hey dc

"dc, what kind of problems do te's in a "nasty" split (2-3 yds) pose for a defense? how would you utilize them?"

A "nasty split" is determined by the distance out from the ball a DE plays. Let's say a DE normally play one yard outside the TE as shown below:

    E     T              T      E
       O  O  O  0  O  O  O
                   O
           O      O      O

If the TE moves out 2 yards, he'll be on the outside shoulder of the DE, where he can crack him (block down) for a sweep to the outside. Since normally the DE has the job of turning the runner in, the runner can now "race the defense" to the sideline. This is shown below:

    E     T              T     E
  O       O  O  0  O  O      O
                   O
           O      O      O

We are now able to sweep around the "nasty split" TE who will take out the DE. If the DE moves outside the TE to avoid the crack, we get this:

  E         T              T         E
    O       O  O  0  O  O      O
                     O
             O      O      O

The offense can no longer sweep outside the DE without him doing his job. However, look at the huge hole he left inside of himself. We should be able to run off tackle all day. Thus, whatever the DE does, he's wrong. If the TE splits "nasty", whatever side of him the DE lines up on, is wrong. The offense will run the other side. Here is how some defenses try and counter this:

      C                S                 C2
    B1              B2 B3               B4
          E      T          T       E2
        O      O  O  0  O  O       O
                        O
                O      O      O

The defense is letting the TE have the "crack". B1 and B4 are watching the TE. If he blocks the DE, they know the play is sweep and run up and play contain. In effect, B1 and B4 are DE's backed off the line. But the "nasty split" TE still wins. Because now each TE is controlling three different defenders (six altogether). The right side TE is controlling E2, B4, and C2. That's because, in order to come up and play contain, B4 must stay on the outside of the TE. So when the TE "nasty splits", B4 splits out wider too. So does C2 because he's pass covering the TE. So does E2 because, if he doesn't, the right TE will block B3. So E2 must move out with the TE and then hit him on snap to make sure he doesn't block B3. Because the "nasty split" TE has moved three defenders out, the defense is "wrong" again. From tackle to tackle, the offense has 9 players. But, from tackle to tackle, the defense only has 5. The defense is badly outnumbered for runs up the middle by 9 to 5. Why? Because the two "nasty split" TE's moved 6 defenders outside. Two guys moved 6. Other advantages of "nasty split" TE's are that the DE's, as they move out, get further away from the QB. That makes for a slower outside pass rush. The QB has more time to throw. Also, the wider split TE's become more effective receivers. Thus, the passing game has improved as well as the inside running game.