I'm not sure A-Rod has developed a scheme that features the TE very well. It seems like when we have a really promising TE we design plays for them, which the Defenses respond to and are effective in minimizing. What I'd like to see is a regular use of TEs as part of the game-plan where any TE that is in gets the ball.

What we do now is we send in our "receiving" TE on passing plays and defenses know to key in on him, then we send in our "blocking" TEs on running plays and defenses treat them like an extra O-lineman (as they should). This is not effective. Every TE needs to be able to catch passes and block or they shouldn't play the position. Obviously you can play to their strengths a little, but we're completely predictable with that position and that takes away much of the advantage of that position. We will always be able to get above average to exceptional TE players and we need to play to that strength by having it be a regular part of our offense. Much like it was during basically the entire Lavell Edward's era. Our top TEs were regularly getting hundreds of receiving yards, but also could block effectively on run plays and downfield for passes.

That is how the TE position is played in the NFL. You have to be able to catch AND block or you don't make the squad. We need to set that expectation early with our TEs when they come in and have them catch the vision for being a well rounded player instead of having two types with one being a glorified receiver that doesn't block and the other being a glorified O lineman that doesn't catch.