New England Patriots have 7 TE's!

[Love 5hack]

I think it's interesting that after the pats signed Visanthe Shiancoe that makes it 7 tight ends on the pats training camp team. Along with Visanthe Shiancoe, Jake Ballard, Tyler Urban, Alex Silvestro, Daniel Fells, and obviously Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. I think its pretty interesting because I saw on SC that they are planning on playing 5 of them which is crazy.

The Pat's unofficial depth chart: http://www.patriots.com/games-and-st...pth-chart.html

[raggBAGG]

It is pretty crazy but it's a good strategy. They played a lot of formations with the 3 TE set last year and now with Hernandez getting RB reps, it's good to have guys backing him up for injury purposes to keep that tight end formation strong.

[RJTurneR]

It's still early days in training camp, by the time the final pre-season game rolls around and all the cut days are out of the way, they may have about 4 TE's left. Considering they have a lot WR's as well, it's hard to see them keeping so many of both positions.

They would be better of keeping more depth on the defensive side of the ball. Less proven.. Obviously.

[SPTO]

Sounds like the focus has been shifted to the TE in the NE offense. The sheer amount of TEs on the roster reminds me of the Air Coryell Chargers which some people forget was a TE oriented offense that opened up the WRs especially in the later years.

This is something to bear watching in NE. I don't think they'll keep all 7 (that'd be insane) but I could see a rotation of 4 TEs on the roster.

[sma11z99]

They have this new secret formation they will unveil Week 1.

[MostlyChilly]

If it's true that the Pats are gonna keep 5 TE's on the roster, I imagine it would be:

Gronk, Hernandez, Fells, Ballard, Shiancoe

Gronkowski, Hernandez are obvious locks. Daniel Fells is a huge guy at 6'4, 272 lbs, can fill in as a FB after Tony Fiammetta was reported to be placed on the exempt/left squad list for 2012. Jake Ballard, as we all know, was a gift from the Giants, although he won't play this season. Visante Shiancoe signing was quite interesting, I guess they wanted a blocking TE in sets where Gronk and Hernandez would be running routes. Aside from that, he can provide some veteran presence and play an 'Alge Crumpler'(remember him?) role.

Don't see Silvestro making it, he's a converted LB that's a roster fringe player, Bill might stow him on practice squad. Urban is an undrafted FA with some upside but there's already too much depth at TE.

[kehlis]

Quote: Originally Posted by MostlyChilly

If it's true that the Pats are gonna keep 5 TE's on the roster, I imagine it would be: Gronk, Hernandez, Fells, Ballard, Shiancoe Gronkowski, Hernandez are obvious locks. Daniel Fells came from Denver and has worked with Josh McDaniels. Jake Ballard, as we all know, was a gift from the Giants, although he won't play this season. Visante Shiancoe signing was quite interesting, I guess they wanted a blocking TE in sets where Gronk and Hernandez would be running routes. Aside from that, he can provide some veteran presence and play an 'Alge Crumpler'(remember him?) role. Don't see Silvestro making it, he's a converted LB that's a roster fringe player, Bill might stow him on practice squad. Urban is an undrafted FA with some upside but there's already too much depth at TE.

When did Fells work with McDaniels?

[MostlyChilly]

Quote: Originally Posted by kehlis

When did Fells work with McDaniels?

Ohh...I apologize, confused him with Brandon Lloyd for a moment(strange as that sounds).