New England's 2 TE Offense (1 Viewer)

[sspunisher]

I remember when Parcells drafted Anthony Fasano a few years ago... I believe in the 2nd round. Really stumped me since the Cowboys had Witten, but a few years later I heard he believed that the league would start making a push to double TE sets. Apparently he was right.

I haven't watched NE in depth this year, but I've heard a majority of their plays are in 2 TE sets. Obviously the loss of Hernandez really messes that scheme up. Has anyone seen or heard anything to indicate what NE will do now on offense? I'm unsure if Bilichick is going to find a way to keep using 2 TEs or if he's going to alter his offense now, probably to feature 3 WRs since the Pats have more depth there. I'd like to hear any insight anyone may have.

 

[gerome]

Being a Hernandez owner, I was wondering the same thing. Is the other Gronkowski brother the shark play here? What is his skill set?

I remember when Parcells drafted Anthony Fasano a few years ago... I believe in the 2nd round. Really stumped me since the Cowboys had Witten, but a few years later I heard he believed that the league would start making a push to double TE sets. Apparently he was right.I haven't watched NE in depth this year, but I've heard a majority of their plays are in 2 TE sets. Obviously the loss of Hernandez really messes that scheme up. Has anyone seen or heard anything to indicate what NE will do now on offense? I'm unsure if Bilichick is going to find a way to keep using 2 TEs or if he's going to alter his offense now, probably to feature 3 WRs since the Pats have more depth there. I'd like to hear any insight anyone may have.

 

[dharmapunk]

If I've learned anything following NE over the years, it's that Bill lets his personnel dictate his schemes. He never forces schemes on ill-suited personnel. This is why NE switched to the two TE set last year, because Gronk and Hernandez wowed everyone in training camp and preseason, so he wisely set them loose and caught the league by surprise.

Now?

I wouldn't be surprised to see them play in more 3 WR sets with Welker, Branch and Ocho - with Ocho benefiting the most from Hernandez's injury.

ETA: but Gronk owners are the clear winners here. He's already the endzone favorite. Now he'll get more love in the field.

 

[The Westin]

If I've learned anything following NE over the years, it's that Bill lets his personnel dictate his schemes. He never forces schemes on ill-suited personnel. This is why NE switched to the two TE set last year, because Gronk and Hernandez wowed everyone in training camp and preseason, so he wisely set them loose and caught the league by surprise. Now? I wouldn't be surprised to see them play in more 3 WR sets with Welker, Branch and Ocho - with Ocho benefiting the most from Hernandez's injury.ETA: but Gronk owners are the clear winners here. He's already the endzone favorite. Now he'll get more love in the field.

Could the fact that Gronk is the clear #1 TE now actually hurt his #'s? Before teams had to account for 2 quality TE's on the field, which was difficult to defend against. Now, a guy like Gronk may be easier for teams to defend because there isn't Hernandez on the field at the same time.Just thinking out loud here, I don't know enough about how teams defended the Pats 2TE sets to know how things will change fantasy-wise.

 

[ratbast]

If I've learned anything following NE over the years, it's that Bill lets his personnel dictate his schemes. He never forces schemes on ill-suited personnel. This is why NE switched to the two TE set last year, because Gronk and Hernandez wowed everyone in training camp and preseason, so he wisely set them loose and caught the league by surprise. Now? I wouldn't be surprised to see them play in more 3 WR sets with Welker, Branch and Ocho - with Ocho benefiting the most from Hernandez's injury.ETA: but Gronk owners are the clear winners here. He's already the endzone favorite. Now he'll get more love in the field.

I am a Gronk owner in both my leagues and I do think he gets more passes thrown his way, but i also think this could hurt his redzone prowess.

 

[ponchsox]

Dan Gronkowski will be the primary blocking TE. He could see a few balls thrown his way. Rob should benefit with more catches and yardage.

 

[Run It Up]

I doubt the other Gronkowski will be any kind of replacement for Aaron. That being said, the Pats will just play with a different scheme until Aaron is back, they might slow down a little bit but I doubt it. Expect the same from the Pats.

 

[David Yudkin]

I think the Pats will focus more on their running attack to help keep the Bills suddenly productive offense off the field.

