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LSU TE development under Coach Steve Ensminger 2010-present
Posted on 12/25/14 at 1:39 pm
Posted on 12/25/14 at 1:39 pm
Like many of you, I often seem to forget that pass catching TEs exist in our offense - particularly since Richard Dickson graduated. This position can play a pivotal role in keeping defenses honest, mostly by creating mismatches in coverage and/or giving the QB a "safety valve" option when going through his progressions.
Nevertheless, in the last 5 years, our TEs have essentially been transformed into "pass-eligible tackles" - rarely releasing from the LOS to try to get open downfield. While these guys have been instrumental in providing an extra blocker in the run game, their lack of production in the receiving game can be incredibly frustrating.
It is not like we have recruited duds at the position in the last 5 years. For instance, in 2010, we signed 4* Travis Dickson and 3* Nic Jacobs (eventually dismissed from the team). In 2012, we signed 3* Dillon Gordon. In 2013, we signed 4* DeSean Smith and 3* Logan Stokes (JUCO); and last year, we signed 4* Jacory Washington and 3* Colin Jeter (JUCO).
Although some of these guys were signed primarily as blockers (Gordon, Stokes, Jeter), the more "receiving-type" TEs have been sparingly utilized. What exactly is it that has inhibited the development of our TEs in the receiving game? Bad QB play? Maybe. But even during Mett's time at LSU, the TEs were hardly ever targeted.
One probability is the TE coach, Steve Ensminger. I just looked at the collective TE receiving statistics from 2010-present, and was shocked at the numbers. I knew that TEs were rarely used in our passing game, but to see the actual numbers was eye-opening. Below are the 5-year totals:
2010
Deangelo Peterson, 16 rec., 199 yards, 0 TD
Mitch Joseph, 5 rec., 51 yards, 0 TD
Chase Clement, 2 rec., 42 yards, 0 TD
TOTAL: 23 rec., 292 yards, 0 TD
2011
Deangelo Peterson, 18 rec., 181 yards, 1 TD
Chase Clement, 7 rec., 96 yards, 1 TD
Travis Dickson, 1 rec., 10 yards, 0 TD
Mitch Joseph, 2 rec., 9 yards, 1 TD
TOTAL: 28 rec., 296 yards, 3 TD
2012
Travis Dickson, 6 rec., 73 yards, 0 TD
Nic Jacobs, 5 rec., 58 yards, 0 TD
Chase Clement, 5 rec., 51 yards, 0 TD
TOTAL: 16 rec., 182 yards, 0 TD
2013
Travis Dickson, 5 rec., 109 yards, 0 TD
Dillon Gordon, 6 rec., 88 yards, 0 TD
DeSean Smith, 1 rec., 14 yards, 0 TD
TOTAL: 12 rec., 211 yards, 0 TD
2014
Travis Dickson, 7 rec., 60 yards, 0 TD
Logan Stokes, 1 rec., 3 yards, 1 TD
TOTAL: 8 rec., 63 yards, 1 TD
5-YEAR TOTAL: 87 rec., 1044 yards, 4 TD
The number that stands out to me most is the 4 touchdowns. Our TEs have averaged less than 1 TD per year since Ensminger's arrival at LSU. For a position that should thrive in the red zone, this statistic is pretty bad. I really hope that this begins to change in the next year or so, especially with DeSean Smith and Jacory Washington coming up in the mix. For a guy that collects a $310,000 salary - one of the highest in the nation for a TEs coach - I'd like to see a little bit more production from his group, especially in the red zone.
Nevertheless, in the last 5 years, our TEs have essentially been transformed into "pass-eligible tackles" - rarely releasing from the LOS to try to get open downfield. While these guys have been instrumental in providing an extra blocker in the run game, their lack of production in the receiving game can be incredibly frustrating.
It is not like we have recruited duds at the position in the last 5 years. For instance, in 2010, we signed 4* Travis Dickson and 3* Nic Jacobs (eventually dismissed from the team). In 2012, we signed 3* Dillon Gordon. In 2013, we signed 4* DeSean Smith and 3* Logan Stokes (JUCO); and last year, we signed 4* Jacory Washington and 3* Colin Jeter (JUCO).
Although some of these guys were signed primarily as blockers (Gordon, Stokes, Jeter), the more "receiving-type" TEs have been sparingly utilized. What exactly is it that has inhibited the development of our TEs in the receiving game? Bad QB play? Maybe. But even during Mett's time at LSU, the TEs were hardly ever targeted.
