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

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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How could he have shown anyone anything, at least in games? Heck, he's barely played any games. Something like Worthy with a strong college resume and bupkis in the NFL. I'd be stunned if he made the roster. I got Gronk, Hooman and Devlin, and I'm not on the Hooman bandwagon. DJ might compete with Jones for a PS spot if he ever returns to practice.

At this point it would seem that Williams is headed to the IR or being released. Matt Chatham, on WEEI this afternoon, was talking about how time is running out on guys who have not practiced in a while and if they are going to make it they have to come back now-meaning today-so they can have a full week of practice before the all-important third pre-season game. That's the reason there was an influx of guys coming back today like Stork & Hooman for example.

Another reason BB might be moving away from the 2TE set is that the LBs are getting smaller over last 3 yrs as a natural evolution to the pass happy NFL. The Flex TE is no longer the tactical advantage it once was. The Gronk style TE, on the other hand, is now even more of a force to reckon against these puny man LBs. Haha. Gronk bump and separate! Gronk smash football in endzone ground!

Mack Herron said:

How could he have shown anyone anything, at least in games? Heck, he's barely played any games. Something like Worthy with a strong college resume and bupkis in the NFL. I'd be stunned if he made the roster. I got Gronk, Hooman and Devlin, and I'm not on the Hooman bandwagon. DJ might compete with Jones for a PS spot if he ever returns to practice.

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I believe DJ Williams is out of practice squad eligibility, at least I think Reiss said that last week.

Ross12 said:

I believe DJ Williams is out of practice squad eligibility, at least I think Reiss said that last week.

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You are right--he has no PS eligibility. Looks like it's IR or bust.

Mack Herron said:

I got Gronk, Hooman and Devlin

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Those are my 3 tight ends as well.

I think this allows for us to carry that extra WR, RB, or QB--since Devlin is basically acting as a TE/H-back.

mgteich said:

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

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What about James Devlin as the TE3? I think it makes a lot more sense, particularly with some of the other roster battles that we're trying to "free up" that extra guy at.

Devlin seems to be taking on the TE role, so why can't that allow us to carry Ridley, Vereen, Bolden, White, and Finch as 5 RBs OR Edelman, Amendola, Dobson, Thompkins, LaFell, Slater, and Tyms as 7 WRs?

To me, DJ Williams is really pushing it if we're going to include him on the roster. We're already trying pushed to the limit at positions of QB, RB, and WR as it is. I don't know what Williams is going to add, aside from just another body? That can be added at any point during the season, should the need come.

ATippett56 said:

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.

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I stopped paying attention when TE Aurthur Lynch was taken in the 5th round. Was there anyone worth a damn who was left at the position in those bottom rounds?

KontradictioN said:

The point of building a Super Bowl winning team is not to be comparable with every team in the league. The point of building a Super Bowl winning team is to have quality depth in every area possible, which includes TE. And, by the way, after Gronk, the Pats have probably the worst corps at that position in the league. Again, it's a JAG and a roster of other guys that suck. If they go into the season with that, pray that Gronk doesn't get injured. Not only will the defense not have to respect the TE at all, but it also severely hampers our red zone efficiency, as we saw in 2012 and 2013. You can go ahead and be fine with being comparable with every other team in the league at that position. I'll go ahead and wish more better quality depth.

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I agree with your Belichick instilled sentiment. But I also recall the lyrics from a Rolling Stone's song:

"You don't always get what you want,
But if you try real hard,
You get what you need."

pdangle said:

Another reason BB might be moving away from the 2TE set is that the LBs are getting smaller over last 3 yrs as a natural evolution to the pass happy NFL. The Flex TE is no longer the tactical advantage it once was. The Gronk style TE, on the other hand, is now even more of a force to reckon against these puny man LBs. Haha. Gronk bump and separate! Gronk smash football in endzone ground!

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Good Point, But the Gronk Spike is no more. The No Fun League has outlawed it, along with dunks over the crossbar etc. .

Develin is a lock as our FB. He has position flexibility to also be a h-back and TE.

My point was that we will use Williams for the #3 TE spot or we will use no one to fill that additional roster spot.

I don't have a 3rd TE spot to give to the 7th WR or 5th RB. Do you?

I understand that we could take a roster spot from the defense for this extra position. Perhaps, you don't think that we will keep a 3rd QB or 9th OL.

OFFENSE - 25
QB - 3
RB - 4
FB - 1
WR - 6 (including Slater)
TE - 2
OL - 9

If we were to have an additional roster spot on offense, that spot could go to Boyce, to Finch or to Williams. Obviously, we could get the position by reducing the number of QB's or OL's.

Williams would add the move tight end folks want. He would be our 8th receiving threat, so he would be used much. He might even be the 9th target, after the 5th WR.

supafly said:

What about James Devlin as the TE3? I think it makes a lot more sense, particularly with some of the other roster battles that we're trying to "free up" that extra guy at.

Devlin seems to be taking on the TE role, so why can't that allow us to carry Ridley, Vereen, Bolden, White, and Finch as 5 RBs OR Edelman, Amendola, Dobson, Thompkins, LaFell, Slater, and Tyms as 7 WRs?

To me, DJ Williams is really pushing it if we're going to include him on the roster. We're already trying pushed to the limit at positions of QB, RB, and WR as it is. I don't know what Williams is going to add, aside from just another body? That can be added at any point during the season, should the need come.

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AzPatsFan said:

Good Point, But the Gronk Spike is no more. The No Fun League has outlawed it, along with dunks over the crossbar etc. .

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The Gronk spike is fine as long as you don't do it AT an opponent.

AndyJohnson said:

The Gronk spike is fine as long as you don't do it AT an opponent.

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R U Sure? How to you dunk over the crossbar AT somebody?

AzPatsFan said:

R U Sure? How to you dunk over the crossbar AT somebody?

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What?
Spiking is legal unless it is at a player.
Dunking is not.
What is the confusion?

whether Gronk is healthy or not(and hopefully he does stay healthy for 16games + post-season), I think we will see much more 3-4 WR sets when airing it out...we just have more players at that position who can catch balls/produce

edelman/amendola/Dobson/Lafell/Thompkins should all find time on the field. I would rather see those guys out there in obvious passing downs than Hooman, devlin or DJ williams with Gronk

Gronk, Hooman and Develin are looking to be the options at TE right now. Hopefully Gronk stays healthy!

Gonzales?

Lyerla waived/injured by GB. Too bad he's bat **** crazy......and injured.

Claim that man!

Put him in rehab and Hire Tim Tebow as a life consultant for him.