How important is a downfield threat?

[CheeseMonkeys]

This is a common topic among Patsfans but really how important is it for the Patriots to get a WR that can run Deep and make plays? Imagine an offense with a Brady (HOF QB), Welker (Best slot receiver in the NFL), Gronk/Hernandez (The best TE tandem in NFL history), and a Legit Deep threat WR. This would be a complete nightmare for any defense, more than it already is. Teams already need to respect the short pass and the TE's over the middle but what if there's a guy who causes problems deep?

Whether the Patriots pick up a WR in FA or through the draft, I think a WR who can make make plays down field will open things up for everyone else. And if the running game can take a step forward with Ridley, the Patriots will easily be the #1 offense in the NFL next season.

 

[DW Toys]

This is a common topic among Patsfans but really how important is it for the Patriots to get a WR that can run Deep and make plays? Imagine an offense with a Brady (HOF QB), Welker (Best slot receiver in the NFL), Gronk/Hernandez (The best TE tandem in NFL history), and a Legit Deep threat WR. This would be a complete nightmare for any defense, more than it already is. Teams already need to respect the short pass and the TE's over the middle but what if there's a guy who causes problems deep?

Whether the Patriots pick up a WR in FA or through the draft, I think a WR who can make make plays down field will open things up for everyone else. And if the running game can take a step forward with Ridley, the Patriots will easily be the #1 offense in the NFL next season.

If you listen the stone head Felger, Moss was not missed. I giggle at his epic failure to comprehend what Moss did for Brady and Welker. I take solace in knowing I and most on this forum have more football knowledge than that pompous chortle head does. I agree things were breaking down with Randy but someone who can come close to his roll makes the passing "O" unstoppable. Yes a major need.
DW Toys

 

[Boomer B]

It would be huge to get a deep threat. If teams respected our deep pass they would have to keep the safetys back and this would open up the shorter routes and the run game. Look at how easy it was for the Giants to run on us when we kept our safetys in deep coverage.

The Steelers beat us with man press coverage this year. A deep threat that could beat press coverage would have made them pay.

 

[Kontradiction]

I think that the move for Ochocinco in the offseason highlights what BB believes in regard to whether or not the Pats need a downfield threat. I think Brady's shots deep to loosen up the coverage over the middle of the field in the AFCCG and Super Bowl highlights what Brady believes in regard to whether or not the Pats need a downfield threat. So, in a word, our coach and quarterback have shown that they believe it's very important.

 

[R_T26]

Ocho was never a true downfield threat. But they need on and it shows. Its amazing how good brady is even though he only has 20 yards to work with.

 

[Ghost of Ben Dreith]

I'm just a fan....I am not going to break down the plays for you...but I will tell you what I see with my eyes in a "don't lose the forest because of the trees" sort of way.

I think it would be huge to the Pats since with the current weapons they have, it expands the coverage area which helps all the current WR's and would also open up the running game up the gut. Look.....not analyzing it, but does anybody here who has watched the Pats over the last few year not seen how the short/medium passing game can get choked up by some specific matchup teams?

Call me greedy, but I also want the Pats OC to start to emphasize the run game....not thread stealing, but it goes hand in hand in expanding the areas the defense has to worry about. Get TFB under center, play action/handoff, force the Defense to worry about it all.....but that is just a fans top down view and opinion.

 

[jnug]

I kinda' wish BB made a downfield threat more of a priority. I don't think bringing in Ocho is proof that BB really believes in it and he picked Moss up off the scrap heap.

If there are two positions it seems BB has avoided in the draft it is the true stud D-lineman and the big, fast, physical wide receiver (not tight end).

I would really love to see BB break both of those trends and get us a stud D-lineman and a big fast wide-out.

I think Brady can still throw the deep ball. I don't think he can make the pass that Eli made to Manningham at the end of SB46. But I think Brady can still throw a deep ball as long as he has time and can step into his throw.

 

[Sciz]

The Pats need a deep threat, but I think a lot of people here have the wrong idea when they think of a deep threat. Elite speed is nice, but if it came down to speed, then we'd see Underwood and Slater catching bombs down the field. A deep threat for the Pats has to be able to beat guys 30 yards down the field, plus be a good enough route runner to do all the underneath stuff. Otherwise, he's not going to make it on the field any more than Underwood this season. That deep threat basically has to be a faster version of Branch. That's why it's not as easy as picking some random guy that runs a 4.3 in the middle of the draft.

