So.. are we really sticking with what we have at TE?

The Patriots are obviously moving to a WR based attack outside of Gronk. They will use Vereen and Devlin as receiving options as well. The two TE set of mismatch fun is gone, instead a more generic 3 WR set will be used in its place.

Nun I agree that is why I think keeping Tyms after week 4 is going to huge for us down the road.

chasa said:

It's relevant because people(including you) are freaking out over our TE depth when it is comparable to EVERY single team in the league. BB should have done this, BB should have done That, BB should send mallet and a first round pick to this team for this guy to be a backup. If every single team is passing on the tight ends available, then

There are, outside of gronk, maybe 4 tight ends worth trying to get and none of them are going to be available.

TE is just not a glamor position right now, the patriots made it awesome, a murderer ruined it, and now that we've been spoiled by what COULD have been everyone is trying to catch lightning in a bottle again.

Move past it folks, we might sign someone, but they are not going to contribute in any major way. if they could, they would already be on a roster.

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It is not comparable to every team in the league, their depth is among the worst in the league. They have the best TE in the league with basically no contingency plan if/when he gets hurt even though his health has been a major issue.

Armchair Quarterback said:

It is not comparable to every team in the league, their depth is among the worst in the league. They have the best TE in the league with basically no contingency plan if/when he gets hurt even though his health has been a major issue.

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The contingency is to use Hooman and Devlin and rely more heavily on multiple WR sets. They can also use extra tackles as run blocking TEs.

Armchair Quarterback said:

It is not comparable to every team in the league, their depth is among the worst in the league. They have the best TE in the league with basically no contingency plan if/when he gets hurt even though his health has been a major issue.

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which teams would you trade TE groups with? I can think of 4 teams out of 31.

Triumph said:

So maybe were looking at a final WR group after everyone's healthy and back from suspension of:

Andelman
Almendola
Lafell
Thompkins
Dobson
Tyms

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Eddie's kid plays football? I would have figured him for a nose tackle.

TomPatriot said:

Jones is back, FWIW.

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I'd be shocked if he makes the final 53. I think it will be Gronk, Hooman and Williams. Williams has a lot of talent, and I can see him filling that Hernandez role IF given a chance. He needs to know the playbook and get on the same page with Brady, but the injury is hurting his chances. But I'd love to see Williams make it, I'm a big fan.

Nunchucks said:

The contingency is to use Hooman and Devlin and rely more heavily on multiple WR sets. They can also use extra tackles as run blocking TEs.

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Develin is devloping into a real nice FB its going to be difficult for the Defense to account for him with so much speed on the Field. Develin look like he could be a combination of Sam Gash and Kevin Turner. Back in the days when we use the FB position.

Nunchucks said:

The contingency is to use Hooman and Devlin and rely more heavily on multiple WR sets. They can also use extra tackles as run blocking TEs.

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I agree, it would be nice to have a Pro Bowl caliber player at the 2nd TE spot but it's not reality and Hooman will be the #2 and a scrub the #3 unless they are able to make a move to upgrade prior to the season starting. Not optimal but if gronk stays healthy it's basically a moot point.

I think we will end up signing 1 or 2 players when other teams make final roster cuts. The current TE depth is as bad as I have seen it. It has me wishing we resigned Mulligan.

PatsFan2 said:

Develin is devloping into a real nice FB its going to be difficult for the Defense to acount from him with so much speed on the Field. Develin look like he could be a combination of Sam Gash and Kevin Turner. Back in the days when we use the FB position.

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Back to the Keith Byers days.

Despite the long thread there seems to be lots of agreement.

The sky is not falling. Belichick and Brady will adapt and be incredibly successful as always. The main concern as always is Gronk going down. If he's healthy all we need is a good blocking TE and a WR to make up the lost production from Hernandez.

The Gronk/Hernandez combo was unique. Hernandez himself played like a WR in a TE body and there is simply no replacing that - though LaFell provides some height, if not size, at that position. But you don't just replace a guy with the skillset of Hernandez.

Aside from that this and the next draft look weak at TE - and I'm pleased that Belichick didn't use a high pick just for the sake of adding a rookie TE

ATippett56 said:

Have at it:

2014 NFL Free Agents - Free Agency Update - Rotoworld

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There was a TE that could be available that BB should have had some time to see practice. James Casey of the Eagles. Player alot for the Texans. In 2012 had 34 receptions and 3 TD's 6'3" 240lbs with crap for a QB in Houston.
Thoughts?

To the people who are saying we need to bring in someone to back up Gronk in the case he goes down, who pray tell do you suggest they bring in that is both healthy, available and of comparable skill? All this depth talk is irrelevant when there is no one left out there to bring in. I keep seeing Finley and Keller thrown around. We already cant keep Gronk healthy why in the hell would we bring in 2 more injured guys to back him up? At least the backup tight ends we have now are relatively healthy.

Look I understand people want a second viable receiving TE after Gronk but right now there really are no options for this. I think for now is a foregone conclusion that they are not going to be seeking a second one. Things can always change with cuts but I fully believe this season they are going to focus on blocking tight ends and rely more on the receiver sets.

Pats have some decent height in the WR position...not all smurfs like other years. I like Devlin's skillset at TE for both blocking and catching. TE isn't as big an issue as most here make it out to be.Like others have said, how many Gronk's are out there on other teams?

DW Toys said:

There was a TE that could be available that BB should have had some time to see practice. James Casey of the Eagles. Player alot for the Texans. In 2012 had 34 receptions and 3 TD's 6'3" 240lbs with crap for a QB in Houston.
Thoughts?

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He's not worth his $4M salary, much less trading something to the Eagles for the right to overpay him next season.

Armchair Quarterback said:

It is not comparable to every team in the league, their depth is among the worst in the league. They have the best TE in the league with basically no contingency plan if/when he gets hurt even though his health has been a major issue.

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Which makes them comparable with most of the teams in the NFL.

scott99 said:

I'd be shocked if he makes the final 53. I think it will be Gronk, Hooman and Williams. Williams has a lot of talent, and I can see him filling that Hernandez role IF given a chance. He needs to know the playbook and get on the same page with Brady, but the injury is hurting his chances. But I'd love to see Williams make it, I'm a big fan.

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I'm not seeing this huge infatuation with DJ Williams myself. It's possible that I am undervaluing him.

I don't agree with the fact that 80-90% of the 53 man rosters list him as the TE3.

Armchair Quarterback said:

Garbage in, garbage out, If anything that list says it's time to invest a little in the position other than broken down vets and undrafted nobody's . Or they could just go with the same plan again and hope that it somehow works out differently this time if/when Gronk goes down.

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The New England Patriots had the opportunity to draft a tight end in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft instead of Jemea Thomas or seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft instead of Jeremy Gallon.

supafly said:

I'm not seeing this huge infatuation with DJ Williams myself. It's possible that I am undervaluing him.

I don't agree with the fact that 80-90% of the 53 man rosters list him as the TE3.

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At the moment, the realistic choices are Williams or no one.