On the new(ish) offense, Kendricks says:
Just lining up everywhere — I think that’s the main thing for me, is just kind of getting used to the offense because before, I was mainly the wide tight end. Now, I could be anywhere,” tight end Lance Kendricks said. “So for me, it’s a big challenge, but it’s also going to be fun — just being able to do a little bit of everything. It’s going to really challenge my game because going from run blocking to playing out wide is just two different things. But I’m up for the challenge.”
link: http://theramshuddle.com/topic/under-boras-groh-rams-adjust-offensive-scheme/
I liked LK the best when he was used in multiple ways like that. He could line up anywhere in the formation and run block, pass block, or run a route from any of those positions. He’s not a fluid pass catching threat but his abilities as a receiving TE are generally pretty good…his real advantage comes from that ability to line up anywhere and do anything from any spot. It adds a really crucial dimension to the offense–you don’t know what the Rams will do (run or pass) just by him being on the field, and in fact you don’t know what they’re going to do just by looking at where he lines up.
However, last year he had his worst season in terms of drops. He has to get back to his own norm when it comes to that. I looked this up and got the numbers. In terms of drops, 2015 was LK’s worst year (measured in terms of percentage of targets) but he was never that bad before…though he was almost as bad in 2012. Actually for a few years there he led Rams TEs and WRs in catch percentage (counting only TEs & WRs with 20 or more targets).
Here are the actual numbers.
2011: catch percentage 47.5%, targets 59, drops 3, drop percentage 5.1%
2012: catch percentage 65.6%, targets 63, drops 4, drop percentage 6.3%
2013: catch percentage 69.6%, targets 46, drops 2, drop percentage 4.4%
2014: catch percentage 71.1%, targets 36, drops 1, drop percentage 2.6%
2015: catch percentage 62.5%, targets 40, drops 3, drop percentage 7.5%
In terms of catch percentage & drop percentage, here is how he stacks up year by year measured against Rams TEs & WRs with 20 or more targets:
2011: CP 4th, DP 2nd
2012: CP 1st, DP 4th
2013: CP 1st, DP 3rd
2014: CP 1st, DP tied for 2nd
2015: CP 1st, DP 9th
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