BillBelichickFan79
Rotational Player and Threatening Starter's Job
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So far, a lot of the talk this off-season has centered acquiring an outside the numbers/deep threat WR, upgrading the RB position, and/or upgrading the offensive line. I agree those are all priorities for upgrading this offense. But I also think people are overlooking another area that can make this offense more balanced, more diverse, and more prolific -- the TE position.
Flashback to the days when Aaron Hernández was still employed by this team:
Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernández at TE.
Wes Welker/Julian Edelman in the slot.
Deion Branch/Brandon Lloyd on the outside.
Ridley/Green-Ellis between the tackles. Woodhead/Vereen as pass catchers/shotgun runners.
This was by far my favorite Patriots offense -- even more so than the 2007 spread/air raid Randy Moss offense.
In my opinion, this was the Patriots’ best offense as well, for the following reasons:
In my opinion, the loss of Aaron Hernández has been understated by fans and media. We have not been able to play the style of offense described above since his departure because he has never adequately been replaced.
Essentially, what I am proposing is that we go back to an offense based around a heavy dosage of 2 TE sets because it was our most successful, most diversified, most balanced, and least predictable offense.
We have the slot WR covered with Edelman (and Amendola if he sticks around).
We have one great all around TE in Gronkowski.
We have a couple of good pass catching backs in Lewis, White, and Bolden, although this spot could still be upgraded.
Our needs:
A versatile #2 TE/”move” TE capable of solid blocking and able to make plays in the passing game
A tough and dependable outside the numbers WR who can catch three to five balls a game (deep speed is a plus, but not an absolute necessity)
A physical between the tackles runner who can handle between 10 to 25 carries per game
An upgrade to the offensive line – whether it comes from within due to Scar developing some of the younger guys, through the draft, or a veteran free agent addition
I’m sure as all of us delve deeper into the draft stuff, there will be some interesting prospects available to potentially fill in some of these holes. But since we are pre-combine and there’s a long way to go in everyone getting familiar with the draft, here are a few free agents that intrigue me:
TE:
Dwayne Allen – frustrated by his gross under-utilization by the Colts, entering his prime, and is hitting the market with some injury concerns so he could potentially be a bargain. He’s an all-around TE in the Jason Witten mold – not the biggest/strongest/fast but good hands, good blocker, and just makes play in the passing game. I loved this guy’s game when he was at Clemson because he literally lined up all over the field – out wide, in line, slot, in the backfield – and was a reliable playmaker. I think he could become one of the better TE’s in the league in our offense, and have read that there’s virtually no chance he returns to Indy.
Ladarius Green – don’t know if the Chargers will let him get away due to Gates’ age, but this guy qualifies as that difference making pass catching TE like Hernandez was. Phenomenal speed and athleticism to create mismatches. Blocking may be more of an issue
Jordan Cameron - another good call as a potential target by @AzorianPats - would seem to be a guy that fits the Hernandez role well. Great pass catching tight end who can hopefully chip in just enough in the blocking game a la Hernandez. Coming off a down year with a history of concussion problems, may be able to be had for a bargain.
Martellus Bennett - potential cut in Chicago suggested by @Gronkowski123 - pretty dynamic in the passing game and a good blocker as well. Complained about his contract in Chicago, so may be looking to go to the highest bidder.
WR:
Percy Harvin – lightning in a bottle when he’s healthy, may be looking for a one year deal to rehab his value on a good team, have always felt he’s a perfect fit in this offense. You can play him outside with that electric speed or move him into the slot in the case of an injury to Edelman. He can get vertical but also operate those short and intermediate routes, and also lineup in the backfield if you need him to. With the focal point of the offense being the TE’s and slot WR, you can take a little more risk here with Harvin in my opinion. Despite his injury history, he is tough as nails and fearless on the field. Could also help on kick returns.
