I was joking about the tight end draft. Here's my serious stuff:
Part A. Replacing Graham, one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL:
#1 Tight End Ben Watson, runs like a man 50 lbs lighter than he is. Also blocks like one too, but that can be taught, and he's certainly smart enough to learn. Strong, but doesn't have soft hands.
#2 Tight End David Thomas, we all know he can catch, but can he block? Box seems to really like this part of his game. Not quite the physical talent Graham is, but he might be ready for extensive playing time in the two tight end offense.
#3 "Tight End" Garrett Mills, is really more of an H-back. Heath Evans sized. Hasn't played this year, but like Watson in our offense, at Tulsa he never stayed in to block, was always running downfield. Had something like 89 catches in 11 games his senior year. He is the anti-Graham.
#4 Matt Kranchick has been absconded to our practice squad. He is tall as a flag pole and a former wide receiver. Obviously you'd expect his blocking needs work. If there's one thing the Pats can do, it's take willing players and make them into good blockers.
#5 Rod Trafford was healthy for two days and then succumbed to the injury bug, demonstrating the existence of something called the "Practice Squad Injury Reserve List." Who is this guy? No one knows. The Pats liked him enough in those two days not to send him on his way with an injury settlement, a la O.J. Santiago. Either that or he simply refuses to leave. If so he's a smart player.
#6 Mike Vrabel, is on the depth chart for his goal line work. However we can't really count on him at another position. Quality depth.
Opinion: If they can teach some (one?) of these guys to block ferociously, the Pats have enough talent here to duplicate their historical production from the position.
Part B. Replacing Asante Samuel, league-wide leader in interceptions:
#1 Ellis Hobbs, is not appreciably smaller than Asante Samuel, has better overall athleticism, and to comparable points in their careers has been more impressive, been asked to do more. Almost always in close coverage, hampered by a bad hand. Give him two good hands next year and he'll have six picks easy. Not as good in run support, but good enough. Like Samuel, hits hard.
#2 Randall Gay, the forgotten corner, hopefully hasn't fallen apart like Guss Scott did from injuries. Hopefully will also stay healthy for a full year. Has started and played well at two positions on this team, especially corner. Tackles well enough to have started at safety. Essentially the way the team feels about him dictates what they will do with Samuel, because there isn't much behind him.
Chad Scott is a specialized corner/safety, not a full-time starter. How many years does he have left even at that? Ray Mickens is a shadow roster guy next year if anything. Antwan Spann is promising but has not developed enough to be anything above the dime guy. Willie Andrews has the speed for corner, but the hips for safety. Besides the last two hopefuls all we have is Eugene Wilson, who is only an emergency fill-in guy at corner. James Patrick is a small school guy who has been on and off the practice squad. Has a nose for the ball, but what about the rest of his body?
Opinion: Looks to be a lot less here than at tight end. Assuming no injuries (and there will be injuries...) we have a decent starting two.
They'll have to come to a decision on these two guys before the draft, and while this has been complicated by the decision to make Daniel Graham a captain, I think Samuel is the more likely signee or franchise taggee.