One probability is the TE coach, Steve Ensminger. I just looked at the collective TE receiving statistics from 2010-present, and was shocked at the numbers. I knew that TEs were rarely used in our passing game, but to see the actual numbers was eye-opening. Below are the 5-year totals:
2010
Deangelo Peterson, 16 rec., 199 yards, 0 TD
Mitch Joseph, 5 rec., 51 yards, 0 TD
Chase Clement, 2 rec., 42 yards, 0 TD
TOTAL: 23 rec., 292 yards, 0 TD
2011
Deangelo Peterson, 18 rec., 181 yards, 1 TD
Chase Clement, 7 rec., 96 yards, 1 TD
Travis Dickson, 1 rec., 10 yards, 0 TD
Mitch Joseph, 2 rec., 9 yards, 1 TD
TOTAL: 28 rec., 296 yards, 3 TD
2012
Travis Dickson, 6 rec., 73 yards, 0 TD
Nic Jacobs, 5 rec., 58 yards, 0 TD
Chase Clement, 5 rec., 51 yards, 0 TD
TOTAL: 16 rec., 182 yards, 0 TD
2013
Travis Dickson, 5 rec., 109 yards, 0 TD
Dillon Gordon, 6 rec., 88 yards, 0 TD
DeSean Smith, 1 rec., 14 yards, 0 TD
TOTAL: 12 rec., 211 yards, 0 TD
2014
Travis Dickson, 7 rec., 60 yards, 0 TD
Logan Stokes, 1 rec., 3 yards, 1 TD
TOTAL: 8 rec., 63 yards, 1 TD
5-YEAR TOTAL: 87 rec., 1044 yards, 4 TD
The number that stands out to me most is the 4 touchdowns. Our TEs have averaged less than 1 TD per year since Ensminger's arrival at LSU. For a position that should thrive in the red zone, this statistic is pretty bad. I really hope that this begins to change in the next year or so, especially with DeSean Smith and Jacory Washington coming up in the mix. For a guy that collects a $310,000 salary - one of the highest in the nation for a TEs coach - I'd like to see a little bit more production from his group, especially in the red zone.
Posted on 12/25/14 at 1:46 pm to brewhan davey
We have TE's ? It's not April pal, you can't fool me
Posted on 12/25/14 at 1:46 pm to brewhan davey
As you said, Gordon, Stokes, and Jeter are blocking TEs, and Washinton redshirted. DeSean Smith is only a sophomore with room to grow, so the only real "failure" is Travis Dickson.
But $310K for that production is absurd.
Oh. And O.J. Howard
But $310K for that production is absurd.
Oh. And O.J. Howard
Posted on 12/25/14 at 1:47 pm to brewhan davey
Not throwing the ball to the TE can't really be blamed on him.
Posted on 12/25/14 at 1:49 pm to brewhan davey
I agree, but I think it has to do less with the TE coach and more with the offensive scheme and what type of plays we run. That's ultimately the responsibility of Les and Cam.
Posted on 12/25/14 at 2:03 pm to brewhan davey
How many teams in the NFL actually have good TEs?
Six, seven teams?
Six, seven teams?
Posted on 12/25/14 at 2:19 pm to brewhan davey
LSU TE - extended offensive tackle
Posted on 12/25/14 at 2:45 pm to brewhan davey
quote:
What exactly is it that has inhibited the development of our TEs in the receiving game?
LSU's inability to adapt to the new wave of forward passing and competent QB play in today's game. TE's will miss 100% of the passes not thrown to them.
Posted on 12/25/14 at 3:35 pm to brewhan davey
Why bother. waste of money
Posted on 12/25/14 at 4:14 pm to brewhan davey
I am not sure of his value, but I don't think the TE production or lack thereof can be all on Ensminger. You could have Gronkowski out ther and I don't think he could catch it more than they throw it to him, and that is like 10 times a year.
I imagine Ensminger is as frustrated by this as much as anyone, or fire him, don't think it matters much.
I imagine Ensminger is as frustrated by this as much as anyone, or fire him, don't think it matters much.
Posted on 12/25/14 at 4:28 pm to brewhan davey
Posted on 12/25/14 at 6:22 pm to brewhan davey
quote:
The number that stands out to me most is the 4 touchdowns. Our TEs have averaged less than 1 TD per year since Ensminger's arrival at LSU.
I think it's pretty naive to think the TE coach is responsible for the TEs usage in the passing game.
Posted on 12/25/14 at 8:02 pm to brewhan davey
I don't get all the fuss over tight ends. For instance, last season who would you like to take touches from? I know if much rather have the ball in Landry, Odell, or Hill's hands. Those dudes are a lot better than anything we have at tight end.
This year I think we needed to concentrate on throwing for over 150 yards a game consistently.
This year I think we needed to concentrate on throwing for over 150 yards a game consistently.
Posted on 12/25/14 at 8:39 pm to brewhan davey
Terrible QB, Terrible Coach, but he is a tiger
Posted on 12/25/14 at 8:41 pm to brewhan davey
Ensminger was the only coach smart enough to think we needed to call a timeout before the 4th down debacle at the end of the Auburn game in 2010 where Lee tried to scramble for 7 yards.
Posted on 12/25/14 at 9:30 pm to brewhan davey
Ensminger has nothing to do with passes to our TE's. It's the fault of the Offensive Coordinator and head coach. Regardless of whether you have 3* and 4* signees, they aren't a threat unless the ball is thrown them more than a dozen times a year.
Posted on 12/25/14 at 9:36 pm to brewhan davey
Maybe LSU just doesn't operate an offense that incorporates TE's as passing threats.
Just a hunch
Posted on 12/25/14 at 10:11 pm to brewhan davey
We just added another TE in recruiting for like our 50th TE on the roster who will end up being an excellent extra T in the game.
Posted on 12/26/14 at 9:39 am to brewhan davey
Look to the "Grass Eater" for the real answer.
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