The Heath Evans void

They could look for an H-Back tight end. A few decent ones should be available in the 3rd or 4th rounds. Multiple RB formations is another possibility. Haven't both Taylor and Morris taken the big back role in those formations in the past?

I personally think Evans will not be missed. He was a spokesman for the media but added little else.

Well not really Mike, he was primarily a special teamer last year. He was not effective catching passes cause they hardly threw them to him. He had 11 carries for 23 yards the entire season and 3 receptions for 59 yards. I'm kinda surprised at your analysis, to be honest. He was a fringe player.

i'm gonna miss watching him the dolphins game in '05 was great. good luck in new orleans.

Hi Steve. It's not just the number of catches, and number of rushes. It's how effective he was when called upon. Think season finale at Buffalo. The wind is blowing fiercly. Evans comes through with two big catches to set up the first field goal of the game -- in a contest in which points would be at a premium. Other aspects like him being part of spread packages -- split out wide -- to help the quarterback get a better read on the coverage. Little things like that, to me, define Heath Evans. When he was called upon, I felt he delivered. Just think you need players like Heath Evans to win in today's NFL.
--Mike

I understand your points Mike, but really, that was one game that he really made an impact in last year... It sounds like I'm beating him up but I really do respect what his role was here, he did all that was asked of him.

I guess we just value his impact differently, and apparently I'm right cause the Pats let him go, haha j/k.

But seriously, the spread offense packages may actually be a prime spot for Maroney now, he's actually a useful weapon that needs to be reckoned with out there. If he's healthy.

Agree with you 100%, Mike. Any idea of the terms regarding his deal with the Saints?

I'm sorry for being a debbie downer, but I can't think of Heath Evans without thinking of the 12 men in the huddle penalty against Indy when all they needed was a 1st down to run out the clock.

I'm thinking the Pats are gonna draft or sign as a rookie free agent Quinn Johnson from LSU. He looked impressive at the Senior Bowl. He was primarily a lead blocker and had only a few touches on college but when he got opportunities at the Senior Bowl he shined. I think the Pats are looking more for a lead blocker in a FB anyways. Thoughts?

I thought he was an excellent fullback -- well, as far as a FB in today's NFL can be called "excellent", at least. I think the Richie Anderson and Larry Centers days are dying. The FB position in the past 5 years or so (ie. post-Polian rules era) seems to be more of a situational position, where the guy better be able to lead block. And Evans did a very good job of that.

It's worth noting that Sammy Morris was converted to FB when he was on the Bills. He even saw a couple snaps there with the Pats this season. Maybe they're not as down on Maroney as everyone around here seems to be, and they plan on a reduced role for Morris at HB and letting him see the field mostly as a FB?

Heath was an overacheiver because BB knew how to fit him in specific roles. Unfortunately, I think we may never hear of him again.

i think there is a great lead blocker he block for Knowshon Moreno his last name is Chapas he is as great blocker maybe he'll block for Maroney and others

why is everyone not mentioning the obvious choice for fullback? He's already on the roster, too, won't cost any more money or draft picks.

Richard Seymour.

Can't go wrong there.

Keep this name in mind, Leonard Weaver. BB likes to get players who play well against the Pats, like Sammy Morris, Wes Welker and Greg Lewis. Weaver previously of Seattle, was almost unstoppable.

NoVa Pats fan,

Are you suggesting Sean Payton is nowhere near the offensive genius of BB?

Just a respectfully curious Saints fan here. No offense intented.

CGJ, there are a lot of offensive players who have gone on to other teams and not done as well. Sometimes it was a matter of being used in a certain way in New England, or working well within a system of good players. Deion Branch is usually the classic example. So are the various offensive linemen who went on to other teams (eg. Ashworth, Gorin, Andruzzi...). For those players, I think it's mostly Brady making them look better than they are. Also keep in mind that some of Belichick's assistants have been really good at what they do -- Charlie Weis, Josh McDaniels, Dante Scarnecchia...

But in the case of Heath Evans, I think it's hard to imagine him forgetting how to block. He should be a solid pickup for the Saints, as long as they don't try to turn him into the next Mike Alstott or Larry Centers.

I can't believe what I'm reading.

