Embarassment of Riches at TE

[NordicVoyager]

From the first day of training camp, Patspsycho notes:

We have an embarrassment of riches at TE. Lee Smith is an absolute brute. He is a complete specimen. He has all the tools- but there’s another TE that’s a monster, Will Yeatman, an UDFA. He kept catching my eyes. Just a monster with speed, good hands, and power. Not sure if there is even a highlight reel of him out there, but he really handles himself well at this level.

It is sad that probably only three and maximum four of Crumpler, Gronk, Hernandez, Smith and Yateman will make the final 53. The thoughts of who might make this team might well have contributed to my dreams of having all five of them on the field with the ball on the opponents five yard line. Coupled with Solder and Volmer at the tackles, and Mankins and Cannon at the guards, this would be one monster group to run block!!

Thoughts on how the TE position will play out? Keep all five with Crumpler on PUP until mid-season??

 

[Rossmci90]

I'd imagine if Yeatman is kept around it'll be on the PS.

 

[DarrylS]

Always get concerned when we describe parts of our team as, "embarassment of riches" as there are so many equalizers.. Lee Smith needs to become a special teamer this year.

Will he beat out Crumpler??? Personally prefer keeping Crumpler around right now.

 

[NordicVoyager]

Always get concerned when we describe parts of our team as, "embarassment of riches" as there are so many equalizers..

This group is so much better than the 2009 training camp TE players led by Ben Watson and Dave Thomas, no??

 

[DarrylS]

This group is so much better than the 2009 training camp TE players led by Ben Watson and Dave Thomas, no??

No disagreement with the substance, just concerns about the superlatives.. we have the best TE group, but injuries can be the equalizer.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

No disagreement with the substance, just concerns about the superlatives.. we have the best TE group, but injuries can be the equalizer.

Especially with Crump and Hernandez not practicing because of injuries right now.

 

[TheSolderKing]

what is the early PUP list like now?

 

[TheSolderKing]

I'd imagine if Yeatman is kept around it'll be on the PS.

some one would claim him.


Lee better make the team if he keeps looking impressive.

 

[farn]

some one would claim him.


Lee better make the team if he keeps looking impressive.

Maybe - but there may be so much going on this year, post lockout, that teams actually don't lose as many players as other seasons...

I'd think the UDFA makes it to the PS.

 

[patriot lifer]

At this point, there are so many players who aren't even out there yet (free agents, injured players, rookies) that it's impossible to accurately assess these guys, nevermind with just one little practice. The fringe players who end up making the team are often surprises anyways. Guys like Sergio Brown and Dane Fletcher first showed us what they can do in the preseason games--not practice. We were all eyeing Trone McKenzie last year only to see him cut. And the fact that we were focusing on certain players made it harder for us to identify fringe players who were actually going to make the team.

And with the final 53, bear in mind that guys like Slater will make the team and eat up precious roster spots that we would otherwise write-in guys like Lee Smith for. He might be a less sexy pick to make the team, but BB even kept him around last year when he was hurt entering the regular season.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

but BB even kept him around last year when he was hurt entering the regular season.

OTOH, he came back quickly enough that he only missed one game all season.

If he had really been banged up badly, he might have ended up on IR.

 

[patsfan13]

And with the final 53, bear in mind that guys like Slater will make the team and eat up precious roster spots that we would otherwise write-in guys like Lee Smith for. He might be a less sexy pick to make the team, but BB even kept him around last year when he was hurt entering the regular season.

I think there are enough player that Slater and some of the other ST players may lose their spots IF some young players with upside to become starters establish themselves on ST.

IMO Slater's run with the Pats is done.

 

[NordicVoyager]

IMO Slater's run with the Pats is done.

If Slater is done, who will be the gunners on Special Teams KO and punt units?

 

[unoriginal]

If Slater is done, who will be the gunners on Special Teams KO and punt units?

Arrington originally made this team as a gunner. Ras-I Dowling played gunner at Virginia. Those would seem to be the likeliest suspects, if the Pats are looking to conserve roster spots. There's also Bret Lockett, though to this point he's been as much a career STer as Slater.

They also drafted Malcolm Williams as direct competition for Slater.

 

[part-timer]

We will see very soon if salary cap has anything to do with working out this situation. With the acquisition of Ochocinco and Hainseworth and the now likely resigning of Light even before the start of Free Agengy we may see some significant cuts. Plus there are only a few areas to make up any significant room on the cap, those being Kaczur @ 3 mill, CRUMPLER @ 2 mill, and Sanders @ 2.5 mill, and Welker @ 2 mill. With the eminent signing of Light we can assume Kaczur is gone, that is 3 mill., if more need to be made up I can not see Welker,or Sanders going before Crumpler, especialy with two great second year TE's on the roster and Two potentialy great rookie TE's fighting for a roster spot. I see Crumpler joining Kaczur as cap casualties.

 

[s3antana5757]

We will see very soon if salary cap has anything to do with working out this situation. With the acquisition of Ochocinco and Hainseworth and the now likely resigning of Light even before the start of Free Agengy we may see some significant cuts. Plus there are only a few areas to make up any significant room on the cap, those being Kaczur @ 3 mill, CRUMPLER @ 2 mill, and Sanders @ 2.5 mill, and Welker @ 2 mill. With the eminent signing of Light we can assume Kaczur is gone, that is 3 mill., if more need to be made up I can not see Welker,or Sanders going before Crumpler, especialy with two great second year TE's on the roster and Two potentialy great rookie TE's fighting for a roster spot. I see Crumpler joining Kaczur as cap casualties.

The only thing that gives me pause is that one, Crumpler has lead Johnson to 2,000 yards and BJGE to 1,000 yards AND more importantly, he's a CAPTAIN. That tells me that BB loves his leadership and locker room presence.

 

[part-timer]

Arrington originally made this team as a gunner. Ras-I Dowling played gunner at Virginia. Those would seem to be the likeliest suspects, if the Pats are looking to conserve roster spots. There's also Bret Lockett, though to this point he's been as much a career STer as Slater.

They also drafted Malcolm Williams as direct competition for Slater.

Don't forget about Barrett, who BB went out of his way to steal from denver last season. A 6'2" 225 lb DB. Who BB seems to be trying out in the DB/LB possition he has been trying to fill.

 

[mgteich]

If we had a game this weekend, we'd have Gronkowski and a couple of rookie blocking TE's.

Serriously, the rookies are NOT ready to replace Crumpler, although injuries to Crumpler may cause Belichick to waive him.

 

[Ring 6]

some one would claim him.


Lee better make the team if he keeps looking impressive.

After one NFL practice you think teams are going to line up to sign an UDFA to their 53 man roster? Reality check time.

 

[s3antana5757]

I really hope that Gronkowski becomes the next Witten, great blocker and receiver. Hernandez becomes a Gates-lite, receiver who never blocks.