Where Have the TE's Gone?

[big10fan]

I know its been mentioned sporadically in several threads, but just wanted to ask it again.

Are our current group of TE's just not good receivers? Or is it that JVB isn't as good as Ricky was at identifying and targeting the TE's. Or is it that we're having success on the outside, so we're not really focusing on getting the TE's involved.

So far this year we haven't been running the ole bootleg very often, which is pretty much THE passing play for the TE's.

Herman has all but been forgotten in the passing game, don't recall his name being mentioned today (probably was, but don't remember). CJ had one play called for him for sure and a couple throws for Derby.

Anyway, starting to ramble, just was noticing a trend this year away from an Iowa staple.

 

[rjhindm]

Vandy may not be checking down to the TE as much. I'm sure this will change as we play bigger and faster D's

 

[ibahawkeye]

Typically we don't have a #3 reciever have as many receptions as KMM. I'm not worried about the TE spot. If the #3 WR is more effective, let's stick with it.

 

[big10fan]

i was thinking it could also be because we don't have a reliable FB right now and KOK is keeping them in to block.

i don't really care what they do as long as we keep moving the ball like we are doing.

 

[DDThompson]

All of the Above.

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

Could see our TE's open up a litte more with the success of the other receivers. Don't fall asleep on them...

 

[ICHawk24]

Derby is doing well, though he only had one catch today. Herman keeps screwing up. CJF can't get on the field, apparently due to blocking.

I agree with the others that it may not be so much as the TE doing poorly, but our 3 WR are so good that JVB focuses on them.

It also seems as if the TE are staying in on pass blocking more than in the past.

 

[GesterHawk]

Typically we don't have a #3 reciever have as many receptions as KMM. I'm not worried about the TE spot. If the #3 WR is more effective, let's stick with it.

This is the best explanation. KMM has become a threat in the slot that we haven't had in years. We are also running far fewer double tight formations. This will probably be the case for the rest of this year and into next year if we can find a solid replacement for Marvin - I am looking at you Mr. Grant.

 

[BlackAndGold3]

i think derby does a great job of doing what he is asked!

 

[SeattleHawkeye]

What has surprised me this year is that none of the 3 have been particularly good - not necessarily bad, but in the first 4 games all 3 have either: 1) false starts (Herman), 2) drops (Herman, CJF and Derby) or 3) missed blocks (Derby and CJF). They haven't been bad, but just not as consistently solid as the position has been in the past. And the emergence of the 3-WR sets has also changed things, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. And I'm looking more for Shumpert to replace McNutt next year, but I'd gladly take Grant or whoever else can come close to McNutt's level of play this season.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

The TEs are just developing. Besides, as others have rightly observed, our WRs are playing really well and Vandenberg hasn't had to check down to the TEs as much.

 

[PhoenixHawk]

i think derby does a great job of doing what he is asked!

We all think so too, Mrs. Derby. He's a very talented boy with a bright future ahead of him.

 

[SeattleHawkeye]

The TEs are just developing. Besides, as others have rightly observed, our WRs are playing really well and Vandenberg hasn't had to check down to the TEs as much.

Sorry Homer, but I'm not buying the "developing" argument. CJ? Yes. Derby? Maybe. Herman? Definitely not. Herman was the #2 last season and was fine. He shouldn't need much "development," if any, going from the #2 to the #1 TE. The roles aren't that much different. He's also logged a ton of minutes the past few seasons - "developing" isn't an excuse for dropped passes and false starts. He just needs to perform. Derby has also seen minutes the last couple seasons - not nearly as many as Herman, but he got time last season as the #3, which is a spot at IA that likely plays as much if not more than any other team's #3 TE in the country. Last week Derby missed multiple blocks, and I don't buy "developing" as an excuse for that - it's not that he didn't know what to do, he just didn't get the job done. There isn't always an excuse for a player not performing. Sometimes they just don't get the job done, plain and simple. There's definitely good things they've done and time for all 3 to improve, which I definitely think they will, but right now all 3 need to play better.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

