Depth could counter curse at tight end

[Radiated]

Depth could counter curse at tight end
FRESHMEN CAN HELP TAMME REGAIN FORM

By Chip Cosby
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER

Call it "The Curse of the Tennessee Tape."

Jacob Tamme burst onto the scene at tight end in Kentucky's 2004 season finale at Tennessee, catching four passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns on the surprised Volunteer defense.

That game film obviously made the rounds, because when 2005 rolled around, all of the Wildcats' opponents played as if they circled a big blue X around Tamme's No. 18 jersey.

Tamme still caught 29 balls, which is a decent total, but his one touchdown catch was half of what he managed in the UT game alone.

Link (http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/sports/colleges/university_of_kentucky/14266200.htm)

[sardiscat]

"Teams were pretty much determined that Jacob wasn't going to beat them last season," tight ends coach Steve Ortmayer said. "So we've got some things in place this year that we didn't have last year that should help free him up a little more."

Quotes like this are why I have so little confidence in this coaching staff. In 1999, every team UK played was determined that James Whalen wasn't going to beat them, but he caught passes and scored touchdowns like crazy that year. That this staff couldn't think of anything to do to free up Tamme as last season went along is just lame.

[gerntz]

To some degree I get your point, sardis. However, I think when Whalen played we had more better alternatives to him that had to be covered, the QB was more comfortable(better OL?)& had more completions/game in total such that the TE ought to have had more season catches, everything else being equal. And Whelan may have been a plain better passer catcher than Tamme is - I mean he was the AA Tamme hasn't been. I also thinkTamme should have grabbed more balls around himlast season.

On the other hand, I ain't buying TE by committee till I see what kind of hands these new guys have in games. Expecting much out of FR & RSFR is a bit much IMO.

[Coldstream]

Right now we need a solid recieving corps. This year's bunch has me worried that our solid backfield might not get the help it needs.

As for the TE position, this is one of the most overlooked positions in football. Every great team has a solid TE in their offense. If we want compete in the SEC we need to solidify this position much like Georgia does.

[gerntz]

When I think of college TE's, FB speaking, I think Uga.

[I. Melvin]

UT's offense under Randy Sanders practically ignored the tight end - even when they had NFL-quality talent at the position.

My greatest fear for this year's team is that the offense just never quite gets it and our improved defense spends too much time on the field.

Hope not, but I sense we're in for a frustrating (as opposed to wretched) football season.

[The Old School JPS]

gerntz wrote: To some degree I get your point, sardis. However, I think when Whalen played we had more better alternatives to him that had to be covered, the QB was more comfortable(better OL?)& had more completions/game in total such that the TE ought to have had more season catches, everything else being equal. And Whelan may have been a plain better passer catcher than Tamme is - I mean he was the AA Tamme hasn't been. I also thinkTamme should have grabbed more balls around himlast season.

On the other hand, I ain't buying TE by committee till I see what kind of hands these new guys have in games. Expecting much out of FR & RSFR is a bit much IMO.


Dusty Bonner was sacked many, many times that season - more than any other QB in a single season in my memory, though I can't quote stats to you.Against Georgia alonesome single game sack record was registered. The 1998 squad graduated most or all of its starting OLand their replacements were not nearly as consistent.

The 1999 squad wasn't stacked at WR but more importantly Bonner's arm was more or less insufficient to make them much of a threat beyond 25, 30 yards max. Teams realized that in the latter part of the season and took advantage of it, pressuring Bonner even more and devoting even more effort to stopping Whalen.

You are right though about Whalen's pass catching ability; it was unreal. He ran routes almost perfectly, too. Tamme arrived more heralded than Whalen - but it wasn't until the latter part of Whalen's career that he was so productive and Tamme isn't finished yet.

I love the James Whalen Jr. story: from juco transfer walk-on to AP First Team All American.

[gerntz]

TOS JPS, number of sacks is related to number of pass attempts - as is number of catches. Net, #of passes divided by # of sacks might be the better judge of OL quality. Of course that ignores scramble & the QB's sense of getting rid of the ball.

I think Mumme made the right decision - one of the few - of getting on with JLo.

[sCATback]

I. Melvin wrote: UT's offense under Randy Sanders practically ignored the tight end - even when they had NFL-quality talent at the position.




I guess were lucky Randy Sanders is not our Offensive Coordinator:?

[I. Melvin]

Actually, Mumme made many good decisions. It was the few bad ones that did him in ...

gerntz wrote:

I think Mumme made the right decision - one of the few - of getting on with JLo.

[poodoo]

I love the James Whalen Jr. story: from juco transfer walk-on to AP First Team All American. QUOTE by JPS

_______

Me, too, JPS. :)

[The Old School JPS]

gerntz, Bonner, Couch and Lorenzen all were prolific passers; my recollection (I don't have stats in front of me) is that Bonner was sacked much more in 1999 than Couch or Lorenzen were in Mumme's other seasons. I agree that his ability to scramble and to get rid of the ball trailed Couch's and Lorenzen's; I don't know thatBonner really hada better OL than last year's. I do agree with youthat Mumme made the right decision to replace Bonner with Lorenzen - though that topic still causes a lot of controversy here.

[zuma]

I agreed with Mumme when he decided to replace Bonner with Lorenzen at the time but in retrospect, I think it really hurt the team that fall. There was a lot of unhappiness that Lorenzen started over Bonner without earning it on the field. Bonner had his limitations but he was a good leader and the team played for him. It also may have helped Lorenzen think he didn't have to work as hard with his conditioning and film work.

I hope Woodson takes his conditioning seriously, works extra hard with Sanders to get his decision making improved as this is his big chance to really shine. He has to with the job on the field to have the respect of the team. He can help us out a lot if he leads the team and doesn't let adversity get him down. Pulley has a lot of those traits inborn, he just has to develop his passing ability quickly enough to win the job on the practice field. Even if Pulley doesn't start, he should be ready if Woodson has a bad day or gets banged up.

[T75]

Depth will counter the "curse" at just about every position. Right now I can't even remember when there were enough good QBs at UK to bring out a highly competitive spring and fall practice. Shane's inability to pass kept him from seriously pushing Jared. But then I'm not sure that anything could push the DoughBoy---even the lure of great NFL riches wasn't enough.

I also think that other positions now have enough quality players that very few starters from last season can just waltz into their starting positions this season. IMO, there's a good chance that A. Miller will have to work his way back into a starter's role this fall---and won't make it unless he is very serious about getting into shape and knocking off some rust.