Tight Ends... The Future!

[mgteich]

Would you rather have him on the field instead of Edelman?

Or perhaps as the primary blocker instead of Grankowski?

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.

 

[Ring 6]

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?

If you try to make Hernandez a WR you have a slow WR.
If you put him in a formation where he is covered like a TE or a FB, it doesnt much matter what you call him, its a mismatch in the passing game.
Problem is to get him covered by someone slower and less agile on pass plays you have to ask him to block someone bigger on run plays.
To say he can be on the field in any situation I suppose could be technically true, but the formations that it would be smart to have him in for are more limited.

 

[Billy Spikes]

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.

So you're simply making Hernandez a WR now? if the Pats go to the slot only two guys will be there, Welker or Edelman, not our 240 pound TE.

He won't be able to play on the line due to his lack of blocking ability and that limits his chances and limit his playing time.

 

[Deus Irae]

So you're simply making Hernandez a WR now? if the Pats go to the slot only two guys will be there, Welker or Edelman, not our 240 pound TE.

He won't be able to play on the line due to his lack of blocking ability and that limits his chances and limit his playing time.

According to Rodak, he's getting play in the slot:

5. On the Patriots’ first drive of the second quarter, rookie TE Aaron Hernandez lined up as a slot wide receiver, catching a screen pass/lateral from QB Brian Hoyer and proceeding to make the first defender to the ball – a defensive back – miss his tackle.

Picked-up pieces from 2nd quarter review - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[mgteich]

Yes, he will get reps in the slot in the preseason.

When would you want to sit Welker or Edelman to play Hernadez as a slot receiver?

According to Rodak, he's getting play in the slot:



Picked-up pieces from 2nd quarter review - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[Deus Irae]

Yes, he will get reps in the slot in the preseason.

When would you want to sit Welker or Edelman to play Hernadez as a slot receiver?

Just as so much of the Bill Belichick playbook, it would depend on matchups.

 

[Kontradiction]

Would you rather have him on the field instead of Edelman?

Or perhaps as the primary blocker instead of Grankowski?

I would never have him as the primary blocker instead of Gronk. If you read my thread where I broke down what I saw of the Gator players we took, you would know that. However, there might be specific match-ups where it would make more sense to line up Hernandez in the slot instead of Edelman. Hernandez's size alone would make him a tremendous mismatch going up against smaller DB's. There are also two TE sets that he can line up in and cause mismatches against slower linebackers.

So you're simply making Hernandez a WR now? if the Pats go to the slot only two guys will be there, Welker or Edelman, not our 240 pound TE.

He won't be able to play on the line due to his lack of blocking ability and that limits his chances and limit his playing time.

I was wondering what you weren't understanding before. No offense meant. Hernandez isn't a true TE. He's an H-Back. I said before the preseason began that Hernandez will be lining up in the slot just as much, if not more, than he lines up next to the tackles. And you're wrong about the slot. They could run the odd 5WR set from time to time, being that they look to have the weapons in the passing game to once again spread opposing defenses out with success. And yes, he could play on the line. He wouldn't be the first TE with blocking issues to line up next to the tackles. The coaching staff will line him up wherever they see a mismatch (and that includes the backfield as a potential runner).

Please read this thread to see my thoughts on Cunningham, Spikes, and Hernandez.

 

[Billy Spikes]

Hernandez isn't a true TE. He's an H-Back. I said before the preseason began that Hernandez will be lining up in the slot just as much, if not more, than he lines up next to the tackles. And you're wrong about the slot. They could run the odd 5WR set from time to time, being that they look to have the weapons in the passing game to once again spread opposing defenses out with success. And yes, he could play on the line. He wouldn't be the first TE with blocking issues to line up next to the tackles. The coaching staff will line him up wherever they see a mismatch (and that includes the backfield as a potential runner).

Exactly, he isn't a true TE, which is my point of him been limited in playing time.

Yes, maybe when we will use a 5 WR set twice every 4 games he will be there but outside of that, he can't line up on the line on consistent bases, he won't play the slot over Welker/Edelman in a 3 WR set and he won't take over Gronk's playing time on the line.

Again, my point is Hernandez will see less time than Gronk, and he will.

 

[Calciumee]

AH is very similar build to Dallas Clark, and he seems to be pretty good

Yes I know he is a H-Back, but still lines up on the line! I am sure AH will be fine

 

[fluoropolymer]

Just want to throw in my two cents... I have always wondered why the Patriots usually have a marginal running game. It usually is "adequate", but never really spectacular. Is it our blocking scheme's? The quality of the running backs? The O-line's skillset or training? Is it because the skills of Brady and the receivers are so sensational it causes the running game to be de-emphasized?

It probably is a combination of all the above, but possibly we now have a group of tight ends that will answer some of these questions. I think we are going to see T Brady under center a lot more this year with multiple tight end sets. If this results in a more effective power running game (hope, hope) then I suspect we will also see a lot more of a tight end slipping away from the LOS a la Dallas Clark & Jason Witten & every other TE that always seemed to kill us over the past several years.

Gronk & Hernandez may be the perfect pair to pull this off. I believe we saw the beginning of this last week, especially in the red zone sets. The results (running touchdowns) looked promising to me. Comments?

 

[Kasmir]

Yes, he will get reps in the slot in the preseason.

When would you want to sit Welker or Edelman to play Hernadez as a slot receiver?

Where you'll see Hernandez in a slot or wing is precisely where he was featured in the Saints game: short yardage and other obvious running downs, particularly near the goal line. They're going to pull Welker and Edelman anyway in those situations, and Hernandez will be a credible blocker and a tremendous TD or big play receiving threat in those situations against those kinds of substitute defenses. A corollary will be that the running game will become more effective in 3 and 3 kinds of situations because of the receiving threat from Hernandez will distract the defense.

 

[stcjones]

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




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.

They can only be the future if we USE them!!! Here's to hoping we utilize the TE more offensively this year..........I agree though......both of these guys look good......GO PATS!

 

[Sicilian]

The thing is, Hernandez is bigger than most WR's, and I would presume is still a better blocker than most WR's. Just because he's not a great blocker for a TE, doesn't mean he's not a better blocking option than someone like Welker or Edelman.

If he lines up next to a tackle, the D has to do one of two things:

1) Play an extra DB to cover him, which would keep him in check in the passing game, but who he should be able to block if he stays in to protect or it's a run play.

2) Play a LB on him, which would give AH trouble if he blitzes, but would be a mismatch in the passing game.

Either way, in the right situation, he creates a mismatch that a Welker or Edelman wouldn't necessarily create. Just as they would create mismatches that AH couldn't take advantage of. It's another weapon which adds versatility to the offense.