Keep Daniel Graham, let Watson Go

[marcus]

Daniel Graham has been rock solid when he has been able to play. Great blocker, tough as nails, holds onto the ball and doesn't fumble.

Watson...has been a disappointment in my view...bid problems with fumbles and not making the tough catch.


I know it is 20:20 hindsight...but the Pats could have drafted Justin Miller from the Jets or even traded up two spots and picked Stephen Jackson...both player rated higher than Watson who are now prow bowlers.

 

[georgefrme]

As much as it disappoints me, I wonder if the Pats would be better off trading Watson for a first class linebacker. It takes a quality player to get a quality player and I understand that the 2007 draft has very few quality tightends.

Given the number and quality of the tightends and H-back folks that we have, trading him should be explored.

 

[italian pat patriot]

sorry but i do not agree
i like Ben Watson and i think he will improve next year
imho he could become one of the best NFL te

still i like Graham too

 

[DarrylS]

Lets see now we have Watson for a 5 year reasonable rookie contract, and you want to get rid of him for a first class linebacker, who??. Makes no sense, unless you have something in mind.. trades like this only exist in fantasy football or on message board. Watson will be fine, needs to work with the Jugs off season.. but, he will be fine.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

It seems to be the Pats should stay away from combine guys.

I do think Watson will be solid.

Everytime we hear a guy being extremly fast in the 40 he hasn't really been very productive.

IE. Bethel Johnson, Chad Jackson, Ben Watson

I hope I'm wrong on the last two.

It appears they should go back to picking football players with less emphasis on run times.

 

[Jimke]

I agree that we should try to retain Daniel Graham but it's too early to give

up on Ben Watson. Graham has also had his share of dropped passes.

 

[BelichickFan]

but the Pats could have drafted Justin Miller from the Jets or even traded up two spots and picked Stephen Jackson...both player rated higher than Watson who are now prow bowlers.

Miller was a pro bowler as a punt returned not as a CB. We all liked Jackson at the time but we had just traded for Dillon.

Watson has only played two years, as he was hurt his first. He only needs to take a small step up to be really good - he's pretty darn good now.

 

[BelichickFan]

Lets see now we have Watson for a 5 year reasonable rookie contract

Watson signed a 6 year deal, we have him for 3 more years. Next year his cap hit is just $1M.

 

[sarge]

If I had to choose bewteen the two, I easily keep Graham

 

[BelichickFan]

If I had to choose bewteen the two, I easily keep Graham

Unless Graham wants to leave to become the clear #1 TE, therey're independent issues. Do we want to pay Graham ? End of question. Watson is signed cheap for 3 more years.

 

[fgssand]

Unless Graham wants to leave to become the clear #1 TE, therey're independent issues. Do we want to pay Graham ? End of question. Watson is signed cheap for 3 more years.

Absolutely right...seperate issue here......Watson, goes nowhere, value VS contract is very friendly. Trades happen rarely, so barring an unusual occurrence - Watson is here and I am glad to have him - he will emerge and is a first class guy who gets it.

Graham - tough one here, he is another of those core players that you really want to keep around. Attitude, smarts, toughness, dependability, versatility, team captain - I just cannot see allowing him to leave. High character guys (like Deion Branch) need to be kept whenever possible. Money spent on Daniel Graham will reap benefit to the overall team make up, beyond just his being a top notch TE. My vote is PAY Dan Graham.

While on subject, PAY Assante as well - then we can worry about securing a free agent or two. Where is it written that we cannot pay these tow and compete to sign on Adalius??

Barring ridiculous demands - sign 'em up - seems to me this is all no brainer stuff (and much easier typed than done).

 

[wdkantro2]

WOW! Talk about overreacting. This is Watsons first full year as a starter. 2005 Graham was the full time starter, and 2004 Watson was on IR. He was asked to be the best receiver in his first full year as a starter, and because he fumbled a few times, you want to trade him?
Graham is best used as a blocker. He can't go out and catch passes if he has to stay in to block. The tight ends are a huge part of this offense, so what do you propose if Watson is gone? Should we put all our eggs in the David Thomas basket? Watson is way too important to this offense. Give him another full offseason where he isn't thrust into the #1 receiver role AFTER training camp, and he will be fine.

 

[everlong]

Watson missed his first year due to injuries so he's only played two years. I think this coming season will be very telling for him. I'm not ready to write him off or call him a bust but I'm not completely satisfied with him either.

I think he needs to work on:

1. Holding on to the ball, he fumbles way too much.
2. Catching the ball in traffic. Graham and Thomas are much better at holding on to the seam route down the middle when a safety bangs them.
3. His out routes could be more crisp, especially the out routes.
4. This is a continuation of #3 and part Brady but for whatever reason Tom always throws the ball at Watson's feet on the out routes. Is Watson not making the cut Brady expects or is Brady just throwing it at his feet? Either way I'd like to see him make a few of those catches at his feet. In place of reaching down maybe he needs to go to his knees to make the catch.

He also needs to stay healthy. If he does all these things I think this will be a 60-75 catch 800-1000 yard season, which in the Patriots system is huge.

 

[PonyExpress]

Should we put all our eggs in the David Thomas basket?

Yes! and you won't be disappointed...

 

[Daniel McJosh]

sorry but i do not agree
i like Ben Watson and i think he will improve next year
imho he could become one of the best NFL te

still i like Graham too

I agree, Watson , even with his occasional fumbles, etc...which, BTW, werent as many as it seemed, is still capable of being the big guy to find the seams, inside, and then take it for YAC.

Graham is an excellent blocker, and again, contrary to popular believe, is a dependable receiver, and should be used more often inside opponenst 10 yard lines on play action.

And, beside, anyone with the first name of DANIEL is ok in my book.

 

[dhamz]

If I had to choose bewteen the two, I easily keep Graham

That choice doesn't exist.

The only choice we have at TE is whether or not to pay Graham the money it will take to sign him long term.

Watson is not going anywhere.

 

[Remix 6]

were not going to trade anyone. wow WAtson had 1 year of fumbling problems..big deal. Brady was somewhat of a dissapointment this year. trade him

you dont trade a guy u drafted in first and has been pretty good. hes not consistent catching the ball but hes a hell of an athlete and can be so much better. Watson fumbled 2 more times than Graham but got the ball 500 times more

 

[patsox23]

ASININE thread. Kneejerk nonsense. I like Graham, too, but Watson improved this year, still has some work to do, but was our leading receiver for more than half the year. Relax, ladies.

 

[pats1]

Yet ANOTHER insightful thread brought to you by marcus...

 

[JoeSixPat]

I've been tough on Graham for failing to fulfil the promise that he brought with him as a former #1 pick.

And while I don't think he's lived up to that level, he's had enough clutch game changing catches to supplement his always great blocking to make him an offseason priority.

Does that mean a contract that pays him as one of the top 5 TEs as anything in the $4 million a season would? No - although some strongly believe he is and should be paid that way - I do not.

But he is extremely valuable TO US in our system and hopefully Graham feels that team and fanbase appreciation even if it doesn't equate to contract dollars.

As for Watson, give him a deep threat WR behind him and tack on another 5 yards after the catch minium from him - as well as a dozen or more catches as he won't be permanently double teamed anymore.