rookBoston

Positional versatility makes the WR situation seem thin. But it's not.

Woodhead, Vereen, Hernandez, Gronkowski are all exceptional in the passing game. Worst case, we could go five-wide with those four plus a single deep threat, and run a pretty credible offensive set.

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xlcjw72

yeah what was Bill thinking we need 5 great receivers and not use gronk and ahern because thats how the nfl work. (sarcasm) We are not the Saints we dont need 3 WR to be good we have arguably two of the best TE in the game, the best slot WR and a very good number 1 WR, add Woodhead out the backfield we will be ok! People forget Edelmen is a very good backup.Branch can come in anytime a-la two years ago. This lineup is stacked! We have to calm down folks! lets get the beers ready and enjoy this season! God i love football!

Creative Username

If either of them go down we will unleash our 5 TE set. Hernandez at HB, Fells bunched, Gronk in the slot and Shiancoe outside. And then we get Julian Edelman to play TE (because he plays everything. He's our backup kicker... and Head Coach)... Assuming he's still on the team. I haven't seen our 53 man roster yet.

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MoLewisrocks

Edleman played extensively for Welker in the Tampa game. He never caught a ball. In pre season action in 3 games he was 6/60. In far more limited action in 2 games Branch was 4/70. Branch will likely be available because he doesn't want to finish anywhere else. According to Bedard last night there are multiple teams interested in Gaffney. Problem is his quad won't be rehabbed sufficiently for a workout for another few weeks. He isn't limited to returning here. If Lloyd or Welker goes down, they better be able to run the ball.

bagwell368

Does anyone think we have 4 TE's?

We have 2 - fells and shiancoe.

That gives us the best 4 WR's in football.

Froob

Did slater line up at wide out even once the whole preseason? Basically leaves them with 3 recievers if they don't make a move thats just asking for trouble. Don't want another 06 or 09.

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patfanken

First a general rule of thumb - If your best player at their position goes down your production is likely to be damaged. The way we worry about what will happen if so and so goes down is pathetic. We make it sound like no other team has any problems. Go ask a Lions fan who's backing up Calvin Johnson and see if he's excited by the prospect.

That being said here is what I think our back up receivers will work should something happen.

1. If Welker goes down, Edelman replaces him'

2. If Lloyd goes down, there are a couple of choices. The best physical fit would be Hernandez. Remember Lloyd is a deep threat, but not a speed threat. IIRC Hernandez is actually faster. In the short run, Hernandez would give us a receiver with the kind of size, quick feet, body control, and speed, to run all the routes that Lloyd will run.

However I think that in the long run the threat Hernandez presents by being moved all over the field in his current position is greater than the threat he would present on the outside as the Z. So if that were the case I'd send Edelman out there. He's faster but not as strong and a different kind of receiver. We'd have to run different patterns in that case.
There 's also the Gaffney option, but Gaffney isn't Lloyd either.

3. If Gronk goes down, the world as we know know it will soon cease to exist. But until that time Fells would back him up, He would be a capable replacement, but a step down in both blocking and receiving.

4. If Hernandez goes down Shiancoe would replace him. Also a capable replacement but a step down from Hernandez as a receiver

The problem with injuries is that you are never as good as you would be be with the "starter". But that doesn't mean that you can't get the job done with a combination of everyone who is left. Remember if one of the big 4 goes down, Brady will still have more elite targets than most NFL teams. It will be up to the coaches and Brady to elevate the replacement to put him into the the best situations possible to get the most out of his skills.

3.

BSR

Who was our depth last year after Welker and Branch? Shockingly, the WR position is still an improved from last year, although I do agree the depth is non existent. However, I still believe one of Gaffney or Branch end up back on this team.

Sean Pa Patriot

I understand gaffney is hurt... but your going to tell me shancioe... or ever how you spell it, made the team from the tub, while gaffney who is know quality was cut.. ????

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We going to take it one game at a time

shmessy

Answer: Secret weapon Marcus Forston!

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