IMO. This needs to get fixed for next year.
The problem of penetration is caused by offensive linemen not winning one on one battles, or offensive linemen not getting off blocks into the second level. Having a great tight end can help because a linebacker could be worrying too much about the pass to penetrate, however the effect isn't much.
Run a 2 TE base formation. Fasano to the weak side (should he be retained..which he should as a TE2) and either Jared Cook or Dustin Keller as the primary receiving TE. As I have been a proponent of for years, forget a fullback except in run heavy short yardage.
TE has been a need for this team for years. Fasano is average at best, but it appears Ireland has no idea how to draft a TE who is actually a receiving threat or an above average blocker in the running game. This is just one area of the team which is a huge weakness, but until this organization has a GM who actually knows how to select quality talent. We are just going to have to accept that this team is going to remain in the bottom tier of the NFL.
Sure. Is there anything you've ever said that's worth quoting, any research you've ever done worth presenting, or do you just take pot shots and contribute very minimally?
I don't think the penetration in the run game has anything to do with the tight end. Defenders should reasonably be able to assess if it is a pass or a run play accurately and quickly and adjust accordingly. Having a high quality tight end would be very nice, but at the end of the day it's another weapon on the field, not a revolution. You can get the same type of big possession play from a wide receiver, and their yardage and touchdowns do not come at a greater pace, or could more than that of anyone else.
I think the issue is that it takes the defensive players who can play the run or the pass (the LBs and safeties) and makes them play the pass, or if they decide to play the run, you burn them. That certainly doesn't mean it's a "revolution," and nobody ever said that to begin with, but it does mean it's probably the best way to keep those defensive players from being able to sell out against the run. There is certainly some reason why there is such a dramatic difference in the records of teams with below-median starting tight ends versus those with above-median starting tight ends.
the problem is that we dont throw the ball deep enough and the short passes are so easy to defend that a high school team could shut down the miami offense. what disgusts me is that we have 5 tightend and we passed on getting three really good tightends . what i dont get is that we hardly made a effort to get a good player and we are not in that goodof shape salary cap according to some .
What's the relationship between TE catches and quality of QB? My initial assumption would be that while it would be nice to have Gronk or a top TE, the production they give us wouldn't be as good as it is because our QB is not as good as the ones they play for. Then again, there's Alex Smith and Vernon Davis. But even then, I think Davis would be even better if given Brady or Brees.
I know Doc lobbied hard for Tony Gonzales, and was very right to do so, for me it was Fred Davis, Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen....denied. Obviously our new coach likes what the position does for an offense, either go after Finley, or trade down and get Eifert..he's an all around very good tight end with great catch radius, great leaping ability, and soft hands..he's a sure thing, and a solid first round talent, would be just as productive for the offense and RT as any weapon we could add.
Charles Clay's performance today projects to 96 catches for 1,344 yards, 14 yards a catch, and 16 TDs on a season. Might be a big reason why we won the game.
Charles Clay stepping up today made such a huge difference in this offense. If anyone needed further proof about the importance of a good, playmaking TE, you need only look at today's game.
Davones performance projects to over 2000 yards receiving this year. I say we stand pat with the skill position players on this team.
I don't know how seriously or purposefully this is being done, but there are legitimate roster composition issues when considering how to improve tight end. You've got to allow the opportunity for Charles Clay and Michael Egnew to get on the field if they merit it, but you're also in a position that letting Fasano walk and signing the kind of player everyone seems to want at tight end means no one can block worth a **** in-line which is kind of a big problem. I think it's also curious that Philbin/Sherman don't seem particularly interested in playing Michael Egnew like Jermichael Finley, either. It's quite possible that with or without Ireland, we might be in the same boat where we want a tight end who isn't a ****ty blocker like 75% of the guys in the league now.
He was making a point as to how a TE contibuting makes a difference in this offense... your just being a jackal..... but your right, even if you mean to be sarcastic. Bess is a very good player, not standing pat with him would be moronic. There's maybe 2-5 guys that should be considered better slot receivers, and they all have pro-bowl caliber QBs. Having a TE getting separation over the middle clearly benefited him, It's an interesting topic.... so put down the haterade for one second, why dont you, and actually join the convo.
The correlation makes sense but the "projected" yearly stat was a bit funny. Also Bess is NOT a slot WR....where have you been?
The projected stat has relevance to the research in the original post, which was based nearly on season-long stats. It essentially means that if Charles Clay plays for an entire season anywhere near as well as he did today, the Dolphins would have the kind of TE alluded to in the original post. It all makes sense. You just need to tie it together.
No I get the point your trying to make, I even agree with the premise. The projections just threw me.
Brady loves tight ends b/c, unlike receivers, TEs have the entire field open to them as they can break inside, outside, stretch the field, or catch dump offs. Egnew should have that ability once he adjusts to the NFL game and knows the offense well enough for Philbin to trust him.
Michael Egnew on the sideline looks like he has an IQ of about twelve. Just a very "absent" appearance IMO.
I'm going to guess we won't be counting on Michael Egnew to be our future #1 TE. There is a lot wrong with that young man.
what the hell? posts like these are just insulting and don't make any sense. You cannot tell someone's IQ by just looking at them watching football on a sideline.
Ireland drafted him so he JUST needs time to develop, meanwhile contributing zero to the football team. -phinS and FinD
It's not a myth that Egnew ran well and caught well in college...there's two things going against him, 1, he didnt train and prepare his body good enough for football in college when he knew he was going to be a high end draft pick, and two, he's struggling to pick up a system..he could break out at this point next year..lot of players need a year..
