JoeSixPat

Remembering back to pre-season predictions (when I first raised the prospect of a perfect season, thank you very much!) I have to say that Stallworth has about met my expectations.

He's got 43 catches with one game to go, averaging 15 ypc.

In the preseason I was looking for about that number of catches, though I expected a higher YPC.

But with Moss and Welker seeing so many passes going their way, I think you really have to factor that into Stallworth's numbers. I mean at any given moment there's a LOT of options for Brady - and Moss is the preferred deep option and that's allowed the coaches to use Stallworth in other situations - which explains the lower YPC I think.

Those who are disappointed in Stallworth I think aren't factoring in the fact that Moss and Welker have taken opportunities away from Stallworth and that's STILL a very respectable total.

The bottom line for me was that if he had a Philadelphia type season for us this year (I felt 45 catches would be enough) - serving in the role of a deep threat to keep DBs off the line of scrimmage - he'd be serving his role well.

I never expected the outrageous numbers for Welker and Moss - and even Gaffney - that took away so many passes that would be thrown his way and have him STILL pick up that many passes. I actually think that's quite the feat.

Now, none of that means he should be back next year at the salary he was signed to - but he's very good "Moss" Insurance and, as he did in Philly, I feel that if he needeed to, he could easilly play the role of deep go to WR.

So basically until Moss inks a new contract, I expect Stallworth will remain on the team. Once Moss signs all bets are off - but I'm still cognizant of the need for a deep threat WR should Moss ever suffer an injury.

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pheenix11

I think Stallworth has been pretty good, its just that there are only so many balls to go around with Moss, Welker, Gaffney, Watson & Faulk.

Gaffney has been great this year as well. The whole WR core is just amazing. I just wish Watson was healthy more often, I think he has the potential to be a top TE.

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JoeSixPat

It's funny though - most people are estatic with Gaffney and are disappointed with Stallworth.

So much so you'd think that Gaffney has actually caught more passes than Stallworth when that's not the case

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Sean Pa Patriot

Stallworth has been good, its just if Moss was not here he be the number 1 reciver.. Also I think Gaffney has gotten better has the yr has gone on..

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We going to take it one game at a time

MoLewisrocks

I agree. And the significant thing is at just 27 he has remained healthy throughout and appears to be happy with his role. Take Moss out of the equation, even for 3-4 weeks, and Stallworth tops a thousand yards and adds half a dozen TD's and the beat goes on. Randy has also remained healthy, but a week or so after this upcoming Superbowl he turns 31...

I like Gaffney too. The fact that they didn't extend him leads me to believe that they may well intend to roll the dice with Stallworth as the 1b to Moss' 1a rather than paying Jabar substantially more to be a servicable #2 to Moss. But considering we were the team who engineered his re-emergence as a legit WR, he may just want to stick around on a reasonable deal with makeable incentives for a backup #2 who gets his touches as a 4th WR in a Brady led offense.

The key to cap management is not overpaying for marginal talent. Stallworth is legit, and the deal he's already signed to is not an overpayment for his talent in the present market. It's less than Branch is making in Seattle and perhaps more significantly a lot less than the deal Reggie Wayne signed two years ago to keep him along side Marvin Harrison in transition and as insurance. That deal has kept the Colts afloat absent Harrison virtually all season. I think Randy will stay for less than Harrison money, and if he and Stallworth remain I think Brady's extension through 2013 or so reflects his appreciation of that. Stallworth's contract can be managed in a way that his cap hits are those of a #2 for 2008 and 2009 and they increase to what will by 2010 still remain reasonable for a #1 who will only turn 30 midway through that season while Randy Moss will turn 34 just weeks after it ends.

Frezo

Gaffney's numbers are good. 36 - 449 - 12.5 and 5 TDs. He certainly earned his paycheck and does have 2 more TDs than DS. It appears that letting Reche go was the right decision.

PatsFanInVa

The premise of the thread is right on, since Stallworth was here before we hit the jackpot with Moss.

But I think that fact changes how we think about him this off-season. I don't think both him and Randy stay (which you noted might be the case.) The only exception I can think of is if he just loves winning, and sees himself being Randy's "understudy" until Randy runs out of gas or good vibes, and getting paid accordingly.

I think his value to the team is along that continuum. He hasn't stunk, he's just landed in a bad situation, were he to look at it selfishly. To his credit, knowing all the dynamics that have gone into the decisions this year, he hasn't been a dick about it at all.

But I think he gets a restructure offer from the team this offseason.

PFnV

ShrewBeer

mark my words, imo, donte will be a KILLER in the playoffs! everyone will be going nuts about how to keep him

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bruinator

After Moss and Welker, Gafney has gotten the most playing time amoung receivers the last few games. STALLWORTH AND wASHINGTON ARE GONE IN THE OFF SEASON, JMO.

MoLewisrocks

There are some things they could do in restructure that he might not mind, like paying some money sooner against scrapping some later. But they really don't have to. His cap hit once his option bonus and even roster bonus money is converted to signing bonus drops exponentially. If he's a $3.5-4M cap hit for 2008 and 2009, and then a $7-8M cap hit in 2010-2012, that's not necessarily unworkable. Moss is 4 years older than Donte and could easily be gone or wearing down substantially by 2010. And the AAV cap for #1 WR's by then will likely be double digits and a new TV deal will be looming. I'm just not sure you want to walk away from a 27 year old legit #1 signed to a reasonable deal for 5 more years and put all your eggs into the 31 year old Moss basket. Brady can do more with less, but the more you give him the more he can do, too. Can take substantial heat off a transitioning defense, too.