Abundance of tight ends

[ewg_gestalt]

Now I read where Suds (my binkie) already had the nickname Flint in college and some writer referred to him as Baby Gronk.

Baby Gronk? That's rich, considering Sudfeld is actually a few weeks older than GRONK. . . .

 

[manxman2601]

Ha. Just heard @AdamSchefter call Zach Sudfeld "Studfeld" on ESPN2. Yes!

https://twitter.com/nfldraftscout/status/369539792440029184


Still disappointed this hasn't become the norm on this forum. Too much tempting fate?

 

[jmt57]

Not to be a jinx, but all it takes is just one injury and suddenly this perceived surplus becomes quite the opposite.

Let's say that hypothetically the Patriots trade Hoomanawanui, and a few days later Ballard re-injures his knee. Until whenever it is that Gronk is ready to play that leaves the Patriots with just two players, Sudfeld and Fells at tight end. That leaves the team with no negotiating power, scrambling to add someone who will likely contribute very little due to not having spent any time with the club learning the system and terminology.


The Pats do not have an 'abundance of tight ends' just because one player from the group is likely to be cut eleven days from now.

 

[mgteich]

Obviously, you are correct.

We have one more TE than we need on the 53, unless Gronk is on the 53, in which case we might not cut anyone. In any case, we could Hooman as an h-back. We are just getting used to 4 TE's. Clearly, 5 TE's is possible if one is an FB/HB.

In the end, Hooman will either be deemed more useful than all the other potential Player 53's, or not.

The Pats do not have an 'abundance of tight ends' just because one player from the group is likely to be cut eleven days from now.

 

[jmt57]

Here's a little more on the TE position (complete with diagrammed still photos):

Zach Sudfeld will get a chance to shine if Rob Gronkowski is out Week 1 - Going Deep - Erik Frenz - Boston.com

At this stage, though, Sudfeld's skill set more closely resembles Aaron Hernandez than Gronkowski, and replacing the latter of the two is about much more than just catching passes. Daniel Fells and Michael Hoomanawanui both did a significant amount of run-blocking in 2012, with each participating in over 60 percent of their snaps as a blocker.

Fells was the better overall blocking tight end of the two, especially in run-blocking situations.

Let's not forget about Jake Ballard, who was stashed on injured reserve all of 2012 and is now finally healthy and ready to play.

"Jake’s been pretty consistent all through camp," head coach Bill Belichick said Monday. "He’s been dependable on a day-to-day basis. He’s got some experience. Big guy, long, he’s got good blocking skill. He’s done a good job in the passing game. I think with him, it’s just keeping it day by day."

His role in the past has been that of a hybrid tight end, similar to Gronkowski. Ballard was regarded before training camp as the player most likely to fill Gronkowski's role, but Sudfeld's emergence catching passes from Tom Brady in training camp has led to the rookie leading the charge.



So, it seems the Patriots have more than enough options to compensate for Gronkowski's blocking abilities, while the growing legend of Sudfeld could see its most important chapter yet on September 8
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