NFL Nation: Robbie Agnone
The Atlanta Falcons announced a couple of minor transactions Thursday night.
They signed defensive tackle Trey Lewis to a contract extension and signed tight end Robbie Agnone. Lewis came to the Falcons in the 2007 draft and appeared in only one game last season. But the Falcons like Lewis’ ability to play the run and view him as a nice backup to Jonathan Babineaux, Corey Peters and Peria Jerry.
Agnone spent part of the 2010 season on Atlanta’s practice squad. He previously has been with the Washington Redskins and the New England Patriots.
They signed defensive tackle Trey Lewis to a contract extension and signed tight end Robbie Agnone. Lewis came to the Falcons in the 2007 draft and appeared in only one game last season. But the Falcons like Lewis’ ability to play the run and view him as a nice backup to Jonathan Babineaux, Corey Peters and Peria Jerry.
Agnone spent part of the 2010 season on Atlanta’s practice squad. He previously has been with the Washington Redskins and the New England Patriots.
Hernandez continues Patriots' TE makeover
April, 24, 2010
4/24/10
11:38
AM ET
By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
A month ago, the only tight ends on the New England Patriots' roster were Robbie Agnone and Rob Myers, undrafted rookies on last year's practice squad.
They cut Chris Baker and let Benjamin Watson drift off into free agency.
The depth chart looked rather empty.
Today, the Patriots have an impressive group of tight ends that should have them set for years to come.
The Patriots on Saturday morning selected Florida tight end Aaron Hernandez in the fourth round. They took Arizona's Ron Gronkowski in the second round Friday night, giving them two of the top four tight ends in this year's class, according to Scouts Inc.
Gronkowski is viewed as a more complete tight end, but had back problems that wiped out his junior season. Hernandez is the better receiver. Hernandez had 68 receptions for 850 yards and five touchdowns last year.
New England previously signed veteran Alge Crumpler, a two-time Pro Bowler who has morphed into more of a blocker than a receiver.
They cut Chris Baker and let Benjamin Watson drift off into free agency.
The depth chart looked rather empty.
Today, the Patriots have an impressive group of tight ends that should have them set for years to come.
The Patriots on Saturday morning selected Florida tight end Aaron Hernandez in the fourth round. They took Arizona's Ron Gronkowski in the second round Friday night, giving them two of the top four tight ends in this year's class, according to Scouts Inc.
Gronkowski is viewed as a more complete tight end, but had back problems that wiped out his junior season. Hernandez is the better receiver. Hernandez had 68 receptions for 850 yards and five touchdowns last year.
New England previously signed veteran Alge Crumpler, a two-time Pro Bowler who has morphed into more of a blocker than a receiver.
The New England Patriots traded a sixth-round pick to move up two slots and take Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski with the 42nd selection in the draft.
Why the Patriots picked him: The Patriots had a major need at tight end, especially one who could catch after they declined to re-sign Benjamin Watson. They signed veteran free agent Alge Crumpler, who has evolved into more of a blocking tight end than a receiver.
Where Gronkowski fits: Fantasy football alert! Gronkowski likely becomes a key red-zone target for Tom Brady. Aside from Gronkowski and Crumpler, the only tight ends on the roster are Robbie Agnone and Rob Myers, undrafted rookies last year without an NFL reception between them.
Scouts Inc. says: Big, soft hands. Reliable pass catcher. Shows the ability to catch over his head and to adjust to the poorly thrown pass. ... Flashes the ability to win the jump ball and/or sneak down the seam. Has adequate-to-good straight-line speed but not elite. Does not show much wiggle after the catch, either. Has a nose for the end zone and does a great job of getting open as a red zone target. ... Solid overall blocker with room to improve in this area. Gives a solid effort and will fight to finish. Flashes a mean streak. Does a good job with angles in space and shows ability to serve as occasional lead blocker in a FB/H-back role.
Why the Patriots picked him: The Patriots had a major need at tight end, especially one who could catch after they declined to re-sign Benjamin Watson. They signed veteran free agent Alge Crumpler, who has evolved into more of a blocking tight end than a receiver.
Where Gronkowski fits: Fantasy football alert! Gronkowski likely becomes a key red-zone target for Tom Brady. Aside from Gronkowski and Crumpler, the only tight ends on the roster are Robbie Agnone and Rob Myers, undrafted rookies last year without an NFL reception between them.