Last year, the Pats averaged 40 rushing attempts a game against BUF and had 200+ rushing yards both times. They only put the ball in the air 27 times each game. This year, they are averaging 44 passing attempts a game.

Brady should still get his 3 TDs, but I would think his yardage total should be quite a bit lower.

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

I saw an analysis that notes how the Pats are running a hurry-up offense because defenses suffered due to the shortened preseason. They can't keep up, have limited schemes, etc. Not all teams can take advantage but Brady and the Gang can. I suspect they'll keep doing this.

 

[dharmapunk]

I think the Pats will focus more on their running attack to help keep the Bills suddenly productive offense off the field.

Last year, the Pats averaged 40 rushing attempts a game against BUF and had 200+ rushing yards both times. They only put the ball in the air 27 times each game. This year, they are averaging 44 passing attempts a game.

Everyone did this against the Bills last year. It was widely known that the Bills run defense was atrocious, so every opponent just ran it up the gut on them. They didn't need to pass. This year it's vastly different. The Bills run D has been solidified by the additions of Shawn Merriman, Nick Barnett, and Marcel Dareus. They shut down Jamaal Charles week 1 and held McFadden to 72 yards on 20 carries. Buffalo has a real run D now, one more than capable of shutting down the Pats' RBs. Brady will have to win this one in the air.

It's going to be a shootout.

 

[David Yudkin]

I think the Pats will focus more on their running attack to help keep the Bills suddenly productive offense off the field.

Last year, the Pats averaged 40 rushing attempts a game against BUF and had 200+ rushing yards both times. They only put the ball in the air 27 times each game. This year, they are averaging 44 passing attempts a game.

Everyone did this against the Bills last year. It was widely known that the Bills run defense was atrocious, so every opponent just ran it up the gut on them. They didn't need to pass. This year it's vastly different. The Bills run D has been solidified by the additions of Shawn Merriman, Nick Barnett, and Marcel Dareus. They shut down Jamaal Charles week 1 and held McFadden to 72 yards on 20 carries. Buffalo has a real run D now, one more than capable of shutting down the Pats' RBs. Brady will have to win this one in the air.

It's going to be a shootout.

If the Bills play everyone off the line to protect the pass, I suspect the Pats will have no porblem running the football.

 

[griff321]

I think the Pats will focus more on their running attack to help keep the Bills suddenly productive offense off the field.

Last year, the Pats averaged 40 rushing attempts a game against BUF and had 200+ rushing yards both times. They only put the ball in the air 27 times each game. This year, they are averaging 44 passing attempts a game.

Everyone did this against the Bills last year. It was widely known that the Bills run defense was atrocious, so every opponent just ran it up the gut on them. They didn't need to pass. This year it's vastly different. The Bills run D has been solidified by the additions of Shawn Merriman, Nick Barnett, and Marcel Dareus. They shut down Jamaal Charles week 1 and held McFadden to 72 yards on 20 carries. Buffalo has a real run D now, one more than capable of shutting down the Pats' RBs. Brady will have to win this one in the air.

It's going to be a shootout.

If the Bills play everyone off the line to protect the pass, I suspect the Pats will have no porblem running the football.

I posted the exact same thing in another thread. Don't get me wrong last year is gone, but even if I just look at last week and how the Raiders put up some good rushing yards and short passes to RBs that turned into big gainers on them and I expect the Bills to try and focus on stopping the pass to the TE/WRs leaving the run and dump open.

 

[David Yudkin]

I think the Pats will focus more on their running attack to help keep the Bills suddenly productive offense off the field.

Last year, the Pats averaged 40 rushing attempts a game against BUF and had 200+ rushing yards both times. They only put the ball in the air 27 times each game. This year, they are averaging 44 passing attempts a game.

Everyone did this against the Bills last year. It was widely known that the Bills run defense was atrocious, so every opponent just ran it up the gut on them. They didn't need to pass. This year it's vastly different. The Bills run D has been solidified by the additions of Shawn Merriman, Nick Barnett, and Marcel Dareus. They shut down Jamaal Charles week 1 and held McFadden to 72 yards on 20 carries. Buffalo has a real run D now, one more than capable of shutting down the Pats' RBs. Brady will have to win this one in the air.

