How much confidence does Brady have in his receivers

[patsfan55]

i was just watching americas game
and they were talking about how bradshaws rise to excellence occurred when lynn swann and stallworth became true threats
swann went on to say that he believes a quarterback has to have a certain amount of confidence in his receivers to go up and make the play

it reminded me of how little confidence brady had in his receivers last yr against kansas city when i believe both branch and givens were hurt

i think at the beginning of the season brady had very little confidence in any of his receivers other than ben watson
i think the confidence grew, but i dont think its extremely high

 

[BelichickFan]

Thankfully that's now a problem from last year (2006). I think we all agree that they were taken by surprise on how serious Branch was and that they did a pretty good job given the circumstance. Now, Brady isn't the GM but if he says "get me some f*cking WR, these guys suck", I think Belichick will listen. By the time Brady would have said it in 2006, it was too late - the offseason had past.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Thankfully that's now a problem from last year (2006). I think we all agree that they were taken by surprise on how serious Branch was and that they did a pretty good job given the circumstance. Now, Brady isn't the GM but if he says "get me some f*cking WR, these guys suck", I think Belichick will listen. By the time Brady would have said it in 2006, it was too late - the offseason had past.

The Patriots have tried recently.

Derick Mason and Javon Walker say hello.

 

[Brady to Brown]

Big problem right now. I think that Brady had a very bad year seeing Branch and Givens go. His actions on the field this year spoke volumes IMO.

I will be very surprised if the Patriots don't spend some money in this area or use a high draft pick during this off season. Belichick tried to get Mason here while Givens and Branch were still on the team........ Or was that Weiss?

 

[BelichickFan]

The Patriots have tried recently.

Derick Mason and Javon Walker say hello.

That was a little different because at those times they already have Brady's love child - Branch. I think they can make and would make a stronger push if (and it's still an if) Brady doesn't think he can get it done with the TE, Caldwell, Gaffney and Jackson.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

That was a little different because at those times they already have Brady's love child - Branch. I think they can make and would make a stronger push if (and it's still an if) Brady doesn't think he can get it done with the TE, Caldwell, Gaffney and Jackson.

I thought they were trying to bring in Walker during the mess that was the Deion Branch negotiations. Word was Branch called Walker persoanlly to tell him dont bother they're too cheap.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Is there any receiver other than TO available via trade or maybe salary cut that the Patriots can maybe pursue?

Anyone know of anyone?

 

[cstjohn17]

The Patriots have tried recently.

Derick Mason and Javon Walker say hello.

Talk is cheap, in free agency there is no second place. Trying is not good enough, if they think the WRs are weak then they should bring someone in to improve the unit. In both years 2005 & 2006 they came very close, maybe one more play maker would have made a difference.

Back to the original question, I think Brady is going to find a beach, a bottle and a blonde and unwind somewhere for a month. He took and emotional and physical beating this year. His confidence level with Reche and Jabar has likely improved but it would be interesting to find out what he thinks of Jackson. An entire offseason with these guys should help a lot, throw in a FA and a rookie and the unit should be ok. There will be no Branch drama this year, all the while I think he was convinced Branch was coming back. He will never let himself get so emotionally attached to an outgoing free agent, once bitten, twice shy.

 

[pats63]

I think Brady's confidence will be alot higher on our recievers with a year under their belts...Come on, how do you think other QB would do with all new recievers(other than Mr. Patriot & TE)....With offseason and TC Brady and Co. will be so much better....Keep the faith patriot brothers:rocker:

 

[BelichickFan]

Is there any receiver other than TO available via trade or maybe salary cut that the Patriots can maybe pursue?

Anyone know of anyone?

Dante Stallworth and Drew Bennett are FA. Randy Moss (I know, I know) could be had.

Also we have two #1s. I know the history of rookie WR but with Caldwell and Gaffney, Jackson in his second year and another young top talent (who would hopefully not miss all of training camp), that could be an interesting way to go - two vets who are at least usable and two top athletes behind them - and hopefully moving ahead.

 

[DaBruinz]

Talk is cheap, in free agency there is no second place. Trying is not good enough, if they think the WRs are weak then they should bring someone in to improve the unit. In both years 2005 & 2006 they came very close, maybe one more play maker would have made a difference.

The Pats gave Mason the highest bid. Unfortunately for the Pats, Mason's WIFE chose Baltimore because she had family there. How can you blame the Pats for that? How can you blame the Pats for Branch bold-faced lying to Walker and to all the fans? How can you blame the Pats because the Broncos refused to let Walker out of Denver without a deal being done? LIFE doesn't work that way.

Back to the original question, I think Brady is going to find a beach, a bottle and a blonde and unwind somewhere for a month. He took and emotional and physical beating this year. His confidence level with Reche and Jabar has likely improved but it would be interesting to find out what he thinks of Jackson. An entire offseason with these guys should help a lot, throw in a FA and a rookie and the unit should be ok. There will be no Branch drama this year, all the while I think he was convinced Branch was coming back. He will never let himself get so emotionally attached to an outgoing free agent, once bitten, twice shy.

