Holt: Patriots need another receiver

[USCPatriot]

DALLAS -- Veteran receiver Torry Holt, who was with the Patriots in training camp before being released with an injury settlement because of a knee ailment, believes the team is one receiver short.

Holt felt the weakness showed up in the Patriots' playoff loss to the Jets.

"That was me, and I strongly feel that way, but unfortunately my wheels gave out," said Holt, who is working as an analyst for NFL Network here at the Super Bowl.

"When I watched that game, and looked at how the Jets attacked their receivers, they were missing someone else who could get open and possess the football, keep things rolling offensively. I feel like they need a couple more guys, outside of Wes [Welker] and Deion [Branch], that can constantly get open, put pressure on defenses, and give Tom another option."

Holt predicts that the Patriots will address the need in free agency or the draft.

He was asked if the Patriots might have that option on the roster in Brandon Tate, Julian Edelman or Taylor Price -- the 3, 4, and 5 receivers who could potentially emerge with another year of growth.

"I think Price has the ability, the physical attributes, to help them. Mentally he has to continue to come along in terms of learning the system and believing that he can win, in terms of believing that he belongs in the National Football League.

"Brandon Tate, I think he is a speed guy. We all saw that he can stretch the field. More playing experience will help him in terms of slowing down and understanding the game and knowing where to be, being that much more reliable for Tom. I think that will come.

"Julian, the same thing. He is a tough, feisty guy who you can put in the slot and he will block and make the tough grab and run reverses. He is kind of a guy you can do multiple things with.

"But in terms of a true, true receiver, I think they need one more."

By Mike Reiss

I think this article is 100% correct, don't get me wrong, the receiving core we have right now is pretty darn good, talent wise. Edelman is a GREAT slot guy, really like another Wes Welker BUT I would rather have Welker 9 times out of ten. Then we have Brandon Tate, GREAT kick returner, decent hands, and considering this was his real first year playing he gets a bit of a break. Branch has such great chemistry with Tom, but again, he can really stretch the field, so much has changed since he left. Defenses got better, secondaries got better, he's a great route runner but he's not really a deep threat. With all the good things we hear about Taylor Price, he very rarely seems to hit the playing field.

When they play teams with bad safeties and decent corner backs, a deep threat could really take advantage of that, BUT if all they do is these short dinky passes, the safeties don't really have to put much effort into stopping them.

Anyway, I thought this article was well thought out. Agree or disagree? Discuss.

 

[chicowalker]

...Brandon Tate, GREAT kick returner,....

OT (sorry): disagree w/this part

 

[USCPatriot]

OT (sorry): disagree w/this part

really? good or decent KR? lol

 

[Ron Sellers]

I think what is happening in this debate is that some people are confusing "do the Pats need more productivity from the WR position" with "do the Pats need another receiver." I don't think there is much debate that the Pats need more productivity from the position - specifically from the flanker and split end.

In the slot with Welker getting a full year from his injury and surgery, I would expect him to be closer to his 2007-09 production, and Edelman is perfectly capable as his backup.

On the outside people forget that Tate just basically completed his first year of playing in the NFL and Price will essentially be a rookie in 2011. It's way too soon to declare that either one or both needs to be replaced. If the team needs to start thinking about replacing anybody it is Branch, not one of these two.

Bring in a veteran free agent (like they did with Holt and Patten) to compete for a roster spot and add insurance in case of a preseason injury, but I'd much rather the early draft picks be focused on DE, OLB, G and C. Let's see what happens with Tate and Price first, and then if need be draft a WR early in 2012.

 

[chicowalker]

really? good or decent KR? lol

OT: I don't know. He was an enigma this year. He was great to start, terrible after that.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Plenty of wideouts available but the Pats have a couple of other needs, Id like to see a Vet wideout added rather than somebody through the draft but vet presence is also needed in the defensive front seven and maybe even at saftey.

 

[Triumph]

Agree with Holt.

NE needs more speed @ RB and WR.

