Who plays the slot if Welker gets dinged?

[Frezo]

A good chunk of this offense is predicated on the slot receiver. Welker took some hard hits last year and the Pats were fortunate he wasn't injured. What happens if he has to sit for a game or two? I don't see anyone on the team that could be effective in that role. Mike Furrey is still out there and I think he could back up the slot as could Parrish.

 

[gzathepat]

Jordan Norwood...EOM

 

[BradyFTW!]

Greg Lewis, I assume, but I'm not too familiar with the guy. I seem to recall him being a slot-type receiver, though.

 

[mgteich]

Greg Lewis.

 

[signbabybrady]

Galloway could too....Ventrone.....

 

[ALP]

lol....we would be back to more focus to the TE's....

so i would say keller....


but our second outside reciever is MUCH better now then in the previous multiple years (galloway), so that guy can easily become the 2nd reciever if welker goes down (knock on wood)

 

[brdmaverick]

If Welker were to get hurt I think we would see a lot more plays with the tight ends running the inside receiving routes, so essentially I think they would replace Welker.

 

[satz]

Last year wes took most of the receiving option out of TE as they work in the same area making the TE a blocking only option.

if he goes down for a game or 2 we will see more 2 TE with one going in patterns between the hashes.A TE forces a defence to play a LB as he can block and a CB cannot be asked to cover him/.But a slot receiver does not usually require a LB as he smaller and mostly in pattern.

A slot receiver and TE operate in the same area of the field and we cannot too many guys in the same area .

 

[theKrafty1tar]

lol....we would be back to more focus to the TE's....

so i would say keller....


but our second outside reciever is MUCH better now then in the previous multiple years (galloway), so that guy can easily become the 2nd reciever if welker goes down (knock on wood)

If by Keller you mean Baker then I definitely agree. The tight ends would be used for the short over the middle routes if Welker went down.

 

[Frezo]

It takes time for Brady to develop an on-field rapport with receivers. He did quickly click with Moss and Welker. These guys have their own signature style that Brady picked up on right away. IOW when either of these two have to break off a pattern early because of a blitz or break coverage, Brady knows where they are most likely going to go. From a pure playbook perspective Lewis could fill in a bit. I'm thinking Faulk could be effective in the slot because Brady knows him so well. I don't care for Galloway there. At his age the hits may be too much for him. The Pats are also better served with him as a true wide out. Increased production from TEs makes sense too. I'm not sure how good Ventrone would be, but they could also look at Aiken.

 

[ALP]

If by Keller you mean Baker then I definitely agree. The tight ends would be used for the short over the middle routes if Welker went down.

lol,my fault, it was late

i did mean baker

 

[BradyManny]

Greg Lewis for now I would think. But this draft is stocked with slot wideouts in round 4-7 who can also contribute as punt or kick returners, I would not be shocked if we picked one.

 

[Rob0729]

I would assume if Welker went down, the Pats would revise their offense to not rely on the slot receiver as much. My guess is that they would get the TE and RBs more involved in the passing game. I would have to agree with the sentiment that Lewis would probably fill in on that role.

 

[BradyManny]

I would assume if Welker went down, the Pats would revise their offense to not rely on the slot receiver as much. My guess is that they would get the TE and RBs more involved in the passing game. I would have to agree with the sentiment that Lewis would probably fill in on that role.

That's a great point. Personally, with or without a healthy Welker, I've wondered about the idea of a 2TE set with Galloway and Moss wide. I can see them using this to primarily run out of, but using those speed guys on the outside to keep the safeties back.

Or even the 2TE, 1 WR with Hochstein as a fullback as they started doing at the end of the year. As long as Moss is on the outside, you're creating an advantage for yourself when it comes to run blocking.

 

[Mainefan]

From what I've seen of Ventrone, he's fast and he has good hands...I think he might be able to do the job.

 

[Blizzzard]

Weren't they looking at Mike Furrey when FA began? What ever became of that?

He would be a good replacement if this were to happen... and in the meantime, drive defenses crazy with both of them lined up in the slot with Moss and Galloway outside

 

[Synovia]

It takes time for Brady to develop an on-field rapport with receivers.

Except for Moss, and Welker, and Gaffney, and ...


It doesn't take time. The guys who he doesn't get comfortable with very quickly, he never does (like Gabriel)

 

[BradyFTW!]

Except for Moss, and Welker, and Gaffney, and ...


It doesn't take time. The guys who he doesn't get comfortable with very quickly, he never does (like Gabriel)

Because they suck.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I was going to mention Ventrone...but I'm appalled at the lack of love for Vince Wilfork in this role.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

The Pats promised they would call me if anything happened to their WR's.