Tight Ends... The Future!

[PatsBoy12]

Here's what one of the best ever, Tony G., has to say about our young TE's:

Gonzalez thinks Pats' rookie TEs have a future - Extra Points - Boston.com

"I have watched both tight ends, and they are rookies so they're still learning this game (but) I do see a future for them," he said. "Hernandez, with the receiving part of it, has got that down...If you are going to be a tight end, and you want to be called a tight end, then you better learn how to block. That is what the position is. With the other tight end (Gonkowski), I think he has a pretty good receiving game and he's got the blocking pretty good."

This has to mean a lot to the youngsters. I hope they're soaking up knowledge from one of the best ever at his position.

 

[SanAngeloState]

Does that mean hernandez isn't blocking well?

 

[Sicilian]

Does that mean hernandez isn't blocking well?

I'm guessing it's a weaker part of his game, but Gonzalez could also just be speaking in generalities. Either way, if he can contribute in the intermediate passing game for now, that's enough as a rookie. If he develops into a decent blocker in the coming years as well, that's just gravy.

 

[Calciumee]

Does that mean hernandez isn't blocking well?

If he isn't, I am not surprised; never saw him as an all around TE, more of a receiving only

 

[363839]

Is this the same Gonzalez that BB asked at the pro bowl if he ever blocks anyone?:singing::singing::singing::bricks:

 

[Billy Spikes]

Well, we know Hernandez can't block as an in-line TE, he's a H-Back type guy who is under-size at under 250 pounds.

I just hope he is fast enough and got the passing game down enough to make impact as a receiving *only* TE.

I like Gonkowski a lot more, and expect him to make a much bigger impact.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Well, we know Hernandez can't block as an in-line TE, he's a H-Back type guy who is under-size at under 250 pounds.

I just hope he is fast enough and got the passing game down enough to make impact as a receiving *only* TE.

I like Gonkowski a lot more, and expect him to make a much bigger impact.

Same here.

 

[Kontradiction]

Well, we know Hernandez can't block as an in-line TE, he's a H-Back type guy who is under-size at under 250 pounds.

I just hope he is fast enough and got the passing game down enough to make impact as a receiving *only* TE.

I like Gonkowski a lot more, and expect him to make a much bigger impact.

In the future, Gronk will probably make a bigger impact. But this season, it's probably going to be Hernandez who makes the bigger impact of the two in the passing game.

Good words from Gonzalez. Hopefully Gronk and Hernandez are keeping a close eye on him to learn what they can.

 

[Billy Spikes]

In the future, Gronk will probably make a bigger impact. But this season, it's probably going to be Hernandez who makes the bigger impact of the two in the passing game.

I can't fully agree on that, the fact is, Hernandez has a lot of work left for him on his game.

Gronk can play in a lot more formations, a lot more packages and is more ready to step up, Hernandez's development especially development as at the blocking part of his game is key for his success this season, heck, even next season.

 

[vattha]

Is this the same Gonzalez that BB asked at the pro bowl if he ever blocks anyone?:singing::singing::singing::bricks:

that was on special teams though

 

[JoeSixPat]

Well, we know Hernandez can't block as an in-line TE, he's a H-Back type guy who is under-size at under 250 pounds.

I just hope he is fast enough and got the passing game down enough to make impact as a receiving *only* TE.

I like Gonkowski a lot more, and expect him to make a much bigger impact.

I'd heard the same thing - but the Pats scheme for blocking TEs isn't limited to the line only - and I thought I'd heard some media talking heads say that Hernandez' downflield blocking ability was decent and that Hernandez may go down as the steal of the draft (as his draft stock was hurt by the unheard of notion of college students smoking pot)

Overall I get the sense that that between Hernandez and Gronkowski, even with both being rookies, along with Crumpler, we've significantly upgraded a weak area on the team.

Adding our TEs as receivers into the mix with Moss, Welker and Edelman, not to mention pass catching RBs, I think we've got a short to mid game that is going to drive DC's absolutely mad

The only thing I have some concern about is finding another deep threat ready to step up if and when we lose Moss next season. I'd like to have someone opposite of Moss who can take advantage of his double teams now, but with all these options, it's not critical for success this season... yet it's a growing imperative to find someone to fill Moss' shoes for next season and as of yet we don't know who that will be.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I'd heard the same thing - but the Pats scheme for blocking TEs isn't limited to the line only - and I thought I'd heard some media talking heads say that Hernandez' downflield blocking ability was decent

Overall I get the sense that that between Hernandez and Gronkowski, even with both being rookies, along with Crumpler, we've significantly upgraded a weak area on the team.

