Getting deeper into Brandon LaFell

[Marqui]

Getting deeper into Brandon LaFell - ESPN Boston

I just like the name of the article.

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm lukewarm on this signing. On one hand, I welcome it due to the fact that he has size. He can line up at split end and help the offense in the red zone with his size. On the other hand, I'm leery about some of his drops and reported fear of contact at times (though that seemed to be reported when he was in the slot. I like him more as a split end here). Still a halfway decent read. Hopefully we get another receiver that can threaten outside of the numbers while still solidifying the trenches on both sides of the ball.

 

[patsfan13]

With his size and ability to play inside (i have read he is a good blocker) one wonders if he is being looked at as a AH replacement a mod of the move TE concept using LaFell in leiu of a TE.

 

[BelichickFan]

I like the signing. After going around and around with myself I'm convinced we're going back to more of the 2007 offense. Edelman can play Wes just fine, LaFell can be what Gaffney was (after he largely replaced Stallworth). He can play inside and out, has good reach, good quickness and enough speed. Also his hands aren't that bad, he's had two years well above average in drops (including last year) but he's not consistently high :

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/303885/brandon-lafell/#Dropped%20Passes$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990

On the 2007 thing, I know Dobson isn't Moss, I'm not saying we'll be as good but we have a lot of WR and only one TE - and he's coming off a torn ACL so I'm confident we'll try to draft a solid backup for Gronk but not try to find the next AH instead playing more 3 WR.

 

[BelichickFan]

With his size and ability to play inside (i have read he is a good blocker) one wonders if he is being looked at as a AH replacement a mod of the move TE concept using LaFell in leiu of a TE.

I was thinking that at first but I have since decided (see previous post) it's more likely we'll use a WR as a WR not as a TE. That said, LaFell is very versatile and he can run some of the Big Slot routes that Vereen was forced into last year (AH routes, I know Vereen isn't big but we were out of options).

 

[shmessy]

If this guy comes in as our 4th WR and merely stays on his career stats trajectory of ~45-50 Rec and 3-5 TD's, then he'll be an excellent additional piece of the puzzle.

I, too, am tired of watching Brady trying to throw fades in the end zone to midgets like Edelman and Amendola. Lafell is 6-2, 210. He and Dobson running towards the pins and Gronk eating the middle in the red zone would be a nice look.

 

[shmessy]

I like the signing. After going around and around with myself I'm convinced we're going back to more of the 2007 offense. Edelman can play Wes just fine, LaFell can be what Gaffney was (after he largely replaced Stallworth). He can play inside and out, has good reach, good quickness and enough speed. Also his hands aren't that bad, he's had two years well above average in drops (including last year) but he's not consistently high :

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/players/303885/brandon-lafell/#Dropped%20Passes$GameType=279588574&SeasonMax=9999&SeasonMin=1990

On the 2007 thing, I know Dobson isn't Moss, I'm not saying we'll be as good but we have a lot of WR and only one TE - and he's coming off a torn ACL so I'm confident we'll try to draft a solid backup for Gronk but not try to find the next AH instead playing more 3 WR.

Great point about Gaffney. The similarities are quite close.

 

[cstjohn17]

Not the greatest value signing but at a minimum creates competition and is a decent 4th option with match potential in the red zone.

 

[Peachhead]

I fear he's gonna be Donald Hayes 2.0. Especially when I see him in a Panthers uniform. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[BobDigital]

Not really much new there. But generally I agree if we brought him in here to be a 4th option then he will do very well In that roll.

However I think right now he is likely the 3rd.

Edelman & Dobson are both ahead of him. Amendola may or may not be. I have no confidence in Thompkins/Boyce/Harrison until I see it happen.

The point is I think we need 1 more good option. Either Gronk stays healthy all year (but I am not banking on it) or we add a WR/TE in the draft or FA who can impact.

 

[hwc]

It's a sad commentary on sports media when Reiss bills his little blurb as an in-depth analysis.

The concepts of a #1 or #2 or #3 receiver don't even make sense in a Belichick offense that is constantly shuffling different personnel groups onto the field.

Fortunately, Belichick doesn't have to rely on BleacherReport (whatever that is) for player scouting. He actually has to study game film to prepare against these players and see how they play against the Patriots. I'm guessing that he knows more about what LaFell can and cannot do than BleacherReport (whatever that is).

 

[PatsFan37]

One of the biggest variables in the WR grouping is how well Amendola recovers from his groin injuries. I read a little about surgery vs non-surgical recoveries, that surgery isn't necessarily recommended. I don't understand how someone can regain all their shiftiness without full use of the groin muscles, but I'm no doctor.

If Amendola has a full recovery, he'll be the best WR on the field and can play inside and outside. Edelman can move around as well. Both have decent long speed. So does Dobson, but we have yet to see if he can make that sophomore jump.

I have no idea what Boyce can do - measurables are enticing, but not enough to know that: I think he's in a battle to get on the field, and perhaps on the gameday roster.

I see La Fell as the 2nd, 3rd or 4th option, depending on Dobson's development and the game plan. In a heavy running attack, he should be on the field most plays, to widen the field and block. In the short passing game (like the hurry-up) against a team that can't defend it well, where you need quick reliable receivers, I doubt he supplants a healthy Amendola.

But if Brady doesn't develop rapport, he's gone like so many others.

 

[mayoclinic]

It's a sad commentary on sports media when Reiss bills his little blurb as an in-depth analysis.

Reiss has good contacts and is a very solid beat reporter, but his analytical ability is very, very limited.

The concepts of a #1 or #2 or #3 receiver don't even make sense in a Belichick offense that is constantly shuffling different personnel groups onto the field.

Someone actually gets it. :rocker:

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I, too, am tired of watching Brady trying to throw fades in the end zone to midgets like Edelman and Amendola.

It sucks when it doesn't work.

When it works, though, it's hilarious to see DBs getting pwned.