Terrified of our WR situation

[Brady6]

Like I said, the thought crossed my mind for a day or so also, so I don't mean to act like it's a totally insane idea either, but Amendola offers an upgrade to Welker by not only working the slot but also being able to pull in some passes in the traditional sense for grabs over the mid-range portion of the body.

Welker seemed to be great at the lower ankle to midsection grabs, but wasn't as good as the higher grabs in the upper body. I honestly believe that Amendola does have better hands. The question is IF he can remain healthy enough to not miss many games, although his injuries don't really lead one to believe that they are in the chronic sense.

I would like to bring Edelman back myself, to add as an insurance policy to Amendola--should he miss a handful of games. He has also been working as a receiver outside the numbers a bit, in more of a developmental role, and also has obvious ST abilities. If they bring Edelman back I would be happy, but the writing is on the wall that they may have moved on.

I agree but it's also about getting away from running your offense through a slot WR. Because no matter how good or great like in Welker's case the player is you will always have limitations because of the physical abilities of a 5'8 180lb guy being your key player. I just believe under O'Brien that slot receiver role evolved much more than BB or JM had intended when first bringing Welker here. The TE's need to be the key to this offense moving forward that's where we've invested our money and that's where our best talent and match ups are.

 

[Brady6]

Ex-ing out Branch and Edelman would have improved the depth regardless.

What I would have loved to see was Welker/Sanders/Amendola/Jones.

Redundant. You only have so much money, so many roster spots and so many targets.

 

[Brady6]

Yes, the Patriots offense stalled in the second half. If Deion branch were there, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the Patriots win that game. NO DOUBT.

1st drive second half: 3 and out

2nd drive: TD, Ellis Hobbs runs back 80 yards, the Caldwell drop and Gaffney TD

3rd drive: 3 and out

4th drive: 47 yards, FG. With a first down at the 18 yard line, Brady threw 2 incomplete passes to Caldwell.

5th drive: Hobbs returns to midfield. 2 incomplete passes, 45 yard field goal.

6th drive: 3 and out

7th drive: INT after incomplete to Caldwell

ANEMIC

Were it not for Hobbs, they might have been shut out.

One would believe that Tom Brady is a much smarter and better QB then he was 7 years ago..

 

[Bhelmet]

Is Ebert the fat one or the bald one?

He's the one who cannot catch - the little I saw of him.

 

[supafly]

Re: And The Focus Shifts to Wide Receiver

I agree with most of this. My only question is in regards to the guarantees. Didn't they simply guarantee his next 2 years of salary which he was essentially guaranteed anyway given the nature of the dead cap that would result in cutting him? I hate how the media acts like he some how magically got 30 more million in guaranteed money he was going to get that anyway.

If you or someone else could clarify this that would be great!

Yes, you are right..by all accts he was due to get that money anyway. It is something that had some grey area initially, and I did question it also, but it seems that now Mike Florio is really the only questioning it--and even then, he's taken a step back since the Kraft interview that guarantees that it's a "real" deal.

All I am pointing out to is the fact that Brady is still walking away with the entire 57 million guaranteed (as long as he is on the roster for week 17 in the 2014 season, which is pretty much golden). That deal isn't too shabby at all for someone who is heading into their last several remaining years in a violent sport, and is the first ever of its kind.

I agree that TFB showed great flexibility which is what we've grown to expect by now, and that should be lauded. Where I disagree is that only the front office benefitted, and I think that's ridiculous.

At any rate, I don't want to take it off topic too much, but I doubt that Brady doesn't trust the leadership and decisions of Belichick and Kraft, especially after seeing worse. Let's not put words in Brady's mouth, because if he has any intelligence he probably already saw the writing on the wall for the Welker departure awhile ago, judging by the front office's negotiations and offers.

 

[upstater1]

Like I said, the thought crossed my mind for a day or so also, so I don't mean to act like it's a totally insane idea either, but Amendola offers an upgrade to Welker by not only working the slot but also being able to pull in some passes in the traditional sense for grabs over the mid-range portion of the body.

Welker seemed to be great at the lower ankle to midsection grabs, but wasn't as good as the higher grabs in the upper body. I honestly believe that Amendola does have better hands. The question is IF he can remain healthy enough to not miss many games, although his injuries don't really lead one to believe that they are in the chronic sense.

I would like to bring Edelman back myself, to add as an insurance policy to Amendola--should he miss a handful of games. He has also been working as a receiver outside the numbers a bit, in more of a developmental role, and also has obvious ST abilities. If they bring Edelman back I would be happy, but the writing is on the wall that they may have moved on.

I agree that Amendola is an upgrade in speed, size and outside, but that doesn't mean he's an upgrade overall. Knowledge of the game, reading the D, catches in tight spaces, toughness, etc. I don't thing he's an upgrade in these areas.

 

[upstater1]

One would believe that Tom Brady is a much smarter and better QB then he was 7 years ago..

