51 receptions 483 yards

[mgteich]

TIGHT END PRODUCTION QUESTIONS

Is it reasonable to expect 3.2 catches a game from Sudfeld? That's what we got from Hernandez last year?

Is it reasonable to get 9 total catches for 194 yards total from our #3/#4 TE's. That's what we got last year.

Can Gronk average 5.5 catches a game for 10 games as he did last year?

There has been a lot of discussion about our weak backup TE's. I would mention that they totaled less than one catch a game last year.

 

[Arrington Planet]

TIGHT END PRODUCTION QUESTIONS

Is it reasonable to expect 3.2 catches a game from Sudfeld? That's what we got from Hernandez last year?

Is it reasonable to get 9 total catches for 194 yards total from our #3/#4 TE's. That's what we got last year.

Can Gronk average 5.5 catches a game for 10 games as he did last year?

There has been a lot of discussion about our weak backup TE's. I would mention that they totaled less than one catch a game last year.

AHern got more than 5 catches a game last year (he missed several games during the first half of the season). Although it would be a nice rookie season from Sudfield.

I think Fells/Ballard will easily have better numbers than Fells/Hooman last year, although I don't expect anything spectacular here, maybe about 20 catches combined.

If Gronk is at full speed, I can see him with similar numbers.

 

[everlong]

I think the production from a pure numbers standpoint might be possible but they're not using Sudfeld the same way as AH. I think you need to factor Vereen into what AH did in some situations. Overall I think they'll find a way to use different players to cover the different situations. The thing about AH was he was flexible enough to be that one player for all situation. He might start in the backfield and the defense would give Brady a look and he would audible out to a different play and AH would flex out to flanker and take advantage of a match-up advantage. That's what they'll miss. Yes Vereen can do the same switch I brought up but if Brady opts to a run and Vereen is called to be a lead blocker he's not going to be as good as AH just based on size.

 

[tonyto3690]

Same numbers as Hernandez last year? Sure. Same game effect? No. There are a couple of factors to keep in mind for Hernandez last year.

-He missed several games due to injury
-Of the games he played, one or two were when he tried to come back early and it was a bust
-When he did come back for the remainder of the season he was clearly still hampered. I wouldn't put him any higher than 75% at that point.
-Gronkowski was out and he was often the #1 focus for defenses


I think Sudfield will be in the 45 REC, 400 yard, 5 TD range.

 

[mgteich]

I think that our current set of TE's will produce the numbers that our TE's did last year. I agree that Hernandez brought things to the table that other TE's do not. And yes, we can count on Vereen to pick up some of the slack in that regard.

 

[SacPete1]

mgteich - remaining TE's

Hey mgteich,
I'm curious about your thoughts on TE's left after yesterday's cuts.
Specifically, there appears at first glance to be 3 move TE's and 1 line TE right now. Gronkowski being the only line TE and I'm including Devlin as a move TE since there is much overlap between a FB and move TE. I don't recall Hooman playing the line TE and that is a staple of the offense so where does that leave them? Is Gronkowski not only coming off PUP but playing week 1? Will either Sud or Hooman move up on the line? Is the week 1 line TE not on the roster right now?
I always figured that either Fells or Ballard would man the post until Gronk returned.
Maybe my observation of Hooman is not accurate.

 

[RIpats88]

Re: mgteich - remaining TE's

I think its realistic...considering the first 3-4 weeks Sudfeld will be the starting tight end and receive alot of targets from brady...its been clear in Camp that Brady likes to target him because of his soft hands/large catch radius.

once Gronk is back he should play the move TE...and I expect him to be in the goal line package alot...2 pass catching guys 6-7 and 6-6 going against DB's is a nightmare to defend

 

[SacPete1]

Just read on PFT that Gronkowski practiced in pads today which would explain 3 TE. I bet he plays Sunday, maybe 25 plays.

 

[mgteich]

Re: mgteich - remaining TE's

My understanding is that Hooman can play on the line.

Hey mgteich,
I'm curious about your thoughts on TE's left after yesterday's cuts.
Specifically, there appears at first glance to be 3 move TE's and 1 line TE right now. Gronkowski being the only line TE and I'm including Devlin as a move TE since there is much overlap between a FB and move TE. I don't recall Hooman playing the line TE and that is a staple of the offense so where does that leave them? Is Gronkowski not only coming off PUP but playing week 1? Will either Sud or Hooman move up on the line? Is the week 1 line TE not on the roster right now?
I always figured that either Fells or Ballard would man the post until Gronk returned.
Maybe my observation of Hooman is not accurate.

 

[supafly]

Re: mgteich - remaining TE's

My understanding is that Hooman can play on the line.

Hooman definitely played on the line at times last year. He just wasn't terribly effective in doing it from a pure blocking standpoint. It's possible that we can get by enough with him, and/or that he has improved in that area to some degree.

When he agreed to take the pay cut of 50% from his 1.3m tender all the way down to 650k it became a no-brainer to let Fells walk and keep Hooman in my opinion.

We should certainly expect around the same production from our TE group this season in my opinion, although of course we lose some of the versatility and personnel matchups that were taken advantage of with Hernandez. If Sudfeld is worth a damn, we may end up forgetting about Hernandez rather quickly, and I wouldn't be remotely surprised to see Belichick attempt to get him involved just to help prove this point and show off the hard work that he's put in this TC/preseason.