Under the radar no more: Patriots WR Jesse Holley

[Kontradiction]

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.

If Branch is on the outside looking in, it's not going to be because of Holley and his special teams play. Again, if that's the case, then something is wrong (either in Belichick's brain or with Branch's body). If he's on the bubble, it's due to the play of Gaffney and/or Stallworth.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

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.

He seems like a good kid but slow. In the highlights checkout the first play when he almost goes all the way. He was caught from behind by a defensive back. Easily.

 

[Dingleberry]

If Holley makes the team because he is a Special Teams ace....then I guess we say goodbye to Matthew Slater.

Good info though. It will be fun to watch him catching passes from Mallett next month.

Hope he shows enough to make the practice squad.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

If special teams is his strength, it's Edelman and perhaps even Slater he has to beat out, not Branch, though he may have to beat out all three or at least two of them.

 

[jah]

That big play in OT somehow made him look less attractive as an option considering how slow he ran.

 

[supafly]

who?




10char

He was on the other end of the Tony Romo pass in an OT game last year, early on in the season. I believe it was against SF. Romo hit him and he ran all the way down to the 1/2 yd line. It was one of the week's bigger plays, just due to the nature of how it occured.

Of course my dumb ass didn't cover the spread b/c he couldn't fall another 1/2 yard into the endzone, where I would've covered just fine in OT. Instead, the Cboys immediately lined up for the game winning FG (which they should have).

I remember literally screaming at the TV watching him break free, heading towards the endzone. Then he just moped out a bit and came up a 1/2 yd short.

He doesn't have great speed, but has hustle and can play ST too. That said, he still likely won't make it to the 53 though.

 

[goheels22002]

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).

If he played at Duke, he'd probably be in the NY Jets' training camp.

 

[Avenger]

Imagine if we had this guy out for that hail mary at the end of the SB, I wonder if he could have came down with it.
Titans at Cowboys - Holley Circus Catch - YouTube

 

[supafly]

If Holley makes the team because he is a Special Teams ace....then I guess we say goodbye to Matthew Slater.

Hope he shows enough to make the practice squad.

Somehow I doubt that M.Slater gets cut, considering he is a captain and ST ace who made the Pro Bowl last season.....

And Jesse Holley does not have practice squad eligibility left.

 

[Mark Morse]

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

Branch may in fact be on the outside looking in because he is old and doesn't play special teams. If Stallworth secures the KO return job, he may have a leg up on Branch who is really living off his history and familiarity with Brady.

Holley is a great story and something to keep an eye on during camp. I don't know if he has any eligibility for the Practice Squad.

 

[Gumby]

Somehow I doubt that M.Slater gets cut, considering he is a captain and ST ace who made the Pro Bowl last season.....

And Jesse Holley does not have practice squad eligibility left.

I am not sure how a guy who is too slow to be a 1/2/3 wr can be a st ace; or at least bump Slater - who is one of the gunners usually if I am not mistaken.

Wouldn't your gunners (which you would think would be the ST position for a wr or a db ) need to be fast to outrace the blockers and break down the blocking plan?

too bad for the kid; but his future looks limited.

 

[BananaRepublican]

Branch may in fact be on the outside looking in because he is old and doesn't play special teams. If Stallworth secures the KO return job, he may have a leg up on Branch who is really living off his history and familiarity with Brady.

I think Stallworth wins that competition every day now that Deion is slowing down. Deion has been one of the great receivers in team history but it's probably over in another month.

I would be shocked if another team wanted him.

 

[supafly]

Holley is a great story and something to keep an eye on during camp. I don't know if he has any eligibility for the Practice Squad.

He does not have any eligibility remaining for the practice squad.

 

[supafly]

I am not sure how a guy who is too slow to be a 1/2/3 wr can be a st ace; or at least bump Slater - who is one of the gunners usually if I am not mistaken.

Wouldn't your gunners (which you would think would be the ST position for a wr or a db ) need to be fast to outrace the blockers and break down the blocking plan?

too bad for the kid; but his future looks limited.

I agree with you. He'd have to have a pretty nice camp to make the 53 man roster, unless it somehow came down to him vs Stallworth or something, and they decided to go with the younger guy who works harder and has more upside.

Either way though, he'd still have to have one hell of a TC here. Anything's possible I suppose, but I doubt that too many will expect him to make it.

It's great to have some good competition at the position though, and I am glad that's improved.

 

[Patriotic Fervor]

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

Well, the Pats had a shot at him, and ended up opting for Trevor Matich...so go figure!

 

[VJCPatriot]

Slater has flat out speed and is a good STer. However he doesn't have the hands/concentration to be an actual reliable weapon at WR. The Pats do need a kick returner though. Edelman has PR kind of locked down but the Pats could really use a boost in the KR category for extra field position. Can Holley fill it or will we see Vereen come up with it?

 

[ausbacker]

The simple fact remains Slater > Holley. Holley making the team would be a surprise just as Slater being cut would be a surprise.

 

[brady199]

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

Well he did go to a Division 1-AA school, so maybe not that early on. Also rumors have it that only the 49ers and Cowboys would of taken him with their 1st pick, but who know about that.