How many and which TE's do we keep?

[ALP]

It doesn't seem like BB is trying to trade an TE's away, like we thought when he signed Baker or traded for Alex, so what will he do?

right now we have five on the roster, Watson whos never reached his potential, and prob never will, Thomas whos been a little hurt, yet when played has shown something....

Devree, whos been on and off the roster lately....

and finally Baker, whos an excellent pass catching TE, and Alex Smith a 5 yr vet who im not too familiar with....

who and why do u guys think we keep?

 

[Pats726]

I'd say 3...BUT if TEs prove useful on KOs....and one can be a fullback...it's possible 4...but ONLY if for some reason the TEs are big contributors on STs...

 

[spacecrime]

Watson whos never reached his potential, and prob never will,

who and why do u guys think we keep?

I don't know who we'll keep, but whether Watson reaches his potential (whatever that is and however you measure it) or doesn't, is irrelevant.

All that matters is his level of production. If the team is better of with him on the team than Thomas or Devree, it won't matter if they reached their potential and Watson didn't.

It no longer matters who was drafted in the first round, who was drafted in the third round or who wasn't drafted at all. All that counts is who is the better player in 2009.

Because of the changes in wedge rule, it is likely that kick return team will have guys that can block is space as opposed to fatties who can take up space. I wouldn't be surprised to see an extra TE or RB (or both) at the expense of a DL or OL player or two.

 

[BradyFTW!]

It doesn't seem like BB is trying to trade an TE's away, like we thought when he signed Baker or traded for Alex, so what will he do?

right now we have five on the roster, Watson whos never reached his potential, and prob never will, Thomas whos been a little hurt, yet when played has shown something....

Devree, whos been on and off the roster lately....

and finally Baker, whos an excellent pass catching TE, and Alex Smith a 5 yr vet who im not too familiar with....

who and why do u guys think we keep?

Good question, and a tough one. Part of me wants to see how ST will shake up with the changed rules (no more wedge). Will that make LBs and TEs more useful in ST, since they operate in space better than the bigger guys that no longer have a place? If that's the case, then maybe the Pats will keep 4 TEs? For now, I'd say that Smith, Baker, and Watson seem likely, but I say that as someone who's never liked Thomas.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

If they only keep 3, Thomas will be the odd man out.

 

[supafly]

I don't know who we'll keep, but whether Watson reaches his potential (whatever that is and however you measure it) or doesn't, is irrelevant.

All that matters is his level of production. If the team is better of with him on the team than Thomas or Devree, it won't matter if they reached their potential and Watson didn't.

It no longer matters who was drafted in the first round, who was drafted in the third round or who wasn't drafted at all. All that counts is who is the better player in 2009.

Because of the changes in wedge rule, it is likely that kick return team will have guys that can block is space as opposed to fatties who can take up space. I wouldn't be surprised to see an extra TE or RB (or both) at the expense of a DL or OL player or two.

I absolutely agree with your statements on Watson. I still feel we're better at the TE position, with him on board. Even with the addition of Baker, who's a very good TE, Watson arguably could still be our #1 due to experience here and knowledge of our system. He's still a good value cap wise of course, so I do not truly believe that he's on the trading block.

I think Alex Smith was traded to be competition in camp, possibly overtaking Wendy for the #3 TE spot--depending on how he performs in camp.

I would see the TE position as follows:

1. Watson
2. Baker
3.-4. Thomas/A.Smith or A.Smith/Thomas

DeVree as the odd man out I guess, unless Thomas is not in the teams future plans

 

[jmt57]

I would say the Pats keep three tight ends.

Here's something to think about; will the Pats be looking for any more cap room to sign another play - or extend one already on the roster?

2009 Cap Figures
$2,007,280 - Chris Baker
$1,550,000 - Alex Smith
$1,443,387 - Ben Watson
$702,469 - David Thomas

The thing is Baker isn't going anywhere; here are the more important numbers if cap money is needed.

Cap savings if cut or traded
$1,090,000 - Alex Smith
$449,440 - Ben Watson
$74,440 - David Thomas
($60,000) - Chris Baker

It's possible that Alex Smith, and not David Thomas, is the one that most needs to impress BB & staff in training camp.

 

[BOSTN BEANER]

I would say the Pats keep three tight ends.

Here's something to think about; will the Pats be looking for any more cap room to sign another play - or extend one already on the roster?

2009 Cap Figures
$2,007,280 - Chris Baker
$1,550,000 - Alex Smith
$1,443,387 - Ben Watson
$702,469 - David Thomas

The thing is Baker isn't going anywhere; here are the more important numbers if cap money is needed.

