Witten proud of Gavin Escobar for getting stronger, improving as a blocker

[AbeBeta]

(scroll for cliff notes)

Gotta earn it though.

He was actually given more opportunities early on last year. .


Gavin Escobar: 207 snaps

Through 1st 8 games: played 119 snaps (57% of his snaps for the year)
--Of those 119 snaps, 78 were passing downs (73 routes, 5 pass blocking)-- so 66% passing snaps
--Conversely Of those 119 snaps, 41 were run blocking downs-- so 34% rushing snaps

Through the last 8 games: played 88 snaps (43% of his snaps for the year)
--Of those 88 snaps, 52 were passing downs (52 routes, 2 pass blocking)-- so 59% passing snaps
--Conversely of those 88 snaps, 34 were run blocking downs-- so 39% rushing snaps

As you can see, he had a good amount of opportunities early on in the passing game. Almost as many passing snaps as he had for total snaps over the last half of the season.

For comparison:

James Hanna: 315 snaps

Through 1st 8 games: played 166 snaps 53% of his total snaps
-- Of those 166 snaps, 83 were passing downs (51 routes, 32 pass blocking)-- so exactly 50% passing snaps.

Through last 8 games: played 149 snaps 47% of his total snaps
-- of those 149 snaps, 75 were passing downs (50 routes, 25 pass blocking)-- so virtually 50% passing snaps again.

Conclusion:
That indicates to me that while both players saw a declination in snaps likely due to shift in formation philosophy, Hanna consistently got the same percentage of chances in both the passing and run game. And the shift in philosophy for formation in passing downs was mostly felt by Escobar... coaches must have liked what our WRs could do more than our 2nd rounder.



Cliff notes:
Overall, Hanna was the more indefensible TE last year.

You %s are cute. But all it showed is that Escobar had one fewer snap per game on pass plays over the last 8 weeks. That's not really evidence of anything.

 

[Nova]

You %s are cute. But all it showed is that Escobar had one fewer snap per game on pass plays over the last 8 weeks. That's not really evidence of anything.

Actually it's a difference of 1.625 pass snaps per game from the first half of the season.

Compare that with only .44 run snaps per game less in the last half than the 1st half, and you'll see it wasn't exactly his run blocking that was limiting his opportunities.

Which is the point of the post. This thread is about Escobar improving as a run blocker, and it wasn't really his run-blocking that led to less opportunities, as I pointed out. And it wasn't like he didn't get the opportunities early, as I've also pointed out.

Furthermore, I didn't just break out all the numbers... the post was long enough already and I didn't feel it necessary to go game by game. The data is actually skewed quite a bit by the SD game in which Escobar had like 2 snaps. Other than that, he had 4 games in which he had passing snaps in the teens over the first 8. He never did that in the last half of the year, and the average of 6.5 per game was pretty accurate.



By the way, Escobar went from being on the field for 23% of passing snaps to 16% passing snaps for the last half of the year.

 

[Section446]

Thinking in terms of "luxury picks" is exactly how a team comes to have no depth.

Funny, we have no depth no matter what we do.

 

[Rockport]

A well thought out HGH regimen can do wonders in an offseason.

 

[Fredd]

I don't know what I want to see more"

1) Escobar doing well to realize his potential
2) Escobar doing well to shut people up about him

Can I have both?

 

[Hoofbite]

Shocker.

His crappy blocking limited his snaps.

Guess who called that last offseason.......

 

[AbeBeta]

Actually it's a difference of 1.625 pass snaps per game from the first half of the season.

Compare that with only .44 run snaps per game less in the last half than the 1st half, and you'll see it wasn't exactly his run blocking that was limiting his opportunities.

Which is the point of the post. This thread is about Escobar improving as a run blocker, and it wasn't really his run-blocking that led to less opportunities, as I pointed out. And it wasn't like he didn't get the opportunities early, as I've also pointed out.

Furthermore, I didn't just break out all the numbers... the post was long enough already and I didn't feel it necessary to go game by game. The data is actually skewed quite a bit by the SD game in which Escobar had like 2 snaps. Other than that, he had 4 games in which he had passing snaps in the teens over the first 8. He never did that in the last half of the year, and the average of 6.5 per game was pretty accurate.



By the way, Escobar went from being on the field for 23% of passing snaps to 16% passing snaps for the last half of the year.

You'll have to do better to show your work. 88 snap. 52 pass, 34 run. Do you proofread?

If he had 6 more pass snaps - and 6 less runs. That's 58/86 - practically the same as the first half %. Your comparisons are meaningless.

Hannah had 1 fewer pass snap per game as well. So again we are talking a 6 or so snap difference over 8 games! That says little

Also, I think your understanding of te blocking is way off. Ends do block in the pass game as well. They chip before going in the pattern and sometimes stay in to double guys with a tackle

 

[Future]

This.

Teams draft TE and practically none are complete players on arrival. You have to play the guys to develop them.

That's one aspect, sure.

But my point is more that, even though he's listed as a TE, the guy is a receiver. The fact that he had such few looks is a huge misstep on the half of JG and Romo.

 

[casmith07]

I really hope that they give this guy a better chance than they did Bennett. I know it's only been one year, but what a wasted pick to this point. He needs to play 50%+ of offensive snaps.

On what basis?