He could be a mix of Einstein, Joe Kapp and Dan Marino, and it's still hard to see him winning with the likes of those WRs.

 

[upstater1]

Redundant. You only have so much money, so many roster spots and so many targets.

Totally disagree with you here. The money is not bad at all. It's no big deal, unless you're saying that Sanders is going to be the last upgrade.

Amendola is already signed for 3 per. Sanders = Lloyd. Jones = Jones. They need another WR. Are you saying they are now set?

$6m for your top receiver is not a lot by NFL standards.

 

[Brady6]

He could be a mix of Einstein, Joe Kapp and Dan Marino, and it's still hard to see him winning with the likes of those WRs.

Not if you realize that our offense is going to be designed around our TE's and these WR's are secondary.

As people get older you get them bigger things to help them.. Brady is getting older you get him something bigger than a 5'8 WR as his go to guy.. Simple logic of life.

 

[robbomango]

Now if only the other 31 teams could be terrified of our WR situation....ray:

 

[flasox27]

I agree that Amendola is an upgrade in speed, size and outside, but that doesn't mean he's an upgrade overall. Knowledge of the game, reading the D, catches in tight spaces, toughness, etc. I don't thing he's an upgrade in these areas.

He definitely is an upgrade in catching the ball. Remember Troy Brown wasn't as good as WW overall, but in the clutch there was no comparison, just check the number of rings.

 

[slash83]

There's gotta be a legit plan in place for a wr. Even with Lloyd it was still a big position of need, now it's crucial. Will see what happens with sanders.

 

[Brady6]

Totally disagree with you here. The money is not bad at all. It's no big deal, unless you're saying that Sanders is going to be the last upgrade.

Amendola is already signed for 3 per. Sanders = Lloyd. Jones = Jones. They need another WR. Are you saying they are now set?

$6m for your top receiver is not a lot by NFL standards.

It's about getting away from Welker's limitations. O'Brien took Welker's role way further than JM ever intended when he brought him in. That position was a secondary check down from Moss and Stallworth in 2007. Now it's going to be a check down from Gronk and AH moving forward with Amendola.

Welker was great but an offense can only go so far because no matter what when someone is 5'8 185lbs there are limits to what he can do. And that showed against Seattle, Arizona, Baltimore and SF all of whom were bigger and more physical defenses. That isn't Welker's fault the fact is the expectations of him were much to high all considered.

 

[IllegalContact]

I don't think WR should be our focus at all. We still need another pass rusher and another CB for depth.

You need to return to the time domain

 

[RobertWeathers]

It's about getting away from Welker's limitations. O'Brien took Welker's role way further than JM ever intended when he brought him in. That position was a secondary check down from Moss and Stallworth in 2007. Now it's going to be a check down from Gronk and AH moving forward with Amendola.

Welker was great but an offense can only go so far because no matter what when someone is 5'8 185lbs there are limits to what he can do. And that showed against Seattle, Arizona, Baltimore and SF all of whom were bigger and more physical defenses. That isn't Welker's fault the fact is the expectations of him were much to high all considered.

I don't buy into this. WW caught the ball more because he was the best receiver on the team.

 

[Brady6]

I don't buy into this. WW caught the ball more because he was the best receiver on the team.

I disagree he caught the ball the most because he received the most targets and had the shortest route the majority of the time.

 

[patsfan13]

Well there is a reasonable chance we end up with: Jones, Amendola, Sanders, Edleman & Lloyd. If that is the case I am fine with it, with Branch on speed dial.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

I'm terrified of your threads

 

[upstater1]

It's about getting away from Welker's limitations. O'Brien took Welker's role way further than JM ever intended when he brought him in. That position was a secondary check down from Moss and Stallworth in 2007. Now it's going to be a check down from Gronk and AH moving forward with Amendola.

Welker was great but an offense can only go so far because no matter what when someone is 5'8 185lbs there are limits to what he can do. And that showed against Seattle, Arizona, Baltimore and SF all of whom were bigger and more physical defenses. That isn't Welker's fault the fact is the expectations of him were much to high all considered.

Holy cow, the continuing total diminishment of Welker on this board is astounding. It's reached ridiculous proportions. Welker is one of the best receivers in the league. You actually put him into a sentence with Stallworth and said the coach upgraded him beyond that. There's a reason the Patriots spent a 2nd on him. Welker EXCEEDED all expectations by producing more than anyone could have ever dreamed he could produce. The guy was a 1st down production machine unlike any other player in the NFL. Better than any player in the NFL at first downs. The fact that Gronk was hurt and that there were no other reliable WR targets is somehow held against him.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I disagree he caught the ball the most because he received the most targets and had the shortest route the majority of the time.

If WW did not have the capability to be highly productive, TB would not have thrown him the ball nor would have BB allowed him on the field.

Besides 2007 Moss and 2011 Gronk, WW has been the best receiver on the Patriots every year.