Spread 201: Your quarterback chooses the tight end

True dual-threat tight ends are rare, spread teams need a blocker or a receiver, depending on whether the quarterback himself is a dual-threat.

Tight end is one of most important positions for an offense, tell me the skill set of a team’s tight end and I can probably define the identity of the offense.

In a spread offense in particular, the tight end is basically the table-setter for the quarterback. Whatever your signal-caller does best should inform the skill set of your tight end and whether or not those skills match will set the ceiling for the offense.

It’s a unique position within the game because of the variability of what you find there. Assume a base, 11 personnel formation (one tight end, one running back, three receivers) which is what nearly everyone prefers at both the college and NFL levels of football.

Everyone wants speed and downfield ability at outside receiver. Anyone who uses a slot wants him to be effective either at hitting the seams or chains or else serving as a detached running back in space (again, dictated by the quarterback’s skill set).

Running backs? They all need to be good at receiving a handoff, finding a crease, and fighting downhill through tacklers.

But inside at tight end? Some “11 personnel” spread teams use more of an H-back/fullback type player in that role. He lines up just off the ball so he can move around and lead block at different points along the line. Some teams use an attached tight end who’s on the line of scrimmage and is a true route runner. Other teams cycle through different players based on the needs of the down and distance.

Dual threat tight ends are rare. The guy who can block an end and help a tackle dominate a defensive edge to run off-tackle all day is usually not the same guy who’s running circles around a linebacker or safety in the passing game. If you have a dual-threat tight end, you’re in great shape, but most teams will tend to have their guy zero in on one particular skill set or another.

Which you choose generally depends on your quarterback.