Uh oh, tight end trouble

[erod]

Mike Fisher reported some troubling news last night while browsing the local airwaves. (For the record, Fisher is a good reporter, though his commentary is difficult to stomach unless you're left of Fidel Castro.)

According to Fisher, we've got major issues at the tight end position currently.

First, Escobar has the strength of a sophomore girl in high school. He can block no one, and he's getting pushed around at the line of scrimmage like a ragdoll. He only pressed 225 a total of 12 times at the combine, which is extremely weak. There are literally gobs of high school football players that can do that.

Second, Hanna ain't getting it. The 12 and 13 scheme packages are apparently not soaking into his brain pan in Callahan's zone blocking scheme. It's apparently been preached to him for months now, but it might as well be written in Klingon crayon, because the dude is lost.

Hanna might be fixable in a long camp, but this Escobar thing is troubling. Strength is an offseason gain. To make things more dicey, Vickers was cut, so unless this McSurdy experiment works, there probably won't be a fullback on the roster.

Mostly, I think this means that Dante Rosario is going to be the #2 tight end on the roster.

On a good note, Fisher also said that Will Allen looks tremendous so far, and the coaches think he'll be a big contributor this season.

 

[DanTanna]

Well here is how I look at it. Those who can't play, coach. Those who can't coach, manage. Those who can't even manage do something else, like being a TV personality. Those who are too ugly for that....write and report. So the communicative property says this guy is ugly and knows nothing about what he is reporting. Watch Escobar turn out to be awesome! Good post erod.

 

[perrykemp]

It would be nice if Escobar was stronger, however, it's not absolutely required this year.

Jermichael Finley is an example of a somewhat highly regarded NFL tight-end who also can't block at all --- upper body strength being a bit part of the problem.

It does limit the team, however, if they have a serious plan to run the ball better since Hannah himself is nothing but a pumped up WR.

 

[Future]

It would be nice if Escobar was stronger, however, it's not absolutely required this year.

Jermichael Finley is an example of a somewhat highly regarded NFL tight-end who also can't block at all --- upper body strength being a bit part of the problem.

It does limit the team, however, if they have a serious plan to run the ball better since Hannah himself is nothing but a pumped up WR.

I dont think Finley is that highly regarded as a TE. As a pass catcher, maybe, though he has trouble with drops, but not as an all around TE.

The thing of it is, there are only a handful of TEs in the league that can both block and catch. Witten, Pitta, Miller, and a few others.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Once again, bench press is measurement not a benchmark of strength. True strength comes from the core and legs. He may be lacking in all areas of strength but I have a feeling he was drafted for talents other than blocking ability.

 

[erod]

It would be nice if Escobar was stronger, however, it's not absolutely required this year.

Jermichael Finley is an example of a somewhat highly regarded NFL tight-end who also can't block at all --- upper body strength being a bit part of the problem.

It does limit the team, however, if they have a serious plan to run the ball better since Hannah himself is nothing but a pumped up WR.

Perhaps, but it does make carrying a fullback sound more necessary.

 

[KB1122]

Are you suggesting that using a second-round pick on a tight end that can't block and can't run was a bad idea?

 

[Staggerlee]

All I can say is this: with all the talk, preparation, moves being made, etc. concerning the switch to the 12 personnel for the past several months, there is ABSOLUTELY no excuse for the coaching staff to have misjudged our roster so badly. I'm going to assume everything is going to plan or they have a reliable plan in place because if not then the offensive staff/scouts really screwed the pooch on this one. How long has the transition to the 12 package been underway? They better be on top of it.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I think this report is a bit of a "knee-jerk".

I don't think anyone (most?) expected Escobar to improve his strength much between the beginning of May and now. The team knew what he was when they drafted him. His rookie season will be all about his receiving skills. 2014 will be more about having a complete game.

On the 16th of July I'm not going to fret about Hanna.

Let's see where he's at 6 weeks from now. My guess is that he'll know a lot more about the offense than he does now.

 

[KB1122]

Once again, bench press is measurement not a benchmark of strength. True strength comes from the core and legs. He may be lacking in all areas of strength but I have a feeling he was drafted for talents other than blocking ability.

That might be true. But this report comes from observation of his play, not theory.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Perhaps, but it does make carrying a fullback sound more necessary.

If I had any clue what the Cowboys were planning I would feel more comfortable with the loss of Vickers. As of now, I am not so confident and think they need a fullback more than a backup TE/STs player.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

That might be true. But this report comes from observation of his play, not theory.

Play in helmet and shorts?

 

[Rockport]

Who's Mike Fisher?

 

[KB1122]

The team knew what he was when they drafted him.

You mean a small, slow, weak tight end who doesn't like to block?

 

[Staggerlee]

Who's Mike Fisher?

A widely known and respected Cowboys insider. He often appears on the local Dallas radio shows to give information and he's almost always right or "in the know".

Here's his twitter if you're interested. Often has good stuff. https://twitter.com/fishsports

 

[CIWhitefish]

Play in helmet and shorts?

Exactly. Let's at least see a preseason game or two for crying out loud before all the sky is falling articles and posts start up.

 

[Rockport]

A widely known and respected Cowboys insider. He often appears on the local Dallas radio shows to give information and he's almost always right or "in the know".

Here's his twitter if you're interested. Often has good stuff. https://twitter.com/fishsports

Never heard of him and I've been a Cowboy diehard since 63. We'll soon find out if his information is correct.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Never heard of him and I've been a Cowboy diehard since 63. We'll soon find out if his information is correct.

Seriously?

Fish has been on sports radio for years and is probably best known for working on air with Leon, a local barber/Cowboys opinionist who made it to radio because of his Cowboys knowledge.

Fish does have good sources but he is very opinionated and, for the record, was not a big fan of the Escobar pick. Perhaps his report is slightly slanted because of his opinion of the pick.

 

[Rockport]

Seriously?

Fish has been on sports radio for years and is probably best known for working on air with Leon, a local barber/Cowboys opinionist who made it to radio because of his Cowboys knowledge.

Fish does have good sources but he is very opinionated and, for the record, was not a big fan of the Escobar pick. Perhaps his report is slightly slanted because of his opinion of the pick.

I don't live in Dallas so maybe that's why I've never heard of him.

 

[DFWJC]

Escobar is a Cowboy now, so I'm 100% behind him to succeed.
But given all of our needs, using a 2nd rounder on him was a real head-scratcher for me.