Sorry this came out a few days late folks. It’s finals week here at Miami University (OH), and sadly football doesn’t come before studying for my Spanish Final. .
So here we go: Tight End
Come two years ago, tight end was one of the deepest positions on the Patriots.
At the start of the 2012 season, Rob Gronkowski was in full form, coming of a year in which he broke the single season record for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns by a TE. (1327 yards and 17 touchdowns). Aaron Hernandez had a great year with 910 yards and seven touchdowns. They also had just signed Daniel Fells and Jake Ballard, two skilled big bodied TE’s.
However, the Patriots have seen much change since that 2012 season. Aaron Hernandez currently resides in Bristol County Jail, awaiting due process for a number of crimes. Jake Ballard and Daniels Fells were both cut by HC Bill Belicheck one year ago and play for new NFL teams. (Ballard ARZ, Fells NYG). Let’s look where New England stands at the tight end position today.
There is no doubt that Rob Gronkowski is the true #1 TE. However, Gronk has struggled immensely staying healthy over his NFL career. Since 2011, Gronk has only played in 18 out of 32 regular season games, just over 56%, and to make matters worse, Gronkowski hasn’t had a single postseason catch since that same point. Rob Gronkowski has 2 pro-bowls and an all-pro nomination, however what Gronk needs to have most is a full 16 game regular season and be able to help out New England in December and beyond.
Behind Gronkowski on the depth chart sits a man with arguably one of the best names in football, Michael Hoomanawanui. Hooman is skilled as a run blocker, and tends to remain in that role unless needed. Since coming to Foxboro in 2012, Hooman has 245 yards and a single touchdown. Even looking at Hooman’s career as a whole, the boy from Normal, Illinois has never had more than 150 receiving yards in a single season. Hooman had a beautiful one handed catch at Miami in week 15 , but aside from that, look for Illinois Mike to remain in his role as a mainly run blocking TE.
The final TE on New England’s roster is D.J. Williams. Williams was brought in mid-season to help out a banged up TE corps, and has yet to record a stat for NE. Most likely, Williams will be cut before the regular season begins, losing his spot to a younger and talented rookie.
New England will most likely draft a TE in the first three rounds of the draft. Look for the Pats to draft a guy who can fill the Aaron Hernandez ‘move’ role. Follow me on twitter @gavroydavis so you can see what I think on the Pats draft class and other tidbits of information.
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