Pats reportedly sign D.J. Williams

[Super Nomario]

Ben Volin ‏@BenVolin25m
#Patriots are signing TE DJ Williams today, per reports. H-back type bounced around with GB and Jax. Great career at Arkansas with Mallett
 
I'm guessing this means Hoomanawanui to IR.

 

[dbn]

 
Ben Volin ‏@BenVolin25m
#Patriots are signing TE DJ Williams today, per reports. H-back type bounced around with GB and Jax. Great career at Arkansas with Mallett
 
I'm guessing this means Hoomanawanui to IR.
 

 
Or that they're going to start Mallett.  

 

[PedroKsBambino]

Agree Hooman to IR is a distinct possibilty; Develin getting cut seems a less likely, but still possible, one.  Some ST impact, but he is not in many offensive packages (and is certainly a candidate for the taxi squad anyway).

 

[Super Nomario]

Agree Hooman to IR is a distinct possibilty; Develin getting cut seems a less likely, but still possible, one.  Some ST impact, but he is not in many offensive packages (and is certainly a candidate for the taxi squad anyway).

Mulligan's the other obvious cut. They could also do something on the defensive side of the ball, with the obvious plays being Justin Green, Jake Bequette, or Steve Beauharnais. I believe all three of those guys have PS eligibility.

 

[mpx42]

Agree Hooman to IR is a distinct possibilty; Develin getting cut seems a less likely, but still possible, one.  Some ST impact, but he is not in many offensive packages (and is certainly a candidate for the taxi squad anyway).

 
Ben Volin had tweeted yesterday that Hooman had a mild knee sprain and was week to week: https://twitter.com/BenVolin/status/405029916397158400
 
And it looks like they just cut Marcus Forston to make room for Williams, per Field Yates.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

Forston a mild surprise.
 
Do you suppose they actually think Bequette is still a development project at this point, or he just hanging around for positional depth reasons?

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Forston a mild surprise.
 
Do you suppose they actually think Bequette is still a development project at this point, or he just hanging around for positional depth reasons?

 
If Forston can't make it onto the field with the injuries, not sure if makes a difference either way.
 
Bequette is a curious case with so little info coming about what is really going on. I doubt he makes it to 2014 squad unless he finally breaks through during next year's camp. 

 

[Super Nomario]

Green gone, too:
New England Patriots ‏@Patriots43m
We've released DL Marcus Forston and DB Justin Green: http://bit.ly/1aSBzL3 
 

Forston a mild surprise.
 
Do you suppose they actually think Bequette is still a development project at this point, or he just hanging around for positional depth reasons?

As a fifth DE, he's not necessary depth, and he's been inactive four weeks in a row. So I think it's developmental. Presumably he's making progress behind the scenes or he'd be gone, but I doubt he improves enough to become a contributor.

 

[soxhop411]

RT @BenVolin: I'm told TE DJ Williams is coming back to the #Patriots after Gronk's injury yesterday

 

[genoasalami]

He took his sweet time coming back from his previous injury, who knows how he will respond to this injury. Would not be a shocker to for him to take 2014 off and not step on field until he feels he is 100% healed.

 

[lambeau]

Maybe Develin gets more reps at TE--looks like he can catch.

 

[Stitch01]

He took his sweet time coming back from his previous injury, who knows how he will respond to this injury. Would not be a shocker to for him to take 2014 off and not step on field until he feels he is 100% healed.

By "took his sweet time" you mean "didnt come back until cleared by doctors" right?

 

[Dogman]

Maybe Develin gets more reps at TE--looks like he can catch.

 
I was thinking Blount. Big enough to block and could probably catch a few here and there.

 

[Ed Hillel]

By "took his sweet time" you mean "didnt come back until cleared by doctors" right?


Stop picking fights, bro.

 

[CaptainLaddie]

genoasalami's a troll.  Just ignore him.

 

[kenneycb]

 
I was thinking Blount. Big enough to block and could probably catch a few here and there.

Isn't Blount a pretty crappy pass blocker with little actual pass catching ability?

 

[Tony C]

Yes, other than that though he'd be a great Gronk replacement.

 

[dynomite]

For comparison's sake, here are some physical stats:
 
Gronk: 6'6", 265 lbs, 4.68 40-time, 23 bench press reps
Williams: 6'2", 245 lbs, 4.59 40-time, 20 bench press reps
Hooman: 6'4", 264 lbs, 4.74 40-time, 25 bench press reps
Mulligan: 6'4", 248 lbs, 4.89 40-time, 34 bench press reps
Develin: 6'3", 245 lbs, 5.03 40-time, 39 bench press reps
 
Hooman and Mulligan are what they are: traditional blocking TEs.  Develin has flashed the last couple of games, he's a weight room freak, and I love the shoulder pads, but his 40-time probably prevents him from playing as a legitimate receiving TE.
 
Williams is far and away the most athletically gifted TE on the roster now, but he feels like more of a special teams contributor than a legitimate offensive weapon.
 
EDIT: For comparison's sake, Blount: 6'0", 250, 4.59 40-time, 18 bench press reps.  He's just not big or strong enough to be a TE.

 

[Dogman]

I had no idea Blount was that short and weak.  Ok, then.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

I had no idea Blount was that short and weak.  Ok, then.

 
The Hammer?

 

[crystalline]

Our H-back/pass catching TE now in jail was 6 2, 250, with 30 bench reps and a 4.58 40 time at a pro day.

Blunt is 6'0" 250? That's a big boy.

 

[Ed Hillel]

I still think we should sign Tebow, but that's only because horrible things happen to our Tight Ends.

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

Tebow at the combine.
 
6'3", 238, 4.71, no bench numbers.

 

[lambeau]

So...Hernandez 6'2" 250 4.58 great hands 2009 Mackey Award winner

DJ Williams 6'2" 245 4.59 great hands 2010 Mackey Award winner--stuck behind Jermichael Finley in Green Bay, Marcedes Lewis in Jacksonville.Real H-back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bctTtM054eE