Hunter Henry NOT Tagged. Will be a free agent

[luuked]

I want no part of Henry at the money he's going to command. One of the most overrated players in the game. Not to say I wouldn't enjoy having him around, but that production doesn't warrant $10 million, never mind $12 - $15.

Give me Zach Ertz at his modest salary for a 5th/6th pick swap.

Ertz will cost you 8.25M for one year and is totally useless in the run game. He is a nice complimentary piece, but in our case would be more of a development blocker for Asiasi.

If you don't see the value in paying someone a premium who is also a big contributor in the run game then I am not sure what to tell you. Yeah, at some point if the bidding goes too high the Pats will be the first ones to jump off. But getting Henry in his prime for 10-11M is a no brainer unless someone like Jonnu can be had for substantially less (doubtful).

Especially after they offered Humphries a deal that was going towards 10M just two years ago.

 

[Deus Irae]

The implication that the Pats aren't, or won't be contenders, seems impossible to know at this point.

At this point, they aren't contenders. That's really easy to know. You're trying to argue a future position when the discussion is about a now situation. It's free agency. You don't convince players that it'll be better later. You convince them that it's better now.

 

[Deus Irae]

Newton had the arm of a girls Pop Warner QB, how could you draw any conclusions (good or bad) about the young TE's?

Well, for one thing, when they played, they weren't good.

Seems pretty easy.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

if i'm henry, after last years debacle with tyrod taylor and the punctured lung, i'm looking more at the team doctor and less at the qb situation right now especially considering how fluid the qb situations around the league are at the moment.

 

[50-yard-line]

The thing about Henry is that BB knows all about him.

And knows his value. I guarantee he's talking to the agent, but he's got a number in his head. I'll certainly trust him on this one (on all of htem, actually, but particularly on a guy like Henry).

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

Henry has never had a breakout season, he's never had a healthy season

Middle of the pack numbers and youre going to be paying him elite money.

You just essentially red shirted two tight ends, ones probably going to turn into a FB,

I'd say more realistically you sign a veteran and a WR. Henry could be great, but has done nothing to prove it.

 

[RIpats88]

Henry has never had a breakout season, he's never had a healthy season

Middle of the pack numbers and youre going to be paying him elite money.

You just essentially red shirted two tight ends, ones probably going to turn into a FB,

I'd say more realistically you sign a veteran and a WR. Henry could be great, but has done nothing to prove it.

He's 26 which is really what he has going for him. So he could be part of your longer term plans. Kyle rudolph or Jared cook probably give you similar stats and are cheaper but are older and probably 1 year guys and hoping the two red shirted rookies show something

 

[Uptown]

Be nice to have both, but unfortunately this ain’t Madden..

Hey @Zuma. I keep being led back to this post due to receiving alerts about it. I just wanted you to know that my comment wasn’t meant to be in a sarcastic tone. It was literally an isolated statement. I’m sure you haven’t even thought twice about it, but it kept bothering me for whatever reason and felt the need to get that out haha. Blessings my fellow poster

 

[ashley]

Hey @Zuma. I keep being led back to this post due to receiving alerts about it. I just wanted you to know that my comment wasn’t meant to be in a sarcastic tone. It was literally an isolated statement. I’m sure you haven’t even thought twice about it, but it kept bothering me for whatever reason and felt the need to get that out haha. Blessings my fellow poster

Hey UPF,

Shows your class that you would even take the time and write to Zuma about this...good job!!! He's always been a good, respectful poster so I'm sure you're right.

 

[Sicilian]

Considering other needs on the team (QB's, WR's, DL, LB) ...totally fine with Henry (if signed), Asiasi and Keene.

I think they need Henry (or another clear cut #1) and another TE. I have hopes for the young kids, because I think TE is one of the toughest positions to come in and be good at right away, and the circumstances of 2020 (limited offseason, inconsistent QB play) made it even harder. But what you don't want to do with any young player is create a situation where they're a starter by default. They don't need to bring in two #1 TEs (though I wouldn't be against it), they just need a clear #1 to slot everyone into appropriate roles, and a reasonable #2 so that, if the kids get playing time, it's because they EARNED it, not because they were the best of what's left.

Also, Asiasi was projected as a more traditional TE, but I feel like Keene is more of an H-Back type, so you'll want someone closer to the former to push Asiasi. Right now that's Ryan Izzo, and that shouldn't be hard to upgrade.

It's possible they sign one and draft another TE, but man... I know sunk cost means you don't pass on a guy you like just because you drafted two at his position the year before, but it would feel redundant. He'd have to be real good, or in the later rounds. One way or another, the position needs as much competition as it can get. The offense has been night and day since we stopped having competent TE play.

 

[Zuma]

I think they need Henry (or another clear cut #1) and another TE. I have hopes for the young kids, because I think TE is one of the toughest positions to come in and be good at right away, and the circumstances of 2020 (limited offseason, inconsistent QB play) made it even harder. But what you don't want to do with any young player is create a situation where they're a starter by default. They don't need to bring in two #1 TEs (though I wouldn't be against it), they just need a clear #1 to slot everyone into appropriate roles, and a reasonable #2 so that, if the kids get playing time, it's because they EARNED it, not because they were the best of what's left.

