Tight Ends?

[12th man]

Ok it's been 12 Games and i was wondering what's up with not using the Tight End enough in the games. As i look at other teams TE position seems to be a much used position and not just in blocking. We have Todd and LJ smith and i would love to see more action from that position and just not blocking to me if you need a TE to block all the time then maybe you need a better front line to be able to get the job done. Ray rice seems to be the go to guy but i feel that he is getting to many passes that should be spread to TE and change it up alittle. I mean if i was an other team i would have a spy on Rice at all time. so let me know what you think I just think that the TE spots need improvement and need to be part of the passing game.

[edreedfromtheu]

[quote name='12th man' date='05 December 2009 - 12:20 PM' timestamp='1260033644' post='302379']
Ok it's been 12 Games and i was wondering what's up with not using the Tight End enough in the games. As i look at other teams TE position seems to be a much used position and not just in blocking. We have Todd and LJ smith and i would love to see more action from that position and just not blocking to me if you need a TE to block all the time then maybe you need a better front line to be able to get the job done. Ray rice seems to be the go to guy but i feel that he is getting to many passes that should be spread to TE and change it up alittle. I mean if i was an other team i would have a spy on Rice at all time. so let me know what you think I just think that the TE spots need improvement and need to be part of the passing game.
[/quote]

I'm sure the Flacco supporters will try to say it's because our o-line sucks and we have to keep the tight end in there to block all the time. I will tell you that Flacco just doesn't see the open man often enough. Heap on a linebacker, you'd take that match-up 9 times out of 10. It's clear the coaches have an agenda to feature Ray Rice, and this has probably got Flacco ONLY looking to go to Rice. Normally you only look to pass to the RB if everything else is covered, or if it was a designed screen pass. Heap's inability to avoid taking awkwards hits leaves him injured a lot, too. But, I would have to blame Heap's lack of productivity on the same thing that I blame our receivers lack of productivity... Flacco needs to evaluate the field in front of him better/faster and deliver the ball better. You can't be throwing passes out to the flat up in the air forcing the receivers to jump or wait for it to come down. They're supposed to be able to get the ball immediately and then make a move. Not... wait to catch the ball and then get hit immediately.

[Shawn`]

Yeah, I picked up Todd Heap in my fantasy league and was so excited.

I ended up dropping him this week. I thought he would be a premiere target for Flacco this year. Guess not

[Sizzle]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' date='05 December 2009 - 12:27 PM' timestamp='1260034032' post='302386']
I'm sure the Flacco supporters will try to say it's because our o-line sucks and we have to keep the tight end in there to block all the time. I will tell you that Flacco just doesn't see the open man often enough. Heap on a linebacker, you'd take that match-up 9 times out of 10. It's clear the coaches have an agenda to feature Ray Rice, and this has probably got Flacco ONLY looking to go to Rice. Normally you only look to pass to the RB if everything else is covered, or if it was a designed screen pass. Heap's inability to avoid taking awkwards hits leaves him injured a lot, too. But, I would have to blame Heap's lack of productivity on the same thing that I blame our receivers lack of productivity... Flacco needs to evaluate the field in front of him better/faster and deliver the ball better. You can't be throwing passes out to the flat up in the air forcing the receivers to jump or wait for it to come down. They're supposed to be able to get the ball immediately and then make a move. Not... wait to catch the ball and then get hit immediately.
[/quote]
As a flacco supporter i will tell you this, flacco does need to get the ball to Heap and Heap needs to get open and unless you have been in Flaccos eyes to see who is open you cant say its all his fault. Maybe Heap(as great as he is) isn't getting open.

[FlaccoFlicker]

[quote name='Sizzle' date='05 December 2009 - 06:46 PM' timestamp='1260056801' post='302513']
As a flacco supporter i will tell you this, flacco does need to get the ball to Heap and Heap needs to get open and unless you have been in Flaccos eyes to see who is open you cant say its all his fault. [b] Maybe Heap(as great as he is) isn't getting open.[/b]
[/quote]
oe he's helpiing to block like he has in the past

[TSizzle00]

[quote name='Sizzle' date='05 December 2009 - 06:46 PM' timestamp='1260056801' post='302513']
As a flacco supporter i will tell you this, flacco does need to get the ball to Heap and Heap needs to get open and unless you have been in Flaccos eyes to see who is open you cant say its all his fault. Maybe Heap(as great as he is) isn't getting open.
[/quote]
Heap has been covered pretty well the times he has run out for routes

[McBoller]

Heap sucks lately. Doesn't get open, doesn't make big catches, he's not good for any yac whatsoever. Most of all, flacco is not getting enough time to find heap if he can settle into a soft zone coverage

[YYZ66]

Cameron made a star out of Antonio Gates in San Diego. I'm surprised he hasn't used the TE's as much, also. But, I guess Heap isn't as talented as Gates....

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='McBoller' date='05 December 2009 - 10:41 PM' timestamp='1260070918' post='302600']
Heap sucks lately. Doesn't get open, doesn't make big catches, he's not good for any yac whatsoever. Most of all, flacco is not getting enough time to find heap if he can settle into a soft zone coverage
[/quote]

He doesn't. His body is really banged up after years of getting hung out to dry by Boller. I commend him for gutting out every game he does because he's done it for years and hasn't complain. And the team shouldn't even by relying on him as much. L.J. Smith was brought in to take the pressure off him but has proven to be less durable than single-ply toilet paper.

I would like to see the TE position get more action but when there is really only one capable TE on the roster, and he's struggling to get through games, I'll take any production I can get.

Tha'ts why Cam and Joe need to make an effort to get Kelley Washington the ball more. He works the middle of the field like a TE and has proven he can make catches in traffic.

[Runnin Raven]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='07 December 2009 - 12:23 PM' timestamp='1260206628' post='303446']L.J. Smith
[/quote]
Who?



err

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Runnin Raven' date='07 December 2009 - 01:41 PM' timestamp='1260211279' post='303512']
Who?



err


[/quote]

Exactly. I really hope Davon Drew can develop because if he doesn't do anything, the team will have to go back to the drawing board at TE long-term.