Analyzing Tim Wright and his role in the Pats offense
While Patriots Nation continues to absorb the shock of yesterday's trade of perennial Pro-Bowl guard Logan Mankins, there is analysis to be done on the player they received in return. Ultimately, the extent to which Timothy Wright is able to contribute to the team's success this year will determine whether or not this trade was a smart move by Bill Belichick.
While it has become clear in the fall-out from the trade that Mankins' reported refusal to take a pay cut had a major influence over this deal, it is obvious that the team has been intrigued by Wright for some time now.
Here are the basics on him to get you up to speed (from MassLive.com):
Position: Tight end (Former wide receiver)
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 220 pounds
School: Rutgers
2013 Draft: Undrafted free agent
2013 Stats: 54 catches, 571 yards, 5 touchdowns
Pro day results: 4.65-second 40-yard dash; 7.27-second 3-cone drill; 9-foot-10 broad jump; 36-inch vertical jump
Wright came on strong in the second half of last season, flashing his capabilities as a play-making tight end who fits into more of a receiver mold (he played receiver in college). Many have compared his role in the Patriots offense to that of Aaron Hernandez. While Wright is not as dynamic as Hernandez, he will work as a "move" tight-end, similar to New England's superstar-turned-prisoner.
The first key question to be answered is: What is a "move" tight end?
Most simply, a move tight-end (also commonly referred to as the "Joker") is a hybrid WR/TE, whose strength is typically in pass-catching over run-blocking. In April of 2013, before Hernandez became a hybrid joker/murderer, Danny Kelly of SB nation wrote a great piece analyzing hybrid position players in the NFL and how they were being used in specific offenses. In regards to the Joker, Kelly cited Hernandez specifically as the best example of this evolving position:
Physically, Rob Gronkowski fits the mold of a more standard, old-fashioned "Y" tight-end, in that he is an extremely good blocker. But he also has extraordinary pass-catching skills. That rare combination of elite blocking and receiving abilities is what makes Gronk one of a kind.
But as we saw during the Gronk/Hernandez days, the Patriots offense truly thrives when there is another capable pass-catching TE paired with Gronk. While Hoo-Man has been serviceable, the second tight end spot has been a revolving door of mediocrity since the Hernandez fiasco.
And that is what this move is looking to centrally address. Wright's strength is in his ability to split out off the line and act as a receiver. He excels in open space down the field. His rookie year numbers are impressive, as he managed to haul in 54 grabs for 500 yards and 5 TD's with rookie QB Mike Glennon throwing him the rock.
As a point of reference, if Wright had accumulated those figures as a member of the Patriots last season, he would have tied for second on the team in receptions with Danny Amendola, and been second on the team in touchdowns behind only Julian Edelman.
The results Wright was able to produce on a sub-par team and with an unproven quarterback make thoughts of him in the Patriots offense with Brady throwing him the ball enticing. Whether or not you think he was worth giving up Logan Mankins for, Wright does improve the Patriots passing attack.
Wright's highlight reel below provides an excellent look at his skills. Note how many of the snaps he spends lined up off the line of scrimmage, operating as a receiver. He runs crisp routes, uses his body well against defenders, and is an all-around talented pass catcher down the field.
TIM WRIGHT (TE) 2013 Buccaneers from Dan Jay on Vimeo.
All that being said, this is a highlight reel, and does not feature some of the areas where Wright has struggled mightily, most explicitly as a blocker, where he has been graded poorly last season and this pre-season by Pro Football Focus. He has also faced criticism in recent weeks for his poor play from Bucs coach Lovie Smith (from MassLive.com):
In conclusion, Wright is a big, young pass-catching player who will operate in the move tight-end, AKA Joker role in the offense this season, an area of distinct need since the unexpected departure of Aaron Hernandez. He is a bit of a liability as a blocker and has not impressed of late, but the hope is infusing him into an already promising 2014 Patriots offense will take the team to the next level.
Whether or not Wright is worth the price paid is the big question, and one we will likely not be able to answer until much further down the road.
@PatriotsLife
@LC_NEP
While it has become clear in the fall-out from the trade that Mankins' reported refusal to take a pay cut had a major influence over this deal, it is obvious that the team has been intrigued by Wright for some time now.
Here are the basics on him to get you up to speed (from MassLive.com):
Position: Tight end (Former wide receiver)
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 220 pounds
School: Rutgers
2013 Draft: Undrafted free agent
2013 Stats: 54 catches, 571 yards, 5 touchdowns
Pro day results: 4.65-second 40-yard dash; 7.27-second 3-cone drill; 9-foot-10 broad jump; 36-inch vertical jump
Wright came on strong in the second half of last season, flashing his capabilities as a play-making tight end who fits into more of a receiver mold (he played receiver in college). Many have compared his role in the Patriots offense to that of Aaron Hernandez. While Wright is not as dynamic as Hernandez, he will work as a "move" tight-end, similar to New England's superstar-turned-prisoner.
