Football 101: Tight end scheme

Updated: November 7, 2003, 1:57 PM ET
By Bob Davie | Special to ESPN.com
No team in college football utilizes the tight end as much as the Miami Hurricanes. The 'Canes have had tremendous personnel and ability at the tight end position, but their coaching staff has also done an outstanding job of incorporating a multiple package for the tight end position. The staff aligns the tight end in various spots on the field to always put him in a position to attack specific defenses.

In the 2002 Rose Bowl against Nebraska, Jeremy Shockey took advantage of being matched up with a linebacker in man-to-man coverage and dominated in Miami's national title clinching win. Shockey caught five balls for 85 yards and a touchdown against the Cornhuskers.

In last year's Fiesta Bowl national championship game against Ohio State, Kellen Winslow II was virtually unstoppable against the Buckeyes, grabbing 11 passes for 122 yards and one touchdown.

In order to have a shot at beating the 'Canes in a big game, controlling the tight end must be a top defensive priority.

In today's class we will look at how the tight end is used in Miami's offense, and the different ways they get him the ball. The class will expose the challenges Florida State's defense faces in coming up with a plan to control Miami's multiple package.


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Bob Davie

College Football
Bob Davie, a veteran college football coach of 25 years, most recently as head coach at the University of Notre Dame, serves as an analyst on college football game telecasts and select studio shows.

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