Report: Pats Meeting With Visanthe Shiancoe Tomorrow

[supafly]

I'm just wondering if this means the team is going to go with 4 tight ends, or that Fells is going to be on the shelf for a while.

Very good question, Deus.

Somehow I just can't picture 4 TE's AND a FB.

When you factor in RB (3 more), QB (3 more), and WR (6 more when you include guys like Slater/Edelman) you are already up to 17 and that's before the offensive line numbers. If Mankins starts PUP, the o-line #'s become even worse too. It's just not possible with the # of defenders we need.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Officially signed

Shiancoe signs one-year deal with Patriots

This = Fells to PUP. We did sign Fells to a 3 year deal, so not a big problem. Seems to me like they're just making sure that they won't be as screwed as they were in the SB if Gronk is hurt. We all know that even with a TE like Shiancoe, the Pats probably win that game...

 

[ivanvamp]

This = Fells to PUP. We did sign Fells to a 3 year deal, so not a big problem. Seems to me like they're just making sure that they won't be as screwed as they were in the SB if Gronk is hurt. We all know that even with a TE like Shiancoe, the Pats probably win that game...

That, and that perhaps Hernandez will be used more as an H-back or split out wide. Imagine this lineup:

Vereen
Hernandez
Fells
Gronkowski
Shiancoe

Vereen lines up behind Hernandez in an I-formation, with three tight ends. The defense, obviously, assumes a power run. Then the Pats shift, moving Hernandez and Gronk out wide. What in the world is coming? You could still do a power run, moving one of the TE in motion for a wham block, or just straight ahead power run blocking. Plenty of bigs to just pile drive people. But if the defense notices that personnel grouping and goes big, then you've got Hernandez and Gronk isolated on safeties or, even better, linebackers. Brady will eat that up all day long.

Yet another weapon in the Patriots' arsenal.

 

[Sicilian]

That, and that perhaps Hernandez will be used more as an H-back or split out wide. Imagine this lineup:

That was my thought too. Assuming Fells starts out on PUP, you have Hernandez as a TE, then when Fells comes back you use Hernandez in place of whichever WR/TE is injured or not performing. If Gronk and Shiancoe are both playing really well, the return of Fells might mean Branch's role decreases, for example.

So many things could shake down in camp, it should be exciting to watch!

 

[Jimke]

I usually bellyache about the lack of activity in free agency. Boy,
do I have to eat crow. Shiancoe fills an immediate need at #3 tight
end. If Fells has to start the season on Reserve/PUP, so be it. Also,
Shiancoe may be the better player.

 

[WhiZa]

but Bill O'Brien is no longer with the team?

 

[Jimke]

I'm just wondering if this means the team is going to go with 4 tight ends, or that Fells is going to be on the shelf for a while.

Probably the latter but Shianco may be better than Fells anyway.
Sometimes the late signings are better players than the early
signings.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

There's no way he'll pick here.

Don't quit your day job and decide to become a professional fortune teller....you won't last a day.

 

[jmt57]

Probably the latter but Shianco may be better than Fells anyway.
Sometimes the late signings are better players than the early
signings.

The Pats signed Fells to a contract that included a $1,000,000 signing bonus and $2,000,000 guaranteed.

The Pats signed Shiancoe to a contract with zero signing bonus and $400,000 guaranteed.

I'll go out on a limb and say that when both are healthy the Pats consider Fells to be the better player, and to be more a part of their plans.

 

[BrickPat]

That, and that perhaps Hernandez will be used more as an H-back or split out wide. Imagine this lineup:

Vereen
Hernandez
Fells
Gronkowski
Shiancoe

Vereen lines up behind Hernandez in an I-formation, with three tight ends. The defense, obviously, assumes a power run. Then the Pats shift, moving Hernandez and Gronk out wide. What in the world is coming? You could still do a power run, moving one of the TE in motion for a wham block, or just straight ahead power run blocking. Plenty of bigs to just pile drive people. But if the defense notices that personnel grouping and goes big, then you've got Hernandez and Gronk isolated on safeties or, even better, linebackers. Brady will eat that up all day long.

Yet another weapon in the Patriots' arsenal.

Haven't been this aroused from something on the net since surfing youporn last week.

 

[TennPat]

I always considered Shiancoe a good TE while he was at Minnesota. This will free Hernandez up some to so we can keep a blocking TE in while we bring Aaron in the backfield or outwide.

I would think Shiancoe had other options but he wanted to play for us. This really gives us the advantage.

 

[mgteich]

I agree.

$2M to be on the bench is a lot of money. I expect Fells to play this year. $400K for Shiancoe is a fine insurance policy. Beside, Fells might very well need to be put on the in-season PUP list.

The Pats signed Fells to a contract that included a $1,000,000 signing bonus and $2,000,000 guaranteed.

The Pats signed Shiancoe to a contract with zero signing bonus and $400,000 guaranteed.

I'll go out on a limb and say that when both are healthy the Pats consider Fells to be the better player, and to be more a part of their plans.

 

[mgteich]

IMHO, a 3rd TE has NOTHING to do with the running game and everything to do with having a backup receiver if Gronkowksi or Hernandez is injured.

GIVEN (23)
3 QB
3 RB
4 WR
1 Returner
1 STer
8 OL
3 TE (all receiving TE's; we need a backup who can catch)

MG CHOICES FOR THE LAST POSITIONS (2)
ONE: 4th RB/FB
TWO: 9th OL (who could be the blocking TE if there is no FB)

Others might prefer a 4th TE or a 5th RB/FB. If Mankins starts the season on the PUP or IR list, then this may happen, with us keeping 8 OL's on the Game One 53 man roster. Personally, I would still keep the additional OL.

 

[Haley]

Great news! I am excited to see him play with the Pats.