patsfan-1982

high Dtaft picks and a big contract something the pats front office i dont think has done since BB has been here i dont see it happeing... but they could Draft Tavon Austin in the 2th round if they want a fast WR that bad

BradyManny

Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying: Gronk is open when he's not open - he can be "thrown open" even in tight coverage due to his size, hands and catch radius. That is arguably even just as valuable a skill as Welker's ability to shake his man.

BradyManny

Again, I disagree with both you and DI here. I think both excel at getting open and getting open quickly. And in the case of Gronk, no one on the team is better at making a catch in tight coverage. And more importantly, he's earned Brady's trust at that.

Ivan

I'll believe that when I see it, and so far I haven't.

Deus Irae

And this is not what happens within 5 yards. You can't throw Gronk open that quickly because he doesn't have that level of burst off the line.

Zolak was just talking about some of this stuff on the radio, as a matter of fact, and he was saying basically the same thing I've been saying. Now, you can take that to heart, or you can take it with a grain of salt, but he agrees with the idea that we're talking about 3 distinct skill sets.

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BradyManny

I agree there are several different skill sets we're talking about here. But of all the Patriots, Gronkowski has the most diverse set of receiving capabilities of any of their receivers.

I won't argue that Gronk clearly does not have the same burst that Wes has. Few do.

Again, I cannot argue that taking Wes away from the offense isn't a detriment. It obviously is. It's a huge void, but we can go at defenses in the middle of the field nonetheless. In some sense, we'd have to fill him by committee - but that's what McDaniels wants. He wants guys with diverse skill sets that make them interchangeable so that any given offensive package can morph into any formation or play that they want to run against that defense.

If you can re-sign Wes Welker and still get a viable deep threat and one other viable outside receiving option (and at this point, I'd even consider Edelman as a decent option for that role), then yes, retain Wes. Please, god, retain Wes. But that is easier said then done. We tried Lloyd, and he was close, but didn't quite cut it. An outside receiver is going to be expensive, and we're either going to have to throw multiple options against the wall to see what sticks, or sign a legitimate top tier guy.

But I think we can agree that our deficiency on the outside is a serious issue that needs addressing. My contention is that it probably needs addressing more urgently than the slot position, where Hernandez, Gronkowski, and Edelman (should he be retained cheaply) can provide adequate play, albeit not on Wes' level.

Deus Irae

But this is shortsighted because, if Welker walks, the slot position suddenly becomes just as 'urgent' a need as an outside receiver, particularly because Hernandez can't seem to stay healthy. This is what people keep ignoring.

And Edelman blows in the slot, in comparison to Welker.

__________________
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius

Rob0729

Well, if this is true, people can stop thinking about the Pats trading for Harvin:

Percy Harvin holding out won't help him get contract from Minnesota Vikings, team source says - ESPN

Good luck there Percy. For a guy who has never had 1,000 yards receiving in a season, you might want to set your sights a little lower.

BradyManny

Hernandez got rolled up on last year and got a high-ankle sprain - it was unavoidable. Much like Gronkowski, it's difficult to label the guy as injury-prone with these injuries.

When guys have muscle-related injuries (hamstrings, shoulders, etc.) then you have to worry more.

As for Edelman, up until last year, he absolutely blew as a receiver on the outside, though his production in 2009 in the slot in Welker's stead was decent. Last year, he showed some signs of improvement on the outside just before his injury, and we didn't see him much in the slot. You cannot count on him as a Welker replacement by any stretch, but as a cheap backup slot, 2nd outside WR, and top tier punt returner, I think he's worth keeping. I was hard on the guy all last season, but when he got open on a couple deep routes just before his injury, it became apparent that what McD saw on the practice field might inevitably translate to the field.

Deus Irae

He's played in 3 seasons. He's missed two games or more in all 3 seasons. Call it what you want but, as I said, he can't seem to stay healthy.

I have no problem with Edelman as the WR4, although I don't think he's shown the ability to be any more than that to this point. I have a problem with people argue him as a reason that Welker isn't a big issue.

__________________
"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius