The Two-Tight End Set and Why it Can Work in Big D
The Two-Tight End Set and Why it Can Work in Big D
By Will Parchman
via Cowboys.MostValuableNetwork.com
The immediate confusion that followed the Anthony Fasano pick in the 2nd round was actually pretty familiar for me. It reared its ugly head when the Cowboys traded away the chance to draft Steven Jackson (which still seems like a bad idea), when Ekuban was taken in the 1st round, when Dave Campo and Chan Gailey ran the draft room… you name the bad draft decision, I was probably angry about it. I had known a little bit about Fasano from his playing days at ND but I didn’t spend any time delving into TE prospects because the need wasn’t there. After reading interviews with Stephen Jones and Ireland, it dawned on me that the team was after BPA regardless of the position, but I didn’t see or understand that to be necessary on draft day.
Cut to yesterday. I don’t want to say I had any kind of grandiose revelation on the topic that completely swayed my viewpoint, but I did come to somewhat of an understanding with the pick. I don’t think I’ll ever completely agree that taking a TE in the 2nd round was the correct course of action, but it does create some interesting scenarios with the two-tight end formation.
The two-tight end set is pretty much like it sounds. It typically involves two different kinds of tight ends lining up on opposite sides of either tackle. Traditionally, one TE excelled at receiving and route-running while the other was a proficient pass-blocker. It has seen less use of late because teams are seeing that one dynamic threat at tight end (like a Tony Gonzalez or an Antonio Gates) can do enough damage. Most teams simply utilize the second tight end much like the Cowboys did last season with Dan Campbell. Another reason why it isn’t used that often is because it is woefully predictable. Think about it - if you line up a blocking tight end (Campbell) and a receiving tight end (Witten) on the same LOS, what do you think their assignments will be? If the coaching staff tries branching out of their prescribed roles, bad things happen, like dropped passes (as will be the case with Dan Campbell in the example below), and poor blocking jobs, as Witten intermittently displayed last season.
This is where Anthony Fasano brings the wild card to the table. Fasano is widely regarded as an offensive threat, but his pass blocking is already considered better than Witten’s. This means that on any given play, either Witten or Fasano could release from the line of scrimmage and act as a viable offensive threat while the other stays behind and blocks. It creates confusion and chaos when the ball is snapped, which is exactly what Parcells was known for during his previous Super Bowl runs. Both are above average blockers and great playmakers, which ultimately makes the set rather dangerous. If TO is drawing big-time double teams and the line is holding up, then what the hey, the coaching staff can send both of these guys out on pass patterns and do double the damage in half the time. When you pile on the fact that Parcells did very well with this formation with the Giants in the 80’s, its almost a win-win situation.
After understanding what the formation actually is, it is important to understand why the coaching staff feels it is important to impliment it quickly and efficiently. I can see both sides of the argument because I’ve actually stood in both camps before, so trust me, I know both the criticisms and the praises it has garnered.
First, take a look at what the lack of a proper fullback and second pass catching tight end did to the offense, this time in Week 3 against the Niners.
By Will Parchman
via Cowboys.MostValuableNetwork.com
The immediate confusion that followed the Anthony Fasano pick in the 2nd round was actually pretty familiar for me. It reared its ugly head when the Cowboys traded away the chance to draft Steven Jackson (which still seems like a bad idea), when Ekuban was taken in the 1st round, when Dave Campo and Chan Gailey ran the draft room… you name the bad draft decision, I was probably angry about it. I had known a little bit about Fasano from his playing days at ND but I didn’t spend any time delving into TE prospects because the need wasn’t there. After reading interviews with Stephen Jones and Ireland, it dawned on me that the team was after BPA regardless of the position, but I didn’t see or understand that to be necessary on draft day.
Cut to yesterday. I don’t want to say I had any kind of grandiose revelation on the topic that completely swayed my viewpoint, but I did come to somewhat of an understanding with the pick. I don’t think I’ll ever completely agree that taking a TE in the 2nd round was the correct course of action, but it does create some interesting scenarios with the two-tight end formation.
The two-tight end set is pretty much like it sounds. It typically involves two different kinds of tight ends lining up on opposite sides of either tackle. Traditionally, one TE excelled at receiving and route-running while the other was a proficient pass-blocker. It has seen less use of late because teams are seeing that one dynamic threat at tight end (like a Tony Gonzalez or an Antonio Gates) can do enough damage. Most teams simply utilize the second tight end much like the Cowboys did last season with Dan Campbell. Another reason why it isn’t used that often is because it is woefully predictable. Think about it - if you line up a blocking tight end (Campbell) and a receiving tight end (Witten) on the same LOS, what do you think their assignments will be? If the coaching staff tries branching out of their prescribed roles, bad things happen, like dropped passes (as will be the case with Dan Campbell in the example below), and poor blocking jobs, as Witten intermittently displayed last season.
This is where Anthony Fasano brings the wild card to the table. Fasano is widely regarded as an offensive threat, but his pass blocking is already considered better than Witten’s. This means that on any given play, either Witten or Fasano could release from the line of scrimmage and act as a viable offensive threat while the other stays behind and blocks. It creates confusion and chaos when the ball is snapped, which is exactly what Parcells was known for during his previous Super Bowl runs. Both are above average blockers and great playmakers, which ultimately makes the set rather dangerous. If TO is drawing big-time double teams and the line is holding up, then what the hey, the coaching staff can send both of these guys out on pass patterns and do double the damage in half the time. When you pile on the fact that Parcells did very well with this formation with the Giants in the 80’s, its almost a win-win situation.
After understanding what the formation actually is, it is important to understand why the coaching staff feels it is important to impliment it quickly and efficiently. I can see both sides of the argument because I’ve actually stood in both camps before, so trust me, I know both the criticisms and the praises it has garnered.
First, take a look at what the lack of a proper fullback and second pass catching tight end did to the offense, this time in Week 3 against the Niners.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:46 PM
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