Tight End - A Very High Draft Need

[ATippett56]

I cannot believe this thread is already Six pages.:snob:

I cannot believe this many people drink this early in the day.

 

[mgteich]

We all agree that we need upgrades to our defense. After all, Carter, Anderson, Ellis and Warren are all unsigned.

Of course, if Belichick is not allowed to re-sign players or sign 4-5 front seven free agents (as he did last year), then you would be correct. The 2012 would have to be used almost entirely for the defense.

Similarly, the same situation exists at WR. If we don't re-sign any of our wide receivers, and don't sign any in free agency, then the draft would need to used for wide receivers. After all, our top signed wide receiver is Edelman.

.

The New England Patriots need to vastly upgrade the defense via the 2012 NFL Draft in lieu of a third tight end.

 

[PatsFan2]

Yeah, Alge was a HUGE value when he dropped that sure TD vs the Jets in the playoffs last year. HUGE HUGE IMMENSE value.

Alge is a prime example why you need quality backups at very important positions. They went to him instead of Gronk and he dropped. Great value.

Fleener would be more valuable than any players like Alge in FA. Similar size to Gronk, great hands, great leap, gets separation, make physical catches in tight coverage. It would be insane to pass on Gronk 2.0 and waste another high pick patching that awful defence,

The Patriots never won a SB with a Great Offense...i think it was with a very good Defense...something to think about.

 

[patsderoer]

As always, you are the epitome of courtesy, likeability and sweet reason.
:youtheman:

Anyone who disagrees with Satan's Irae is a lunatic, dont you know that?

 

[ATippett56]

Not if you go with 3 TEs a substantial fraction of the time.

A #3 TE could be just as much a starter as a nickel CB, or as a #3 WR, or as a member of an RB-by-committee group.

Now the New England Patriots offense is going to a three tight end formation.

 

[Deus Irae]

As always, you are the epitome of courtesy, likeability and sweet reason.
:youtheman:

Yes, that's it. I'm the only one here bagging on the idea, and noting the lack of need for such an idea is really unreasonable. Teams throughout history have an under 25 year old TE who many consider the best in the league, another under 25 year old TE who some consider a top 10 TE in the league, and still spend a first round pick on a tight end despite far more pressing needs elsewhere.

It happens almost yearly, no doubt.

 

[Snake Eyes]

How many teams have two TEs on the roster of Gronk and Ahern's respective caliber heading into the 2010 draft?

Nice try but that's irrelevant, you said it was foolish to draft a TE in the 1st round, NOT that it was foolish for just the Pats to draft one. You're trying to change your argument.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Now the New England Patriots offense is going to a three tight end formation. If the bottle is still open, take another swig.

Knock off the insults, if you think someone is incorrect then state your reasons but the drinking talk is neither productive nor civil.

 

[Deus Irae]

We all agree that we need upgrades to our defense. After all, Carter, Anderson, Ellis and Warren are all unsigned.

Of course, if Belichick is not allowed to re-sign players or sign 4-5 front seven free agents (as he did last year), then you would be correct. The 2012 would have to be used almost entirely for the defense.

Similarly, the same situation exists at WR. If we don't re-sign any of our wide receivers, and don't sign any in free agency, then the draft would need to used for wide receivers. After all, our top signed wide receiver is Edelman.

So the Patriots can't sign a TE in free agency, but they can sign every other position there?

 

[mgteich]

We all understand the need at center, wide receiver, defensive end, and at linebacker, especially in this time before any re-signings.

Obviously, we don't agree on the need at TE, even if Belichick does what we expect and fills almost all of our needs through re-signings and free agency.

I expect us to re-sign Welker, Branch, Carter, Anderson and Connolly (and/or Koppen).
=========

Our list of needs and wants will be (or should be) much different depending on what happens before the draft. Our needs will come into much better focus after the next six weeks, after we see who we re-sign and who we sign in the first week of free agency.
=============

Many of us will ignore the signings and re-signings. After all, many here think we need an OLB (or two), DE, CB, S and OL no matter what happens before the draft.

In the end, I am glad that Belichick uses free agency so well. I don't know which positions hthat
Belichick will fill through re-signings and free agency. As was the case last year, I find it likely that there will a significant need at TE come draft day. As has been the case since we traded up fro Graham, there will be those who don't want a TE, expect in the late rounds. Of course, these players end up being cut. Others will actually make evaluations based on our roster and our needs.

