Nice article. I like the guy. Seems he's doing (and saying) all the right things. Some nice stuff in there about him returning fully to 100% this season and how it's been noticeable (to him and Frazier) that he has regained his explosiveness, not to mention his dedication to film study of the great TEs as he tries to incorporate what made them special into his own game. if the offensive line can give Ponder a bit more time and if Rudolph truly has regained some speed and separation ability that he seemed to lack a bit in 2011, he has a real chance to put up some nice numbers.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Zulg ... gle+Reader

NFL does seem to follow trends (3-4 defense, wildcat) and the Patriots seemed to have started a trend with the double threat TE offensive attack. The Colts drafted two power tight ends and the Vikings signed Carlson to big money along with last year's 2nd pick Kyle Rudolph. I really hope the Vikings will attempt a Gronkowski/Hernandez gimmick, and not just use our two big guys for depth.

I think the TE thing is more than a gimmick. The TE is a BIG and thus very challenging for a smaller DB to cover. Gates in SD has been showing this for years. Graham in NO, the pair in NE, and whateverh is name is in SF all showed how effective this kind of downfield target can be.

It makes sense, rare is it that you see a speed guy light up the NFL. Defenses can just bring safety safety help over the top or use press coverage. Also most DBs can run as fast as the WR these days. Having a big body creates a different type of match up.

This is also a big reason why having a Chris Cook with his head on straight is a huge boon for our secondary. At 6'2, the size difference is smaller.

The Patriots don't use them the way most teams do though. And Hernandez is hardly some massive size advantage. It does allow to work the matchups but is that something Musgrave is going to do? Or is he going to use them more traditionally like they did in Atlanta?

Good to have a promising young tight end with some good skills as a receiver finally, after a decade of "blah".

I was shocked by the size of the contract the Pats gave to Gronkowski. As good as he is, and he's been very good, I still think that system works mainly because of Brady and the protection he gets. Put a lesser QB back there and/or put him under the sort of pressure Ponder found himself under most of last year and those TE's would look a lot more ordinary IMHO.

As for Rudolph, I watched his highlights from last season and the one thing he can do very well already is go up and get the ball even when he's covered. Ponder threw him a couple of jump balls last season that a lesser receiver would have either been lucky to catch or maybe would have even been intercepted and Rudolph went up and over to make very tough catches. The Vikes may not have the dominant outside WR who can make those plays, but if Rudolph can and Ponder is willing to give him chances to make plays even when he's covered Rudolph could have a big year.