Jesus. Some of you guys with these arbitrary numbers.

 

[starfrombirth]

Actually it's a difference of 1.625 pass snaps per game from the first half of the season.

Compare that with only .44 run snaps per game less in the last half than the 1st half, and you'll see it wasn't exactly his run blocking that was limiting his opportunities.

Which is the point of the post. This thread is about Escobar improving as a run blocker, and it wasn't really his run-blocking that led to less opportunities, as I pointed out. And it wasn't like he didn't get the opportunities early, as I've also pointed out.

Furthermore, I didn't just break out all the numbers... the post was long enough already and I didn't feel it necessary to go game by game. The data is actually skewed quite a bit by the SD game in which Escobar had like 2 snaps. Other than that, he had 4 games in which he had passing snaps in the teens over the first 8. He never did that in the last half of the year, and the average of 6.5 per game was pretty accurate.



By the way, Escobar went from being on the field for 23% of passing snaps to 16% passing snaps for the last half of the year.

I think what he is saying tho is that these numbers aren't outside of a standard deviation so therefore they are not indicative of any real difference. Now don't try and get me started on statistics. I'm not a professor. I just a remember a little bit of my college courses in it (Stats I and II ). So no I can't get into any kind of in depth argument but I'm pretty sure I remember about standard deviation and what it means.

 

[Idgit]

Shocker.

His crappy blocking limited his snaps.

Guess who called that last offseason.......

Ooh!! I know!!!: everybody. At least, everybody who bothered to read his draft write up or listen to the post-draft press conference.

 

[gimmesix]

Conclusion:
That indicates to me that while both players saw a declination in snaps likely due to shift in formation philosophy, Hanna consistently got the same percentage of chances in both the passing and run game. And the shift in philosophy for formation in passing downs was mostly felt by Escobar... coaches must have liked what our WRs could do more than our 2nd rounder.

Actually, we also picked up a fullback, which was an indication that neither Hanna nor Escobar's blocking was doing much for the running game.

 

[coult44]

Jason Witten ‘proud’ of Gavin Escobar for getting stronger, improving as a blocker
http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/23c5110466ed7c234a985a645c542863?s=52&d=http%3A%2F%2Fres.***BANNED-URL***%2Fresources%2Fimages%2FSD-logo-50.jpg%3Fs%3D52&r=G
By Jon Machota
jmachota@***BANNED-URL***

More:
http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...getting-stronger-improving-as-a-blocker.html/


Escobar played in all 16 games during his rookie season, catching nine passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns. But his snaps were limited for one major reason – he needs to become a better blocker.

To accomplish that goal, bulking up in the Valley Ranch weight room has been Escobar’s off-season regimen. Over the last week, Pope, head coach Jason Garrett and veteran tight end Jason Witten have all mentioned noticing Escobar’s added strength.

“He’s been methodically present and he’s worked really hard,” Pope said. “When you’re 6-7, there’s going to be some areas of your body that need more development. Most of the time, that’s the legs, and that was his background, being more of an athletic tight end, a space player. He’s worked hard this winter and I’ve been impressed by it.”

According to Witten, the 23-year-old is on the right path.

“We know he can run the seams and can do some things in the passing game, but we need him to be solid in there [on the line],” Witten said. “He’s worked hard. To see that package grow for him and being out on the field is going to be a lot better because he can now do both.
“I’m proud of him. I know he’s worked hard. It’s paying off for him and I think his role will continue to grow. We need that. We need that not only in the slot, but we need that other guy up the middle.”

It was the only bad thing I could say about him last season. If he gets bigger, and stronger, he could dominate...

 

[AbeBeta]

That's one aspect, sure.

But my point is more that, even though he's listed as a TE, the guy is a receiver. The fact that he had such few looks is a huge misstep on the half of JG and Romo.

I agree somewhat but Romo might be the bigger issue. I love Romo as a QB but he is a guy who doesn't easily adapt to new targets. He just seems to need a specific chemistry with guys. He's not a qb who trusts guys from day 1 and who he trusts is not predictable (Robinson? Beasley?)

 

[Toruk_Makto]

When you're a team with this many holes, Escobar in round 2 is a luxury pick. And please don't say that it was any different last year, this team has had a number of glaring holes for the past 3-5 years.

When you're a team with as many holes as ours you stick to your board and take the best player available.

 

[roughneck266]

I really hope that they give this guy a better chance than they did Bennett. I know it's only been one year, but what a wasted pick to this point. He needs to play 50%+ of offensive snaps.

I dont think they are even comparable. Bennett just wasnt mature enough at that point. It showed every time he played and practiced.

 

[Maxmadden]

Not as talented as Marty B but has more potential and ultimately will have the better career. There is a reason Bennett hasn't stuck with a team and it's not because teams can't figure out how to use him.

 

[big dog cowboy]

New Cowboys tight end coach Mike Pope, a position coach with the Giants for 23 seasons, said New York had Escobar ranked “pretty close” to where the Cowboys selected him.

That's impossible. He was a huge reach. We drafted him at least 4-5 rounds too early. I read it in here several times last off season.

 

[Gameover]

Cowboys have a lot of young players who can make a leap this season.

 

[CATCH17]

Focuses on squatting all offseason and will probably have hamstring issues all year.

I hope not though.