Under the radar no more: Patriots WR Jesse Holley

[goheels22002]

Keep your eye on WR Jesse Holley, gentlemen and ladies. The competition begins today for a spot as a wide receiver on the New England Patriots and Jesse Holley is going to be in the thick of it.

The kid is a hard worker and he is a winner. He played on UNC's 2005 National Championship basketball team and won a spot with the Dallas Cowboys by winning Michael Irvin's reality show 4th and Long.

His uncle is author and ubiquitous WEEI talk show host Michael Holley.

Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HH21kl2nb4

Go get 'em Jesse!

 

[mayoclinic]

I didn't realize Jesse was related to Michael Holley. Interetsing. I'm rooting for the kid, personally, and it sounds like he's used to facing uphill odds.

 

[randomk1]

who?




10char

 

[IndyKen]

I'm really rooting for the kid - seems like every year 1 or 2 long shots surprise and make the Pats roster.

I've seen his 40 time listed as 4.62 - not a burner by any means, but then again, neither was Jerry Rice as I recall.

 

[PatsBoy12]

This thread is a fail. Sorry, OP, but if someone like Branch (albeit aged) is possibly on the outside looking in with his experience, knowledge of the playbook, and rapport with Brady, there is no way this kid makes the team.

 

[DaBruinz]

This thread is a fail. Sorry, OP, but if someone like Branch (albeit aged) is possibly on the outside looking in with his experience, knowledge of the playbook, and rapport with Brady, there is no way this kid makes the team.

Holley has skills that Branch doesn't. That is special teams play. Don't be so quick to make assumptions it only looks poorly for you.

Holley is also 6'2 and 210 lbs. So that could also be an advantage for him.

I am not saying the kid is a lock by any stretch, but ruling him out when he clearly has the ability to play in this league is just silly.

 

[Tunescribe]

I've seen his 40 time listed as 4.62 - not a burner by any means, but then again, neither was Jerry Rice as I recall.

But that is REALLY slow for a wide receiver. Probably a big reason he hasn't stuck elsewhere and won't make it here.

 

[DaBruinz]

But that is REALLY slow for a wide receiver. Probably a big reason he hasn't stuck elsewhere and won't make it here.

I guess Welker is "really slow" then as well..

He's only been on ONE other team and that is the Cowboys. And he was on their team for two years.

 

[brdmaverick]

With the talent and experience that we have in camp at the wide receiver position, it would be tough for him to even really be considered for a spot.

Perhaps he'll be a Bam Childress and be a training camp stud, but still not make the roster as a result of the insane depth the Pats have at wide receiver.

Not saying he has absolutely no chance, but I don't like his chances.

Still, thanks for pointing him out, I was not aware of his television show background or family ties. I'll look out for him at camp.

 

[PatsBoy12]

But that is REALLY slow for a wide receiver. Probably a big reason he hasn't stuck elsewhere and won't make it here.

Be careful because DaBruinz seems to get really defensive about this guy at the slightest hint of anything negative. Apparently, he knows something that we don't. Holley is so good which is why the Cowboys, who have far less receiving talent than the Pats do at this point, felt comfortable to let him walk.

With all the proven ST guys, this is the guy that the Pats would tie up a roster spot for . . . Seriously? At this point in his career the kid is more known for being Michael's brother than for anything he's done in the league. I guess he did have that spectacular play for the Cowboys in overtime last season. That's about it, though.

 

[IllegalContact]

Holley has skills that Branch doesn't. That is special teams play. Don't be so quick to make assumptions it only looks poorly for you.

Holley is also 6'2 and 210 lbs. So that could also be an advantage for him.

I am not saying the kid is a lock by any stretch, but ruling him out when he clearly has the ability to play in this league is just silly.

this.....

but there's still a reason he's not in dallas anymore

 

[Kontradiction]

Holley has skills that Branch doesn't. That is special teams play. Don't be so quick to make assumptions it only looks poorly for you.

Holley is also 6'2 and 210 lbs. So that could also be an advantage for him.

