Defending the TE: Ideas?

So once again the phrase no one can cover the TE this season came up on a national broadcast Monday night. So why is there this trend? Is it the rules? I have seen quite a few of these passes and they really aren't rainbow type passes out in front of the TE in stride and are more low bullet passes that should be easily defended or heaven forbid picked off. Why aren't more defense playing cat and mouse with these throws? Have a speedy safety or LB near the TE but not close enough to make them looked covered(the actual man on them can do that) then wait for the throw and jump the route. I mean does anyone of you coaches see why defenses are having trouble? I mean Graham and Gronk are phenomenal athletes but guys who aren't that level have been reaping some rewards.

 

It's the newest trend for sure. Don't know if rules count for it but it wouldn't surprise me. It's a pick your poison in my opinion. I think you need an outside backer chipping the tight end with the inside backer/safety chipping/picking him up. All within the 5 yd rule. Mind you it's a commitment but really only needed against top tier TE's like gates, Gronk, kelce, etc... Same will be for the bengals this weekend.

There is no sure fire way to any of it without risking something else. It's all about quick adjustments.

 

Jam them at the line. Get another defender on them instantly and instill a pass rush that doesn't allow the QB other quick options.

It's the easiest pass for QB's to make. Big target over the middle. Force them to make the tougher passes.

 

I've often thought the Steelers drafted Shazier because they saw this trend coming. He's certainly fast and athletic enough to keep up with these hybrid, "move" TEs.

I wonder why we don't use that scheme LeBeau put in place against NE at Heinz a few years ago where Cortez shadowed Gronk every play.

 

I think Shazier would be excellent at it if he isn't looking into the backfield like he was Sunday. Maybe experiment with moving Timmons back to his old side and see what his comfort level is. Get him to stop guessing and get back to thumping

 

I think shazier should run with them, Timmons isn't capable anymore against the leagues top TE's

 

I don't believe Rez was here then could be wrong though... Thing was we jammed everyone on the line and it was beautiful.... Always said had we hit green bay with that scheme were working in 8 rings right now

 

Don't even remember if they had Gronk then either way it was nice

 

dupree said they waited until too far into the game to start hitting him at the line. http://www.steelersdepot.com/2015/10/dupree-we-started-chipping-travis-kelce-too-late/

 

Always, always, Jam the receiver and not no love tap.
And attack the QB, this will slow down the TE.

 

We pay a Mexican drug cartel to kidnap the opposing teams starting TE and take him to a remote location in Mexico. Once the game is over the TE is taken back to the border somewhere around Brownsville, TX and released to US authorities to be reunited with his team.

 

I've been toying with the idea of having Spaeth come in for goal-to-go situations to help cover Gronkowski if we play the Cheats again. Fight fire with fire in that situation, but wouldn't help us in the open field. In our regular defense, either stick Shazier on the TE or have Shamarko come in and have him shadow the TE. Give him a really simple assignment and there's no way he could blow it.

 

It's hard to bump off the line when the secondary is playing 10 yards off the ball. The secondary is so patchwork I believe they are confused where to be. Look at last weeks game vs the Chiefs. Their were times where there was NO ONE in the vicinity of the receiver/TE. And tackling was a joke. You would think that with the emergence of the TE that they would have an answer but most teams do not. Plus with lack of pass rush it exposed the weak secondary. Hopefully Tuitt is back this week. His absence made a difference. Also keep Harrison in to pass rush. Sorry, Jarvis is weak. Gonna need a top notch effort with the pass rush. Our best defense will be if Ben can be Ben. I see a shootout on the horizon.

 

You have to beat the heck out of a TE at the line, bad part in doing so you delay any good pass rush on the QB.
Which is why with the Patriots for example, Brady kills you if you take away Gronk with Edleman and his running back of choice
mainly Lewis this season.

It's tough to stop these guys. But, who is really stopping Gronk or Kelce. Pretty much nobody. Covering good TE's is a league wide problem.

But, it was stupid not to hit Kelce more, they don't have any real good WR and their best WR wasn't playing.
West had a big day running it which was opening up the passing game.

 

Gronkowski is a freak of nature, he has 60 TDs in 5 and a half seasons and thats with him missing 14 games due to injury in 2012/2013, really there is no defense against this guy short of tackling him at the line, he has vice grips for hands and can get open no matter who is covering him, brady throws high to him in double coverage and he out leaps the defender, dont double him and he will burn you, theres no answer for this guy........

 

Tell us to re-watch the KC tape.... they clearly did something right to keep Heath catch-less.

 

We can't defend the TE position.No way to do that with the current players we have . With the CB'S forced to play off 10 to 15 yards because they are not good enough, it forces the Safeties to shade the sideline more...This simply creates to much space for TE'S to work in . The only way we can do better is to have better CB'S who can play tighter and allow the Safeties to cover the middle of the field ....

 

I think we had a major role in keeping Heath off the board,our backups are allergic to Heath. While I do understand that covering TEs is a league wide issue and other sacrifices defensively may have to be made but what bothers me is that on crucial plays like the 3rd and 4 back breaker we fail to even try to take away the QBs biggest weapon....just doesn't make any sense .

 

Find a stud safety like Kam Chancellor that would help.

 

Well Colbert drafted four LBs in the first round on this roster and none of them can cover a TE .

 

sniper from the press box.

 

I don't know...like...donnnn't let 'em run free through our secondary???

 

Need to use more cover 3. Good TE's lick their chops when they see a cover 2 defense.