Tight ends fading from ASU spotlight

As Zach Miller works to become a top NFL tight end in Oakland, production from his former spot at Arizona State is becoming a thing of the past.

Miller's immense skills were on display with the Sun Devils from 2004-06. In that time, Miller caught 144 balls for 1,512 yards and 14 touchdowns.

In the two and a half years since, Arizona State's tight end replacements - eight players in all - have combined for 79 catches, 820 yards and eight touchdowns.

This season, the production has been nearly nonexistent.

The group has combined to catch three balls for 21 yards in four games - all by Jovon Williams.

Starting tight end Dan Knapp does not have a reception this season. He's had a few balls thrown his way, but either they were off-target or he couldn't corral them.

"Unfortunately, I did drop some balls earlier in the season," Knapp said. "But you know, you have to bounce back from that. Hopefully, the tight ends can get more involved."

Many times, the tight ends are asked to block for the running game or in pass protection.

It's something the group takes pride in.

"The tight ends are a very big part of our running game," Williams said. "We're just trying to stay physical and stay aggressive."

But staying in to help block limits the production in the passing game.

"I definitely think that getting the ball in games is getting experience," Knapp said. "Which is as of right now, as a group, the tight ends aren't getting that experience. I think that hurts us in the long run, but I think eventually we will come back and start catching balls and be involved in the offense."

With an injury to Williams last week, coach Dennis Erickson went with more four wide receiver sets against Oregon State.

Quarterback Danny Sullivan points to those formations as a reason why the tight ends haven't been involved.

"It's not hurting us; it's just tough when you have so many good receivers," he said. "The fact that we are trying to get all the guys time and receptions is hard."

Erickson said that as young tight ends Knapp and true freshman Chris Coyle develop, he will start using offensive formations that get the tight ends more involved.

"Things change as time goes on," he said.

But the tight end group is not throwing in the towel this season.

Knapp hopes the unit can help get the Sun Devils out of their offensive funk.

"We're not running as (many) four-receiver (formations) this week," Knapp said. "The tight end is going to be involved a lot more. And hopefully we get a couple more passes, score a couple touchdowns and start to get rolling."