The importance of extending Gaffney and Caldwell

[PATRIOTS-80]

Those will be our 2 starting WRs next year. I think Troy Brown will be back if Bruschi comes back, and I think the odds are actually good. Chad Jackson will have a training camp, and the opportunity to become the 3rd WR.

Here's the thing, if we don't extend at least either Gaffney or Caldwell, this time next year, we will have to start it all over with Brady and WR uncertainty. I think we should extend Gaffney and Calwell, and hopefully start working Chad Jackson and maybe another rookie into the equation.

 

[Fanfrom1960]

I think Troy Brown will be back if Bruschi comes back, and I think the odds are actually good.

How are Brown and Bruschi tied to each other as far as coming back?

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

How are Brown and Bruschi tied to each other as far as coming back?

Bruschi is considering whether to come back or not in '07. If you watched America's Game #9, where Bruschi and Troy Brown narrate the season, you will see how much it means to them that they are the two oldest Patriots on the squad. I think if Bruschi retires, I think Brown will retire too with his buddy. JMHO.

 

[TomBradyWoot]

I think we need to see a little more from Gaffney before we extend him.

 

[unoriginal]

I think we need to see a little more from Gaffney before we extend him.

It's not far-fetched that they extend or re-do Gaffney, as he is making vet min this season and is penciled in at number two. He seems to be excited about being a Patriot, and clearly has talent, so something might get done this offseason there.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

I think both are signed thru the 2007 season...

 

[DarrylS]

I think that Chad Jackson will emerge as the #1, given a positive off season and a healthy training camp he will be a very good receiver for this team. Also agree that the other two will be fine also..

 

[p8ryts]

Gaffney and Caldwell were fine. We have the players, we just need to figure out how to have a consistent running game.

 

[satz]

great minds think alike...i was thinking about this too.If you sign both at the end or mid of next season these 2 are going to be around till brady is around which locks the 2 #2 WR and gives stability.C.J ,Bam and Kight and many others can in rotation but keep 2 WR here cheap for brady`s entire career.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Those will be our 2 starting WRs next year. I think Troy Brown will be back if Bruschi comes back, and I think the odds are actually good. Chad Jackson will have a training camp, and the opportunity to become the 3rd WR.

Here's the thing, if we don't extend at least either Gaffney or Caldwell, this time next year, we will have to start it all over with Brady and WR uncertainty. I think we should extend Gaffney and Calwell, and hopefully start working Chad Jackson and maybe another rookie into the equation.

I must have missed this. Can you provide the link where BB said he wasn't going to sign a Free Agent or trade for a starting caliber WR?

I guess those of us who thought there might be plans to upgrade this position are looking pretty stupid now, but I'd be interested in what he cited as his decision - especially this early when free agency or the trade season hasn't even started.

 

[BradyManny]

Those will be our 2 starting WRs next year. I think Troy Brown will be back if Bruschi comes back, and I think the odds are actually good. Chad Jackson will have a training camp, and the opportunity to become the 3rd WR.

Here's the thing, if we don't extend at least either Gaffney or Caldwell, this time next year, we will have to start it all over with Brady and WR uncertainty. I think we should extend Gaffney and Calwell, and hopefully start working Chad Jackson and maybe another rookie into the equation.

I agree with you 100%.

Caldwell-Gaffney-Jackson should be our core for many years to come. We have Jackson for 3 more seasons, we should take a chance and extend Gaffney and Caldwell now before their stock rises too much. I have a lot of faith in the coaching staff and BB to be able to get Jackson to realize his potential over the next couple of seasons. If he does, then we will have a really dangerous group of wideouts.

 

[NE_PATS_FAN_54]

Those will be our 2 starting WRs next year. I think Troy Brown will be back if Bruschi comes back, and I think the odds are actually good. Chad Jackson will have a training camp, and the opportunity to become the 3rd WR.

Here's the thing, if we don't extend at least either Gaffney or Caldwell, this time next year, we will have to start it all over with Brady and WR uncertainty. I think we should extend Gaffney and Calwell, and hopefully start working Chad Jackson and maybe another rookie into the equation.

no, i think caldwell is an ideal #2 wr and gaffney an ideal #3. i really think the pats need to get a solid #1 wr this offseason. if brown comes back he will be #4 leaving chad jackson with a chance to prove himself next year. i think the pats lack of a #1 wr really showed up in the afc championship. caldwell was trying to do too much and took himself of his own element.

