Drafting a TE

[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?

 

[carolinatony]

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]

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
http://www.thehuddlereport.com/ppSD/protected/2010DRAFT/PlayerProfiles/Jim.Dray.htm
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]

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]

Aaron Hernandez, please.

 

[mgteich]

the "pack" ten?

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
http://www.thehuddlereport.com/ppSD/protected/2010DRAFT/PlayerProfiles/Jim.Dray.htm
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]

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
http://www.thehuddlereport.com/ppSD/protected/2010DRAFT/PlayerProfiles/Jim.Dray.htm
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]

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]

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.

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]

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.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

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

Another draft decoy to land Dray on the NE roster is always welcome.

 

[mayoclinic]

Another draft decoy to land Dray on the NE roster is always welcome.

Have you seen him play much? Thoughts? The Huddle Report profile makes him sound like the next Ben Coates.

 

[Defsoul]

Another draft decoy to land Dray on the NE roster is always welcome.

He seems to be an outstanding blocker. Now if he shows that he can run routes and catch the ball as well, than I will jump his bandwagon.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Have you seen him play much? Thoughts? The Huddle Report profile makes him sound like the next Ben Coates.

I caught a couple games here at the end of the season when he was getting back into rhythm after coming back from an injury. His hands immediately extended and caught me away from the body - he was money. Then you start looking a little closer, which the following item highlights well.

12/08/09 - 10 catches. 132 yards. 3 touchdowns. No, not an impressive day for a top wide receiver-that was Stanford tight end Jim Dray's stat line for the entire season. How, then, did he wind up on the Pac-10 second team when all-conference honors were announced today? First reason: not a lot of good TEs in the Pac-10. Only four were acknowledged at all by the conference. So, let's admit that there's a bit of a process of elimination at work, but not dwell on it for too long because...Second reason: the coaches, who vote on the all conference picks, know what's up. Ed ****son of Oregon is a star and made the first team; no drama there. They could have easily picked USC's Anthony McCoy (22 catches, 457 yards) for the second team and no one would have blinked twice, even though he's been injured. Anthony Miller of Cal (21 catches, 302 yards) also had a case. Instead, they went with Dray. So why the love for Stanford's senior? The Pac-10 coaches saw what NFL scouts soon will and what Stanford fans have seen all year: Dray's blocking is simply unparalleled at his position. And when you're a smash mouth football team that has to pound the rock to be successful, players like Dray are integral to any success you might hope to have. Ask his coach or his teammates, particularly the offensive linemen--they describe him as an "extra tackle." Go back and watch some Notre Dame highlights. On any given play, there's Dray sealing off two men along the sideline, or leading into the middle to take on a linebacker. He thrives at the point of attack; frankly, he blocks better than many of the offensive tackles. - TUSB, Wyndam via NFL Draft Scout

 

[mayoclinic]

Sold. Hope he slips to us in the late rounds.

 

[mayoclinic]

Someone at Stanford knows how to teach blocking. Chris Marinelli, Andrew Phillips, and now Dray.

 

[VJCPatriot]

The Pats should carry at least 3 tight ends. Last year appeared to be an aberration to me. Watson and Baker, and that's it? Dray sounds like he would at the very least fill the void that Graham left behind - an awesome blocking tight end. Now if he can catch too that's gravy. Since blocking tight ends don't usually go high, we can probably snag him for a midround pick, 3rd/4th rounder.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The Pats should carry at least 3 tight ends. Last year appeared to be an aberration to me. Watson and Baker, and that's it? Dray sounds like he would at the very least fill the void that Graham left behind - an awesome blocking tight end. Now if he can catch too that's gravy. Since blocking tight ends don't usually go high, we can probably snag him for a midround pick, 3rd/4th rounder.

Well, they had a perfectly serviceable TE3, who they then traded away for a 2011 seventh, so they could trade for a less-than-serviceable TE3. . . .

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Blocking TE? Heck, he's even got the ugly OL beard potential thing nailed down:

 

[PatsCanDoIt]

Ladies and gentleman, I present Ben Watson Part II:
YouTube - Universal Draft Presents TE Jeff Cumberland of Illinois

In all seriousness, this offense uses TEs to block and as decoys. To be a decoy for us a TE has to threaten deep.