Where was this years version of Ben Watson when in New England?

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

The guy couldn't catch a pass consistently in all of his years here while getting passes thrown his way from one of the best QBs of all times,it seemed he would drop passes even if he was allowed super glue spread on his palms.

Now in Cleveland the guy is all over the field making plays and actually holding on to the balls thrown by Colt McCoy

100 yards today and all season he has done well,can't really understand why he failed here so badly?

I think Patriot Nation would have questioned BB letting him go maybe too soon if it were not for the drafting of two good looking TEs in Hernandez and Gronkowski and the FA signing of a vet like Alge Crumpler.

 

[karguy85]

I still wouldn't trust him in a big situation, no matter how well he is playing this year

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

I still wouldn't trust him in a big situation, no matter how well he is playing this year

you mean like the big situation they had in Buffalo in week 1 last season? I forget his name, but some TE basically saved that game

 

[karguy85]

you mean like the big situation they had in Buffalo in week 1 last season? I forget his name, but some TE basically saved that game

A couple big catches at the end of the first game of the season automatically makes reliable in every big situation. As opposed to multiple seasons of dropped passes...

 

[BritPat]

He seems to be very focused this year and he looks like he's enjoying an expanded role in the offense.

 

[sbpatfan]

Good for him, maybe he's just happier in Cleveland. Who the hell knows? Either way, I'm happy with how the TE situation turned out. Everyone came out winners.

He seems to be very focused this year and he looks like he's enjoying an expanded role in the offense.

That's a good point. When the Moss / Welker tandum was their peak, Watson was a distant thought most of the time. The only popular name on Cleveland's offense is Hillis, I think your average NFL fan would have difficulties naming anyone else besides him and the QBs. This year, Hillis and Watson lead the team in receptions with 53 and 50 respectively. The closet receiver is Stuckey with 33.

 

[aurakilla]

I still wouldn't trust him in a big situation, no matter how well he is playing this year

last years opener vs the bills was that not a big situation?

I`ve always been a fan of him i was sad to see him go I`m glad hees having success tho.

 

[BritPat]

you mean like the big situation they had in Buffalo in week 1 last season? I forget his name, but some TE basically saved that game

Peyton Manning hasn't choked in the Playoffs before too - it happens.

I loved Ben, really played hard here despite the mishaps, but he looks like he's more motivated and happier this year. Good on him.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

A couple big catches at the end of the first game of the season automatically makes reliable in every big situation. As opposed to multiple seasons of dropped passes...

Thats not what i said. I do think you're forgetting the passes he DID catch. His hands have been discussed to death on this board. He wasnt nearly as bad as people make him out to be. We'll just agree to disagree. Here's a link for ya, if you care
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/313406-ben-watson-page7.html
scroll down to what Dues wrote. Its only one example, but still

 

[FilPats]

Could it be the velocity of Brady's passes. Go Pats.:rocker:

 

[ALP]

i saw watson play this past week....and it is different, hes a better TE all around, HOWEVER, he is STILL not very fluid, and catching the ball does not come naturally to him still

he didn't have the hands we wanted, and would either drop a pass, or fumble the ball at the least opportune times for us....i do remember that buffalo game vividly though, and i want a TE who consistently does that, not one thing one week and another the next week.....

im glad hes pefroming well, but would not rather him here over any of our TE's right now

 

[Calciumee]

If Brady doesn't trust you, you aren't going to get much play!

And if you drop it when you do, it won't help you either

 

[ausbacker]

Ben Watson moving on has been a win win for the Browns and the Patriots.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

It's not like this season is unprecedented for Ben. Through 12 games with Cleveland, he has 50 catches for 574 yards, 11.5 yards per catch, and 3 TDs.

In his third season with us, he played in only 13 games, and had 49 catches for 643 yards, 13.8 yards per catch, and 3 TDs.

We just didn't use him. Whether it was a trust issue or having Randy and Wes as the top options or whatever, we just didn't use him. I think he has improved since he left here, but it looks like it's mostly opportunity.

 

[PittPatriot]

A couple big catches at the end of the first game of the season automatically makes reliable in every big situation. As opposed to multiple seasons of dropped passes...

I don't recall "multiple seasons of dropped passes."
I do recall him working hard as a blocker and the amazing chase down to Champ Bailey in the AFCDG.
The guy did not have the most natural hands, but defenses had to account for a player of his size and speed. I liked having Ben and am glad he has found a home in Cleveland. He is bright, hard working guy who gave NEP several good years.

By the way, he NEVER looked fluid or natural catching the ball. Somehow we thought him worthy of a First Round Pick.

 

[PittPatriot]

Sorry for double posting.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I don't recall "multiple seasons of dropped passes."
I do recall him working hard as a blocker and the amazing chase down to Champ Bailey in the AFCDG.
The guy did not have the most natural hands, but defenses had to account for a player of his size and speed. I liked having Ben and am glad he has found a home in Cleveland. He is bright, hard working guy who gave NEP several good years.

By the way, he NEVER looked fluid or natural catching the ball. Somehow we thought him worthy of a First Round Pick.

Chasing down Champ was redemption at that point since it was the guy he neglected to block who caused Brady to force that throw to Troy...

Cleveland is running a far less complex system under Dabol influenced by Holmgren (who is a west coast guy) with his revolving door QB's. Ben was one of those guys who for all his athleticism struggled to chew gum and walk, and here you better be able to do that and then some. It figured he would do "better" in a less stressful, less disciplined, less complicated and less competitive environment. Not everyone can play the position (WR/TE) here effectively or efficiently irrespective of natural talent - in case you haven't noticed... Doesn't mean they can't play it somewhere else where expectations and demands are less daunting.

 

[RayClay]

Watson was never physical, and I doubt he is now. He's fast and can get open, so he'll put up numbers on a team lacking offense.

A tight end that's not physical is just a big WR.

Hernandez, our H-back type, is much more physical, both in getting separation and YAC. Gronk? heh.

Watson's a class guy with talent, he just isn't a real tight end.

 

[satz]

Do not bash him.

It took him a while but he became a very good blocker for us in his last few years of his contract.He was always fast .He is older and i think he is putting it together now .It might be later in life but with his blocking and learning to run routes over 5 yrs does seemed to have helped him.

I think its something to do with how brady throws. His is more flat ,screaming fast ball. If you look at colt /delhomme or most qb`s the ball is lobbed up making it easier for a TE/WR to get it.


People forget that in clevland he is targeted every game and lets me get in the flow of things .here 1 week he will be targetted and then he will have no catch for 3 weeks never letting him get in a flow.

 

[STFarmy]

I was always mixed on Watson... he had some incredible bright spots (such as the now infamous Champ Bailey chase down that should have been ruled a touchback) but was very inconsistent. But he always seemed like a solid team player, so I am glad that he is finally thriving somewhere.

According to Charles Robinson, NE "underutilized" him (Colts' familiar playoff ring nearing dead tone - NFL - Yahoo! Sports - down in the winners section of the article). I would disagree with that, I think they tried to go to him a lot, but he had a pretty significant percentage of dropped passes. It's hard to conssitently utilize someone that is so inconsistent.