Blocking TE or OL

[northerncowboynation]

Hopefully, Rico may eventually be able to figure out his blocking assignments enough to make it work.

He's likely got the size and strength to get the job done but perhaps it's just his head that's to blame.

That would be perfect. A blocking, athletic pass catching TE who will give DB's and LB'ers fits with his size. C'mon Rico, sharpen up those blocking skills and lay off the reefer in public spaces

 

[CowboysExchange]

We used Looney that way the past couple of years but only on short yardage, usually goal line situations. The way we value the TE it will never happen. Personally I would use Rico more in red zone situations and stop screwing around with the O-line by throwing G's or T's out there as TE's except in short yardage. What do I know

But how is Swaim the Next man up? What skills as a receiver does he bring to the table? Heck for that matter what skills does he bring as a blocker? Lol

He's running 3 yard outs on alot of passing plays. He's not even trying. Lmao. Watch his routes in the highlights.

I agree with you about Rico. He brings way better skills as a receiver to the table. Swaim is just a decoy on most passing plays . How long is it gonna take for defenses to figure that he's just an actor like Hanna. lol

Rico creates separation especially when he goes airborne. He's got highpoint ability and can gain separation with his size. He's not a precision route runner but he has a way better open rate and capable of breaking a tackle w ball in hand. I think hell win alot of 50/50 battles and put up points if swaim is rotated out and has less involvement.

At least Witten contributed something to our passing attack with a few rinky dink passes that moved the chains. How we can compare an overtargeted Witten to Swaim who is just an imposter on paper is beyond belief.

Sure Dak is gonna have to run. He's passing with 1 or 2 receiving tes who can't produce and they're dominating the snapcounts

 

[CowboysExchange]

#82 said we need to run more 10 personnel groups. I do believe alot of what he's saying. Half of the time Zeke is running away from swaims direction anyways. Combine that with zero production and there's just too much overinvolvement w swaim as a decoy.

Here comes the 3rd down blitz as always. How are we gonna beat the blitz with 1-2 of the sorriest tes in the league?

We couldn't even do it with #82 much less an inexperienced swaim.

Wake me up at xmas when swaim catches his first TD pass lol. Jerry's will sign swaim to a long term deal just on hype not hope.

Where is all of the competition and rotation we were promised?

 

[northerncowboynation]

But how is Swaim the Next man up? What skills as a receiver does he bring to the table? Heck for that matter what skills does he bring as a blocker? Lol

He's running 3 yard outs on alot of passing plays. He's not even trying. Lmao. Watch his routes in the highlights.

I agree with you about Rico. He brings way better skills as a receiver to the table. Swaim is just a decoy on most passing plays . How long is it gonna take for defenses to figure that he's just an actor like Hanna. lol

Rico creates separation especially when he goes airborne. He's got highpoint ability and can gain separation with his size. He's not a precision route runner but he has a way better open rate and capable of breaking a tackle w ball in hand. I think hell win alot of 50/50 battles and put up points if swaim is rotated out and has less involvement.

At least Witten contributed something to our passing attack with a few rinky dink passes that moved the chains. How we can compare an overtargeted Witten to Swaim who is just an imposter on paper is beyond belief.

Sure Dak is gonna have to run. He's passing with 1 or 2 receiving tes who can't produce and they're dominating the snapcounts

For me watching game hi-lites tells me very little. Most of them are at a distance then pan in to the QB and the play downfield. There is no way I can see every route or blocking scheme by our TE's by watching hi-lites. Not disagreeing with you about the effectiveness of our TE's but the cam is not on the TE very long. I.m not privy to game film/tape like some claim to be. Yes I could record the game and play it in slo mo over and over but TE blocking is boring and rarely followed to completion. The only time the cam is on the TE is when they make a play down field and in our case that's almost non-existent this year. Agree, our group of TE's wouldn't inspire anyone so far

 

[northerncowboynation]

#82 said we need to run more 10 personnel groups. I do believe alot of what he's saying. Half of the time Zeke is running away from swaims direction anyways. Combine that with zero production and there's just too much overinvolvement w swaim as a decoy.

