A case for three tight ends
Scott Benson over Patriots Daily is trying to figure out how to keep five runningbacks on the New England Patriots 53-man roster. He sees keeping only two tight ends on the roster as one way to do it. Writes Benson:
The Pats started last September with three tight ends, but there’s at least the suspicion they will trim back to just the duo of Ben Watson and David Thomas this time, with people like Marcus Pollard and Stephen Spach on speed dial just in case. Meanwhile, in their absence, players like Evans and Hochstein can line up as third tight ends in goal line situations. Along with linebacker, this might be a position where the Pats trim back their opening day roster to gain more depth elsewhere.
I would have agreed with Benson’s reasoning a year ago, but last season’s struggles at tight end, culminating with Patriots’ Worst Offensive Play of the Year - the one where Hochstein, playing tight end, and left tackle Matt Light pulled into each other on an important third-and-one play late in the third quarter against Indianapolis Colts - I no longer do. The Patriots need three capable tight ends on the roster. Hochstein has the physical skills to play short yardage tight end, but I think he has enough on his plate mentally in order to stay prepared to play at any of the three interior offensive linemen spots. Ideally a player like offensive tackle Ryan O’Callaghan, who last year was back up right tackle, would be the short yardage tight end but he doesn’t seem to have the physical tools for the task.
So I think three tight ends is the way to go.
One reason for the disarray at tight end last year was that Garrett Mills, who head coach Bill Belichick had fully expected to put on the practice squad, was picked up by Minnesota Vikings (where he played in one game). The Patriots could have made room for Mills on the 53-man roster but figured they could get away with not doing it. As retaliation, Patriots claimed a nobody Vikings linebacker off the waivers and briefly put him on the roster. My point is, there’s room for five runningbacks and three tight ends.
I’ll take Spach over Pollard, if only because I think he has a better chance of holding up over the course of the season. Pollard may need another few weeks just to get in shape (at which time he can replace Thomas who surely will be on Injured Reserve by that time).
Don’t be surprised if Mills ends up on the roster later this year if the Vikings cut him, and Thomas or Watson goes down with an injury, and Pollard turns out to have little left in the tank.
Photos of Patriots tight ends during a 2008 pre-season practice.