Sorry Homer, but I'm not buying the "developing" argument. CJ? Yes. Derby? Maybe. Herman? Definitely not. Herman was the #2 last season and was fine. He shouldn't need much "development," if any, going from the #2 to the #1 TE. The roles aren't that much different. He's also logged a ton of minutes the past few seasons - "developing" isn't an excuse for dropped passes and false starts. He just needs to perform. Derby has also seen minutes the last couple seasons - not nearly as many as Herman, but he got time last season as the #3, which is a spot at IA that likely plays as much if not more than any other team's #3 TE in the country. Last week Derby missed multiple blocks, and I don't buy "developing" as an excuse for that - it's not that he didn't know what to do, he just didn't get the job done. There isn't always an excuse for a player not performing. Sometimes they just don't get the job done, plain and simple. There's definitely good things they've done and time for all 3 to improve, which I definitely think they will, but right now all 3 need to play better.

I was referring to them as a group. I agree that Herman hasn't stepped up as much as I would have hoped ... however, his blocking has still been pretty good. Furthermore, he also had a good gainer that was called back on a holding penalty. Lastly, he's had a few drops that were due to some big-time hits. If he can improve his consistency ... he still could pull off a pretty decent season.

Besides, this season is the first time that Herman has gotten the nod as the #1 TE. Reisner was stuck having that honor before due to injury of the guys ahead of him ... and, as such, he was more ready to step up last year. Besides, one attribute that Reisner was definitely noted for prior to last year was he hands. Herman has been a guy who has really come a long ways ... he just needs to improve his consistency in the passing game. And, to be fair, I think that he's capable of doing just that.

 

[WhitUp]

Derby started the game, and I don't think herman played today.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

Derby started the game, and I don't think herman played today.

Derby got the start ... but Herman still played a good bit.

 

[gnfnr]

Derby got the start ... but Herman still played a good bit.

Yep, as did CJ. All 3 played quite a bit. I think some of the talk about the TEs not performing is a bit premature and also doesn't take into account the fact that Iowa is getting above average (seemingly, no stats to back that up) production thus far from its WRs and it is coming at the expense of stats for teh TE group. I think the team is growing and this is just part of the process. Vandy is very comfortable throwing to the WRs right now (and justifiably so) and doesn't always look to the TE as often. Some previous QBs seemed to look at the TE first or at least in a pinch - Vandy goes to McNutt. Watch the games, the TE is open often. It just so happens that so is a WR or two or three Good problem to have. CJ would have had a great chance at a TD yesterday if not for a well-timed Pass Interference by ULM.

I think as defenses adjust to Iowa's passing attack, the TEs will become a bigger part of the passing game. Time will tell, I guess.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

Yep, as did CJ. All 3 played quite a bit. I think some of the talk about the TEs not performing is a bit premature and also doesn't take into account the fact that Iowa is getting above average (seemingly, no stats to back that up) production thus far from its WRs and it is coming at the expense of stats for teh TE group. I think the team is growing and this is just part of the process. Vandy is very comfortable throwing to the WRs right now (and justifiably so) and doesn't always look to the TE as often. Some previous QBs seemed to look at the TE first or at least in a pinch - Vandy goes to McNutt. Watch the games, the TE is open often. It just so happens that so is a WR or two or three Good problem to have. CJ would have had a great chance at a TD yesterday if not for a well-timed Pass Interference by ULM.

I think as defenses adjust to Iowa's passing attack, the TEs will become a bigger part of the passing game. Time will tell, I guess.

In the ISU, Tin-Man hadn't yet really "emerged." Furthermore, their secondary is pretty good and Vandenberg was checking down more often in that game ... as a result, he was looking more at the TEs in that game (and the prior one). The problem is that our TEs also had a number of drops in that game too.

As we face more good secondaries and as the TEs improve their consistency ... we'll then see them get more involved in the passing game.

 

[big10fan]

i hope we can get the TE's move involved. give the D something else to think about and can open up the outside stuff even more.

 

[hawkIhoops]

Typically we don't have a #3 reciever have as many receptions as KMM. I'm not worried about the TE spot. If the #3 WR is more effective, let's stick with it.

Agree-good point. I can't recall Iowa having this many quality WR's with size, speed and hands. I think the TE's will get back in the mix, but I would also like to see Canizeri or someone else (not Coker) slip out of the backfiled for dump downs and screens. Lots of room behind the line when our WR's run them out of the middle of the field.