Here comes the 3rd down blitz as always. How are we gonna beat the blitz with 1-2 of the sorriest tes in the league?

We couldn't even do it with #82 much less an inexperienced swaim.

Wake me up at xmas when swaim catches his first TD pass lol. Jerry's will sign swaim to a long term deal just on hype not hope.

Where is all of the competition and rotation we were promised?

Was hoping to see more 10 personnel.... so far not so much. You don't like Swain I gather but you do like Gather i gather

 

[northerncowboynation]

Best thing I can say about Swaim... fewer holding penalties at TE... so far. Watch him commit three tomorrow

 

[CowboysExchange]

Was hoping to see more 10 personnel.... so far not so much. You don't like Swain I gather but you do like Gather i gather

I don't like swaim playing every passing snap.

 

[OmerV]

For me watching game hi-lites tells me very little. Most of them are at a distance then pan in to the QB and the play downfield. There is no way I can see every route or blocking scheme by our TE's by watching hi-lites. Not disagreeing with you about the effectiveness of our TE's but the cam is not on the TE very long. I.m not privy to game film/tape like some claim to be. Yes I could record the game and play it in slo mo over and over but TE blocking is boring and rarely followed to completion. The only time the cam is on the TE is when they make a play down field and in our case that's almost non-existent this year. Agree, our group of TE's wouldn't inspire anyone so far

This is one of those all too few fair and honest answers that pop up occasionally, but seem to get lost among the rest of the hot air in these threads. This is fact - we don’t study all, and even if we wanted to, the TV doesn’t show all. The TV goes where the ball goes and often just shows a flash of what a lot of players are contributing to the play, or maybe pans away before seeing it at all.

 

[CowboysExchange]

Best thing I can say about Swaim... fewer holding penalties at TE... so far. Watch him commit three tomorrow

He's has one penalty that negated a first down last week.

None of these tes are every down players. I don't believe a te can lead his team in passing snaps but not contribute and the passing game be successful.

It's not swaim. It's his overinvolvement in every passing play that I have issues with. He's just a decoy. If he's not as good as Jw in his prime then he is over involved

I just think Rico or anyone else could contribute more as a receiver. I don't see any contribution

 

[northerncowboynation]

This is one of those all too few fair and honest answers that pop up occasionally, but seem to get lost among the rest of the hot air in these threads. This is fact - we don’t study all, and even if we wanted to, the TV doesn’t show all. The TV goes where the ball goes and often just shows a flash of what a lot of players are contributing to the play, or maybe pans away before seeing it at all.

Yep, that's the way I see it too. I thought I was the only one who's ability to analyze every player on every play was limited to the TV angle and focus.

 

[OmerV]

He's has one penalty that negated a first down last week.

None of these tes are every down players. I don't believe a te can lead his team in passing snaps but not contribute and the passing game be successful.

It's not swaim. It's his overinvolvement in every passing play that I have issues with. He's just a decoy. If he's not as good as Jw in his prime then he is over involved

I just think Rico or anyone else could contribute more as a receiver. I don't see any contribution

The unknown is whether the lack of contribution is due to lack of ability of lack of the Cowboys to involve the TEs in the game plan. Sure some of the TEs are going to be somewhat better receivers than others, but I think they all have decent hands and can catch passes if the team will use them.

 

[OmerV]

Yep, that's the way I see it too. I thought I was the only one who's ability to analyze every player on every play was limited to the TV angle and focus.

Nope, you’re just the one that will admit it

 

[northerncowboynation]

He's has one penalty that negated a first down last week.

None of these tes are every down players. I don't believe a te can lead his team in passing snaps but not contribute and the passing game be successful.

