Chad Jackson in the playoffs

[PatsMan26]

I understand this kids use/lack of use and production have been discussed way to frequently this year but what does everyone think of his chances of getting some opportunities in the playoffs? The playoffs are all about creating mismatches. Clearly Chad has tons of physical tools. If he is lining up as the 4th, 5th, or 6th receiver I would think the opponents are going to have a hard time finding someone big/strong enough to cover him in certain situations. Especially since he has seldom been used this season, opponents aren't necessarily going to make stopping him the focal point of their defensive game plans. I suspect that he will get an opportunity at some deep play action passes this postseason much like Bethel Johnson in the 03' playoffs. Also, i think he could create a serious spark by returing punts. He looks incredibly hungry on the sideline and when he gets into the game which is what the playoffs are all about.

 

[Brownfan80]

I understand this kids use/lack of use and production have been discussed way to frequently this year but what does everyone think of his chances of getting some opportunities in the playoffs? The playoffs are all about creating mismatches. Clearly Chad has tons of physical tools. If he is lining up as the 4th, 5th, or 6th receiver I would think the opponents are going to have a hard time finding someone big/strong enough to cover him in certain situations. Especially since he has seldom been used this season, opponents aren't necessarily going to make stopping him the focal point of their defensive game plans. I suspect that he will get an opportunity at some deep play action passes this postseason much like Bethel Johnson in the 03' playoffs. Also, i think he could create a serious spark by returing punts. He looks incredibly hungry on the sideline and when he gets into the game which is what the playoffs are all about.

Call me silly, but I don't see why he'd be used that much differently than he's been used all year long..

That said, he was sent deep pretty often in the last meeting with the Jets (unsuccessfully), so maybe he'll have that role again. Though this time I'd hope he'd actually catch one or two, or at least draw a PI. He was PIed with last time, though, and no flags came out. Oh well.

 

[BradyManny]

OK, I am one of the many who have been on the bandwagon and defending him this season, so perhaps I am biased, but I am eerily confident he will produce in the playoffs.

I almost feel as if Belichick has been playing it slow with him, knowing his injuries are a nagging one, all the while knowing that he might be a difference maker in January. He's looked like he's lacked confidence at times out there, Sunday he finally seemed to have a little swagger back.

Personally, as fast as he looked on Sunday, we've seen him look faster. I wonder if he's 100%, yet. I had a buddy who was a ran track, pulled his hammy, took him a full year to reach his previous speed again.

Either way, I really think he's going to make a couple big plays per game on the road to our Super Bowl victory.

 

[Oswlek]

The only way that I can imagine Jackson being more useful in the playoffs is if he has perfected 5-10 plays and NE is waiting to unleash those particular plays.

The reason I say that is if he is close to being the real deal (short-term not long. I am optimistic for the future, mildly pessimistic for the playoffs) he would be out on the field building rapport with Brady now. It is reasonable, however, that NE has particular plays that they don't want other teams to see on film that make use of his size and speed.

In the end, it is better to have a shorter, slower guy that is where you want him to be than a physically impressive specimen that you can't trust.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

The only way that I can imagine Jackson being more useful in the playoffs is if he has perfected 5-10 plays and NE is waiting to unleash those particular plays.

The reason I say that is if he is close to being the real deal (short-term not long. I am optimistic for the future, mildly pessimistic for the playoffs) he would be out on the field building rapport with Brady now. It is reasonable, however, that NE has particular plays that they don't want other teams to see on film that make use of his size and speed.

In the end, it is better to have a shorter, slower guy that is where you want him to be than a physically impressive specimen that you can't trust.

He could be a secret weapon in the punt return game between the 20's. And troy will take inside the 20.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I'd love to see him used as a GUNNER ... heck, why not?

 

[AzPatsFan]

The implicit premise of this thread is that there might be a weapon unused to date, that will be unveiled in the playoffs.

I would think it is probably NOT CJ.

But it just might be Jabar Gaffney. He has the NFL experience and former production. Jabar has not had a TC with the Pats and has had to learn this precision timing pass offense on the fly, and there are a few clues that he is starting to catch on. His production is rising, but there hasn't been a breakout game, yet.

I think Gaffney is a more likely unforeseen weapon than CJ for this year's playoffs.

 

[Remix 6]

honestly..im worried about our WRs after round 1

im not convinced that Caldwell/Gaffney/Brown can get open quick enough against better Ds that blitz a lot (Ravens, Chargers) McAlister is a great CB and they blitz a lot as do Chargers..if we get rushed..i am not sure our WRs are capable of getting open quick enough because their athletism/speed

so Mr. Jackson. impress against Jets and earn your time

 

[BradyManny]

I think Gaffney is a more likely unforeseen weapon than CJ for this year's playoffs.

I gotta be honest, I am disappointed in Gaffney so far. Gaffney had 4 very solid NFL seasons under his belt, I was expecting him to contribute much more by now, and his production isn't rising.

CJ has much greater upside and is a much greater weapon - potentially - it's up to him & to the coaching staff to find a way to use his raw talents in the playoffs.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I think the major issue with CJ is trust.

Does the coaching staff trust him to return punts?

Do they trust him to run patterns?

Do they trust him on a deep route to break up the pass if it potentially underthrown so it doesn't turn into a INT?

They've obviously returned to trust Hobbs with kick returns.

