The Lee Smith conundrum

[TheSolderKing]

here we have it... just as I suspected. Prolly won't make roster unless he LS or plays T... I love how we keep Crump (old) and probably let his successor go who is far younger and more important for the long haul of this organization. Crump just leave. 1 yerar and your gone. too bad you were not done this last yr.


Lee Smith - TE - Patriots

The Boston Herald's Ian Rapport thinks the Patriots are going to have a hard time squeezing fifth-round pick TE Lee Smith onto their 53-man roster.
Smith is a huge (6-foot-6, 266 pounds) blocking tight end, and Rapport believes he could eventually see time at tackle or long snapper. With New England so stacked at tight end, versatility could be the way Smith cracks the roster.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

If Lee Smith fails to make the 53, the 2011 season is toast!

 

[jah]

oh my god I hate July

 

[BlueThunder]

If he can LS effectively and is as good a blocking TE as advertised.....he'll find a spot on the 53....hate to let a guy like him ( assuming he is NFL caliber) be another Pat that never makes it to the PS as he gets claimed on waivers by someone...

 

[ctpatsfan77]

here we have it... just as I suspected. Prolly won't make roster unless he LS or plays T... I love how we keep Crump (old) and probably let his successor go who is far younger and more important for the long haul of this organization. Crump just leave. 1 yerar and your gone. too bad you were not done this last yr.

Yes, the Pats have made mistakes with the numbers game in the past (i.e., keeping Kaczur on the 53 when they could have kept Larson, etc.), but if the Pats think a lot of Smith, they'll find a way to keep him; after all, they basically "wasted" a roster spot on Taylor Price all year last year.

 

[spacecrime]

I guess the lockout can go on a while longer without affecting the Pats. As long as we have Ian Rappadork on tap we don't need OTAs or mini-camps or practices or even player reps to determine who makes the roster and who doesn't.
:bricks:

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I don't understand why this is newsworthy. I mean, we've known for a while we had 3 solid TEs going into 2011 and we drafted a 4th. Nothing has changed in terms of numbers, so not sure why it's coming up now.

Rotoworld is really useful for looking up some info, but when it comes to news, they really take bits and pieces out of context. The actual piece in question is an overview of the TE spot, and if you actually look at what Rapoport wrote, he's even speculating Bo Scaife is a potential FA target.

BostonHerald.com - Blogs: Rap Sheet» Blog Archive » If free agency started for the Patriots today… TE edition

Draft edition: Smith is a bonafide thumper as a blocker and figures to be the heir to Crumpler. While he can catch the ball, it’s clear what his specialty is.
...
Possible free agency targets? Bo Scaife.

Reason: Belichick loves tight ends. Crumpler loves this guy, too, from playing with him in Tennessee. They complemented each other in the Titans offense.
...
The need here is so minimal, it’s doubtful anyone will be added. The trick will be getting Smith on the roster. If they can sneak him through waivers, Smith may end up on the practice squad with the hope that he sticks around until 2012. Otherwise, they may have to get creative if they want to have four tight ends on the active roster after cut-down day. Smith’s versatility (as a possible tackle and long snapper) may help.

 

[FCB02062]

Conundrum? He can just sign with the Red Sox and close games...

 

[BlueThunder]

Conundrum?


Why must it always be about sex?

 

[Sciz]

Last season, the average play had 1.05 RBs, 2.14 WRs, 1.74 TE, and .03 eligible OL. It makes a lot of sense to ditch the 5th RB for a 4th TE, especially since Smith presumably has special teams blocking value.

I'm awfully skeptical at his long-snapping experience, though. Belichick has always been one to have a dedicated long-snapper, and as far as I know, Smith never had any game experience, just in practice. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[BlueThunder]

If they keep one less RB to accommodate Smith...Faulk may be a casualty....and they still have to make a roster spot available for their 3rd QB (Mallett)......

BB realizes he has to sacrifice some players to get younger and better.... building for the next 4-5 years....Just WHO gets sacrificed is the big question...

 

[Sciz]

If they keep one less RB to accommodate Smith...Faulk may be a casualty....and they still have to make a roster spot available for their 3rd QB (Mallett)......

BB realizes he has to sacrifice some players to get younger and better.... building for the next 4-5 years....Just WHO gets sacrificed is the big question...

Oh yeah, I kinda forgot about Mallett.

3 QBs (Brady, Hoyer, Mallett)
4 RBs (Green-Ellis, Woodhead, Vereen, Ridley)
5 WRs (Welker, Branch, Tate, Edelman, Price)
4 TEs (Gronkowski, Hernandez, Crumpler, Smith)

I feel like that's about as many as they can have, because they need 8 OL minimum, which gives a total of 24. A 9th OL or a ST player like Slater bumps that up to 25, or they can use 24 offense and 26 defense to allow for a few extra young guys to make the roster on the defensive side, somebody like Carter or Williams.

 

[TheSolderKing]

If Lee Smith fails to make the 53, the 2011 season is toast!

not at all. Crumpler is USELESS 2-3 years from now (he will be GONE in 1), whereas somebody like Smith solves the same blocking TE situation and can live out his cheap contract that is greater than 1 year.

 

[TheSolderKing]

If they keep one less RB to accommodate Smith...Faulk may be a casualty....and they still have to make a roster spot available for their 3rd QB (Mallett)......

BB realizes he has to sacrifice some players to get younger and better.... building for the next 4-5 years....Just WHO gets sacrificed is the big question...

Crump should go to make way for the FUTURE he is not part of this glorious time-period.

 

[NSPF]

If Lee Smith fails to make the 53, the 2011 season is toast!

They should consider cutting Brady or maybe Wilfork. Plenty of youth behind them at both positions.

 

[BlueThunder]

not at all. Crumpler is USELESS 2-3 years from now (he will be GONE in 1), whereas somebody like Smith solves the same blocking TE situation and can live out his cheap contract that is greater than 1 year.

Crump is a great locker room presence....they need leadership with all these youngsters on the roster....just sayin

 

[ausbacker]

not at all. Crumpler is USELESS 2-3 years from now (he will be GONE in 1), whereas somebody like Smith solves the same blocking TE situation and can live out his cheap contract that is greater than 1 year.

Crumpler stays as long as his production is up. Why people discount veteran locker room presence and basic coaching for rookies/junior players in development is mind boggling.

 

[TheSolderKing]

Crumpler stays as long as his production is up. Why people discount veteran locker room presence and basic coaching for rookies/junior players in development is mind boggling.

That Lockerroom Leader BS is over-hyped. Give me the guy who can do the same things on the field and for many more years over the guy who will be 1 and done.

 

[resdubwhite]

I still think given the labour situation teams will be given a chance to properly evaluate the rookies.

Maybe the roster sizes reflect that.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

not at all. Crumpler is useless 2-3 years from now (he will be gone in 1), whereas somebody like smith solves the same blocking te situation and can live out his cheap contract that is greater than 1 year.

o...m...g...!!!