While Brady might not "get attached" to an outgoing free agent, I think everyone can agree that the QB/Receiver relationship is a bit more than just 2 people playing catch. I said this at the start of the season when things weren't going well. That is takes time for the QB and Receiver to learn eachother's nuances.

Now, hopefully, this off-season the Pats give Caldwell and Gaffney each a 2-3 year extension to help solidify the position.

Also, hopefully Reche, Watson and Jackson are working with the JUGS machine that Brady has dialed in to his throwing style. And, hopefully, my the time free agency comes around, Brady and those 3 are working together to get on the same page.

 

[cstjohn17]

The Pats gave Mason the highest bid. Unfortunately for the Pats, Mason's WIFE chose Baltimore because she had family there. How can you blame the Pats for that? How can you blame the Pats for Branch bold-faced lying to Walker and to all the fans? How can you blame the Pats because the Broncos refused to let Walker out of Denver without a deal being done? LIFE doesn't work that way.

Deja Vu, all over again...didn't we have this exact conversation before? I guess our opinions haven't changed...

Which one was plan B for Mason? David Terrell or Andre Davis, pretty steep dropoff. The Pats gave it the old college try, by all accounts made a very good offer to Mason. As soon as the phone hangs up they should be on to plan B, obviously this was an area they felt needed to be addressed or why talk to Mason at all?

Call me cynical but I don't believe Branch called Walker and tried to talk to him out of coming here. I am also dismisive of the Easter Bunny but so-so on Santa Claus. Walker is a big boy, if the Pats made a good enough offer he could have left Denver. The Pats dragged their feet and didn't step up as aggressively as the Broncos, put another way, they lost the negotiation to the Broncos. But even after losing him there didn't seem to be a plan B. Obviously this was an area they felt needed to be addressed or why talk to Walker at all?

Why would they give Caldwell or Gaffney an extension right now? They have proven they can take average players and turn them into pretty good players. Plenty more where they came from... Both had very productive play-offs but there is a stronger need at the top than in the middle of their WR depth. Don't get me wrong, I think the passing attack will be better for many of the reasons you listed but would be more potent with a 1, 1A WR like Mason, Walker, Branch, etc. I don't see that player in free agency this year, maybe a trade, maybe a draft pick, wait and see.

 

[patsfan55]

fwiw, swann only had 11 catches his rookie season

 

[Brady to Brown]

Deja Vu, all over again...didn't we have this exact conversation before? I guess our opinions haven't changed...

Which one was plan B for Mason? David Terrell or Andre Davis, pretty steep dropoff. The Pats gave it the old college try, by all accounts made a very good offer to Mason. As soon as the phone hangs up they should be on to plan B, obviously this was an area they felt needed to be addressed or why talk to Mason at all?

Call me cynical but I don't believe Branch called Walker and tried to talk to him out of coming here. I am also dismisive of the Easter Bunny but so-so on Santa Claus. Walker is a big boy, if the Pats made a good enough offer he could have left Denver. The Pats dragged their feet and didn't step up as aggressively as the Broncos, put another way, they lost the negotiation to the Broncos. But even after losing him there didn't seem to be a plan B. Obviously this was an area they felt needed to be addressed or why talk to Walker at all?

Why would they give Caldwell or Gaffney an extension right now? They have proven they can take average players and turn them into pretty good players. Plenty more where they came from... Both had very productive play-offs but there is a stronger need at the top than in the middle of their WR depth. Don't get me wrong, I think the passing attack will be better for many of the reasons you listed but would be more potent with a 1, 1A WR like Mason, Walker, Branch, etc. I don't see that player in free agency this year, maybe a trade, maybe a draft pick, wait and see.

Agree with all of it.

 

[mgteich]

How little confidence did Brady have in his receivers? In the end, he didn't think he could get 12 yards in two tries to ice the game and go to the SB. Instead we ran to set up a FG, and counted on the defense (several on IV's at that point) to stop Manning.

The front office has tried to trade each year, has tried to sign high-profile free agents, and has brought in midlevel free agents. We've brought in receivers each year. This year will be no exception. It is almost impossible to determine who will be available as free agents and who will re-sign before free agency starts. Also, many players might choose to move to a team because of any number of reasons. I don't think we fail to get a couple of free agent receivers because of lack of trying.

 

[DaBruinz]

Deja Vu, all over again...didn't we have this exact conversation before? I guess our opinions haven't changed...

Yes, I see REALITY as a whole and well, you see the glass only half empty.

Which one was plan B for Mason? David Terrell or Andre Davis, pretty steep dropoff. The Pats gave it the old college try, by all accounts made a very good offer to Mason. As soon as the phone hangs up they should be on to plan B, obviously this was an area they felt needed to be addressed or why talk to Mason at all?

