The Lee Smith conundrum

[BlueThunder]

Look how many of those have stuck...

Alge is his latest signing...he's drafted 9 others..Gronk,Hernandez,Watson and Graham stuck.....most of the ones that didn't were later round picks.....Holloway was a 4th rounder...Stachelski was a 5th.....Stokes and nead were both 7th rounders.....BB was looking for a diamond in the tailings there but never found it.....Smith's pedigree looks a bit better than the other late round picks that didn't stick...I'll let BB decide who the best 53 are

 

[RayClay]

Alge is his latest signing...he's drafted 9 others..Gronk,Hernandez,Watson and Graham stuck.....most of the ones that didn't were later round picks.....Holloway was a 4th rounder...Stachelski was a 5th.....Stokes and nead were both 7th rounders.....BB was looking for a diamond in the tailings there but never found it.....Smith's pedigree looks a bit better than the other late round picks that didn't stick...I'll let BB decide who the best 53 are

Right, I'm just putting it into perspective. Obviously Crumpler doesn't have much time left, but it's up to Smith to prove he belongs at all, and I hope he does.

Of course he's a definite all pro now, and as soon as he drops one, he'll be a total bust and our draft will have been a waste.

 

[BlueThunder]

It looks like Lee has the athleticism to stick.....it all depends whats in his heart and if his mind can wrap around the playbook

 

[sbpatfan]

Lee isn't exactly athletic by NFL standards. I think it has more to do with him having the right attitude to stick. Not many TEs are down for being primarily a blocker / special team player.

 

[Wretch]

2 inquiries for the draftniks on the board

Could Smith be used as a blacking FB, rather than an OL as BB does frequently? I also wonder if he has the frame to bulk up and become an OT like Jason Peter (I think), formerly of Buffalo, now with Philly.

All things considered if a 5th round blocking TE sticks on the roster, great for him. If not I won't lose sleep, or scream at the top of my lungs HE'S A BUST I CAN DRAFT BETTER THAN BB. I WOULD HAVE SELECTED PLAYER X!!!! (with 100% hindsight).

 

[RayClay]

Lee isn't exactly athletic by NFL standards. I think it has more to do with him having the right attitude to stick. Not many TEs are down for being primarily a blocker / special team player.

Right. If he can be a reliable occasional short area receiver and a hekka blocker with good attitude, maybe Crumpler retires, or maybe Crumpler retires either way and they pick up someone on waivers, or Carson Butler.

 

[BradyFTW!]

2 inquiries for the draftniks on the board

Could Smith be used as a blacking FB, rather than an OL as BB does frequently? I also wonder if he has the frame to bulk up and become an OT like Jason Peter (I think), formerly of Buffalo, now with Philly.

All things considered if a 5th round blocking TE sticks on the roster, great for him. If not I won't lose sleep, or scream at the top of my lungs HE'S A BUST I CAN DRAFT BETTER THAN BB. I WOULD HAVE SELECTED PLAYER X!!!! (with 100% hindsight).

Exactly. We know that Crumpler can get the job done, and when the job entails opening running lanes and keeping Brady upright, then I'll go with the vet everytime. Even if we miss out on a good young player in Smith, that's not an unacceptable opportunity cost. Since Belichick drafted him, I assume that he thinks Smith can be better than Crumpler right now or can make it to the practice squad (probably the latter). If not, he won't stick, because there isn't room on the roster for a #4 developmental blocking TE.

 

[Professor Frink]

there isn't room on the roster for a #4 developmental blocking TE.

That's not a given. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Belichick went with 4 TEs on the 53. It would probably mean Lee Smith would be inactive for all games, like Taylor Price last year.

 

[BradyFTW!]

That's not a given. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Belichick went with 4 TEs on the 53. It would probably mean Lee Smith would be inactive for all games, like Taylor Price last year.

Given the numbers crunch at RB, QB, WR, and across the o-line, I'd be pretty shocked if that happened. We're carrying 3 QBs for the first time in a couple years, and that roster spot has to come from somewhere. For Lee Smith to make the roster, Belichick would have to conclude that he is more valuable to the team than the last RB (potentially Faulk) or the last WR on the roster.

For Smith to make the roster this year, I would assume that he would have to displace either Crumpler or one of the ST aces.

 

[BlueThunder]

For Smith to make the roster this year, I would assume that he would have to displace either Crumpler or one of the ST aces.

Slater comes to mind....enough speed and youth on the roster to replace someone who's only value is on ST.....I know I know....some people disagree, but I'm just throwing out player that may be on bubble...of course Smith would have to really shine in TC for it to happen.....

 

[part-timer]

If Crumpler who is recovering from shoulder surgery starts the season on PUP and Smith is kept on the roster till the six to eight week period for coming off PUP and becomeing active ends, the chances of Smith passing through waivers is much better because the team takeing him will have to sign him to the active roster for a minimum of three weeks instead of the PS. I still feel Faulk,Crumpler, and either McGowen or Barrett will get placed on PUP for insurance, giveing the team till mid season to figure what is best for the team.

 

[TheSolderKing]

Eff slater ST's is not a huge deal anymore w/ KO's all ****ed up.


Slater cut him. I mentioned this before. Crap WR to.

 

[part-timer]

Slater comes to mind....enough speed and youth on the roster to replace someone who's only value is on ST.....I know I know....some people disagree, but I'm just throwing out player that may be on bubble...of course Smith would have to really shine in TC for it to happen.....

Unfortunately for ST ace's like Slater and White it no longer looks like this team has room for ST specific playes any more.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Unfortunately for ST ace's like Slater and White it no longer looks like this team has room for ST specific playes any more.

