Donte' Stallworth to Pats?

[Terence]

This was mentioned in a link at the end of Reiss's FA-Saftey article. He mentioned New England as being an option on the table. I would welcome this addition to our WRs. This would be an instant upgrade!

 

[Rob0729]

This was mentioned in a link at the end of Reiss's FA-Saftey article. He mentioned New England as being an option on the table. I would welcome this addition to our WRs. This would be an instant upgrade!

According to Jay Glazier, we actually tried to trade for him, but lost out to the Eagles before the season. My guess is New Orleans was looking for LB help and we had nothing to give since we were thin at the position. If he hits the free agency market, the Pats could make a run at him again.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Heres the actual quote:

"I love the Eagles and I love being there, and I'm hoping that we can get things worked out," Stallworth said during the taping, for a show that will be aired tonight. "There are some other interesting situations that I have on the table, but as far as being with the one team, I definitely want to be with the Eagles."

Asked about other situations, Stallworth said: "There's New England, obviously being able to play in an organization like that, similar to the Eagles, who have definitely won a lot of games in the past. San Francisco, young and upcoming team, has a good young quarterback [Alex Smith], and Norv Turner is still the offensive coordinator there, that helps... And Miami, the GM there was a guy who drafted me in New Orleans, Randy Mueller, and we've always had a real good relationship. But as far as actually picking a team, Philly is definitely No. 1 right now."

I find it quite funny that he says he has other options on "the table". Even though its well before the free agency period thats still quite a statement. Also the fact that he mentiones New England first only furthers this theory that there might have been some kind of initial contact.

 

[DaBruinz]

Well, If New England was in the running last year for Stallworth, then he'd know that they would again be interested since he did have a good year.

Also, It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that the Pats could use another WR when they only have Gaffney and Caldwell as veteran receivers on the team.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

I have never been high on Stallworth. Ever. Didnt like it last year probably wont like it this year but lets look at how he would be used in our system. He would no doubt have to be a #1 in our system. But the thing that worries me most with Stallworth was he had character issues with the team in New Orleans. Not that he was a bad guy in the locker room everyone liked him and got along with him but he was late for meeting and was often said to struggle with mental aspects of the game.

Such as have 140 yard game one week and then the next week catch nothing and drop 4 balls. Thats what really turned off a lot of the coaches in New Orleans which then decided to trade him for so little.

 

[Terence]

I have never been high on Stallworth. Ever. Didnt like it last year probably wont like it this year but lets look at how he would be used in our system. He would no doubt have to be a #1 in our system. But the thing that worries me most with Stallworth was he had character issues with the team in New Orleans. Not that he was a bad guy in the locker room everyone liked him and got along with him but he was late for meeting and was often said to struggle with mental aspects of the game.

Such as have 140 yard game one week and then the next week catch nothing and drop 4 balls. Thats what really turned off a lot of the coaches in New Orleans which then decided to trade him for so little.

The Stallworth that I've been watching the last 2 years has been explosive! He probably led the league or was near the top in yards per catch last year. He had a very solid year 2 years ago in N.O where he wasn't the #1 option. He has had hamstring problems in the past. That's the only thing that really scares me about him. But I would definitely welcome him! And as far as drops go, did you see Caldwell in the AFC Championship game? It still makes me mad just thinking about it!

 

[cstjohn17]

Well, If New England was in the running last year for Stallworth, then he'd know that they would again be interested since he did have a good year.

Also, It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that the Pats could use another WR when they only have Gaffney and Caldwell as veteran receivers on the team.

I wouldn't exclude him from our lists but a lot has changed since they last tried for him. Last year it was in the middle of the season and the WR unit was pretty much crap. Now we have a full offseason to plan improvements to the position.

Stallworth could be a nice addition, his numbers are better than I thought and except for last year he has been able to stay on the field.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5899/career

Personally with the depth of this years draft class, I would rather spend cheap money on a Day 1 WR than spend good money on a number 2 or maybe 1A type of player and use any saved money to get younger on defense.

Another negative he played college at Tennessee not Florida.

