Drafting a TE - New England Patriots Forums

VJCPatriot · 01-20-2010, 06:09 PM

I know this subject has been talked about with some degree of levity in the past, particularly after BB took tight ends in the first round, back to back. But I think the topic needs to be revisited this year.

IMO, Watson is done in New England if he wants big money, Daniel Graham type money. And quite frankly I"m not going to miss him that much. I just don't think he ever built the trust with Brady to get the balls in big situations. Athletically he has the tools. But you'd think he'd produce more with the athleticism that he has? It's pretty mysterious.

But if Watson leaves for greener pastures and bigger money, bottom line is that the Pats need to look into getting a new pass catching tight end. So who will be the next Brent Celek? Or in terms of Pats tight ends, the next Coates or Cook? Will BB draft a tight end or will he seek yet another veteran?

carolinatony · 01-20-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VJCPatriot

I know this subject has been talked about with some degree of levity in the past, particularly after BB took tight ends in the first round, back to back. But I think the topic needs to be revisited this year.

IMO, Watson is done in New England if he wants big money, Daniel Graham type money. And quite frankly I"m not going to miss him that much. I just don't think he ever built the trust with Brady to get the balls in big situations. Athletically he has the tools. But you'd think he'd produce more with the athleticism that he has? It's pretty mysterious.

But if Watson leaves for greener pastures and bigger money, bottom line is that the Pats need to look into getting a new pass catching tight end. So who will be the next Brent Celek? Or in terms of Pats tight ends, the next Coates or Cook? Will BB draft a tight end or will he seek yet another veteran?

I don't think we really used him that much and who's fault is that may be a combination of reasons. Something was just missing. I watch a Tony G and wonder why Watson never caught more passes.

If he leaves we need a TE but we should get a solid blocker in the later rounds and fill our other needs in the earlier rounds imo.
Unless we get a new OC who may actually use the TE.

***mayoclinic*** · 01-23-2010, 10:19 PM

Drew Boylhart from The Huddle Report has a new profile out on Stanford TE Jim Dray in which he rates him a 1st round talent. For comparison, NFLdraftscout rates Dray the #14 TE in the draft and a 7th round talent, at #242 overall.

Here's the profile:

Jim Dray TE Stanford

TALENT BOARD - Round 1

STRENGTHS

Jim Dray is one of the most complete Tight Ends in this draft. He is an excellent in-line blocker and has the athleticism and foot speed to block in space as well. Jim has excellent size and speed to play his position. He shows very consistent hands and the speed to catch the ball down the field. He has the strength to out-muscle a linebacker when going after the ball in the air and is too big for most safeties to handle when Jim gets his hands on the ball. His blocking techniques, balance and instincts are the best I have seen so far in this draft. He is very smart and reads defenses like a QB when running routes. Jim reminds me a lot of Jason Witten (TE Dallas Cowboys), but he blocks better. Perhaps, he reminds me more of Mark Bavaro (former tight end for the Garden State Giants drafted in 1985).

NEEDS TO IMPROVE

Jim plays for the pack ten. The pack ten players do not seem to get the respect from the media in the draft (unless they play for USC) that the east coast and mid west players get in a draft. That's the reason no one talks about Jim. Oh yeah, that plus he doesn't have 4.3 speed. Funny...I still can't figure out how 4.3 speed helps a tight end to block!

BOTTOM LINE

The NFL continues to try to protect the QB's without blocking for them. They use rules instead. Give me a fullback and a tight end that can block in the passing game and I suspect you won't see as many QB's getting their heads knocked off their shoulders so much. I'm going to guess from film that Jim runs in the range of a 4.6 to 4.7 sp in the forty. Unfortunately, another problem is that NFL teams want tight ends that do not block, but can catch the ball down the field while running wide receiver patterns and look pretty. Jim is a true tight end. He blocks in line and in space, he catches the ball down the field and in those short, hard to catch areas of the field. So tell me, why would you draft a guy in the first round who could impact your team like Jason Whitten does for the Cowboys? I mean, after all, he's only a tight end...they don't do anything! They just have the potential to impact your run blocking, pass blocking and scoring in the red zone. I mean, really, isn't it better to draft a tight end who is more like a wide receiver so that all he impacts is the passing game? Isn't that what a tight end is all about? To get my point across, do I have to be any more sarcastic? I suppose that Jim will not be drafted in the first round, but believe me, he has first round talent and will be your starting tight end the day after you draft him.

