Penn State Position Previews 2011: Tight Ends

by Peter Gray on Aug 11, 2011 11:00 AM EDT in Football

I'm not going to sugar coat it: 2010 was a complete disaster for Penn State tight ends. Andrew Szczerba was expected to be the starter after Andrew Quarless and Mickey Shuler left for the NFL, but never played a down due to a back injury. Garry Gilliam tore his ACL against Iowa, an injury which caused him to miss the remainder of the season. Kevin Haplea was forced into heavy action as a true freshman and wasn't much of a factor in the passing game. Even Nate Cadogan (tackle) and Brett Brackett (receiver) saw time at tight end to help fill the void. Basically, if you were a Penn State tight end last year, you had some hardship befall you.

Having a productive season from the tight ends would be huge for Penn State this year. It's often said that a reliable tight end can be a young quarterback's best friend, as they can act as a safety valve for a quarterback under heavy pressure. The question is which tight end will climb out from the rubble to become contributors? Let's take a look.

Andrew Szczerba

2010 Stats

None, missed season with back injury

Career Stats

2 receptions for 15 yards
7.5 yards/reception

The Overview

Szczerba was supposed to be the guy last year before his back betrayed him. If he's healthy this year, I think he gets the nod as Penn State's number one tight end due to (A) experience, and (B) blocking ability. As of a few days ago, everything seems to be going well on the health front. However, as someone with a long history of back issues, I know just how quickly the whole thing can go south. Fingers crossed that it doesn't happen to Szczerba.

Anything Else?

Not really. There's not a lot of numbers or tape to go on here. Just stay healthy, dude.

Kevin Haplea

2010 Stats

3 receptions for 39 yards
Zero touchdowns
13.0 yards/reception

The Overview

Kevin was forced into playing a lot of snaps before he probably should have. I'm not sure if it was due to his lack of experience, or the lack of experience/general craziness going on with the quarterbacks, but Haplea was an afterthought in the passing game. He's a decent blocker, but he'll get better as he gets older and more experienced. Even if Szczerba is the technically the number one, both will see significant playing time.

Anything Else

All that playing time Haplea got last year will be good for him. It's valuable experience that he may not have gotten until maybe another year or two down the line. Short term pain may turn into long term gain, but nothing is certain here.

Everyone Else

Garry Gilliam is expected to miss all of 2011 due to the ACL tear he suffered at Iowa last year. If he does miss the whole season, it's a significant loss. Gilliam has a very nice mix of speed, size and athleticism, and should be a very handy weapon to have in the future. Nate Cadogan shouldn't see time at tight end unless #TETrollgaze2k10 repeats itself. J.D. Mason and Michael Yancich are also listed at tight end, but I wouldn't expect them to see much of the field unless something really nutty happens. Let's hope said nutty scenario does not come to pass.

Poll

In 2011, Penn State's tight end position will be...

Improved from 2010

677 votes

The same as 2010

134 votes

Worse than 2010

23 votes

834 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 35 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

As awesome as it was seeing Nate Cadogan catch a TD in the Northwestern game,

I hope that doesn’t have to happen again.

ACCEPTS THE PAYPAL
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by newenglandnittanylion on Aug 11, 2011 11:04 AM EDT reply actions

That was an awesome moment

"Hey Joe, don't worry about the guys we lose. Only make sure the guys you bring in here belong here, and they're coming here for the right reasons." - Rip Engle to Joe Paterno

by dawsonPSU10 on Aug 11, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Give the big fellow some love

Cadogan was listed at 297 lbs last year, a slim 286 on the current roster. I’m always in favor of an extra tackle on the field when you need to grind out the yards on the ground. His ability to catch is a bonus.

Otherwise, I expect Haplea to break out this year and Szczerba to have a Shuler the Younger type senior season.

Striving for Success with Honor

by Frank O'Brien on Aug 11, 2011 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

Don't get me wrong, I loved the play

And as an OT in high school, I could definitely identify with Cadogan as he got the chance to catch a big TD. I just meant that I hope we don’t have to convert Tackles to TEs out of necessity again this season.

ACCEPTS THE PAYPAL
Hello, everybody, coach get old, the new coach approaching, click in.
Welcome to http://www.pennlive.com

by newenglandnittanylion on Aug 11, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

This is true.

My immediate thought was, “I hope that’s an eligible receiver.”

by CvilleLion on Aug 11, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

I had to break out the roster, hit rewind, and called my buds immediately to talk about what we just saw. “Yup that’s a tightend!”

by PSUinOH on Aug 11, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I voted improved

Simply because last year was a total train wreck.

"I don’t know what he’s done differently, whether he’s eating differently or Sue is making him happier, but he’s definitely a different coach out there" Devon Still

by jman07 on Aug 11, 2011 11:05 AM EDT reply actions

Same here. We lost everyone save a true freshman.

With Szczerba and Haplea returning, we have thin, but managable depth which should be an improvement any way you slice it compared to last year

"Hey Joe, don't worry about the guys we lose. Only make sure the guys you bring in here belong here, and they're coming here for the right reasons." - Rip Engle to Joe Paterno

by dawsonPSU10 on Aug 11, 2011 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Just due to health and experience

This should be a vastly improved group. I did not say good; I said vastly improved.

"I play for Penn State, we don't celebrate after TDs." - Penn State's Derek Moye, on being asked to act like he's celebrating a TD during a BTN shoot.

by ckmneon on Aug 11, 2011 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

It has to be improved.

I don’t see how it could be much worse.

by dmetz on Aug 11, 2011 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

Pure sugar lunch today....

I love Jujyfruits – especially since they made that all important decision many years ago to switch the green from that horrible mint to lime. Best candy improvement ever.

