Pats working out TE Kellen Winslow

[Sicilian]

Then you need 1 legitimate outside threat to make them stay honest.

Exactly. I'd swap one TE for an outside/deep threat (Lloyd) and one other TE for a legit RB (Ridley). Now you have two additional play options and still have 3 TE's to cause mismatches.

Those 5 TE's is an interesting thought exercise, but as an actual formation I think is just way too limited.

 

[Raymond]

Bill B needs to allow an intervention.

He must lie awake at night, stomach churning, thinking about some team somewhere with a TE he might want, but can't have. He's a hoarder.

In a secret location somewhere in rural Ma, there's a barn with TE's chained up and kept...only for him, never to be discovered.They are his.

 

[SyN65]

in semi-related news im surprised they havent brought in chris cooley for a workout...

 

[Marqui]

I'd take him for the league minimum.

 

[xlcjw72]

To the people whos only knock on him is a headcase do you forget what team he is coming to? Dillion, Harrison, Ocho all found the patriot way what makes you think he wont?

 

[Patsgofor4]

Schiancoe to IR with planned return later this year with Winslow filling in in the interim? Not sure that Schiancoe is worth that special IR designation, however.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

To the people whos only knock on him is a headcase do you forget what team he is coming to? Dillion, Harrison, Ocho all found the patriot way what makes you think he wont?

ocho? the patriot way is "do your job," which ocho obviously didn't do.

 

[SyN65]

ocho? the patriot way is "do your job," which ocho obviously didn't do.

haha, yeah but he shut up for an entire year which is something no one thought he'd be able to do

 

[Tasco]

This is like the Haynesworth story from last year; the difference is you don't need any picks to get a player that can contribute and provide depth if he pans out. And if he doesn't do well you just cut your losses.
With all the leadership we have been building through the last years I see no downside to this.

 

[mrscruff]

Have 5 TEs ever been on the field, at the same time, for the same team, in the NFL?

https://twitter.com/GregABedard/status/243071028899766272

@GregABedard
Packers have done it RT @BOwens31: Pats should sign Winslow and institute the 5 TE set. Other teams wouldn't know what hit them! #innovation

 

[lamafist]

If you are lining up Gronk and Ahern as wideouts then I would use two CBs with a safety also on Gronk. Standard D on the rest.

Fair enough, but you still end up with a Hernandez in single coverage against a cornerback he's got 40-50 pounds on.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

The pats are the only team in the NFL who has more tight ends on their roster than on their cheerleading squad

 

[thenepatsrule]

Just following up on my earlier post, how does one defend against

Gronk
Hernandez
Fells
Schiancoe
Winslow

if they're all on the field at the same time?

If our O line situation does not improve , it wont matter how may TEs/WRs we put on the field

 

[Frezo]

Fair enough, but you still end up with a Hernandez in single coverage against a cornerback he's got 40-50 pounds on.

Exactly. The CB will keep up with him. But AH's mismatches occur with defenders that are near his own weight where he is faster and more nimble than they are. Both he and Gronk are much more effective from their TE and slot positions where they can take advantage of mismatches.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Chris Price had an interesting observation. He's another Drew Rosenhaus client. Bill owes him a favor after cutting Gaffney and Stallworth.

FWIW we worked out ten players today according to Curran.

 

[Tasco]

Chris Price had an interesting observation. He's another Drew Rosenhaus client. Bill owes him a favor after cutting Gaffney and Stallworth.

FWIW we worked out ten players today according to Curran.

What happens to the provision an agent gets for getting his client signed, when a player is cut? Doesn't he get anything? Does he get a provision on eventual signing bonuses too?

Wow, ten players. That shows our roster & PS won't be set the next few days.

 

[Linda_The_Pats_Fan (She was NEM)]

I am beginning to get a bit worried because it seems that Belichick may have a lust for tight ends. (Sorry, couldn't resist)

 

[lamafist]

Exactly. The CB will keep up with him. But AH's mismatches occur with defenders that are near his own weight where he is faster and more nimble than they are. Both he and Gronk are much more effective from their TE and slot positions where they can take advantage of mismatches.

Not sure where you get the idea that a TE isn't a mismatch for a CB. The conventional wisdom about the "new" breed of TE's is that they're too big for a safety to cover, and too fast for a linebacker to cover.

And if they're too big for a safety, they're WAY too big for a CB. If you try to play press, Hernandez is going to run the guy over at the line of scrimmage. If you play off him, you're either asking your CB to solo-tackle Hernandez in space, or break up a pass around a guy who's used to using their strength and frame to box out linebackers.

 

[SyN65]

Not sure where you get the idea that a TE isn't a mismatch for a CB. The conventional wisdom about the "new" breed of TE's is that they're too big for a safety to cover, and too fast for a linebacker to cover.

And if they're too big for a safety, they're WAY too big for a CB. If you try to play press, Hernandez is going to run the guy over at the line of scrimmage. If you play off him, you're either asking your CB to solo-tackle Hernandez in space, or break up a pass around a guy who's used to using their strength and frame to box out linebackers.

Pretty much nailed it, which is why teams are gonna start transitioning to bigger safeties/corners to cover TE's.

Gronk is gonna be a huge mismatch on a CB just because he can use his frame so well, even if a CB is there to make a play he won't be able to get his hands around his larger frame in time...

 

[lamafist]

Just following up on my earlier post, how does one defend against

Gronk
Hernandez
Fells
Schiancoe
Winslow

if they're all on the field at the same time?

I might try to take advantage of the lack of speed in the formation by playing something like a cover-1, only with both safeties up by the line, and a corner backing out to fill the FS role.