The point isn't that so much Heath Evans has left, but his departure creates a significant void in the Pats RB stable: there's no pure FB.

But can so many of you have you such little appreciation for the role of the FB in the modern NFL offense? Then how about over the last, oh, 60 - 70 years?

Heath Evan's is a perfectly fine NFL FB now and the ONLY FB the Pats had on the roster. Even if you don't value his proficiency and versatility, the POSITION must be addressed.

And add that Heath was the ideal Pats locker room guy and a consistent special terms contributor.

And spare us any suggestion of Richard Seymour. Or Russ Hochstiein. We're talkin' the regular FB, not the jumbo upback.

Mike, your somewhat emotional overreaction to Evans's departure just goes to show that for players it really plays to be accessible with the media and play nice. The guy was fringe player. Sure he was a good locker room guy and delivered a nice sound bite, but so what? He blocked ok, he played special teams ok, but couldn't run worth a lick and fell down at first contact. You cite a couple of plays that any warm body could have made. Evans just happened to be that warm body.

The Saints made a dumb move; the FB they cut Karney is IMO a better player. He can at least pick up the hard yards in short yardage. But maybe NO felt Evans locker room intangibles was more important for their team.

I can't believe how much this team is changing. Core guys like Vrabel and Evans will be missed. Cassel's gone. Brusci and Brady are the only guys left with any mystique.

Mike
Heath Evans poses the classic conundrum for a strong program predicated upon the intangibles (e.g.charecter, leadership, discipline etc). If rosters were larger and the cap slightly "softer", Evans would more likely have been retained. However the harsh reality is that his departure will actually force N.E. to really focus upon either drafting or developing a viable lead blocker strategy. Truthfully, I was amazed at how much more effective Hochstein was at the blocking back position (he actually hit the hole quicker !). Concommitantly, "LOMO" will be joining Chad Jackson on the "NoLo' (no longer) roster, if N.E. does not accept the fact that his running style will not be viable without a blocking back for him to key upon (N.B. has anyone ever noticed that LOMO sets himself in formation a full yard further back fom the line than the others!). Evans has been a timely and exemplary prescence, BUT, now he has chosen to go elsewhere,and so the opportunity has arisen for N.E. to embrace the shortcomings that have evolved within the system during his tenure.

Hi Tom. B. My personal feeling is that you're underestimating what it takes to play in the NFL. This isn't about warm bodies. This is a violent game. Heath Evans didn't miss a game over the last three-plus seasons. I don't want to overrate his importance -- he played 1 of every 5 snaps this past season -- but my point is that you need players like Heath Evans to win in the NFL. I also wouldn't read too much into the soundbite stuff. I've written similar things about players that I've verbally sparred with behind the scenes, one of whom left the team last week. Doc, I think you nailed it. The Saints' offer was more generous than what the Patriots were offering. The Patriots set their limit and it's decisions like those that have helped them keep their system in place. I don't think it's that the Patriots don't think Evans can play. It's what they are willing to extend themselves to retain him.
--Mike

Mike Reiss, I often feel sorry for you. While you get to deal a classy organization filled with smart and intelligent people on a regular basis, you also have to read moronic comments like Tom B. and Mike Allen. People who obviously don't know the game. Why do you even bother responding to people who make stupid comments?

This aspect has got to be the worst part of your job.

Please can we quit the sobbing for losing Evans... He is a spare part at best.

I for one won't miss his 0.5 yards per carry average. Whenever they would call that quick hitter to him on a 3rd and 1, I would want to throw the remote at the TV.

I concur Lance. Haven't we seen enough in the past eight years to prove that it takes an entire squad to win a championship? Including the practice squad? How many CRUCIAL plays were made in our first SB run by Jermaine Train? JR Redman? Antwain Harris? They were probably considered "fringe" players too, but they contributed to a championship.

Heath "Dewey" Evans will be missed.

Nice job on the "back-of-all-trades", Mike! classic.

I wouldn't go as far to call my comments "moronic." Read the comments on PFT.com and get back to me. I might have been a little harsh on Evans, but I just found his role to be drastically overrated, esp. in the Pats offense. Guys leave, guys get replaced. This is no more or no less than that.

