ctpatsfan77

After all, if you think about it, it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense--it's hard to imagine any personnel grouping where Ventrone at WR would be a top target for Brady (or Cassel or Gutierrez or O'Connell).

That said, I have a hypothesis as to why they might want to try this. It depends, of course, on Ventrone's best skill--his ability to hit like a mule.

If you go back and re-watch some of the games (e.g., Redskins), you'll see that, in the running game, the Patriots frequently deploy Welker as a blocker. Basically, I think the Pats are hoping that Ventrone might be able to fill in that role, so that they don't have to overuse Welker, and can work on running out the clock. The advantage to this is that it doesn't require that Ventrone be better than Gaffney or Jackson, just that he be at least a credible threat.

Yeah, I could just be completely off-base, but, again, it seems like a more plausible explanation than trying to turn Ventrone into "only" an 8th or 9th WR.

Thoughts?

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bradmahn

I don't know if they are looking for him to serve any real purpose, in-game, with snaps at WR.

They've experimented with Childress (a WR) at CB, Willie Andrews (a DB) at WR, Ventrone at WR, drafted Slater (a DB/WR/KR) - I think they just value the versatility of these athletes who project more as special teamers. If they can give you more jobs than just the one or two, they are more valuable to the roster.

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I don't like Dungy and that's because he [was] the head coach of the Colts. Period. End of question. The degree to which I like a player or coach is predicated solely on the color of the laundry they wear on Sunday. When fans admit this and stop bashing players and coaches for any other reason, the world of sports will be infinitely improved.

Metaphors

I think that Ventrone needs to win a spot on special teams. That gets him on the field on gameday. Then your scenario becomes a lot more plausible. I don't think there is room on the roster for a "specialist" WR...particularly with CJack getting a lot of blocking duty in 2006.

Palm Beach Pats Fan

It never hurts to explore the versatility of backups, even those deep on the roster.

Sure it's unlikely that three guys among Moss, Welker, Jackson, and Gaffney all go down with injuries, but is that so much more implausible than all of the defensive secondary getting hurt a few years back, making Troy Brown a starting cornerback?

It might be the 1% (or less) chance scenario, but our coaches are prepared so that even those bizarre possibilities are covered.

tombonneau

I wouldn't read too much into where a Fringe Player like Ventrone lines up in June. He's just a body right now. Given the younger, faster players brought in who can play ST, I doubt he makes the team.

dryheat44

The plausible scenario is so Ventrone can help at practice by serving as a scout team WR. As an offense, you want Welker on the field every time there are three receivers. If you start taking him out and replacing him with Ventrone to run certain plays, you're tipping your hand.

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mdhprime

With the current depth at WR I do not think Ventrone would be a likely WR candidate. As far as lining him up to block al la Welker, well then your kind of giving the secret up...

PatsWickedPissah

Remember that BB's Pats make a big deal with awards to players who make good contributions during game prep week as 'scout team' players. Ventrone could play a role as a scout physical style WR.

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Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded — here and there, now and then — are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty.
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signbabybrady

Yeah using another tight end would be more covert than that and should be a better blocker.

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BRiZ

how about turning Watson into a ILB i like that better.

6'3" 255 (perfect size for inside)

can bench press 500 lbs (shed lineman anyone?)

4.44 40-yard dash (faster than RBs, can run down Champ Bailey anyone?)

good hands can catch the ball (interceptions anyone?)

knows TEs routes and other WR routes (flip the script, use it on D to defend)

41 Wonderlic score (smarter than QBs, could learn BB's defense anyone?)

Imagine Mayo on the weakside inside and Watson on the strongside inside.

Borderline godly.

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Trades:
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- Pats trade #62(Rd 2) & #69(Rd 3) to Atlanta for #37(Rd 2)

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