It's going to be a shootout.

If the Bills play everyone off the line to protect the pass, I suspect the Pats will have no porblem running the football.

I posted the exact same thing in another thread. Don't get me wrong last year is gone, but even if I just look at last week and how the Raiders put up some good rushing yards and short passes to RBs that turned into big gainers on them and I expect the Bills to try and focus on stopping the pass to the TE/WRs leaving the run and dump open.

Put another way, teams should be BEGGING the Pats to run the football. It could help keep the score down and allow most teams a chance to stay in games. It will open up play action and Brady will probably torch defenses that way, but the action will be in front of the defense instead of behind it.Even running a lot, NE could still get a lot of yards and points (still scoring in the 30s with 450 yards of offense, but say only 250 through the air instead of 400-500).

 

[Shutout]

I think the Pats will focus more on their running attack to help keep the Bills suddenly productive offense off the field.

Last year, the Pats averaged 40 rushing attempts a game against BUF and had 200+ rushing yards both times. They only put the ball in the air 27 times each game. This year, they are averaging 44 passing attempts a game.

Brady should still get his 3 TDs, but I would think his yardage total should be quite a bit lower.

Really? That sounds suggestive that the Pats are worried that they couldn't win a shootout with the Bills and that's actually soemthing the Patriots can do better than almost any team in the league. I don't really think the Patriots are afraid of getting in a shootout with the Bills.

 

[Shutout]

If I've learned anything following NE over the years, it's that Bill lets his personnel dictate his schemes. He never forces schemes on ill-suited personnel. This is why NE switched to the two TE set last year, because Gronk and Hernandez wowed everyone in training camp and preseason, so he wisely set them loose and caught the league by surprise.

Now?

I wouldn't be surprised to see them play in more 3 WR sets with Welker, Branch and Ocho - with Ocho benefiting the most from Hernandez's injury.

ETA: but Gronk owners are the clear winners here. He's already the endzone favorite. Now he'll get more love in the field.

Agree and disagree. The switch to 2 TE was absolutely planned out long term. It is actually discussed in Bill's miked-up documentary where he talks about how he feared if teams could take away Moss and simply double up Welker then they were dead in the water. So he planned to find multiple TEs that could act like the Dallas clarks of the wolrd and cause all kinds of problems.But you are absolutely right; they moved forward with it because they drafted players that panned out as hoped and, for this conversation, I would agree that they won't put a square in a round hole. Either another TE will come up and be able to do enough to run the same offense (not unthinkable...who would have thought Tamme in Indy would be so succesful last year) or they will look more to the run or like their older offense where the streaking WR may come into play more.

 

[David Yudkin]

I think the Pats will focus more on their running attack to help keep the Bills suddenly productive offense off the field.

Last year, the Pats averaged 40 rushing attempts a game against BUF and had 200+ rushing yards both times. They only put the ball in the air 27 times each game. This year, they are averaging 44 passing attempts a game.

Brady should still get his 3 TDs, but I would think his yardage total should be quite a bit lower.

Really? That sounds suggestive that the Pats are worried that they couldn't win a shootout with the Bills and that's actually soemthing the Patriots can do better than almost any team in the league. I don't really think the Patriots are afraid of getting in a shootout with the Bills.

I think long term it is in the best interest of the Pats to work on shoring up the defense, as they have been great at scoring lots of points but losing when it matters. They won't get far if they keep giving up 400-500 yards per game defensively, even if in the short term they are winning. They have already shown that to be an issue.I think it would be counterproductive to win 41-35 and have the secondary give up another 400 yards passing. Sure, a win is a win, but they need to be able to keep other teams at bay and not just get into track meets.

 

[buckeye35]

The question is, do they have someone on their roster that no one is necessarily thinking about who is a stud in waiting? The Pats clearly want to keep running this offense. Does Coach B. have another ace up his sleeve to plug in? If anyone can shed light on this, we might find a sneaky play. As someone else mentioned, Tamme was largely unknown last year. Do the Pats have a Tamme is what I'm after.

