Was it a mistake in letting Kelley Washington go?

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Kelly returns to Foxboro this week and I really do miss him as he was a stalwart on STs and aside of Izzo,he was the heart of STs when he was here and always played returns well,but he was not really a part of the receiving corps with Moss,Welker and Gaffney getting the big roles.

Did the team give Kelly enough of a chance to prove himself from a WR standpoint?,I think he would have been a solid #3 this season although his stats in Cincy were poor.

I think it would have worked out in the long run as he is having a productive start in Baltimore with averaging nearly 60 yards per game when given the chance - Maybe he fits better on Baltimore but I cannot at this time in 3 weeks after seeing what has transpired that signing Galloway and cutting Greg Lewis and Washington was a better decision.

 

[slash83]

Re: Was it a mistake in letting Kelly Washington go?

I dont think it was a mistake, I still think Galloway will turn out to be a solid contributor to the team, no matter how bad he looks right now.

 

[Mack Herron]

Re: Was it a mistake in letting Kelly Washington go?

BB blew it with the WR position this year:

Greg Lewis + Joey Galloway << Jabbar Gafney + Kelly Lewis

Don't get me started on Alex Smith. Good thing Edelman came through to cover the slot, but make no mistake, they are hurting on the outside.

 

[Gwedd]

Re: Was it a mistake in letting Kelly Washington go?

BB blew it with the WR position this year:

Greg Lewis + Joey Galloway << Jabbar Gafney + Kelly Lewis

Don't get me started on Alex Smith. Good thing Edelman came through to cover the slot, but make no mistake, they are hurting on the outside.

That's an easy answer for a complex problem. it isn't the receivers as much as it is Brady and the opponents. Don't forget that Brady is still getting back into rhythm with his WR's. Forget practice. It's a whole 'nuther thing when real-live bodies are coming at you with malice aforethought. TFB's been out of synch a might, but he's getting better.

And the opponents get a say in how the game unfolds. Even the worst teams have some quality players, and when tey do their job, it IS difficult to make things look like they did in '07.

We're three games into the season. Let's give it a rest until the bye week, then see how things stand.

 

[mayoclinic]

It was a financial decision to let Washington go. I understood it but was not particularly happy about it at the time, as I have always liked Washington and thought he was a great STer and potential WR for us. I'm happy to see him do well in Baltimore (except against us).

Do I wish we had kept him? Yes. Was letting him go the right move to make given our cap situation at the time? Probably also yes. Tough call.

 

[bostonia3333]

Dont get me started on Galloway, but thanks for indirectly stirring the pot.

Kelley Washington was the complete football player and a classic New England Patriot. He had incredible instincts, above average hands, and decent(not great) speed. My greatest memory of him was that snowbowl Jets game in 2007--he was a monster. I think it was a mistake letting him go--he could have easily filled up the no. 3 wr slot. Washington didn't really command an insane amount of money anyway, so letting him go baffled me since Stallworth was expected to depart NE. But it is what it is, and receiver is an achilles heel on our team right now.

 

[fumbrunner]

I have been one of his biggest fans. I understand the salary considerations that led to his release, but I think he could have been a solid performer on Offense given the chance. He is proving that now in Bal.

 

[Mainefan]

Brandon Tate, Sam Aikin, and what's the name of that fellow on the practice squad, Nunn? Not to mention Edelman. We don't have a wide receiver problem. When Tom is right, we are just fine.

 

[Gwedd]

Brandon Tate, Sam Aikin, and what's the name of that fellow on the practice squad, Nunn? Not to mention Edelman. We don't have a wide receiver problem. When Tom is right, we are just fine.

Yup... what HE said..

:agree:

 

[Deus Irae]

I have no problem with Washington and Lewis both being gone, nor do I have a problem with Smith being gone.

 

[farn]

This is getting ridiculous... yes : Galloway is having problems... but to say that any one of us would have kept Lewis, Washington, and friends over someone of galloway's résumé is completely off base. Let's get real.

 

[Mack Herron]

Brandon Tate, Sam Aikin, and what's the name of that fellow on the practice squad, Nunn? Not to mention Edelman. We don't have a wide receiver problem. When Tom is right, we are just fine.

