Tight end situation
 

I know we often joke about how many TE's the Pats take in the draft, but now, with zero players on the roster at that position, it's obviously a need. Perhaps they'll try to fill it in free agency. Here are the guys remaining on the market (UFA's) that appear to be somewhat decent:

Crumpler, Ten
McMichael, StL
Pope, KC
LJ Smith, Bal
Tuman, Ari

In other words, not a lot out there. With all the Greg Olsen rumors floating around (from rotoworld on March 5: "ESPN's Adam Schefter said on the Mike and Mike radio show Friday morning that he believes Greg Olsen is on the trading block. The Bears have agreed to a deal with blocking tight end Brandon Manumaleuna and everyone knows Olsen is not a fit in offensive coordinator Mike Martz's system. The Bears have been rumored to want a second-round pick in exchange for Olsen."), I would be willing to part with a 2nd rounder to get him. We don't use a TE a ton, so we don't need a superstar, but with a bunch of 2nd rounders available to us, we could get Olsen as our #1, then add LJ Smith or Crumpler as our #2 via free agency.

However the Pats decide to do it, I can't remember the last time they had zero players on the roster at any one position.

Re: Tight End situation
 

I suspect that BB is going in a different direction and eliminating the TE position
altogether for his new offense in 2010. Since he doesn't ever use the TE for
anything I suspect that he is going to put in place the fabled 'loose end' position
which rose to popularity in the 30's. First executed by Union College and then
prodigiously emulated by the pro's in that era, it fell out of favor when available
talent to play the position became scarce due to wartime (WWII) demands for
the skills of such a person. Now that this particular offense has been swept
under the rug by the sands of time and obscuring the potent offensive setup,
BB will resurrect it, soundly trashing the entire NFL record book in his wake.
In Bill We Trust!

Re: Tight End situation
 

Thats freaking great! :rocker:

Really though I would be happy with Crumpler or McMichaels and a couple rooks. Hopefully one good one :cool:

Re: Tight End situation
 

I don't think he is going to eliminate the position, however I do understand why they passed on Watson and let Baker go. If you are not going to utilize the position it doesn't make any sense to pay Watson 4 mil/year or Baker 2 mil. I would much rather pay Crumpler and some rookie a combined 2 mil/year to come in on short yardage situations than trade for Olsen to sit on the bench.

Re: Tight End situation
 

For the record: NE has "two" Tight Ends on the current roster.

National Football Post is also reporting NE has scheduled a private workout with BYU's Dennis Pitta - whom some characterized as showing the best set of hands at the Combine. He's a likely second round pick who will be less expensive than Olsen.

At the moment it appears the two kids on roster are the seed group from which BB is planning to regrow his TE corps.

Re: Tight End situation
 

Or simply clone Coates a couple times.

Perhaps he could get some cuttings off McGinest, Bruschi and Vrabel for the LB corps?

Re: Tight End situation
 

Is there a similar story about full backs.. always thought BB would do something completely novel on the D side, but never thought about this on the O side..

If this is not tongue in cheek, consider the possibilities... but would prefer a big blocking te, who can catch the ball...

Re: Tight End situation
 

I love the kid from BYU, Pitta. He looked pretty nice at the combine, and reminded me a lot of Owen Daniels. The commented on how well a blocker he was at BYU, and wasnt used as often to catch passes. However in the receiving drills he caught every ball thrown.

Re: Tight end situation
 

Send a 2 to chicago for Greg Olson
sign lj smith or alge crumpler

draft a 4th round project, and there is our problem ...

Re: Tight end situation
 

If the Pats had a TE that got open and caught the ball consistently, theres no doubt in my mind that Brady would utilize him.

"My favorite receiver is the one thats open" - Tom Brady