 

[David Yudkin]

The question is, do they have someone on their roster that no one is necessarily thinking about who is a stud in waiting? The Pats clearly want to keep running this offense. Does Coach B. have another ace up his sleeve to plug in? If anyone can shed light on this, we might find a sneaky play. As someone else mentioned, Tamme was largely unknown last year. Do the Pats have a Tamme is what I'm after.

I think a lot of this might be a case of much ado about nothing. I am still hearing that Hernandez will only be out a week or two. It does not appear to be anything near as dire or severe as Dallas Clark going on IR.I would think the Pats make do with what they have until Hernandez gets back. I do not believe there is a secret hidden weapon available that no one knows about. The only person that minutely could fit that profile would be Garrett Mills, a TE they brought up from the practice squad.

 

[griff321]

I think the Pats will focus more on their running attack to help keep the Bills suddenly productive offense off the field.

Last year, the Pats averaged 40 rushing attempts a game against BUF and had 200+ rushing yards both times. They only put the ball in the air 27 times each game. This year, they are averaging 44 passing attempts a game.

Everyone did this against the Bills last year. It was widely known that the Bills run defense was atrocious, so every opponent just ran it up the gut on them. They didn't need to pass. This year it's vastly different. The Bills run D has been solidified by the additions of Shawn Merriman, Nick Barnett, and Marcel Dareus. They shut down Jamaal Charles week 1 and held McFadden to 72 yards on 20 carries. Buffalo has a real run D now, one more than capable of shutting down the Pats' RBs. Brady will have to win this one in the air.

It's going to be a shootout.

If the Bills play everyone off the line to protect the pass, I suspect the Pats will have no porblem running the football.

I posted the exact same thing in another thread. Don't get me wrong last year is gone, but even if I just look at last week and how the Raiders put up some good rushing yards and short passes to RBs that turned into big gainers on them and I expect the Bills to try and focus on stopping the pass to the TE/WRs leaving the run and dump open.

Put another way, teams should be BEGGING the Pats to run the football. It could help keep the score down and allow most teams a chance to stay in games. It will open up play action and Brady will probably torch defenses that way, but the action will be in front of the defense instead of behind it.Even running a lot, NE could still get a lot of yards and points (still scoring in the 30s with 450 yards of offense, but say only 250 through the air instead of 400-500).

I'm thinking you're being on the conservative side with Brady's yardage. My prediction is low for Brady but still I'd say he gets just north of 300 yards. The main beneficiaries being Branch and Gronk. me some Woodhead this week.

 

[griff321]

The question is, do they have someone on their roster that no one is necessarily thinking about who is a stud in waiting? The Pats clearly want to keep running this offense. Does Coach B. have another ace up his sleeve to plug in? If anyone can shed light on this, we might find a sneaky play. As someone else mentioned, Tamme was largely unknown last year. Do the Pats have a Tamme is what I'm after.

I think a lot of this might be a case of much ado about nothing. I am still hearing that Hernandez will only be out a week or two. It does not appear to be anything near as dire or severe as Dallas Clark going on IR.I would think the Pats make do with what they have until Hernandez gets back. I do not believe there is a secret hidden weapon available that no one knows about. The only person that minutely could fit that profile would be Garrett Mills, a TE they brought up from the practice squad.

Intriguing, but :X

 

[GreedoShotFirst]

a week or two? Everything I have read says 4-6. Is the internal thinking really that different?

The question is, do they have someone on their roster that no one is necessarily thinking about who is a stud in waiting? The Pats clearly want to keep running this offense. Does Coach B. have another ace up his sleeve to plug in? If anyone can shed light on this, we might find a sneaky play. As someone else mentioned, Tamme was largely unknown last year. Do the Pats have a Tamme is what I'm after.

I think a lot of this might be a case of much ado about nothing. I am still hearing that Hernandez will only be out a week or two. It does not appear to be anything near as dire or severe as Dallas Clark going on IR.I would think the Pats make do with what they have until Hernandez gets back. I do not believe there is a secret hidden weapon available that no one knows about. The only person that minutely could fit that profile would be Garrett Mills, a TE they brought up from the practice squad.

