Why is OJ not being used?

[MBA_99]

Other than getting beat by pass rushers, seldom being open, and dropping passes when open everything has been great. Hopes are indeed high that the TE position coach will one day notice and formulate a committee to think about addressing the issues.

In multiple game reviews last year, JessN made comments like "We're told the tight ends did dress out for this game."

In all seriousness there's no doubt he's talented as we've seen in spurts, and a good guy who's busting his behind while I sit in the stands sipping a Coke because I can't block or catch. I truly hope he gets it together; when he does he'll be an asset like we've never had.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

He needs to be an effective blocker when he's not in the pattern, get open when he is in the pattern, and catch the ball when it's thrown his way.

He's shown flashes of brilliance (who can forget the catch and run against LSU in 2013?), but he hasn't consistently met the standard. So he hasn't earned the trust needed to be a major part of the game plan.

 

[Loam]

Honestly, I bet if you looked at a passing chart, that the majority of Coker's throws have been outside of the hash marks. He looks to throw those 5-10 yard quick outs, bubbles, WR screens along with the occasional deep pass down the sideline to Ridley or Stewart. Then there is that play action roll out boot we do on occasion out of the pistol and this is usually where OJ gets the ball thrown to him but its usually out in the shallow flat. TE's are meant to work the middle of the field in most offenses and at times, be seam busters down the middle between the hashes. So to me, Coker for whatever reason favors the outside throws more than the throws over the middle. I have seen this tendency all year long. He looks uncomfortable throwing over the middle. So perhaps this is why OJ hasn't shined much this season.

First play of the game against the Spartans should be a play action pass to OJ down the deep middle.

 

[Go Bama]

Well I can't say for sure, but I suspect if Jim McElwain was our OC somebody at tight end would be playing a much larger role. If OJ is struggling, someone else would step up.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Probably surprise folks (like me) to find out that OJ has (slightly) more yards on (slightly) fewer catches than Richard Mullaney.

OJ's 2015 season:

Richard's 2015 season:

 

[BigEasyTider]

Cannot say I understand the sentiment. OJ has good size and straight line speed, and is deserving of the playing time he gets, but OTOH he's a mediocre-at-best route runner (he's stiff in the hips, despite all of that straight line speed), he doesn't aggressively target the football in the air (nor use his size to his advantage), and he's had his fair share of drops.

Basically, some positive attributes, but definitely some negative ones as well. He's got 30 catches in 13 games, which is about what should be expected given his abilities and our relatively run-heavy scheme. To the extent that some people may feel that he is an under-utilized asset that we are just wasting away, those people are just mistaken.

 

[Rama Jama]

Probably surprise folks (like me) to find out that OJ has (slightly) more yards on (slightly) fewer catches than Richard Mullaney.

OJ's 2015 season:

Richard's 2015 season:

He is inconsistent as a blocker and pass catcher. He is a kid loaded with athletic ability, but not very skilled at what it takes to be a good player at his position. Hale Hentges, a freshman, has played a lot which tells you OJ simply has not been the player they expected him to be.

 

[mittman]

Probably surprise folks (like me) to find out that OJ has (slightly) more yards on (slightly) fewer catches than Richard Mullaney.

OJ's 2015 season:

Richard's 2015 season:

Yup,

I don't think he is quite as bad as people are making him out to be. He got huge hype and sometimes (actually probably more often not) that leads to a disappointment. I do think he can be better, I also think he sometimes may not be used properly. IMO He has most certainly been much more of an asset than a liability.

 

[RTR91]

He is inconsistent as a blocker and pass catcher. He is a kid loaded with athletic ability, but not very skilled at what it takes to be a good player at his position. Hale Hentges, a freshman, has played a lot which tells you OJ simply has not been the player they expected him to be.

As Hale's playing time has increased, we've seen less of Dakota Ball, Brandon Greene, and Ty Flournoy-Smith. OJ's time hasn't really decreased.

 

[Rush]

Probably surprise folks (like me) to find out that OJ has (slightly) more yards on (slightly) fewer catches than Richard Mullaney.

OJ's 2015 season:

Richard's 2015 season:

Count me among the surprised...


Great digging, Audio...

 

[BigEasyTider]

Probably surprise folks (like me) to find out that OJ has (slightly) more yards on (slightly) fewer catches than Richard Mullaney.

Probably worth noting that the playing time of Mullaney has waned a bit over the season. He had a bigger role early on, but with the continued rise of Ridley and Stewart -- and an increased load for Henry in the run game -- Mullaney has been de-emphasized a bit.

 

[Alasippi]

I have no answer but it befuddles me that we don't use the tight end more, especially in goal line situations.

 

[Con]

Seems to me that since he isn't the best at blocking we may not use him as much. When he is in, that might tip the other DC's off to the play being a pass. They would definitely know our tendencies of when we run or pass according to personnel groupings in the ball game. Now, I haven't paid that much attention to how much he plays on running downs vs. passing downs, but that would make sense to me.

 

[Loam]

Wonder why we don't try him out at WR some?

 

[Nolan]

As others have said, it's his route running that leaves the most to be desired. It's almost as if he doesn't think he'll get the ball anyway.

However, we know that CLK can scheme to feature certain players if he wants. The fact that he hasn't with OJ may say a lot.

 

[B1GTide]

I suspect that is just comes down to the fact that, no matter the game situation, you have a better receiving option on the field. OJ just hasn't lived up to the hype. Hope he stays for his senior year and continues to improve because he is much better this year than last.

 

[JamieSPC]

I suspect that is just comes down to the fact that, no matter the game situation, you have a better receiving option on the field. OJ just hasn't lived up to the hype. Hope he stays for his senior year and continues to improve because he is much better this year than last.

The Ole Miss game last year, where he didn't seem to fight for the ball that would've won the game for us, is the best example for me. That has happened again in a crucial situation, I know, I just can't remember it. Unfortunately his lowlights seem to outnumber his highlights (or overshadow them), and I agree that there are better options... players who will go up and over and get the ball.

 

[TNElephantitis]

The Ole Miss game last year, where he didn't seem to fight for the ball that would've won the game for us, is the best example for me. That has happened again in a crucial situation, I know, I just can't remember it. Unfortunately his lowlights seem to outnumber his highlights (or overshadow them), and I agree that there are better options... players who will go up and over and get the ball.

Reminiscent of Michael Williams vs LSWho in 2011 (regular season) letting Eric Reed pull a TD catch out of his hands. At least Michael was a good blocker

 

[KrAzY3]

Reminiscent of Michael Williams vs LSWho in 2011 (regular season) letting Eric Reed pull a TD catch out of his hands. At least Michael was a good blocker

Totally different play though. Michael had the catch, and a lot of us continue to think it was a catch, Reed just got his hands in there. OJ's play in the Ole Miss game, he really did alligator arm it. He wasn't laying out to make the play, and that doesn't mean he wouldn't make it otherwise, but it was frustrating.

 

[TNElephantitis]

Totally different play though. Michael had the catch, and a lot of us continue to think it was a catch, Reed just got his hands in there. OJ's play in the Ole Miss game, he really did alligator arm it. He wasn't laying out to make the play, and that doesn't mean he wouldn't make it otherwise, but it was frustrating.

Will have to very respectfully disagree. Michael should've and could've kept his hands on the ball until the refs had to pull them apart. He just let Reed pull the ball out of his hands. I'm rewatching it right now and feel the same now as I did then, but I definitely understand why some think it was a catch. I'm just not one of them.