Pats sign TE Jonnu Smith

Eck'sSneakyCheese

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I'm a little surprised simply because of the draft investment the Pats made at the TE position last season; clearly I don't think BB sees much in Asasi or Keene as potential top options at TE. Something this team desperately needed post-Gronk was just a big body that could make contested grabs in the red zone, and Smith has shown the ability to do that.
Two 3rd rounders? That's hardly an investment. I think this move solidifies the group. Probably shrinks the learning curve for the two second year players having a young established player along side of them.
 

BigSoxFan

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A little pricey but hard not to like this deal for the Pats. He is a legit threat at a position we've really sucked at for a few years now. Agree with the chorus that adding a top WR to Jonnu would make for a very good FA class. Now let's trade up for Kyle Pitts and crank that 2 TE offense back up!
 

Shelterdog

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Two 3rd rounders? That's hardly an investment. I think this move solidifies the group. Probably shrinks the learning curve for the two second year players having a young established player along side of them.
This bears repeating.

We all love draft picks. After the first round draft picks kind of suck and are hopelessly overrated by fans.

A third round draft pick has about a one in three chance of turning into a starter. Obviously it's amazing when they work out (the players are free and cheap) but two third round picks is just not a massive investment; certainly not enough to keep you away from picking up very solid players unless you hit homeruns with both third round picks.

Plus you can (and I think this team will) use more than 1 TE at a time. I can imagine a lot of 22, 12, even 13 groupings for the 2021 Pats.
 

uncannymanny

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Picked him up last year in fantasy. He was one of the few bright spots of my team so I followed him pretty closely. Putting aside the post injury numbers the guy was a force. This contract from BB means he sees what he’s buying as that guy. Giddy tf up.
 

cornwalls@6

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Add me the list of those loving this move. A physical, athletic, versatile(Bedard is shitting in his hat, per usual) playmaker at a position of high need. Also lights a fire, and provides good competition and incentive for Asiasi and Keene to step up in year 2. Maybe a slight overpay, but that's the cost of doing business. I've still got major qualms about bringing Cam back, but if the plan is indeed to give him a full off-season, and surround him with upgraded talent, while drafting the next long term QB, this gets them off to a very good start.
 

Captaincoop

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Love this signing, he looks like a total stud at a position that was almost entirely worthless last year for the Pats.

Now, can he field ground balls?
 

Ferm Sheller

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Wonder if they'll let him take #81. Seems like about the right time to release the embargo on that number.

EDIT: Or maybe they have already? I see that Decker wore it in preseason a few years back.
 

Mugsy's Jock

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Jonnu Smith's birthday and year is the same as my son. Pretty sure they were switched at birth.

Of more interest to all of you, Jonnu Smith has the same birthday as Carl Yastrzemski. What's not to love?
 

Ale Xander

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If he can make it in North Philly, he can make it anywhere. Becomes the instant starter.

Booyah. Today rocks.
 

Mystic Merlin

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My buddy who's a HUGE Titans fan (they exist!) is pissed.
Same here. He resigned himself to the team losing Smith and Davis, but he was definitely bummed that Smith will likely explode elsewhere given how the Titans offense in terms of personnel and playcalling did not make getting him touches a priority.
 

Koufax

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Maybe McDaniels can draw up some nice tight end screens, but do we have a QB who can throw them?
 

KingChre

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Maybe McDaniels can draw up some nice tight end screens, but do we have a QB who can throw them?
Ahh you beat me to it. Was just coming here to post similar snark. Unfortunately I am not optimistic in that regard.

On a more serious note, I would like to watch some tape from Cam's heyday when he had Olsen in his prime. I'm curious what if any overlaps there are between Olsen's route tree and Smith's.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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I don't quite see the Hernandez comparison as much. One player I immediately thought about was the former Raiders Pro Bowler Marcel Reece:

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/ReecMa00.htm
Reece was officially listed as TE but played more as a RB/FB. Still, the ability to play multiple positions, heavier build (especially in the lower body), athleticism, and the leadership qualities are much more comparable, IMHO.

Both players also have similar stats in receiving yards/game (21.8 v 21.7) and catch% (67.5 for both). Smith is ahead in yards/reception (9.9 v 11.4) and yards/target (6.7 v 7.7) but most likely because Reece was catching throws coming out of the backfield.

Look at these two clips:

View: https://youtu.be/38R-aP_9PxI

View: https://youtu.be/OamSvCAe8uw


BB said this about Reece back in 2014:

You put a big guy on him, he’s probably going to have a hard time matching up with Reece’s speed and quickness... Put a smaller guy on him, he might match up with his speed and quickness, but it would be hard to match up with his size. I’d say that’s a dilemma. Who do you have that has the same skill set as Reece?
and about Smith last year:

He’s just a really good tight end... He can do a lot of things: blocks well, runs well, is a good receiver. I mean, hell, they played him at tailback. He looked pretty good back there. So, he’s a very athletic player, hard to tackle, catches the ball well. He’s great after the catch — probably the best in the league. I mean, I can’t imagine anybody better than him after the catch. No, he looks like a tight end to me. And a good one.
I'm psyched about this signing.
 

