Is this because pro-bowl quality wide receivers?
Seriously, NONE of our top 5 receivers from 2012 will be there for Game One. Gronk is the only returnee. I see no reason to move from the 2 TE set, and every reason to run it as much as last year.
The key question for me is which wide receivers will be able to learn the no huddle early in the season.
I lean towards your thinking too, mg. I don't personally see nearly as much straying from the 2 TE sets that some feel will be inevitable; especially with the aspect of a continued committment to the running game along with the ability to keep the same personnel on the field in the hurry up.
That said, we may indeed see "less" of the 2 TE sets than we've seen in the past couple of yrs, but one must also remember that Gronk/AH were only together in 5/18 games last season, yet Belichick stayed committed to that scheme pretty solidly.
He may go to 3 WR sets in obvious passing situations or in situations where we gameplan for an opponent's specific weakness at times, but I don't think he's going to throw it out the window as much as some may believe.
No it's because one of our star TE's just had back surgery, and the other he just got arrested for murder. Did we use a lot of 2 TE sets prior to the emergence of Gronkowski and Hernandez?
Only time will tell as to the decisions that BB will have to make, although one would assume that he'll certainly try to keep the 2 TE's as much as possible--depending on how things look in training camp and preseason.
I gave my personal opinion on the matter in the response above, but there is certainly a reasonable argument for a lot of different formations/schemes due to the recent circumstances with AH. I believe that Gronk will end up being fine and the worst case scenario we're looking at is the possibility of missing a couple/few games in the beginning.
You may be right about more 3 WR sets--at least in passing situations, so in theory we both could be correct on some level. I'd expect there to be a bit of an adjustment period in the earlier months of August (obviously), and even possibly through September. They'll likely try different things with what they have, so only time will tell how it all shakes out.
For what it's worth--I've been waiting for someone to start a Brandon Ford thread, so thanks for that. He certainly seems to be more of the "move" or "joker" TE in the mold of what we're losing with Hernandez, so if he shows anything of significance he should certainly receive some additional looks and attention.
Some of the things that may prevent him from making it are:
--Fells' return to health from his injury last year. It's hard to project who the "real" Daniel Fells is regarding his time in NE, but the rumor is that he was pretty hurt at some points last season. That will be something to keep an eye on.
--Whether or not Ford (or Sudfeld, for that matter) is able to pick up the playbook/scheme and the finer nuances of this offensive system. That will go a long way in determining a year on the PS vs. a potential spot.
--Obviously, Ford's attention to detail and ability to prove that he's a hard worker both in practice and film study.
--The health and decisions of # of TEs that Belichick will keep, along with any idea or hint of choosing to lean more towards a 3 WR set in the majority of the plays.
