Brandon LaFell as the “Flex” tight end

[Brady6]

Ever since Belichick opted not to draft a tight end I have been considering other options. The more I look at LaFell the more I think he can do it. He is a bigger WR at 6’2” 215lbs-220lbs and he is one of the best blockers in the NFL at the WR position. He could be used the same way Hernandez was used; he ran a lot of slot routes and underneath routes with Carolina.

Looking at the pieces –

- QB-Brady -Mallett –Garopollo
- RB-Ridley-Vereen-White
- X WR-Dobson-Thompkins
- Z WR-Edelman-Boyce
- Slot WR-Amendola –Gallon
- Y TE-Gronkowski-Hoomanawanui
- Move TE-LaFell-TBD

I figure Williams, Watson, Harrison, could compete for the backup role to LaFell.

The size is a concern but Timothy Wright of the Bucs who 6’3” 219lbs as a tight end was very successful last season with 54 receptions, 571 yards, and 5 touchdowns.

What are people’s thoughts?

 

[shmessy]

Harrison.....and sign Keller.

Keep Lafell at WR.

 

[Big-T]

The Pats will probably use the 3WR 1TE look, but stop trying to lump every tall WR into the "Hernandez role"/Flex TE. The same goes for Harrison and countless other tall receivers from the draft.

That isn't a McDaniels thing, if anything you want to be comparing LaFell's potential role to that of Stallworth/Gaffney in 07.

 

[Brady6]

The Pats will probably use the 3WR 1TE look, but stop trying to lump every tall WR into the "Hernandez role"/Flex TE. The same goes for Harrison and countless other tall receivers from the draft.

That isn't a McDaniels thing, if anything you want to be comparing LaFell's potential role to that of Stallworth/Gaffney in 07.

I tend to agree with you but I think the upside to the two tight end is that it allows you to run or pass effectively with the same personnel, LaFell is an excellent blocker and is capable of blocking LBs and SAFs so using him in that flex WR or TE role would allow us to maximize the personnel.

I would not really compare LaFell to Stallworth who was more of a burner.

 

[primetime]

Edelman is, in my mind, the Hernandez replacement. Obviously, there's a big difference in terms of size but both were extremely good at getting open in the short to intermediate game and were very good after the catch. Hernandez was improving as a blocker at the end, but he was still mostly just a big receiver, though the difference is that Edelman can't body up linebackers. That's okay, though.

 

[SalemPats]

Aaron was a TE who basically played like a WR. I very much Lafell will line up on the line on a consistent basis

 

[Brady6]

Edelman is, in my mind, the Hernandez replacement. Obviously, there's a big difference in terms of size but both were extremely good at getting open in the short to intermediate game and were very good after the catch. Hernandez was improving as a blocker at the end, but he was still mostly just a big receiver.

Hernandez is on the block…

 

[Brady6]

Edelman is, in my mind, the Hernandez replacement. Obviously, there's a big difference in terms of size but both were extremely good at getting open in the short to intermediate game and were very good after the catch. Hernandez was improving as a blocker at the end, but he was still mostly just a big receiver, though the difference is that Edelman can't body up linebackers. That's okay, though.

Serious note, LaFell is a better blocker than Hernandez ever was despite being 30lbs lighter. That is why I think the idea of using him in the flex role whether you want to call it a hybrid flex WR/TE role would be ideal.

 

[Big-T]

Look at it compared to 07, just for comparisons sake:

Dobson is the nowhere near as good Moss was
Edelman showed last year he can be what Welker was
LaFell is slower than Stallworth but all round offers more
Amendola = Gaffney? All down to health there I'd say
Gronkowski is far superior to K. Brady/Watson

That's probably a better way of projecting how the Offense will look instead of looking back at the BoB 2WR 2TE looks.

 

[Brady6]

Look at it compared to 07, just for comparisons sake:

Dobson is the nowhere near as good Moss was
Edelman showed last year he can be what Welker was
LaFell is slower than Stallworth but all round offers more
Amendola = Gaffney? All down to health there I'd say
Gronkowski is far superior to K. Brady/Watson

That's probably a better way of projecting how the Offense will look instead of looking back at the BoB 2WR 2TE looks.

Alternatively, you could have the best of everything on some level –

Moss role = Dobson
Welker role = Edelman
Stallworth role = Boyce (he is a burner like Stallworth)
Gaffney role = Amendola
Hernandez role = LaFell

You can mix it up.

There are many different personnel options with these players especially if Dobson and Boyce make the year two leap.

