Expectations For Jonnu Smith Need To Be Lowered ASAP.

When the Patriots signed Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith I said that Henry was the number one. A move tight end that can play inline. People told me I was wrong but I will die on that hill. 

All throughout the 2021 season I heard how the Patriots weren't using Smith right. How they needed to design plays / touches for Smith to get the ball.

With the exception of screen passes, designed touches are about as bad as throwing contested pass to your number one. Instead of looking for other options, your forcing the ball to one guy. That's bad football.

During the 2021 season, it became clear that Jonnu Smith wasn't an inline or move tight end but an H-back. Think Keith Byars, Rod Bernstein and maybe Larry Centers skill set. 

In two games people are still complaining that Jonnu is not getting used right in the passing game. The latest episode of Patriots Press Pass they literally say Jonnu cannot run tight end routes, regardless if it's move tight end or inline.

What that means is the Patriots have to use Smith like a fullback in the passing game. Send him out on flat, wheel and drag routes. And the best way to do that is via the quick passing game. 

If Jonnu's route tree is as bad as people say than he needs to be involved in the run game as a ball carrier, as well as a blocking back. Teams need to fear that he could get hand offs. 

The Patriots don't run the fullback and Jonnu had only nine carries in 2021. It would be in the Patriots' best interest to run him three to five times a game. 

Again that's a high risk thing and Patricia might not have the skill set yet to call the proper game to utilize Smith like that. At the moment fans and the media alike should view him as a wasted signing and eliminate expectations.

I've been wrong before but when it comes to Jonnu Smith, I've been spot on for the most part. And this is one case where as much as I wish I was wrong, it doesn't look like I'm gonna be.