Drew Boylhart 1/10

Interesting profile. Has anyone seen much of this kid? I haven't, and have no idea what to make of this. Someone to keep an eye on.

***mayoclinic*** · 01-23-2010, 10:22 PM

I see Jim Dray is playing in the Texas vs. the Nation game. Another guy to look out for, along with Jared Veldheer and Austen Lane.

Hok · 01-23-2010, 10:37 PM

Aaron Hernandez, please.

***mgteich*** · 01-23-2010, 11:13 PM

the "pack" ten?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

Drew Boylhart from The Huddle Report has a new profile out on Stanford TE Jim Dray in which he rates him a 1st round talent. For comparison, NFLdraftscout rates Dray the #14 TE in the draft and a 7th round talent, at #242 overall.

Here's the profile:

Jim Dray TE Stanford

TALENT BOARD - Round 1

STRENGTHS

Jim Dray is one of the most complete Tight Ends in this draft. He is an excellent in-line blocker and has the athleticism and foot speed to block in space as well. Jim has excellent size and speed to play his position. He shows very consistent hands and the speed to catch the ball down the field. He has the strength to out-muscle a linebacker when going after the ball in the air and is too big for most safeties to handle when Jim gets his hands on the ball. His blocking techniques, balance and instincts are the best I have seen so far in this draft. He is very smart and reads defenses like a QB when running routes. Jim reminds me a lot of Jason Witten (TE Dallas Cowboys), but he blocks better. Perhaps, he reminds me more of Mark Bavaro (former tight end for the Garden State Giants drafted in 1985).

NEEDS TO IMPROVE

Jim plays for the pack ten. The pack ten players do not seem to get the respect from the media in the draft (unless they play for USC) that the east coast and mid west players get in a draft. That's the reason no one talks about Jim. Oh yeah, that plus he doesn't have 4.3 speed. Funny...I still can't figure out how 4.3 speed helps a tight end to block!

BOTTOM LINE

The NFL continues to try to protect the QB's without blocking for them. They use rules instead. Give me a fullback and a tight end that can block in the passing game and I suspect you won't see as many QB's getting their heads knocked off their shoulders so much. I'm going to guess from film that Jim runs in the range of a 4.6 to 4.7 sp in the forty. Unfortunately, another problem is that NFL teams want tight ends that do not block, but can catch the ball down the field while running wide receiver patterns and look pretty. Jim is a true tight end. He blocks in line and in space, he catches the ball down the field and in those short, hard to catch areas of the field. So tell me, why would you draft a guy in the first round who could impact your team like Jason Whitten does for the Cowboys? I mean, after all, he's only a tight end...they don't do anything! They just have the potential to impact your run blocking, pass blocking and scoring in the red zone. I mean, really, isn't it better to draft a tight end who is more like a wide receiver so that all he impacts is the passing game? Isn't that what a tight end is all about? To get my point across, do I have to be any more sarcastic? I suppose that Jim will not be drafted in the first round, but believe me, he has first round talent and will be your starting tight end the day after you draft him.

Drew Boylhart 1/10

Interesting profile. Has anyone seen much of this kid? I haven't, and have no idea what to make of this. Someone to keep an eye on.

***KontradictioN*** · 01-23-2010, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayoclinic

Drew Boylhart from The Huddle Report has a new profile out on Stanford TE Jim Dray in which he rates him a 1st round talent. For comparison, NFLdraftscout rates Dray the #14 TE in the draft and a 7th round talent, at #242 overall.