 

[Gymrat]

I like it. If Lafell can play at 220-223 with no loss in separation ability is he really far off from Hernandez? I don't think he is.With slightest improved power and technique at 217-223 he only has to block a lb now and then and help out with Double team blocks. As Shannon put it he was more dangerous than most other or all TE's as a pass catching threat and he was fairly effective as a blocking TE. Could handle LBs as well as most other TE's could and knew how to help an OLineman to double team and neutralize dangerous passrushers. Can he block effective as some other TE's. Is he more dangerous as a pass catching TE than most. Then its not a bad idea at all!! While I admit he isn't a dangerous WR, he would be from a TE standpoint. I like the idea as much as moving good tackling instinctive physical corners to safety.

 

[pctronics0072]

So Bill himself has said that Harrison will be a WR, not a TE, but still we should pencil him in as a TE? I see none of the conversions happening meaning LaFell - WR, Harrison - WR. I do not think we have or need a move TE as that is not Josh's style.

 

[TriplecHamp]

People are getting too caught up in the position label.

 

[BradyFTW!]

LaFell (and this applies to Harrison, as well, if he makes the team) will probably run some of the routes that Hernandez ran. That won't make him a TE, though. If he can't line up off tackle and credibly block in the running game, then he isn't a TE. If the opposing D puts a CB on him, and that doesn't create a major advantage in the running game, then he isn't a TE (this is why I don't consider Jimmy Graham a TE either).

Could LaFell be a TE in the same way that someone like Jimmy Graham is? In name only, but in practice just being a big WR who operates out of the slot frequently, doesn't effectively block LBs, and rarely lines up as a 'traditional' TE? Sure - that's pretty much what he was in Carolina. But in my book at least, that doesn't make him a tight end. To be a tight end, you have to be a credible blocker.

 

[Ring 6]

Serious note, LaFell is a better blocker than Hernandez ever was despite being 30lbs lighter. That is why I think the idea of using him in the flex role whether you want to call it a hybrid flex WR/TE role would be ideal.

No he is not. He is a better blocker as a WR than Hernandez was as a TE.
As a TE Lafell would be a horrible blocker.

 

[Ring 6]

I tend to agree with you but I think the upside to the two tight end is that it allows you to run or pass effectively with the same personnel, LaFell is an excellent blocker and is capable of blocking LBs and SAFs so using him in that flex WR or TE role would allow us to maximize the personnel.

I would not really compare LaFell to Stallworth who was more of a burner.

You are entirely missing the point.
The natural mismatch created by Hernandez was that he was a TE that teams couldn't decide whether to treat as a TE or a WR.
Some teams used 2 TE personell and it gave Hernandez an advantage as a receiver.
Some used 3 WR personell so we had a large enough personell grouping to run well on them (esp with Gronk as the in line TE, a dominating blocker)

When LaFell is on the field, all 31 teams will treat him as a WR.
He is a WR.

 

[Gymrat]

You are entirely missing the point.
The natural mismatch created by Hernandez was that he was a TE that teams couldn't decide whether to treat as a TE or a WR.
Some teams used 2 TE personell and it gave Hernandez an advantage as a receiver.
Some used 3 WR personell so we had a large enough personell grouping to run well on them (esp with Gronk as the in line TE, a dominating blocker)

When LaFell is on the field, all 31 teams will treat him as a WR.
He is a WR.

Most TEs can't handle edge rushers one on one anyways. If Lafell can pick up blitzes and make great blocking decisions whether blocking blitzing LBs and safety's or effectively springing RBs then he is a blocker the defense must account for. If he fires out of the backfield to catch a pass or bolt deep its a mismatch. Especially if we had feared WRs who would have DBs attention. If he can be a blocker that must be accounted for he will create mismatches as a passcatcher.

Lyerla would have been interesting. A 6'4 252 lb TE who can block and has WR speed. Not looking for chorus boys. This is bout talent which wins games. Ask jimmy Johnson.

 

[pctronics0072]

Wide receivers are not inherently feared/unfeared. They become that way. Do you think Randy Moss was being accounted for from the first game? No, he had to establish himself. When Welker came to NE, was he a feared slot receiver?

In that sense, our receivers need to establish themselves. There is absolutely no reason why A. Dobson or B. LaFell cannot be feared receivers, but they have to earn it.

 

[Big-T]

Remember when people were clamoring for a tall outside receiving threat? Why all of a sudden the desire to make every tall receiver a TE?

 

[Brady6]

No he is not. He is a better blocker as a WR than Hernandez was as a TE.
As a TE Lafell would be a horrible blocker.

I am not sure that is true. LaFell is a very good blocker and has excellent technique, Hernandez is bigger and stronger, but his technique was poor. I think we would have to see them both blocking the same types of players in order to determine who is the better blocker overall, you could be right.