The next catch that either Tate or Nunn make in the NFL will be their first. Tate is unlikely to see the field at all this year as he recovers from reconstructive knee surgery after serving as the # 2 WR at UNC; Nunn has been out of football for a year and is on the PS. Aiken over his 7 years in the NFL has averaged fewer than 4 catches per year . The three of these guys combined will not make up for Gaffney's productivity. Our hopes at WR rest on Galloway becoming a completely different guy than the one who has been unable to get open or hang onto balls for the last 4 months. Just fine.

 

[aurakilla]

i think when bradys throws are a lil more accurate which they will be. we can then judge the WRs untill then i think we should just watch.

 

[52decleetzu]

Wow lots of nice things said about Kelly in this thread, I had no idea you guys had that high of an opinion of him since he was mainly a special teams guy in NE. He has been fantastic and just flat out took the number 3 WR spot away from other guys that were trying to beat him out.

Washington has quite possibly been our best aquisition from this past year. He has great size and is fearless going over the middle, and from what he has said in interviews all he wanted was a legitimate chance to contribute on offense which he did not get anywhere previously. He CLEARLY is playing with a chip on his shoulder out to "prove something" to himself and everyone else who would not give him that chance before.

Ravens fans are completey shocked at what he has been able to do so far, our expectations for him was a nice special teams player and maybe a few catches here or there but not much more than that.

Boy were we wrong, he almost has as many yards as Mason through 3 games.

 

[JSn]

Boy were we wrong, he almost has as many yards as Mason through 3 games.

I sure hope that's a positive for KW more than a negative for DM.

 

[WhiZa]

It was a financial decision to let Washington go. I understood it but was not particularly happy about it at the time, as I have always liked Washington and thought he was a great STer and potential WR for us. I'm happy to see him do well in Baltimore (except against us).

Do I wish we had kept him? Yes. Was letting him go the right move to make given our cap situation at the time? Probably also yes. Tough call.

Pretty much. It was him or Aiken and Aiken cost slightly less money while offering more in the receiving game (at the time). Instead Aiken assumes the role of ST captain.

 

[Rob0729]

Was it a mistake to let Washington go? As a receiver, no. He barely caught a ball while he was here, I doubt that would have changed this year. His loss on special teams may be significant though.

Just because Washington is somewhat producing in Baltimore doesn't mean he would here. He had two years to be a viable part of the offense and failed.

 

[mayoclinic]

Wow lots of nice things said about Kelly in this thread, I had no idea you guys had that high of an opinion of him since he was mainly a special teams guy in NE. He has been fantastic and just flat out took the number 3 WR spot away from other guys that were trying to beat him out.

Washington has quite possibly been our best aquisition from this past year. He has great size and is fearless going over the middle, and from what he has said in interviews all he wanted was a legitimate chance to contribute on offense which he did not get anywhere previously. He CLEARLY is playing with a chip on his shoulder out to "prove something" to himself and everyone else who would not give him that chance before.

Ravens fans are completey shocked at what he has been able to do so far, our expectations for him was a nice special teams player and maybe a few catches here or there but not much more than that.

Boy were we wrong, he almost has as many yards as Mason through 3 games.

I'm glad you guys gave him a chance and glad he's producing for you. He was a class act for us and a great STer. I hope he continues to have a terrific season for you - again, except against us. I will always have nothing but respect for what he did for us while he was in NE. Good pick up.

 

[DaBruinz]

Kelly returns to Foxboro this week and I really do miss him as he was a stalwart on STs and aside of Izzo,he was the heart of STs when he was here and always played returns well,but he was not really a part of the receiving corps with Moss,Welker and Gaffney getting the big roles.

Did the team give Kelly enough of a chance to prove himself from a WR standpoint?,I think he would have been a solid #3 this season although his stats in Cincy were poor.

I think it would have worked out in the long run as he is having a productive start in Baltimore with averaging nearly 60 yards per game when given the chance - Maybe he fits better on Baltimore but I cannot at this time in 3 weeks after seeing what has transpired that signing Galloway and cutting Greg Lewis and Washington was a better decision.

Washington wasn't even in the top 3 on special tams last year (Woods, Izzo, Slater, Hobbs). I don't understand why people think that he was so great. He slumped greatly from his 1st year to his 2nd.

 

[stinkypete]

You can't say it was a mistake to cut Washington. He had 2 years to establish himself on offense and was never better than #5 on the depth chart. Whatever Washington is doing in Baltimore's offense, he would not have done here.