TEs not on Brady’s radar
Group needs go-to guy to step up
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Patriots hate being predictable, especially on offense. Watching what transpired the past two days against the Lions in joint practices, however, a definite pattern developed.
During the many 11-on-11 drills conducted against Matt Patricia’s defense, Tom Brady hardly threw to his tight ends. In fact, he barely looked at them.
Matt LaCosse caught a ball in yesterday’s session on two targets. Benjamin Watson caught one from Brady in Monday’s session, also on two targets.
That, folks, was the sum total of the tight end play. Two catches, four targets. Between the two days, the GOAT threw nearly 50 passes. Based on the math alone, it’s pretty clear the tight ends weren’t on his radar. Either they stayed in to block, or they simply didn’t get open during 48 pass attempts by Brady.
Matthew Stafford, meanwhile, filled up the scoresheet with throws to his tight ends, be it Jesse James, rookie first-round pick T.J. Hockenson or Logan Thomas.
The safeties and linebackers on the Patriots side had their hands full trying to contain the group.
The Lions defense? Not so much.
Perhaps this was by design, or the Pats simply don’t have anyone they feel
worthy enough to be a part of the offense beyond blocking. This is what it’s like not having Rob Gronkowski.
It’s one description of life after Gronk. Only, the Patriots haven’t gotten to the regular season yet. Of course, this was somewhat foreseeable as Gronkowski obviously can’t be replaced. Every team defending the Patriots going forward knows that.
But they at least have to put up a fight. They need some production from the position. Brady is going to need help from that group, particularly in the red zone.
LaCosse, who did make a nice over-the-shoulder grab for his one play, has shown some flashes of being able to catch the football, particularly on seam routes. But he’s also had some issues with drops.
Asked after the Day 2 practice if he felt any added pressure knowing Gronk’s not in the huddle to provide a presence at the position, LaCosse said he couldn’t be thinking about that.
“I have a job to do. That’s my sole focus, how can I help this team win,” he said. “I can’t be thinking about outside things. I’m focused on this team, winning games, doing the best I can onthefield.”
LaCosse said the best way for him to get in tune with a quarterback was at practice. Naturally, if Brady’s not going to him much during team drills, that makes it tougher.
“I think we’re all still striving and still building. It doesn’t come overnight,” said LaCosse. “Some of it builds over and over, practice after practice. But we’re definitely going in the right direction.”
None of the other tight ends, be it Stephen Anderson, Ryan Izzo or Andrew Beck see time with Brady during 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 sessions. Newly acquired Lance Kendricks, meanwhile, has been out with an injury. So he’s way behind.
With Watson facing a four-game suspension to start the year, that leaves LaCosse and a gaping hole. No one else has really stepped up to help fill the void.
Asked about the progress of the tight end group in wake of Gronkowski’s departure, Patriots coach Bill Belichick didn’t have much to offer, saying: “I don’t know, we have a long way to go.”
Perhaps with some of the cap space they gained with Brady’s new extension, the Pats can explore some other tight end options. The Lions look well-stocked and won’t be able to keep everybody. No doubt the Patriots are taking good notes of their depth chart while in town.
The Patriots also have enough cap space for Gronkowski should he make a heroic return and come out of retirement, but that’s more wishful thinking than reality at this stage.
So as of this moment, they’re left with a unit that’s been uninspiring against the Lions in two joint practice sessions. They’re also left with an offense that’s more predictable thanks to the tight ends not being involved.