Did you stop to think that maybe there wasn't a player the Pats felt was GOOD ENOUGH for their system and that attempting to negotiate with Branch and Givens after the lost out on Mason WAS Plan B? Or maybe mason was Plan B to the Pats not getting Branch and Givens to agree to contracts after the season 2 years ago? Nope. I didn't think so.

Call me cynical but I don't believe Branch called Walker and tried to talk to him out of coming here. I am also dismisive of the Easter Bunny but so-so on Santa Claus. Walker is a big boy, if the Pats made a good enough offer he could have left Denver. The Pats dragged their feet and didn't step up as aggressively as the Broncos, put another way, they lost the negotiation to the Broncos. But even after losing him there didn't seem to be a plan B. Obviously this was an area they felt needed to be addressed or why talk to Walker at all?a

Hmm.. I don't think its cynical at all. Naive is more like it. You claim the Pats dragged their feet, yet you can't offer up any proof at all. Hell, Walker could have decided that he didn't like New England and might have been using the temptation of going to the Pats as leverage for a better deal from the Broncos. Also, how do you know there wasn't a plan B. Hell, how do you know that Walker wasn't Plan B to Branch? I guess you just only take in half the story at any one time. Oh, and who said that Jackson wasn't plan B? Or maybe Caldwell was Plan B and he just took longer to get acclimated to the Pats offense than expected.

Why would they give Caldwell or Gaffney an extension right now? They have proven they can take average players and turn them into pretty good players. Plenty more where they came from... Both had very productive play-offs but there is a stronger need at the top than in the middle of their WR depth. Don't get me wrong, I think the passing attack will be better for many of the reasons you listed but would be more potent with a 1, 1A WR like Mason, Walker, Branch, etc. I don't see that player in free agency this year, maybe a trade, maybe a draft pick, wait and see.

Why give Caldwell or Gaffney an extension NOW? Gee, I don't know. Maybe because they have 1 year left on their contracts, showed that they are developing a chemistry with Brady and to solidify the receiver positions beyond the 2007 season? Why would they want to do that? Why would they want Brady to get comfortable with some receivers when he's shown that it takes the better part of half a season to get one on the same page as him?

I expect Jackson to become the #1 by the end of this coming season. That's why the Pats drafted him where they did.

And, you're right, there is no caliber player of a Mason in this year's free agency, though Mason could be let go because of the Ravens not using him. Moss and Terrell Owens could also become available, though I doubt the Patriots would sign either of them.

 

[mgteich]

Stallworth could be available. However, I suspect that he will re-sign with Philly.

Yes, I see REALITY as a whole and well, you see the glass only half empty.



Did you stop to think that maybe there wasn't a player the Pats felt was GOOD ENOUGH for their system and that attempting to negotiate with Branch and Givens after the lost out on Mason WAS Plan B? Or maybe mason was Plan B to the Pats not getting Branch and Givens to agree to contracts after the season 2 years ago? Nope. I didn't think so.



Hmm.. I don't think its cynical at all. Naive is more like it. You claim the Pats dragged their feet, yet you can't offer up any proof at all. Hell, Walker could have decided that he didn't like New England and might have been using the temptation of going to the Pats as leverage for a better deal from the Broncos. Also, how do you know there wasn't a plan B. Hell, how do you know that Walker wasn't Plan B to Branch? I guess you just only take in half the story at any one time. Oh, and who said that Jackson wasn't plan B? Or maybe Caldwell was Plan B and he just took longer to get acclimated to the Pats offense than expected.



Why give Caldwell or Gaffney an extension NOW? Gee, I don't know. Maybe because they have 1 year left on their contracts, showed that they are developing a chemistry with Brady and to solidify the receiver positions beyond the 2007 season? Why would they want to do that? Why would they want Brady to get comfortable with some receivers when he's shown that it takes the better part of half a season to get one on the same page as him?

I expect Jackson to become the #1 by the end of this coming season. That's why the Pats drafted him where they did.

And, you're right, there is no caliber player of a Mason in this year's free agency, though Mason could be let go because of the Ravens not using him. Moss and Terrell Owens could also become available, though I doubt the Patriots would sign either of them.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Is there any receiver other than TO available via trade or maybe salary cut that the Patriots can maybe pursue?

Anyone know of anyone?

Who is available for trade?

The entire NFL last time I checked

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Stallworth could be available. However, I suspect that he will re-sign with Philly.

Stallworth is barely a number 2.

Who is available for trade?

The entire NFL last time I checked

Really? Then its possible that we can trade for Chad Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Torry Holt and Larry Fitzgerald's right?


No.

 

[BelichickFan]

Stallworth is barely a number 2.

His 19.1 average last year looks pretty good to me. He may not be a #1 but I think he'd be our best as of now.