Adding our TEs as receivers into the mix with Moss, Welker and Edelman, not to mention pass catching RBs, I think we've got a short to mid game that is going to drive DC's absolutely mad

The only thing I have some concern about is finding another deep threat ready to step up if and when we lose Moss next season. I'd like to have someone opposite of Moss who can take advantage of his double teams now, but with all these options, it's not critical for success this season... yet it's a growing imperative to find someone to fill Moss' shoes for next season and as of yet we don't know who that will be.

It's almost like you're expecting Moss to go down. Man, I sure you hope you're wrong about that.


Nonetheless, I get your point and I think that player may just be Brandon Tate, if he continues to progress so smoothly. All reports suggest that he's having himself a very good training camp and they're using him in a number of different areas (punt return, kick return, lining him up in a number of different spots, etc.).

 

[Billy Spikes]

The only thing I have some concern about is finding another deep threat ready to step up if and when we lose Moss next season. I'd like to have someone opposite of Moss who can take advantage of his double teams now, but with all these options, it's not critical for success this season... yet it's a growing imperative to find someone to fill Moss' shoes for next season and as of yet we don't know who that will be.

Absolutely, i was hoping that man to be Price when he was drafted, he didn't show that much in TC/First game of the pre-season, i hope he gets better... but Tate does seem like he is beginning to be a threat out there.

 

[PatsChamp88]

The only thing I have some concern about is finding another deep threat ready to step up if and when we lose Moss next season. I'd like to have someone opposite of Moss who can take advantage of his double teams now, but with all these options, it's not critical for success this season... yet it's a growing imperative to find someone to fill Moss' shoes for next season and as of yet we don't know who that will be.

 

[363839]

I can't fully agree on that, the fact is, Hernandez has a lot of work left for him on his game.

Gronk can play in a lot more formations, a lot more packages and is more ready to step up, Hernandez's development especially development as at the blocking part of his game is key for his success this season, heck, even next season.

Besides that, he seems to be a good target for TB in the EZ because of his size.

 

[Kontradiction]

I can't fully agree on that, the fact is, Hernandez has a lot of work left for him on his game.

Gronk can play in a lot more formations, a lot more packages and is more ready to step up, Hernandez's development especially development as at the blocking part of his game is key for his success this season, heck, even next season.

I'm not sure what you're going on saying that Gronk can play in more formations. Hernandez can line up in the slot in four wide formations, he can line up as a receiver in other formations depending on the match-up, and he can also line up on the line of scrimmage and run routes. It would seem that Hernandez can line up in just as many, if not more, formations and packages as Gronk.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I'm not sure what you're going on saying that Gronk can play in more formations. Hernandez can line up in the slot in four wide formations, he can line up as a receiver in other formations depending on the match-up, and he can also line up on the line of scrimmage and run routes. It would seem that Hernandez can line up in just as many, if not more, formations and packages as Gronk.

Yeah, Hernandez, in my opinion, seems to be the more versatile option from a strictly receiver point of view. Blocking would seem to be the major flaw in his game, assuming his official title will be TE.

I watched him at Florida and he was rarely kept in to block for Tebow. In fact, the only time he would stay in would be when Florida ran the the little pitch play they liked to run on teams that blitzed often. It usually was run for Hernandez and it usually went for a big gain.

 

[Kontradiction]

Yeah, Hernandez, in my opinion, seems to be the more versatile option from a strictly receiver point of view. Blocking would seem to be the major flaw in his game, assuming his official title will be TE.

I watched him at Florida and he was rarely kept in to block for Tebow. In fact, the only time he would stay in would be when Florida ran the the little pitch play they liked to run on teams that blitzed often. It usually was run for Hernandez and it usually went for a big gain.

Yeah, I'd like to see the Pats run that play. Little pitch up the A-Gap. Not sure it would be as effective as it was at Florida, though.

 

[mgteich]

If Hernandez can't block, then he is a big WR. Who would you want to have on the field with Brady, a RB, Gronk, Moss and Welker?

Edelman? I could see it.

Tate? makes sense.

Hernandez? Why?

 

[Kontradiction]

If Hernandez can't block, then he is a big WR. Who would you want to have on the field with Brady, a RB, Gronk, Moss and Welker?

Edelman? I could see it.

Tate? makes sense.

Hernandez? Why?

Hernandez can run routes out of the LOS and his speed would create mismatches for linebackers that would cover him. He can also run routes out of the slot and his size and power would create mismatches for defensive backs. He threaten the seam and over the middle.