R. Wilson and His Role at TE

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Nice to see RW move up in the depth chart, albeit Mahina wasn't able to play at full speed for last 10 days with hairline fracture in neck. However, Wilson now has a role at TE which will utilize his speed and pass catching ability - he appears settled and focused. Worth repeating again, I believe that part of the problem at TE last year was Anae not spending much time with them to aid in their development. Reynolds has done wonders for their psyche.



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Agreed. Sometimes its about someone stepping up and separating themselves from the pack and sometimes I think its about settling in on one or two guys and giving them reps, establishing confidence and rhythm. I hope his speed, ala Harline (thinking of atypical E height but huge talent) can fill up the middle with a solid threat and give the WR's some room on the outside.

At some point you just have to narrow the depth chart down to 2 guys. I don't know why the coaches couldn't figure that out last year. You can't tell me that each of these guys is some sort of clone of one another and that their strengths and weaknesses are completely even across the board. Name 2 starters. Let them play. If they make plays and help the team win then keep them in the 2-deep. If not, bring up another clone and see what they can do. Don't worry about hurting anyone's feelings; just be decisive one way or another. All that philosophy did for us last year was spread out reps among 5 guys and ensure that none of them were ready to play at a high, confident level. Please tell me this is sorted out by now.

mizzoucoug wrote:
At some point you just have to narrow the depth chart down to 2 guys. I don't know why the coaches couldn't figure that out last year. You can't tell me that each of these guys is some sort of clone of one another and that their strengths and weaknesses are completely even across the board. Name 2 starters. Let them play. If they make plays and help the team win then keep them in the 2-deep. If not, bring up another clone and see what they can do. Don't worry about hurting anyone's feelings; just be decisive one way or another. All that philosophy did for us last year was spread out reps among 5 guys and ensure that none of them were ready to play at a high, confident level. Please tell me this is sorted out by now.

I agree. The coaches were inept last year in picking starters and getting them prepared.

Wilson might be the breakout player of the year. He could have had 300-400 yards receiving last year if not for the rumored politics. You look at what happened in game one, and there is no logical reason why he disappeared the rest of the year.

Here's the logical reason why: the TE position simply disappeared, not just Wilson. The entire position group combined for 29 catches the rest of the year. They simply were not a part of the offense.



That's more than just politics against one player. NO tightend was getting it done. NO tightend was even really allowed to.

SpiffCoug wrote:
Here's the logical reason why: the TE position simply disappeared, not just Wilson. The entire position group combined for 29 catches the rest of the year. They simply were not a part of the offense.



That's more than just politics against one player. NO tightend was getting it done. NO tightend was even really allowed to.

Honestly how could they? They were taking turns being put on the scout team and splitting reps between so many of them. If the coaches had manned up and picked someone and given them the reps someone would have performed better than having 18 of them splitting 18 reps.

Right, but it wasn't just specific to Wilson. Wilson didn't struggle because the coach didn't like him. Wilson struggled because the entire position group struggled and wasn't properly handled. NONE of the TEs got a fair shake. It wasn't a Wilson-only problem.

I think we must allow for the fact that we kind of had a screwed up QB position last year, and for some strange reason all the receivers, TE included, were dropping passes. In the previous three years we had an established QB who looked for the TE (pitta, Hall's brother in law), so maybe more passes went that direction than would have otherwise.



Somehow, this year, I don't see the TEs getting a lot of passes because we have such great receivers and I expect them to get open, and for Heaps to hit them. If receivers aren't open, you can check down to the TE. But who knows, football is a fluid game, there are so many elements. Against Ole Miss, because they don't expect our TE to do anything, they may ignore them and they most of the passes.