Also, Asiasi was projected as a more traditional TE, but I feel like Keene is more of an H-Back type, so you'll want someone closer to the former to push Asiasi. Right now that's Ryan Izzo, and that shouldn't be hard to upgrade.

It's possible they sign one and draft another TE, but man... I know sunk cost means you don't pass on a guy you like just because you drafted two at his position the year before, but it would feel redundant. He'd have to be real good, or in the later rounds. One way or another, the position needs as much competition as it can get. The offense has been night and day since we stopped having competent TE play.

Good points. IMO the QB play was so bad at times, combined with the difficulty of learning a new system for Cam and also the fact that it's difficult to learn the TE position as you mentioned...I am totally throwing 2020 out the window...that goes for every position. So I'm really looking forward to seeing what Asiasi and Keene can do with a capable QB. I think the addition of a vet like Henry will provide those 2 with leadership and an example on what it takes to play the position in the NFL.

I agree that Keene may be more of an H-Back type. Johnson and Izzo provide good competition for him.

 

[Sicilian]

Johnson and Izzo provide good competition for him.

Vitale too. I see Keene, Izzo, Johnson, and Vitale all fighting for two spots at the moment. I'd be surprised if three of them make it (barring injuries).

 

[Kontradiction]

He’s good when he’s on the field. The issue is that he’s injured too often. Sign me up for either Ertz or Smith before Henry.

 

[Rob0729]

Ertz will cost you 8.25M for one year and is totally useless in the run game. He is a nice complimentary piece, but in our case would be more of a development blocker for Asiasi.

If you don't see the value in paying someone a premium who is also a big contributor in the run game then I am not sure what to tell you. Yeah, at some point if the bidding goes too high the Pats will be the first ones to jump off. But getting Henry in his prime for 10-11M is a no brainer unless someone like Jonnu can be had for substantially less (doubtful).

Especially after they offered Humphries a deal that was going towards 10M just two years ago.

I think Gronk has spoiled us to what is a great TE. He is a rare TE who was the top receiving TE AND the top blocking TE. Most TEs excel at one or the other. Few can do both great. But that is why Gronk is probably the best TE of all time.

I am not sure if I would trade for Ertz, but I have no problem paying big money to a TE who can mostly only receive and not block. as long as he is a great receiver. You would need another TE who could be a blocker and hopefully be a contributor in the passing game. But blocking TEs tend to be found on the relative cheap.

 

[Zuma]

Hey @Zuma. I keep being led back to this post due to receiving alerts about it. I just wanted you to know that my comment wasn’t meant to be in a sarcastic tone. It was literally an isolated statement. I’m sure you haven’t even thought twice about it, but it kept bothering me for whatever reason and felt the need to get that out haha. Blessings my fellow poster

You totally disrespected me, my family and my entire reptilian race (this is me attempting to channel an Fnord response)

I really didn’t get any sense of sarcasm. And I agree with you...we’re not playing Madden...but someone else is and we are all the pawns. (I’ve actually never played Madden). So we’re good.

 

[Deus Irae]

He’s good when he’s on the field. The issue is that he’s injured too often. Sign me up for either Ertz or Smith before Henry.

They can afford Henry AND Ertz/Smith

 

[Sicilian]

I think Gronk has spoiled us to what is a great TE. He is a rare TE who was the top receiving TE AND the top blocking TE. Most TEs excel at one or the other. Few can do both great. But that is why Gronk is probably the best TE of all time.

I am not sure if I would trade for Ertz, but I have no problem paying big money to a TE who can mostly only receive and not block. as long as he is a great receiver. You would need another TE who could be a blocker and hopefully be a contributor in the passing game. But blocking TEs tend to be found on the relative cheap.

With a quick look I only found 1 season in the last 10 years where 700 yards as a TE wouldn't put him in the top 10 (for reference, it was 2011 which was also the year Gronk had 18 TD's and Jimmy Graham was at his peak). Generally speaking, if you have a TE who gets you 700 you're in better shape than 75% of the league. Hell, last year TJ Hockenson was THIRD in TE yardage with 723. Gronk spoiled us in a similar way that Brady did. Everyone is going to seem meh in comparison to those two. After last year though, I'd take "meh" 100 times out of a 100 over the production we got from those two positions.

 

[50-yard-line]

He’s good when he’s on the field. The issue is that he’s injured too often. Sign me up for either Ertz or Smith before Henry.

Henry missed a year - other than that, he's played 12, 14, 14, 15 games. For a TE, that's pretty normal.

 

[A Defiant Goose]

At this point, they aren't contenders. That's really easy to know. You're trying to argue a future position when the discussion is about a now situation. It's free agency. You don't convince players that it'll be better later. You convince them that it's better now.

At this point, nobody is lol

 

[50-yard-line]

I'm all on board for Henry, as I know BB loves the guy. Give me Henry and one of Rudolph or Jesse James (if he gets released). These are Pats'-type TE's.