I am not saying the kid is a lock by any stretch, but ruling him out when he clearly has the ability to play in this league is just silly.

If Branch is on the outside looking in due to Holley's special teams skills then something is wrong.

 

[PatsBoy12]

If Branch is on the outside looking in due to Holley's special teams skills then something is wrong.

BINGO! There are people who will turn anything into an argument, I guess. But his assertion was laughable. Branch would lose out on a roster spot because apparently Holley is a ST ace.

 

[Sciz]

Branch not making the roster isn't too ridiculous. He's presumably the #4 WR in an offense that never uses a #4 WR. And no other team is going to sign him, so the Pats could in theory just cut him and tell him to stay in shape in case of an injury to Lloyd, Welker, or Gaffney.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Branch not making the roster isn't too ridiculous. He's presumably the #4 WR in an offense that never uses a #4 WR. And no other team is going to sign him, so the Pats could in theory just cut him and tell him to stay in shape in case of an injury to Lloyd, Welker, or Gaffney.

Oh absolutely. I would not argue that at all at this point in his career. However, I doubt it will be Holley taking that roster spot. We already have a wideout who is on the team for ST. I highly doubt, unless the kid is just a ST maven, that the team would keep another player so similar. The one we have made the Pro Bowl last season and is more a lock for the roster this season than Holley.

 

[Tunescribe]

I guess Welker is "really slow" then as well..

He's only been on ONE other team and that is the Cowboys. And he was on their team for two years.

Welker ran/runs 4.5. 4.4-4.5 is the average range for WR speed. If this Holley guy is a slot receiver with a lot of quickness he might be able to compensate, but 4.6 definitely makes him suspect.

 

[signbabybrady]

Branch not making the roster isn't too ridiculous. He's presumably the #4 WR in an offense that never uses a #4 WR. And no other team is going to sign him, so the Pats could in theory just cut him and tell him to stay in shape in case of an injury to Lloyd, Welker, or Gaffney.

"Branch not making this team isnt too ridiculous" Certainly not out of the question. But I think he has a really good chance and calling him just number 4 I think is little unfair too. If everything goes well that is probably where he winds up. But this is a guy who was the second highest producing WR on the team last year. I expect that both Gafney and Lloyd will surpass him pushing him to at least 4 but until that happens I think it is unfair to speculate that he doesnt provide enough as WR4 because the Pats dont use a 4th wideout that much and then say instead a STer has a better chance to make it then him. If one of the top 3 went down would that STer still have a better chance?

I also dont see why you would assume no other team in the league would be interested in him? I dont think very many teams would invest heavily(monitarily or play time wise) but I would be shocked if there weren't several teams interested in him if he were to be released.

 

[Sciz]

I also dont see why you would assume no other team in the league would be interested in him? I dont think very many teams would invest heavily(monitarily or play time wise) but I would be shocked if there weren't several teams interested in him if he were to be released.

Teams wouldn't have any interest for the same reason the Pats would release him in the first place. He's too slow to be a starter and doesn't have the upside or special teams ability to stick as a #4 or 5. The Pats' scheme (along with his rapport with Brady) helps to compensate for his last of speed, so he'd be even worse in other offensive systems where he isn't reading the coverage. A year ago, he could have found a job somewhere else, but I think it was pretty evident last year that he's about done.

 

[neuronet]

Good thread, I like this guy at a personal level anyway he seemed nice, very competitive. I hope he makes the team, and know he will bust his butt trying. I wish him success. Some people here are acting kind of weird, like it is futile hoping he does well. Come on people lighten up.

Major shortcoming is he played for UNC Basketball rather than Duke.

(Written from Duke campus so you know I am objective about such things).

 

[JJDChE]

I'm really rooting for the kid - seems like every year 1 or 2 long shots surprise and make the Pats roster.

I've seen his 40 time listed as 4.62 - not a burner by any means, but then again, neither was Jerry Rice as I recall.

Rice was the 16th overall pick. I'm pretty sure he was pegged as special very early on.