Brandon Lloyd ran a 4.62 as a draft prospect. He'd still make a fine deep threat for the Pats.

 

[DonBlackmon55]

Marques Colston.

Day 1 FA, pay him 10mill, downfield threat problem solved.

Cut Stinko, Let Branch go. Re-sign Welker. Draft Michael Floyd from ND

Franchise(Brady) says Thank you very much(Giselle happy too). Fan forget pain of SB loss, and get ready for redemption for another run

 

[skinnydog]

They need a receiver who is a real threat outside the hash marks in the medium to deep range. It really doesn't mean Brady starts tossing bombs all the time. It means that opposing defenses have to game plan to stop the threat. That they have to spread their coverage sideline to sideline and their safeties can't camp out in the middle. A real deep threat gives Welker, Gronk and Hernandez a whole lot of extra space to work in.

 

[jukes]

A running game would help just as much

 

[Kontradiction]

A running game would help just as much

We have one. For some reason, we didn't use it much.

 

[DonBlackmon55]

We have one. For some reason, we didn't use it much.

We will now that BOB is sent packing to Happy Valley, and boywonder era II starts officially in 2012. Me thinks this time he stays put for 4 years and then takes over for BB.

 

[Satchboogie3]

They need a receiver who is a real threat outside the hash marks in the medium to deep range. It really doesn't mean Brady starts tossing bombs all the time. It means that opposing defenses have to game plan to stop the threat. That they have to spread their coverage sideline to sideline and their safeties can't camp out in the middle. A real deep threat gives Welker, Gronk and Hernandez a whole lot of extra space to work in.

That's exactly it right there. It's not just about the proto-type tall/speedy receiver to burn 60 yards down field, but more about working outside the numbers with consistency. I love Branch, but his best days are well in the past and he just doesn't have the speed/jumping ability/body control to be able to use the entire sidelines short and deep. We need someone who can make those tough catches, someone with size, and someone who can ATTACK the ball. I'm sick of seeing training camp fodder receivers just standing 40 yards downfield watching the DB jump over them for the pick/deflection. We need playmakers outside.

 

[Kontradiction]

We will now that BOB is sent packing to Happy Valley, and boywonder era II starts again in 2012. Me thinks this time he stays put for 4 years and then takes over for BB.

The funny thing about this statement is that McDaniels used to get crucified for not using the running game enough.

 

[DonBlackmon55]

The funny thing about this statement is that McDaniels used to get crucified for not using the running game enough.

perception vs reality. Try and reason with facts on this board, haha g'luck.

 

[Satchboogie3]

The funny thing about this statement is that McDaniels used to get crucified for not using the running game enough.

Yeah...

I must admit that I tend to be split between the "run the DAMNED ball!" crowd and the way BOB called games. Theory says you keep doing what works until they stop you, so I can understand that when Brady is picking a team apart, they want to keep throwing until the defense proves it can stop them. The question is how quickly do you start to mix it back up you aren't getting those completions? Wait until a drive stalls? 2 drives? Longer? I think hindsight can play tricks too often.

 

[patsfan-1982]

Brady throw for the second most yards in NFL history without a so called "deep threat" what they need is star RB who can run the ball vs a 4 and 5 man front what good is a fast WR if teams can drop back 7 and 8 and cover all day

 

[Satchboogie3]

Brady throw for the second most yards in NFL history without a so called "deep threat" what they need is star RB who can run the ball vs a 4 and 5 man front what good is a fast WR if teams can drop back 7 and 8 and cover all day

You build a team to win in January and compete with tough teams, not to just put up stats. It's clear as day that good defenses CAN shutdown our current offense because they really only have to worry about 20 yards inside the numbers. A legit deepthreat on the outside would force the defense to back up and out, which obviously helps open the inside and running game.

I don't understand why you wouldn't want to address a hole in our roster just because it's on offense. We don't have a SINGLE legit outside receiver going into next year. That's as problem.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Brady throw for the second most yards in NFL history without a so called "deep threat" what they need is star RB who can run the ball vs a 4 and 5 man front what good is a fast WR if teams can drop back 7 and 8 and cover all day

Imagine what GRONK and Hernandez could do if the nearest safety is 20 yards away. . . .