Poll: Which tight ends make the final 53?

[PATRIOT64]

Didn't Kyle Brady play for the Jags before coming to the Pats?

Jets then Jags

 

[RabidPatsFan]

Jets then Jags

Did not know that. Thanks for the info.

 

[PATRIOT64]

Did not know that. Thanks for the info.

No problem ...BTW Kyle was a PSU grad drafted in 1995 in round one and turned out to be a bust or at least close to one considering where he was selected by the Jets

A lot of people don't know that Kyle had actually walked out on the Patriots during a midseason practice in 2007 with disagreements between himself and BB and the way they were using him,but the coaching staff got Kyle to stay..this was a hush-hush thing the Pats did not want anyone to grab ahold of,especially with that spygate crap already in full bloom at that time.

 

[patriot lifer]

i feel like Watson will always be subpar blocking against above average opponents, and I feel that Baker's pass catching abilities could diminish Watson's role (and value) on the team. not sayin' he's a cut (especially with whatever dead cap space), but...

 

[PATRIOT64]

i feel like Watson will always be subpar blocking against above average opponents, and I feel that Baker's pass catching abilities could diminish Watson's role (and value) on the team. not sayin' he's a cut (especially with whatever dead cap space), but...

When people ask you what has been the one biggest and best play Ben Watson has shown in his NFL career and you answer running down Champ Bailey to save a TD in the AFC divisional game in 2005 then you know you have an underachieving TE

Given time to show his ability and more on the field,I truly believe that Dave Thomas could be a better TE than Watson.

 

[The 12th Man]

Why is everyone so sold on Baker? I was never impressed with him with the Jets, and he caught zero TDs last year. Why on earth is he "the only lock??"

Baker is a lock not only because he's the best blocking TE on the roster (and agruably the entire AFC East Division) and we need to protect Mr.Brady, but also because the Pats just signed him to a multiyear deal that included a nice size signing bonus and the Pats would lose cap room by releasing or trading him. That would be stupid.

I vote Thomas as the odd man out, although it would be a difficult cut. Maybe BB will keep 4 TEs? Maybe an injury will take care of fate?

 

[patriot lifer]

When people ask you what has been the one biggest and best play Ben Watson has shown in his NFL career and you answer running down Champ Bailey to save a TD in the AFC divisional game in 2005 then you know you have an underachieving TE

Given time to show his ability and more on the field,I truly believe that Dave Thomas could be a better TE than Watson.

i think the majority of those on the board are more optimistic than us (of Watson's abilities)

 

[jmt57]

No problem ...BTW Kyle was a PSU grad drafted in 1995 in round one and turned out to be a bust or at least close to one considering where he was selected by the Jets

A lot of people don't know that Kyle had actually walked out on the Patriots during a midseason practice in 2007 with disagreements between himself and BB and the way they were using him,but the coaching staff got Kyle to stay..this was a hush-hush thing the Pats did not want anyone to grab ahold of,especially with that spygate crap already in full bloom at that time.

A little more trivia from that draft:

Reportedly Belichick was all set to draft Kyle Brady with the 10th pick in the first round of the NFL draft but the Jets took Brady with the #9 pick. The Browns traded the pick away after that and the 49ers used it on WR JJ Stokes.

The #8 pick, taken just before Brady, was WR Joey Galloway. And two selections before that the Rams chose DE Kevin Carter, who was just in Foxboro for a visit. The Pats took Ty Law with the #24 pick their pick. That was the same draft that Tampa Bay got both Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks in the first round.

 

[eagle eye]

i think the majority of those on the board are more optimistic than us (of Watson's abilities)

I don't overrate Watson, but Brady likes to use him as a receiver. As long as Brady is around I would expect Benjamin Watson will have a roster spot.

Like the rest I think we will have 4, them being Watson, Thomas, Baker and Smith. We need big athletic guys for Special teams now too with the change in the wedge rule. DeVree might even make it, I don't see BJGE making it this year. The acquisition of Taylor makes it very unlikely that he will be here.

We all know that BB loves players who can play more than one position as it saves roster spots. I have a feeling that it will be either O'Connell or Hoyer but not both with Edelman being a lock imo.

 

[smg93]

One of the reasons that will likely have the Pats keep more TE's than usual is the new wedge rules on ST.

 

[makoute]

Baker (money invested), Smith (draft pick), and the last Watson (experience?)

 

[Brady-To-Branch]

Watson is a UFA in 2010, makes more money than Thomas, and has not lived up to expectations.

 

[jmt57]

Baker is a lock not only because he's the best blocking TE on the roster (and agruably the entire AFC East Division) and we need to protect Mr.Brady, but also because the Pats just signed him to a multiyear deal that included a nice size signing bonus and the Pats would lose cap room by releasing or trading him. That would be stupid.

I vote Thomas as the odd man out, although it would be a difficult cut. Maybe BB will keep 4 TEs? Maybe an injury will take care of fate?

Regarding Baker, I agree he's pretty much a lock to make the roster due to the way his contract is structured. If the Pats were to be in need of clearing space then Alex Smith would be the most likely candidate to go from this group based on his contract.