E5 Yaz

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"I've seen the success that they've had with two-tight end sets years ago," he said. "It shows how creative they can be.

"I'm a competitor, and I'm sure (Henry is) a hell of a competitor as well. So, just being able to go in there, just going to try to outwork each other, it's only going to make us better. I'm looking forward to it. I'm just excited for the opportunity and just waiting to get to it.

"A lot of teams really don't lean on two-tight end sets the way the Patriots do. But the 'Patriot Way' and that's what they've been known for doing the past couple years, so we're going to get this thing going."

https://www.nfl.com/news/jonnu-smith-excited-about-patriots-two-te-sets-alongside-hunter-henry
 

DJnVa

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"A lot of teams really don't lean on two-tight end sets the way the Patriots do. But the 'Patriot Way' and that's what they've been known for doing the past couple years, so we're going to get this thing going."
I'm sorry, I was told the "Patriot Way" wasn't a thing, especially with Brady gone, and players don't buy into that nonsense.
 

simplyeric

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I'm sorry, I was told the "Patriot Way" wasn't a thing, especially with Brady gone, and players don't buy into that nonsense.
They buy into what we, in the stands and on the internet, tell them to buy into. Now shut up and turn your hat inside out or we’ll never win again.
 

E5 Yaz

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They buy into what we, in the stands and on the internet, tell them to buy into. Now shut up and turn your hat inside out or we’ll never win again.
But do it outside: The noise from all that crinkling tinfoil will drive us nuts
 

Mantush

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I thought it would be a good idea to bump this because the discussion in a lot of threads right now about Jonnu. He was one of my favorite signings in the off-season, but I think it's universally acknowledged that the team didn't scheme well for him. BB lauded his after catch / space abilities, but he was never given an opportunity to shine -- he was primarily used as a blocker. It got me thinking, but I wonder how much of Jonnu's usage was dictated by the lack of development from Keene and Asiasi. In my mind, if either one of them was able to take a step forward, he can run routes greater than 30% of the time / be lined up more creatively. He's similar in size to Jakob Johnson and his blocking is pretty good, so I wonder if he could have gotten more snaps out of the back field in either 21 or 22 groupings.
 

tims4wins

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I thought it would be a good idea to bump this because the discussion in a lot of threads right now about Jonnu. He was one of my favorite signings in the off-season, but I think it's universally acknowledged that the team didn't scheme well for him. BB lauded his after catch / space abilities, but he was never given an opportunity to shine -- he was primarily used as a blocker. It got me thinking, but I wonder how much of Jonnu's usage was dictated by the lack of development from Keene and Asiasi. In my mind, if either one of them was able to take a step forward, he can run routes greater than 30% of the time / be lined up more creatively. He's similar in size to Jakob Johnson and his blocking is pretty good, so I wonder if he could have gotten more snaps out of the back field in either 21 or 22 groupings.
But they had Henry too. You think they wanted to play 3 TE? Or play 2 TE with Henry on the bench? I think they wanted to recreate the 2010-2012 offense, but it just didn’t work out.
 

Jimbodandy

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But they had Henry too. You think they wanted to play 3 TE? Or play 2 TE with Henry on the bench? I think they wanted to recreate the 2010-2012 offense, but it just didn’t work out.
This offense isn't for everyone. Jonnu didn't get it, for one reason or another. To my untrained eye, he seemed to have a real problem getting separation. I'd like to see them try him as a Z or an RB or both. He had a whole season to sort out the inline TE thing and got absolutely nowhere, but he's a talented guy.
 

Ferm Sheller

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To be honest, I didn't know much about him when he signed with NE, but I was excited that he did because he appeared to a well sought-after FA, and the Pats were deficient at the position (to say the least). However, after he signed, I had a look at his stats over his first four years in Tennessee and wondered what other people knew that I didn't. In his best season, he averaged 3 catches and 30 yards a game in a pretty solid offense. I guess it was all about his potential, but after two organizations and five years in the league, I'm not sure that his potential is particularly high.
 

Mantush

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But they had Henry too. You think they wanted to play 3 TE? Or play 2 TE with Henry on the bench? I think they wanted to recreate the 2010-2012 offense, but it just didn’t work out.
They could have Asiasi lined up on the left, Henry on the right, and then White (or Bolden) with Jonnu in the backfield. I envision it giving the option to be creative with screens to either option in the backfield, have both run routes, and just be more creative in general with having two very good running / catching options in the backfield.
 

Shelterdog

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The Jonu and Henry transactions only work if those guys are able to play well together a lot -- you'd want maybe half of your snaps to be in 12 or heavier formations if you're paying two TEs top of the market money. In his first year it was pretty clear that Smith didn't have the confidence of the coaching staff or Jones that he'd crisply get to the right place at the right time on a route despite his reasonably good quickness and speed for his size so they didn't get him into routes as much. (I'd say Jones comfort level with Myers and Bourne probably hurt Smith a bit because if the kid liks plays 11 more than 12, well, you got to play more 11).