 

[DW Toys]

Good morning cousins,
Had a great breakfast of vanilla swirl fresh toast, some Dunkin' Donuts coffee and OJ. Now some opinions from a guy that doesn't know a hell of a lot, but we try.
For some reason to me Stallworth does not seem to be the "Football is in my heart" player that the Godfather or SP shoot for. Does the dude really care? I think even Randy Moss has more desire to win. I think Moss has made his money and he has two good years left (hello Mr. Chad Jackson, learn). By the way, Moss for a third rounder? Why not! At least when Corey came here you knew he had something to prove. That being said, Stallworth will make corners play way off of him. He would free up Watson and hopefully Graham. He would make Gaffney better (also by the way I suspect that Gaffney catches more and gets more chances than Caldwell next season. You can see he is the better pure receiver). BUT.......
The guy that fits the Pats style of WR play is actually Kevin Curtis of the Rams. He is a get-open type of a guy with outstanding speed that runs superb patterns. At about 5'11", he is the quick, sure handed, perhaps younger Troy Brown version type, with a lot more speed (Branch like?).He will cost less to sign than Stallworth and the team not have to increase his helmet size during the year. perhaps like Stallworth. He will stretch the field and is no slower. As said, he runs better patterns and has great hands. He had a convincing year.
Thoughts?
DW Toys

 

[SeanBruschi54]

The Stallworth that I've been watching the last 2 years has been explosive! He probably led the league or was near the top in yards per catch last year. He had a very solid year 2 years ago in N.O where he wasn't the #1 option. He has had hamstring problems in the past. That's the only thing that really scares me about him. But I would definitely welcome him! And as far as drops go, did you see Caldwell in the AFC Championship game? It still makes me mad just thinking about it!

Stallworth had a 19.1 YPC average last year. Also half of his passes were over 20 yards receptions.

 

[BelichickFan]

Caldwell had a 19.1 YPC average last year. Also half of his passes were over 20 yards receptions.

You mean Stallworth Caldwell averaged 12.5.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

You mean Stallworth Caldwell averaged 12.5.

d%#*!@t. I was thinking about something else obviously.

i dont make too many errors so be proud.

 

[salty]

Personally with the depth of this years draft class, I would rather spend cheap money on a Day 1 WR than spend good money on a number 2 or maybe 1A type of player and use any saved money to get younger on defense.

I disagree entirely with this. A rookie wide receiver has very little chance of contributing to the offense immediately. Deion Branch had 43 catches for less than 500 yards and only 3 TDs his rookie season, and that was probably about the height of what a rookie WR can bring to this offense (since Deion was pretty much NFL ready). So I think they really need to sign a veteran guy.

Having said that, Stalworth is not my choice. He is far too inconsistent, seems to be injury prone, and will cost too much money. I'd much rather see Drew Bennett signed. Kevin Curtis is another name people have been tossing around that intrigues me, but for some reason I see him commanding too much money.

 

[cstjohn17]

I disagree entirely with this. A rookie wide receiver has very little chance of contributing to the offense immediately. Deion Branch had 43 catches for less than 500 yards and only 3 TDs his rookie season, and that was probably about the height of what a rookie WR can bring to this offense (since Deion was pretty much NFL ready). So I think they really need to sign a veteran guy.

Having said that, Stalworth is not my choice. He is far too inconsistent, seems to be injury prone, and will cost too much money. I'd much rather see Drew Bennett signed. Kevin Curtis is another name people have been tossing around that intrigues me, but for some reason I see him commanding too much money.

Nothing wrong with disagreement, lets call it "discussion".. I just look at it from a value perspective, Stallworth & Bennett are going to have a cap number of $4-6 M per year and likely expect a 4-5 year contract. A rookie WR may not produce in year 1 but will be under control for minimal money for the next 4-5 years. I would rather use the $3-4M saved on LBs or to sign Samuel than spend it on a WR.

Neither Bennett, Stallworth or Curtis are that exciting to me. I would be surprised if they would be considered top 20 WRs. Drafting a rookie is a crapshoot but they have been able to develop WRs in the past (Givens, Branch).

 

[PatsWorldChamps]

I think even Randy Moss has more desire to win. I think Moss has made his money and he has two good years left (hello Mr. Chad Jackson, learn). By the way, Moss for a third rounder? Why not! Thoughts?
DW Toys

the only problem with a 3rd for moss, is that it would actually be a 3rd, plus 10-12M off our cap, which equals a couple really good players... a fair way to look at is, would we give a 3, samuel, and graham for moss? (their cap hits would be close to moss's)

id vote no to that

 

[salty]

Nothing wrong with disagreement, lets call it "discussion".. I just look at it from a value perspective, Stallworth & Bennett are going to have a cap number of $4-6 M per year and likely expect a 4-5 year contract. A rookie WR may not produce in year 1 but will be under control for minimal money for the next 4-5 years. I would rather use the $3-4M saved on LBs or to sign Samuel than spend it on a WR.

