Would you rather draft Gronkowski Lite or Hernandez* Lite?

supafly said:

I've often thought that the whole move/flex TE "need" to go back to 2TE sets was nothing but a made up piece of fan fiction.

We can take advantage of the hurry up, the ability to switch back and forth from run/pass and vice versa, a better blocking game than Hernandez, and a great red zone target. On top of that, we would also cover our asses if/when Gronkowski misses any time in the future. After watching 3 years in a row of postseason inefficiency due to the loss of our main TE, this definitely should be a concern.

Click to expand...

Yeah, putting Gronk in motion would be just as effective as putting Hernandez in motion. Personally, it comes down to the effectiveness of the player for mine.

ausbacker said:

Yeah, putting Gronk in motion would be just as effective as putting Hernandez in motion. Personally, it comes down to the effectiveness of the player for mine.

Click to expand...

I think it may be easier to take a late round flier, UDFA, or even attempt the famous "patsfans.com transition from player (to be named)" into the flex TE role than it would to select a great inline blocking beast like Niklas or Fiedoriwicz. Just my opinion though.

Either way, I don't see this major need for a move TE to go back to the 2TE sets, and those sets allow us up to 7 OL or 5 receiving options, depending upon specific playcalling. That is a precious option in today's NFL to have that kind of flexibility.

"supafly, post: 3813488, member: 15745"]I've often thought that the whole move/flex TE "need" to go back to 2TE sets was nothing but a made up piece of fan fiction.

We can take advantage of the hurry up, the ability to switch back and forth from run/pass and vice versa, a better blocking game than Hernandez, and a great red zone target. On top of that, we would also cover our asses if/when Gronkowski misses any time in the future. After watching 3 years in a row of postseason inefficiency due to the loss of our main TE, this definitely should be a concern.[/QUOTE]

I think the loss against Baltimore, had just as much to do with the loss of Talib before HT, than Gronk. We couldn't stop a nose bleed once Talib limped off.

My answer To The original question is Hernandez lite. The Gronk/Hernandez combo when healthy was unstoppable.

Gronk Lite.
because minus Gronk, you don't have to change the offense as much. And we've seen lots of "minus Gronk" time with consequential Red Zone "issues".
Exception being (since I don't know college players) that if when it comes time to pick out of available TEs, the H lite is decidedly the superior talent, draft him

Gotta go Gronk Lite.
What we know:
Gronk Regular is made of glass and shatters bones every other play.
Gronk Regular's peeps let it be known that Gronk Regular is going full rehab which likely will extend beyond the season opener.
Without Gronk Regular, GOAT Brady becomes JAG++ Brady. (Note: I include two pluses).
Hence: Gronk Lite is on the menu......ergo......get two suites ready in the Gronk wing of the Hard Rock Hotel Vegas because Gronk Regular has to break in Gronk Lite ....The Gronk name must forever be on the lips of showgirls, strippers, porn stars and keg masters.

We need both. Gronk most likely wont start the season and AHom is still threatening prison guards so we have neither. Gimme Troy Niklas in the 2nd and Jace Amaro in the 1st. I would also be happy taking Kelvin Benjamin in the 1st instead. We need mismatches and big red zone targets.

BTW I think Niklas will be the class of this TE draft.

Both, draft ASJ/Amaro and CJ Fiedorowicz

Gronk lite would make our offense unstoppable. Who can argue with 2x the Gronk?
Seriously though, multi-dimensional TE gives us versatility and makes the defense guess.
With 2 Gronks we have an advantage in both the running game and the passing game.

Another Gronk or another Hernadez, it almost doesn't matter - it's all good!

AzorianPats said:

I think the loss against Baltimore, had just as much to do with the loss of Talib before HT, than Gronk. We couldn't stop a nose bleed once Talib limped off.

Click to expand...

I think you could make a strong argument for what you're saying, but keep in mind that the score was BAL 14, NE 13 early in the last quarter. We certainly had plenty of chances to stay in the game, but couldn't produce on offense. The fact remains that we were up 13-7 at the half, and failed to score another point.

That certainly had something to do with the loss of Gronk; as did the SB loss in the previous season; as did the AFCCG loss once again vs DEN last year as well. Three years in a row the loss of Gronkowski in the season's biggest game really hurt in dramatic fashion.

I do believe that the loss of Talib definitely hurt--no doubt, particularly in the lack of depth with Marquice Cole behind him trying to cover Anquan Boldin.

varjao said:

Both, draft ASJ/Amaro and CJ Fiedorowicz

Click to expand...

I would love to double up at the position like you say. That would be ideal.

Are there any TEs in this draft who took snaps at RB in college last year? Aside from Colt Lyerla

Whoever is the better player. That's the only correct answer. The scheme can be tweaked, your personnel can't as easily.

TBR said:

Are there any TEs in this draft who took snaps at RB in college last year? Aside from Colt Lyerla

Click to expand...

Trey Burton also played RB WR and QB

TBR said:

Are there any TEs in this draft who took snaps at RB in college last year? Aside from Colt Lyerla

Click to expand...

Gimmicks are nice, but I am definitely hoping that Bill Belichick isn't going to address our TE situation with the criteria of whether or not they took reps at the position of RB. I don't think it's too important, nor do I think that it's that hard to have your TE line up in the backfield on occasion if that's what you're looking to do.

We need to improve our physicality, depth, talent at the position, and red zone target with the selection. Obviously, the ability to go back to 2 TE sets where we could take advantage of both the run/pass in hurry up situations would be ideal.

Hernandez Lite. Since we already have Gronk lite, in Mike Hoomanawanui...

I agree that it is best taper back expectations at this time of year. But in the case of Jace Amaro I don't really view him as Hernandez lite, because I think he is a better prospect than Hernandez was at the same point back in 2010.

Hernandez meshed with Brady brilliantly. Amaro, if drafted, may not. But Amaro is a bigger guy than Hernandez. In fact, he has the stature that would indicate that they could work on his blocking and make him a more in-line tight end in time.

To answer your initial question I'd prefer a Gronk lite to a Hernandez lite. But I'll take Amaro over both of them.

ripatsfan91 said:

Trey Burton also played RB WR and QB

Click to expand...

And move TE. Burton is a jack of all trades and a master of none. If the Pats draft him in the 7th, don't expect him to contribute immediately. He's going to need some serious development.

KontradictioN said:

And move TE. Burton is a jack of all trades and a master of none. If the Pats draft him in the 7th, don't expect him to contribute immediately. He's going to need some serious development.

Click to expand...

I am aware.. he certainly has room for development and he is dangerous in open space. I like him because he has a great blend of experience (he understands reading defenses from playing QB, great vision and elusiveness from playing RB, and he is simply an athlete).

I think he has great potential just needs to put some size and probably red shirt a year because he really only has one year of experience at tight end.

Do I think he could be an upgrade from DJ Williams in spot duty/development? Absolutely! If we carried DJ Williams on our 53 I don't see why we can't do the same for Burton.

ripatsfan91 said:

I am aware.. he certainly has room for development and he is dangerous in open space. I like him because he has a great blend of experience (he understands reading defenses from playing QB, great vision and elusiveness from playing RB, and he is simply an athlete).

I think he has great potential just needs to put some size and probably red shirt a year because he really only has one year of experience at tight end.

Do I think he could be an upgrade from DJ Williams in spot duty/development? Absolutely! If we carried DJ Williams on our 53 I don't see why we can't do the same for Burton.

Click to expand...

I'd be fine with Burton as a developmental prospect in the 7th. I'd just like to see the team address the position with someone capable of starting right out of the gates earlier in the draft.