Embarassment of Riches at TE - New England Patriots Forums

NordicVoyager · 07-29-2011, 04:24 AM

From the first day of training camp, Patspsycho notes:

We have an embarrassment of riches at TE. Lee Smith is an absolute brute. He is a complete specimen. He has all the tools- but there’s another TE that’s a monster, Will Yeatman, an UDFA. He kept catching my eyes. Just a monster with speed, good hands, and power. Not sure if there is even a highlight reel of him out there, but he really handles himself well at this level.

It is sad that probably only three and maximum four of Crumpler, Gronk, Hernandez, Smith and Yateman will make the final 53. The thoughts of who might make this team might well have contributed to my dreams of having all five of them on the field with the ball on the opponents five yard line. Coupled with Solder and Volmer at the tackles, and Mankins and Cannon at the guards, this would be one monster group to run block!!

Thoughts on how the TE position will play out? Keep all five with Crumpler on PUP until mid-season??

Rossmci90 · 07-29-2011, 04:33 AM

I'd imagine if Yeatman is kept around it'll be on the PS.

***DarrylS*** · 07-29-2011, 04:36 AM

Always get concerned when we describe parts of our team as, "embarassment of riches" as there are so many equalizers.. Lee Smith needs to become a special teamer this year.

Will he beat out Crumpler??? Personally prefer keeping Crumpler around right now.

NordicVoyager · 07-29-2011, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarrylS

Always get concerned when we describe parts of our team as, "embarassment of riches" as there are so many equalizers..

This group is so much better than the 2009 training camp TE players led by Ben Watson and Dave Thomas, no??

***DarrylS*** · 07-29-2011, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NordicVoyager

This group is so much better than the 2009 training camp TE players led by Ben Watson and Dave Thomas, no??

No disagreement with the substance, just concerns about the superlatives.. we have the best TE group, but injuries can be the equalizer.

***convertedpatsfan*** · 07-29-2011, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarrylS

No disagreement with the substance, just concerns about the superlatives.. we have the best TE group, but injuries can be the equalizer.

Especially with Crump and Hernandez not practicing because of injuries right now.

TheSolderKing · 07-29-2011, 06:08 AM

what is the early PUP list like now?

TheSolderKing · 07-29-2011, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossmci90

I'd imagine if Yeatman is kept around it'll be on the PS.

some one would claim him.

Lee better make the team if he keeps looking impressive.

farn · 07-29-2011, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSolderKing

some one would claim him.

Lee better make the team if he keeps looking impressive.

Maybe - but there may be so much going on this year, post lockout, that teams actually don't lose as many players as other seasons...

I'd think the UDFA makes it to the PS.

patriot lifer · 07-29-2011, 07:57 AM

At this point, there are so many players who aren't even out there yet (free agents, injured players, rookies) that it's impossible to accurately assess these guys, nevermind with just one little practice. The fringe players who end up making the team are often surprises anyways. Guys like Sergio Brown and Dane Fletcher first showed us what they can do in the preseason games--not practice. We were all eyeing Trone McKenzie last year only to see him cut. And the fact that we were focusing on certain players made it harder for us to identify fringe players who were actually going to make the team.

And with the final 53, bear in mind that guys like Slater will make the team and eat up precious roster spots that we would otherwise write-in guys like Lee Smith for. He might be a less sexy pick to make the team, but BB even kept him around last year when he was hurt entering the regular season.