This is the greatest comment section ever. So funny! Truthfully, as usual Reiss is right -- Evans was a vital team player and he will be missed. However, clearly he is not irreplaceable. I more worry about the locker room dynamic as this is the second veteran leader we have lost this offseason.

First of all, it's not "LoMo", it's "LaMa" (as in LAwrence MAroney...and just incase Maroney turns it around and has a great year, I've already trademarked the phrase "The Pats are riding the LaMa all the way to the Superbowl").

As for Heath Evans....sure he's a guy I'd rather see here than not see here, but in all fairness....who cares? To the guy who lamented the fact that the Pats don't have a true FB on the roster....who cares? The NFL fullback is no longer the important position it once was. Splitting out a third wide to draw coverage and force teams into a nickel (especially when the slot receiver is Welker) is probably more productive than having a true blocking fullback. Same net effect (taking a guy out of the hole). Also, with Fred Taylor, it's likely that more plays could go outside, where a pulling guard would be more effective than a fullback. Either way, they'll make do. They'll either pick up another FB or just go without.

As a Life long Saints fan I'm quite eager to hear your take on Evans. The Saints have struggled in 3rd/4th and short situations, I beleive Karney has been part of the problem. We lost 4 games last year because we did not convert on very short yardage and could have run out the clock. I hope Evans will be an improvement! Side bar: The Pats play in New Orleans this year, it should be a quite a shoot out!

SaintsnOhio,

Getting Evans is a good pickup, but you shouldn't think that your team picked up an offensive weapon or a game-changer. The guy is a decent blocker, decent pass catcher, good for a few yards every now and then (but not necessarily when you need them) and a good locker room guy (I base this purely on what I've heard. Obviously I'm not part of the team, nor have I ever actually been in the locker room....or seen the door for that matter), but this isn't a guy who is going to improve your team's record. He isn't going to make an 8-8 team into a 10-6 team....or even a 9-7 team, but he also isn't going to be the reason (probably) that an 8-8 team goes to 7-9. Basically, Heath Evans is the kind of guy who is worth a spot on the 45 man game-day roster. He is one of the best 1440 players in the NFL (45 players/team, 32 teams)...but realistically probably somewhere around # 1000.

As a Saints fan, Mike Reiss i enjoyed your article & in the future will read more of your work.
I still have doubts about this releasing of Karney but i did like how he played in the Pats games i watched.
Any details on the terms of the contract?

For those of you who think that "BB knew where to use HEvans"... BB is a defensive coach. Come up with another answer.

First off Reiss, I always enjoy your articles. Even when I don't agree (rare, and none come to mind - so not that important really) your points are well articulated and bring about fantastic discussions.

I thank Evans for what he did for us - it's really appreciated. It's a business - for him and for the Pats organization. I hope he does really well for the Saints. I read someone say that all he could do was hit one guy and fall down - although I disagree to a certain extent, that's all N.O. wants anyways. He should do the trick to help hit the lead tackles in the mouth and get Bush up to speed and out into open field. I hope he can help them.

I think it's unfair to say that he's a big void that needs to be filled urgently. BB is well known for being more apt to bring in smart players who can fill different needs and positions rather than one trick ponies. I think there are players on our roster that can do that...and if that's not a long term plan, BB will find a great replacement. Faith, folks, faith! (I say this trying to convince myself that we'll do fine without Vrable! haha)

Karney didn't really perform well last year though, epic fail. so the Saints believe Evans can do a better job being the utility back, or "back of all trades" as Mike put it. He may not be a "weapon" but I'm sure SP will make use of his talents..e.g. Lance Moore, Pierre Thomas etc. Plus his leadership skills will help fill the void left by Deuce Mcallister.

Oh look at that we play the Pats in the Dome. *evil grin*

Heath Evans will be missed as an overall great guy and great player. He spoke to my high school football team before our Thanksgiving football game and preached to us about life, religion, and football. His values off the field and his presence as a fantastic team veteran will be greatly missed on the New England Patriots. His quiet, let-my-play do the talking, extremely hard work ethic was what people saw on and off the field, along with his great leadership. Players like Heath Evans are hard to come by, and he will be missed.