What to do at WR & TE

[Fencer]

The most controversial personnel grouping on the team is probably receiver, what with the widely differing opinions about Welker and the cries for a prototypical #1 receiver.

As I see it, the Pats' base set features 2 TEs and 2 WRs. It's easier to replace a TE with a WR than vice-versa. Gronk, AHern, and Lloyd are under contract. Welker isn't, and I think ditto Edelman.

WR depth after the guys I named is abysmal; Slater is an emergency WR only. TE depth -- well, we'll see. (Recall that Ballard is in the mix.)

TE durability is, IMO, dubious. Going back to college, I think Gronk has only finished 2 of the past 5 seasons, and Hernandez is frequently dinged up himself.

Lloyd is a good receiver. Welker -- despite being flawed -- is an awesome receiver, but may be too expensive to keep. Edelman over his entire 4-year career has racked up fewer receiving stats than Lloyd did this year; he's a keeper IMO for his versatility if nothing else, but he's not proven above #4 on the depth chart.

Proceed from there.

 

[patsinthesnow]

TE: already solved, Ballard will be the best backup TE in the league. Hopefully he is ready to go.

WR: Terrance Williams please.

 

[PatriotFan77]

Welker -- despite being flawed -- is an awesome receiver

I used to think this but now I realize I just base it on stats. Who cares if you catch 150 balls a season but drop critical passes in Super Bowls and AFCCG. I'd take luckbox donkeys like Tyree and Manningham any day of the week now. I'd rather have one ******* helmet catch when it counts than 150 dinks and dunks just to get there. Welker drops them when it counts. Cut his ass.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

what to do about TE...really?

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I used to think this but now I realize I just base it on stats. Who cares if you catch 150 balls a season but drop critical passes in Super Bowls and AFCCG. I'd take luckbox donkeys like Tyree and Manningham any day of the week now. I'd rather have one ******* helmet catch when it counts than 150 dinks and dunks just to get there. Welker drops them when it counts. Cut his ass.

Problem is he is not supposed to be the centerpiece of the offense.

 

[WhiZa]

Welker is past his prime and if another team wants to pay him then he deserves it. No point in paying him now, but I think he knows that and will take a pay cut to stay.

 

[serifyn]

Tom Brady isn't going to be able to carry us in the Postseason anymore, its nice to have him and he will definitely help you in the regular season and win games against worse teams, but you need a solid defense and a reliable run game in order to win the big one.

Look who is left in this playoffs now. The 49ers and the Ravens, both who are defensively oriented teams with punishing RBs.

Brady isn't going to be able to win a game for you in the postseason by himself anymore, as he gets older, he will be more limited, i know alot of people are clammoring for faster WRs and TEs, but the fact of the matter is, i don't know if Tom Brady can take full advantage of a burner at the WR position anymore, his arm strength and Accuracy on the longball have declined every year since 2007.

We need to start looking at TB as a luxury, he is a decoy who is able to draw the attention of defenses, but you need your RBs and power run game to become the focal point of your offense if you want to win in the postseason, the pats are well on their way to becoming just that, having a top 5 rushing team from what you had in 2011 is a major step in the right direction.

 

[deters]

I want our roster to look like this next season

TE - Gronk, Nandez, Ballard, Hoohoo
WR - Lloyd, Edelman, Greg Jennings, 1st rd pick, Slater
RB - Rids, Vroom, Demps or Woodie, Bolden

Really need to dump Welker. His cap hit isn't worth it and can be put to use on a younger, bigger WR with explosiveness and bigger down field ability.

 

[Sciz]

The Pats need another WR, and I wouldn't be surprised for it to not be Welker. None of the big FA names make too much sense, but Harvin as a trade candidate intrigues me. I suppose if they're going to go with a free agent, then Brian Hartline is probably the guy I'd go after.

 

[fumbrunner]

I dont see alot of change. I see Edelman replacing Branch, Lloyd on the other side. Welker signs or the Pats go a little younger and sign Amendola. Draft a WR to develop.

TE we are set with Ballard backing up AHern and Gronk.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

I'd take luckbox donkeys like Tyree and Manningham any day of the week now.

