NE39

The next preseason game is against the Tennessee Titans. That would be the receiver-needy Tennessee Titans. This game seems like a good chance for the Pats to showcase their reserve wideouts for a possible trade for a conditional late-round draft pick, instead of the inevitable release of a guy who might help another team. Considering Chad Jackson may be available to come off PUP after week 6, the team isn't worried about depth at WR even if an injury occurs. Which guy do you think the Pats would deal?

I figure Moss, Stallworth and Welker are locks to make the team. Considering Belichick has said it on multiple occasions, I figure Troy Brown is in the mix somewhere as well.

That leaves Caldwell, Gaffney and Washington as the top contenders for remaining 2 possible slots. On the surface, Washington would seem the most likely to go, since the other two are more proven as receivers and know the offense better. However, I am going to have the Pats keeping Washington, since his contribution as a ST-er gives him an edge over the other two as a reserve. I realize many will not agree with this, but I think ST is an important factor for these players.

That leaves Caldwell and Gaffney. Caldwell did play some ST last year, while Gaffney is not a ST-er at all. Gaffney is having a great camp, and really seems like he can contribute to the offense after a strong playoff performance last year. He really seems to fit the offense. Caldwell had a good year for the Pats last season, but Gaffney just seems like a better fit on the team, especially since Moss and Stallworth play a deep threat role that he seems to complement well.

So, I pick Caldwell as the guy who gets traded. Based on his performance last year, he would be able to help a team like the Titans, but on the Pats he is a bit of a luxury.

PatsWickedPissah

So, how'd the last wideout the Tits got from the Pats work out for them?

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lapatsfan

Our WR core will be:

Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Gaffney, Washington, Brown (also playing DB) and Childress.

BelichickFan

Even with Troy as a part time DB, I don't see us keeping 7. And if we do it'll be Jackson not Childress after week 6.

Anyway - if we trade one (as you said not for a lot), I would think it would be Caldwell, he was good enough last year to be worth something but is probably behind Washington based on upside and ST.

Patsfanin Philly

Good analysis. What do you think they could get for him? A 6th moving up to a conditional 5th based on number of catches or yardage???
I

patchick

I'm definitely with the premise of the thread. Assuming Brown & Jackson start the season on PUP, it makes sense to keep just 5 for opening day (sorry, Bam!)

We all seem to accept three locks...
Moss, Stallworth, Welker

But after that it gets very, VERY thorny. Gaffney's had a great camp and seems particularly in sync with Brady, it's hard to see him going. Washington's the only real ST contributor of the group. But can we really talk about dumping last year's top receiver for a bucket of bolts?

Think of it this way: if you keep Washington over Caldwell, your entire WR corps will combine for a total of 11 regular season receptions from Tom Brady. That scares me too much. I'm keeping Reche.

BelichickFan

While true I think that's a little overstated given that Brady and Gaffney are clearly in sync. I really like Washington's ST ability because it could give us the chance to keep someone else we like who doesn't play ST or make ST less of a deciding factor (like a Richardson vs. Wesley).

Rob0729

I don't expect any WR to be traded. I don't think any of our WRs who we would trade would garner a lot of trade value. I expect our WR corp to be exactly as what I thought it was last week:

Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Gaffney, and Caldwell (with Brown and Jackson on the IR).

I don't see Caldwell getting traded for the following reason (from Albert Breer's blog):

http://news.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/

If Caldwell can make a big impact in the running game, his value is more important to us than the sixth rounder we might get for him. Moss, Stallowrth, and Washington have all gotten very low marks in the blocking area in the past and Belichick is very big on his WRs blocking.

That's why I think Caldwell may have further solidified his spot on the roster eventhough he didn't catch a ball on Friday (at least that wasn't called back). I don't think what Washington did in the game erases a horrible training camp so far and makes Caldwell expendable for him.

patchick

Yeah, I'm guilty of cherry-picking statistics a bit. But here's an unequivocal statement:

I think Reche Caldwell is a better football player than Kelley Washington.

By all accounts he's also had a better camp. And he has more experience in the offense than any other receiver on the list. I'll even go out on a limb and say I'd feel more comfortable with a game 1 lineup of Gaffney, Caldwell, Welker than Moss, Stallworth, Welker. This offense needs some continuity.

Rob0729

I agree. Caldwell and Gaffney are going to play bigger roles early in the season than people think. Their experience with Brady is going to earn them playing time early in the season. As I said in my last post, his blocking ability will earn him points vs. Washington too who is not a great blocker.