 

[BigMike]

We need someone who can dump oiut of a CB jam and catch the ball

 

[TriplecHamp]

We need someone who can dump oiut of a CB jam and catch the ball

I know what your trying to say and I agree. The Pats need a bigger Physical threat who can out jump corners. Brady does a great job of putting the ball in spots. Look at what he did with Randy Moss in the redzone back in '07. Somebody who is tough to jam and can and will go up and get the ball in the corner of the endzone would add different dynamic to the offense. One of the hardest routes to defend in man coverage is the back shoulder fade. A guy who Tom can trust to adjust to the ball in the air and out muscle a corner wouldn't hurt.

 

[BlueString94]

Why all the hate for Deion? He's not what he was in 03-05, but he still has that remarkable telepathic connection with Brady . . . in clutch situations, he transforms into Jerry Rice!

 

[Sciz]

Link for those interested:
Holt: Patriots need another receiver - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

I strongly agree with the last three paragraphs, strongly disagree with the last line. Price, Tate, and Edelman each have the talent to be very good. Heck, we could see them being the #1, #2, and #3 in three seasons or so. With those guys all showing plenty of skill, I don't really see the need for another veteran receiver. These guys are going to be starters eventually. No reason to knock them down the depth chart and impede their growth just because the offense couldn't get the job done in one game.

 

[Ron Sellers]

Why all the hate for Deion? He's not what he was in 03-05, but he still has that remarkable telepathic connection with Brady . . . in clutch situations, he transforms into Jerry Rice!

If you're referring to me, I wasn't hating on Deion; I thought he had a great year and am looking forward to more next season. I was just trying to balance short term and long term needs since that is something the draft is useful for. He'll be 32 before the season starts next year, and aside from his past injury history, age tends to be an issue at WR more than any other position other than RB. That's why I suggested looking at grooming a replacement for him in the 2012 draft.

 

[BlueString94]

If you're referring to me, I wasn't hating on Deion; I thought he had a great year and am looking forward to more next season. I was just trying to balance short term and long term needs since that is something the draft is useful for. He'll be 32 before the season starts next year, and aside from his past injury history, age tends to be an issue at WR more than any other position other than RB. That's why I suggested looking at grooming a replacement for him in the 2012 draft.

Nah, it just seems to be a recurring sentiment on these forums. Your post just made me think about it.

And the age thing is correct, though I think he has a few good years left

 

[Deus Irae]

Good to see Mr. Holt going public with this. It's definitely an area of need for the team.

 

[mgteich]

While I agree, I don't think that there is any need for a rookie. We have enough youth in Edelman, Tate and Price.

Good to see Mr. Holt going public with this. It's definitely an area of need for the team.

 

[andrewgarrr]

Every team without Brandon Marshall, Roddy White, Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, and Andre Johnson*, need a more physical and tall wide receiver who can go in the air and grab the ball. This isn't news. You can't just go out and get a receiver that can do what he is saying. I guess you could, but you'd have some serious depth issues with all the money/draft picks that would go into grabbing a player like that.


*Probably forgot a few names

 

[mgteich]

Most contenders have a better #3 than Tate, Edelman or Price.

Every team without Brandon Marshall, Roddy White, Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, and Andre Johnson*, need a more physical and tall wide receiver who can go in the air and grab the ball. This isn't news. You can't just go out and get a receiver that can do what he is saying. I guess you could, but you'd have some serious depth issues with all the money/draft picks that would go into grabbing a player like that.


*Probably forgot a few names

 

[Sciz]

Most contenders have a better #3 than Tate, Edelman or Price.

But no team in the NFL has two TEs that are as good in the passing game as Gronkowski and Hernandez. For next year, I'd consider Gronk the true #3.

 

[condon84]

Wonder if they'd consider taking Moss back.

 

[satz]

He is correct .

Deion is off injured and even this year he was limping and slow in some games.At this point with his leg injury and hammy we need 1 more guy when he is out or ineffective.

tate - it takes 2 yrs to recover from a fully blown knee and wr in our system is complex to begin with. I expect him to make the 2nd yr leap this year. We do not need more speed then tate has. Once open with ball in his hands how many guys can chase him in the league?.

price- he is more of a givens than a speedster but if he has 30-40 catches i will be thrilled this year.