 

[David Yudkin]

a week or two? Everything I have read says 4-6. Is the internal thinking really that different?

The question is, do they have someone on their roster that no one is necessarily thinking about who is a stud in waiting? The Pats clearly want to keep running this offense. Does Coach B. have another ace up his sleeve to plug in? If anyone can shed light on this, we might find a sneaky play. As someone else mentioned, Tamme was largely unknown last year. Do the Pats have a Tamme is what I'm after.

I think a lot of this might be a case of much ado about nothing. I am still hearing that Hernandez will only be out a week or two. It does not appear to be anything near as dire or severe as Dallas Clark going on IR.I would think the Pats make do with what they have until Hernandez gets back. I do not believe there is a secret hidden weapon available that no one knows about. The only person that minutely could fit that profile would be Garrett Mills, a TE they brought up from the practice squad.

The 4-6 weeks stems from ONE GUY . . . Tom Curran. That story got picked up by many other places that are only parroting back what he said. Curran has not said where or how he came to this conclusion, so the only thing I can deduce is that he things Hernandez COULD have an MCL team (which takes 4-6 weeks to heal). His story came out after the 1-2 weeks story came out, so the 4-6 week window somehow is what is lingering with people.That being said, no one else is claiming that, and even Curran himself is not saying that. All he said is that Hernandez COULD be out 4-6 weeks.I believe Mike Reiss (the godfather of Patriots reporters) even said Hernandez was only expected to be out 1-2 weeks as it was thought Hernandez had an MCL SPRAIN. I myself heard 1-2 weeks. Thus I conclude it will only be 1-2 weeks.As I just said, I will try to see if there is any new news on this.

 

[LawFitz]

Just rewatched the 4th quarter of the Pats/Chargers. There was one Pats drive after Hernandez came out of the game where the score was still reasonably close. During that drive Ocho was actually on the field for the whole series. I don't think he got any looks, but it's a start for any 85 owners looking for a glimmer of hope that he might be used more in Hernandez's absence.

Later when it got out of hand, the Pats ran it down the Chargers throats using 2-3 TEs and Law Firm and sealed the game with a late rushing TD.

If the Pats can do it, I agree with Yudkin that they will try to rush the ball more to protect their D. But for at least the first few series I think we'll see a lot of 3 WR/1 TE packages with WW/Branch/85 and Gronk87 as the Pats try to jump out to an early lead. They will go to this package if the game is at all close late in the game as well.

I think LawFirm and/or Ocho could be prime beneficiaries of Hernandez's absence depending on how close Buffalo's offense can keep this game.

 

[David Yudkin]

I am pretty sure the Pats will still mostly use a 2 WR/2 TE set . . . just with the other Gronkowski or Mills as the second TE.

I don't see Ocho having some grand coming out party. Maybe he plays more snaps than he has, but overall I think he will see 2-3 receptions and 40-50 yards coming out of this. I don't think they are ready to have him take on a huge role yet.

BJGE and Woodhead should both have big days IMO. I can see the Pats still going no huddle and getting the Bills stuck with a bunch of defensive backs on the field and then running the ball play after play. If BUF then had to adjust and play a bunch of smaller bodies closer to the line, then Brady would hit someone for 40 yards off of play action.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if the not good Gronkowski or Mills got a cheap TD at the goal line, much like Crumpler did last year when Hernandez was out against the Bills.

To summarize, I don't see a ton of adjustments in what the Pats will run, only that I suspect they will try to run more.

 

[captain_amazing]

Just rewatched the 4th quarter of the Pats/Chargers. There was one Pats drive after Hernandez came out of the game where the score was still reasonably close. During that drive Ocho was actually on the field for the whole series. I don't think he got any looks, but it's a start for any 85 owners looking for a glimmer of hope that he might be used more in Hernandez's absence.Later when it got out of hand, the Pats ran it down the Chargers throats using 2-3 TEs and Law Firm and sealed the game with a late rushing TD.If the Pats can do it, I agree with Yudkin that they will try to rush the ball more to protect their D. But for at least the first few series I think we'll see a lot of 3 WR/1 TE packages with WW/Branch/85 and Gronk87 as the Pats try to jump out to an early lead. They will go to this package if the game is at all close late in the game as well.I think LawFirm and/or Ocho could be prime beneficiaries of Hernandez's absence depending on how close Buffalo's offense can keep this game.

