They just can't help themselves

[DefenseRules]

I just read at Patriots Insiders that the Pats are interviewing TOP TIGHTENDS
at the Senior Bowl. They are talking to guys that rank at the TOP to the middle of the Draft.

http://forums.scout.com/mb.aspx?S=121#S=121&F=1851&T=251038
Apparently Zach Miller is one guy that has drawn their interest.

If I see another freakin Tightend drafted in the first round, I will not be happy. We need Linebackers, Safeties and Corners in that order, IMO.

I realize that BB/Pioli are enamored with Tightends, and I expect one to be drafted. They just can't help it. But a tightend is Not an immediate need is it? I just have a bad feeling that when pick 24 or 28 roll around, we will see the name of ANOTHER Tightend scroll across the TV screen. Anytime I hear that the Pats are talking to/scouting tightends, I just know that one will be drafted.

 

[Fencer]

I think we need to coin a phrase for their film study:

Tight end porn

Although that exact word combination runs the risk of being misinterpreted ...

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

I think we have out athletic TE in Watson, another pass catcher in Thomas.
An H back in Mills.

AND a 35 year old blocking TE.
There's a few BIG TEs coming out this year.
I think they'll go after one of those and make him compete with Brady or get him ready for long term.
I am expecting them to bring in a big TE.
But nothing in round 1.

The only TE worth drafting in round 1 by all publication's account is Olsen from Miami. They didn't work him out while looking at Beason or Merriweather, but then again I don't know if Watson/Graham ever had private workouts.
With that said, Olsen is athletic but is not known to be a good blocker.

 

[patsacolachick]

The Pats never let it be known when they are interested in someone. The fact they are letting people know they are talking to the top rated tight ends suggests to me we are NOT taking one of them.

 

[Kontradiction]

I don't agree with this. We have two good tight ends and one excellent blocking tight end. We should be focusing on making the defense younger in the draft.

 

[VJCPatriot]

They sure like their tight ends in New England, just ask Giselle Bundchen...

Sorry I couldn't resist!

 

[BelichickFan]

I've never complained about the TE but as we have 3 right now (plus Mills could be used there in some roles if needed), I'll be kind of sad if we draft a day one TE.

 

[jbb9s]

I don't agree with this. We have two good tight ends and one excellent blocking tight end. We should be focusing on making the defense younger in the draft.

Is this post from March, 14 2006?

 

[RayClay]

I have the perfect solution. Draft some top linebackers and have them play tight end the first few years while they're learning to play LB.

Tight end's only a part time position anyway with the 7-8 wide receivers plus running backs, h-backs and fullback receivers.

This way we can actually train linebackers while enforcing the "have to draft tight ends" imperative.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

TE is one of the most drafted positions by BB / SP. I believe they have drafted a TE every year except one. I expect them to draft one this year, but let's hope it isn't in Round 1.

 

[ChoWZa]

Well Brady is only going to last so long ( the TE that is, Tom will never retire ) so maybe they are thinking for the 2008 season.

 

[satz]

Their is already a 6 7 , 270 lbs TE who was signing from the pratice squad to the 80 rooster this year. so he will competing or replacing kyle in a year or 2.

 

[Pats67]

The Pats never let it be known when they are interested in someone. The fact they are letting people know they are talking to the top rated tight ends suggests to me we are NOT taking one of them.

That's not always true. Similar reports at the time linked them with Ty Warren and Eugene Wilson, for example, and another I remember was James Sanders.

And this is not usually the Pats that are letting it be known. Often, these things come from local papers that cover the colleges, and they'll say, for example, that so-and-so had a private workout with the Pats. Probably the best example in recent years was when Jeremy Mincey talked to a local paper in Florida about his (and Chad Jackson's) workout for the Pats shortly after it happened last year.

So my point is that not every workout or interview that gets publicized is subterfuge by the Patriots. Sometimes (as Mincey and Jackson proved last year) its an accurate reflection of the team's direction. Not always, but sometimes.

The rumored visits and workouts are always at the very least instructive in the sense that at minimum, we can see which positions they are focusing on, if not the specific players. One thing I've noticed this year is they have talked with several linebackers and secondary guys, including some early round guys, which may give indication that they may be addressing those positions as a priority.

I would also note that on the original post, the rumors emanated from the Senior Bowl, which would have been back in late January. Not knowing exactly they stood with Graham at that time, they were likely preparing in the event they lost him and didn't sign a Brady, for example.

However, as Pioli reminded us on EEI a couple of weeks ago, what they do in free agency always impacts their draft plans, so we'll see, as always.