We’re now 2 ½ weeks from the start of fall camp! I’ve got 3 position posts left, TE, D-line, and Special Teams. Being it’s mid-week and this is a shorter discussion point, lets go with the TEs. The Griz lost almost their entire group of contributing TEs this season, Pierson to graduation and both Harper and Hagfors left the team. Hagfors I believe was listed as a FB but also played some spot TE duty I think. The only hold-over is a WR convert in Mitch Saylor who I also think lined up and played TE later in the season once he got back in the action.
Now before you say the TE spot doesn’t need significant role players, consider JJ’s two seasons at QB, 2011 and 2013. These are his combined passing stats across all roster TE’s.
2011: 470 receiving yards and 3 TDs (Hardy & Middleton)
2013: 366 yards and 11 TDs (Pierson, Harper, and Saylor)
JJ showed last year he likes to find his bigger targets, especially in the endzone. The 11 TDs thrown to TEs last year is just over 1/3 of his total TD passes. So essentially every 3rd TD he threw… went to a tight end. Important stuff to consider as we look at the 2014 season.
Co -Starter Mike Ralston – I’m not sure how they’ll list the starter, honestly. Go with the run blocker TE that they’ll use more, or the pass catching TE that’ll be more noticeable in the stat book? Mostly because with the balanced/power game I’d suspect the coaches will first want Ralston out there. He’s the right size for what teams want in a run-blocking TE. His catching looked pretty good when I watched drills but come live 7 on 7 and 11 on 11 stuff he’d vanish. Coach Delaney said he’s having a great summer, I hope so, I don’t recall him snagging a lot (if any) catches or TDs in many drills or scrimmages.
Co -Starter Mitch Saylor – Saylor’s about 15 pounds or so lighter than the other TEs but keep in mind he’s a converted WR. It’s his senior year and so far Mitch has not been able to show much due to continual injuries or being buried in depth. A healthy Saylor could present some great mis-matches in the middle of the field. Being a WR before he’s had to block plenty, but that’s usually on cornerbacks and safeties, now he’s going to be asked to help block D-ends and OLBs… how will he adapt? I think a healthy Saylor is the best RZ threat for the Griz of the TE group, if he can finish strong his senior season he could see a Pierson or Harper-like stat line from last season (just a couple hundred yards receiving but 4 or 5 TDs).
2nd string Cooper Sprunk – Sprunk strikes me as a guy that is raw but very strong. He’s listed at 250 pounds and appears to do well as a strong blocker. He’s got quicker feet than some would imagine too, I recall a few nice long running catches from a few practices. Much like Ralston though, once the 7on7 or 11on11 started, he would not show up as a target. Catching still needs to keep improving as well. Would be a great option for lead-blocking as another fullback, or on the edge, or in short yardage situations.
Depth Jermaine Jones – No clue on this guy, I think the info linked to him that was posted on this last night is not the same guy but a kid that’s still in high school for a few years. I’ve not seen a lot of JuCo kids come in and adapt their first year. Will have to see what he’s made of come fall camp.
Depth Reggie Tilleman – One of our walk-on recruits, he’s 6-4 but listed at just 195. Unless he’s put on some serious weight and added strength… I dunno, being under 200 probably doesn’t mean you’ll be playing at TE in the FCS.
Now before you say the TE spot doesn’t need significant role players, consider JJ’s two seasons at QB, 2011 and 2013. These are his combined passing stats across all roster TE’s.
2011: 470 receiving yards and 3 TDs (Hardy & Middleton)
2013: 366 yards and 11 TDs (Pierson, Harper, and Saylor)
JJ showed last year he likes to find his bigger targets, especially in the endzone. The 11 TDs thrown to TEs last year is just over 1/3 of his total TD passes. So essentially every 3rd TD he threw… went to a tight end. Important stuff to consider as we look at the 2014 season.
Co -Starter Mike Ralston – I’m not sure how they’ll list the starter, honestly. Go with the run blocker TE that they’ll use more, or the pass catching TE that’ll be more noticeable in the stat book? Mostly because with the balanced/power game I’d suspect the coaches will first want Ralston out there. He’s the right size for what teams want in a run-blocking TE. His catching looked pretty good when I watched drills but come live 7 on 7 and 11 on 11 stuff he’d vanish. Coach Delaney said he’s having a great summer, I hope so, I don’t recall him snagging a lot (if any) catches or TDs in many drills or scrimmages.
Co -Starter Mitch Saylor – Saylor’s about 15 pounds or so lighter than the other TEs but keep in mind he’s a converted WR. It’s his senior year and so far Mitch has not been able to show much due to continual injuries or being buried in depth. A healthy Saylor could present some great mis-matches in the middle of the field. Being a WR before he’s had to block plenty, but that’s usually on cornerbacks and safeties, now he’s going to be asked to help block D-ends and OLBs… how will he adapt? I think a healthy Saylor is the best RZ threat for the Griz of the TE group, if he can finish strong his senior season he could see a Pierson or Harper-like stat line from last season (just a couple hundred yards receiving but 4 or 5 TDs).
2nd string Cooper Sprunk – Sprunk strikes me as a guy that is raw but very strong. He’s listed at 250 pounds and appears to do well as a strong blocker. He’s got quicker feet than some would imagine too, I recall a few nice long running catches from a few practices. Much like Ralston though, once the 7on7 or 11on11 started, he would not show up as a target. Catching still needs to keep improving as well. Would be a great option for lead-blocking as another fullback, or on the edge, or in short yardage situations.
Depth Jermaine Jones – No clue on this guy, I think the info linked to him that was posted on this last night is not the same guy but a kid that’s still in high school for a few years. I’ve not seen a lot of JuCo kids come in and adapt their first year. Will have to see what he’s made of come fall camp.
Depth Reggie Tilleman – One of our walk-on recruits, he’s 6-4 but listed at just 195. Unless he’s put on some serious weight and added strength… I dunno, being under 200 probably doesn’t mean you’ll be playing at TE in the FCS.
