Receiver battle: Not a good night for Stallworth

[Ian]

Re-watched part of the game this morning before I left for work and have to say he struggled to get any separation last night. He was pretty well covered and just doesn't seem to have the ability to find open space the way Branch did, at least not against Philadelphia's secondary. Granted they didn't have Gronk, Hernandez, Welker, etc. to create mismatches, but I have to say that it definitely wasn't a good night for him.

Obviously it's just one game and it's tough to make a snap judgment, but I was disappointed in what I saw from him last night and am interested to hear what some of you thought.

 

[Haley]

I think Stallworth lost his spot last night. As you say, it was only 1 game but it was the game that mattered because this was the spotlight game for all the roster bubble people. Although I also question whether Branch will make it, given the obvious need for Oline.

 

[Kontradiction]

The deep speed still intrigues a lot of people with Stallworth. In this offense, as it's currently constructed, the intangibles that Branch brings to the table (knowledge of the system, rapport with Brady) have always made him the favorite, in my eyes at least, to win a roster spot over Stallworth. Last night just helped confirm that to me.

 

[BlueThunder]

At least Branch made his presence known.....Stallworth did nothing to secure a spot on the final 53.

He has 2 more games to secure a spot...and not many opportunities left. He better make the best of them.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Branch gives even backups in this system their best shot. He's not competing with OLmen.

Donte looks good in shorts and shells when no one is playing press man or contending for the ball in live game action. Although sometimes even absent all of that he struggles to make a play for the ball.

We didn't see any up tempo offense last night but Branch was in and out of the huddle seconds ahead of his teamates because he knows what's coming before the QB finishes spitting it out. And he played fast. He's not a deep threat but unless they can make plays consistently they are of minimal value here. I really think Branch simply wore out down the stretch last season and if he and Gaffney can split reps that won't be a concern. I think if Lloyd gets dinged Stallworth won't provide remotely replacement value as his backup. In which case I'd rather have Branch and Gaffney available to stretch the field horizontally and productively.

 

[Nunchucks]

Stallworth was going up against a top flight CB and although Mallet looked good, he is no Tom Brady. I wouldn't read too much into his performance or non-performance.

 

[JackBauer]

Without his elite speed, there's nothing Stallworth can do that Branch and/or Gaffney can't do better.

And I say that as someone who is not much of a Branch fan at this point.

 

[IllegalContact]

stallworth had his double coverage beaten on the hoyer moonshot/underthrow.

granted, at this point mallett probably overthrows that ball, but it gets there in about half them time and I will take a deep over throw as opposed to an under throw any day of the week

 

[Kontradiction]

stallworth had his double coverage beaten on the hoyer moonshot/underthrow.

granted, at this point mallett probably overthrows that ball, but it gets there in about half them time and I will take a deep over throw as opposed to an under throw any day of the week

You're not supposed to. Always take the underthrow. It gives your receiver the best chance to go up and get the ball.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Judging from the snapshot of that game....... Stallworth did nothing to prove he deserves a spot over Branch. Branch, on the other hand, was reliable and right where his QB's needed him to be to make a play.

Branch ----> Stallworth at this point, but there time some time on this one. It will probably be one of the last cut downs.

 

[Deus Irae]

I've thought from the beginning that Stallworth was the lowest "name" WR on the ladder. Nothing's changed my mind on that. Also, with Edelman around, and Demps added, I don't see Stallworth being considered as a high value return man.

BB will probably make 2-5 decisions which surprise the heck out of a lot of us (See Sanders/Meriweather last year). Keeping Stallworth would be one that suprises me.

 

[fnordcircle]

Stallworth's strengths - at least when he was here with us - was always creating after the catch. I don't think he was getting targetted one routes that really lent themselves to that. I wish Mallet had looked his way more on the underneath/crossing route type of stuff or even some WR screens. I'm sure someone will find a youtube link to prove me wrong but I've never liked Stallworth as a down the field threat as much as a create after the catch type of guy.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Stallworth's strengths - at least when he was here with us - was always creating after the catch. I don't think he was getting targetted one routes that really lent themselves to that. I wish Mallet had looked his way more on the underneath/crossing route type of stuff or even some WR screens. I'm sure someone will find a youtube link to prove me wrong but I've never liked Stallworth as a down the field threat as much as a create after the catch type of guy.