Some teams treat ST-specific roster spots like a luxury, but the Patriots are the polar opposite. Belichick will give a roster spot to a special teams ace over an end-of-the-depth-chart guy who won't get on the field and contribute 10 times out of 10. The Patriots will have just as many dedicated ST roster spots this year as they have in past years.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Eff slater ST's is not a huge deal anymore w/ KO's all ****ed up.


Slater cut him. I mentioned this before. Crap WR to.

One of the easiest ways to realize that someone doesn't understand how the Patriots work is comments like this. Slater may very well not make the cut, but if so it will be because they found someone else who can fill the gunner role in his place.

If you think that Belichick is just going to decide to stop giving roster spots to ST specialists, then you apparently haven't been paying attention to the Patriots for the past 10 years. Consistently excellent special teams are a hallmark of the Patriots for a very good reason. It's a core part of the Patriots' philosophy, and it's a deliberate investment that Belichick makes every year in the form of dedicated roster spots.

 

[TheSolderKing]

One of the easiest ways to realize that someone doesn't understand how the Patriots work is comments like this. Slater may very well not make the cut, but if so it will be because they found someone else who can fill the gunner role in his place.

If you think that Belichick is just going to decide to stop giving roster spots to ST specialists, then you apparently haven't been paying attention to the Patriots for the past 10 years. Consistently excellent special teams are a hallmark of the Patriots for a very good reason. It's a core part of the Patriots' philosophy, and it's a deliberate investment that Belichick makes every year in the form of dedicated roster spots.

KO's were HUGE ST's now... no e3ffing way. Keep the guy for Punts???

It seems to me the new NFL ST is a lesser role b/c KO's r gone:bricks:

we signed that CB from TCU hopefully he can play CB at Pro level but he is a ST stud.

Make Tate your ST gunner y do we hold Slater on a team when ST's is not a HUGE factor like it once was I pay attention, but a **** **** age is upon us and ST's don't mean a lot anymore

 

[TheSolderKing]

I don't think we're using Brady as a pass receiver or upfield blocker.

Running and jumping, exploding kind of comes down to how fast you can put one foot in front of the other too. Admittedly the multiple all pro has gained weight and lost speed, but that's from the base of an all pro, not a marginal small college player who's never played a down in the NFL.

I hope Smith has the smarts and character to fill a limited role on the team. He had better, because h doesn't have a lot of upside.

The guy is STRICTLY a BLOCKING TE how do you know his upside. Obviously TFB did not project as a BIG time player. Look what TFB did. He had 1 of the worst measurable (s) of any QB they have seen...

Put this towards SMITH who doesn't hall ass. Crump is a slow phuck, but u keep him 1 year b/c of his experience Youth is the answer... I want to try out a young BLOCKING TE and keep him over an old balls Crump coming off of shoulder surgery. It is a very easy pick who to choose. I don't think Crump at this time can offer much more than Smith can. Let the kid play and he can open up some eyes

 

[BradyFTW!]

KO's were HUGE ST's now... no e3ffing way. Keep the guy for Punts???

It seems to me the new NFL ST is a lesser role b/c KO's r gone:bricks:

we signed that CB from TCU hopefully he can play CB at Pro level but he is a ST stud.

Make Tate your ST gunner y do we hold Slater on a team when ST's is not a HUGE factor like it once was I pay attention, but a **** **** age is upon us and ST's don't mean a lot anymore

Malcolm Williams definitely has the right mentality to go out and contribute on ST, and he'll get his chance in training camp to earn a role and beat out some of the other specialists. May happen, may not- impossible to predict at this point.

Tate, though? Setting aside the fact that you're asking a starting WR to be a gunner, what makes you think that he would be any good at it? Special Teams requires its own skill set, a very specific kind of mentality, and a whole lot of practice.

And kickoffs aren't gone. I agree that moving them to the 35 yard line is dumb and does make them less important, but every kickoff isn't going to be a touchback, and that means you still have to cover them well. Not to mention punt coverage.

 

[ay-yo]

If you think that Belichick is just going to decide to stop giving roster spots to ST specialists, then you apparently haven't been paying attention to the Patriots for the past 10 years. Consistently excellent special teams are a hallmark of the Patriots for a very good reason. It's a core part of the Patriots' philosophy, and it's a deliberate investment that Belichick makes every year in the form of dedicated roster spots.

I believe one of Bill's core values is to constantly re-evaluate what will give his football team the best chance to win. This means not becoming entrenched in thinking such as "we need 1 or more spot on the roster for a ST only player every year". I recognize the past history of these ST only guys on the team. However it very plausible that this will be the year to break that trend. The arguments for such thinking are:

1. As Solder King has stated the rules have changed. This will certainly have Bill evaluating the effect on the game and how he needs to change his roster. He may come to the conclusion that he doesn't need to change the roster but nobody knows yet.

2. The roster is younger and more athletic than ever. The Pats are also one of the few (perhaps only idk) teams to use starters on ST. This means that in the past the level of play on ST between a ST only player and everybody else was greater than it currently is. There could even be a guy (Dowling, Malcolm, Butler, Chung, Carter, etc) who is better than Slater on ST and has a primary position.

Looking at things in a vacuum is always dangerous (in this case: we have always had ST only guys therefore we will always have ST only guys). That's why Bill will constantly re-evaluate.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Looking at things in a vacuum is always dangerous (in this case: we have always had ST only guys therefore we will always have ST only guys). That's why Bill will constantly re-evaluate.

I'm not saying that we will have ST-only guys because we have always had ST-only guys. I'm saying that the reasons why we've always had ST-only guys still apply, and moving kickoffs up 5 yards isn't going to change that. Excelling at punt coverage and kickoff coverage will still be some of the most cost-effective ways to save yardage out there, and those guys will still contribute more than a bottom-of-the-depth-chart player who doesn't excel on special teams possibly could.