“Scheme Will Help Them Get Open”
August 2nd, 2013
Tight end Nate Byham caught a TD for the Bucs last year and may be part of the Bucs’ troika of unproven talent at the position.
Who better than longtime tight end and current Buccaneers Radio Network analyst Dave Moore to explain the role of the tight end in the Bucs’ offense.
Speaking on the Ron and Ian show today on WDAE-AM 620, Moore dove into the Xs and Os (full audio here) of the tight end position in Mike Sullivan’s offense and explained that tight end is important in the offense but the system does not require or call for an athletic tight end like Jimmy Graham.
“The scheme will help them get open,” Moore said, explaining that’s how it’s been done on the New York Giants.
Joe hopes Moore is right. Luke Stocker finally staying healthy wouldn’t hurt either.
August 2nd, 2013 at 9:21 pm
Austin Seferian-Jenkins sure would look good in pewter and red…..
August 2nd, 2013 at 9:28 pm
Tom Crabtree better be our starter or I’ll be pissed
August 2nd, 2013 at 9:31 pm
I notice Dave Moore being the Pro he’s always been, didn’t pick a horse in the TE race. And … I think he was spot on about the TE position in Sullys offensive scheme, but can you imagine if we did have an elite TE at that position? …. (sic)
August 2nd, 2013 at 9:53 pm
I’m still trying to imagine us having a consistent QB ^^^^^^
August 2nd, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Dream on Dude Bra ^^^^^
August 2nd, 2013 at 11:21 pm
your dreams are going to become a reality.
August 2nd, 2013 at 11:26 pm
He’s done nothing to suggest he won’t be. Catches well, gets open, and blocks.
August 2nd, 2013 at 11:31 pm
Maybe the scheme doesn’t demand a guy like Jimmy Graham. But are you saying we wouldn’t be better with a guy like him?
A lot of people like to downplay the lack of talent at some positions by saying those positions aren’t really that critical in the scheme, or because the scheme ensures that even mediocre players will shine.
Bull. If you have a chance to add a gifted athlete and playmaker to your roster (as long as it makes sense for your scheme at all, philosophically, organizationally, financially, etc.) you do it.
We have what is shaping up to be one of our better rosters in a long time. We also know there are several holes in that roster where we could sorely use an upgrade.
Only the most dewy-eyed optimist can look at a glaring hole in their roster and justify it by saying “Well, gee, we don’t really need a GOOD player there because of our scheme.”
August 3rd, 2013 at 12:09 am
@ Illuminati
would an elite TE been nice to have? yes. I would have love nothing more than for the bucs to have gotten Tyler Eifert. but the players we have gotten so far have been dictated by priorities, and our priorities are based on positions that are most important to making this scheme work. so basically a good NT, like Akeem Spence who we drafted in the 4th, was higher up on the list of the bucs priorities than a good TE, like Dion Sims who went a few spots later in the 4th. I dont exactly agree with it, buts its whatever the bucs feel is necessary to win. its why they get paid the big bucks.
August 3rd, 2013 at 12:11 am
you can be sure that it wasnt an oversight by the bucs.
August 3rd, 2013 at 12:19 am
if it was up to me I would have picked TE Dion Sims, who is a BEAST, over NT Akeem Spence. but thats why Im on this message board…
August 3rd, 2013 at 12:49 am
@ Andrew 1
I’m not even remotely suggesting that we should have drafted any differently than we did, or that we should have made the TE position a priority over any other position in free agency.
I always had high hopes for Stocker. But given his position on the depth chart, his injury issues, and the lack of targets we gave him when he was on the field, how much could be expected?
As far as Crabtree, I tend to side with the Bucs’ management thinking that he can be a much more productive pass catcher than he was in Green Bay. He was buried on that roster. I mean, he was only targeted 27 times in three seasons. He might have his coming out party here with us.
My issue isn’t with the way the Bucs conduct their team building. It’s with media people and fans who try to rationalize a talent deficiency at a particular position by suggesting that it really doesn’t matter, because the position either isn’t really that important or because our scheme somehow neutralizes the position to the point that anyone who plays it would be equally effective.
August 3rd, 2013 at 1:06 am
Illuminati
my bad, I misunderstood you the first time. i see what your saying now and I agree. that very same rationalization by fans and media drives me crazy when they say the same thing about the SOLB position. the TE position as well as the SOLB are important regardless of what anyone has to say about it. we are just going to have to hope that Crabs meets the requirements demanded of the TE position by our coaching staff.
August 3rd, 2013 at 1:21 am
I agree every starting position is important. I dont care if we are talking about the TEs, the SOLB, or ever the long snapper.
but let me ask you, given what we know about how the bucs view the TE position in THIS offense, do you feel we have enough at the TE position to get the job done? personally, if Crabs is even above average, I do.
August 3rd, 2013 at 7:54 am
From what I see, the role of the tight end is to #1, block & do it well. #2, keep the chains moving on 3rd & short-medium situations. That’s their role. The FB is used in similar fashion.