Replacing The Critical Production of TE's in 2018

[mgteich]

There is no question regarding the critical contributions of Gronk in the playoffs and the Super Bowl. And sure, as always, others will need to step up in the playoffs and Super Bowl.

However, I think that we are going overboard with the gnashing of teeth with regard to the regular season.

Do you think that it is critical to get more than 700 yards out of TE's in 2019? Is 700 a reasonable amount? I would note that we got about 700 yards last year. In fact, the TE had 709 yards plus 61 for Develin.

As an aside, of course we need to have a solid blocker at TE (in addition to Develin).

 

[Sicilian]

I think the raw production should be easy to replace. The bigger question is how does the offensive philosophy have to change without a player like Gronk, who even without his prime demanded special attention from the defense. Plus his ability to block gave the formations an extra layer of unpredictability.

But as I've posited before, I think the norm in the NFL is to not have either of those things. Gronk was special for a reason, and losing him just makes us more like everyone else in regards to the TE position.

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

IF we really need a new TE, i think we should trade for Brate. He won't play as much in Arians' system. He has a cap hit of 7 mil. If we offer a 5th for him, I think the Bucs accept.

 

[Uptown]

IF we really need a new TE, i think we should trade for Brate. He won't play as much in Arians' system. He has a cap hit of 7 mil. If we offer a 5th for him, I think the Bucs accept.

Facts. Same thing I said.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I was discussing this with my son today.
The way I see it is who will be reporting as receiver eligible in the red zone.
There will be some surprises to come.

 

[203Pat]

I think the raw production should be easy to replace. The bigger question is how does the offensive philosophy have to change without a player like Gronk, who even without his prime demanded special attention from the defense. Plus his ability to block gave the formations an extra layer of unpredictability.

But as I've posited before, I think the norm in the NFL is to not have either of those things. Gronk was special for a reason, and losing him just makes us more like everyone else in regards to the TE position.

This is exactly what I was going to say. To me stats are secondary in the loss of Gronk. The thing I am most worried about is there is no Gronk to open up things for Edelman, White, etc. We saw down the stretch last year what happened when Gronk was single covered. He abused Eric Berry, and made a crucial Super Bowl catch. If there is no one on the field that is a threat to single man coverage I want to see how Josh gets us going.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

We won a super bowl without him. As tough as it was, we can do it again.

 

[IllegalContact]

won 3 SB's with average TE's plus 1 with Bennett......there is plenty of offensive skill on this team and Watson post week 5 will provide a decent target the rest of the way

 

[SBLIII]

We won a super bowl without him. As tough as it was, we can do it again.

we won most of our Super Bowls without Gronk

 

[TheRainMaker]

Replacing the production at TE will be super easy, barely an inconvenience.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

we won most of our Super Bowls without Gronk

well yeah, considering Gronk was on the team for only 3 super bowl wins and was on the field for only 2 of them...

the team can win without Gronk but will have to adjust and/or remake itself...

 

[patriot1136]

I say: ground and pound . As long as Watson, Develin, Saubert and company can block effectively

 

[patfanken]

There is no question regarding the critical contributions of Gronk in the playoffs and the Super Bowl. And sure, as always, others will need to step up in the playoffs and Super Bowl.

However, I think that we are going overboard with the gnashing of teeth with regard to the regular season.

Do you think that it is critical to get more than 700 yards out of TE's in 2019? Is 700 a reasonable amount? I would note that we got about 700 yards last year. In fact, the TE had 709 yards plus 61 for Develin.

As an aside, of course we need to have a solid blocker at TE (in addition to Develin).

That is a point that is often forgotten when people talk about losing Gronk.

I have 2 points: First, the bar has been set pretty low for this year's TE's 700 yds and 3 TD's is NOT a very high bar for the TE group, even if the talent has clearly dropped at the position. Back in 2001 the TE group together amassed a mere 20 catches for the entire season.

2nd, where Gronk WILL be missed is the comfort level Brady had in throwing the ball to him, even in very tight situations. It seems like the entire off season was spent in bringing in receivers who will hopefully give that same comfort to him. That's why the the receiver room looks like the land of the Giants thus far.

