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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.Last nite was the first game this season Watson looked like the threat we expected, catching 8 balls for 88 yards...unfortunately he also coughed up a fumble in an extremely key situation. I'd probably blame it on a slick ball if it weren't for the fact that he's never been as sure-handed as one would like.
So, yeah, I agree - Day 1 Tight End is likely. But, with other positions, I wouldn't necessarily call it a "need" as much as a "want".
I do not see any 1st round TE's in this draft, maybe someone will overdraft a Pettigrew or the kid from Oklahoma.
But for my money, we need to look long and hard at Coffman in round 2. He is huge, 6'6" and 250 lbs. but not very athletic. However he runs good routes and has above average hands.
The down side is his blocking or more specifically a lack thereof and secondly, he has played his entire career in that funky Mizzu offense.
Good stuff.
The Pats aren't a team that is overly concerned with disguising whether they are going to run or pass, particularly when TFB is behind center. So, IMO, not having the blocking TE and the pass catching TE be one and the same is not a huge deal. If we used a Day 1 pick to grab a guy who can run good routes and catch the ball, we could use Day 2 to get a bigger TE with noted blocking skills....though I know BOR's response - as his original post implies - will be in favor of getting one player who can do both.
Thomas and Watson have both improved in the blocking department as far as I can tell, but neither is Daniel Graham.
But for my money, we need to look long and hard at Coffman in round 2. He is huge, 6'6" and 250 lbs. but not very athletic. However he runs good routes and has above average hands.
The down side is his blocking or more specifically a lack thereof and secondly, he has played his entire career in that funky Mizzu offense.
Bottom line is a year or two with Woicik and Mangurian and he will be an adequate blocker but also a better route runner and receiver than Thomas or Ben "can't do 16 games a season" Watson.
Yes, TE is a "tough guy" position. They weigh in around 250-260 and block in-line against guys weighing up to 350 lbs. They do most of their work in the middle of the field where the defense's heavy hitters - Linebackers, Safeties - roam. They are quite often a safety valve for the QB, which puts them directly in the defense's bullseye. There's a reason BB has tried to go three deep with a developing TE on the Practice Squad. Day One (rounds one and two) is where I want to see BB shopping for a player with the talent to make plays and the toughness to wham block a Jenkins or go head to head with Dwight Freeney.Thought about this some more, although Watson has been a slightly above average TE and Thomas has potential I rate both of these picks among the worst in the past several years. They were both 'glory' picks, the team had adequate depth at TE when both players were selected yet ignored more obvious pressing concerns. In 04 with Watson the Pats could have had Bob Sanders.
I can't think of a single TE drafted in round 1 that has truly made an impact, beyond what a 5th rounder could do. Winslow has been good but also missed a lot of time. TE is a tough guy position, staying on the field is half the battle.
Put me in the 'No first round TEs' club...
Thought about this some more, although Watson has been a slightly above average TE and Thomas has potential I rate both of these picks among the worst in the past several years. They were both 'glory' picks, the team had adequate depth at TE when both players were selected yet ignored more obvious pressing concerns. In 04 with Watson the Pats could have had Bob Sanders.
I can't think of a single TE drafted in round 1 that has truly made an impact, beyond what a 5th rounder could do. Winslow has been good but also missed a lot of time. TE is a tough guy position, staying on the field is half the battle.
Put me in the 'No first round TEs' club...
I liked Sypniewski as a late round TE when he came out, the problem with an ACL injury for a receiver or RB is they have to cut more than a QB does, so his first year may be very limited.I've been thinking - What about grabbing a stopgap TE in free agency? That would let them see how the Thomas and Watson situations play out, and they can then address the need in the 2010 draft with more information on the future of that position. They could look for what they saw in Kyle Brady, a guy who can make their running game more effective and pass protect (although it turned out K. Brady couldn't do that so much anymore).
Mark Campbell is a UFA for the Saints. Ravens' Quinn Sypniewski is coming off an ACL injury, he's noted as a good blocker, Pats could take a flier on him if he's healthy. Will Heller, another guy noted as a good blocking TE with good size is a UFA for the Seahawks.
The key word is "attitude." Watson and Thomas both have the same size Graham had, they just don't seem to have that same nasty attitude he used to match defender's intensity.the pats offense lost its toughness the moment daniel graham left..........
not saying they should have paid him, but he had the size and attitude to abuse 4-3 DE's.......he was not a bad pick, and proved his worth in ways other than in pass-catching stats........
jared bronson may be good value.....good size, good hands
I liked Sypniewski as a late round TE when he came out, the problem with an ACL injury for a receiver or RB is they have to cut more than a QB does, so his first year may be very limited.
The key word is "attitude." Watson and Thomas both have the same size Graham had, they just don't seem to have that same nasty attitude he used to match defender's intensity.
Presumably you have access to data not published by the Patriots: Official New England Patriots - Team - Roster Reportsthat is incorrect........graham's regular playing weight with the pats was around 270lbs, and he's much stronger than either, especially in the legs........watson is in the low 250's and thomas is in the high 240's
yes, he had the attitude, also, but he is bigger and stronger than eithe guy the pats have now