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Third most points in a season
If we've learned nothing since 2007 it is this:
Volume doesn't count.
Timing does.
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I just hope he doesn't get a chance to be too much of a difference maker, if you know what I mean.
I think some posters are underestimating just how good Ballard is as a TE. He had more yards (604 versus 563,546) and a better YPC average (15.9 versus 13.0,12.5) than both Gronk and Hern his first year.
Our TEs also missed a combined 11 games last year, so that means we didn't have a second quality TE for most of the season.
If you include the Cardinals game and the playoff loss to Baltimore (since Gron and Hern were both out at the very beginning of each game) 4 out of our 5 losses have come when either Gronk or Hern weren't playing. The one loss we have when they were both playin was in Seattle with a less than healthy Hern.
I think having a number 1 TE (and yes, he is clearly a number 1 TE) like Ballard to back up Gronk and Hern will make a huge difference next year on the offense. The odds are very likely that both TEs will not be healthy all 16 games (Hern has missed 10 games in 3 seasons).
I really believe that we will see the greatest TE line-up of all time next year and I believe it will make all the difference.
Nice analysis but ballard is coming off an ACL. He won't be the same until
2014.
Nice analysis but ballard is coming off an ACL. He won't be the same until
2014.
The fact is we don't know how he will be in 2013. Players heal at different rates. Look how quickly Welker healed.
We know for a fact that Ballard was operated on in February of last year. So by the time training camp comes around the end of July, it will be 17 months since that operation....18 months when the season starts.
Even on the long end, assuming things have gone well, he should be able to make a difference on the field. Besides, it's not like he was "The Flash" anyways. He had some decent quickness in turns and could make great catches. As long as he can make those turns in his routes, I see him being a big difference maker.
The fact is we don't know how he will be in 2013. Players heal at different rates. Look how quickly Welker healed.
We know for a fact that Ballard was operated on in February of last year. So by the time training camp comes around the end of July, it will be 17 months since that operation....18 months when the season starts.
Even on the long end, assuming things have gone well, he should be able to make a difference on the field. Besides, it's not like he was "The Flash" anyways. He had some decent quickness in turns and could make great catches. As long as he can make those turns in his routes, I see him being a big difference maker.
Welker was NOT 100% when he got back, yes he was productive but he was clearly not the same until 2011.
Yeah, but again, Welker was back the next season after he was hurt. Ballard won't be coming back until the following year (2nd season after he was hurt). Plus Welker relies almost exclusively on quickness to get open, while Ballard uses his size and his strength as well.
True but a two year layoff will probably cause ballard to be a bit rusty. I still say it's unrealistic to expect him to contribute like he did before.
Given Gronkowski's inability to stay healthy this past season, having Ballard to pick up the ST snaps and hopefully contribute in the base offense is a huge boost for us.
Keeping Grnkowski healthy and fresher come playoff time could be the missing puzzle piece for our offense.
Well the entire starting OL plays on the PAT team too. There aren't enough roster spots to take all starters off STs.Same for Brady, Aaron and really Wes Welker (assuming he's back).
True but a two year layoff will probably cause ballard to be a bit rusty. I still say it's unrealistic to expect him to contribute like he did before.
I can already see the dream formation next season. Brady under center, Ridley in the backfield, Gronk and Ballard on the ends of the line, and Welker and Hernandez spread wide.
This offense will be one of the best of all-time next season.
Yeah. What is the point in moving Ahearn to WR. He is a tight end, for heavens sake. Lets get a wide receiver. Is it possible to have a RB, 3 TE and 2WR formation?
Only if one of them can play QB too. Only six skill players are allowed.
Does it matter what we call Hernandez? He's going to continue to be used as he has been, with roughly 30% of his snaps each out wide, in the slot, and at the end of the offensive line, and the other 10% in the backfield. It doesn't matter what you call him, he's a big, slow WR and a fast, small TE whose best asset is his ability to make amazing cuts (when healthy).