The first key question to be answered is: What is a "move" tight end?
Most simply, a move tight-end (also commonly referred to as the "Joker") is a hybrid WR/TE, whose strength is typically in pass-catching over run-blocking. In April of 2013, before Hernandez became a hybrid joker/murderer, Danny Kelly of SB nation wrote a great piece analyzing hybrid position players in the NFL and how they were being used in specific offenses. In regards to the Joker, Kelly cited Hernandez specifically as the best example of this evolving position:
The most famous contemporary joker or "move" tight end (sometimes designated as the "U" tight end by coordinators) is probably Aaron Hernandez. Others that fit the profile well include Jimmy Graham, Jermichael Finley, Fred Davis, Dennis Pitta, Owen Daniels, and Delanie Walker. High-profile jokers of previous (but recent) eras include Dallas Clark and Kellen Winslow, Jr. Essentially, these are players that, first and foremost, are asked to catch the football. They CAN block, some, and at times will be asked to do so, but as Seahawks' Assistant Head Coach Tom Cable put it once:
"In terms of the 'U' tight end, he is certainly going to have some responsibility to block, but I think on a list of the top important things for him, on a list of five - that's fifth. He's going to be moving around, blocking on the move, but he's probably going to be more thought of as a playmaker-receiver type."
Physically, Rob Gronkowski fits the mold of a more standard, old-fashioned "Y" tight-end, in that he is an extremely good blocker. But he also has extraordinary pass-catching skills. That rare combination of elite blocking and receiving abilities is what makes Gronk one of a kind.
But as we saw during the Gronk/Hernandez days, the Patriots offense truly thrives when there is another capable pass-catching TE paired with Gronk. While Hoo-Man has been serviceable, the second tight end spot has been a revolving door of mediocrity since the Hernandez fiasco.
And that is what this move is looking to centrally address. Wright's strength is in his ability to split out off the line and act as a receiver. He excels in open space down the field. His rookie year numbers are impressive, as he managed to haul in 54 grabs for 500 yards and 5 TD's with rookie QB Mike Glennon throwing him the rock.
As a point of reference, if Wright had accumulated those figures as a member of the Patriots last season, he would have tied for second on the team in receptions with Danny Amendola, and been second on the team in touchdowns behind only Julian Edelman.
The results Wright was able to produce on a sub-par team and with an unproven quarterback make thoughts of him in the Patriots offense with Brady throwing him the ball enticing. Whether or not you think he was worth giving up Logan Mankins for, Wright does improve the Patriots passing attack.
Wright's highlight reel below provides an excellent look at his skills. Note how many of the snaps he spends lined up off the line of scrimmage, operating as a receiver. He runs crisp routes, uses his body well against defenders, and is an all-around talented pass catcher down the field.
TIM WRIGHT (TE) 2013 Buccaneers from Dan Jay on Vimeo.
All that being said, this is a highlight reel, and does not feature some of the areas where Wright has struggled mightily, most explicitly as a blocker, where he has been graded poorly last season and this pre-season by Pro Football Focus. He has also faced criticism in recent weeks for his poor play from Bucs coach Lovie Smith (from MassLive.com):
In 2013, Wright's -6.4 run blocking grade from Pro Football Focus ranked as one of the worst among tight ends, but above the likes of Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez and Julius Thomas.
Wright has had a poor preseason so far, particularly as a blocker. Pro Football Focus has him graded with a -4.4 grade overall with a -3.0 grade in the run game over the course of 51 snaps.
Here's Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith on Wright's preseason so far, via the Tampa Bay Times:
"I'll just kind of jump on where he's been. He hasn't played as well as he should be playing. He's dropped some balls. If you've been watching him at practice, he's dropped balls. He's a big part of what we want to do with the two-receiver, two-tight end set. Tim hasn't blocked as well inside.
"Once you're that H-back and you don't block, now they just say you're another receiver and teams start going nickel against you. But if they do that, you have to at least be a good pass catcher. And Tim is a good player, he just hasn't played as well as he needs to lately."
In conclusion, Wright is a big, young pass-catching player who will operate in the move tight-end, AKA Joker role in the offense this season, an area of distinct need since the unexpected departure of Aaron Hernandez. He is a bit of a liability as a blocker and has not impressed of late, but the hope is infusing him into an already promising 2014 Patriots offense will take the team to the next level.
Whether or not Wright is worth the price paid is the big question, and one we will likely not be able to answer until much further down the road.
@PatriotsLife
@LC_NEP
