Smith vs. Yeatmen should be a good battle

[Off The Grid]

Yeah, that buffoon Childress was bursting at the seams gloating about how he got one over on Belichick. Meanwhile 4 years, 3 teams and 9 catches later Mills is a free agent again after being released by the Bengals last week.

He also did that after the Vikings traded up couple of spots ahead of the Pats and got Percy Harvin and then gloated. Still to this day, I'll pass on Harvin.

Better, yet: What is Brad Childress doing, these days??

The only thing as good as watching that low life loose his job, last year...

...Was watching the Packers win it ALL, while the scumbag who stabbed them in the back was forced to watch Aaron Rodgers lead them to the Super Bowl win that would've been his, if he didn't pansy out on them one too many times!! :rocker:

 

[BPF]

About all these giant TEs coming in, could it be BB thinking about converting guys to tackles maybe ? Just throwing it out there.

I think what it does is create match-up problems for the defense. Players with Gronks size that can also get open and catch the ball give you a great run/pass option. If the D goes big, you throw. If the D goes small you run it. With Hernandez out there, who blocked well yesterday, the Pats can throw out of 3 TE look, which they did last night for a TD. On the Hernanzdez TD yesterday both he and Gronk were wide open, the Bucs obviously expected run.

Yeatman was a prospect that slid under the radar a bit, he sat out 2009 after transferring from Notre Dame and in 2010 he had a broken finger that obviously limited his ability to catch the ball (13 recs for 134 yds). He was also arrested in Sept 2008 for underage drinking, resisting arrest giving false info and then transferred to MD. Was a pretty good rated prospect coming out of High School in CA as a football player as well as lacrosse.

Ironically NFP's Bunting thought Yeatman would be a good developmental OT going into this draft: National Football Post College Scouting Reports | National Football Post

"A dual-sport athlete — football and lacrosse — who transferred from Notre Dame to Maryland following the 2008 season. A U.S. National Team tryout pool selection for lacrosse in 2010 and is only really starting to scratch the surface of his potential on the football field. Plays tight end at Maryland and is a gifted athlete for his size. Displays the ability to sit into his stance, has a good initial burst for his size and is a smooth, natural athlete in the pass game. Showcases good body control and coordination when asked to quickly snap his head around and does a nice job consistently adjusting to the football.

Is a bit inconsistent with his hands at times, more so due to concentration. However, the guy has made some impressive one-handed stabs and has the ability to pluck the football away from his frame. Obviously isn't going to run by anyone, but he's a good enough athlete to use his big frame to box out a defender, gain a step and pluck. Is still developing as a route runner, but really came on during the second half of the season with five catches in his last two games.

Needs to do a better job getting off the snap count on time in the run game. Has a good initial snap off the football and can gain leverage into blocks, but needs to do a better job extending his arms and improving his overall hand placement. Is coordinated and smooth through contact and can create push from his lower half once he pumps his legs. But is limited from a technique standpoint and will begin to fall off blocks and lose balance easily when trying to finish. Doesn't really trust himself at this stage in the run game, but has the ability to dominate.

Impression: Is a work in progress, but if this guy wants to play in the NFL and devote his time and effort to the game he certainly can. Looks more like a number two, short yardage/goal line type guy, but he has a lot of upside as a potential developmental tackle. Obviously, he would need some time, but reminds me a lot physically of a guy like Steve Maneri from last season who the Pats have on their practice squad right now."

He seems very strong and athletic and also looks like he has a little more potential as a pass catcher at this early stage vs Smith. Although I will say that I'm a little surprised about Smith's lack of nastiness as a blocker and his inability to catch the ball thus far as a pro. He was a real solid collegiate TE.

 

[Off The Grid]

I think what it does is create match problems for the defense. Players with Gronks size that can also get open and catch the ball give you a great run/pass option. If the D goes big, you throw. If the D goes small you run it. With Hernandez out there, who blocked well yesterday, the Pats can throw out of 3 TE look, which they did last night for a TD. On the Hernanzdez TD yesterday both he and Gronk were wide open, the Bucs obviously expected run.

Yeatman was a prospect that slid under the radar a bit, he sat out 2009 after transferring from Notre Dame and in 2010 he had a broken finger that obviously limited his ability to catch the ball (13 recs for 134 yds). He was also arrested in Sept 2008 for underage drinking, resisting arrest giving false info and then transferred to MD. Was a pretty good rated prospect coming out of High School in CA as a football player as well as lacrosse.

