matt's pats blog

The Patriots signed Defensive End Kenny Smith and Tight End Marcus Pollard to contracts today. The 6-foot-4-inch, 303-pound Smith was with the Patriots during Training Camp last year, but was released before the season. The 36-year old Pollard, a 13 year veteran, provides depth to a questionable tight end corps. He has caught 40 touchdowns in his career and maintained a healthy 12.3 yard per catch average. His scouting report reads as follows:

Pollard is more of a move tight end or H-back than a true inline tight end. As tight ends go, he is undersized but moves well and is a crisp route-runner. He has good hands, and although he isn't as quick or sudden as he once was, he can still separate from many linebackers. He demonstrates good body control and overall savvy in the passing game. He does a very good job of finding the soft spots in zone coverage and understands how to get open. Pollard has been productive in the red zone over his career, and in the right system he could be once again, but he is not a big-play weapon. He is a poor inline blocker and consistently struggles to move defensive ends off the ball. He has good feet and is a positional blocker, but he lacks power and pop. Pollard still has a role in the league as a move tight end.
[from ESPN]