How Is Patriots' Rob Gronkowski Replacement Plan Taking Shape in Preseason?, The New England Patriots have prepared over a year for this moment.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski is still on the shelf, and according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, it's probably not wise to hold out hope on him being available to the Patriots for Week 1.
For over 12 calendar months, the Patriots have added tight ends to the roster like it's going out of style. It started with them snagging Jake Ballard off waivers from the Giants and continued with the signings of Josh McDaniels proteges Daniel Fells and Michael Hoomanawanui. Sprinkle in the undrafted free-agent signings of Zach Sudfeld and Brandon Ford, and the Patriots have taken plenty of shots at the board.
Now, we just have to see what sticks.
They have missed a couple of times along the way, including the likes of Visanthe Shiancoe and Kellen Winslow, and they already released Ford just a few weeks into training camp. Between Ballard, Fells, Hoomanawanui and Sudfeld, the Patriots have plenty of options, though.
Sudfeld has been getting most of the reps with the first-team offense, and Ballard has been lining up with him in sets that use two tight ends.
As a receiver, Sudfeld has most of the attributes Gronkowski brings to the table. The two are around the same size—6'7" and 6'6", respectively, with each weighing around 260 pounds. Sudfeld has the frame to go up and win jump-ball situations, like he did on the Patriots' two-point conversion against the Buccaneers in Week 2 of the preseason.
Sudfeld has been getting most of the reps with the first-team offense, and Ballard has been lining up with him in sets that use two tight ends.
As a receiver, Sudfeld has most of the attributes Gronkowski brings to the table. The two are around the same size—6'7" and 6'6", respectively, with each weighing around 260 pounds. Sudfeld has the frame to go up and win jump-ball situations, like he did on the Patriots' two-point conversion against the Buccaneers in Week 2 of the preseason.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski is still on the shelf, and according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, it's probably not wise to hold out hope on him being available to the Patriots for Week 1.
For over 12 calendar months, the Patriots have added tight ends to the roster like it's going out of style. It started with them snagging Jake Ballard off waivers from the Giants and continued with the signings of Josh McDaniels proteges Daniel Fells and Michael Hoomanawanui. Sprinkle in the undrafted free-agent signings of Zach Sudfeld and Brandon Ford, and the Patriots have taken plenty of shots at the board.
Now, we just have to see what sticks.
They have missed a couple of times along the way, including the likes of Visanthe Shiancoe and Kellen Winslow, and they already released Ford just a few weeks into training camp. Between Ballard, Fells, Hoomanawanui and Sudfeld, the Patriots have plenty of options, though.
Sudfeld has been getting most of the reps with the first-team offense, and Ballard has been lining up with him in sets that use two tight ends.
As a receiver, Sudfeld has most of the attributes Gronkowski brings to the table. The two are around the same size—6'7" and 6'6", respectively, with each weighing around 260 pounds. Sudfeld has the frame to go up and win jump-ball situations, like he did on the Patriots' two-point conversion against the Buccaneers in Week 2 of the preseason.
Sudfeld has been getting most of the reps with the first-team offense, and Ballard has been lining up with him in sets that use two tight ends.
As a receiver, Sudfeld has most of the attributes Gronkowski brings to the table. The two are around the same size—6'7" and 6'6", respectively, with each weighing around 260 pounds. Sudfeld has the frame to go up and win jump-ball situations, like he did on the Patriots' two-point conversion against the Buccaneers in Week 2 of the preseason.