Ironically NFP's Bunting thought Yeatman would be a good developmental OT going into this draft: National Football Post College Scouting Reports | National Football Post



He seems very strong and athletic and also looks like he has a little more potential as a pass catcher at this early stage vs Smith. Although I will say that I'm a little surprised about Smith's lack of nastiness as a blocker and his inability to catch the ball thus far as a pro. He was a real solid collegiate TE.

Welcome Aboard.

 

[TheSolderKing]

Per Reiss

Will Yeatman - TE - Patriots

Undrafted free agent TE Will Yeatman could beat out fifth-round pick TE Lee Smith to make the Patriots roster.
The two are competing to replace Alge Crumpler, who was essentially a glorified offensive lineman for the Pats last season. Yeatman played 20 snaps with the Patriots' first-team offense last evening, and "seemed to respond well" in the words of ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss.
Related: Lee Smith
Source: ESPN Boston
Aug 20, 9:24 AM

 

[The Scrizz]

Per Reiss

Will Yeatman - TE - Patriots

Undrafted free agent TE Will Yeatman could beat out fifth-round pick TE Lee Smith to make the Patriots roster.
The two are competing to replace Alge Crumpler, who was essentially a glorified offensive lineman for the Pats last season. Yeatman played 20 snaps with the Patriots' first-team offense last evening, and "seemed to respond well" in the words of ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss.
Related: Lee Smith
Source: ESPN Boston
Aug 20, 9:24 AM

Why anyone would care about Reiss' observations I don't know, but from my more professional view between the games and getting to a few training camp sessions, Yeatman can't be cut. And the more I think about it, it makes no sense for a 4th TE because you can use Monster Maneri as an extra TE for blocking plays.

I am just glad the Jets are so far back in the waiver process because they could really use a blocking TE in case we release him.

Although it's time for BB to use his Jedi Powers.

Smith coming back to the sidelines after a practice drill late in camp...

BB: "Looks like you tweaked your ankle pretty good on that last play Lee."

Lee: "No I'm fine coach."

BB: "Looks like you tweaked your ankle pretty good on that last play Lee."

Lee: "Ow my ankle! Trainer!"

 

[TheSolderKing]

good insight, but you undermine Reiss's credibility


Yeatmen deserves the spot I have admitted this nearly 10 days ago. I mentioned his superior football peed over Smith. People bring up 40 times, but they are w/o pads,

 

[The Scrizz]

good insight, but you undermine Reiss's credibility

Yep that's what I was going for.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Are either Yeatman or Smith really high demand players that they'd be signed if cut? I don't see either of them being such players.

Smith is 1 dimensional (run blocker) who seemingly brings nothing more than an OT brings to the party. Not sure he's worth a roster spot on his own.

Yeatman, may be more well rounded, but he went undrafted for a reason. And, while he seems to fit the part, he's not exactly been the "wow" type of player this pre-season that he'd make other teams take note that he's anything more than an undrafted player.

I think 1, or probably both, can be cut and stuck onto the practice squad if needed. Or, have Algae on speed dial on a as needed basis.

 

[TheSolderKing]

Are either Yeatman or Smith really high demand players that they'd be signed if cut? I don't see either of them being such players.

Smith is 1 dimensional (run blocker) who seemingly brings nothing more than an OT brings to the party. Not sure he's worth a roster spot on his own.

Yeatman, may be more well rounded, but he went undrafted for a reason. And, while he seems to fit the part, he's not exactly been the "wow" type of player this pre-season that he'd make other teams take note that he's anything more than an undrafted player.

I think 1, or probably both, can be cut and stuck onto the practice squad if needed. Or, have Algae on speed dial on a as needed basis.

IMO TE needy Teams would salvage our goods if they are sent to sea on waivers. Look at TB they love claiming our talent. The OSU QB our T Larsen and tyrone Mckenzie our LB. Just b/c they are a late pick or an UDFA doesn't mean anything. We actually hit very well w/ UDFA's and picks of late rounds . TB takes our talent. And TE needy teams will surely follow suit

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

IMO TE needy Teams would salvage our goods if they are sent to sea on waivers. Look at TB they love claiming our talent. The OSU QB our T Larsen and tyrone Mckenzie our LB. Just b/c they are a late pick or an UDFA doesn't mean anything. We actually hit very well w/ UDFA's and picks of late rounds . TB takes our talent. And TE needy teams will surely follow suit

I agree, teams are likely to jump and grab our cut players and if so, some good players will be lost.

That player may well be someone like Yeatman but it also may be someone like Tate or someone like Ohrnberger or Austin or someone like Butler or Wilhite any number of the talented DL that are on the bubble. I certainly don't see someone like Yeatman as anymore "claimable" than these other bubble players. In fact, I probably see him as less desirable.

