ESPN's Number 1 "Play of the Day" - Ben Watson

[MoLewisrocks]

Ben's extreme athleticism and intelligence got him drafted. Unfortunately like Einstein couldn't tie his shoes, Ben struggled to master this offense with all it's nuances. He was seldom in the right place at the right time and if he was he struggled to hold on to the ball in the process of overthinking. The highlight play of his career was the result of a missed block in the red zone resulting in an errant throw on the run to an opponent he then willed himself to outrun. Nice kid, not a great fit for this offense. Odd that he landed in a dime store version of the same offense in Cleveland - for this year anyway, although with Delhomme running it it may ultimately evolve into the kind of seat of the pants offense he could well flourish in.

 

[pherein]

I think Brees just equaled that play today. Freeze the the vid when he passes. to funny.

NFL Videos: Brees' athletic pass and TD dive

 

[Calciumee]

I think Brees just equaled that play today. Freeze the the vid when he passes. to funny.

NFL Videos: Brees' athletic pass and TD dive

That's pretty impressive. Not that he passed it while tripping, but passed it so fast while falling

 

[chicowalker]

See, highlights are great plays made by a player. It's really that simple. Offense, defense, special teams.... they're all plays.

And you don't seem to understand that I have no problem with the play -- my point is where it fit into his career. Given that he was a tight end, I'd rather he have some highlights that involved key TDs, critical first downs, great catches or great blocks. Ideally in important games that were won.

Btw, no idea whether Molewis is correct about the missed block (above). If he is, then still great hustle on the back end, but far from what you want your legacy to be.

 

[stcjones]

This is the best statement on topic so far...great, classy guy that I wish the best to......had some big plays for us and was a team player.......good luck....oh and Ben.. punch mangina in the throat for me.....

Real nice catch, I wish him well he was a class guy.

However, making a great athletic play running away from coverage doesn't surprise me. The reason we're better off now is all our tight ends will fight for the ball and the YAC (I hope).

My lasting memory of Watson won't be that D play, it will be a touchdown catch he let a 180 pound cornerback wrestle away from him. Don't remember when, though he got out fought for balls often.

Built like Tarzan plays like Jane.

 

[WhiZa]

He has flashes and you can see why he was a first round pick. He just wasn't consistent enough for the Patriots.

 

[JSn]

I think of Ben in that Bills game last year as the highlight play. I felt like Brady got all Moss-and-Welker as time went on. I don't remember Watson doing anything horrible other receivers didn't do last year.

I wish him well and hope he reaches his potential in another system.

 

[AzPatsFan]

NFL Game Center: St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns - 2010 Preseason Week 2

Why can't we get players like this?

The Brown's signed Watson to a three year deal for $12 million or roughly 4 million per year. But in the disicussion about Watson, the Browns said they paid Ben Watson $6.35 million in guaranteed money, all in 2010.

When the League computes Compensation, is it done on the basis of average earnings or earnings in the First Year? Four million per is probably a 5-6th rounder. But $6.35 million is probably a Third Round Compensation.

Do the Pats stand a reasonable chance of having 2x1s; 2x2s; and 2x3s in the 2011 Draft pickings?

 

[Deus Irae]

And you don't seem to understand that I have no problem with the play -- my point is where it fit into his career. Given that he was a tight end, I'd rather he have some highlights that involved key TDs, critical first downs, great catches or great blocks. Ideally in important games that were won.

Btw, no idea whether Molewis is correct about the missed block (above). If he is, then still great hustle on the back end, but far from what you want your legacy to be.

I understand what your point is. I simply find it to be a product of lousy thinking. As I noted, if Gonzalez or Sharpe had made that play, they too would consider it an all-time highlight.

 

[loosebearing]

Ben's extreme athleticism and intelligence got him drafted. Unfortunately like Einstein couldn't tie his shoes, Ben struggled to master this offense with all it's nuances. He was seldom in the right place at the right time and if he was he struggled to hold on to the ball in the process of overthinking. The highlight play of his career was the result of a missed block in the red zone resulting in an errant throw on the run to an opponent he then willed himself to outrun. Nice kid, not a great fit for this offense. Odd that he landed in a dime store version of the same offense in Cleveland - for this year anyway, although with Delhomme running it it may ultimately evolve into the kind of seat of the pants offense he could well flourish in.

...it may ultimately evolve into the kind of seat of the pants offense he could well flourish in.

That is an amazing point Mo.

If he is reacting - he isn't thinking. So whenever Jake starts improvising Watson will react to Jake rather than act according to script.

He might have a good year. I think you hit on something.

 

[stinkypete]

Not a good sign when the highlight of a TE's career is chasing down a corner to prevent a TD return (in a losing effort).

That was possibly the best play of that season. If we're still talking about it 5 years later, it was that good.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Isn't funny to see him make a catch like that but then remember how many times he tipped balls into the air which resulted into INT's? Or how many times he dropped passes with two hands?

We don't agree often, but when we do it's wholeheartedly.

As that video played, it's juxtaposed with a hundred images of him dropping eminently catchable balls or tipping them into the hands of a defenders. The two polar opposite images define his career at NE.

 

[Triumph]

Ben's extreme athleticism and intelligence got him drafted. Unfortunately like Einstein couldn't tie his shoes, Ben struggled to master this offense with all it's nuances. He was seldom in the right place at the right time and if he was he struggled to hold on to the ball in the process of overthinking. The highlight play of his career was the result of a missed block in the red zone resulting in an errant throw on the run to an opponent he then willed himself to outrun. Nice kid, not a great fit for this offense. Odd that he landed in a dime store version of the same offense in Cleveland - for this year anyway, although with Delhomme running it it may ultimately evolve into the kind of seat of the pants offense he could well flourish in.

Funny stuff.

Watson never really developed and its a shame. I read Watson ran a 4.4 40 yd dash and that he had extremely high character. IIRC, he helped out with Habitat for Humanity in GA while in school.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I was one of Watson's biggest fans on this board when he was here, and always thought that he had been unfairly labeled (kinda like Maroney). I'm not surprised at all that he made that play, reminds me a bit of his two TD snags against Buffalo in week 1 last season. Good player, but in the long haul I'd rather have Gronkowski, so I don't regret the Pats letting him walk or anything.

 

[BradyFTW!]

And you don't seem to understand that I have no problem with the play -- my point is where it fit into his career. Given that he was a tight end, I'd rather he have some highlights that involved key TDs, critical first downs, great catches or great blocks. Ideally in important games that were won.

Btw, no idea whether Molewis is correct about the missed block (above). If he is, then still great hustle on the back end, but far from what you want your legacy to be.

That was one of the more amazing plays I've ever seen. I can't think of a player for whom that wouldn't be a career highlight. Just for the rarity of it, I still put it head of his fourth quarter in week 1 of last year, which was a prety awesome sequence in its own right.