Why Pollard Can Be Replaced With a Putz

by John Morgan on Mar 5, 2008 11:04 AM PST in Analysis

Marcus Pollard posted the 5th best DVOA among tight ends last season. Marcus Pollard sucks--Sucked last season. How does that work? Well, it's called idiot proofing the tight end position. Mike Holmgren has perfected the art, and you can see it throughout his Seahawks career. Since 2000, Holmgren has divined top 20 receiving DVOA performances from such luminaries as Christian Fauria, Itula Milli, Jerramy Stevens (twice) and now Marcus Pollard. He also setup Ryan Hannam for 28.9% DVOA in 2004, but Hannam wasn't targeted enough to qualify for the top 20. The essential skill for all these tight ends, catching the ball. I'll provide a snippet from one of my game tape breakdowns to explain exactly what I mean.

I've given Holmgren some grief, above all for his insistence that nothing is wrong with shaun, but he made a real gutsy play call on 4th and inches on the Hawks opening drive that reminded me just how much I'll miss the Walrus when he retires. Here's what we need to know: Beck starts the quarter with a pass to Hacks for nine. On the next two plays Morris runs for no gain. On the second of the two, Seattle is set up in a single wide, I-back set with an accompanying H-back. It's now 4th and one on the Bears' 40, Seattle sets up in the identical formation. At the snap Beck sells play action, rolls right and delivers a strike to Marcus Pollard. The play nets 20 yards and the first. It can be argued that in general rush plays are more effective in short yardage, but given the Hawks struggles rushing for short yardage and the preceding two plays, this was an impeccable bit of play calling. Holmgren may not be long for the game, but he still shows flashes of the offensive genius that will land him in the Hall.

Simple, Holmgren sets up the play, sells it perfectly and then cashes in. All Pollard had to do was provide the hands and time-worn feet. So then, why can we be pretty sure that Jeb Putzier will be able to perform well in Holmgren's system? Well, simply enough because he's never posted a completion percentage below 60% in his career. With the exception of Stevens in 2002 and Hannam in 2005, that's all it has taken to be a productive tight end in Holmgren's offense.

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This old piece of KC Joyner's is interesting

for those who have ESPN Insider: http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=joyner_kc&id=2380910

by The Ancient Mariner on Mar 5, 2008 11:31 AM PST 0 recs

The TE in Holgrens offense is pretty important

the only problem is he's never had a decent one in Seattle, aside from Stevens in 05. When I think of a Holmgren TE I think of Mark Chamura. I still think the Hawks take a TE in the first day even though they signed Putzier.

by joeshow30 on Mar 5, 2008 4:02 PM PST 0 recs

It's important, but it's not demanding.

by John Morgan on Mar 5, 2008 4:39 PM PST up 0 recs

and Putzier's a good fit

so barring injury, it wouldn't seem likely that a rookie TE would be needed much this year. I suspect that if the point comes that John Carlson's BPA on their board, they take him; what this really means is that otherwise, they're not going to reach for anyone at the position.

by The Ancient Mariner on Mar 5, 2008 6:32 PM PST up 0 recs

The problem is...

we didn't get much in the way of blocking from the Pollard last season. I suspect that with Putzier we are treading water in that regard, maybe a slight upgrade.

We really need both blocking and catching. So even though Itula Mili didn't apparently post one of those top 20 DVOA seasons he provided very good value in the run game when he was healthy.

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Mar 6, 2008 6:13 AM PST 0 recs

Putzier's willing, but . . .

. . . he isn't very strong. So, yeah.

by The Ancient Mariner on Mar 6, 2008 8:43 AM PST up 0 recs

Putzier will likely end up 2nd or 3rd string.

He was signed to create greater draft flexibility. I don't think he'll start much unless Seattle somehow is squeezed out of drafting a tight end. Carlson is very good blocker, FWIW.

by John Morgan on Mar 6, 2008 9:21 AM PST up 0 recs