Mike Reiss
ESPN Staff Writer
A few quick-hit thoughts on the news that Shane Waldron will not return to the Patriots as tight ends coach:
1. Waldron was a graduate assistant on Charlie Weis' staff at Notre Dame from 2005-2007, before returning to New England in 2008 as a coaching assistant. With Weis back in the NFL as Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator, it wouldn't be surprising to see Waldron land there. The Chiefs' tight ends coach in 2009, Bob Bicknell, is now with the Buffalo Bills.
2. This will mark the third straight year the Patriots have a new tight ends coach. Waldron seemed to be more of a communicator than the team's prior tight ends coach Pete Mangurian, and his approach was well received by players.
3. The tight ends coach is usually part of the coordination of the running game, so someone with a background at the position or along the offensive line would be an ideal candidate. In-house options include coaching assistants Brian Ferentz (offensive lineman at Iowa from 2001-2005) and Patrick Graham (coached tight ends at Richmond from 2005-2006).
