Martin Rucker at Chiefs tryout

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by O.city

Rucker isn't or atleast wasn't a good blocker at all at MU. He wasn't asked to block at MU is more like it.



The reason I said that, is that with all the tight end sets teams are running now, TE's are becoming more one dimensional, IMO. It's great to have a guy who can excel at both, but I think it's moving more towards pass catchers who can block a little and blockers who can catch a little.

Yes and no. The type of athletes playing TE has changed quite a bit, more athletic, former B-Baller's, making them a greater weapon, but I'm hard pressed to think of a single successful TE who isn't at least a decent blocker.

Your TE doesn't need to be an all world blocker, but it certainly makes your offense more versatile and unpredictable. If your TE can't set a block on the edge, your outside run turns into a 2+ yard loss quick. If he's a great receiver and can at least get in the way enough to let the RB get to the edge, he'll do.

Never learning how to block in college might just make him a huge liability. If he comes out and the better blocker comes in, gotta watch run. If it's a 2 TE set on 3rd/4th and short, or goal line, gotta assume it's going away from him.