Zach Sudfeld

[Armchair Quarterback]

Re: Zach Sudfeld, how good can he be for us?

fair enough

We all agree that Sudfield will be given every opportunity to make the 53. I suspect that we will be having this discussion again the week before the cuts.

You may end up being right in the end but I think the competition will be a lot closer than you had originally made it out to be.

 

[PatsFan2]

Re: Zach Sudfeld, how good can he be for us?

I would say better than Hernandez who can do absolutely nothing for us now and also in the future.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Zach Sudfeld, how good can he be for us?

I am cautiously optimistic about the guy. Looks like without his injury history, he might have been a fairly high draft pick (probably mid rounds somewhere, maybe higher). You take away his injuries and he has the measurables (size, athleticism) to be a first or second rounder.

Injuries are a huge concern with him. The good news is some of them are not of the repeat variety (broken leg).

 

[PatsFan2]

Re: Zach Sudfeld, how good can he be for us?

Fells' record speaks for itself. If Fells is healthy, he is playing and may be our #2 TE.

Sudfield does indeed have a chance to beat out Hooman. Personally, I don't see that happening, but we'll see. I think that it is ALWAYS difficult for a rookie UDFA to beat out a veteran on offense who has been on the squad, even a JAG. A very few have succeeded, many dozens have failed.

Given that I sometimes have an impaired memory, please tell me about the rookie UDFA's who have made the patriots under Belichick on offense and have been productive team members. After we discuss these players, perhaps I will agree that it is likely that this will happen this time.

If Fells is our #2 TE even with injuries we are in trouble.:snob: Fells played and looked like a JAG last year...Hooman outplayed Fells last year and Hooman is a JAG+. That alone should tell you something. Right now I don't have Fells on the final roster everything about Fells is below average.

 

[manxman2601]

A chance to get a look at Sudfeld. Scores 2 TDs in this game:

Cody Fajardo vs Arizona 2012 - YouTube

#44

 

[manxman2601]

It probably only interests me as someone interested in the draft but I've just noticed that Sudfeld ran a 7.00 3-cone at his pro day. The only TE in last years draft to better that at the combine was Tyler Eifert. Once again the importance of the 3-cone is illustrated.

 

[PatsGuy]

It probably only interests me as someone interested in the draft but I've just noticed that Sudfeld ran a 7.00 3-cone at his pro day. The only TE in last years draft to better that at the combine was Tyler Eifert. Once again the importance of the 3-cone is illustrated.

The inclusion of Pro Day and 3-Cone drill states on a 80 + degree day in July puts a smile on my face

 

[manxman2601]

The inclusion of Pro Day and 3-Cone drill states on a 80 + degree day in July puts a smile on my face

Must be a fellow draftnik

 

[mgteich]

Re: Zach Sudfeld, how good can he be for us?

We have a different perspective on JAG's. There is always room for JAG's as backups. These are players with experience that could step into a role if needed.

I agree that Hooman is JAG+. This is because he is a solid blocker and is used as a back (fullback and h-back).

I agree that Sudfeld is more likely to make the team than he was a month ago.
======

Let's examine your statement regarding Fells. You believe that we would be in trouble if Fells beats our Hooman for reps, a player you already call a JAG+. That would also mean that the would beaten out Sudfeld. I would celebrate if it turned out the Fells were that productive.

We had the strongest TE corp in the league in 2012 with Gronk, Hernandez, Hooman and Fells. We are likely to have one of the very best in 2013 with Gronk, Ballard, Hooman and Fells (or Sudfeld if he beats out one of the others).

The big question for me is Ballard. Will he be anywhere near the player he was a couple of years ago?

If Fells is our #2 TE even with injuries we are in trouble.:snob: Fells played and looked like a JAG last year...Hooman outplayed Fells last year and Hooman is a JAG+. That alone should tell you something. Right now I don't have Fells on the final roster everything about Fells is below average.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Re: Zach Sudfeld, how good can he be for us?

Just two years ago, the Patriots had TWO TEs claimed off waivers at cutdowns: both Lee Smith (drafted) AND Will Yeatman (UDFA).

And Yeatman converted into one heckuva OL if memory serves correctly. The cupboard is thin at TE so don't be surprised if Sudfield makes the cut. Especially with Ballard not looking that great.

Besides, based on the hair alone he probably makes the team.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Zach Sudfeld, how good can he be for us?

And Yeatman converted into one heckuva OL if memory serves correctly. The cupboard is thin at TE so don't be surprised if Sudfield makes the cut. Especially with Ballard not looking that great.

Besides, based on the hair alone he probably makes the team.

That's only in comparison to the greatest TE unit of all time from 2010-2012. Even Ballard/Sudfeld/Hooman/Fells would—over 16 games—likely be a top-10 unit in the league.

 

[BradyManny]

Re: Zach Sudfeld, how good can he be for us?

That's only in comparison to the greatest TE unit of all time from 2010-2012. Even Ballard/Sudfeld/Hooman/Fells would—over 16 games—likely be a top-10 unit in the league.

I agree. Ballard was third in receiving yards on the 2011 SB Champion Giants. Fells has been a decent, fringe starter in his career. Hooman projects as a fringe guy, too. Sudfeld is the wild card who could be a decent player if he stays healthy.