Gimme some play-action to 85 this week. I'm buying that they run the ball with BJGE and Woodhead, and go into play-actions with Ocho. .....Says an Ocho owner.

 

[buckeye35]

The question is, do they have someone on their roster that no one is necessarily thinking about who is a stud in waiting? The Pats clearly want to keep running this offense. Does Coach B. have another ace up his sleeve to plug in? If anyone can shed light on this, we might find a sneaky play. As someone else mentioned, Tamme was largely unknown last year. Do the Pats have a Tamme is what I'm after.

I think a lot of this might be a case of much ado about nothing. I am still hearing that Hernandez will only be out a week or two. It does not appear to be anything near as dire or severe as Dallas Clark going on IR.I would think the Pats make do with what they have until Hernandez gets back. I do not believe there is a secret hidden weapon available that no one knows about. The only person that minutely could fit that profile would be Garrett Mills, a TE they brought up from the practice squad.

So you're sayin' there's a chance!

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

doublegronk formation

 

[The_Wolfman]

doublegronk formation

Can't wait for the mass confusion that ensues when both Gronkowskis are catching passes for the Pats.

 

[LawFitz]

Aaron Hernandez's knee injury could lead to an expanded role in the offense for Ochocinco this week against the Bills.Spin:On top of the Hernandez situation, backup TE Dan Gronkowski is also banged up, so it would not surprise us to see the Patriots' use more three-receiver sets this week. That would be out of necessity, but if in doing so, they can establish Ochocinco as a legit weapon in their offense, it would be yet another headache for opposing defensive coordinators.-RotowireThu, Sep 22

 

[griff321]

Aaron Hernandez's knee injury could lead to an expanded role in the offense for Ochocinco this week against the Bills.Spin:On top of the Hernandez situation, backup TE Dan Gronkowski is also banged up, so it would not surprise us to see the Patriots' use more three-receiver sets this week. That would be out of necessity, but if in doing so, they can establish Ochocinco as a legit weapon in their offense, it would be yet another headache for opposing defensive coordinators.-RotowireThu, Sep 22

That's not news. It's just typical rotoworld speculation. They're trying to read between the lines without any real evidence just like everyone else is doing here.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The question is, do they have someone on their roster that no one is necessarily thinking about who is a stud in waiting? The Pats clearly want to keep running this offense. Does Coach B. have another ace up his sleeve to plug in? If anyone can shed light on this, we might find a sneaky play. As someone else mentioned, Tamme was largely unknown last year. Do the Pats have a Tamme is what I'm after.

I think a lot of this might be a case of much ado about nothing. I am still hearing that Hernandez will only be out a week or two. It does not appear to be anything near as dire or severe as Dallas Clark going on IR.I would think the Pats make do with what they have until Hernandez gets back. I do not believe there is a secret hidden weapon available that no one knows about. The only person that minutely could fit that profile would be Garrett Mills, a TE they brought up from the practice squad.

To the best of my knowledge, Mills is NOT on the 53 as of 9/23; when they IRed Pryor and Koppen, they promoted Jeff Tarpinian and signed a CB.

 

[Area51Inhabitant]

I've been hearing that they've been trying out Solder at TE a little bit although lining him up there and actually throwing a ball his way would be two completely different things. It wouldn't shock me though if he did get a surprise goal line target the way Belichik used to do with Mike Vrabel.

 

[LawFitz]

Aaron Hernandez's knee injury could lead to an expanded role in the offense for Ochocinco this week against the Bills.

Spin:

On top of the Hernandez situation, backup TE Dan Gronkowski is also banged up, so it would not surprise us to see the Patriots' use more three-receiver sets this week. That would be out of necessity, but if in doing so, they can establish Ochocinco as a legit weapon in their offense, it would be yet another headache for opposing defensive coordinators.

