Izzo looks to emerge at TE
FOXBORO — Midway through training camp, the Patriots’ tight end depth is getting a little dicey.
There has been an absurd amount of turnover at the position dating back to beginning of the offseason.
To recap: Rob Gronkowski retired. Dwayne Allen was cut and signed with the Dolphins. Jacob Hollister was traded to Seattle for a conditional draft pick. Austin Seferian-Jenkins signed but was released prior to minicamp as he dealt with personal issues. Ben Watson came out of retirement and quickly disclosed that he’d be facing a four-game suspension for performanceenhancing drugs (which he said he took while he was operating as if he were retired). Lance Kendricks, who is two years removed from a 50-catch season with the Rams, signed early in camp.
And now Matt LaCosse, one of the standouts of the spring, is out with an undisclosed leg injury. LaCosse was not on the practice field on Monday, and fellow tight end Stephen Anderson – a pass-catching specialist – was limited.
Oh, and the Pats traded for another tight end yesterday, acquiring Eric Saubert (five receptions in two seasons) from the Falcons. Got all that?
Here’s one more name for you: Ryan Izzo, who came to the Patriots a year ago with a reputation as a punishing run blocker.
Selected by the Pats in the seventh round, Izzo was viewed as a longshot to make an impact as a rookie. He landed on injured reserve one day after final roster cuts in 2018, and he spent his entire rookie season working behind the scenes. As his teammates were going through the daily routine of practice and film study, Izzo’s days were consumed by weight training and speed and agility work. He attended meetings, as well, to make sure he stayed up on play installation.
Izzo noted the experience was similar to his redshirt season at Florida State. The Patriots were simply prepping him for this summer.
“I feel really good,” Izzo said after yesterday’s practice. “I think this is the strongest I’ve been. I’ve been working really hard. It was basically a two-year offseason for me.”
With LaCosse out for the time being, Izzo is in position to earn valuable reps and, potentially, snaps in the regular season.
“Well, it’s good to have him out on the field on a consistent basis,” said Pats coach Bill Belichick. “He’s been out there every single day. He’s worked hard. He’s gotten better.”
After the Patriots picked Izzo in the spring of 2018, director of player personnel Nick Caserio described him as ” more of an on-the-lineof-scrimmage player” and “very tough.”
While his primary strength will always be his run blocking, Izzo hopes the extended offseason – and all the agility work he did a year ago – will help him become a well-rounded tight end.
In the preseason opener against Detroit, Izzo caught one pass on three targets for five yards. He let a potential touchdown slip through his hands in the late stages of the first half. The ball was well thrown by rookie quarterback Jarrett Stidham, but Izzo couldn’t finish the play.
There was plenty to like from Izzo as a blocker, though. On an 18-yard Nick Brossette run (a play that was eventually called back due to a James Ferentz hold), Izzo got leverage on Lions defensive end Eric Lee and pushed him toward the sideline, opening the hole for Brossette. He also got low and drove Lee five yards deep into the end zone on Brossette’s 1-yard touchdown plunge.
Izzo knows each preseason snap is extremely important. The tight end competition is as wide open as its ever been, and Izzo has the chance to cement a role.
“Any time I get in the game I’m trying to make a strong impression,” Izzo said. “Whether that’s the first or fourth quarter, it doesn’t matter. Whenever they put me in, I want to make the most of the opportunity.”