Ben Watson and Daniel Graham: most dangerous tight end duo in football - New England Patriots Forums

mcdonut16 · 07-15-2006, 07:01 AM

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5785564

Patriots at #10

If David Thomas comes in as advertised we could see alot of TRIPS TE formations.

spacecrime · 07-15-2006, 07:10 AM

Evidently Heath Miller is equavalent to BOTH Graham and Watson:

10. New England
The Patriots are a testament to quantity over quality. Deion Branch is a legitimate number one, but the departure of David Givens leaves them without a known quantity on the other side. Ben Watson and Daniel Graham form the most dangerous tight end duo in football. Troy Brown is capable of holding down the third receiver position. They simply need Reche Caldwell or rookie Chad Jackson to emerge as the second receiver. Look for Caldwell to get playing time early with Jackson overtaking him as the season goes on.

11. Pittsburgh
See New England above, replacing Deion Branch with Hines Ward, and the two tight ends with Heath Miller. Add in Santonio Holmes for Chad Jackson as a talented rookie. The difference is that Troy Brown and Reche Caldwell are more dependable than Cedrick Wilson and Quincy Morgan. Wilson was very productive for San Francisco two years ago, but he caught fewer than half the passes intended for him last season. Also, Holmes has started on the Chris Henry career path, so the tie goes to the Patriots.

mavfan2390 · 07-15-2006, 09:38 AM

Oakland and Washington below Pittsburgh? What a joke, who would you rather have? Hines Ward, and a troubled rookie and not much else, or Moss/ Porter/ Curry or Moss/ Randle El/ Lloyd/ Cooley?

JoeSixPat · 07-15-2006, 11:21 AM

As long as they're not a danger to themselves, and can both play a 16 game schedule for one in their careers, its all good to me....

Here's hoping that Daniel Graham can break his career high of playing in 14 games in 2006!

If the OL can do their part and stay healthy as well, watch out! I don't think we've ever seen a game where both Graham and Watson have both been healthy, playing along side a full strength OL.

Regardless, I think the Pats would be much higher on a TE/WR ranking if we had anyone other than Deion Branch on the roster that was a proven NFL WR... Troy's proven but at some point you have to expect him to break down.

***BelichickFan*** · 07-15-2006, 11:43 AM

The problem is they've very rarely played together with both at 75% or better health. Now they're both veterans and know the offense, if they can just stay healthy (yes, a familiar refrain for every team), they should be dynamic.

primetime · 07-15-2006, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeSixPat

If the OL can do their part and stay healthy as well, watch out! I don't think we've ever seen a game where both Graham and Watson have both been healthy, playing along side a full strength OL.

This means alot. Graham is undoubtedly the best blocking TE in football. To say that he blocks better than many OL is not exaggeration, it's the truth. However, we saw with some of the catches he has made he is very capable of being an absolute beast receiving as well (especially that rumbling train play last year where he hurdled guys, ran through guys, and so on). A healthy OL without a liability at RT (such as Gorin) will allow Graham to become more of the double threat.

***BelichickFan*** · 07-15-2006, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEM

I,for one, would use the talent to it's maximum capacity

Yeah, we know, you know football better than Belichick. And you know more than Weis did too.

***HEY BRO! WHAT UP?*** · 07-15-2006, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEM

Without a doubt this is one of the best, if not the best, TE DUO in the NFL.

Add them to the mix of WR's the roster now has and the RB situation, along with a youg and very,very good offensive line....WITH THE RIGHT PLAY CALLING, AND GAME PLANS...this could be an explosive offense, perhaps the best in the NFL....

I,for one, would use the talent to it's maximum capacity and come out throwing, using multiple TE and WR sets, with a few passes to a RB out of the backfield, to soften up defense, spread them, and then attack them with the running game....outside at first, to keep them spread and then inside between the tackles.......

I like your philosophy NEM! I really think that this offense will be on of the best in the NFL. I think people are reading too much into the loss of Givens, he only showed up during playoffs. During the season he put up mediocre numbers. Chad Jackson will be way better than Givens and with Maroney as a change of pace back unitl he takes over will be devastating to opposing defenses!

***HEY BRO! WHAT UP?*** · 07-15-2006, 03:06 PM

Not to be a homer or anything but I would take Ben Watson and Daniel Graham over the likes of Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzo, Witten, etc any day. Watson may be the best athelete at the TE position in the NFL along with freak boy Vernon Davis. Daniel Graham would be a upgrade at TE on almost any team in the NFL. In fact, the Pats have depth at TE, other teams do not. One injury to Gates, Gonzo, Witten, Cooley etc. their team is screwed! Not the Pats.

***HEY BRO! WHAT UP?*** · 07-15-2006, 03:09 PM

KC #7? WTF? With or without Tony Gonzalez, they should be ranked in the bottom half of the league. Yet they always have success against the Pats.