Cap Number: Baker $2,007,280; Smith $1,550,000; Watson $1,443,387; Thomas $702,469; DeVree $392,280

Cap Hit if Cut: Baker $1,500,000; Smith $0; Watson $526,667; Thomas $160,189; DeVree $7,280

Cap Savings (loss) if cut or traded: Baker (-$60,000); Smith $1,090,000; Watson $449,440; Thomas $74,440; DeVree $0

 

[jmt57]

Pats' Tight End Spot Might Not Be All About The Benjamins Anymore

Pats' Tight End Spot Might Not Be All About The Benjamins Anymore by Chris Price of WEEI

Someone’s hearing footsteps.

Veteran tight end Benjamin Watson was back on the practice field Monday morning, his first appearance in training camp since the fourth practice session, back on July 31st. In between his last appearance and Monday, Watson missed 15 practices, a whopping total for anyone not on the physically unable to perform list.

Since Watson’s last appearance, Dave Thomas has shown flashes of versatility and newcomers Alex Smith and Chris Baker have shown improved chemistry with quarterback Tom Brady. Even Tyson DeVree has had his moments of glory.

So where does that leave Watson?

 

[jmt57]

Watson knows he's fighting for his job

Watson knows he's fighting for his job by Mark Farinella of the Attleboro Sun Chronicle

Will this be the year that the black cloud hovering over Benjamin Watson finally dissipates?

He certainly hopes so, but all the big tight end can do is practice hard and let the chips fall where they may.

"It's very frustrating, but it's part of the deal, part of playing football, and I'm working to get back," the sixth-year veteran from Georgia said after Monday morning's practice at the Gillette Stadium complex.

Watson has lots of competition at Patriots training camp by Tim Whelan Jr. of the Quincy Patriot Ledger

With the signings of tight ends Alex Smith and Chris Baker, both starters in Tampa Bay and with the Jets, respectively, Watson knows that he will have to stay on the field if he hopes to keep a job in Foxboro. Watson is not the only incumbent, either, as New England also returns fourth-year man David Thomas, who started 10 games last season, as well as second-year reserve Tyson DeVree.

The new toys are shiny, no doubt. Baker is known mostly for his blocking acumen but can contribute in the passing game, while Smith could be used as an H-back out of the backfield as well as on the line. This may leave less repetitions in the loaded offense for Watson, the last pick of the first round in 2004 out of Georgia.

 

[goldenaleus]

I think that Watson may get the axe!

 

[patriotscpfc]

May just be me, but I see 4 of the 5.

But, not Watson.

I reckon he becomes a Chief.

 

[patchick]

Watson is a UFA in 2010, makes more money than Thomas, and has not lived up to expectations.

I think this may be swaying a lot of fans' thinking too much. The gap between draft-day expectations and gameday impact shouldn't be part of the equation at this point -- we just want the best 2009 roster we can put together. I'd be surprised if Watson didn't make that cut.

 

[jmt57]

Elementary for Watson; Pats need to see more from TE

Elementary for Watson; Pats need to see more from TE by Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald

He participated in just one of the double sessions, taking part in the morning practice. How this will impact him going forward is anyone’s guess, but it sure didn’t sound like absence was going to make coach Bill Belichick's heart grow any fonder for his sixth-year tight end, who is in the final year of his contract.

The Patriots coach didn’t exactly put up a spirited defense of No. 84 when asked if his familiarity with Watson and his past body of work would help in the selection process given the tight end’s lack of playing time in camp.

“I’d like to see every player on the field,” Belichick said. “We’d like to see (Watson) out there. I really don’t think it matters what any of us did last year, or any other year. We’re into a new season, and that goes for everyone . . . guys that were on this team last year, guys that were on another team. We’re starting a new process. We all need to get ourselves ready to do our job during the season. That encompasses the whole team. Nobody is exempt from that.”

Tightly bunched; Patriots have given Watson a helping of competition by Christopher Gasper of the Boston Globe

The team could end up keeping all five tight ends. With the Patriots without a true fullback, there is certainly a lot of playing time to go around for this group. There will be no shortage of ways the tight end will be utilized this year - they’ll be on the line, flexed out, used as H-backs, and maybe even put in the backfield.

“It’s awesome,’’ said Watson. “As a tight end, I think we’re all receivers who got too big . . . We always want to be a part of the offense and any time they give us a chance to do more things. That’s the fun thing about playing tight end - you get to be involved in the running game and the passing game.’’

Watson stacks up well against his competition. Baker is more of a blocker. Smith is more of a receiver and Watson is probably the best combination of both. Thomas and DeVree are versatile tight ends with less accomplished résumés than their rivals.

Belichick said it would be wrong to pigeon-hole any of the tight ends, though.

 

[APatrioticVirginian]

Watson because of his ability, Baker because of his blocking, Smith because the Pats just traded for him and Thomas because of his receiving ability. DeVree doesn't make it.

Watsons real or potential ability? I say we trade Watson for cash to the US Volleyball team.

Baker
Smith
Thomas- Our leading pass catching TE by the end of the season
DeVree- I say we keep four because of no true FB

Watson goes to the Bungles for a 4