Which Three Tight Ends?

I don't see the need for 4 TEs..

Smith wasn't impressive in the game against Philly.. In fact, he was pretty bad with his blocking..

Thomas and Baker were very good with their blocking.. Hochstein could also be a FB. That is the position he played most last year..

I agree that we COULD cut the captain of our special teams units is order to keep a #4 TE. I just think it is a lousy idea.

We will have four wide receivers: Moss, Welker, Galloway and Edleman.
We will have two special teamers who are emergency wide receivers: Aiken and Lewis.

I am fine with Watson or Smith as the #2. As of now, Smith would be the odd man out.

PYPER said:

I's say Smith is the odd man out if we only keep 3 but I still wouldn't rule out keeping 4. Whatever he decides, I'm sure BB will have each player fill a particular role, ie...FB, H-Back, TE, etc...

The question will likely come down to the 4th TE vs the 6th WR. I really like Aiken but I think Edelman has stolen his spot as the #5. It's important to have somebody who can spell Welker on occasion. The fact that he seems to be making great strides as a punt returner makes him a virtual lock.

It's going to be extremely difficult getting this roster down to 53 while holding onto specific guys on the PS. I think our initial PS is going to get picked clean. It's too bad O'Connel doesn't appear ready for the #2 spot. It sure would be nice if we could only keep 2 QB's.

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This seems exactly right, except I could see Watson being traded for a 4th or 5th rounder, saving Smith.

patchick said:

FWIW, I had been thinking 4 TEs until I sat down last night and tried to map out my 53. There turned out to be much greater incremental value in other spots. (I "cut" Alex Smith.)

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Here's a bit of a surprise: Alex Smith has a decidedly higher salary than Watson.

That's one reason to forecast Watson as the survivor between the two of them.

Fencer said:

Here's a bit of a surprise: Alex Smith has a decidedly higher salary than Watson.

That's one reason to forecast Watson as the survivor between the two of them.

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Why yes, yes it could...

Fencer said:

That's one reason to forecast Watson as the survivor between the two of them.

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I'd see it the other way..that Belichick went and gave Alex Smith more money, and also gave Baker a very long contract, signals that Watson is not coming back.

signbabybrady said:

I dont think if we keep one less TE it would equate to an extra LB....I think we will keep an extra player at either TE or RB due to no FB.

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We would need to actually have an extra linebacker.

Not complaining!! I like what we have at LB but don't think the TE situation impacts it. I don't see what 4 TEs offers barring injury. No problem if we've got the space, though.

I like Baker, but they all could help out, just not if one is just extra baggage. Not like you can't pick up a 4th tight end someplace if needed.

BB had something in mind. I thought that Thomas had a chronic foot problem, but it seems that's not so. Could just be BB's overcompensating due to luck, injury problems at that position.

Watson = talented, Thomas = hard working, Smith = decent NFL tight end, but Baker = reall good looking TE and starter IMO.

If Maroney and Taylor work out as a team, as their styles suggest, I could see Morris playing some FB, giving the possibility of a run, receiving option too.

Here's an exercise to try...to get down to 53, you have to cut 5 of the following:

Rich Ohrnberger
Ryan Wendell
Russ Hochstein
Myron Pryor
Mike Wright
Jarvis Green
Tully Banta-Cain
Shawn Crable
Paris Lenon
Brandon McGowan
Sam Aiken
Ray Ventrone
Matt Slater
4th Tight End

patchick said:

FWIW, I had been thinking 4 TEs until I sat down last night and tried to map out my 53. There turned out to be much greater incremental value in other spots. (I "cut" Alex Smith.)

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Wow that was a really bad decision, BB wont make that mistake, actually I dont think Rich Kotite makes that call. Can you explain what you were dr...thinking.?

APatrioticVirginian said:

Wow that was a really bad decision, BB wont make that mistake, actually I dont think Rich Kotite makes that call. Can you explain what you were dr...thinking.?

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Sure. I could only carry 3 TEs (see "cut-down" post above). Baker is my lock; Thomas seems to be being groomed for more of a hybrid HB/FB role; that left Smith and Watson.

