Many fans were disappointed the Patriots did not add a tight end to the roster during the draft. Evidently the Patriots still feel the position could use an addition.
According to ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss, the Patriots held tryout for four veterans on Tuesday, including a pair of tight ends – Nate Byham and Ben Hartsock. New England also worked out running backs Ronnie Brown andBrian Leonard.
Byham, 25, played for Tampa Bay the last two seasons so Bill Belichick got a chance to watch him at practice when Greg Schiano and the Bucs were in Foxborough for some practice work in advance of their preseason game against the Patriots. The 6-4, 264-pounder is more of a blocker than pass catcher with just six receptions in 15 games over the past two seasons.
Hartsock is also more of a blocker at 6-4, 255 pounds and has spent time with Indianapolis, Tennessee, Atlanta, the Jets and Carolina during his 10-year career.
Brown has the highest profile of the four tryouts. He was the third overall pick out of Auburn back in 2005 and spent the first six years of his career with Miami. Serious knee injuries prevented him from being the explosive force many believed he could be, but his pass-catching ability has allowed him to carve out a niche as a third-down back in Philadelphia (2011) and San Diego (2012-13) the past few seasons.
The 6-1, 225-pound Leonard is a bit of a halfback/fullback 'tweener who spent time with St. Louis, Cincinnati and Tampa Bay during his eight-year NFL career. Last season in Tampa Bay he carried 47 times for 182 yards and added 29 catches for 179 yards playing for Schiano, who also coached him at Rutgers.