It's not swaim. It's his overinvolvement in every passing play that I have issues with. He's just a decoy. If he's not as good as Jw in his prime then he is over involved

I just think Rico or anyone else could contribute more as a receiver. I don't see any contribution

I agree that Rico should and probably will be out there more when we're in the red zone. However, I assume our coaches know far more than I know with respect to his blocking ability versus Swaim's. And I agree that Swaim doesn't have to be out there on every offensive snap, then again I doubt that he is. I don't count snaps and the number that Swaim is out there. All good CE I think we basically agree on the performance of our TE's. I'm willing to let it ride and develop. Witt left us in a bind when he retired and I wish I had my draft posts from 2017 when I wanted OJ Howard in the first round but we all have our flavor of the day in the draft. That draft was full of TE talent while we slept on and with Witten

 

[OmerV]

I agree that Rico should and probably will be out there more when we're in the red zone. However, I assume our coaches know far more than I know with respect to his blocking ability versus Swaim's. And I agree that Swaim doesn't have to be out there on every offensive snap, then again I doubt that he is. I don't count snaps and the number that Swaim is out there. All good CE I think we basically agree on the performance of our TE's. I'm willing to let it ride and develop. Witt left us in a bind when he retired and I wish I had my draft posts from 2017 when I wanted OJ Howard in the first round but we all have our flavor of the day in the draft. That draft was full of TE talent while we slept on and with Witten

According to Football Outsiders Swaim is playing over 90% of the offensive snaps. I agree with those that say someone playing that many snaps has to catch some passes too. Either the team needs to get Swaim more involved as a receiver or use other TEs more.

 

[CowboysExchange]

Swaim is just a warm body that was thrust into the position of playing too many snaps like Witten.

Unfortunately neither of these guys have the skillsets it takes to be an every down skilled player because they are missing too many attributes and skillsets.

Neither have many big receiving plays or much scoring production, neither can beat the blitz, no yacs, no deep threat for long downs and distances, neither can play on the outside or highpoint the ball.

You can't bluff on every hand at poker and expect to win consistently against NFL Talent.

The stats say their entire te core has been subpar for the amount of involvement they have for 5+ years.

Witten did add a little bit of talent as a pure catch rate receiver who could manage a few first downs when it didnt matter but he hasnt had the skillsets to play 100% of the passing. Too many times he was never able to capitalize when the game was on the line.

Witten was just a chipper and #1 snap counts have to go to the STARS that break off some Chunk plays and score more consistently. Witten would score about 4 times a year w 3 plays over 20 yards playing every snap.

Now we're overutilizing the te position and not getting any production. No scores, no receptions no yards. Just a bunch of zeros.

His job as a te is to make an impact as a receiver while also blocking.

It's way more important for the te to be a great receiver than a blocker. Somewhere in the mental makeup of this team we have the two priorities mixed up.

You can't win beans consistently with a good blocker who can't produce as a receiver playing all the snaps. But if he can put up great receiving #s playing every snap you can sure win with lackluster blocking skills.

We have it sdrowkcaB.

It's like a plague and it's never won squat

 

[Roadtrip635]

I've said this before, but this is where we miss losing a player like Hanna. He was a very good, experienced and underappreciated player. Very good blocker and could make the occasional catch, but never got many opportunities.

 

[CowboysExchange]

I've said this before, but this is where we miss losing a player like Hanna. He was a very good, experienced and underappreciated player. Very good blocker and could make the occasional catch, but never got many opportunities.

But you realize that he had no potential as a receiver the second he stepped on the field. His blocking abilities dimenished when Harris went to the Giants. I think they were a way better blocking combo then Hanna was without him.

He ran routes on the majority of pass plays and got 1 catch a year. We're not missing any receiving production out of him or Escobar and that is in black and white.

If they don't have stats to warrant being effective as a receiver on passing downs then they sure have no business playing every snap.

You have to load the formations with your best receivers on passing downs. You can't load it up with a bunch of designated blockers play after play after play in the same passing formation and expect them to make a plays as a receiver. There must be a good reason he only got 1 target a year at it lies in his talent as a receiver. They coulda stopped by racetrak gas station and picked up a better receiver than Hanna , Escobar., Or Swaim lol.