This is about the same or better than most teams have to work with at TE, as you say. We've had an embarrassment of riches at the position of late, and when Gronkowski is back, we'll have back a true blue-chipper, a player who is truly far and away above his peers at the position.

Basically - provided Gronk's health is OK - tight end is not a concern for me.

 

[BelichickFan]

It probably only interests me as someone interested in the draft but I've just noticed that Sudfeld ran a 7.00 3-cone at his pro day. The only TE in last years draft to better that at the combine was Tyler Eifert. Once again the importance of the 3-cone is illustrated.

Nfldraftscout has Sudfeld as 7.08 not 7.00 in the 3 cone. Regardless, a very time time for a TE.

In terms of numbers Sudfeld is almost a perfect equal to Zach Ertz. Ertz was slightly faster straight line and stronger, Sudfeld had a better Shuttle and was slightly bigger. But overall the numbers are shockingly similar including exactly the same 3 cone.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Zach Sudfeld, how good can he be for us?

I agree. Ballard was third in receiving yards on the 2011 SB Champion Giants. Fells has been a decent, fringe starter in his career. Hooman projects as a fringe guy, too. Sudfeld is the wild card who could be a decent player if he stays healthy.

This is about the same or better than most teams have to work with at TE, as you say. We've had an embarrassment of riches at the position of late, and when Gronkowski is back, we'll have back a true blue-chipper, a player who is truly far and away above his peers at the position.

Basically - provided Gronk's health is OK - tight end is not a concern for me.

The problem with "tight end is not a concern", though, even if it turns out to be true, is that the Patriots system was supposed to be "tight end is the focal point of the offense". That's gone now. It would be interesting to see how much of an overhaul the offensive system has undergone since AH was removed from the picture.

 

[Sicilian]

Re: Zach Sudfeld, how good can he be for us?

The problem with "tight end is not a concern", though, even if it turns out to be true, is that the Patriots system was supposed to be "tight end is the focal point of the offense". That's gone now. It would be interesting to see how much of an overhaul the offensive system has undergone since AH was removed from the picture.

It seems to me, assuming Ballard is healthy and can play to his potential (still an IF), that the two-TE set can still be the go-to formation once Gronk comes back. The big difference then will be using two more traditional TE's, instead of one traditional and one flex-TE. We'll likely see more a small increase in run-blocking, but lose some of the mismatch capability that AH provided.

This will be fine, IF (again, the big word) we can get one or two of the youngsters at WR to contribute on the outside. If no one steps up out there, we may not have the mismatches inside to cover up the lack of outside playmaking, IMO. It should be interesting to see how it unfolds.

 

[fluoropolymer]

Re: Zach Sudfeld, how good can he be for us?

The problem with "tight end is not a concern", though, even if it turns out to be true, is that the Patriots system was supposed to be "tight end is the focal point of the offense". That's gone now. It would be interesting to see how much of an overhaul the offensive system has undergone since AH was removed from the picture.

This the $64,000 question isn't it? Not just the tight end situation; it's the loss/change of the entire receiving group. Do I hope someone like Sudfield miraculously appears and can fill Hernandez' shoes? You bet. Do I hope Amendola can replace Welker? Can our rookies / FA / or last year practice squad receivers step up and shine? Once again, you be I do. I guess we will all find out in the next few months.

I like the shape of the Patriots for 2013. I think the pieces are in place that will allow the defense to step up. And time will tell if the "new" offense will once again take us to the promised land. Fun times in Patriotland.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Re: Zach Sudfeld, how good can he be for us?

The problem with "tight end is not a concern", though, even if it turns out to be true, is that the Patriots system was supposed to be "tight end is the focal point of the offense". That's gone now. It would be interesting to see how much of an overhaul the offensive system has undergone since AH was removed from the picture.

It would be a crime were Josh a prisoner of his own scheme. I'd guess transitioning to run and shoot is out of the question. I trust the Pats brain trust not to be influenced by the court of public opinion.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Zach Sudfeld, how good can he be for us?

It seems to me, assuming Ballard is healthy and can play to his potential (still an IF), that the two-TE set can still be the go-to formation once Gronk comes back. The big difference then will be using two more traditional TE's, instead of one traditional and one flex-TE. We'll likely see more a small increase in run-blocking, but lose some of the mismatch capability that AH provided.

This will be fine, IF (again, the big word) we can get one or two of the youngsters at WR to contribute on the outside. If no one steps up out there, we may not have the mismatches inside to cover up the lack of outside playmaking, IMO. It should be interesting to see how it unfolds.

I think Ballard's hype has far exceeded his prior play.

 

[spacecrime]

Re: Zach Sudfeld, how good can he be for us?

This the $64,000 question isn't it? Not just the tight end situation; it's the loss/change of the entire receiving group. Do I hope someone like Sudfield miraculously appears and can fill Hernandez' shoes? You bet. Do I hope Amendola can replace Welker? Can our rookies / FA / or last year practice squad receivers step up and shine? Once again, you be I do.

Nobody fills anyone shoes. Every year there are new players and a team is built around the players that are there, not who used to be there.

THe question isn't can Anendola be Welker and Sudfeld (or anyone) be Hernandez, but can the team the Patriots field win games.

 

[VrabelJr]

Re: Zach Sudfeld, how good can he be for us?

Holy cow Sudfeld is sticks in the upper body. Gronkowski needs to get him on his workout plan.