Jake Ballard looks to prove himself this season
This season, it will be tough for quarterback Tom Brady to find reliable options to throw to. Much of the receiving corps as well as tight ends have changed since last year. Branch, Welker, Hernandez and Lloyd are out, Amendola, Jenkins and Dobson are in. The Patriots have also lost starting tight end, Rob Gronkowski, to injury for most of the season. So who will be the Patriots top receiving option in 2013?
Jake Ballard who was most recently taken off the PUP (Physically Unable to Preform) list, will be a great surprise for the Patriots this season as long as he stays healthy. The undrafted tight end out of Ohio State was claimed off of waivers from the New York Giants on June 12, 2012. He missed all of last season recovering from a torn ACL.
The missed year gave Ballard the opportunity to study behind Gronkowski and former Patriot Aaron Hernandez and also helped him learn the intricate offense made by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Ballard showed flashes of what he could be with the Giants in 2011-12. On November 6, 2011, the Giants beat the Patriots 24-20. Ballard was a big part of the win by catching a one yard touchdown with only 17 seconds left in the game.
The year that Ballard took this past season will definitely benefit the Patriots offense. Ballard is a strong, big end who can block as well as create open space for the running backs, who will surely be a big part of the offense this season. Ballard also has a great knack for running routes much like Gronkowski. He's not as big as Gronk, but having two guys that can fight for extra yards down the field will be beneficial.
Brady will definitely be looking for a reliable player to catch passes and gain yards this year. Amendola will be a fine option and Gronkowski will be as well when he comes back later in the season, but if Ballard can step up and stay healthy there is an untapped potential that could have the Patriots looking like geniuses for picking him up last season and being patient with him.
Michael Husson
@HussBus59
The missed year gave Ballard the opportunity to study behind Gronkowski and former Patriot Aaron Hernandez and also helped him learn the intricate offense made by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Ballard showed flashes of what he could be with the Giants in 2011-12. On November 6, 2011, the Giants beat the Patriots 24-20. Ballard was a big part of the win by catching a one yard touchdown with only 17 seconds left in the game.
The year that Ballard took this past season will definitely benefit the Patriots offense. Ballard is a strong, big end who can block as well as create open space for the running backs, who will surely be a big part of the offense this season. Ballard also has a great knack for running routes much like Gronkowski. He's not as big as Gronk, but having two guys that can fight for extra yards down the field will be beneficial.
Brady will definitely be looking for a reliable player to catch passes and gain yards this year. Amendola will be a fine option and Gronkowski will be as well when he comes back later in the season, but if Ballard can step up and stay healthy there is an untapped potential that could have the Patriots looking like geniuses for picking him up last season and being patient with him.
Michael Husson
@HussBus59
