italian pat patriot

the pre-season is saying us, and we expected it, that Benjamin Watson could be one of the main target (if not the main target if Branch will leave us) for Tom Brady like in the past Ben Coates was for Drew Bledsoe

i think that Watson could have an awesome career

do you think he can become like Ben Coates ?

for me: yes-no doubt

PATSNUTme

He's not there yet but he is on his way.

smg93

Give him a little more time but in terms of promise, yes, he really could become as effective as Ben Coates was in the 90's.

borg

Yes...Yes
Ben Coates made me alot of money his breakout year with the Pats. I took him as my 3rd receiver in a fantasy league and was laughed out of the room at the time. (Having Jerry Rice on my roster didn't hurt either).
Watson will be very valuable because he can handle all 3 stat categories...TDs, # of catches, yards.
The difference between Coates and Watson is significant. Coates thrived because of the pushoff. Watson will thrive because of speed. He presents a huge problem for D coordinators. If they use a LB at the line to jam him, running opportunities will open up and Graham will see less impeded opportunities. If the LBs layoff, the underneath route will be available for Watson and allow Troy Brown to stay out of the slot. I can't wait to see how the Pats deploy this group.

Isaac

I don't really see the comparison. You could throw it to Coates with 3 guys around him and he'd snatch the ball then carry those three guys downfield. He wasn't particularly fast. It seems that Watson is going to get separation from defenders and then beat them with speed---not that he can't play physical, but it's not his primary strength. Coates also had incredible hands, it's unlikely Watson will ever go a season with a drop or two like Coates did.

smg93

The comparison is about production not style.

Murphys95

I agree with Borg & Isaac. Coates and Watson are both very different in their style. Coates ran his routes well, but was most successful due to his strength and uncanny ability to push-off at the right time. He didn't have nearly the speed that Watson has.

If anything, Ben Watson might have greater potential than Ben Coates. Watson is able to line up in the slot, and his speed will earn him longer pass plays than Coates.

In terms of production, I don't think it's farfetched for Watson to put up numbers like Coates did in his hey-day - we're talking 60-80 receptions a year and around 8 tds per seaon.

Watson is also a product of a different offense - the simple fact that Brady isn't always looking for "one" receiver may keep Watson's production down (as opposed to Bledsoe who looked to throw to Coates even when he was quadruple covered!).

kptmorgan04

exactly.... I think we all thought/hoped that Grahm would be in the coates mold with size and hands. didnt turn out exactly how planned obviously, but I still hope he gets resigned and has a productive healthy year this year

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Armen Da Pats Fan

It's so funny you said that because the other night vs. Washington, Watson made a catch over his shoulder while running down the middle of the field on a laser from Brady.

I swear, at the time, I had a flashback to old #87. It just LOOKED like a Coates grab!

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italian pat patriot

yes. i was meaning it.