Ryan Hewitt at tight end in 2012 - ChicagoCard - 07-03-2012
It made an impression how much Stanford missed Ertz for those few games last year. If there is a desire to stick with 3 tight ends some or a lot of the time, maybe Hewitt doesn't switch between TE and FB as much as anticipated, instead plays mostly at TE. He wouldn't be in there for Ertz, but for Fleener. Not sure that's significant but could be his attributes would create a nice mix with Toilolo and Ertz. And Meinken seems interesting as a more hulking, physical FB. Who is the more accomplished blocking FB, Meinken or Hewitt? With young offensive line, maybe that's the best mix (the better blocker between Meinken and Hewitt).
Re: Ryan Hewitt at tight end in 2012 -
washingtonismoney - 07-03-2012
Meinken tore his ACL and is likely out for the year.
I would guess we see more of Hewitt as FB than TE, but it's probably a mistake to get hung up on positions--Hewitt will play some at TE, some as an H-back, some at FB, etc.
H-back or Tight End? - Redrum - 07-03-2012
There might not be a compelling reason to move Hewitt from H back to TE. As an H back he's actually in a better position to block in pass protection and take part in the running game, even if it's just to execute fakes.  What I remember imperfectly is that as an H-back, Hewitt was often running slightly delayed (or slow to develop) routes that took advantage of the defensive players making their reads and committing before Hewitt was in his pattern. Seemed pretty successful at being open. What I don't know is how good a fullback/blocker he is. Is he a crushing lead blocker or just an average body going somewhere to make a block? Maybe he's a better blocker on the move than he is a blocker at a TE set position.
Re: Ryan Hewitt at tight end in 2012 -
socalstanfan1 - 07-03-2012
I may be overly-optimistic here, but I'm not fully ready to give up on Davis Dudchock, who had the unenviable task of trying to find playing time when there were three likely NFL-quality TEs in front of him. He may not have been ready to seize the opportunity last year when Ertz went down, but hopefully he makes enough progress before the start of the season, and develops enough chemistry with the QBs, that he can be productive this year. I'm more concerned with the following year, when it is likely that Ertz and perhaps Toilolo, if he has a good year, head for the NFL. Encouraged to see Eric Cotton commit (and I like his film very much, though I know it is hard to put a lot of stock in youtube videos); and also interested to see how things work out with Hunter Henry, Jordon Sherit, and Greg Taboada. We have a small incoming class this year, but if we were able to pick up Sherit and/or Taboada, both of whom seem to be able to play both DE or TE, could be a nice way to replenish our stock of TEs.
Re: Ryan Hewitt at tight end in 2012 -
StannyBoy - 07-03-2012
an H-back is basically half TE and half FB. I don't think Hewitt will be needed much as a TE since Dudchock looked pretty good last year in limited action. And losing Meinken sucks but I'm expecting Skov to impress.
Re: Ryan Hewitt at tight end in 2012 -
Hank 91 - 07-03-2012
We've had this discussion before, and I still say we should start retiring some numbers. I think it's correct that only #1 (Ernie Nevers) and #16 (Jim Plunkett) have been retired (please correct me if I'm wrong), but clearly #7 and #12 should also be so honored.
Re: Ryan Hewitt at tight end in 2012 -
yvonne - 07-03-2012
We've had too many good No 7s. Use it the way the parochial school in the Midwest does: it's an honor number that players have to earn.
Re: Ryan Hewitt at tight end in 2012 -
CowboyIndian - 07-03-2012
Voice crying in the wilderness here...
How about a pantheon of honor around the stadium...with names and numbers? Then we could continue to use the numbers and those great players would have the recognition they deserve.
Re: Ryan Hewitt at tight end in 2012 -
stan01 - 07-03-2012
Aziz Shittu will also wear #7.
Re: Ryan Hewitt at tight end in 2012 -
terry - 07-03-2012
We have two really good tight ends. Why would we move our starting fullback to TE? That doesn't make much sense to me.