Tight End Usage

[Verdict]

Its going to be really interesting to see how the Cowboys use the tight ends this year. I would think that overall the tight ends might see slightly fewer touches this year as a group. Witten was targeted far too often for my taste last year.

I am thinking that unless Rico breaks out there will be fewer passes to the tight ends but more YPC overall. If the TEs do a better job than Witten did (it won't be hard) them the running game be more effective per run, driving the targets to the tight ends down even more.

If Rico breaks out and turns into the new Antonio Gates obviously that changes the outlook significantly.

But I think on a YPC basis that this group of tight ends will be better in terms of YPC on less targets.

What do you guys see coming down the pike for the tight ends as a group?

 

[Bullflop]

Seems to me that the TE duties will be split amongst those able to display what each does best until one really begins to stand out on his own.

 

[CF74]

TE’s like Witt keep the chains moving (Mr. 3rd and 7,) but if all your WR’s are getting more touches then you are putting up higher numbers consistently..

 

[Captain-Crash]

Tight End Usage: Maybe one of the CZ experts can come on and tell us what the Cowboys will actually do with the TE and then tell all the other posters, that they are idiots for even replying to the thread and pretending to know what they will do.

 

[Ranching]

I don't think they will change the offense because Witt retired. TE production will depend on how close he and Dak become. Romo looked to Witt because he knew he would be there. Dak needs to find his own security blanket.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Its going to be really interesting to see how the Cowboys use the tight ends this year. I would think that overall the tight ends might see slightly fewer touches this year as a group. Witten was targeted far too often for my taste last year.

I am thinking that unless Rico breaks out there will be fewer passes to the tight ends but more YPC overall. If the TEs do a better job than Witten did (it won't be hard) them the running game be more effective per run, driving the targets to the tight ends down even more.

If Rico breaks out and turns into the new Antonio Gates obviously that changes the outlook significantly.

But I think on a YPC basis that this group of tight ends will be better in terms of YPC on less targets.

What do you guys see coming down the pike for the tight ends as a group?

I don't think the TE will be used much at all save for blocking. Half the catches or less to the TE's this year.

 

[CCBoy]

Tight End Usage: Maybe one of the CZ experts can come on and tell us what the Cowboys will actually do with the TE and then tell all the other posters, that they are idiots for even replying to the thread and pretending to know what they will do.

Easy fella'...

 

[cern]

we really don't know what we've got at the te position. we know their names, but not really what their capabilities are. ergo, i'm seeing them used mostly as blockers until noted otherwise.

 

[CATCH17]

Daks going to throw to the TE because he’s not good at throwing to the X & Z so they better hope the TE is good.

 

[charron]

Its going to be really interesting to see how the Cowboys use the tight ends this year. I would think that overall the tight ends might see slightly fewer touches this year as a group. Witten was targeted far too often for my taste last year.

I am thinking that unless Rico breaks out there will be fewer passes to the tight ends but more YPC overall. If the TEs do a better job than Witten did (it won't be hard) them the running game be more effective per run, driving the targets to the tight ends down even more.

If Rico breaks out and turns into the new Antonio Gates obviously that changes the outlook significantly.

But I think on a YPC basis that this group of tight ends will be better in terms of YPC on less targets.

What do you guys see coming down the pike for the tight ends as a group?

The 10 yard safety valve was wittens specialty and every team has some form of this. What will be dak's new dump off pass? Can dchultz block the de then sneak into the flat and make the 3rd down catch? Do we throw more passes to a rb out of the backfield?

Wittens 9 yard average wasnt the issue, these coaches predictably calling his number on 3rd down was the bigger issue. They will have to start calling the game a little differently, using multiple formations to help these young guys.

 

[ThreeandOut]

Fewer passes to the TE's with more attempts going to the WR's, tailbacks and the new fullback to make up the slack.

 

[cern]

Fewer passes to the TE's with more attempts going to the WR's, tailbacks and the new fullback to make up the slack.

said with Vulcan logic. that does seem to be the way it's looking.

 

[tm1119]

I don't think they will change the offense because Witt retired. TE production will depend on how close he and Dak become. Romo looked to Witt because he knew he would be there. Dak needs to find his own security blanket.

This. The tight ends will catch as many balls as they deserve. I highly doubt the offense was designed to throw the ball so much to Witten, he just happened to be the security blanket that could catch tough balls. The TE’s are going to continue to run as many routes as Wit did, just a matter if they can get open and be a trustworthy option for Dak.

I don’t think Witten catching too many passes was ever the issue. It was more the timing of some of the catches. The 6 yard catches on 3rd and 9 stick out more than anything to most fans

 

[links18]

Olawale will be a new safety valve.

 

[Typhus]

Cameron Brate is a very interesting prospect, he is not a FA but a TE that should be looked at as possible trade worthy.
OJ Howard obviously devalues Brate, but he was giving the Bucs production prior to the pic of OJ and then some,, just saying.
Is he OJ,,, hell to the no, but he is talent playing in the shadows now.
Maybe Tampa will be one of the only teams ever to actually run a true 2 TE set,, they have 6 on the roster.

 

[CouchCoach]

Adding Austin brought in another element and in the WR corps, they've got what looks like a bunch of #2's, which ain't a bad thing. I also look for more passes to the backs.

A TE might emerge as a pass weapon but initially, they will be serving the number one need of the offense, run blocking.

Looking at the TE position like some of the other offenses use them is premature. Witten got the targets he got because he was Witten and he was not the Witten of old. It remains to be seen if a Linehan offense, that does not have Witten, targets the TE much.

 

[kskboys]

Its going to be really interesting to see how the Cowboys use the tight ends this year. I would think that overall the tight ends might see slightly fewer touches this year as a group. Witten was targeted far too often for my taste last year.

I am thinking that unless Rico breaks out there will be fewer passes to the tight ends but more YPC overall. If the TEs do a better job than Witten did (it won't be hard) them the running game be more effective per run, driving the targets to the tight ends down even more.

If Rico breaks out and turns into the new Antonio Gates obviously that changes the outlook significantly.

But I think on a YPC basis that this group of tight ends will be better in terms of YPC on less targets.

What do you guys see coming down the pike for the tight ends as a group?

I see difficulty in finding a quality starter amongst this group, and a gross underrating of many fans of just what Witten brought to the game.

 

[kskboys]

Daks going to throw to the TE because he’s not good at throwing to the X & Z so they better hope the TE is good.

All you guys who are so sure the problem in throwing to WR's is on Dak are going to have some major backpedaling to do when Dak is hitting the new guys.

 

[CouchCoach]

Daks going to throw to the TE because he’s not good at throwing to the X & Z so they better hope the TE is good.

Although I have seen Dak do that very well. With Dak, I've seen fire and I've seen rain, it is the consistency that he must master. The fact that he's shown he can do it is encouraging.

I think with this new offensive system minus Bryant and Witten and adding Austin and what looks like a really good rookie WR, a very good #2 FA and a slot WR that was the leading receiver in 2016, it is premature to be calling it.

It is not that he can't make all the throws because he can, he just needs to get the consistency down and that begins with his feet. It will also help if they keep some of those D guys out of his backfield.

 

[CATCH17]

All you guys who are so sure the problem in throwing to WR's is on Dak are going to have some major backpedaling to do when Dak is hitting the new guys.

Yeah we will see.

I hope I’m wrong.