I think we need to prepare ourselves for the inevitable; some good players are going to be cut and claimed by other teams.

 

[patfanken]

In addition, why wouldn't one of them throw up a grievance if IR'd.

If the guy is healthy, and good enough to make someone else's roster (IE, not slip through waivers), hes gonna want to be on that roster, and have a chance to play.

Getting IR'd while you're healthy is against the best intrest of the player. There's no reason they'd go along with it, unless they weren't good enough, in which case, there's no reason the team would want to do it.

the reason is MONEY. If you are IR'd your contract becomes guaranteed and you get paid 400,000+ dollars. If you get cut, and go to another team and get cut again you wind up with ZERO. In any year its very hard for a low draft pick or UDFA to make a team. THIS year the odds are even higher. Even if you manage to make a PS, you max there is $75,000.

Besides if a team is willing to pay you $400K to sit, they must have some confidence in you for the future

 

[ay-yo]

Considering how much we rely on TE's it's not unreasonable to think we'd keep 4. Injuries could change our total offense if 2 TE's went down. Keeping 4 TE's provides insurance against that.

IDK if we keep 4 TE's this year. I haven't seen enough of Yeatmen or Smith to decide whether they're worthy of a roster spot but it wouldn't shock me to see us keep both or at least PUP 1 to start the season.

 

[jah]

or at least PUP 1 to start the season.

They've both practiced at least once.

 

[patfanken]

Some comments on the Comments

1.I wonder if the fact that Yeatman has seemingly leap frogged Smith is LESS about anything Smith has done wrong, and MORE about how Yeatman might have stood out.

2. I question the assertion that Yeatman can't cut. This kid is a one of the best lacrosse players in the country. Lacrosse (which I played in college) is all about quickness and agility.....and being able to hit anyone withing 5 yds of the ball.....and they give a STICK......and you can hit people with it....... Well now you know why I played the game, but that isn't the point. .

3. Besides the 3rd TE's main responsibility is to block. In the competition for the 3rd TE job, the first consideration will be who is the best blocker

4. The second most important consideration is who is the better special teams player. It also might be a reason to keep all 4 this year. If one of the guys is an all round special teams player in coverage and blocking, then he might earn the spot, especially if he is deemed a better special teams player than the DLman who is on the bubble.

5 Another reason they might keep 4 is that in this offense it seems that the top 3 TEs will all get snaps on a regular basis. The 3rd or blocking TE will be needed for 15-20 snaps every game. That is perhaps more than most teams. Injuries happen, and we can assume that at least ONE of the top 3 will miss some time this season.

6. Normally I would think there would be a good chance to hide Yeatman on the PS. But since the kid has already spent the first 2 games working with the first offense, then that cat is out of the bag. He or Smith COULD slip by simply because of the chaos of this season, but it would be a big risk....even if its Smith.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Some comments on the Comments

1.I wonder if the fact that Yeatman has seemingly leap frogged Smith is LESS about anything Smith has done wrong, and MORE about how Yeatman might have stood out.

2. I question the assertion that Yeatman can't cut. This kid is a one of the best lacrosse players in the country. Lacrosse (which I played in college) is all about quickness and agility.....and being able to hit anyone withing 5 yds of the ball.....and they give a STICK......and you can hit people with it....... Well now you know why I played the game.

3. Besides the 3rd TE's main responsibility is to block. In the competition for the 3rd TE job, the first consideration will be who is the best blocker

4. The second most important consideration is who is the better special teams player. It also might be a reason to keep all 4 this year. If one of the guys is an all round special teams player in coverage and blocking, then he might earn the spot, especially if he is deemed a better special teams player than the DLman who is on the bubble.

5 Another reason they might keep 4 is that in this offense it seems that the top 3 TEs will all get snaps on a regular basis. The 3rd or blocking TE will be needed for 15-20 snaps every game. That is perhaps more than most teams. Injuries happen, and we can assume that at least ONE of the top 3 will miss some time this season.

6. Normally I would think there would be a good chance to hide Yeatman on the PS. But since the kid has already spent the first 2 games starting as the blocking TE, then that cat is out of the bag. He or Smith COULD slip by simply because of the chaos of this season, but it would be a big risk....even if its Smith.

Alga is most certainly on speed dial should a crisis arise and the Pats find themselves in need of a blocking TE .... so that mitigates the risk in cutting Smith and perhaps losing him.