Ryan Izzo looks like he is ready to take over the Dwayne Allen role, so that's good news, but thus far no one, with Lacosse out, looks to take the receiving role. But that's why Josh is so valuable.

So maybe what we need to look at is not who is going to replace Gronk, but rather who is going to run the "Gronk routes" when we pass.

BTW- my big concern as it regards to replacing Gronk is more in the run game. Even a debilitated Gronk was an elite blocker, who was still a threat in play action. So I'm going to watch in particular who is on the field and what routes they run when Brady goes to a play action fake.

 

[Boston Boxer]

There is no question regarding the critical contributions of Gronk in the playoffs and the Super Bowl. And sure, as always, others will need to step up in the playoffs and Super Bowl.

However, I think that we are going overboard with the gnashing of teeth with regard to the regular season.

Do you think that it is critical to get more than 700 yards out of TE's in 2019? Is 700 a reasonable amount? I would note that we got about 700 yards last year. In fact, the TE had 709 yards plus 61 for Develin.

As an aside, of course we need to have a solid blocker at TE (in addition to Develin).

agree with you post. The thing is that when Gronk was on the field, defenses had to account for him. Now, they are not necessarrily gameplaning around our TE position...which could open up for more opportunities for our current crop of TEs

 

[mgteich]

Yup. Gronk was a truly awesome blocker. It is this that will be the most difficult to replace.

.

BTW- my big concern as it regards to replacing Gronk is more in the run game. Even a debilitated Gronk was an elite blocker, who was still a threat in play action. So I'm going to watch in particular who is on the field and what routes they run when Brady goes to a play action fake.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Yup. Gronk was a truly awesome blocker. It is this that will be the most difficult to replace.

2nd half of last year/playoffs I thought his blocking was just abt as good as its ever been. Esp when you consider his age/where he was at that point.

 

[Doctor DDS]

Unless Watson really pops I would be surprised if they get anywhere near 700 yards out of the TEs. I think they will have more 4 receiver sets with Harry getting some of the Gronk routes and even more throws to the backfield. I expect Michel to become much more of a receiving threat and I would not be surprised to see the Pats go back to the hurry up more frequently.

 

[Ring 6]

There is no question regarding the critical contributions of Gronk in the playoffs and the Super Bowl. And sure, as always, others will need to step up in the playoffs and Super Bowl.

However, I think that we are going overboard with the gnashing of teeth with regard to the regular season.

Do you think that it is critical to get more than 700 yards out of TE's in 2019? Is 700 a reasonable amount? I would note that we got about 700 yards last year. In fact, the TE had 709 yards plus 61 for Develin.

As an aside, of course we need to have a solid blocker at TE (in addition to Develin).

We may only get 300 yards out of the TEs but replace it elsewhere.
Last year we had 1262 TE snaps. I think that will be a lot lower particularly on passing downs.

 

[Zuma]

As mentioned earlier...some of the yards are going to come from Develin. IMO 20 catches / 200 yards.

 

[goheels22002]

There is no question regarding the critical contributions of Gronk in the playoffs and the Super Bowl. And sure, as always, others will need to step up in the playoffs and Super Bowl.

However, I think that we are going overboard with the gnashing of teeth with regard to the regular season.

Do you think that it is critical to get more than 700 yards out of TE's in 2019? Is 700 a reasonable amount? I would note that we got about 700 yards last year. In fact, the TE had 709 yards plus 61 for Develin.

As an aside, of course we need to have a solid blocker at TE (in addition to Develin).

Interesting question. In 2009, the year before Gronk was drafted, Kevin Faulk and Ben Watson accounted for almost exactly 700 yards receiving. 705 to be exact. Watson caught 29 passes for 404 yards, and Faulk gained 301 yards on 37 receptions.

400 yards receiving is fairly modest at the TE position, and the 2019 players at TE could do that - just 26 yards/game. The backs can pick up the slack - particularly Harris and Michel who are getting lots of targets in drills.