Pats looking at big TEs

[The 12th Man]

Patriots | Team meets with Cottam
Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:24:14 -0800

The New England Patriots have met with University of Tennessee TE Brad Cottam several times.

NFL | Cottam weighs in at NFL Scouting Combine
Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:14:28 -0800

University of Tennessee TE Brad Cottam weighed in at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine Thursday, Feb. 21, at 6-foot-7 1/2 and 270 pounds. Cottam has worked with Dallas Cowboys TE Jason Witten, going over routes and footwork. Cottam's agent is Jimmy Sexton.

University of Tennessee TE Brad Cottam said during his 2008 NFL Scouting Combine interview that he worked out at D-I in Nashville, Tenn. He also discussed his injury history during his interview. "I've kind of had an injury-plagued career. That's a big question with me is my durability. Today we had all the medical testing and everything went fine for me. So I think that question is kind of being erased for me now. All this is maybe a little more important for me, missing nine games of my senior season. There might be a little more emphasis. They might be watching me a little more closely."

Patriots | Team meets with K. Davis
Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:07:47 -0800

The New England Patriots have met with Michigan State TE Kellen Davis several times.
NFL | K. Davis weighs in
Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:05:06 -0800

During his press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine Thursday, Feb. 21, Michigan State TE Kellen Davis said he measured 6-foot-6 and weighed in at 262 pounds. Davis said he plans to participate in all the events at the combine.

 

[The 12th Man]

I'm assuming they'll also look at this guy as well:

NFL | M. Bennett weighs in at NFL Scouting Combine
Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:20:32 -0800

Texas A&M TE Martellus Bennett measured in at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine with a height of 6-foot-6 and a weight of 259 pounds. His agent is Kennard McGuire. He plans on taking part in all of the workouts. Bennett feels that his ability to run after catching the ball and blocking are two aspects of his game that he is strong at, but that he needs to work on his route running.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

please no first round tight end

 

[ctpatsfan77]

please no first round tight end

Much as BB would love to draft eight tight ends, I'm pretty sure Pioli et al. will restrain him from actually doing so, and will certainly keep him from drafting a first-rounder.

 

[The 12th Man]

please no first round tight end

No kidding. I'm guessing they MIGHT grab one in the middle or late to develop him as mainly a future blocking TE. This will be Kyle Brady's last year under the contract and the Pats might be thinking a replacement for next year. A big, physical blocking TE. I'll like the move as long as it's not in the first two rounds. Not sure where these guys are going now on mocks, would be interesting to find out.

 

[Remix 6]

we looked @ like 3 different first day QBs last year. doesnt say much

 

[captain stone]

I don't even want to think about TEs until the 5th round, after we've drafted 2 LBs, 2 CBs and an OT. I would rather wait until the 6th/7th rounds, and see who amoung big TEs like Kellen Davis, Darrell Strong, JJ Finley and Joe Haynos are available.

 

[zarakotas5]

What's up with TE Brad Cottam from Tenn?

How is he playing? 6'7.5", 271, runs a sub 4.75. In limited action, due to a bad wrist injury, he broke off a big percentage of long plays per reception. 3 or 4 time SEC academic all-American.

From what I gather, he is a great blocker. His limited evidence in receiving shows promise while his size is near OL-material.

Expected to go in the 4th-5th, his stock is supposedly rising. Anybody have any info?

I posted this on 1/22. I'll be watching his closely. He isn't a top 2-3 rounder, unless reaching or mesmerized.

 

[The 12th Man]

I posted this on 1/22. I'll be watching his closely. He isn't a top 2-3 rounder, unless reaching or mesmerized.

Thanks, I'll keep my eye out on him these guys as well. Wouldn't be bad if it was a 4th or better yet 5 round pick for us. Like I said, it would make sense to groom a young blocking TE to replace K.Brady after this year.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I don't think any of these guys will run better than 4.7. Clearly not first round material.

I do think we need to examine the TE position going into next season.

Watson is going to miss his mandatory 4 games or so with injuries. He is going to drop X number of balls every season. And he is going to make two or three sensational catches every season.
What he has not given us is someone ependable in the deep seam. Which probably has more to do with his durability, or lack thereof than anything else.

Brady is one dimensional, great blocking not much else.

Thomas is the opposite of Brady. Decent receiver especailly over the middle and in the dead spots in zone. But nothing special as a blocker. More to the point, his blocking is so weak, it could get Brady decapitated.

We need a dependable guy that can beat LB coverage and work the middle of the field, preferably fairly deep. A 3rd down conversion machine.

I don't see one like that in this draft. I do see one in College and he plays for Missouri. Too bad he didn't come out this year.

 

[ayjackson]

I thought David Thomas' blocking skills were much better than advertised. I thought he displayed good receiving and blocking skills in the few games I saw of him in 2006. He's not Kyle Brady, but I thought he was certainly better than Watson.

Kyle Brady has a base salary of $3m next season. It wouldn't surprise me to see him cut (only if we need the space next month), especially in light of his upcoming shoulder surgery. Maybe bring him back at training camp at a reduced amount.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I thought David Thomas' blocking skills were much better than advertised. I thought he displayed good receiving and blocking skills in the few games I saw of him in 2006. He's not Kyle Brady, but I thought he was certainly better than Watson.

Kyle Brady has a base salary of $3m next season. It wouldn't surprise me to see him cut (only if we need the space next month), especially in light of his upcoming shoulder surgery. Maybe bring him back at training camp at a reduced amount.

FWIW, he has a cap hit of $3M. His base salary--i.e., the cap savings--is only $2M.

 

[Jimke]

I thought David Thomas' blocking skills were much better than advertised. I thought he displayed good receiving and blocking skills in the few games I saw of him in 2006. He's not Kyle Brady, but I thought he was certainly better than Watson.

Kyle Brady has a base salary of $3m next season. It wouldn't surprise me to see him cut (only if we need the space next month), especially in light of his upcoming shoulder surgery. Maybe bring him back at training camp at a reduced amount.

Kyle Brady is having shoulder surgery and this may be why the Pats

are looking at tight ends.

 

[captain stone]

FWIW, he has a cap hit of $3M. His base salary--i.e., the cap savings--is only $2M.

Does that mean that his dead money, should he be released, is $1M?

These questions always confuse me.

 

[WhiZa]

we looked @ like 3 different first day QBs last year. doesnt say much

do you think this was done because we knew Miami and Buffalo were drafting QBs high last year?

 

[WhiZa]

Kyle Brady is having shoulder surgery and this may be why the Pats are looking at tight ends.

That and he's up there in age. I could see a 3+ round TE brought in to take over for Kyle when his contract is up. Who are the good blocking TEs this year?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Does that mean that his dead money, should he be released, is $1M?

These questions always confuse me.

Yes, his dead money would be $1M.

The simple rule is this: you're on the hook for anything you've already paid out, but not what is left to be paid. For example, if the Pats released Kyle Brady, they'd be on the hook for the remainder of his signing bonus, but not for his 2008 salary. Similarly, by not picking up Stallworth's option, the Patriots are only on the hook for the remainder of whatever bonuses they paid Stallworth last year that didn't count against last year's cap.