Yeatman, OTOH, probably brings more to the table but does he bring more than any of the other bubble guys? That is the real issue at hand; which realiable vet or promising kid are you cutting in order to keep Yeatman?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

BB will put the better player on the 53. Today that is Yeastperson. He'll take the risk of waiving Smith to the PS. Remember, enemy teams would have to cut someone and put Smith on their 53, not their PS. I agree that this pre-season chaos reigns supreme and teams will not have their act together on player decisions. What that implies, I dunno.

 

[patfanken]

Alga is most certainly on speed dial should a crisis arise and the Pats find themselves in need of a blocking TE .... so that mitigates the risk in cutting Smith and perhaps losing him.

Yeatman, OTOH, probably brings more to the table but does he bring more than any of the other bubble guys? That is the real issue at hand; which realiable vet or promising kid are you cutting in order to keep Yeatman?

Good point, Bob. That makes perfect sense. So its going to be one or the other, with hopes that the loser makes it to the PS. That would be the ideal. The winner playing. The loser improving, and Alge in the bull pen...warming up.

 

[mgteich]

4. I agree that the decision about the "bottom" roster spots is all about special teams. So, yes mith could beat out the special teamers for one of the last spots. I would think that these spots are often safeties or corners. I would like to see us with 10 in the secondary and 15 up front. Some have 16 up front, so the squeeze is on the 5th safety or 5th corner.

5. This is the best argument for 4 TE's. Last year all three TE's had more reps that Gren-Ellis or Woodhead. The #3 TE is extremely important to our offense. If this is true, then a 4th (backup) is a reasonable use of a roster spot.

4. The second most important consideration is who is the better special teams player. It also might be a reason to keep all 4 this year. If one of the guys is an all round special teams player in coverage and blocking, then he might earn the spot, especially if he is deemed a better special teams player than the DLman who is on the bubble.

5 Another reason they might keep 4 is that in this offense it seems that the top 3 TEs will all get snaps on a regular basis. The 3rd or blocking TE will be needed for 15-20 snaps every game. That is perhaps more than most teams. Injuries happen, and we can assume that at least ONE of the top 3 will miss some time this season.

 

[PatsFanStnfrd]

Why anyone would care about Reiss' observations I don't know, but from my more professional view between the games and getting to a few training camp sessions, Yeatman can't be cut. And the more I think about it, it makes no sense for a 4th TE because you can use Monster Maneri as an extra TE for blocking plays.

I am just glad the Jets are so far back in the waiver process because they could really use a blocking TE in case we release him.

Although it's time for BB to use his Jedi Powers.

Smith coming back to the sidelines after a practice drill late in camp...

BB: "Looks like you tweaked your ankle pretty good on that last play Lee."

Lee: "No I'm fine coach."

BB: "Looks like you tweaked your ankle pretty good on that last play Lee."

Lee: "Ow my ankle! Trainer!"

Funny! And possible scenario!

 

[PatsFanStnfrd]

Some comments on the Comments

1.I wonder if the fact that Yeatman has seemingly leap frogged Smith is LESS about anything Smith has done wrong, and MORE about how Yeatman might have stood out.

2. I question the assertion that Yeatman can't cut. This kid is a one of the best lacrosse players in the country. Lacrosse (which I played in college) is all about quickness and agility.....and being able to hit anyone withing 5 yds of the ball.....and they give a STICK......and you can hit people with it....... Well now you know why I played the game, but that isn't the point. .

3. Besides the 3rd TE's main responsibility is to block. In the competition for the 3rd TE job, the first consideration will be who is the best blocker

4. The second most important consideration is who is the better special teams player. It also might be a reason to keep all 4 this year. If one of the guys is an all round special teams player in coverage and blocking, then he might earn the spot, especially if he is deemed a better special teams player than the DLman who is on the bubble.

5 Another reason they might keep 4 is that in this offense it seems that the top 3 TEs will all get snaps on a regular basis. The 3rd or blocking TE will be needed for 15-20 snaps every game. That is perhaps more than most teams. Injuries happen, and we can assume that at least ONE of the top 3 will miss some time this season.

6. Normally I would think there would be a good chance to hide Yeatman on the PS. But since the kid has already spent the first 2 games working with the first offense, then that cat is out of the bag. He or Smith COULD slip by simply because of the chaos of this season, but it would be a big risk....even if its Smith.

Great points in support of retaining 4 TEs on the 53 man squad. BB faces some very difficult choices. 6 WRs or 7 including Slater. Can he trade some of the surplus -- the reverse of last year when he expended late round choices on ST-ers like Page and White.

One thing is clear. The Pats "surplus" might be found "treasure" for other teams -- not just TB but the Jets who often collect ex-Pats.