Why was Eifert blocking Dumervil?

[masterpanthera_t]

(09-28-2015, 12:20 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: To me, that's a scheme issue on that play.  Does that mean that we are going to have a TE blocking Justin Houston this week? or Tamba Hali?  Makes no sense to me to have one of your best receiving threats blocking the other teams best pass rushers.

This was the point of my post. There is a scheme issue when you have a TE blocking a very good DE on a 3rd and long pass play. I'm not talking about a running play going to the other side or a 3rd and short pass that the QB gets rid of quickly by design. I'm talking about taking one of your better receivers (a TE in this case) out of the route and instead asking him to do something that is not one of his strengths. 

(09-28-2015, 09:59 AM)Element Wrote: What makes a Tight End different from a WR? Tight ends are supposed to be good blockers as well, Eifert pushed Elvis out deep, and Dalton needed to make a quick throw or hold on to that ball. Stop deflecting Daltons mistakes on others man, he played great but he did have two mess ups.

This has nothing to do with absolving Dalton. The design of the play requires Dalton to wait for longer routes to develop. Regardless of whether Dalton should have pulled the ball down quicker to prevent the fumble or not, the play design is asking for a TE to block a rushing DE (and not pick up a blitzing player) in one of his weak areas. This design may likely lead to a failed play anyway since even if Dalton held on to the ball, we're looking at a sack at a very crucial time of the game.  The way Eifert played here, Dumervil ran right around him with almost no stop of his momentum.  If instead Eifert slowed him down and Dumervil spun and got to Dalton or something similar, I wouldn't have asked the question.  It's possible Eifert just had one horrible play or maybe he was temporarily hurt or gassed, but I posted this up as a food for thought because I like discussing things about play designs and other intricate aspects of football. I try not to get into blaming players too much and I don't claim to have all the knowledge about coaching or play design. The post was an honest question about how the team can cut out bad low probability play designs. I appreciate the discussion here.