-Rotowire

Thu, Sep 22

That's not news. It's just typical rotoworld speculation. They're trying to read between the lines without any real evidence just like everyone else is doing here.

I thought the part about the lesser Gronk being banged up was news.

 

[Dought Man]

There is 0% chance that Gronk doesnt see the endzone twice this week. Bills LB's/safeties cant cover this guy. Biggest mismatch for any TE in fantasy this week.

 

[FF Ninja]

I am pretty sure the Pats will still mostly use a 2 WR/2 TE set . . . just with the other Gronkowski or Mills as the second TE.I don't see Ocho having some grand coming out party. Maybe he plays more snaps than he has, but overall I think he will see 2-3 receptions and 40-50 yards coming out of this. I don't think they are ready to have him take on a huge role yet.BJGE and Woodhead should both have big days IMO. I can see the Pats still going no huddle and getting the Bills stuck with a bunch of defensive backs on the field and then running the ball play after play. If BUF then had to adjust and play a bunch of smaller bodies closer to the line, then Brady would hit someone for 40 yards off of play action.It wouldn't surprise me at all if the not good Gronkowski or Mills got a cheap TD at the goal line, much like Crumpler did last year when Hernandez was out against the Bills.To summarize, I don't see a ton of adjustments in what the Pats will run, only that I suspect they will try to run more.

Isn't the other gronk hurt? I am pretty bullish on Ocho this week. Seems like a good time to utilize him. His talent has to be >>> gronk #2.

 

[Run It Up]

Biggest mismatch for any TE in fantasy this week.

Pretty much every week.

 

[David Yudkin]

I am pretty sure the Pats will still mostly use a 2 WR/2 TE set . . . just with the other Gronkowski or Mills as the second TE.I don't see Ocho having some grand coming out party. Maybe he plays more snaps than he has, but overall I think he will see 2-3 receptions and 40-50 yards coming out of this. I don't think they are ready to have him take on a huge role yet.BJGE and Woodhead should both have big days IMO. I can see the Pats still going no huddle and getting the Bills stuck with a bunch of defensive backs on the field and then running the ball play after play. If BUF then had to adjust and play a bunch of smaller bodies closer to the line, then Brady would hit someone for 40 yards off of play action.It wouldn't surprise me at all if the not good Gronkowski or Mills got a cheap TD at the goal line, much like Crumpler did last year when Hernandez was out against the Bills.To summarize, I don't see a ton of adjustments in what the Pats will run, only that I suspect they will try to run more.

Isn't the other gronk hurt? I am pretty bullish on Ocho this week. Seems like a good time to utilize him. His talent has to be >>> gronk #2.

Dan Gronkowski missed some practice this week, but I don't think he is listed on the injury report.Ocho will probably be on the field more than the first two weeks, but I am not sure that means he will see a lot of targets. I don't think Brady is comfortable with him yet.

 

[dgr81]

Dan Gronkowski was cut today

 

[FF Ninja]

Dan Gronkowski missed some practice this week, but I don't think he is listed on the injury report.Ocho will probably be on the field more than the first two weeks, but I am not sure that means he will see a lot of targets. I don't think Brady is comfortable with him yet.

How comfortable can he be with Dan Gronkowski?At some point Ocho is going to blow up on everyone's benches. This may not be a blow up week, but he'll probably outperform your WR3 and maybe your WR2. (and by "your" I don't mean anyone in specific, just in general)

 

[David Yudkin]

Dan Gronkowski was cut today

It probably means they will move Mills up from the practice squad. Bringing back Crumpler would have made some sense, but not the day before a game.Getting back to Ocho, he will probably play more snaps, but I am still not convinved Brady trusts him. IMO, he will probably end up with 3-4 catches for 45-50 yards. Who knows if one of them goes for a TD. I hope he blows up and gets 8-140-2, but I don't see that happening at this stage.

 

[captain_amazing]

Dan Gronkowski was cut today

 

[captain_amazing]

Nvm:Dan Gronkowski cut

 

[Team Smokin']

There is 0% chance that Gronk doesnt see the endzone twice this week. Bills LB's/safeties cant cover this guy. Biggest mismatch for any TE in fantasy this week.

Bump Gronk