Free agent spotlight: Jabar Gaffney

[JSn]

Nice little write-up on Gaff from Examiner.com

New England Patriots Examiner: Free agent spotlight: Jabar Gaffney

Excerpt:

Gaffney came to the Patriots during the 2006 season. In the post season, when it became apparent that Reche Caldwell was Reche Caldwell, Gaffney took over as Brady’s number one target.

In 2007, the Patriots looked to upgrade their wide receivers. They brought in Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Donte Stallworth. Caldwell was cut and Gaffney became the forgotten man.

But by mid-season, Gaffney had unseated Stallworth as the number three receiver. He became a key part of a record breaking offense, while Stallworth faded away. After the 2007 season, the Patriots declined to pick up Stallworth's option, instead bringing back Gaffney on a one-year contract.

Gaffney took some heat last season for dropping a few passes, most notably a sure touchdown pass against the Colts that, combined with other events, ended up costing the Patriots the game.

But you’re not going to find many better #3 wide receivers in the NFL.

 

[PatsChamp88]

Just rehashing some information most of us know, with that said I would love to have him back next season.

 

[Number 2]

I agree, I hope he sticks around for another.

 

[patsfanofNC12]

Good article

 

[JoeSixPat]

Hopefully Gaffney just wants to play on a winner and won't be looking for a big payday.

As much as some would like to believe that the $11 million Stallworth was due in 2008 had no bearing on the team's decision to part ways with him, that's just not the case. If Gaffney's willing to accept a reasonable offer around his $1 million 2008 cap hit I'm sure he'd be welcome back with open arms.

 

[Jimke]

Until the Cassel situation is resolved, the Patriots will have

salary cap problems signing any free agents including their own.

The first deadline will come on February 26th when tender offers

are made to the RFAs and ERFAs. Pierre Woods might be the only

player in these groupings who is tendered a contract. I'd like to

see the Patriots re-sign a couple of their own guys like Paxton and

Evans before free agency on February 27th but doubt this will be the

case.

 

[cstjohn17]

Hopefully Gaffney just wants to play on a winner and won't be looking for a big payday.

Jabar Gaffney big payday? Hasn't he been a free agent 2 or 3 years in a row and could barely get a $1,000,000 one year deal. He is a decent fallback option but I would be ok with a change.

 

[Kontradiction]

I would take Gaffney in a heartbeat over most of the other free agents (the exception being Nate Washington). Gaffney is sure handed most of the time (I think the Colts game was a fluke) and has a very good rapport with Brady. Plus, he won't chase the big payday. He said last season that he wanted to stay a Patriot and that shouldn't change this season.

 

[amazinPats]

I hope we re-sign him. Gaff can still get better, and I think he will.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Until the Cassel situation is resolved, the Patriots will have

salary cap problems signing any free agents including their own.

The first deadline will come on February 26th when tender offers

are made to the RFAs and ERFAs. Pierre Woods might be the only

player in these groupings who is tendered a contract. I'd like to

see the Patriots re-sign a couple of their own guys like Paxton and

Evans before free agency on February 27th but doubt this will be the

case.

They currently have the ability to sign a middle tier player or two if its a priority to them.

Jabar Gaffney big payday? Hasn't he been a free agent 2 or 3 years in a row and could barely get a $1,000,000 one year deal. He is a decent fallback option but I would be ok with a change.

Never understimate what another team might offer in guaranteed money. Especially another team that has ample cap space - and/or someone on staff who knows the value that Gaffney brings.

I'd say a lot depends on how much Gaffney wants guaranteed.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The first deadline will come on February 26th when tender offers

are made to the RFAs and ERFAs. Pierre Woods might be the only

player in these groupings who is tendered a contract.

There are only four such players anyways--RFAs Woods, Britt, and Alexander and ERFA Ventrone; I expect Bubba will also get a contract.

 

[dhamz]

As much as some would like to believe that the $11 million Stallworth was due in 2008 had no bearing on the team's decision to part ways with him, that's just not the case.

I doubt that anyone disputes the Pats parted ways with him because they had no intention of paying their #4 WR 11 million dollars.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I doubt that anyone disputes the Pats parted ways with him because they had no intention of paying their #4 WR 11 million dollars.

Exactly. Stallworth was the #1 WR when he was signed to that contract. No team is going to pay their #2 WR $11 million in a season - let alone a #3 or 4 WR.

When Moss was signed and established himself as the #1 WR there was absolutely nothing that Stallworth could have done to play his way into an $11 million payout in 2008. He was as good as gone at that point - he knew it, the team knew it, and even some of the fans seemed to know it too.