You do realize that Tyree never caught another pass in his career after his lucky moment, right? He was never much more of a receiver than, say, Matthew Slater has been.

 

[PatriotFan77]

You do realize that Tyree never caught another pass in his career after his lucky moment, right? He was never much more of a receiver than, say, Matthew Slater has been.

I absolutely realize that. And he sits on his leather couch, feet up, watching Welker drop balls in the biggest games, and when he turns the channel he eyes his ring and smiles. **** David Tyree and everything he stands for, but he made the catch. Welker dropped it and has as many SB rings as you and I do.

 

[Patriot Missile]

The Pats need another WR, and I wouldn't be surprised for it to not be Welker. None of the big FA names make too much sense, but Harvin as a trade candidate intrigues me. I suppose if they're going to go with a free agent, then Brian Hartline is probably the guy I'd go after.

I'm right there with you on Harvin. Guy is explosive and can turn dump offs into 60 yard touchdowns. He is the answer.

The guy I liked last draft was Jarius Wright. Thought he'd be a good Welker replacement.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Tom Brady isn't going to be able to carry us in the Postseason anymore, its nice to have him and he will definitely help you in the regular season and win games against worse teams, but you need a solid defense and a reliable run game in order to win the big one.

Look who is left in this playoffs now. The 49ers and the Ravens, both who are defensively oriented teams with punishing RBs.

Brady isn't going to be able to win a game for you in the postseason by himself anymore, as he gets older, he will be more limited, i know alot of people are clammoring for faster WRs and TEs, but the fact of the matter is, i don't know if Tom Brady can take full advantage of a burner at the WR position anymore, his arm strength and Accuracy on the longball have declined every year since 2007.

We need to start looking at TB as a luxury, he is a decoy who is able to draw the attention of defenses, but you need your RBs and power run game to become the focal point of your offense if you want to win in the postseason, the pats are well on their way to becoming just that, having a top 5 rushing team from what you had in 2011 is a major step in the right direction.

I'm nominating this for stupidist post of the year, although I realize the competition will be stiff from here on out.

 

[PatriotReign]

Draft Ziggy Anash to improve the pass rush to pair alongside Chandler Jones. Also look for a coverage linebacker, defensive tackle, cornerback/safety. In free agency I'd like to see an attempt to get a premier outside wide receiver and possibly look at getting Laron Landry. Gregory is garbage and we don't know what we have in Wilson or Ebner right now.

 

[juny]

seems like the need for a deep threat is a popular one on here. The pats like to use 2te/2wr/1rb formations the most. Who do you take out of that formation for the deep threat? Welker/Edelman or Lloyd?

 

[DocHoliday]

I strongly believe the Patriots will use this game moving forward to force WW to take less than #1 money or make him walk.

It's sad, and I don't really want to see it happen, but if it comes down to keeping our WR core as it is or giving up Welker to get a faster deep threat, I think the decision makes itself.

It's up to Welker, and it's unreasonable to expect him to come back for less money that some team will probably want to pay him.

 

[condon84]

Brady needs WRs that he can throw in their direction and they can go get it. There are going to be games where defenses are not going to be fooled by our scheme and Brady needs to have receivers that he can count on to make plays on the ball or have the ability to create separation. The big completions to Boldin happened even though a defender was draped all over him.

 

[The Beast]

Brian Hartline is someone who intrigues me. The free agent market for big name Wide Receivers is top heavy with guys like Bowe, Jennings, Wallace and possibly Welker due to receive a lot of attention and money. That may leave a big, deep threat guy like Hartline come for a reasonably low cost and allows to use the money on other guys like Talib and Safety/Pass Rush help.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Brady needs WRs that he can throw in their direction and they can go get it. There are going to be games where defenses are not going to be fooled by our scheme and Brady needs to have receivers that he can count on to make plays on the ball or have the ability to create separation. The big completions to Boldin happened even though a defender was draped all over him.

Which defender was that? Cole or Arrington?

Talib going down hurt us to the core today. Dennard did an excellent job tonight.