 

[Kdo5]

Call me silly, but I don't see why he'd be used that much differently than he's been used all year long..

That said, he was sent deep pretty often in the last meeting with the Jets (unsuccessfully), so maybe he'll have that role again. Though this time I'd hope he'd actually catch one or two, or at least draw a PI. He was PIed with last time, though, and no flags came out. Oh well.

I dont remember too well against the Jets. But early on I remember he did make a spectacular catch for quite a long gain over a defenders head and then scored a 20 yard TD pass. He dropped one deep one however...I dont know about later in that game. I agree though, I dont see much changing in the post season. We are problably going to try to run a lot. If that doesnt work and Brady has to pass, I think its safe to say most of his attempts would problably go for Caldwell, Watson(if hes back), Brown etc.

 

[Flying Fungi]

honestly..im worried about our WRs after round 1

im not convinced that Caldwell/Gaffney/Brown can get open quick enough against better Ds that blitz a lot (Ravens, Chargers) McAlister is a great CB and they blitz a lot as do Chargers..if we get rushed..i am not sure our WRs are capable of getting open quick enough because their athletism/speed

so Mr. Jackson. impress against Jets and earn your time

for the first 14 weeks of the season, GB, Minn nd Cin games possibly notwithstanding, I would agree with you--but the last 3 games have been a transition to the short under routes and dump-offs--52 rumbling Dillon yards as an example. it just feels like a shift in scheming occurred late in the season and the Offense has some significant momentum right now...

 

[smg93]

He could be a secret weapon in the punt return game between the 20's. And troy will take inside the 20.

You beat me to it. I suspect that the field condition may have something to do with all the big returns by pacman and chad in the last game of the season but chad looked great returning punts. That reverse that was called back was pretty good too.

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

I agree with your initial statement that Jackson has been discussed way too often. Wait till next year.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I agree with your initial statement that Jackson has been discussed way too often. Wait till next year.

If he can give us one positive better than average play I consider that good.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I have been a big Jackson fan since BEFORE they drafted him, and wanted them to take him inthe first round. As it turned out, they did even better, with both Maroney AND Jackson.

I dont know why, call it a hunch, I think we are going to see a lot of Jackson on Sunday against the Jets.

I know I have said this before, but I would love to see them run a deep post to Jackson, off of play action, on the first play from scrimmage.

I hope you are right, but maybe just a deep go route or a stop and go.

 

[zippo59]

I was starting to get worried when I didn't see any Chad Jackson threads.

I have been a big Jackson fan since BEFORE they drafted him, and wanted them to take him inthe first round. As it turned out, they did even better, with both Maroney AND Jackson.

I dont know why, call it a hunch, I think we are going to see a lot of Jackson on Sunday against the Jets.

I know I have said this before, but I would love to see them run a deep post to Jackson, off of play action, on the first play from scrimmage.

Maybe you'll be right this times, but I recall you saying this same thing for the past three games.

 

[RayClay]

"It feels pretty good," Jackson said. "Just show the coaches and the fans out there what I can do. I'm able to help this team with the abilities I got right now. I want to go out there and just do more.

"Helping the team out on special teams, the kickoff returns and punt returns today. Kevin's down, so I wanted to go out there and show them I can be a good backup for them just in case anything happens."

Doesn't sound like the guy little Alisonlovesbrady talked about earlier in the season. Sounds humble, hungry and ready to do whatever it takes to contribute.

You've seen this guy run and catch. There's no doubt he can contribute if he's willing to study and work.

Quite a contrast with Bethel's "I learned all the plays but they weren't teaching me".......rap with the Vikings. The guy seemed incoherent, blaming everybody but himself for his failure.

You either "get it" or you don't.

He's talking the talk, so we'll see.

 

[PatsSteve1]

I gotta be honest, I am disappointed in Gaffney so far. Gaffney had 4 very solid NFL seasons under his belt, I was expecting him to contribute much more by now, and his production isn't rising.

* You have to remember even though Jabar had a productive year last year it wasn't like teams were falling all over themselves trying to sign him. Same with Kight and Caldwell, Caldwell may have been because he never played a full year before. There had to be reasons why every team, some that have thier own WR concerns, didn't really pursue them.

As for CJ, I'm predicting that breakout game - ( One of us is bound to hit on that eventually)

 

[PatsSteve1]

I like Gaffney. He , really, hasnt been thrown to that often, but he has caught just about everything that has been thrown to him, and some have been KEY receptions.

Give him time to grow, I think he will be a good pickup for us.

* Frankly Nemo, I think Jabar is past the age of growing and he isn't getting any bigger - I think we have to put the Patriots WR's in perspective. Like my perspective. None of them were widely sought after by other teams when the Patriots signed them. There has to be a reason for that. Every team doesn't have Matt Millen as GM - Caldwell's nay have been partly because he never played a whole season. And 3 are played at Florida - 4 with Jackson counted. I would guess on average every team has 2 WR's better than Caldwell, Gaffney and Kight. Some teams have 3 some may only have 1 better I wouldn't put Caldwell, who's done the best of the Patriots WR's, in the top 40 WR'S, would you? He's tied for 40th in catches and 40 in yards, but I think even that's inflated because the Pats don't have a real #1 WR or anyone doing better to go to consistently. Gaffney may not be in the top 60. Kight even lower maybe.
And Florida WR's can't run slants -