3 WR and 1 TE yet again

[JMC00]

Question on Amendola.

Why do people constantly forget he was healthy all 4 years at Texas Tech?

 

[supafly]

Amendola has missed more games than started, and people are expecting him to INCREASE his workload to match Welker's and stay healthy? Come on, that is just not realistic.

Amendola has a fine chance of catching 85-90 balls if he can stay healthy. As pointed out though, his 2 injuries weren't of the nagging tendency. It was a broken leg and then a collarbone last year (where he actually returned very, very quickly under the circumstances).

He only had 8 starts last year and still caught 63 balls in a pathetic Rams offense. Of course the concern is there for everyone, and some like yourself have a heightened sense of concern.

Personally, I wouldn't be remotely surprised if he caught 90+ balls. How that compares in touchdowns, drops, stretching the field, opening up routes for other receivers and staying healthy, will be important when comparing him to Wes Welker. I don't think it can be a "94 catches vs 125 catch" type comparison alone.

 

[supafly]

Question on Amendola.

Why do people constantly forget he was healthy all 4 years at Texas Tech?

And on top of that he's already had to go through the act of replacing Wes Welker himself, which he did in a fine way.

I think many just seem to mesh popular opinions with reality here.

The reality is that he's been hurt a couple of times pretty seriously and we'll all have concern in the meantime, but the popular opinion is somehow changed to "he's automatically made of glass," which isn't necessarily close to true.

Look at the seriousness of the collarbone injury last year, and how he only missed a total of 5 games (although only fully "started" 8) when just about everyone felt that his season and possibly even his career were done. That showed me that he was willing to put everything on the line to come back in as soon as possible and compete for his team and his future, so he isn't lacking in the intensity/heart category by any means.

EDIT: Watch this :50 second video on the injury play. He refuses to go into the locker room until he can hear whether or not the instant replay is upheld on the attempted catch where he broke his collarbone. After that he promptly smashes his helmet into the wall when he walks into the tunnel and screams. While we're not giving out any "drama" points here, it does point to being an intense player who has a ton of heart and passion and genuinely cares about the team. Let's hope he can avoid freak injuries, b/c if he can he has a chance at something very special here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9pY-t78Zoo

 

[VJCPatriot]

Personally, I think Suds is here to stay

Agreed. Suds has earned his roster spot. He is our likely starter until Gronk gets healthy again. Which still begs the question which TE will get cut? A lot of intrigue as the preseason comes to a close.

BB has traditionally fit the system to the strengths of the roster. So if 3 wr 1 te is our best personnel, that's where we will see the most snaps. When Gronk comes back, we'll probably mix in more 2 TE sets. But if you consider that the Pats only scored the most points of all time primarily with the 3/1 formation under McDaniels, that's not such a bad thing is it?

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Remember..Fells has had a good camp

 

[Brady6]

Remember..Fells has had a good camp

Fells at his best is a JAG, in 2011 Gronk had more yards and twice as many touchdowns than Fells has had in his entire NFL.

He is not a good tight end, 3rd or 4th string at best.

 

[Bruins29]

Fells at his best is a JAG, in 2011 Gronk had more yards and twice as many touchdowns than Fells has had in his entire NFL.

He is not a good tight end, 3rd or 4th string at best.

Remember, he is a very good blocker.

 

[Brady6]

Remember, he is a very good blocker.

So is Hooman, who is younger and probably has more long term potential. Fells is almost 30, so if you want to keep Gronkowski on the active 53 you're either keeping 5 tight ends or cutting a significantly young Ballard, Sudfeld, or Hooman for an average at best Fells.

 

[mgteich]

You seem to ignore the offseason depth charts until someone is cut. There is a reason that Fells has been the #1 TE throughout the off-season. The reason is NOT that he is a JAG and everyone else is better than he is.

If Gronkowski isn't ready to start the season, then I expect Fells to be our starter, our top TE.

Fells at his best is a JAG, in 2011 Gronk had more yards and twice as many touchdowns than Fells has had in his entire NFL.

He is not a good tight end, 3rd or 4th string at best.

 

[Bruins29]

So isn't Hooman, who is younger and probably has more long term potential. Fells is almost 30, so if you want to keep Gronkowski on the active 53 you're either keeping 5 tight ends or cutting a significantly young Ballard, Sudfeld, or Hooman for an average at best Fells.

I think you mean "so is"

Also, while I fully agree either Fells or more likely Hoo will be cut it has nothing to do with your statement.

 

[Brady6]

You seem to ignore the offseason depth charts until someone is cut. There is a reason that Fells has been the #1 TE throughout the off-season. The reason is NOT that he is a JAG and everyone else is better than he is.

If Gronkowski isn't ready to start the season, then I expect Fells to be our starter, our top TE.

