Mailbag – How a Tight End Helps our Offense By: JY Posted on: October 24, 2013

We received a question from a reader asking how a tight end helps an offense. People tend to often offer generic answers like “it helps in the run game” or “it helps in the pass” game. But we figured we’d look at one benefit, namely in the run game, by using a specific example from the game against Kansas.

EXAMPLE OF HOW A TIGHT END HELPS IN THE RUN GAME

In this play (in the image below), I’ve outlined in baby blue where the defenders would have lined up IF we had we run this play with a tight end (we didn’t use a TE on the play and below you’re going to see why we should have and how it would have benefitted us).  You can see the blocking assignments in red.  By stretching out the defenders play side (to our right) one more gap, you’re asking Ikard to block that backside linebacker who ultimately scrapes and makes the play.  Daryl would take the playside backer, and the tight end would take the defensive end.
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Instead without the tight end (as you can see below), you have Daryl occupied with the D end, Nila (right guard) up to the playside backer, and Ikard (center) occupied with the shade player over him.  Shead has to account for the backside DT, and does a good job fighting up to the backside backer (scrape player).  By the time he gets there though, the backer just beats him to the play.  Kind of asking him to do the impossible in my opinion.

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Let me try to further elaborate on the two images above showing how we ran the play without a TE and what problems it creates. With a TE you’re giving Ikard a 3ft head start to get to that backside backer (see the first image). Without a TE you’re asking Shead to combo on the nose guard then get up there himself (see the second image).

So how this plays out is Shead basically checked the nose guard with his right shoulder and then tries to get up to that scrape player (the linebacker) who ultimately makes the play. Again, we’re asking Shed to do something very very difficult. I’ll leave out the detailed explanation about how this would play out with a TE but believe me it would be much easier to execute. With a tight end, you aren’t asking Shead to make this block.  You’re asking Ikard to.  Ikard is one gap farther over, and this would, by design, make it easier on your linemen and allow them to be more physical.  The next couple of pictures show what I mean.

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In the image above I’ve circled Adam Shead trying to block the linebacker who ultimately makes the play. You can see where we still have a chance if Adam get’s his head across the defender, and the lane is there now.  Still, this is a potential big play if we cut that backside linebacker off.  Something that is much easier by alignment and play design with a tight end. You’ll see in the next image that Shead can’t block the LB.
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Here (above) you can see where Shead can’t get there, and Nila’s going to keep pushing his guy by the hole to the outside.  The red line shows Millard’s path, and think for a moment what happens here if we’re able to seal that linebacker.  Ikard would be doing that job in a formation with a tight end.

We lined up Rip and Millard a lot at the tight end spots in this game.  This was a play where we went away from it, and you have to believe that had we stuck with it, this pops for a big gain.  We had run the ball well all game long.  On the plays we get stuffed, it’s mostly a whiff, or a back going to the wrong hole.  When we clean this stuff up, which can be done with reps, we’re gashing them in the run game.

EXAMPLE OF HOW THE TE OPENS THE PASSING GAME

The assistance of the TE has forced Kansas to account for our run game so now what do they do? They put 9 defenders in the box!  They have a single high safety and a corner, while we have two split out wide.  This is automatic.  We raise up and throw to Saunders who basically is able to walk backwards for a gain of 13.  They were so intent on stopping the run, it allowed us to get them by formation.

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No one’s home when Saunders catches the quick pass (in the image below).  This is what a dominant run game can do for you.  It opens up passing lanes, and gets your skill guys out in big spaces (something the spread is supposed to do) since everyone’s sucked down inside to stop the run.
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Before I move to a final example let me also add that when you’ve got a TE or two TEs in the game you’re also forcing teams to take speed off the field. You get them out of their nickel and dime packages and it allows your WRs more space to work with against less speed.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW A TE OPENS THE PASSING GAME

Again, a dominant run game opens the pass game.  Bell makes the mistake of predetermining where he’s going to go with the ball.  Look at the far left blue circle.  That’s Ripkowski running wide open.  Blake is dead set on throwing to Saunders and ends up throwing a pick, when it could have been a td.  This could have been a lob to Rip for six points, but we missed the boat.

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As always we want to thank the reader for the question. Please feel free to write to us or comment with any questions or comments. Also, if there is anything that you might not understand or we haven’t explained clearly enough please let us know. And please don’t be shy. If there are terms, definition, or even positions that you need clarification on feel free to send us a question. We want this site to be easy enough to read that my wife can understand it. Perhaps then she’ll understand what I’m yelling at the TV!

The Football Brainiacs note to the reader: This play analysis is meant solely as an attempt to bring our readers closer to what’s happening on the field. This is not intended to demean or deprecate any player or the coaches. We all made mistakes and we all made plays just like any one of these fine young men. It’s part of the game and it is part of life and we wish them nothing but the best on the field and off.