Any news on Escobar's camp progress?

[DenCWBY]

Sorry if I missed any recent posts but I have heard relatively little on Escobar's camp progress. I know there were some questions about his speed and blocking agility and I was wondering if anyone had any info on how he's holding up? I have read some in-depth coverage on Webb, Williams, Fredricks, Randle and other rookies but have seen very little on our 2nd rounder.
Anyone at camp can provide an update that would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[hra8700]

Sorry if I missed any recent posts but I have heard relatively little on Escobar's camp progress. I know there were some questions about his speed and blocking agility and I was wondering if anyone had any info on how he's holding up? I have read some in-depth coverage on Webb, Williams, Fredricks, Randle and other rookies but have seen very little on our 2nd rounder.
Anyone at camp can provide an update that would be appreciated.
Thanks

1. @BryanBroaddus which rookie has looked the best not including the webb pick 6 cause thats the best rookie play but whos having the best camp
   
   
   
2. Bryan Broaddus ‏@BryanBroaddus2h
   @yankeegreg Frederick has been solid but I really like what I have seen from Escobar. They have put him in the mix and responded well.
   

 

[FiveRings]

From what I've heard, his blocking which had been the biggest concern has been fairly solid, but I'm going to wait for games to determine that for myself.

 

[Future]

I havent really read much negative about him. People saying he plays faster than he ran at the combine, that sort of thing. I think hes going to have a pretty major role in the offense.

 

[Doomsday101]

I have heard his blocking as been better than what many had said after the draft. Guess we will find out soon enough.

 

[DenCWBY]

Good stuff!! I read more about his personal info (challenges being 6'6") than how he's doing in camp. Since Witten, we have yet to develop a long term product at TE and at 6ft 6 I'm hoping he's agile/quick enough to hold his blocks and will be able to hold his course on his routes where Romo develops big confidence in him.

 

[speedkilz88]

Jeff Sullivan Star Magazine

Second-year tight end James Hanna didn’t play, but he has to be close to returning, as evidenced by his intense workout on the adjacent field. Rookie Gavin Escobar has been solid in his absence, both receiving and blocking. Still think both see almost equal work once the season starts, with Escobar seeing the bulk of the snaps in the red zone. VeteranDante Rosario could also make this team. Yes, four tight ends.

Tim MacMahon

Gavin Escobar has a chance to contribute right away as a receiving threat, but he's got a long way to go as a blocker.

Escobar ran a slow 40 (4.84 I think off top of my head), but he tested at or near the top in all the drills that test quickness and agility. He accelerates quickly and gets in and out of breaks well. He can get open. He made one catch in the seam the other day that was especially impressive because he juked Barry Church right after catching the ball and took it to the house. Bigger concern with Escobar: Can he block anybody?

Rowan Kavner

• Garrett said rookie tight end Gavin Escobar has a chance to be an on-the-line tight end and blocker because of his length, but he has to get stronger. He said Escobar’s a natural pass catcher and has a good feel for route running, and now he’s starting to play faster and more decisively.

Rafael Vela

Rookie TE GavinEscobar showed good vertical speed, beating a linebacker on a post. He later slipped inside of Matt Johnson and boxed out the safety on a seam route completion. Escobar needs more polish on his shorter routes. He's choppy on some of his breaks and loses acceleration going into his cuts.

-- Rookie Gavin Escobar is taking advatage of James Hannah's absence. He's getting work at all the F-back slots, in the backfield as a lead blocker, on the wing, next to Jason Witten, in the slot and as a flanker. He's a massive target with velcro hands. He earned a lot of praise for his pass-catching ability when he was drafted, but seeing is believing. His size and his reach will make him a Tony Romo favorite in short order.

Rabblrousr

A couple of highlights: the sneaky-fast Escobar beat Matt Johnson on a post and Sean Lee finished off the session with superb coverage on Tanner, stepping in front of him for what might well have been a pick six.

• On the other hand, the tight ends didn't fare as well. Jason Witten twice whiffed when matched up against Alex Albright, and all the tight ends save for Andre Smith were over-matched more than Cowboys fans would have liked. In particular, Gavin Escobarstruggled. His height (6'6") and strength limitation both work against him; he often loses leverage and gets driven back. This is exacerbated when he lines up as the F-back (which, due to James Hanna's injury, he has done more the last two practices) and is asked to lead a runner through the hole. On more than one occasion he was not only stood up in the hole but driven back. I suspect that, when he finds his niche, most of his snaps will come at the in-line, or "Y" tight end spot.

