mgteich

The patriots have certainly addressed the tight end position this offseason. We now have two tight ends with cap hits over $1.5M, and Watson isn't one of them. We also have three backups that could probably play elsewhere (like Spach before them). As a bonus, Listorti was a fullback coming out of college. We might consider keeping him instead of Green-Ellis, or even as the #3 tight end.

Since one of Watson or Thomas is likely to go, it seems that trade talks are likely under way to get something for one of them.

smg93

Any ideas what draft pick watson would be worth? 4th Rounder?

moosekill

I can't imagine that Thomas is worth anything, my guess is he will be cut. Unless someone comes in with an amazing offer for Watson.

mgteich

I will be more blunt. I think that Alex Smith is our #1 tight end in a show-me one-year contract. Baker is the long-term anchor for five years as one of our tight ends.

START WITH SMITH AND BAKER

Now what is the value to the 2009 patriots of
A) Watson in his last year?
B) Thomas in his last year?
C) DeVree who was outr #3 for part of last season?
D) Listorti who was a top fullback prospect out of college?

Who is the best value as our third tight end? Watson probably is the best value to us, but it should not take an "amazing offer" to pry him from the patriots. The patriots will listen. A fourth seems right.

ivanfears

to assume one will go is wrong they dont have a true fullback so the extra spot normally dedicated to a fullback may go to a tight end who also be utilizes as a h type of back

Box_O_Rocks

Chris Baker is on a one year show me contract if NE doesn't pick up his option bonus.

At the moment Alex Smith, Ben Watson, Dave Thomas, and Brad Listorti are all on one year contracts. Tyson DeVree and Baker are signed beyond 2009, but either is a relatively inexpensive cut.

Somewhere around here mayoclinic has a link to a report from the Jester's OTA camp, the initial focus is on Vernon Gholston. Gholston himself is unimportant at the moment, but the commentary from a shellshocked offense dealing with the Little Baltimore defense was bemusing.

I'm wondering if the overall TE competition, not to mention the signing or trading for three TE's 255+, has anything to do with an adjustment BB wants to make to account for the defensive schemes that Baltimore, Philadelphia, and the NYGs do to pressure the offense. With St. Louis and the Jesters joining that trio of pressure defenses, and presumably other defenses looking to do the same, I'm sure BB has been pondering offensive counters. If you look at McDaniels drafting a blocking TE at the end of Round Two, the two offenses running the Belichick/Weiss system are both gearing up with bigger, blocking TEs. Just something to ponder.

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JoeSixPat

Although I think that Smith or Baker will prove themselves to be better blockers than Watson or Thomas, I can't help but wonder if Belichick will tinker with Vollmer in speedrushing situations.

There are some who don't think he has good footwork or speed but the video that I saw of him make him look pretty good.... so I'm wondering if he can't be an extra lineman/blocking TE in certain situations.

Whatever BB decides is fine by me though.

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PATRIOTSFANINPA

When I saw the post title I had to laugh

Sounds more like something unrelated to football and for unmarried guys (or unfaithful married ones )

Jared

I miss Daniel Graham.

JoeSixPat

He was obviously the better blocker... but $6 million a year better (and that was 2 years ago)?

I do think that BB would pay more than people think for a very good blocking TE but I still think that figure is less than $6 million a season, even today with NFL inflation I don't think he'd pay that.

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