Reiss: Patriots to host TE Bear Pascoe on visit today

[Seneschal2]

Say it ain't so...

Patriots to host TE Bear Pascoe on visit today - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

Fresno State tight end McKenna "Bear" Pascoe, who is projected as a mid-to-late round selection in this month's NFL Draft, is scheduled to arrive in town today to meet with Patriots officials at Gillette Stadium, according to an NFL source.

The 6-foot-5, 251-pound Pascoe had 85 catches for 953 yards and eight touchdowns over the last two seasons. He is also considered a strong special teams player, blocking six kicks over his career.

 

[dryheat44]

Couldn't hurt, and I'm sure Pat Hill appreciates it, but to me he's no better than a late 6th rounder at this point.

 

[Seneschal2]

More from Reiss:

Pascoe, according to NFLDraftScout.com, earned his nickname by running hard after the catch and as a calf roper. Should Pascoe land in New England, he'd have some good competition from Logan Mankins -- another Fresno State alum -- when it comes to calf roping.

The Patriots are well stocked at tight end with Chris Baker, Benjamin Watson, David Thomas, Tyson DeVree and Brad Listorti on the roster, but might be thinking about future needs at the position as Watson and Thomas have contracts that expire after the 2009 season.

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If anyone remembers, Bear is someone I'm very high on, as an old-fashioned style TE. His lack of speed and athleticism won't garner many fans, but the fact he's played all special team units his entire career, is one heck of a blocker, and is a high effort player, makes him a legitimate day two prospect as one of the Pats many role players.

Another reason to consider Pascoe is that he and Mankins were good friends growing up. This excerpt sheds some light on that tidbit:

ESPN NCAAF Around the non-BCS conferences and independents

"I've been called the next Logan Mankins," Pascoe said. "That's kind of been nice. We were good friends, real, real similar backgrounds. You could probably put his life and my life together, it'll match up."

And there's the Pat Hill connection. For those who don't know, Hill served as Tight Ends and Offensive Line coach of the Browns while Belichick was Head Coach. Hill, who qualifies as one who knows the TE position, has this to say about Bear:

"Tight end really is the position he was built for," Hill said. "He can block as well as tackle for us, and he's got very good hands." Pascoe lacks top-end speed -- he runs the 40 in the high 4.8s -- but creates separation with his physical play. "That's the biggest question everybody will always have -- can he get that vertical stretch?" Hill said. "He's not Antonio Gates, but on the line of scrimmage, he can block defensive ends, he can run routes very well. To be an NFL tight end, people are looking for that body type to play there. He can bang off people, he can catch the ball in crowds, he can break tackles."

He's worth a day two pick.

 

[PATSNUTme]

One of my late round picks. Great blocker, move the chains type receiver, tough as hell,loves football, team first guy, and can long snap.

A Logan Mankins type player who needs to develope a nut punch.

 

[dryheat44]

He's a Logan Mankins-type player if you take away Mankins's athleticism. Mankins might make a better TE.

That being said, I'm not opposed to taking a TE late just for blocking ability, if he does enough to get on the game-day 46.

 

[WhiZa]

One of my late round picks. Great blocker, move the chains type receiver, tough as hell,loves football, team first guy, and can long snap.

A Logan Mankins type player who needs to develope a nut punch.

I love football and am a team first guy. Still working on my nut punch. Am I on your draft board?

 

[Ungeheuer]

Brandon Pettigrew ran a 4.83 at the combine. Pascoe ran 4.94, but ran a 4.89 at his pro day.

Apparently he's a champion calf-roper and is considering a pro career in rodeo after he leaves football. So he does sound a lot like Mankins.

I don't know, this guy has Patriots draft choice written all over him. Pascoe is supposedly big, excellent blocker, good hands, plays special teams, and blocks kicks. He sounds like a player after Belichick's heart. He loves those Kyle Brady types. Plus it can't hurt when Mankins becomes a free agent to have his friend on the roster.

 

[tombonneau]

Would love to hear Bear's name called on Day 2. That would pretty much mean training camp would be a steel cage death match between Baker & Thomas. Survival of the fittest.

 

[WhiZa]

Brandon Pettigrew ran a 4.83 at the combine. Pascoe ran 4.94, but ran a 4.89 at his pro day.

Apparently he's a champion calf-roper and is considering a pro career in rodeo after he leaves football. So he does sound a lot like Mankins.

I don't know, this guy has Patriots draft choice written all over him. Pascoe is supposedly big, excellent blocker, good hands, plays special teams, and blocks kicks. He sounds like a player after Belichick's heart. He loves those Kyle Brady types. Plus it can't hurt when Mankins becomes a free agent to have his friend on the roster.

Pascoe ran the slowest 40 of all the TEs so he won't be fooling anyone out there. He'd have to have to some solid technique to find a place in the NFL.

I don't see him as a Kyle Brady type. Kyle is 280 and ran a 4.8 at the combine. You don't see his type come around often.