HomerSchooled

We've added a lot of new faces to what was already a pretty strong group. I added it all up, and including the additions at WR (Lloyd, Gaffney, Stallworth, Gonzalez), RB (Addai), TE (Fells), and FB (Larsen, Fiammetti) our current roster totaled...

7876 yds receiving and 54 TDs in the 2011 NFL season.

Now, obviously a bunch of the guys won't make the team come game 1. I've also assumed for a while the 2011 season was an anomaly for passing numbers, perhaps due to the lockout, kind of like the 2004 season was due to the new emphasis on PI. Everyone's numbers will probably come back down to earth a bit for the coming year. Plus, the competition will likely cut down everyone's receptions. And let's not forget father time for guys like Welker (31), Lloyd (30), Gaffney (31), Branch (32), Ocho (34), and Stallworth (31)

Still... looks promising.

JoeSixPat

That's a great stat.

Of course it means means nothing in many respects, with many of those players who are not going to make the team or might be relegated to other roles here.

What's most relevant to me is that it illustrates the depth and high level of competition to come in camp, with the best making the team. Interestingly there's several former and of course, current #1 receivers in that mix. Branch and Stallworth in their prime, Welker and Lloyd. Even Gaffney brings a lot of experience and veteran savvy. The TEs too will be commanding a ton of attention freeing up the WRs in coverage often. Most importantly all these guys also know that now they're role players and seem happy to serve in whatever capacity we need them,

The age issue isnt a factor for me. Those that need speed either have it or they'll be cut. Aside from that injuries can happen to anyone. Belichick has prepared for that by brining in so many. And these guys may also be extra motivated for an extra championship with father time running in the background. We will have to bring in younger WRs in the future, but for now this is fine.

I very much agree this could be a very special year. If Brady and the winners of camp competition can execute' they have enough options on the field at one time to completely confound any defense.

It's less about total yards and more about making a play exactly I when you need to, and I think they want to give Brady as many experienced trusted options as possible.

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supafly

When David Givens left in 2005 I felt that it was a blow to the offense. He provided the kind of possession-type grabs that were needed to keep the chains moving at the right times, and had a good football relationship with our QB.

Of course we had some growing pains in the next yr or so, and ironically enough those growing pains were helped solved with the addition of Jabar Gaffney in the 2006 season, as he emerged nicely in the playoffs.

For some reason when I think of Gaffney I see a bit of Givens in him, and I think that Gaffney will play a bigger role than some feel here this year.

As you said, it's not necessarily about the numbers, which will go to other, more talented WR's; but Gaffney provides the potential to make that big grab in a big game setting at any given time, and certainly is capable of starting outside if need be.

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BradyManny

I agree with all of the above. Though I think Gaffney in some ways just projects best as an upgraded Branch. I think Gaffney is the favorite for #3 wideout on this team right now and projects to have a productive season.

He has the versatility to attack every area of the field, maybe not at an elite level, but at a higher level than Branch at this point.

brady199

All that "potential" is hinging as always on what the Oline can do this year. I, like many will (unfortunately) probably apprieciate Matt Light more this year then ever before. I LOVE everything the Pats have done so far, but I'm not to sure about the Oline with all the uncertainties, but at least we have Dante!

ctpatsfan77

And Light's retirement makes the selection of Mounts Solder and Cannon look better and better. . . .

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NEGoldenAge

This hit's the nail on the head. When Branch got hurt and lost his effectiveness, the Pat's had a hard time threatening outside the numbers. This allowed teams to crowd the interior part of the field, shrinking passing windows and hurting the run. Although the Pats can't really blow the top of defenses, with the addition of Lloyd and Gaffney, the Pats can threaten every part of the short and intermediate field with serious talent. Brady will have much larger passing windows to throw to, receivers YAC should go up and the running game should improve dramatically. If the offensive line plays well, this team will hardly ever have to punt and could threaten the scoring record set in 07.

supafly

Exactly, and the addition of potential mauler Gallery being able to play both inside and out adds another fully abled body to the mix.

There's also the thought that Vollmer could be a lot closer to his former self than last year, unless he somehow has 'chronic' back issues at a very young age. As of right now, I am going to believe that Vollmer had a nagging couple of injuries that kept him out of action, but that the offseason and down time should help that cause tremendously. I am not seeing the worry with Vollmer that many are.

I think the return of Waters (officially) would be the first priority, with the rehabilitation of Mankins being a close second. One could also choose to reverse those if they feel that is the way to go. Both of these situations will needed to be kept close eyes on, and hopefully we get good news with at least one--if not both.

I really like the Koppen signing much more than many, b/c I think it allows Connelly to play guard if/when needed, without much dropoff from Connelly's decent year at center. It probably improves some of the positions a lot more than people realize by allowing Gallery to now move to tackle if needed too. I'm still under the impression that Koppen is better in the run game, with Connelly being more stout vs the pass. I don't think it's coincidental that we had the lowest yds per rush since 2005 with the absense of Koppen, but I also realize that other factors came into play, and most importantly--I am in the minority of this thinking. Time will tell what happens, but Koppen is certainly experienced enough to make the team as a depth option if we're healthy enough to not need Connelly at guard.

Obviously, things will sort themselves out as the summer progresses, but I think there is adequate depth at pretty much all of the positions there. I would agree that it is more than obvious that the offensive line is probably the biggest key to our entire season.

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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....

Calciumee

Agree with this! In '07, Gaffney developed a decent connection with TFB!

Hopefully that will still be there! Was still there for Branch!

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HomerSchooled

It makes me smile having Gaffney back. Who can forget his game winner versus Baltimore in 07? Or how he stepped up in the 06 playoffs when our receiving corps had been an embarrassment all season? He's a guy who seems to show up when you really need him.

That's the other advantage of a lot our current group: they're not the projections a lot of new additions tend to be. We've all seen what Gaffney and Stallworth can do with Brady, and McDaniels and Lloyd have been a match made in heaven.

The biggest question is how can we possibly throw enough balls to keep everyone happy? If I were Drew Brees, I'd be awful worried about the security of that new passing yardage record. He'll probably feel like Fouts watching Marino in 84.