Todd Bowles On Tight Ends Blocking: Damn Right It’s Important
August 7th, 2024
“Coming along.”
Since the clock ran out for the Bucs in Detroit back in January, the Bucs began their drive to fix their running game.
Hell, you could argue this began in October as Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager said on “The Ira Kaufman Podcast” back in February at the combine that Bowles went up to him mid-season and said the Bucs had to get bigger up front before the 2024 season kicked off.
One thing Joe and Ira have kicked around in podcasts is that the Bucs are still looking to replace foot-rubbing Rob Gronkowski.
As much as Gronk was a threat in the passing game, he was critical in the run game because of his blocking. Basically, Gronk on the field tight to the line was like having a third tackle on the field.
Since he retired after the 2021 season, the run game hasn’t been remotely the same.
Now the following was spurred by a reader in the comments of JoeBucsFan.com. Joe was asked in a practice notes article how tight ends were blocking. Joe couldn’t answer because Joe chooses to follow the ball most of the time. If Joe monitored the tight ends, he’d miss the whole play.
So, Joe thought, why not ask someone who would know? Who would know better than the head coach?
So Joe asked Bowles how important it is for the tight ends to block to help jump-start the run game and if he was satisfied with how his tight ends block.
As much as Joe likes Cade Otton, he’s a far cry from Gronk when it comes to blocking. And while Ko Kieft crushes dudes in the second and third level, NFL defensive ends and outside linebackers have been a handful for him.
“We haven’t played yet, but they’re coming along and they’re making good progress,” Bowles said of the tight ends blocking.
Notice that this camp Bowles has been quick to call guys “great” who have produced in practice. So Bowles mentioning the tight ends are “coming along” doesn’t seem like a hearty endorsement to Joe.
But Bowles did add how critical it is for the tight ends to block.
“It’s very important for them in this running game because we’ve got to be able to handle the edge, they’ve got to be able to handle the defensive ends and outside [linebackers] and those are the premier positions,” Bowles said. “We’ve got to at least be able to hold them off.
“Right now, they’re coming along. It’s a work in progress. We hope to get better by the end of training camp.”
Otton followed by Payne Durham have by far taken the most first-team snaps in Camp. Devin Culp has had a fair amount of snaps with the first team but he’s not much of a blocker.
Since the Bucs have little invested in their tight ends down the depth chart below Otton, could the Bucs be looking to swing a deal or pluck a tight end off the scrap heap who doesn’t make his team’s final-53?
At risk of jinxing the Bucs, it seems as if the secondary is quite deep. And teams are always looking for corners.
August 7th, 2024 at 6:15 pm
I watched Gronk blocking a fair amount. It was interesting to me that he wasn’t drive blocking as much as he was walling off defenders. Gronk had the technique to be in the right position to wall guys off and he had enough strength to hold his position.
Can Peelle deliver on his hire and get the TE’s to block? Will Otton block better than Durham or will Durham overtake Otton this year as TE1?
August 7th, 2024 at 6:57 pm
Obviously I haven’t watched Otton or Durham blocking, but Otton in particular has seemed to come alive in the camp notes as a receiver. I’ve decided to dedicate Saturday Night to watching the centers and maybe the guards. (As much as I can) Maybe next game I’ll try to pay more attention to the TEs.
Do they show replays of BUCS preseason games online for free anywhere? Yeah, I’m not rich.
August 7th, 2024 at 6:58 pm
Otton is the No. 1 TE. Clearly. That doesn’t mean he’s a good blocker.
August 7th, 2024 at 7:01 pm
WR’s can get payback on the DB’s with some good blocking. Godwin is great, the other guys have a long, long ways to go.
August 7th, 2024 at 7:49 pm
Exactly JBB. Please pay the man to stay.
August 7th, 2024 at 7:56 pm
I know this is a fantasy, but maybe JL could party with Gronk and get him to come back for one more season. By now he must be bored stiff talking with Terry Bradshaw every Sunday. Howie is alright but Terry has seen better days.
August 8th, 2024 at 3:19 am
Thank you for addressing this Joe. I see this as one of the more important things for our running game. Not just bigger O line (also important). Canales used the TE in the run game and more often than not our guys failed last year. Otton got blown up way too much and Kieft had plenty of effort but was very inconsistent, whiffing on quite a few run plays.
Gronk worked hard to become a better blocker. Often getting better grades than the OT beside him. It really helps any offense to have a TE who can block and catch. If the defense has to worry about that “blocker” slipping out for a pass it can really help. Gronk got some big plays doing this.
For years here in Tampa we have used various things to get that block on the edge. Fullbacks, H backs, O linemen reporting as eligible, etc. Not until Gronk did we have this true #1 TE.
The problem is that when your personnel telegraphs what you are likely to run it makes it that much more difficult to pull off.
Go Bucs
August 8th, 2024 at 2:21 pm
garro Says:
August 8th, 2024 at 3:19 am
For years here in Tampa we have used various things to get that block on the edge. Fullbacks, H backs, O linemen reporting as eligible, etc. Not until Gronk did we have this true #1 TE.
I would disagree Garro. Maybe in a couple of years before Gronk, but we have definitely had our share of some pretty darn good TE’s over the years. Cameron Brate, Dave Moore(as dependable as the sun coming up), Kelen Winslow, Jackie Harris, Ron Hall and the great Jimmy Giles are a few that come to mind.
Just my opinion, but I think I would say we’ve had the players just not the coaching to use them correctly.