Anquan Boldin – tough warrior on the outside who will win battles with physicality and will power, knows he is a role player at this point of his career, brings the type of physical attitude you want. Only question is how much does he have left in the tank at his age
Mike Wallace (assuming he’s released) – may not exactly fit the “toughness” criteria but is one of those vertical downfield threats who can catch three to five balls a game for explosive plays. Attitude/character will be the main issue here – is he okay with being more of a role player or does he still think he’s a #1 guy that will pout and quit when not getting his desired touches
OL:
Swing tackle – don’t have any names for this at the moment, but assuming Solder and Vollmer are back and healthy, this can be addressed in the draft with an eye towards grooming Vollmer’s eventual successor
Guard/Center – I’d love to get my hands on a top flight center like Alex Mack but that is likely way out of our price range. I’d settle for a veteran addition at guard such as Jahri Evans in hopes of getting him on a Brian Waters deal or maybe a guy like Stefen Wisniewski
RB:
Ton of names being thrown around on the board, I’m open to most possibilities. I think there is definitely a need for a younger and more talented between the tackles runner. I’ve suggested a guy like Christine Michael or trying to find a Michael Turner leaving SD for ATL type of value or addressing it in the draft. Find an undervalued young talent and give him a chance here. I prefer to go younger in FA or the draft than try to siphon some last droplets of production out of a guy like Forte or other veteran backs who are closer to the end than their prime. Pass catching back can be upgraded as well, but I wouldn’t be unhappy with bringing back a combo Lewis/White/Bolden
Flashback to the days when Aaron Hernández was still employed by this team:
Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernández at TE.
Wes Welker/Julian Edelman in the slot.
Deion Branch/Brandon Lloyd on the outside.
Ridley/Green-Ellis between the tackles. Woodhead/Vereen as pass catchers/shotgun runners.
This was by far my favorite Patriots offense -- even more so than the 2007 spread/air raid Randy Moss offense.
In my opinion, this was the Patriots’ best offense as well, for the following reasons:
- The passing game was extremely diversified - slot WR, TE's, outside WR were all viable options; if you took one thing away, we'd kill you another way - pick your poison. There was not an over-reliance on force-feeding the ball to any specific player
- The matchup nightmare of the TE's - two guys with extremely versatile skill sets who could line up in-line, in the slot, flexed out wide.
- Formation disguise - it was nearly impossible for defenses to key run vs pass with our 2 TE formation. If you bring in a heavy front to stop the run, we would check to a pass and exploit the mismatch of Gronk or Hernández on a slow linebacker. If you bring in extra DB's to guard more against the pass, we would check to a run and take advantage of your lighter front. It kept the defense playing against us on their heels and uncomfortable at all times. We were a totally unpredictable offense.
- Improved running game - with two TE's in the game on most snaps, it gives you an extra blocker or two in the running game to help open more holes/get more push. Whether out of the shotgun with Woodhead or under center with Ridley, we could successfully run the ball on most teams if we wanted to.
- More effective threat of the play action pass - since the running game was a capable threat, defenses would bite up on the play action as the running game was more respected, enabling Brady to take some shots down the field. Rather than relying on a fast guy on the outside to simply out-run corners/safeties, your deep shots can be manufactured off of play action.
- Less of a need to spend on an “elite” outside the numbers deep threat WR. Because the outside WR in this offense was featured far less, you could get away with mid-level talent out there like Branch and Lloyd. You didn't have to go out and pay top dollar to try to get a guy like Alston Jeffery or Randy Moss.
- Improved pass protection - with 2 TE's in on most plays, you can max protect Tom Brady if you run into a pass rush like Denver's where MIler and Ware are teeing off on you. You can keep one guy in to chip (a la help Marcus Cannon) and slip one out into a pass route. Helps the offensive line greatly against some of those elite defensive fronts you will face.
- More physical team identity on offense. Felt like in those days, the team just played more physically at the point of attack and the running game could take over and dominate at times. We've become more finesse in recent years, operating mostly out of the shotgun with a lot of “empty” sets, and not being able to run as effectively.
- Ability to stretch the defense vertically down the seam. Rather than the traditional way of stretching the defense vertically outside the numbers with a WR like Moss or Stallworth, Hernandez's speed allowed us to stretch the defense down the seam with mismatches on safeties/linebackers.
- Improved red zone efficiency and better red zone targets – Two TE’s in the red zone are better than one. Two big bodied targets on passing plays, two extra blockers in the run game, two guys capable of sneaking out on play action on any given play. Impossible to defend.
In my opinion, the loss of Aaron Hernández has been understated by fans and media. We have not been able to play the style of offense described above since his departure because he has never adequately been replaced.
