How much does BB miss not having kept a third TE

[PatsFanStnfrd]

Aaron Hernandez is ding everything to get ready for the Jets. However, we know from the last two games that the NE offense is not the same without a second TE. Even Gronk poses a greater challenge for opponents when paired with Hernandez vs. being subject to double coverage when alone. And please, using makeshift TEs like Thomas Welch does not fool defenses because he is not a threat to catch the occasional ball.

Which leads me to believe that the cuts which BB most regrets are those that involve Yeatman -- who was a genuine blocker and a pass catching TE (enough to make defenses respect his potential). Lee Smith, drafted in the 5th round, was competing with Yeatman -- a competition Yeatman seems to have won. In any event, if BB could redo his choices, not keeping three TEs was a gamble too many. Warren who made the 53 was cut on the eve of the season. Tarpinian was cut later. Alas, by that time Yeatman and Smith had been grabbed by Miami and Buffalo.

 

[Dufflebagz]

Idk, let me go ask him on MyFace and Yearbook.

 

[mgteich]

1) I don't think that Belichick misses Yeatman or Smith.

2) Solder is our 3rd, blocking TE.

3) Yes, we are hampered because Vollmer and Hernandez are out. Perhaps if we had a 3rd TE our offense would have more yards or points? No matter what stat you use, we are doing fine on offense. I would also note that we don't have a fullback because Koppen is out and Connolly is needed at center.

4) In the end, Belichick decided to carry a 3rd QB which cost a position. I think that we see it at TE.

 

[patsfan-1982]

Aaron Hernandez is just a good player who gets open no off the street TE is going to replace that

 

[Metaphors]

Aaron Hernandez is just a good player who gets open no off the street TE is going to replace that

Agree with your thinking but you seem to be selling him short. He is the X-factor for this offense. He can line up anywhere and attack anywhere. He forces the defense to make pre-snap decisions that clarifies the situation for Brady. Similar to what Welker does but with the added dimension of being a bigger body for running plays if the defense goes coverage-heavy.

Hernandez, Gronk and Welker (when all healthy) pose a unique matchup nightmare for defenses. Not impossible to solve, but pretty dang improbable. Even more interesting is the potential of Vereen. If he can handle the responsibilities of a feature back (even in limited snaps), the Pats could go no huddle and morph from a power formation to an empty backfield spread and back again in the 20 seconds Brady has to survey the defense. What do you do to defend against that? Hope for holding penalties and deflected interceptions off helmets.

As for the OP, I don't get the impression that Belichick is missing a dedicated 3rd TE at all. On the contrary, he seems to like the idea of have the 3rd OT actually take meaningful snaps as a blocking TE (saving a roster spot) instead of just waiting for injuries.

 

[Sciz]

All that is lost is the difference in route-running and pass-catching ability lost from Smith/Yeatman to an offensive lineman. While I was a supporter of keeping 4 TEs on the roster, this is a pretty good case for only keeping two.

 

[RayClay]

The fact he tried and cut three guys should tell you he feels like he can pick up someone on waivers if he feels the need, so no real impact.

Before he succumbed to old balls, Crumpler was quite a cut above, a former all pro and class act.

Much bigger problems, there's such a bag of tricks on offense, they can scout around and maybe pick up one of the cut TEs, or someone better again.

Haven't exploited Ridley much, Vereen at all and Price and Ocho are due to make their mark some, is my guess. Much more concerned about the D, health, system and personnel.

 

[Gwedd]

What RayClay says.

The offense is still in pretty good shape with a variety of options that have yet to be used.

 

[DarrylS]

Have not noticed any deficits in the offense.. in the first game Brady was off and there were 4 pix, would Hernandez have meant less pix??

The second game was a deliberate, balanced, game plan.. would Hernandez caused us to win by more??

All that matters are W's... not bigger numbers, or higher scores.

 

[captain stone]

Because of all the injuries & iffy health questions on both sides of the LOS, there's prob. no room for a 3rd TE (or a legit FB) on the 53 at this moment. If everybody not already IRed can get healthy at the same time w/o any new injuries (not very likely, of course), then Bill will always be able to find a decent 3rd/blocking TE (Ancient Crumpler redux?) off the street.
With such talent usually avail. a mere phone call away, my mind is still boggled that Bill wasted a 5th-round pick on someone fitting the 3rd/blocking TE description who could easily have been acquired as a UDFA. And is it really such a good idea to have all 3 TE with less than 2 years experience, anyway?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Garrett Mills as a 3rd TE and more suited to being a Hernandez backup hasn't shown much utility in the real world. If BB just wants a big blocker, suit up another OT. On 2nd thought...

 

[Jackson 2]

Aaron Hernandez is ding everything to get ready for the Jets. However, we know from the last two games that the NE offense is not the same without a second TE. Even Gronk poses a greater challenge for opponents when paired with Hernandez vs. being subject to double coverage when alone. And please, using makeshift TEs like Thomas Welch does not fool defenses because he is not a threat to catch the occasional ball.

Which leads me to believe that the cuts which BB most regrets are those that involve Yeatman -- who was a genuine blocker and a pass catching TE (enough to make defenses respect his potential). Lee Smith, drafted in the 5th round, was competing with Yeatman -- a competition Yeatman seems to have won. In any event, if BB could redo his choices, not keeping three TEs was a gamble too many. Warren who made the 53 was cut on the eve of the season. Tarpinian was cut later. Alas, by that time Yeatman and Smith had been grabbed by Miami and Buffalo.

Honestly, right now I have a hard time questioning and/or complaining about any facet of our offense. I'm sort of consumed, for some strange reason, these days with concern about our defense, the lack of a pass rush in particular.

 

[RIpats88]

i think this is the reason they signed ochocinco

hernandez basically was our 3rd wr in our "2 te sets'...he ran routes like one...they knew he was likely to miss some games as he seems to get injured..you cant replace his production by signing any random tight end

that means you are going to run more 3wr sets...tate never made the jump like they hoped he would, and slater/price are question marks for what they can provide....ocho might not have produced so far, but you know what his potential is as the 3rd wr...