Cap savings if cut or traded
$1,090,000 - Alex Smith
$449,440 - Ben Watson
$74,440 - David Thomas
($60,000) - Chris Baker

It's possible that Alex Smith, and not David Thomas, is the one that most needs to impress BB & staff in training camp.

wouldnt be surprised to see Alex Smith get cut to get some cap room since Vince Wilfork still needs to be signed to an extention... correct me if im wrong but isnt big Vince holding out right now?

 

[PatsFaninME]

I think Watson's speed and improved blocking will allow him to hold his spot. Thomas is the guy I fear is on the bubble. I think BB went out and got Baker & Smith to create competition because he has little patience for guys that are constantly hurt.

Thomas was known for being able to get open and find holes in D but has little to no value if he can't stay healthy.

 

[aurakilla]

well, i know allot of people dont like watson, but i think itll be watson smith and baker

 

[JSn]

well, i know allot of people dont like watson, but i think itll be watson smith and baker

I agree that Wendy is likely gone, but I think Tyson has a shot. Sounds like he's making plays in OTA's.

No matter what, I think Watson is a lock and if his improvement this year is catching and it matches his blocking improvement last year, he's a keeper.

 

[mgteich]

First, I don't think there should be any rush to make a trade. We have 5 TE's going into mini-camp. That seems about right. I would even be fine with 5 for Training Camp. We have four fine competitors for three roster spots, plus a practice player.

I think we will pretty lucky if all are looking good deep into the preseason. It is only then that we would have problem, and a good one to have. I would expect Thomas to be the odd man out, although Watson would be better trade bait.

Let the competition begin!

 

[SyN65]

Thomas is going to be the odd man out imo.

 

[ALP]

OK, now ill chime in...

I also believe watson is the best of our TE's....im not sure about his improved blocking, cuz i dont know how to tell, but since ppl have been saying, i guesss ill accept it now....

as for Baker, i believe hes a better pass cather then watson, and i have no clue about his blocking ability

either way, i believe they are both locks to make the roster this year....

the interesting part begins when looking at thomas, devree and smith

i think devree has no chance of making the roster....he might be, if applicable on the PS

so its between thomas and smith.....and im thinking that a lot of u guys, just b/c BB traded for smith will keep him on the roster...and i tell u that between the thomas and smith, i go for thomas....whos shows flashes, but was hurt last yr (now im making that assessment w/o knowing how their blocking is)

if we keep four, devree is probably the odd man out, if we keep three, smith will join devree.....

 

[supafly]

I would say the Pats keep three tight ends.

Here's something to think about; will the Pats be looking for any more cap room to sign another play - or extend one already on the roster?

2009 Cap Figures
$2,007,280 - Chris Baker
$1,550,000 - Alex Smith
$1,443,387 - Ben Watson
$702,469 - David Thomas

The thing is Baker isn't going anywhere; here are the more important numbers if cap money is needed.

Cap savings if cut or traded
$1,090,000 - Alex Smith
$449,440 - Ben Watson
$74,440 - David Thomas
($60,000) - Chris Baker

It's possible that Alex Smith, and not David Thomas, is the one that most needs to impress BB & staff in training camp.

Great point here. After seeing these figures, I think it may be even more possible now that A.Smith may be here just for TC, as Baker, Watson, and Thomas/DeVree may certainly be enough.

We only gave up a 5th for Smith, so it's certainly possible that he may not make it--especially if we'd save over a million dollars. Could be here to take the brunt of training camp.

 

[RayClay]

I like Thomas, but a search found some articles saying he hasn't been the same since his foot injury. Those little bones do not heal well sometimes.

It's only Rotoworld, but it would explain the TE acquisitions.

 

[ALP]

I like Thomas, but a search found some articles saying he hasn't been the same since his foot injury. Those little bones do not heal well sometimes.

It's only Rotoworld, but it would explain the TE acquisitions.

interesting, ive never seen that article, but if its true, its just too bad, i still have memories of him in that Jaguars game.....

 

[JSn]

interesting, ive never seen that article, but if its true, its just too bad, i still have memories of him in that Jaguars game.....

Funny, I keep remembering him in the Colts game...

 

[JoeSixPat]

Wow - we've got a lot of guys writing off Alex Smith already.

At 6' 4" 260 lbs and a 40 catch season under his belt, he could wind up being the most productive TE on the roster, having the bulk to block as well as catch passes.

I understand that at $1.5 million in potential cap savings he's got to earn that too - but $1.5 million isn't a King's ransom either.

I think Thomas is most seriously on the bubble.

 

[VJCPatriot]

We might keep as many as 4 tight ends - Baker, Smith, Watson, Thomas.

BB likes his tight ends. If we only keep 3, Thomas might be the odd man out. Not because of lack of talent or something but simply he has proven the least of the other tight ends at the NFL level. His health issues also have me wondering if he can contribute all 16 games this year?