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Even though the Pats do not return any Tight Ends from last year's team, there is almost no question on whom will be on the roster at this position at the start of the season. A short thumbnail on the three who will make the cut, and the one that will not.
#84 Rob Myers 6-4, 240, age 24, 1st year; UDFA (Jets) '09
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I'm also excited to see the tight ends, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. They haven't had a physical specimen like Gronkowski in a long time. The deal with him is whether he can pick up the intricate Patriots offense, with all the multiple formations, shifts, motions and adjustments. Hernandez is basically a wide receiver in a tight end body. He runs routes better than some Patriots receivers. I might draft him in my fantasy league.
Prime contenders: Alge Crumpler, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez.
Battle lines -- The three represent a complete change in the tight end position from last season. Gone are long-time stalwart Benjamin Watson and short-lived free agent pick-up Chris Baker. Now you have veteran Crumpler and two rookies. It will be interesting to see who wins the starting spot, or if more than one starts should the Pats employ multiple tight-end sets. All three provide different skills sets. Crumpler has evolved into more of a blocker with age, but can still catch the football. Gronkowski figures to be more of an in-line tight end while Hernandez, who fits the Dallas Clark mold, can line up anywhere. He looks to have the most immediate impact catching the football.
Subplot -- The Pats didn’t have the best conversion rate in the red zone (52.3 percent, 13th in the NFL). It’s here where the bigger tight ends can make a difference. The 6-foot-6 Gronkowski, who has great hands, looks like a natural to be a huge weapon for Brady in this spot, but it’s not outlandish to think all three could be employed inside the 20, perhaps at the same time.
Q. Who do you think will be the best New England Patriots Rookie in 2010?
A. I think they are going to get contributions from quite a few of them. But the two rookies who caught my eye today were the tight ends -- Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. I see a significant opportunity for them to make a difference. Let's see what they do with it.
Reiss also said the top unit primarily consisted of a 2TE/2WR formation.
Quote:
Q. Were you able to see how the offense looked today in terms of the line, WRs & TEs, and RBs? I guess just wondering about the overall look and if some of the question marks have answers?
A. The top group I saw was LT Light; LG Kaczur; C Koppen; RG Neal; RT Vollmer; TE Crumpler; TE Gronkowski/Hernandez; WR Moss; WR Tate; RB Maroney; QB Brady.
Regarding Hernandez:
Quote:
Q. do you see hernandez playing the slot, similiar to what dallas clark does for the colts? I think he can contribute right away having familiarity with this offensive scheme
A. Surely, I think we'll see that at times. But I also saw Hernandez lined up in the traditional TE spot today.
Hmm, I thought Crumpler was a near-lock to make the roster.
Quote:
Q. Do you see Crumpler as having a legit chance to make the team, or is he only serving as a training camp mentor for Hernandez/Gronk?
A. I think Crumpler will make the team and be the top blocking TE early in the season. His presence allows rookie TE Rob Gronkowski to be groomed without the pressure of having to step in immediately.
Thanks for that link. Obviously you don't want to read much into the first day of training camp, but it's nice to see the two of them got off on the right foot.
On one play, Gronkowski ran to the left side and with his size (6-6, 265) easily shaded a defender for a touchdown catch. Not long after that, Hernandez came down with a difficult touchdown grab on the right side, leaping into the air and wrestling the ball away from a defender as both were in position to make the play.
Thanks for that link. Obviously you don't want to read much into the first day of training camp, but it's nice to see the two of them got off on the right foot.
Quote:
On one play, Gronkowski ran to the left side and with his size (6-6, 265) easily shaded a defender for a touchdown catch. Not long after that, Hernandez came down with a difficult touchdown grab on the right side, leaping into the air and wrestling the ball away from a defender as both were in position to make the play.
Funny, here's Rapaport on that play:
Quote:
while he always seemed to be right there, safety Patrick Chung got beat a lot in fighting for the ball. It happened, too, on the goal line when Aaron Hernandez out-wrestled him.
78. Tight end Rob Myers: For one surreal stretch this offseason, after the Patriots parted ways with Chris Baker and let Benjamin Watson and Robbie Agnone walk, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Myers was the only tight end in Foxboro. But then, the Patriots signed Alge Crumpler and drafted Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, and Myers returned to scout-team anonymity.
There was plenty of outcry early in the free agent period when the Patriots had only practice squad tight ends under contract. Since the additions of the top three above, things have quieted down, and now there is even a bit of anticipation over the potential of the position. There is speculation that with the occasionally stone-handed Ben Watson out of town that Tom Brady might actually look to the tights ends more often this season. Stop me if this sounds familiar, but the Patriots are relying on young players here, and need them to come though. If they can, Gronkowski and Hernandez could be a formidable duo for seasons to come.
Tight Ends
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