A Tale of 2 Rookie Rice TEs

Dec 9, 2013 at 8:03 PM

mebemused
Veteran
Posts: 2,027

Sunday's victory showcased 2 rookie Rice TEs. 49ers drafted Vance McDonald in the 2nd round, Seattle drafted Luke Wilson in the 5th. At Rice, McDonald was the preferred target, lining up at TE, in the backfield, and split wide. His production is why he was taken in the second round. Wilson lined up as the second TE in 2 TE formations.

In Sunday's game, Luke Wilson was the leading Seattle receiver with 3 catches for 70 yds and the only passing TD (his first as a pro). Vance McDonald didn't have a pass thrown his way. Granted, P Willie gave Wilson a clean release on both of his long catches and didn't really cover him, biting on play action run fakes.

Why the discrepancy in production?

1) Even though Vance McDonald's production at Rice was superior, Luke Wilson is the better pro TE.
2) Vance McDonald will only be featured as a receiver after he learns to block.
3) Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh always try to minimize mistakes by not giving rookies a chance to make them, so McDonald is never the primary target.

Dec 9, 2013 at 8:04 PM

49AllTheTime
Veteran
Posts: 66,649

Here we go

Dec 9, 2013 at 8:09 PM

hondakillerzx
Veteran
Posts: 19,104

they use him, we dont. simple as that.

/thread

Dec 9, 2013 at 8:13 PM

NinerBuff
The Election Dude
Posts: 21,443

They don't have Vernon Davis, we do...

Dec 9, 2013 at 8:16 PM

Team49ers
Veteran
Posts: 4,495

Sherman is glad vance didn't get a catch, he didn't want to get trucked again.

Dec 9, 2013 at 8:20 PM

wysiwyg
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Posts: 16,091

Dec 9, 2013 at 8:20 PM

BrianGO
Veteran
Posts: 10,300

Luke Wilson is their only option at TE. That is why they throw it to him.

Dec 9, 2013 at 8:26 PM

wysiwyg
Veteran
Posts: 16,091

Originally posted by mebemused:
Sunday's victory showcased 2 rookie Rice TEs. 49ers drafted Vance McDonald in the 2nd round, Seattle drafted Luke Wilson in the 5th. At Rice, McDonald was the preferred target, lining up at TE, in the backfield, and split wide. His production is why he was taken in the second round. Wilson lined up as the second TE in 2 TE formations.

In Sunday's game, Luke Wilson was the leading Seattle receiver with 3 catches for 70 yds and the only passing TD (his first as a pro). Vance McDonald didn't have a pass thrown his way. Granted, P Willie gave Wilson a clean release on both of his long catches and didn't really cover him, biting on play action run fakes.

Why the discrepancy in production?

1) Even though Vance McDonald's production at Rice was superior, Luke Wilson is the better pro TE.
2) Vance McDonald will only be featured as a receiver after he learns to block.
3) Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh always try to minimize mistakes by not giving rookies a chance to make them, so McDonald is never the primary target.

On a serious note, though, Kaep is reestablishing his connection with Crabs and Mario.

Dec 9, 2013 at 8:29 PM