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TE Jake Ballard (Super Bowl Champion)

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Daniel Fells appears to be the No. 1 guy right now, with Michael Hoomanawanui taking on more of an H-back role (expect him to battle with fullback James Develin for a roster spot). Jake Ballard was great for the Giants in 2011 with 604 receiving yards and four touchdowns, but we?re concerned about his mobility and pain threshold, even 18 months after ACL and microfracture surgery. Ballard doesn?t have any guaranteed money on his contract, either, so the Patriots could cut him with no salary-cap penalty.
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http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2...er-one-week/Do2dkwln6y5HsHEhDIATxK/story.html
Source: Jake Ballard's absence was due to knee soreness
Sunday, August 4, 2013
By:
Jeff Howe

Tight end Jake Ballard missed his first practice of training camp Saturday, but it was for precautionary reasons, according to a source.

Ballard felt soreness in his knee, which has been normal in his recovery from his injury. Ballard had ACL and microfracture surgery in February 2012. The good news is Ballard didn't re-injure the knee. He could return to practice tomorrow.
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- See more at: http://bostonherald.com/sports/patr...was_due_to_knee_soreness#sthash.1SHsHPeZ.dpuf
 
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ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported on NFL Insiders that TE Jake Ballard is in danger of not making the Patriots' roster.
"He's struggled so much there's now even a question whether he'll make the roster," were Mort's words. Ballard has been in and out of practice, battling complications from his knee reconstruction and microfracture surgeries. He was never a realistic fantasy option, and that's clearer than ever now. Rookie Zach Sudfeld has passed Ballard as both a real-life and fantasy prospect. Aug 5
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http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/6310/jake-ballard
 
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Q. Mike, which TEs do you project stick on the 53-man roster? I am excited about Zach Sudfeld's emergence. Can NE afford to keep Gronk, Ballard, Fells, Hoomanawanui, and Sudfeld? -- JB (Dallas)

A. JB, I would be surprised if five tight ends are on the final roster. The first domino to fall is whether Rob Gronkowski opens the year on the physically unable to perform list. If he does, he wouldn't count against the 53-man roster, but it would keep him out of action for at least the first six games. Let's assume that's the way it unfolds; at that point I think you have a maximum of three tight ends making the roster. Right now, Jake Ballard could have a tough time breaking through. The knee still looks like it's a factor for him. On Zach Sudfeld, good combination of size, running ability and catching the ball. If he's healthy, and that was a big knock on him coming out of Nevada, he looks like a promising prospect to work with.
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http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story...-england-patriots-mailbag-earning-roster-spot
 
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Jake Ballard was over-the-top excited to return to the field
Saturday, August 10, 2013
By: Jeff Howe

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It had been a year and a half since tight end Jake Ballard last stepped onto a game field, so forgive him for getting overly excited during tonight's preseason opener against the Eagles.

"It was so much fun," Ballard said. "After that first play broke and (Stevan) Ridley took it, I don?t know, 60 yards, I was so pumped. It was great to just be back on the field and be part of the team. We punched that first one in, and I was so excited I ended up running to the sideline forgetting I was on field goal, and I had to run back out there. It felt really good to be back out there."

Ballard started with the first-team offense and was a sound blocker, though he wasn't targeted with any passes. But after enduring a long road to recovery, which still isn't complete, Ballard was just ecstatic to take another step.

"I started getting butterflies when I was in here getting ready," said Ballard, who had microfracture and ACL surgeries in February 2012. "Once I got out there and started warming up, all these old feelings came back. I just felt comfortable again."
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- See more at: http://bostonherald.com/sports/patr...d_to_return_to_the_field#sthash.MAhSaH9m.dpuf
 
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Jake Ballard's progress yields optimism from Bill Belichick
Saturday, August 10, 2013
By:Jeff Howe

The Patriots have never once rushed tight end Jake Ballard through his recovery from microfracture and ACL surgeries in February 2012, and it won't start now. Ballard played about a dozen snaps last night in the preseason opener, and the Pats hope his playing time can progress throughout the summer.

"Of course, it was good to see him out there," Belichick said. "Jake has been a regular participant through training camp. I think he played 10-12 plays, whatever it was, last night. It seemed to go well, so we?ll just continue to go along with both his input as to how he?s progressing and our medical staff, our consultation with them, to try to let him work his way back to maybe a more extended role to where he?s at now, hopefully. It will have to take some time, and we?ll continue to go through the process. I thought he competed well and showed up positively on a number of plays."
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- See more at: http://bostonherald.com/sports/patr...mism_from_bill_belichick#sthash.KBwfhzIg.dpuf
 
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The Patriots are expected to open the season with Jake Ballard in Rob Gronkowski's old in-line tight end role, and Zach Sudfeld in Hernandez's "flex" tight end position.
Although Ballard can't come close to matching Gronk's receiving skills, his efficient run blocking helps Stevan Ridley's cause. Sudfeld is also an obvious downgrade from Hernandez, although he could be rather heavily targeted in the passing game at least until Gronk gets back. Ballard appears to have beaten out Daniel Fells for the in-line tight end position.
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http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/6310/jake-ballard
 
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Bill Belichick says Jake Ballard ?keeps improving? on road back from ACL surgery
08.19.13
By Mike Petraglia

FOXBORO ? When the Patriots claimed Jake Ballard off waivers from the Giants, they knew they would have to be patient with the tight end.

Bill Belichick says it?s a move that is paying off so far in camp this summer.

?Jake?s been pretty consistent all through camp,? Belichick said Monday. ?He?s been dependable on a day-to-day basis. He?s got some experience. Big guy, long, he?s got good blocking skill. He?s done a good job in the passing game. I think with him, it?s just keeping it day by day.?