Scouts Inc. says: Big, soft hands. Reliable pass catcher. Shows the ability to catch over his head and to adjust to the poorly thrown pass. ... Flashes the ability to win the jump ball and/or sneak down the seam. Has adequate-to-good straight-line speed but not elite. Does not show much wiggle after the catch, either. Has a nose for the end zone and does a great job of getting open as a red zone target. ... Solid overall blocker with room to improve in this area. Gives a solid effort and will fight to finish. Flashes a mean streak. Does a good job with angles in space and shows ability to serve as occasional lead blocker in a FB/H-back role.
Wycheck: Crumpler still has plenty to give
March, 18, 2010
3/18/10
10:31
PM ET
By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
The New England Patriots have a tight end who has caught an NFL pass.
CrumplerAlge Crumpler actually has snagged 367 of them for 37 touchdowns.
Multiple outlets are reporting the Patriots have reached terms with Crumpler, a four-time Pro Bowler who spent the past two seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
The Patriots had a major void at tight end after losing free-agent Benjamin Watson to the Cleveland Browns and releasing Chris Baker. Those moves left them with only Robbie Agnone and Rob Myers, undrafted rookies on last year's practice squad, on their roster.
"It's a loss," Titans radio analyst and former tight end Frank Wycheck said of Crumpler's departure. "He's such a great professional, a stand-up guy win or lose. Theyr'e going to lose that leadership and that presence.
"The Patriots are getting a guy who fits the mold of what they've done over the years, bringing in guys you can trust to step up and play well."
In Crumpler's time with Tennessee, he evolved into a balanced tight end. He was known as a dangerous receiver for the Atlanta Falcons. He caught 24 touchdown passes in his last four seasons with them before joining the Titans as a free agent.
Wycheck said Crumpler excelled when the Titans gave him greater blocking responsibilities. Crumpler played a significant role in helping speedy running back Chris Johnson hit the corner throughout his 2,000-yard rushing season.
"He really blocked well, something he hasn't gotten enough credit for over his career," Wycheck said. "He's a really stout blocker, really holds the edge well.
"He embraced the role of going both on the line as a lead blocker and still being an effective receiver."
Crumpler had 27 receptions for a career-low 222 yards and one touchdown last season. Bo Scaife was the primary receiver at tight end, catching 45 passes for 440 yards.
Wycheck noted Crumpler won't be breaking down the middle of the field like he used to. But Crumpler still has incredible hands and the size to post up between the hash marks.
"It'll be a little bit of a change because everybody remembers Ben Watson tracking down Champ Bailey from behind," Wycheck said. "If you're expecting Alge to run like Ben Watson, that won't be the case."
"But I see him like Tony Gonzalez the past few years. Alge uses his smarts and experience. No one expects him to be the Alge that he was in Atlanta, but he's still playing really well and enjoying the game."
Multiple outlets are reporting the Patriots have reached terms with Crumpler, a four-time Pro Bowler who spent the past two seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
The Patriots had a major void at tight end after losing free-agent Benjamin Watson to the Cleveland Browns and releasing Chris Baker. Those moves left them with only Robbie Agnone and Rob Myers, undrafted rookies on last year's practice squad, on their roster.
"It's a loss," Titans radio analyst and former tight end Frank Wycheck said of Crumpler's departure. "He's such a great professional, a stand-up guy win or lose. Theyr'e going to lose that leadership and that presence.
"The Patriots are getting a guy who fits the mold of what they've done over the years, bringing in guys you can trust to step up and play well."
In Crumpler's time with Tennessee, he evolved into a balanced tight end. He was known as a dangerous receiver for the Atlanta Falcons. He caught 24 touchdown passes in his last four seasons with them before joining the Titans as a free agent.
Wycheck said Crumpler excelled when the Titans gave him greater blocking responsibilities. Crumpler played a significant role in helping speedy running back Chris Johnson hit the corner throughout his 2,000-yard rushing season.
"He really blocked well, something he hasn't gotten enough credit for over his career," Wycheck said. "He's a really stout blocker, really holds the edge well.
"He embraced the role of going both on the line as a lead blocker and still being an effective receiver."
Crumpler had 27 receptions for a career-low 222 yards and one touchdown last season. Bo Scaife was the primary receiver at tight end, catching 45 passes for 440 yards.
Wycheck noted Crumpler won't be breaking down the middle of the field like he used to. But Crumpler still has incredible hands and the size to post up between the hash marks.
"It'll be a little bit of a change because everybody remembers Ben Watson tracking down Champ Bailey from behind," Wycheck said. "If you're expecting Alge to run like Ben Watson, that won't be the case."
"But I see him like Tony Gonzalez the past few years. Alge uses his smarts and experience. No one expects him to be the Alge that he was in Atlanta, but he's still playing really well and enjoying the game."
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