Neither Bennett, Stallworth or Curtis are that exciting to me. I would be surprised if they would be considered top 20 WRs. Drafting a rookie is a crapshoot but they have been able to develop WRs in the past (Givens, Branch).

Well I guess what we have here is differing opinions on how much the Patriots need another wide receiving threat next year. I agree that down the road, a rookie draft choice would likely end up a better bargain. Problem is, they take at least a couple years to develop, and by then they are only a couple season from free agency anyways. So you develop the guy only to lose him to the Seahawks or Titans, because they are willing ridiculously overpay for them.

I think the Patriots need a legitimate receiving threat for NEXT season. Its possible Chad Jackson will develop enough in the off-season that he can fill that role, but I'd say he's probably another year away from that. So I think it'd be worth it for the Pats to throw out a little money to get a guy like Bennett or Curtis (or even Stalworth, though like I said, he's my least favorite of the group).

The way teams beat the Pats this year was stacking the line of scrimmage, because they knew that there was very little chance of them getting burned by either a deep throw or a play-making wide receiver who could break a tackle or two. So the Patriots REALLY need to address this issue, IMO, or they will face the same problem next year. It really limits what they can do on offense, as I think we saw in the Colts loss.

 

[cstjohn17]

Well I guess what we have here is differing opinions on how much the Patriots need another wide receiving threat next year. I agree that down the road, a rookie draft choice would likely end up a better bargain. Problem is, they take at least a couple years to develop, and by then they are only a couple season from free agency anyways. So you develop the guy only to lose him to the Seahawks or Titans, because they are willing ridiculously overpay for them.

I think the Patriots need a legitimate receiving threat for NEXT season. Its possible Chad Jackson will develop enough in the off-season that he can fill that role, but I'd say he's probably another year away from that. So I think it'd be worth it for the Pats to throw out a little money to get a guy like Bennett or Curtis (or even Stalworth, though like I said, he's my least favorite of the group).

The way teams beat the Pats this year was stacking the line of scrimmage, because they knew that there was very little chance of them getting burned by either a deep throw or a play-making wide receiver who could break a tackle or two. So the Patriots REALLY need to address this issue, IMO, or they will face the same problem next year. It really limits what they can do on offense, as I think we saw in the Colts loss.

Makes sense, maybe they do both. Sign a veteran and draft a player. We will know more in the next 2-3 weeks.

 

[Seymour93]

But the thing that worries me most with Stallworth was he had character issues with the team in New Orleans. Not that he was a bad guy in the locker room everyone liked him and got along with him but he was late for meeting and was often said to struggle with mental aspects of the game.

I give Stallworth a pass. He wasn't a malcontent for a winner. Rather he wasn't happy playing for a perennial loser who's HC was Jim Clueless Haslett. As soon as he goes to a functioning franchise you don't hear a peep. It's called the Dillon effect.

 

[patsfan55]

I have never been high on Stallworth. Ever. Didnt like it last year probably wont like it this year but lets look at how he would be used in our system. He would no doubt have to be a #1 in our system. But the thing that worries me most with Stallworth was he had character issues with the team in New Orleans. Not that he was a bad guy in the locker room everyone liked him and got along with him but he was late for meeting and was often said to struggle with mental aspects of the game.

Such as have 140 yard game one week and then the next week catch nothing and drop 4 balls. Thats what really turned off a lot of the coaches in New Orleans which then decided to trade him for so little.

ive actually always been high on him
and thus was disapointed when i heard in training camp that he was having a lot of trouble learning the play book, and that henderson and colston were working with the first team some days over him (before he was traded), while some might have been due to the fact they knew they werent gonna be able to sign him and were thinkin bout trading him, there was a lot of talk that it was mostly due to the fact that he couldnt learn the new system under sean payton

 

[DaBruinz]

the only problem with a 3rd for moss, is that it would actually be a 3rd, plus 10-12M off our cap, which equals a couple really good players... a fair way to look at is, would we give a 3, samuel, and graham for moss? (their cap hits would be close to moss's)

id vote no to that

PWC -
Do you honestly think that the Pats would make that deal without a guarantee from Moss to a renegotiated contract? There is no way Moss would count that much on the Patriots cap.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

Stallworth, or Drew Bennet, and a draft pick would make me happy for the WR situation.. The 2 first round picks should be focused on the defense..