Michigan Football: Coach’s Corner — Playbook X’s and O’s — Using the Tight Ends
Posted at 12:00pm — 11/30/2012
Michigan Football: Coach’s Corner — Playbook X’s and O’s — Using the Tight Ends
In MaizeMan’s excellent thread he talks about how Notre Dame uses their tight ends.
What we call flexing the tight end, or moving them three to five yards away from the offensive tackle. As most of you know I still email a former Notre Dame assistant coach and he helped us with this package. Lining him up in this matter has many benefits and (IMO) only one negative.
The Negative:
1. You don’t get the same type of gap or down block and it allows the defensive end to line up close to the ball.
November 17, 2012; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Devin Funchess (19) scores a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the third quarter at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 42-17. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIREPositives:
1. Makes it difficult for defensive ends and linebackers to jam at line of scrimmage. When the tight end is lined up in traditional set defenses can line the defensive end directly over him making his release more difficult.
2. Makes it easier for tight end to release and gives more flexibility on routes. From traditional set using tight end on a slant or skinny post is almost impossible.
3. Causes huge mismatch. In this position you generally end up with a safety on the tight end. Gives the tight end a big size advantage. Watch how Colts used Drake and Patriots use Gronk. Moving tight end keeps defense on their toes.
Nov 26, 2011; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Kevin Koger (86) makes a catch during the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE4. Makes defense choose lesser of two evils. Do they move linebacker outside the box to jam and leave them weaker in the box, or do they leave safety at six or seven yards and let basically release with ease.
5. Lets the tight end see coverages and make easier adjustments and reads. In traditional set the tight end general has no idea what is happening in the secondary. In this set we can see everything the quarterback does and makes it easier to use a hot.
There are others of course, but these are the main ones.
For the record, our last three tight ends have received scholarships, with two going to BCS schools. And we expect same from next two tight ends!
Come to the message board to see the entire post by CoachBT on using the tight ends, agree or disagree.
Just a reminder you must be a member to participate on the Message Board. Here is the link for the registration page for those people interested in becoming a GBMWolverine member of our message board. GBMWolverine Register.
Please comment on our GBMWolverine Message Board about this article and read what others comment.
You can contact us at our e-mail address: GBMWolverine
Follow us on Twitter:
@ErocWolverine
@GBMWolverine
@Mike Fitzpatrick
@YostMeister
Written by GBMWolverine Staff — CoachBT
Go Blue — Wear Maize!