Check-In With the New England Patriots: Tight End

I guess this article on the New England Patriots’ group of tight ends could be considered an extension of the segment that I recently wrote on the offensive line. After all, I referenced numerous ways in which the tight end corps will be an essential component to the Patriots’ passing attack this season.

The front office felt it was necessary to add not one, but two extremely athletic tight ends to their group. They acquired former Tampa Bay Bucs' tight end Alex Smith via trade, while adding New York Jets' tight end Chris Baker through free agency.

Both of these players are extremely versatile athletes, the breed of players which beguile both Belichick and Brady.

Both Baker and Smith are known for their pass-catching ability. They both hauled in 21 receptions, and Smith snagged three touchdowns. Their numbers were both eerily similar to Benjamin Watsons, who caught 22 passes and two touchdowns.

What’s more, Watson and hold-over back-up David Thomas combined for 31 receptions, 302 yards, and two touchdowns. On their respective teams, Smith and Baker combined for 42 receptions for 444 yards, and three touchdowns.

The Patriots clearly don’t hold high expectations of Watson to return to his numbers from 2005-2007 (he posted 1,473 yards and 13 touchdowns in those three seasons combined). This could be a “tight end by committee”, with the most serviceable player being utilized for their strengths in a given situation.

Back to their versatility, though, both of their new acquisitions are known for their ability to block athletic pass rushers; this was exposed as a glaring weakness in Super Bowl XLII.

The combination of size, speed, and strength that the new tight ends possess makes them excellent additional blockers against edge rushers such as Calvin Pace, Aaron Maybin, and Joey Porter, among many others whom the Patriots will face this coming season.

Although the Patriots currently possess a lot of depth at tight end, I don’t expect them to take all four tight ends into the regular season, as most rosters feature only three.

To me, the only one who doesn’t make the grade is David Thomas. I’ve held out hope for him to develop in the past few seasons, but the third round pick hasn’t performed up to the standard of his 50 catch, five touchdown season as a senior at Texas.

With Watson, Baker, and Smith sharing time at tight end, the Patriots pack a punch of versatility at a position that they will begin to heavily utilize. Although this is one of the less respected (recognized/discussed?) positions on any teams’ depth chart, it could prove to be one of the most important in the success of the Pats this coming season...for years to come.

At 27, 28, and 29 years of age respectively, Smith, Watson, and Baker figure to be a formidable squad for a couple of years. Watson’s contract is up soon, so the signings could also be a sign that he is out the door.

If that’s the case, the Patriots have done plenty to address the situation and provide insurance in the event of his departure.

Regardless of the outcome down the road, the Patriots' fleet of tight ends figure to be a group that is formidable at worst, and superb at best.

Certainly, they will need to be accounted for on every play.