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I know we're still more than a month away from the start of the regular season but the reports I have seen on Smith and Baker in training camp have been encouraging. Here are a couple of recent columns on the two new Pats tight ends.
Meet the Patriots new No. 80: Smith by Adam Smartschan of the Metro Daily News
Meet the Patriots new No. 80: Smith by Adam Smartschan of the Metro Daily News
Smith played his first four NFL seasons with Tampa Bay, starting 43 games and catching 129 passes for 1,252 yards and 11 touchdowns.
He’s lanky for a tight end — resembling, really, a bulked-up wide receiver.
Training camp has seen him lined up in a traditional tight end slot, off the line almost as a No. 3 wideout ... and even in the offensive backfield.
“I’m just trying to do everything that’s asked of me,” Smith said. “They like to mix us around a lot, so whatever’s called upon [I do]. I think the faster I learn the offense, the more positions I can play.”
There’s no guarantee of playing time, though. The Patriots have five TEs on the roster, including Ben Watson and Chris Baker.