The TE position is killing our running game

[SeanBruschi54]

Mulligan and Hooman were dreadful out there on blocks tonight and it showed in our run game. It allowed the Jets to stuff the box and snuff out any run before it even developed. Even with the Gronkster returning is he enough alone to help bolster this aspect of the game?

Definitely an area to keep an eye out on going forward.

 

[JMC00]

 

[Sticky Caulk]

Devilin wasn't very useful either.

 

[JMC00]

Even with the Gronkster returning is he enough alone to help bolster this aspect of the game?

One of the best run blocking tight ends in the league

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

gronk getting closer and closer guys

 

[SeanBruschi54]

One of the best run blocking tight ends in the league

Im aware but is he even enough? Though the Jets have a very good front 7 and the Bills were blitz crazed it leaves the idea that this team can be beaten by crushing any hope of a run game and forcing these rookies to beat you.

 

[VrabelJr]

Nothing killed our run game more than our passing game.

Also, give the Jets some credit. That front 7 of theirs is mean.

 

[Sticky Caulk]

Im aware but is he even enough? Though the Jets have a very good front 7 and the Bills were blitz crazed it leaves the idea that this team can be beaten by crushing any hope of a run game and forcing these rookies to beat you.

Yes, he is enough. Gronkowski can play as a third tackle. In an alternative universe where Gronk can't catch, he might make it as an o-lineman.

 

[supafly]

I think it says a lot about Hooman still being on the team in terms of being able to have some knowledge and experience in this system, because he surely is not a very good blocker, nor was he last year either.

I'm still somewhat surprised that we haven't tried to bring in someone else, although that may change after a poor performance from Mulligan.

I do believe that Gronk's return will be "enough" though, particularly since we seem to be trying to adapt a bit by running more 2 RB sets/using Devlin etc.

 

[ATippett56]

Brady survives a bad statistical night - Stats & Info Blog - ESPN

Brady did not target a tight end with a pass in this game, the first time Brady didn’t target a tight end since that 2009 Week 15 game against the Bills. He targeted receiver Julian Edelman 18 times, connecting on 12 of them, though for only 78 yards.

The current tight ends are also killing the New England Patriots pass offense.

Mulligan - worthless
Hoomanawanui - barely tolerable

 

[supafly]

Brady survives a bad statistical night - Stats & Info Blog - ESPN



The current tight ends are also killing the New England Patriots pass offense.

Mulligan - worthless
Hoomanawanui - barely tolerable

Boy Fells must have one hell of a concussion...like an Austin Collie type concussion.

 

[BritPat]

One of the best run blocking tight ends in the league

There is no 'one of' - he IS the best blocking TE in the league. That's what makes him a proper TE and not a glorified receiver like Jimmy Graham.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

I think it says a lot about Hooman still being on the team in terms of being able to have some knowledge and experience in this system, because he surely is not a very good blocker, nor was he last year either.

I'm still somewhat surprised that we haven't tried to bring in someone else, although that may change after a poor performance from Mulligan.

I do believe that Gronk's return will be "enough" though, particularly since we seem to be trying to adapt a bit by running more 2 RB sets/using Devlin etc.

Agreed with the caveat that the available options might be very poor (in other words I don't know what TE's are available). I think there is almost no chance to get an available TE who will make any tangible difference blocking, however, is there no TE's available that can make a catch?
Currently no RBs or TEs are even being targeted (tonight I think 1 attempt to Blount, none to a TE). Hey I lack OC acumen (to say the least) but given how ineffective the passing game is right now, seems like there must be some effort to jam a few into these two areas, at least make the defense consider it a minor concern.

 

[supafly]

Agreed with the caveat that the available options might be very poor (in other words I don't know what TE's are available). I think there is almost no chance to get an available TE who will make any tangible difference blocking, however, is there no TE's available that can make a catch?
Currently no RBs or TEs are even being targeted (tonight I think 1 attempt to Blount, none to a TE). Hey I lack OC acumen (to say the least) but given how ineffective the passing game is right now, seems like there must be some effort to jam a few into these two areas, at least make the defense consider it a minor concern.

To be honest with you, when I made the comment I assumed that we may target someone else just for the blocking aspect. In other words, Mulligan isn't going to catch anything and doesn't have a good knowledge of the system here, so one would think that someone else may be available to play that role.

I don't believe that there are too many options for receiving threats aside from Sudfeld, and maybe a couple of guys like Fells/Ballard--both who have their own issues as to why we cut them.

The offense is just too complex in my opinion to bring anyone else in at any of the positions aside from maybe OL/blocking TE, unless of course they're the kind of journeyman vet that was here at some point already. That list would be limited, but there are some benefits that we could use for the next couple/few games with a guy like Branch or Stallworth etc.

As far as a true blocking TE though, I am surprised that no one else has been targeted. I'd have to think that their responsibilities and knowledge of the system would be a lot less, or else Mulligan wouldn't be here in the first place. That position should definitely be upgraded in my opinion. Of course with the addition of Devlin and more 2 RB sets, the healing of Gronk and Hooman may be enough in the long run. We'll likely have to hope that Sudfeld can learn to be our joker/move TE.

 

[UK_Pat37]

Im aware but is he even enough? Though the Jets have a very good front 7 and the Bills were blitz crazed it leaves the idea that this team can be beaten by crushing any hope of a run game and forcing these rookies to beat you.

It was enough last year. Henrandez was never renowned for his blocking. He was distinctly average at it. Therefore no one can argue we have lost out in that area with his demise.

The Jets have a very good run D...they stuffed Wilson last week. Why do people have to draw a negative out of absolutely everything instead of accepting we were up against a top defence with our best blocking TE out of the game? It really is as simple as that. Hoo-man was fine last season. More than adequate.

 

[smg93]

Was Fells and Ballard really that bad that they didn't make it over Sudfield and Hooman? Evidently they were at the time of the cuts, but I wonder if the coaching staff still feel the same way today.

 

[Joker]

Sudfeld didn't play tonight...I didn't see him in on even ONE play

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Was Fells and Ballard really that bad that they didn't make it over Sudfield and Hooman? Evidently they were at the time of the cuts, but I wonder if the coaching staff still feel the same way today.

Sudfeld is pretty good at blocking and definitely has potential in the passing game so having him and Gronk in there at the same time will be a huge upgrade.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Sudfeld didn't play tonight...I didn't see him in on even ONE play

Inactive, pulled hammy last week

 

[nekromantique]

Sudfeld didn't play tonight...I didn't see him in on even ONE play

Thats because he is injured, and was ruled inactive.