 

[frankiesfly]

Donte Stallworth is a fee agent, he would be perfect as our number one reciever here. Then you have gaffney, and Caldwell as 2 and 3. That wouldnt be that bad.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

I must have missed this. Can you provide the link where BB said he wasn't going to sign a Free Agent or trade for a starting caliber WR?

I guess those of us who thought there might be plans to upgrade this position are looking pretty stupid now, but I'd be interested in what he cited as his decision - especially this early when free agency or the trade season hasn't even started.

You guys seem to have misunderstood my post. Gaffney and Caldwell are signed through '07, but then they are FA. Sure we want to add talent to the WR core, but Gaffney and Calwell are important cogs and if don't extend them this year, we need to draft their replacements (because of the fact rookies rarely contribute). I am looking down the road at '08.

I would love if we signed Stallworth, etc.to a good contract... But there are not many good FA WR out there though.

 

[patsox23]

CJ could end up being a #1. We'll see. People expecting a rookie WR to be anything right away are hopelessly naive.

 

[mgteich]

I have no problem extending Gaffney and Caldwell ASAP. I like tham both as insurance policies, as qualified #3 veteran wide receivers, who can fill in if needed. Gaffney is the best prospect for a long-term contributer, and a potential quality starting wide receiver.

This is the kind of depth this team is built on. We succeed because of players like Hochstein, Thomas, O'Callaghan, Green, Yates, Wright, Chad Scott, and Hawkins. I put Gaffney and Caldwell in this group.

I would note that there is exacly ONE wide receiver with a lock to make the squad next year: Chad Jackson, and since he has been injured twice, the danger of IR is certainly there. We won't give up on Jackson until at least the conclusion of his second year. He is likely be given until the end of his third camp until he is truly evaluated.

I expect us to bring in at least FOUR receivers, a combination of free agents and draftees. One could be Troy Brown, which is fine.

We need receivers who can catch the imperfect passes, who can stretch the field, who are dependable, who are clutch over the middle, who are clutch on third down, who can run excellent routes and who are clutch at the end of games and in the playoffs.

I do believe that we COULD go to the SB with our current group; we almost did. We needed one miracle stand from the top defense in the AFC. HOWEVER, that does not change the fact that this is by far our worst unit, with the starters far from probowl quality. All other units are fine, although some upgrading is possible at any position except starting QB and starting DE. Even at these positions, we could use upgrades on the backups.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

You guys seem to have misunderstood my post. Gaffney and Caldwell are signed through '07, but then they are FA. Sure we want to add talent to the WR core, but Gaffney and Calwell are important cogs and if don't extend them this year, we need to draft their replacements (because of the fact rookies rarely contribute). I am looking down the road at '08.

I would love if we signed Stallworth, etc.to a good contract... But there are not many good FA WR out there though.

Seems a bit premature, which is why I doubt either gets extended this off-season. Caldwell produced in one season, and Gaffney just in the off-season, let's allow them to showcase their wares in another season within this system and establish their value for the Pats. Most clubs out there will be muttering about the QB making them look good given the overwhelming success of other WRs who have moved to greener pastures. I think we can afford them just fine when they come up for renewal.

 

[cstjohn17]

Here's the thing, if we don't extend at least either Gaffney or Caldwell, this time next year, we will have to start it all over with Brady and WR uncertainty. I think we should extend Gaffney and Calwell, and hopefully start working Chad Jackson and maybe another rookie into the equation.

Why would the Patriots care if they leave? They let Givens leave and Branch left, Brady may care but I don't think the FO is concerned one way or the other.

These guys seem to be ok , 2nd and 3rd WRs but can easily be replaced or upgraded. I think they are fine with one of them or both of them hitting free agency after 2007. As far as roster building moves this is a low priority.

 

[Va_Pats_Fan]

Why would the Patriots care if they leave? They let Givens leave and Branch left, Brady may care but I don't think the FO is concerned one way or the other.

These guys seem to be ok , 2nd and 3rd WRs but can easily be replaced or upgraded. I think they are fine with one of them or both of them hitting free agency after 2007. As far as roster building moves this is a low priority.

They let Givens and Branch leave cause they did not represent value for the cost. If they can be extended without major signing bonus's, (lowering their cap hit if cut), then they represent good value for the cost. (Depending of course on how much they were extended for). The FO cares because these guys have 1 year in the system now, and that represents a certain value beyond pure $$$.

 

[mgteich]

We care, because we need a couple of #3 receivers that can step up to start when needed.