Originally Posted by lamafist

It's really all a matter of semantics.

In one sense, he's a tight end all the time, wherever he's lined up on the offense; he's a tight end playing special teams when he's receiving kicks, and he's a tight end when he's on the sideline drinking gatorade. He's a tight end because that's the position the Patriots have designated him as, and had he not extended his contract and ended up given the franchise tag, it would be for the tight end value.

In another sense, he's only a tight end when he's the last player on his side flush with the line of scrimmage (i.e. an End) while not being the furthest player from center (i.e. not a Split End.)

In this case, he'd still be a TE when motioned into the slot provided that he remains an flush with the line of scrimmage, and that he isn't the farthest outside receiving option on his side of the play.

Often, though, you'll see the Pats have Hernandez or Gronk lined up in the slot a few steps off the line of scrimmage, in which case, he's not an "End" of any sort. Depending on where he's lined up, you could call him an H-Back, slot receiver, full back, or even flanker. Less often, you might find Hernandez lined up flush with the line of scrimmage, and the furthest split receiver on his side, at which point he'd be lined up as a split end.

Originally Posted by AndyJohnson

It isn't semantics, it is matchups.
Hernandez is utilized so that almost all of the time he covered by a LB or S. (ie as a TE)
If he is used as a guy covered by a corner (ie a WR) he will not be nearly as effective.

Originally Posted by Mainefan

Looks to me as though Edelman is really going to get his chance this year....

Originally Posted by Dingleberry

Such woe over a position that will see very few snaps this year. How much time is the #3 WR going to see anyway?

With 1 RB, your 4 receivers for the majority of plays will be Gronk, Hernandez, Lloyd, Welker.

Hernandez, Welker, Lloyd outside and slot along with Gronk and Fells/Shiancoe at TE. A traditional 2 TE set can be run now with those guys, and Hernandez will be in the slot, backfield, or wherever else they can think of putting him!

5 wide? Usually a RB out there with those 4. If not, Edelman or Ebert will suffice as a slot presence. More likely? Gaffney is back when he is healthy (week 2, I'm sure). Do we really need more WR depth than that?????

When/if Gaffney is back, he is at most a 10 snaps per game guy.

Originally Posted by Deus Irae

I hope that the WR3 gets a lot of plays this year, and that WR4 gets a decent number as well, as should everyone else. It would be stupid of the team to get so far away from 3 and 4 wide in the game plan.

Originally Posted by nabwong

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this but I believe Demps can play WR. He's so freaking fast, who can stay with him?

Originally Posted by Dingleberry

They will not be getting away from the 3 and 4 wide.

Hernandez will essentially be the WR3 in those formations much of the time.

I suspect there will be a few plays drawn up utilizing Demps out there.

Ebert/Edelman can be used as quick slot guys opposite Welker if needed.

Bottom line: Lloyd, Welker, Hernandez, Gronk will be the 4 primary receivers the majority of the time. If you want to see lots of plays for a WR3, which of these 4 would you take those snaps from?