Are The Patriots TE Shopping?

[manxman2601]

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported on NFL Insiders that the Patriots are "putting out feelers" about available tight ends.

Rob Gronkowski - New England Patriots - 2013 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com

On a serious note, I can confirm the #Patriots are TE shopping.

https://twitter.com/PatriotsXLVIII/status/370632882420985856


Is this precautionary considering the lack of injury 100% fitness for Gronk and Ballard and because Sudfeld is still an untested rookie? What does it say about Fells and Hooman if anything?

 

[Big-T]

STUDfeld, Ballard, Hooman & Fells just not doing it for BB then?

Unless he's looking for more of a H-Back type TE I can't really see the need for another.

 

[Ive_Killed_People]

Fells and Hooman are NOT making this team

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I don't like the sound of this at all.

 

[Sicilian]

My guess is Fells is more injured than we think and Hooman isn't impressing. That leaves Sudfeld and Ballard until Gronk gets back, and that's not enough.

 

[supafly]

My guess is Fells is more injured than we think and Hooman isn't impressing. That leaves Sudfeld and Ballard until Gronk gets back, and that's not enough.

You may be right, although Fells was seen on Tuesday on the side field working out with all of the other players who are close to coming back--so it didn't appear to be too serious.

I think Hooman's been a goner for awhile now, just my opinion.

Quite the change to many of the posters who claimed that "we could trade one of our TE's" due to having too many!!!

 

[supafly]

How about this theory? :

--Gronk misses the first 3-4 games

--Ballard is brought along slowly, not playing in more than about 50-60% of the snaps for the first month or so. His reps increase as the season progresses of course

--Sudfeld, while impressing us and overachieving, is still a very green and raw rookie

--They may not be too impressed with Hooman

--The recent injury to Fells has limited them somewhat, or at least given them the concern of potentially being limited due to the other situations

 

[chasa]

You may be right, although Fells was seen on Tuesday on the side field working out with all of the other players who are close to coming back--so it didn't appear to be too serious.

I think Hooman's been a goner for awhile now, just my opinion.

Quite the change to many of the posters who claimed that "we could trade one of our TE's" due to having too many!!!

that was me, and yep looks like i was over zealous.

 

[Suddyfan]

Ok so I'm totally biased as you can tell by name! Other than media reports (which is a ton of hyperbole) for the most part and the odd mention on this site it really seems like Zach has lit it up, Especially for UFA. Do you guys think he has a chance to stay a 1 /1.5 when gronk comes back?

 

[Sicilian]

How about this theory? :

--Gronk misses the first 3-4 games

--Ballard is brought along slowly, not playing in more than about 50-60% of the snaps for the first month or so. His reps increase as the season progresses of course

--Sudfeld, while impressing us and overachieving, is still a very green and raw rookie

--They may not be too impressed with Hooman

--The recent injury to Fells has limited them somewhat, or at least given them the concern of potentially being limited due to the other situations

Seems reasonable to me. Also there's the question of who plays in the 4th preseason game? If Fells is still nicked and you don't want to push Ballard with his recovery, will it be Sudfeld and Hooman for the whole game? Be better to have an extra body in there for reps.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Rob Gronkowski - New England Patriots - 2013 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com




https://twitter.com/PatriotsXLVIII/status/370632882420985856


Is this precautionary considering the lack of injury 100% fitness for Gronk and Ballard and because Sudfeld is still an untested rookie? What does it say about Fells and Hooman if anything?

The Title of this thread is mis-informative. It ought read: "Are the Pats shopping TEs?"

They can't keep five, so they are trying to trade one for somebody else, like a DL.

 

[manxman2601]

The Title of this thread is mis-informative. It ought read: "Are the Pats shopping TEs?"

They can't keep five, so they are trying to trade one for somebody else, like a DL.

Both sources suggest the Pats are trying to acquire TEs so how is it misleading?

 

[supafly]

The Title of this thread is mis-informative. It ought read: "Are the Pats shopping TEs?"

They can't keep five, so they are trying to trade one for somebody else, like a DL.

The premise is that they are shopping FOR tight ends.

Not shopping them to other teams.

 

[Rob0729]

If they are looking for a TE, they are responsible for the lack of TEs available. A lot teams are now copying the Pats' two TE set and are keeping an extra TE or even two on the roster.

 

[mgteich]

They'll sign someone for the 4th preseason game if needed. However, Belichick might choose to play Sudfeld and Hooman.

Seems reasonable to me. Also there's the question of who plays in the 4th preseason game? If Fells is still nicked and you don't want to push Ballard with his recovery, will it be Sudfeld and Hooman for the whole game? Be better to have an extra body in there for reps.

 

[supafly]

that was me, and yep looks like i was over zealous.

It wasn't just you chasa, so I certainly don't mean to specifically call you out or anything. We all have different opinions, and there were many who felt that we could trade one of the TE's. It definitely wasn't like it was just you who felt that way. It was a reasonable enough thought.

 

[Rob0729]

The premise is that they are shopping FOR tight ends.

Not shopping them to other teams.

Yeah, Mort's tweet looks like they are shopping for a TE and the second tweet looks like they are shopping their TEs.

If they are shopping current TEs on the roster, the TE market is more favorable for that then if they are in a market for a TE. Several teams really don't have a great TE situation to begin with several key TE season ending injuries (Baltimore and Miami come to mind right off the bat) and teams are keeping more TEs because they are trying to copy the Pats.

I think if the Pats are trying to shop one of their TEs, they might get above market value for them. Granted, I don't know if market value is all that high for any of the ones they might be shopping.

 

[supafly]

Both sources suggest the Pats are trying to acquire TEs so how is it misleading?

Yeah, Mort's tweet looks like they are shopping for a TE and the second tweet looks like they are shopping their TEs.

Okay, so one source says one thing and the other claims the opposite.

Just another day in the media world

BTW--I agree what you're saying about the lack of sufficient TE's around the league who are deciding to copy more duo sets. Kind of ironic. I'm still not sure we'd be able to get too much for either one of Fells/Hooman. Definitely nothing for Hooman, possibly a very late round pick for Fells at best IMO.

 

[mgteich]

Hooman and Sudfeld could be our starters for Game 1.

 

[ATippett56]

Hooman and Sudfeld could be our starters for Game 1.

Did I miss something or is Jake Ballard injured?