I don't recall him being our #1 TE, but even if he was it's fools gold because Gronkowski is injured, Ballard is rehabbing his way back and Sudfeld is a rookie.

Trevor Scott was the #1 and Bobby Carpenter was the #1 SAM all through the offseason last year. That doesn't mean that much historically. I personally am not high on Fells, I think we over paid for subpar player, I'd love to be wrong but for now that's my personal opinion.

 

[Deus Irae]

...Trevor Scott was the #1 and Bobby Carpenter was the #1 SAM all through the offseason last year...

Where are you getting the basis for this claim?

 

[Brady6]

I think you mean "so is"

Also, while I fully agree either Fells or more likely Hoo will be cut it has nothing to do with your statement.

Good call on the grammar.

As far as agreeing I'm glad, and I don't expect it to be because of my statement, I'm not in here trying to change opinions I'm in here offering mine with the hope of hearing feedback that can either educate me, or provide some level of feedback on my assessments.

 

[Brady6]

Where are you getting the basis for this claim?

Camp reports. I'm referring to OTA's and training camp.

 

[Deus Irae]

Camp reports. I'm referring to OTA's and training camp.

Hightower was a starter from game one of the exhibition season. Mayo and Spikes were already starters. I'm not sure what you're remembering, but it's not accurate to call Carpenter the #1 SAM.

 

[Brady6]

Hightower was a starter from game one. Mayo and Spikes were already starters. I'm not sure what you're remembering, but it's not accurate to call Carpenter the #1 SAM.

Game 1 of the season? Because I'm talking about OTA's and training camp in reference to the offseason, my intent was to show that #1 on a depth chart during offseason activities doesn't equate to being #1 in the regular season or even making the roster in some cases.

I could be wrong? But my point is only to say that I feel Fells being #1 on the TE depth chart is meaningless at this juncture given we have Gronkowski on PUP, Hernandez in jail, Ballard coming back from major knee surgery, and Sudfeld coming into camp as an UDFA.

http://m.bleacherreport.com/article...of-the-new-england-patriots-offseason/page/10

http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/artic...with_the_first_team_defense_with_rob/10965884

http://m.bleacherreport.com/article...-losers-of-the-new-england-patriots-offseason

 

[Deus Irae]

Game 1 of the season? Because I'm talking about OTA's and training camp in reference to the offseason, my intent was to show that #1 on a depth chart during offseason activities doesn't equate to being #1 in the regular season or even making the roster in some cases.

I could be wrong? But my point is only to say that I feel Fells being #1 on the TE depth chart is meaningless at this juncture given we have Gronkowski on PUP, Hernandez in jail, Ballard coming back from major knee surgery, and Sudfeld coming into camp as an UDFA.

http://www.patriots.com/schedule-and-stats/depth-chart.html

Other than the WR position, which most people think is currently unsettled after Amendola, and looking at both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, which positions have the incorrect person listed as the starter?

 

[Brady6]

http://www.patriots.com/schedule-and-stats/depth-chart.html

Other than the WR position, which most people think is currently unsettled after Amendola, and looking at both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, which positions have the incorrect person listed as the starter?

I don't D; I suppose you could say Gregory shouldn't be listed over A. Wilson, or Justin Francis being listed as Wilfork's backup, I'm not trying to sound like a know it all brother, I'm just saying I'm not high on Daniel Fells. Lets not make it more than it has to be, you know I have nothing but respect and admiration for you as a poster.

 

[Deus Irae]

Game 1 of the season? Because I'm talking about OTA's and training camp in reference to the offseason, my intent was to show that #1 on a depth chart during offseason activities doesn't equate to being #1 in the regular season or even making the roster in some cases.

I could be wrong? But my point is only to say that I feel Fells being #1 on the TE depth chart is meaningless at this juncture given we have Gronkowski on PUP, Hernandez in jail, Ballard coming back from major knee surgery, and Sudfeld coming into camp as an UDFA.

http://m.bleacherreport.com/article...of-the-new-england-patriots-offseason/page/10

"Offseason pickup Bobby Carpenter continues to see reps with the first team defense, with Rob..." | Yardbarker.com

New England Patriots: 10 Early Winners and Losers of the Patriots' Offseason | Bleacher Report

Spikes missed time in that offseason, as he recovered from knee surgery, which may be what you're missing in your memory. By the first preseason game, Hightower was already starting.

 

[Brady6]

Spikes missed time in that offseason, as he recovered from knee surgery, which may be what you're missing in your memory. By the first preseason game, Hightower was already starting.

I'm not missing that I recall it but I'm suggesting it isn't much different than what I'm saying about Fells misleading as the #1 because of the injuries to Gronk and Ballard, combined with Sudfeld being an UDFA.