Can someone Explain- Difference Between H-Back and Tight End Packages

[shabby 2,183]

Hey, Fan here with rookie level knowledge of schemes. I was curious as to how Gus utilizes the Tight End in his offense. I noticed in the other thread for predict the starter that people listed the slot as H-Back/ Tight End as if they were the same or similar. How does Auburn differ from other teams in the use of this position? If anyone could explain the pros and cons of the packages Gus utilizes for this position I would appreciate the better understanding.

[1TexasTiger 55]

The H back in Gus' system is a hybrid player that an have many responsibilities. They can be the following:

Pass catching flex TE (Usually in the slot) - CJ Uzomah

Blocking FB - Eric Smith, Jay Prosch

Pure TE - The Late Great Philip Lutzenkirchen

FB/TE Hybrid - Brandon Fulse

Pass Catching FB/ATH - Chandler Cox

This player is in my opinion the most important in Gus O and can set up several schemes and packages. The more successful this player, the more successful the offense

[shabby 2,183]

Thanks. I appreciate the info.

[AUGoo 2,799]

Is there a particular reason we don't throw to the HB/TE?

I remember Eric Smith catching several key receptions in his time and was surprised when Uzomah was picked up this year in the NFL when we threw so little to him.

[McLoofus 35,182]

Is there a particular reason we don't throw to the HB/TE?

I remember Eric Smith catching several key receptions in his time and was surprised when Uzomah was picked up this year in the NFL when we threw so little to him.

We did throw to Smith, as you said. Fannin, too. We didn't throw to anybody very much while Marshall was here, and we couldn't throw the ball to the right team this past year.

As for the NFL picking up Uzomah, they are worried about how good a player is a lot more than how he was used in college. They understand that there are a million reasons beyond a receiver's control why he might not have gotten a lot of looks, just like they understand there are a million reasons why a guy like Gabe Wright might not have racked up obscene sack totals.

[johnnyAU 3,770]

Jalen Harris was tutored by Lutz if I'm not mistaken. Anyone think he, Laye or Rice will get some targets this year?

[Tiger 8,930]

Harris didn't redshirt this year, right? I thought I saw him on the field beyond the hallway point of the season and I don't even think he was targeted in the passing game

[CCTAU 3,883]

H-backs, we gots two of'em.

TE. Can't remember what that is.

[TigerWar 82]

The H back in Gus' system is a hybrid player that an have many responsibilities. They can be the following:

Pass catching flex TE (Usually in the slot) - CJ Uzomah

Blocking FB - Eric Smith, Jay Prosch

Pure TE - The Late Great Philip Lutzenkirchen

FB/TE Hybrid - Brandon Fulse

Pass Catching FB/ATH - Chandler Cox

This player is in my opinion the most important in Gus O and can set up several schemes and packages. The more successful this player, the more successful the offense

Do you see Landon Rice fitting the mold more so of a Pure TE? And do you foresee him getting playing time in 2016 since he was an early enrollee and will have a spring under his belt? A lot of people are high on this kid.

[meh130 1,072]

In Malzahn's offense, there are positions (defined by numbers, instead of typical letters), and players. The "5" is ordinarily the TE. Often times he plays flexed out and standing up. The "3" is the fullback/H-Back. The "4" is the tailback, and the "2" is the flanker (used for motion and jet sweeps).

Malzahn draws most of his formations and plays using these numbers. I think it goes to the no-huddle philosophy to reposition players without substitution.

However, it is possible to substitute other player types into the positions. One easy change is to replace a tight-end type of player with a wide receiver type of player at the 5, creating a true, 3 WR set. Another change would be replacing the 2 with a fast RB, which we did with Ontario McCaleb and Corey Grant.

Some TEs have played both HB and TE. Lutz played more as a standing flexed TE as a freshman, but as he got bigger and became a better blocker, he played more HB.

Malzahn tends to build his offense around his personnel. With the strong WRs he had in 2010, he did more true 3 WR sets with Lutz or Eric Smith at HB. When we had Jay Prosch and C.J. Uzomah, C.J. played more as a flexed TE because of his pass catching skills.

Malzahn rarely plays a true, hand-down TE. He did in his original Wildcat package (the 2015 Wildcat was not Malzahn's original Wildcat formation). Other times, Malzahn uses one or more hands down TEs to attempt to surprise the defense. The UAT tying TD in 2010 was one, also Malzahn once put two hands-down TEs into the game and had them both go vertical while the WRs did outs or curls.

[meh130 1,072]

I want to add one more thing. I think ideally Malzahn wants both a TE and an HB on the field at the same time. But he wants a hybrid TE who plays mostly flexed, but can play hands down or HB if necessary. This matches the HUNH philosophy. It means you can go from a 3 WR look with a flexed TE, to a more traditional 2 WR look with a TE or two HBs for short yardage plays.

We really had that with C.J. Uzomah and Jay Prosch.

[McLoofus 35,182]

Seems like we should be okay at HB. Maybe Rice will be that guy at TE.

Man, I wish we could have gotten OJ Howard.

[1TexasTiger 55]

The H back in Gus' system is a hybrid player that an have many responsibilities. They can be the following:

Pass catching flex TE (Usually in the slot) - CJ Uzomah

Blocking FB - Eric Smith, Jay Prosch

Pure TE - The Late Great Philip Lutzenkirchen

FB/TE Hybrid - Brandon Fulse

Pass Catching FB/ATH - Chandler Cox

This player is in my opinion the most important in Gus O and can set up several schemes and packages. The more successful this player, the more successful the offense

Do you see Landon Rice fitting the mold more so of a Pure TE? And do you foresee him getting playing time in 2016 since he was an early enrollee and will have a spring under his belt? A lot of people are high on this kid.

The thought is he would play more of a Lutz role. I have not made that determination as of yet. Lutz would have been able to be Lutz without Eric Smith.