ESPND: New TE coach must develop Escobar

[WoodysGirl]

By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com

The No. 1 task of the next tight ends coach has to be the development of Gavin Escobar.

It’s not that coaching Witten is easy. It might be more challenging. On the CBS pregame show last week Bill Cowher interviewed New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who had this to say about Tom Brady:

"[Tom and I] have had a weekly meeting the entire time we've been together,'' Belichick said. “Tom is one of the toughest players I've ever had to coach, because when you walk into a meeting with Tom, he's already seen every game. "You have to be as well-prepared as he is. And that's a good thing but it's also a hard thing. You can't throw the curveball by him. You better know what you're talking about, because he does.''

That’s the challenge for a coach with Witten. He knows everything inside and out. The coach has to challenge him in different ways.

They don’t know what they are going to get out of Escobar, their second-round pick in 2013. He needs to improve greatly as a blocker and it’s more than just getting stronger. He has to work at it, learn the technique, know all three positions the tight end has to play in this offense. Escobar can’t be a one-trick pony (or two tricks) of running the seams in the middle of the field and fades in the red zone.

More: http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4723423/new-tight-end-coach-has-to-develop-escobar

 

[Future]

He absolutely can be a two trick pony.

 

[texbumthelife]

He absolutely can be a two trick pony.

That's pretty much exactly what I thought. As long as he can do those two things at a very high level, he is more than worth his draft position. They have to give him those opportunities though. Thus far he has been a receiver used mostly on clear out routes as a check down. I would love to see him get some looks on TE screens. I know he isn't fast but he is deceptively good in the open field and an absolute beast to tackle.

 

[Setackin]

He absolutely can be a two trick pony.

That's pretty much exactly what I thought. As long as he can do those two things at a very high level, he is more than worth his draft position. They have to give him those opportunities though. Thus far he has been a receiver used mostly on clear out routes as a check down. I would love to see him get some looks on TE screens. I know he isn't fast but he is deceptively good in the open field and an absolute beast to tackle.

I have to disagree with both of u... with our lame running game and complete disregard for a fullback a blocking TE outside of witten is a must... imagine if escobar could block like witten... that 2 TE system would be a lot easier to put in place.

 

[Future]

I have to disagree with both of u... with our lame running game and complete disregard for a fullback a blocking TE outside of witten is a must... imagine if escobar could block like witten... that 2 TE system would be a lot easier to put in place.

The 2 TE system is designed to create mismatches in the passing game. It worked in NE because Hernandez and Gronk were such talented pass-catchers, it has little to do with their ability to block. And one of them is split out wide a lot of the time anyways. The 12 package doesn't use 2 traditional TEs. That's a misconception that a lot of people have, imo.

 

[Gaede]

Wonder if they'll sign a new TE coach to a one year contract

 

[Hoofbite]

Won't matter if they don't design plays for him and consistently get him involved.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

they can have Gates and Witten on the team and they wouldn't know how to use them. This past few years of "12" personnel, hasn't been lack of talent, it's been not having a clue offensively of how to use it.

 

[Hoofbite]

The 2 TE system is designed to create mismatches in the passing game. It worked in NE because Hernandez and Gronk were such talented pass-catchers, it has little to do with their ability to block. And one of them is split out wide a lot of the time anyways. The 12 package doesn't use 2 traditional TEs. That's a misconception that a lot of people have, imo.

They did block. Gronk blocked a lot and Hernandez as well.

After seeing how Escos inability to block prevented from getting on the field more often, I honestly can't understand why anyone would still say that blocking isn't a necessity. It absolutely is.

 

[Future]

They did block. Gronk blocked a lot and Hernandez as well.

After seeing how Escos inability to block prevented from getting on the field more often, I honestly can't understand why anyone would still say that blocking isn't a necessity. It absolutely is.

I know they blocked, but, they got on the field because of their ability to catch passes. Esco not getting playing time is more an indictment of the coaching staff than of him, imo.

 

[Setackin]

The 2 TE system is designed to create mismatches in the passing game. It worked in NE because Hernandez and Gronk were such talented pass-catchers, it has little to do with their ability to block. And one of them is split out wide a lot of the time anyways. The 12 package doesn't use 2 traditional TEs. That's a misconception that a lot of people have, imo.

Well if thats the case the 2 TE system is severlly under utilized imo lol

 

[big dog cowboy]

Esco not getting playing time is more an indictment of the coaching staff than of him, imo.

Someone has it figured out. Good job!

 

[Future]

Well if thats the case the 2 TE system is severlly under utilized imo lol

Yea, it is, because JG has absolutely 0 idea how to use it. Another indictment of him.

 

[texbumthelife]

I have to disagree with both of u... with our lame running game and complete disregard for a fullback a blocking TE outside of witten is a must... imagine if escobar could block like witten... that 2 TE system would be a lot easier to put in place.

Our running game was actually pretty damn impressive, when given the chance. Just like Escobar, the coaches have to present the opportunity.

 

[Idgit]

Our running game was actually pretty damn impressive, when given the chance. Just like Escobar, the coaches have to present the opportunity.

Our offense was pretty good, overall. I don't get why people complain about the offense when the obvious problems were all on defense last season. Top 15 defense, and we're winning postseason games. Top 10, and we're contenders. This offseason has one objective.

And, to the OP, TEs one of the harder positions to learn on offense for a rookie, as it has all of the run blocking requirements as well as the route tree, and TEs tend to key the defense when they're in the game. Escobar is right where he's supposed to be and is only controversial at all because people wanted a lineman for that second pick and won't let it drop.

 

[egn22]

Our offense was pretty good, overall. I don't get why people complain about the offense when the obvious problems were all on defense last season. Top 15 defense, and we're winning postseason games. Top 10, and we're contenders. This offseason has one objective.

And, to the OP, TEs one of the harder positions to learn on offense for a rookie, as it has all of the run blocking requirements as well as the route tree, and TEs tend to key the defense when they're in the game. Escobar is right where he's supposed to be and is only controversial at all because people wanted a lineman for that second pick and won't let it drop.

Our limited creativity on offense, and bad time management, made our poor defense worse than they already were. Remember how difficult it was for us to get Dez involved in games? Remember how often we would neglect to run the ball? I could go on, but this topic has been beaten to death. Our offense was/is pretty far from fine until Garrett can figure out how to maximize the talent on this roster.

 

[Sasquatch]

Can you imagine this offense if Witten had some speed and YAC ability? Not advocating drafting another TE, but as important as Witten is to this offense the possibility of a more dynamic athlete at the position is intriguing.

 

[OhSnap]

Forcing someone to cover you is as effective as blocking at times. Diving TD's are effective also.

 

[Idgit]

Our limited creativity on offense, and bad time management, made our poor defense worse than they already were. Remember how difficult it was for us to get Dez involved in games? Remember how often we would neglect to run the ball? I could go on, but this topic has been beaten to death. Our offense was/is pretty far from fine until Garrett can figure out how to maximize the talent on this roster.

Don't agree, at all. I think almost all of those complaints are just people second guessing plays that didn't work, as fans have done since people started playing football. I'm thoroughly convinced by the points/series ranking that we're sufficiently effective on offense. I don't care for running the ball more if we're able to score more points/possession than almost everybody we play.

And our problems on defense are *not* because our offense is not even better. We can't stop opposing QBs if they're any good at all. We get insufficient pressure, we have below average S coverage in passing situations, and what should be good coverage LBs can't cover well enough to get off the field on third downs. Our defense is bad. Really bad, and it's got to improve dramatically. This is why we lose. Not because of play selection or an OC who suddenly can't remember how to use a backup TE when fans want him to.