Neither is signed past this season; neither has shined in camp; both have had similar careers to this point. But Watson has more experience in this offense and Smith yields a slightly higher cap savings, so I cut Smith.

patchick said:

Here's an exercise to try...to get down to 53, you have to cut 5 of the following:

Rich Ohrnberger
Ryan Wendell
Russ Hochstein
Myron Pryor
Mike Wright
Jarvis Green
Tully Banta-Cain
Shawn Crable
Paris Lenon
Brandon McGowan
Sam Aiken
Ray Ventrone
Matt Slater
4th Tight End

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Watch a master at work..
Matt Slater.....go home
Sam Aiken...get to shaking
TBC.....GTFO
Maroney....Heres two tickets to the ball you been traded now shuffle along
Ben Watson...I think I'll miss you most of all scarecrow! TRADED

patchick said:

Here's an exercise to try...to get down to 53, you have to cut 5 of the following:

Rich Ohrnberger
Ryan Wendell
Russ Hochstein
Myron Pryor
Mike Wright
Jarvis Green
Tully Banta-Cain
Shawn Crable
Paris Lenon
Brandon McGowan
Sam Aiken
Ray Ventrone
Matt Slater
4th Tight End

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Slater, Ventrone, Lenon, Wendell and McGowan. Ventrone's the only one of the 5 I'd be losing any sleep over. But the depth of this roster makes him pretty much expendable at this point.

RussFrancis said:

Slater, Ventrone, Lenon, Wendell and McGowan. Ventrone's the only one of the 5 I'd be losing any sleep over. But the depth of this roster makes him pretty much expendable at this point.

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FYI, you're leaving only 3 safeties on the roster...

tombonneau said:

I agree with everything but #1 and the entire premise of this thread.

I think with Thomas lined up a few times in the H-back role, we're seeing BB's 2009 plans to use the TEs to essentially take the place of Heath Evans role (minus the occasional worthless carry where Evans ambles forward and falls at first contact.)

I won't be surprised at all to see them keep 4 TEs; what I think will be (mildly) surprising is if one of those TEs is DeVree and BB trades one of the other four to recoup that 5th.

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Wow, no love for Evans?
And DeVree?

patchick said:

FYI, you're leaving only 3 safeties on the roster...

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Tank Williams and Herana-Daze Jones are both safeties to the best of my knowledge. And Shawn Springs would be a 3rd player Id consider as another safety option from the remaining roster. I dont see any of the safeties I cut from that list as actual starting/replacement safety possibilities.

Wendell (could be Hochstein instead)
Ventrone
Slater
4th TE
8th DL (LeKevin Smith might be cut before Green and Pryor)

Have you cut BJGE on your list?

patchick said:

Here's an exercise to try...to get down to 53, you have to cut 5 of the following:

Rich Ohrnberger
Ryan Wendell
Russ Hochstein
Myron Pryor
Mike Wright
Jarvis Green
Tully Banta-Cain
Shawn Crable
Paris Lenon
Brandon McGowan
Sam Aiken
Ray Ventrone
Matt Slater
4th Tight End

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mgteich said:

8th DL (LeKevin Smith might be cut before Green and Pryor)

Have you cut BJGE on your list?

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RussFrancis said:

Tank Williams and Herana-Daze Jones are both safeties to the best of my knowledge.

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OK, I've learned my lesson about posting a partial roster! I'm believe I had same 53 as Reiss minus Alex Smith and BJGE, plus Paris Lenon and an OT.

So LK Smith, HD Jones, BJGE and T Williams had all been cut already.

I just watched more tape on Baker from the last scrimmage game. There were some who derided him as simply making wide open catches for TD's, not giving Baker enough credit. On the first TD catch, Baker was one on one with an LB, and he created the separation at the endzone line with a move, which is why he was so open. On the second TD, he ran past the LB playing zone, then found a spot in between the safety and corner for the open TD. This was good route running by Baker, and the diving catch wasn't too easy either.

Baker came in with the tag that he was a slow runner, but he seems pretty fast especially when going up against a linebacker. He certainly knows how to use moves to get open and create space. Add these qualities with the fact that he's the best blocking TE on the team, and it looks like Baker has a good chance to be the #1 TE when we start the season.

patchick said:

Here's an exercise to try...to get down to 53, you have to cut 5 of the following:

Click to expand...

Rich Ohrnberger
Ryan Wendell
Russ Hochstein
Myron Pryor
Mike Wright
Jarvis Green
Tully Banta-Cain
Shawn Crable
Paris Lenon
Brandon McGowan Sam Aiken Ray Ventrone cut one of these 3 based results of camp competition.
Matt Slater
4th Tight End