I have been called insane for suggesting that Belichick might choose a TE with one of our first four picks. I can only say that I would NEVER be surprised if Belichick chose a Te in the first four rounds, not in any draft. Obviously, the fact that the position is critical to us, and our TE's are used as wide receivers and h-backs makes the needs greater.

And yes, I agree that if we had 3 top receivers, we wouldn't need Hernandez as a wide receiver as much. If we had a RB who could be our h-back, then we wouldn't need to use Hernandez as our h-back. If Belichick picks up a veteran Crumpler type in free agency, of course our need is less. But as of now, there is a need at TE. I expect that TE will be considered in our first four picks. Call me crazy if You wish. Perhaps you think that Belichick is having someone else doing the draft. Surely Bill Belichick will ALWAYS consider a TE as a possibility in the first four pisck of any of his drafts. It is in his nature.

 

[ATippett56]

Knock off the insults, if you think someone is incorrect then state your reasons but the drinking talk is neither productive nor civil.

The post was edited.

 

[patsderoer]

Now the New England Patriots offense is going to a three tight end formation. If the bottle is still open, take another swig.

Fleener could be drafted and used as a WR, outside WR, not only TE. He could roam anywhere inside Brady's safe zone of 30 yards. Great size, great hands, makes physical catches in tight coverage.

 

[JackBauer]

Nice try but that's irrelevant, you said it was foolish to draft a TE in the 1st round, NOT that it was foolish for just the Pats to draft one. You're trying to change your argument.

Was it not crystal clear in the context of this thread that was I referring to the suggestions by others that the Patriots draft another TE in the first round?

 

[ATippett56]

Fleener could be drafted and used as a WR, outside WR, not only TE. He could roam anywhere inside Brady's safe zone of 30 yards. Great size, great hands, makes physical catches in tight coverage.

The New England Patriots need receivers who are adept at running routes outside the numbers not inside the numbers.

 

[patsderoer]

Was it not crystal clear in the context of this thread that was I referring to the suggestions by others that the Patriots draft another TE in the first round?

Another? Gronk and Hernandez were taken in the first round? Oh God, help us all.

 

[E1Downey]

TE is clearly becoming the future of the NFL offense. Im still so grateful to have a Coach who sees these trends 10 steps before anyone else does. He realized the importance of this position, and has been searching for his dream TE's for a long time and now he has two that compliment each other so freaking well.

The rest of the league has been catching up now, and I think 2012 will be THE year of the TE. (if 2011 wasnt already)

I personally loved Crumpler and wish he was like 4 years younger and healthy haha. It really was "The Three Headed Monster". For that reason I wouldnt mind a Beast of a blocking TE being drafted.

OTOH however, I also agree that we have other positions of greater importance to address. The Defensive BAckfield could use a playmaker, the WR corps could use a playmaker (especially if for some reason the Welker negotiations end badly "knocks on wood"), and the D-Line could use a playmaker other than VW.

So I'll go with the cop out answer and say "IN BILL I TRUST" (despite all the criticism he has received when wearing the GM hat)

 

[patsderoer]

The New England Patriots need receivers who are adept at running routes outside the numbers not inside the numbers.

His size, his hands and his leaping ability suggest that he could adept very well at running routes both outside and inside the numbers.

 

[JackBauer]

Another? Gronk and Hernandez were taken in the first round? Oh God, help us all.

It's been said before, but reading is fundamental.

At this point, I have to agree with Deus that you're trolling.

 

[ATippett56]

His size, his hands and his leaping ability suggest that he could adept very well at running routes both outside and inside the numbers.

The New England Patriots need WIDE RECEIVERS! You do get the WIDE part?

 

[IllegalContact]

Yes, that's it. I'm the only one here bagging on the idea, and noting the lack of need for such an idea is really unreasonable. Teams throughout history have an under 25 year old TE who many consider the best in the league, another under 25 year old TE who some consider a top 10 TE in the league, and still spend a first round pick on a tight end despite far more pressing needs elsewhere.

It happens almost yearly, no doubt.

the pats used 2 first rounders on TE's 2 years apart.....just saying.....on top of that, they spent some $$ on fauria......just saying