With the Giants, Ballard tore his ACL in the Super Bowl XLVI win over the Patriots in Feb. 2012. He was waived by the Giants as they tried to sneak him through waivers so they could temporarily clear a roster spot. The Patriots took advantage and saw his name on the wire and claimed him.

Now, with the Patriots without their top two tight ends from the last three seasons to begin 2013, Ballard has a chance to contribute. His production in the first two preseason games has been limited. Ballard has started both preseason games but has yet to catch a pass.

?He keeps improving, gains more confidence and he gains more experience, builds up his overall stamina and conditioning,? Belichick said. ?He?s in good condition but just playing football, playing condition. I think we?ve had a good pace with him and he?s been able to have steady improvement through the entire course of camp, which has been good.?
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http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports...eeps-improving-on-road-back-from-acl-surgery/
 
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Jake Ballard adds to tight end strength
Thursday, August 22, 2013
By:
Adam Kurkjian

FOXBORO ? There has been much excitement this preseason over Patriots tight end Zach Sudfeld, and for good reason. The acrobatic catches he has made both in practices and in last Friday?s victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prompt visions of a Rob Gronkowski-like red zone threat.

But for as well as Sudfeld has caught the ball, fellow tight end Jake Ballard has been the team?s most effective blocker. Coming off an ACL tear suffered while playing in the Super Bowl against the Pats as a rookie with the New York Giants two years ago, Ballard has flown under the radar as a contributor to an offense that has seen its fair share of personnel changes.

During the win over the Buccaneers, Ballard made his presence felt in the running game on the opening series, knocking back defenders both inside and outside the tackles.

?It feels pretty good (to be playing again),? Ballard said. ?It?s pretty crazy how long since I?ve played. But, you know, actually going out there with the team and getting to perform and win games with the team is pretty awesome.?

According to coach Bill Belichick, the key for Ballard has been getting back into game shape.

?He?s in good condition, but playing football, football condition (is where he needs to improve),? Belichick said. ?I think that we?ve had a good pace with him and he?s been able to have steady improvement through the course of camp, which has been good.?

Ballard mentioned that the up-tempo offensive style employed by the Patriots took some getting used to at first. While listed at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, Ballard looks leaner than he did with the Giants, who did not run up to the line and snap the ball as quickly as his current team.

?Before the injury, I think I could have played as well at the weight I was,? Ballard said. ?During rehab, you naturally lose weight, so that just kind of happened, so I started eating pretty healthy, so I?m probably about 15 pounds lighter than I was when I was with the Giants.?

While his biggest contribution to the Pats so far has been his blocking, his receiving skills are coming along.

?I?ve been here for two years, so I?ve kind of picked up the passing offense,? Ballard said. ?Now it?s just getting to know the plays, day in, day out. So getting on the same page as the quarterback is huge. But as long as you know what you?re doing and running the right routes and you?re open, they?ll find you.?

Ballard has already proven to the Patriots that if there are defenders to be picked up in the running game, he will find them and move them out of the way.
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- See more at: http://bostonherald.com/sports/patr...ds_to_tight_end_strength#sthash.YqP3FgFV.dpuf
 
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Jake Ballard could be back in the league soon
Posted by Mike Florio on October 15, 2013
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AP
Two years ago, tight end Jake Ballard seemed to have a bright NFL future. Undrafted out of Ohio State in 2010, he became a significant contributor to the Giants’ 2011 Super Bowl run.

A torn ACL during the Super Bowl derailed his career, ultimately resulting in the Patriots pilfering him from the waiver wire as the Giants tried to slip Ballard through to a reserve list in 2012.

Come 2013, Ballard wasn’t deemed to be good enough to help the tight end hungry Patriots, and so he was cut. He could soon be returning to the game.

Per a league source, Ballard has spent the last four weeks working with trainers and medical professionals to get back to 100 percent. Teams have wanted to bring him in, but he has resisted.

Later this week, he plans to pick a team. Assuming that there is a current suitor for his services.

In 2011, Ballard had 38 catches for 604 yards and four touchdowns in 14 regular-season games. He added five catches for 43 yards in the postseason.
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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/15/jake-ballard-could-be-back-in-the-league-soon/
 
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Cardinals try out Jake Ballard
Tight end auditioned Aaron Wilson
October 22, 2013

The Arizona Cardinals recently took a look at former New York Giants and New England Patriots tight end Jake Ballard, according to a league source.
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http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Source-Cardinals-try-out-Jake-Ballard.html
Jason La CanforaVerified account ‏@JasonLaCanfora
Jake Ballard among those working out for the Chiefs on Tues. Could be a nice fit there
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https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/392404951684907008
 
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TE Jake Ballard happy to be back on a field
November, 6, 2013
By Josh Weinfuss | ESPN.com

TEMPE, Ariz. – It’s been a long wait for new Arizona Cardinals tight end Jake Ballard.

He was tired of watching football games from home, where he’s spent his Sundays since being cut by the New England Patriots after training camp. He was tired of getting down on himself. But there wasn’t much he could do about it.

Ballard tore his ACL during Super Bowl XLVI with the New York Giants and was cut in June 2012. The Patriots picked him up and Ballard missed all of the 2012 season while rehabbing his knee then was cut again. He had tryouts during the first nine weeks of this season, including with the Cardinals, but all those teams passed. So Ballard continued to wait.

“It was like a necessary evil,” Ballard said. “I needed to keep training and getting better and rehabbing. And if I didn’t do that I probably wouldn’t have worked out for teams. Period.

“It needed to happen. It was definitely a tough time. I’m glad that’s over right now.”

cont...
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http://espn.go.com/blog/arizona-cardinals/post/_/id/2408/te-jake-ballard-happy-to-be-back-on-a-field
 
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