Escobar played a really good game

[Galian Beast]

I know a lot of people are down on Escobar as the 2nd round pick still, and the optics of Romo yelling at him and having to waste a timeout probably didn't help that. That being said, Escobar played a really good game against the Bengals on Saturday.

I noticed a lot of people didn't recognize that we were in 12 formation A LOT during the game. I can only conclude that they don't know what 12 formation is or they don't pay very much attention.

They've been using Escobar as mainly the F-Back, and they've been mainly using him to block, which he did a pretty good job at during this game.

I can speculate two things:

A)They wanted him to work predominantly on his blocking assignments.

and/or

B)They don't want much tape of him and Hanna in passing routes.

We mostly ran out of the 12 formation. We went into the 2nd half only up by 7, yet between Tanney and Orton we only passed the ball 10 times in the second half.

They didn't bring Escobar in here to block, the brought him in to catch passes. So I would expect to see more dynamic things from our tight end packages rather than just running a majority of the time.

You're going to have a lot of guys vying for that 4th option behind Bryant, Austin, and Witten. That competition should drive a lot of success, and like I said, much of it is going to be situation specific.

 

[Macnalty]

I am in agreement I think much of the offense has been under wraps and the TE's in particular. Watched the Skins play over the weekend and they look very good, their offense seemed to not miss a beat whenever they substituted QB's, I think we may be rated third of possibly fourth in the quality of our running backs for the NFCeast. Thinking Eagles/McCoy, Washington, Cowboys, Giants/if Wilson holds onto the ball shift us to fourth.
After watching Pittsburg over the weekend, DeCastro after his knee injury is average to almost above average not as pre draft media speculated best guard on the field. Ouch on the OG Cooper injury, hope the leg heals quickly.

 

[Screw The Hall]

Good eye. I've noticed the same thing in regards to us being VERY vanilla where the TEs are concerned. I'm excited to see how this unfolds against NY.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Could there possibly be a C. which states Bryant, Austin, and Witten, along with Harris some, will take up all the pass catching duties, then toss in the running backs to keep the defense honest.

Which means these young guys are just trying to learn their jobs?

 

[Iago33]

I noticed a lot of people didn't recognize that we were in 12 formation A LOT during the game. I can only conclude that they don't know what 12 formation is or they don't pay very much attention.

Personally, I have trouble recognizing the formation in live action for two reasons.
1. The TV coverage cuts to the field at the snap, so I don't see the initial arrangement.
2. I just haven't seen enough if these backup TEs to recognize them when they flash through the screen.

 

[CoCo]

Its only one play, but when I hear it suggested that Escobar had a good game my mind flashes back to a stretch run left where Escobar comes across to the backside and simply lays down at the feet of the backside pursuit defender. I was embarrassed for him. Had he executed that block it leaves a huge lane for the cutback. Again, one play, but I see why his blocking isn't well regarded. Sheesh...

 

[Staggerlee]

Its only one play, but when I hear it suggested that Escobar had a good game my mind flashes back to a stretch run left where Escobar comes across to the backside and simply lays down at the feet of the backside pursuit defender. I was embarrassed for him. Had he executed that block it leaves a huge lane for the cutback. Again, one play, but I see why his blocking isn't well regarded. Sheesh...

I remember seeing that too and thinking how embarrassed I'd be if that were me. just a pitiful attempt.

 

[CowboyDiver]

Escobar actually had a couple nice blocks in the game, so I think he is improving some.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Good post. Escobar has a long way to go still as a blocker, but he's making strides.

I agree that the Cowboys are obviously hiding both he and Hanna in the passing game. Hanna in particular would feast on second string linebackers normally, but he has barely had a sniff in the preseason. Can't wait to see what he does when the lights come on for real. My predicition: He'll be limited stat wise given the immense talent at the skill positions however I can see 25-30 catches 400yds and 3td's in this offense.

 

[conner01]

i think they knew he needed to develope as a blocker. but learning to be a decent blocker is not a hard thing to do. learning to catch a football is much harder and he has great hands.if you watch himm in college he knows how to get open and catch the ball. most guys have something to improve when they get to the nfl. blocking is probably the easiest thing of all the skills a te needs to teach

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Good call. I am going to look focus on him while I watch Kil's stuff this afternoon.

 

[FLcowboy]

I am in agreement I think much of the offense has been under wraps and the TE's in particular. Watched the Skins play over the weekend and they look very good, their offense seemed to not miss a beat whenever they substituted QB's, I think we may be rated third of possibly fourth in the quality of our running backs for the NFCeast. Thinking Eagles/McCoy, Washington, Cowboys, Giants/if Wilson holds onto the ball shift us to fourth.
After watching Pittsburg over the weekend, DeCastro after his knee injury is average to almost above average not as pre draft media speculated best guard on the field. Ouch on the OG Cooper injury, hope the leg heals quickly.

I wouldn't get too down on the RBs just yet. The right side of the line is still in the experimental stage with Free at RG, and while his pass blocking was ok, his run blocking left a lot to be desired. Against the Bengals, a lot of running attempts were to the right side.

 

[xwalker]

Escobar had several good blocks and some more good-enough blocks.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Escobar had several good blocks and some more good-enough blocks.

I have thought that his blocking has been best described as inconsistent. People love to fixate on a bad play but he pancaked a DE a couple of times against Oakland.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I noticed a lot of people didn't recognize that we were in 12 formation A LOT during the game. I can only conclude that they don't know what 12 formation is or they don't pay very much attention.

This is a great point. Most just see a wasted 2nd round pick on yet another TE and dismiss anything else after that. There is a method to the madness but the average fan doesn't want to or can't see that point.

 

[Jerruh]

Since his blocking skills were virtually non-existent whe he got to Dallas, this is good news. If he keeps up the pace they may make a good blocking right end out of him yet.

 

[Hoofbite]

I'm not impressed at all with his blocking.

He looks timid and to say he did pretty good is a stretch. At least in terms of the first half. I took a hard look at the OL and the TEs blocking in the first half and Escobar just didn't look good blocking. He had a couple of blocks that he executed and just as many, if not more that he failed to execute on.

Hannah was struggling as well.

 

[Jwoo52]

I'm still extremely up in the air on Gavin.. I really hope he can get over the learning curve and then he might be a good pick.

 

[ringmaster]

This is a great point. Most just see a wasted 2nd round pick on yet another TE and dismiss anything else after that. There is a method to the madness but the average fan doesn't want to or can't see that point.

Good point there and that is why I don't waste my time talking to a fan like that because they"re to football inadequate when it comes to Xs and Os on both sides of the ball.

 

[AbeBeta]

Escobar had several good blocks and some more good-enough blocks.

we just need him to hit "good enough" -- people tend to want way too much out of young TEs. Just not realistic to expect good pass catching and great blocking.