Here's the profile:

Jim Dray TE Stanford

TALENT BOARD - Round 1

STRENGTHS

Jim Dray is one of the most complete Tight Ends in this draft. He is an excellent in-line blocker and has the athleticism and foot speed to block in space as well. Jim has excellent size and speed to play his position. He shows very consistent hands and the speed to catch the ball down the field. He has the strength to out-muscle a linebacker when going after the ball in the air and is too big for most safeties to handle when Jim gets his hands on the ball. His blocking techniques, balance and instincts are the best I have seen so far in this draft. He is very smart and reads defenses like a QB when running routes. Jim reminds me a lot of Jason Witten (TE Dallas Cowboys), but he blocks better. Perhaps, he reminds me more of Mark Bavaro (former tight end for the Garden State Giants drafted in 1985).

NEEDS TO IMPROVE

Jim plays for the pack ten. The pack ten players do not seem to get the respect from the media in the draft (unless they play for USC) that the east coast and mid west players get in a draft. That's the reason no one talks about Jim. Oh yeah, that plus he doesn't have 4.3 speed. Funny...I still can't figure out how 4.3 speed helps a tight end to block!

BOTTOM LINE

The NFL continues to try to protect the QB's without blocking for them. They use rules instead. Give me a fullback and a tight end that can block in the passing game and I suspect you won't see as many QB's getting their heads knocked off their shoulders so much. I'm going to guess from film that Jim runs in the range of a 4.6 to 4.7 sp in the forty. Unfortunately, another problem is that NFL teams want tight ends that do not block, but can catch the ball down the field while running wide receiver patterns and look pretty. Jim is a true tight end. He blocks in line and in space, he catches the ball down the field and in those short, hard to catch areas of the field. So tell me, why would you draft a guy in the first round who could impact your team like Jason Whitten does for the Cowboys? I mean, after all, he's only a tight end...they don't do anything! They just have the potential to impact your run blocking, pass blocking and scoring in the red zone. I mean, really, isn't it better to draft a tight end who is more like a wide receiver so that all he impacts is the passing game? Isn't that what a tight end is all about? To get my point across, do I have to be any more sarcastic? I suppose that Jim will not be drafted in the first round, but believe me, he has first round talent and will be your starting tight end the day after you draft him.

Drew Boylhart 1/10

Interesting profile. Has anyone seen much of this kid? I haven't, and have no idea what to make of this. Someone to keep an eye on.

Wow. Sounds like a talented tight end that we may be able to get our mitts on. I'll keep an eye out for him.

BritPat · 01-24-2010, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hok

Aaron Hernandez, please.

I'd have agreed with this until last week.

Hernandez and Meyer have apparently had a slight falling out, and haven't seen eye to eye over something for whatever reason. If BB asks Meyer the question, I don't see him giving him a complete thumbs up.

I don't think he'll be picked by us for that reason.

As for options, I'd not mind Anthony Fasano to be honest, good player and a Free Agent. If we're going to draft one though, Dennis Pitta and Andrew Quarless stood out in last night's game. Pitta looks very good.

Defsoul · 01-24-2010, 04:09 AM

Penn State's Andrew Quarless looked good in the East-West Shrine Game. He made an outstanding one handed catch on a low thrown ball and he also caught the game winning pass. He seems to be a mid round pick right now.

Quote:

East-West Shrine Monday Practice: Penn State tight end Andrew Quarless greatly improved his stock over the course of the season, and continued upon that track Monday by looking fluid as a receiver and repeating the success as a blocker he showed as a senior. - Chad Reuter, The Sports Xchange

MaineMan · 01-24-2010, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Defsoul

Penn State's Andrew Quarless looked good in the East-West Shrine Game. He made an outstanding one handed catch on a low thrown ball and he also caught the game winning pass. He seems to be a mid round pick right now.

You mean the one where Quarless stopped short and dove back at nearly full extension for a throw that was low and behind him and snagged the ball with his left hand literally out of the arms of the defender who otherwise had an easy pick and then secured the ball with said defender falling on top of him and still grappling for the ball? That one?

Yeah. In the NFL, that would have been endlessly repeated as the Play-of-the-Week.

And he blocks pretty well, too.

If he shows anything like decent TE numbers at the Combine, I doubt he's still a mid-round pick come Draft Day.