Archer

They have rookie Gavin Escobar, drafted in the second round, and James Hanna, last year’s sixth-rounder, as the top backups. Escobar has benefitted from extra work early in camp and could become a decent intermediate target for Romo.

Broaddus

-- Have been impressed with what I have seen from this group of tight ends minus James Hanna.Gavin Escobar has stepped in nicely and on Wednesday, had one of his better days blocking on the backside in the "12" personnel package. With Jason Witten on the front side working with Tyron Smith and Doug Free along with Escobar on the backside, Murray had the option to carry the ball play side to the edge or cut it back through the middle because Escobar managed to cut off the backside end. He was physically in position and maintaining his leverage throughout the play.

• Have been impressed with what I have seen from Gavin Escobar since he has taken over the role as the second tight end for James Hanna in this “12” personnel package. Escobar has done a solid job in his route running in regards to clearing space to create routes behind him but also managing to work himself when he has been the primary receiver in the route. He has shown dependable hands underneath but down the field as well. He took a big hit from Barry Church during practice on Tuesday in the 7-on-7 period and managed to secure the ball.

His hands have been outstanding and his blocking on the move has been good. Where he will need to get better is learning how to position his hands inside, not to allow any separation with the defender. The really good tight ends in this league know how to hold and that is something that he will pick up. What might be Escobar’s best trait at this moment is that the game has not looked too big for him. He has look comfortable and for a rookie with a ton on his plate, that is at times difficult to do.

CBZ's DandyDon1722

5. Two guys really surprised me in person with their size. Gavin Escobar is huge. You have to see him in person to really get it. He's going to be a great target for Tony. The other guy who really is bigger that I thought is Kyle Wilber. I know he's a little undersized for his position but he ain't small. I read where Ware is teaching him to use his quickness. Let's hope he figures it out.

 

[Direwolf63]

Yep. Reports are that he is catching everything in sight and his blocking is better than expected. Coaches are also moving him around quite a bit. Slot, H-back, etc. He will be a big reason why there won't be a FB on this team.

But the pre-season will ultimately tell the tale on how far along he is in his development.

 

[Doomsday101]

Jeff Sullivan Star Magazine


Tim MacMahon



Rowan Kavner


Rafael Vela



Rabblrousr



Archer


Broaddus



CBZ's DandyDon1722

I think some things like his blocking will take some time after all he has never been asked to block. He may never be a great blocker but he can become better as he learns and develops. Much like Novacheck whom people always claimed was not a good blocker. He became much better at it has time went on.

 

[Future]

I think they will have to work around him as a blocker a bit, but he's such a good pass catcher, that should be ok. I dont expect to see him sitting in there and doing anything other than chipping in the passing game, and they should be able to find ways to prevent him from having to push bigger Dlineman around. If he can simply chip and seal, he should be alright.

 

[Sasquatch]

Jeff Sullivan Star Magazine


Tim MacMahon


Rowan Kavner

Rafael Vela


Rabblrousr


Archer

Broaddus


CBZ's DandyDon1722

Thank you for the comprehensive response to the OP. Very informative and nicely laid out.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Jeff Sullivan Star Magazine


Tim MacMahon


Rowan Kavner

Rafael Vela


Rabblrousr


Archer

Broaddus


CBZ's DandyDon1722

Dude, that is quite an answer. Thanks for the effort.

 

[Staubacher]

Dude, that is quite an answer. Thanks for the effort.

LOL That really was an alltime answer. Ring of Honor worthy. It's times like these I remember why I love coming here

 

[AbeBeta]

Few TEs with receiving skills come into this league as good blockers out of the box. He needs work there but it is pretty tough to find any TE who doesn't. Both Eiffert and Ertz are below average blockers as well -- so are most of the other 2nd and 3rd rounders.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think they will have to work around him as a blocker a bit, but he's such a good pass catcher, that should be ok. I dont expect to see him sitting in there and doing anything other than chipping in the passing game, and they should be able to find ways to prevent him from having to push bigger Dlineman around. If he can simply chip and seal, he should be alright.

I agree. I don't expect him to block like Bennett but that does not mean he can't improve as he develops and gets stronger.

 

[DenCWBY]

Jeff Sullivan Star Magazine


Tim MacMahon


Rowan Kavner

Rafael Vela


Rabblrousr


Archer

Broaddus


CBZ's DandyDon1722

Your the man Speedy!!
When I want all the fixens with my steak, I'm coming to your table!!