New England Patriots: Tight Ends Will Help Stem The Tide
By Matt LaPan
The New England Patriots face the first four games of the 2016 NFL season without Tom Brady. The superstar quarterback has been known throughout his career to elevate the play of the weapons around him to new levels.
His replacement Jimmy Garoppolo has the upside to become a very good quarterback for the four games- and beyond- but it is unknown if he can elevate some of the talent around him to a championship level. Luckily for the Patriots, they have the players that can help elevate Garoppolo’s play in their tight ends, Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett.
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In Bennett and Gronkowski, the Patriots have their best tight end duo since Gronkowski was paired with Aaron Hernandez early in his career. Bennett, an eight-year NFL veteran, is known for his receiving game – but he is actually a more complete player than many realize. Bennett does a good job engaging in the run game, making him a perfect complement to Gronkowski.
It has been made quite clear that Gronkowski is a complete tight end. He is a devastating blocker, can make plays from anywhere on the field and commands at least a double team. In past seasons, Gronkowski has been paired with tight ends who are not in the upper echelon, meaning teams could game plan for him. This will not be the case in 2016.
In 2015- when playing with Scott Chandler, Michael Hoomanawanui and Michael Williams- Gronkowski was able to grab 72 receptions for 1,176 yards and 11 touchdowns in 15 games.
Adding Bennett’s 53 receptions in just 11 games might take the overall receptions number down for Gronkowski, but it will lead to bigger plays and more red zone opportunities.
If a team decides to focus their coverage on one tight end or the other, the opposite man has the offensive prowess to attack the opposing defense and force their coverage to move. Garoppolo can also choose to exploit defenses by going to Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Chris Hogan or someone else. With so many weapons and so much focus being put on the tight ends, the offense should click even without Brady.
Having both Gronkowski and Bennett will allow Garoppolo and the Patriots to create mismatches, making the young quarterback’s life much easier.
“When you watch tape, you know he’s really good, but when you’re right there next to him, you’re like, ‘Man, this guy is really good. Hey Rob, how did you do that? How did you do this? Man, show me that!” Bennett said when speaking with the New England media on Friday. “‘Come to the side real quick and show me how you did that move.’ It’s just give and take. He asks me sometimes like, ‘Hey man, you did this today. I liked that. Show me that.’ So we’re just working and trying to make each other better. I think that’s what the whole tight end room is trying to do. Everyone is trying to build each other up so that we can add more to the repertoire and become better players.”
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That give and take will lead to increased opportunities for both Gronkowski and Bennett – and more open throws for Garoppolo. This combined with the Patriots’ schedule to open the year will allow the team to stem the tide until Brady returns. It will not be easy for Garoppolo to fill Brady’s shoes, but with Gronkowski and Bennett there to help, he should be successful in his own right.