Moving Forward at TE: David Thomas, Dallas Clark, or Other

[tombonneau]

Wanted to get a poll going in light of AHern release. So there is speculation Pats might sign Dave Thomas or Dallas Clark to fill that roll. Curious what people here think. I'm also putting in option of abandoning the 2 TE offense as that could be a reality.

 

[jmt57]

I think Dallas Clark would be the best option. You are looking for someone with receiving talent more than a blocker.

TE Free Agents (age)
Dallas Clark (34)
David Thomas (30)
Kevin Boss (29)
Randy McMichael (34)
Dante Rosario (28)
Zach Potter (27)
Chris Cooley (31)
Leonard Pope (29)
Evan Moore (28)
Will Heller (32)
Bill Bajema (30)
Travis Beckum (26)
Josh Baker (26)
Jake O'Connell (27)
Martin Rucker (28)

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Wanted to get a poll going in light of AHern release. So there is speculation Pats might sign Dave Thomas or Dallas Clark to fill that roll. Curious what people here think. I'm also putting in option of abandoning the 2 TE offense as that could be a reality.

They don't NEED to sign anyone else. Not to say they won't, but it's not a necessity. If they were, I'd consider Thomas, because he at least has some familiarity with the offense.

I don't see them abandoning the 2-TE base, though, especially if one of the new TEs impresses.

 

[primetime]

They have Ballard and Gronk who were going to be every down players anyways. Hernandez is a slot player, not a tight end. 2006 Dallas Clark was the best ever at that role, 2013 Dallas Clark needs to retire.

If anything, they should be looking for another wideout. They should have been doing that in the first place.

 

[Joey007]

The 2 TE system is done. Unless you can find a way to pry a Jimmy Graham or Vernon Davis away from someone, you're not going to get the same production as you were getting from the Gronk/Ahern combo. Instead of trying to replace Hernandez, you might as well just move on from the system. Not saying a guy like Ballard can't be used in this offense when Gronk is healthy, it just can't be nearly as big of a part of the gameplan as it was with Hernandez.

 

[primetime]

Given that the offense is going to be very run-heavy, it makes no sense to assume that a 2-TE offense is done. Especially considering it was never really a 2-TE offense anyways, but a 1RB, 1 TE, 2 slot player, 1 wide receiver offense generally. Now you'll just replace one of the slot players with a true tight end once Gronk is healthy.

 

[jmt57]

They have Ballard and Gronk who were going to be every down players anyways. Hernandez is a slot player, not a tight end. 2006 Dallas Clark was the best ever at that role, 2013 Dallas Clark needs to retire.

If anything, they should be looking for another wideout. They should have been doing that in the first place.

Once the Patriots were unable to sign Emmanuel Sanders, there were not too many options - especially once you cross off guys you wouldn't touch (Young) or those with concussion issues (Robinson, Collie):

Free Agent WR
Brandon Lloyd
Laurent Robinson
Titus Young
Steve Breaston
Brandon Stokley
Brandon Edwards
Early Doucet
Austin Collie
Derek Hagan
Sammie Stroughter
Chaz Schilens

 

[tombonneau]

The 2 TE system is done. Unless you can find a way to pry a Jimmy Graham or Vernon Davis away from someone, you're not going to get the same production as you were getting from the Gronk/Ahern combo. Instead of trying to replace Hernandez, you might as well just move on from the system. Not saying a guy like Ballard can't be used in this offense when Gronk is healthy, it just can't be nearly as big of a part of the gameplan as it was with Hernandez.

This is what I think. It worked because you had two unique talents. Now you have one (hopefully).

And while some are right you could argue AHern was less a second TE and more a very large slot WR, the fact is you need a talent like him to continue to run that offense no matter what you label him.

 

[primetime]

Agreed that the current iteration of the offense is done. Belichick tries to get his best players on the field and designs the system around their talents. Hernandez was one of the best players on the team and there is no one comparable to him. However, it's odd insofar as the offense is actually probably going to still be a 2 TE offense, it's just that the other TE will now be a much more traditional in-line tight end rather than a slot player.

 

[Gwedd]

They can always throw Tebow in as a blocking TE, or even a short yardage TE. Remember that Coach B's comments about how difficult he was to bring down being one of the most difficult things to gameplan against him.

 

[mgteich]

I have no words for those who think that Tebow is a better blocker than our current backup TE's.

They can always throw Tebow in as a blocking TE, or even a short yardage TE. Remember that Coach B's comments about how difficult he was to bring down being one of the most difficult things to gameplan against him.

 

[edboc]

They can always throw Tebow in as a blocking TE, or even a short yardage TE. Remember that Coach B's comments about how difficult he was to bring down being one of the most difficult things to gameplan against him.

I think there's more of a chance that they run the wildcat or read-option than Tebow playing TE.

 

[mgteich]

I don't see us signing anyone, although I would want to see if Dave Thomas has anything left.

 

[Gwedd]

I have no words for those who think that Tebow is a better blocker than our current backup TE's.

I didn't say that. I simply pointed out that they could use him like that. I don't see them signing another TE, although with Coach B you never say never.

 

[mgteich]

Choosing to have more of a 3 WR offense than a 2 WR-2 TE offense would not be my preference. After all, we must look at the quality of our wide receivers.

I expect that we will be fine with Gronk, Ballard and Hooman. Obviously we also have Fells and the UDFA. We have solid TE depth.

 

[Gwedd]

Choosing to have more of a 3 WR offense than a 2 WR-2 TE offense would not be my preference. After all, we must look at the quality of our wide receivers.

I expect that we will be fine with Gronk, Ballard and Hooman. Obviously we also have Fells and the UDFA. We have solid TE depth.

Concur. :rocker:

 

[Rob0729]

I'd add Clark if any of them. He is more of a Hernandez type of TE. Ballard and Gronk are more of end of the line TEs (although Gronk is used in motion and on rare occassions the slot). Clark is more of a split out TE and motion TE.

 

[tonyto3690]

LOL @ the overreaction.

At the end of the year we will have Gronk and Ballard as two starting TEs and be running both on every down.

We don't need to sign anyone. Hoo/Fells/Sud will get us through the first three weeks before Gronk plays.

 

[tonyto3690]

They can always throw Tebow in as a blocking TE, or even a short yardage TE. Remember that Coach B's comments about how difficult he was to bring down being one of the most difficult things to gameplan against him.

hahahahaha

 

[primetime]

I'd add Clark if any of them. He is more of a Hernandez type of TE. Ballard and Gronk are more of end of the line TEs (although Gronk is used in motion and on rare occassions the slot). Clark is more of a split out TE and motion TE.

Tebow's probably a better option than Dallas Clark at this point, and I laugh at the Tebow-at-TE suggestions and thought Clark was one of the scariest players in the league 5 years ago.

Seriously Clark can't close his dominant hand because of nerve damage.