That was kind of the way I remember it, too. But that was a product of having Moss on the team. Not what Stallworth expected. Unfortunately this time out there are too many other options on underneath/crossing routes and screens. Plus he seems to really struggle making catches in congested traffic and that's what you have to be able to do consistently to get those target opportunities here.

 

[aluminum seats]

Agree w/the general consensus here. Not sure how keeping all the WRs would affect the other roster decisions, but that would seem to be the way for Stallworth to stick at this point.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Branch gives even backups in this system their best shot. He's not competing with OLmen.

Donte looks good in shorts and shells when no one is playing press man or contending for the ball in live game action. Although sometimes even absent all of that he struggles to make a play for the ball.

We didn't see any up tempo offense last night but Branch was in and out of the huddle seconds ahead of his teamates because he knows what's coming before the QB finishes spitting it out. And he played fast. He's not a deep threat but unless they can make plays consistently they are of minimal value here. I really think Branch simply wore out down the stretch last season and if he and Gaffney can split reps that won't be a concern. I think if Lloyd gets dinged Stallworth won't provide remotely replacement value as his backup. In which case I'd rather have Branch and Gaffney available to stretch the field horizontally and productively.

I have totally changed my opinion watching last night's game. It is my right as a Patsfan to draw conclusions based on one game.

I was down on even considering The Twig for this year given all the pre-season "talent". I was hopeful about Stallworth, for example. I was wrong. Stall stalled getting away from his coverage. Yah, I know there was a play with the DB holding his jersey. And has zero go up and get the ball instincts.

Branch did just what Mo describes. If he can contribute that little bit for this one more season without completely disappearing like he did late last year when I concluded he was done, he's worth a roster spot. It's not like Ebert to the PS is any young threat.

 

[DaBruinz]

The problem that I saw with Stallworth last night is that he wasn't really in position to make the catches. He wasn't using his body to block out the CB and he was turning the wrong direction looking for the pass. On one back shoulder pass on the sidelines, he turned left away from the sideline and had to try and reach over behind himself. There was another where he didn't come back for the ball and the CB was able to run up and bat the ball away..

I just wasn't impressed by what I saw.

Edelman and Branch looked good.

Ebert needs to catch the ones that hit his hands..

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

The problem that I saw with Stallworth last night is that he wasn't really in position to make the catches. He wasn't using his body to block out the CB and he was turning the wrong direction looking for the pass. On one back shoulder pass on the sidelines, he turned left away from the sideline and had to try and reach over behind himself. There was another where he didn't come back for the ball and the CB was able to run up and bat the ball away..
.

Before last night I'd felt Stallworth was on the 53. Really disappointed in precisely what you described. The guy is not a smurf and has been in the league forever. If that's his style of play, butter the 53 slot used by someone with potential. Didn't see the breakaway speed either.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The PFW guys claim Stallworth has admitted his speed isn't what it used to be. He was a run under the ball receiver early in his career. His persistent hammy problems negated his value as that, though. In his first stint here he became more of a YAC guy, but he was never a fight for the ball in traffic guy and here there is often traffic. And he struggled with the reads, and I think that is why Gaffney overtook him late in his 2007 season here. I know Bill talked up his effort and maturity recently. The PFW guys read that the same way I did. If he wasn't he'd have been gone already. Bill loves effort, but effort alone won't keep you here long (unless he invested $6M in you up front...and doesn't have any better options).

 

[mtbykr]

By the end of the 2007 season Gaffney had completely taken over the spot and we rarely saw Stallworth in big opportunities. Stallworth has slowed since then, so unless he has improved his reads I don't see him making the team. I had hoped to see him on kickoffs more, but that doesn't appear to be happening.

If Branch can stay healthy, and split time with Gaffney to stay fresh then he is a far better option. Last year he slowed down progressively over the season as he wore out, if he can stay fresh he would be a big asset in January.

 

[Patjew]

Doesn't Branch just seem like the kind of guy that will be 56 years old, run a 9.2 40, and still find a way to get open when it counts? At least in this system.

I have to admit that it was a little sad for me to see the former SB MVP (and one of my favs) out there competing for a job with youngins and never-panned-outs. That being said, I was proud of how he competed and performed. I assumed he was gone this year but now I'm confident he'll stick around. And I'm glad about that.

Now watch him get cut tomorrow...