Stephen Jones: Escobar may be ready week 1

[FuzzyLumpkins]

This is one I think its very fair to blame on the coaches. They love to draft TEs in the second round that they don't use for 4 years behind Witten.

They started putting him in several packages and Tony started throwing to him in 2014. 2015 was a trainwreck for Romo and Escobar and isn't a good measuring stick. Cassel and Weeden simply would not throw it to the middle of the field unless it was the first option.

 

[Alexander]

not sure how much of that is his fault. Like a lot of other guys in this offense they just cant seem to feature him

I think a lot of it is his fault. He is just not that good of a player.

It is not like Hanna has not had a role. Had he been a better blocker, he would be in there.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Now the question becomes, will the Giants be ready?

Dude has three touchdowns in his last two home games against the Giants.

 

[noshame]

I get the feeling this will be the softest TC ever.

 

[Cowboy06]

This is one I think its very fair to blame on the coaches. They love to draft TEs in the second round that they don't use for 4 years behind Witten.

Ain't (isn't) that the craziest thing? They need to look at who are the same characters that keep picking them and let them go! Nothing seems to work our or as another very smart poster (Catch17) said they leave and become pretty good. We need better coaching. I would give someone else's kidney for some head coach to come along and just tell Jerry "I got this until you fire me" and say it publicly. Force the action. Then again...where are my boys Jimmy and Bill these days? Just saying...

 

[Risen Star]

Dude has three touchdowns in his last two home games against the Giants.

What were his stats in those games?

Escobar is a bum. Nobody cares. His availability is meaningless to the outcome of the games.

 

[Idgit]

I get the feeling this will be the softest TC ever.

I get the feeling it won't be soft at all again. But some fans will still think it's soft.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

What were his stats in those games?

Escobar is a bum. Nobody cares. His availability is meaningless to the outcome of the games.

His stats? 18 points in two games.

 

[Redball Express]

They like him in the RZ esp near the GL. He and Witten are a handful down there. I'm disappointed he hasn't been more productive. He's just not going to get a lot of looks with Witten around and I expect Witten to play another 2-4 years.

I really don't get why people have been so down on him.

Its not his fault they drafted him so high.

Yet he gets blamed for not being All Pro.

I mean our 2nd rd. picks have always been projects.

Look at Lawrence..

look at Gregory..

look at Smith this year.

We have been doing this regularly when we draft a solid 1st rd. guy..

we take a flyer on somebody who is potentially a sleeper and realize it will take a few seasons to get them going.

Its the same with Escobar.

I think he contributes well after mid-season.

He and Romo were starting to click when Romo went down.

We need him.

 

[Risen Star]

His stats? 18 points in two games.

Oh stop. The guy catches an occasional touchdown when he's lost in coverage because nobody cares. What numbers does he put up over a season? He's a bum.

 

[The Natural]

I think a lot of it is his fault. He is just not that good of a player.

It is not like Hanna has not had a role. Had he been a better blocker, he would be in there.

Don't tell me about what he can't do, tell me what he can do. That's the problem with the unimaginative coaching we have now. A 6'6 pass catching TE and in 3 years they haven't figured out how to use him.

 

[Risen Star]

I get the feeling this will be the softest TC ever.

It's the way the players wanted it and they won those negotiations. Training camps are like Club Med anymore.

 

[Risen Star]

Don't tell me about what he can't do, tell me what he can do. That's the problem with the unimaginative coaching we have now. A 6'6 pass catching TE and in 3 years they haven't figured out how to use him.

He can catch an occasional pass when nobody cares because they're busy focusing on actual threats in the passing game.

Gavin Escobar is the Lance Dunbar of the TE group. They'll both be flushed shortly and won't be missed by any fan with a clue.

 

[CyberB0b]

26 catches in 3 years. Such a weapon.

 

[The Natural]

He can catch an occasional pass when nobody cares because they're busy focusing on actual threats in the passing game.

Gavin Escobar is the Lance Dunbar of the TE group. They'll both be flushed shortly and won't be missed by any fan with a clue.

Funny, I think both guys could succeed with a more creative coordinator..but our philosophy is to line up and beat the man across from you, its never about scheming and creating mismatches

 

[dogunwo]

Now the question becomes, will the Giants be ready?

Sarcasm aside, it seems like that is the only team Escobar shows up against.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Oh stop. The guy catches an occasional touchdown when he's lost in coverage because nobody cares. What numbers does he put up over a season? He's a bum.

This is the closest that I've ever seen you talk about how football is played on the field. Too bad its nonsense.

Here is Reality

He beats his man and makes the catch despite the S closing:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap3000000413758/Escobar-26-yard-touchdown

Here he beats a double team:

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Tony Gonzalez also ran a 4.80 40 time. I don't think running was ever his problem. Witten, blocking more to do with not playing much.

Tony Gonzalez didn't run a 4.80.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Hanna is a very good drive blocking Y and that is what has kept him on the field as it allows Witten to play a lot more of the H/F-back flex stuff to give him better matchups.

Escobar first two years was weak. There is no other way to put it. What stood out to me in remembrance was the Seattle game where he tried to block KJ Wright and Wright ripped him off with ease.

In his third season, I thought he turned a corner and was latching onto guys who could not rip his hands consistently. He's not low cut and squatty like Hanna so leverage is always going to be a struggle for him but he was at least serviceable. He is a one of the better pass blocking TE we've had in awhile. Very good lateral mobility and again those hands to redirect. Then the trainwreck happened with Romo going down.

With the achilles injury I don't know what to expect. He should have maintained the upper body strength but to really make the next step he needed to improve his core and leg strength. That not easy to do with a bum wheel.

I like the player and his development. He has worked to transform his body to be a better blocker, has great hands and runs strong routes. I thought he had a chance to overtake Hanna last year before the injuries.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I get the feeling this will be the softest TC ever.

They all are. All 32 teams.