Jake Ballard

[Ozymandias]

Ballard had a relatively good game blocking wise. His knee looked like it held up fairly well last night. However, this by no means makes him a lock a roster spot.

Given the positive news on Gronkowski this week he might be vying for 1-2 roster spots between he, Fells, and Hoomanawanui. Sudfeld I believe is a lock at this juncture. Nothing I've read about or seen of him proves otherwise.

Fells and Hoomanawanui both also had pretty decent games so I'm not seeing any clear cut separation between the trio yet at this point. If Ballard's healthy and performing to his potential, I think he gets the nod primarily because of skill and economics as well. I still do not believe he's a lock for a roster spot (he will have to earn it the old fashion way) but this is a positive step in the right direction.

Thoughts?

 

[supafly]

Fells has been reported by multiple sources to currently be the clear cut TE1 at the moment with Gronk's status unclear at the present time.

Hooman is the H-back.

Sudfeld and Ballard are currently battling for the TE2/TE3 spots.

Ballard will definitely make it unless he's too injured to play football here.

 

[Ozymandias]

Sudfeld and Ballard are currently battling for the TE2/TE3 spots.

Ballard will definitely make it unless he's too injured to play football here.

I understand what you're saying here but I think you missed a vital point in that this all whether Gronkowski is good to go for the season opener. In that case I doubt Fells would not be the TE1, as Rob likely would be.

Also I don't think Sudfeld and Ballard are battling for the same spot as you mentioned when they play differing positions and last night were sometimes platooned together in the move and in-line roles respectively with the first team offense.

If Gronkowski is ready for week 1 or not placed on the PUP then the TE spots start to shape up. Fells, as you said, has been the best TE on the team so far then that should place him above Ballard and Hoomanawanui in the pecking order for a roster spot.

The reason why I do not believe Sudfeld is apart of this competition is because he's most athletic TE on the roster and puts him best suited for the "move" TE role vacated by the TE who shall not be named. Neither of the others are as good as he is for this role.

So that leaves Ballard and Hoomanawanui perhaps battling for the TE4 depth chart spot even if Hoomanawanui is a H-Back he would still only be fourth on the depth chart in that case. All of this, of course, hinges on whether Gronkowski is ready for week 1 or avoids the PUP list entirely.

The Patriots may carry 5 TEs or 3 or even 4, but the likelihood that they carry all 5 is slim at best given the turnover at WR they may feel compelled to carry more than the 4 WR + Slater that they did at the beginning of the 2012 season this season.

If Gronk is placed on the PUP list then I can see the Patriots keeping all 4 of them. If not, then there's likely an odd man out. It could potentially be Ballard.

 

[supafly]

I understand what you're saying here but I think you missed a vital point in that this all whether Gronkowski is good to go for the season opener. In that case I doubt Fells would not be the TE1, as Rob likely would be.

Well, sure--Gronk is obviously the real TE1 when healthy.

If Gronk is placed on the PUP list then I can see the Patriots keeping all 4 of them. If not, then there's likely an odd man out. It could potentially be Ballard.

It could also be Hooman too, who I believe many have tended to overrate here on some level.

They could also choose to keep 5 TE's on the roster too, which while not likely, is still a distinct possibility.

I don't see any way Ballard doesn't make it, as his blocking skills are excellent. Unless of course, he is not healthy--which is a no-brainer.

Sudfeld will definitely make it as more of the joker/move TE, as you said.

Fells will most likely be the overall TE2, and offers a bit of both aspects, but is also a very good blocker. Maybe not as good as Ballard, but still pretty good.

To me, that leaves Hooman as the #5 on the outside looking in. He didn't have too great of a blocking game tonight according to those who paid close enough attention.

 

[Ozymandias]

To me, that leaves Hooman as the #5 on the outside looking in. He didn't have too great of a blocking game tonight according to those who paid close enough attention.

Agreed, if it comes down to Hoomanawanui and a healthy Ballard, with economics included, Ballard should get the nod there but it all remains to be seen how his knee will respond to the remainder of practices/games.

He's not a lock if he's not healthy.

 

[TB12_laser designator]

I have yet to see last nights game, but reports I read have Ballard looking pretty solid. I'm glad for the kid, because when he was hobbling around the field in camp, I was pretty worried for his future.

Found this nice little Ballard quote from The Boston Herald...

"It was so much fun," Ballard said. "After that first play broke and (Stevan) Ridley took it, I don’t know, 60 yards, I was so pumped. It was great to just be back on the field and be part of the team. We punched that first one in, and I was so excited I ended up running to the sideline forgetting I was on field goal, and I had to run back out there. It felt really good to be back out there." - See more at: The Blitz with Jeff Howe & Karen Guregian | Boston Herald

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I have yet to see last nights game, but reports I read have Ballard looking pretty solid. I'm glad for the kid, because when he was hobbling around the field in camp, I was pretty worried for his future.

Found this nice little Ballard quote from The Boston Herald...

thats awesome..he must be so happy to be back out there

 

[TB12_laser designator]

thats awesome..he must be so happy to be back out there

The quote just shows us what it means to some of these guys and it's pretty refreshing to read. And reading the part where he was running around all excited, almost forgetting what he had to do, warmed the oul heart I have to say.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I understand what you're saying here but I think you missed a vital point in that this all whether Gronkowski is good to go for the season opener. In that case I doubt Fells would not be the TE1, as Rob likely would be.

This brings up something I've been thinking for a while now. There are really two TEs that wear #87 for the New England Patriots.

There is Rob Gronkowski, the rather limited TE we unfortunately saw in the Super Bowl.

And then there is GRONK, Destroyer of Defenses, Carrier of Cornerbacks, and All-Universe TE who would be the #1 TE on every team in the NFL except maybe the Saints.

It remains to be seen how close to GRONK #87 will be as the season begins, as that will have a huge impact on how the roster shakes out.

 

[spacecrime]

Best indicator of depth chart to me is who played the two series with Brady last night.

 

[IllegalContact]

there are quite a few teams hurting at TE......the pats may be able to get some return on asset if all keep playing well.....

 

[tonyto3690]

I understand what you're saying here but I think you missed a vital point in that this all whether Gronkowski is good to go for the season opener. In that case I doubt Fells would not be the TE1, as Rob likely would be.

Do you think Brady will be QB1 if Mallett is still hurt to start the season?

 

[Ozymandias]

Do you think Brady will be QB1 if Mallett is still hurt to start the season?

Different circumstances altogether. This scenario is not really comparable.

 

[BradyBranch39]

there are quite a few teams hurting at TE......the pats may be able to get some return on asset if all keep playing well.....

There are always guys that BB could trade this time of year. He never does, and they end up getting claimed on waivers instead.

 

[Ive_Killed_People]

And then there is GRONK, Destroyer of Defenses, Carrier of Cornerbacks, and All-Universe TE who would be the #1 TE on every team in the NFL except maybe the Saints.

Except maybe the Saints? Is this a joke? GRONK is the Goat. How many more TDs does he have than Graham? Graham couldn't block his way out of a wet paper bag either.

 

[Ive_Killed_People]

Different circumstances altogether. This scenario is not really comparable.

Sorry Chief Fells will be the first TE cut.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

There are always guys that BB could trade this time of year. He never does, and they end up getting claimed on waivers instead.

Except for David Thomas (who arguably should have been kept instead of trading for Michael Mitchell).