Essentially, what I am proposing is that we go back to an offense based around a heavy dosage of 2 TE sets because it was our most successful, most diversified, most balanced, and least predictable offense.
We have the slot WR covered with Edelman (and Amendola if he sticks around).
We have one great all around TE in Gronkowski.
We have a couple of good pass catching backs in Lewis, White, and Bolden, although this spot could still be upgraded.
Our needs:
A versatile #2 TE/”move” TE capable of solid blocking and able to make plays in the passing game
A tough and dependable outside the numbers WR who can catch three to five balls a game (deep speed is a plus, but not an absolute necessity)
A physical between the tackles runner who can handle between 10 to 25 carries per game
An upgrade to the offensive line – whether it comes from within due to Scar developing some of the younger guys, through the draft, or a veteran free agent addition
I’m sure as all of us delve deeper into the draft stuff, there will be some interesting prospects available to potentially fill in some of these holes. But since we are pre-combine and there’s a long way to go in everyone getting familiar with the draft, here are a few free agents that intrigue me:
TE:
Dwayne Allen – frustrated by his gross under-utilization by the Colts, entering his prime, and is hitting the market with some injury concerns so he could potentially be a bargain. He’s an all-around TE in the Jason Witten mold – not the biggest/strongest/fast but good hands, good blocker, and just makes play in the passing game. I loved this guy’s game when he was at Clemson because he literally lined up all over the field – out wide, in line, slot, in the backfield – and was a reliable playmaker. I think he could become one of the better TE’s in the league in our offense, and have read that there’s virtually no chance he returns to Indy.
Ladarius Green – don’t know if the Chargers will let him get away due to Gates’ age, but this guy qualifies as that difference making pass catching TE like Hernandez was. Phenomenal speed and athleticism to create mismatches. Blocking may be more of an issue
Jordan Cameron - another good call as a potential target by @AzorianPats - would seem to be a guy that fits the Hernandez role well. Great pass catching tight end who can hopefully chip in just enough in the blocking game a la Hernandez. Coming off a down year with a history of concussion problems, may be able to be had for a bargain.
Martellus Bennett - potential cut in Chicago suggested by @Gronkowski123 - pretty dynamic in the passing game and a good blocker as well. Complained about his contract in Chicago, so may be looking to go to the highest bidder.
WR:
Percy Harvin – lightning in a bottle when he’s healthy, may be looking for a one year deal to rehab his value on a good team, have always felt he’s a perfect fit in this offense. You can play him outside with that electric speed or move him into the slot in the case of an injury to Edelman. He can get vertical but also operate those short and intermediate routes, and also lineup in the backfield if you need him to. With the focal point of the offense being the TE’s and slot WR, you can take a little more risk here with Harvin in my opinion. Despite his injury history, he is tough as nails and fearless on the field. Could also help on kick returns.
Anquan Boldin – tough warrior on the outside who will win battles with physicality and will power, knows he is a role player at this point of his career, brings the type of physical attitude you want. Only question is how much does he have left in the tank at his age
Mike Wallace (assuming he’s released) – may not exactly fit the “toughness” criteria but is one of those vertical downfield threats who can catch three to five balls a game for explosive plays. Attitude/character will be the main issue here – is he okay with being more of a role player or does he still think he’s a #1 guy that will pout and quit when not getting his desired touches
OL:
Swing tackle – don’t have any names for this at the moment, but assuming Solder and Vollmer are back and healthy, this can be addressed in the draft with an eye towards grooming Vollmer’s eventual successor
Guard/Center – I’d love to get my hands on a top flight center like Alex Mack but that is likely way out of our price range. I’d settle for a veteran addition at guard such as Jahri Evans in hopes of getting him on a Brian Waters deal or maybe a guy like Stefen Wisniewski
RB:
Ton of names being thrown around on the board, I’m open to most possibilities. I think there is definitely a need for a younger and more talented between the tackles runner. I’ve suggested a guy like Christine Michael or trying to find a Michael Turner leaving SD for ATL type of value or addressing it in the draft. Find an undervalued young talent and give him a chance here. I prefer to go younger in FA or the draft than try to siphon some last droplets of production out of a guy like Forte or other veteran backs who are closer to the end than their prime. Pass catching back can be upgraded as well, but I wouldn’t be unhappy with bringing back a combo Lewis/White/Bolden
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