'Trivializing the "GREATEST RIVALRY OF ALL TIME" for a bunch of ghetto tats must have made them pee in their man-diapers.' Mr. Rosewater

by rahpsu92 on Aug 11, 2011 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

Jujubees

best movie candy ever!

by dmetz on Aug 11, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Those little bb's

were great for throwing, but unless they were super fresh, you were in danger of losing a few teeth.

'Trivializing the "GREATEST RIVALRY OF ALL TIME" for a bunch of ghetto tats must have made them pee in their man-diapers.' Mr. Rosewater

by rahpsu92 on Aug 11, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

gross

"Fish aren't smart. It's not like they have advanced degrees."
Mike Leach - Arrrrrrrrrr

by letsgopsu on Aug 11, 2011 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

One would think that the tight ends can only improve off last year’s showing.

"Everything looks nicer when you win. The girls are prettier, the cigars taste better. The trees are greener."—Billy Martin

@csm5206

by Chris McKeown on Aug 11, 2011 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

That Twitter embed is clever. How'd you do that?

It ain't safe in the city, watch the throne

@AdamCollyer
Black Shoe Diaries

by Adam Collyer on Aug 11, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Ctrl+U is your friend

it’s an anchor tag with a class modifier, so something like this:

<a href="http://twitter.com/AdamCollyer" class="twitter-follow-button"> @AdamCollyer </a>

You should be able to paste that right to your sig and get the same effect.
HTH

by nylyst on Aug 11, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

That's fun. Testing it out now....

It ain't safe in the city, watch the throne

@AdamCollyer
Black Shoe Diaries

by Adam Collyer on Aug 11, 2011 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Or not. Weird.

It ain't safe in the city, watch the throne

@AdamCollyer
Black Shoe Diaries

by Adam Collyer on Aug 11, 2011 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Well?

Looks like you got it working, did you have to change anything I posted?

It wouldn’t work for me in preview…

by nylyst on Aug 11, 2011 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Nope not at all. I just had to refresh the page.

It ain't safe in the city, watch the throne

@AdamCollyer
Black Shoe Diaries

by Adam Collyer on Aug 11, 2011 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

What's up the J.D. Mason?

The kid’s got some smarts and decent size at 240, time to step up.

Striving for Success with Honor

by Frank O'Brien on Aug 11, 2011 12:19 PM EDT reply actions

Don't say that!

/ducks and hides

by dbl5030 on Aug 11, 2011 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

we schooled that kid senior year in high school.

he had just received word that he would be taken aas at least a walkon and everybody was talkin about him. he didnt do a thing all night. it was the best game i ever saw at the high school level. 2 OT

by Milne4heisman94 on Aug 14, 2011 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Improved, simply b/c it probably won't get worse

Big fan of Haplea’s, really excited for the kid down the future. Hopefully Andrew cam step it up this year too

"We're going to do all we can to get this team right, to go after that national championship" - Devon Still

by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Aug 11, 2011 12:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Agreed. Think we'll see a lot of Nate D-O-Double-G in short yardage situations as well. Dude's a monster blocker.

It ain't safe in the city, watch the throne

@AdamCollyer
Black Shoe Diaries

by Adam Collyer on Aug 11, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

had Szczerba already redshirted?

Could he potentially get another year of eligibility?

Fire Dan Snyder

by Cari Greene on Aug 11, 2011 1:16 PM EDT reply actions

He is a fifth yr Sr,

I don’t know all the ins and outs but I assume he can petition for the extra year after his eligibilty runs out. A lot will depend on how he does this year.

Striving for Success with Honor

by Frank O'Brien on Aug 11, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Yancich has been moved, again, back to LB.

And there are two freshmen apparently getting reps at the position: Kyle Carter and Jordan Kerner. Can’t see either of them NOT using a redshirt this year, though, unless absolutely necessary.

@EpicTripod
BSD
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor

by Jeff Junstrom on Aug 11, 2011 1:16 PM EDT reply actions

Not that we were desperate for LBs, but I like this news

It at least says to me that the coaches think they’ll be fine at TE this year with the personnel available (Szczerba, Haplea, and co.)

"Hey Joe, don't worry about the guys we lose. Only make sure the guys you bring in here belong here, and they're coming here for the right reasons." - Rip Engle to Joe Paterno

by dawsonPSU10 on Aug 12, 2011 1:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Said before, I'll say it again,

Szczerba is probably one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, I really hope this year pans out for the big guy.

by psuwxman on Aug 11, 2011 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I voted "Better Than 2010" by default

I mean, really, last year was rock bottom for the TE position. Still don’t have big expectations this season, but it can’t possibly be any worse than last year’s school bus on fire.

@happyhourvalley
Black Shoe Diaries
It's not cheating when you do it on the Kiss-Cam.

by Tim Aydin on Aug 11, 2011 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

i agree, rock bottom

sadly, though, i really don’t see it being much improved…so i voted same same

"They stalk their prey to within two or three great leaps and then launch a lightning-fast charge, striking their prey. Victims are most often killed by suffocation with a prolonged bite..."--Hinterland Who's Who

by afields16 on Aug 11, 2011 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Who voted "worse", and why?

Not calling anyone out, but last year’s TE play was abysmal. Not a knock on the players — just the circumstances.

I'd like to have two Armies -- one for display, with lovely guns, tanks, little Soldiers, staffs, distinguished and doddering Generals and dear little regimental officers, who would be deeply concerned over their General's bowel movements or their Colonel's piles; an Army that would be shown for a modest fee on every fairground in the country.

The other would be the REAL ONE, composed entirely of young enthusiasts in camouflage uniforms, who would not be put on display but from whom impossible efforts would be demanded and to whom all sorts of tricks would be taught. That's the Army in which I should like to fight.

by PSU_Lions_84 on Aug 11, 2011 3:59 PM EDT reply actions