Is 2021 the breakout season for Luke Benson?

[JeffCuse]

I think Benson has a ton of talent, and when he is used in the passing game (which has been sparingly), he does good things. I feel like for the Syracuse offense to ever be an even remotely well oiled machine we need more production from the TE position. I am really hoping next year, with hopefully a more normal year of prep, Benson, the QB (whomever it is), and the coaching staff can get on the same page and figure out a way to work him more effectively into the offense. He looks to me to be on the precipice of making a big leap next year, if the offense and its playcalling allows for it.

 

[NineOneSeven]

6 catches in 7 games this year.

 

[JeffCuse]

6 catches in 7 games this year.

This is why i said 2021.

Look, i am one of the most frustrated fans on this board...I'm trying to find something positive here. I think Benson has a lot of talent. I think the problem is, they don't have a clue how to use it. Either the QBs dont know how to, or the coaches are not designing plays that, throw to the TE.

 

[skurey]

Seems like next year is always the year for our TEs to break out

 

[JeffCuse]

Seems like next year is always the year for our TEs to break out

Fair point

 

[syrBossHogg]

I'm not sure Benson is quite as polished as a receiver as we think he is at this point, but he clearly has talent and we need to find ways to get him involved.

We do throw to the TEs when we're in the red zone, hopefully we'll use them more when we're not.

 

[Chip]

He's clearly a fast runner in the open field, which is why he gets so much attention here.

Is he quick enough off the block? I don't know. Dino mentioned it as one of the reasons why he hasn't seen more passes. And there was one play Saturday where I watched him on a quick out, and he just didn't get there in time to turn around, ended up being a drop. At least that was my uneducated impression.

Can he block? There's an observations thread from yesterday where it seems like it's an issue.

Can both be improved with more time in the oven? Hope so.

 

[upperdeck]

Hard to get a read on the TEs when the pass blockin so often breaks down the TEs cant really get to the spot they want to be in.. Bensons best plays have been longer routes and we cant protect for those this year..

If the pass blocking was better we could take more shots than 1-2 times a game and even in the limited attempts they have been open.

Better blocking probably means more first downs more plays and more shots..

If the D is getting pressure they also play tighter coverages, it all adds up.

 

[JeffCuse]

Hard to get a read on the TEs when the pass blockin so often breaks down the TEs cant really get to the spot they want to be in.. Bensons best plays have been longer routes and we cant protect for those this year..

If the pass blocking was better we could take more shots than 1-2 times a game and even in the limited attempts they have been open.

Better blocking probably means more first downs more plays and more shots..

If the D is getting pressure they also play tighter coverages, it all adds up.

But is he capable of running shorter routes that DONT involve as much time pass blocking? How about some short smash plays over the middle, or a hitch? The middle of the field in the 5-15 yards from LOS mark is dreadfully underutilized in our offense.

or maybe even a 10 yard speed out?

The answer to my Q's may very well be no. If he is a weak blocker, he may be unable to find space there. I dont know

 

[orange_in_VA]

He's clearly a fast runner in the open field, which is why he gets so much attention here.

Is he quick enough off the block? I don't know. Dino mentioned it as one of the reasons why he hasn't seen more passes. And there was one play Saturday where I watched him on a quick out, and he just didn't get there in time to turn around, ended up being a drop. At least that was my uneducated impression.

Can he block? There's an observations thread from yesterday where it seems like it's an issue.

Can both be improved with more time in the oven? Hope so.

The drop on Saturday was a bad throw from Rex IMO. I didn't rewatch it or anything but my brain registered it as a poor throw at the time.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

He's clearly a fast runner in the open field, which is why he gets so much attention here.

Is he quick enough off the block? I don't know. Dino mentioned it as one of the reasons why he hasn't seen more passes. And there was one play Saturday where I watched him on a quick out, and he just didn't get there in time to turn around, ended up being a drop. At least that was my uneducated impression.

Can he block? There's an observations thread from yesterday where it seems like it's an issue.

Can both be improved with more time in the oven? Hope so.

Given that we've seen Benson capable of running away from the defense multiple times, I'm willing to roll the dice even if he's crappy.

Given the small number of chances, he's done quite a bit when the ball has made it to him.

I don't know why I started two thoughts with the word given. Probably given that I'm an idiot.

 

[Chip]

Given that we've seen Benson capable of running away from the defense multiple times, I'm willing to roll the dice even if he's crappy.

Given the small number of chances, he's done quite a bit when the ball has made it to him.

I don't know why I started two thoughts with the word given. Probably given that I'm an idiot.

He's still young, which is good. It's only his 2nd year. He can improve blocking and quickness, I would think.

Starting out with speed (even if it takes a bit to get into 5th gear) is better than not having 5th gear.

I forgot to start both with given.

 

[FAL]

He’ll probably make the switch to QB.

 

[UpstateSM]

I don't think Gilbert knows you're allowed to target tight ends more than twice a game

 

[CbusCuse]

I think he's a solid player. Definitely more of a receiving TE than a blocking TE. Until our OL improves I don't see him being sent out on many routes as he's needed to stay in and assist with blocking duties. Until our OL can block longer than 2 seconds all the short to intermediate throws will be covered as DC's are taking that away first. They don't fear any deep passes and why should they. I would definitely like to see some more roll out passes to create more time for our WR's to get deep and beat all the tight press coverage they see. It worked on Nykeim's catch against NCST and I don't understand why we don't try it more. Maybe start Benson on the line and send him out on a crossing route and roll the QB out the opposite direction. But Rex can't run out of bounds for a loss or take sacks obviously... With more repetitions doing it hopefully he doesn't do that anymore.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

The guys on the Locked On podcast listed him preseason this year as a breakout player. It doesn’t seem like we have the sort of players who can be projected for a breakout season. When is the last time that happened anyway?

 

[AAM62]

Don’t even need to read the thread. It’s just not gonna happen.

 

[orangenauburn]

We suck at utilizing TEs and quick slants and crosses in general across the middle.

Everything is outside or deep.

Don't know why we got away from the Erv type of utilization

Quick strikes and let his speed make plays

They blitz? Throw it into the gap from the blitz and make them pay

 

[corpjet]

He's a heck of a player however I'm not confident our coaches know how to properly utilize the TE position or a kid with his skill set.

In my opinion he's at the level where he should have 3-4 plays a game designed to specifically to get him the ball and use his speed and size.