WR Robert Meachem to visit Foxboro

[DefenseRules]

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/

March 26th, 2007
Meachem coming to Foxboro
Posted by Albert Breer at 5:54 pm

Agent Jeff Griffin just confirmed that Tennessee WR Robert Meachem will be visiting Foxboro, a meeting that is tentatively scheduled for next Wednesday and was set up after offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and receivers coach Nick Caserio checked him out at Tennessee’s Pro Day last Wednesday.

This is significant because each team is only allowed 20 in-house visits prior to the draft. The only other visit reported to have been scheduled, at this point, involves Purdue DE/OLB Anthony Spencer. And it’s also notable since it would probably cost the team either the 24th or 28th overall pick to get him, as he’s risen on draft boards into the neighborhood right behind Calvin Johnson and Ted Ginn.

 

[zippo59]

It seems we have a thing for Tennessee WRs.

 

[The 12th Man]

I don't really want us to draft a WR in the first round. We already have plenty competition and Troy isn't even signed.

 

[BelichickFan]

I don't really want us to draft a WR in the first round.

In theory I don't want us to either but . . . with Stallworth being the only WR we have who is semi proven and very talented, I could see us not wanting to pass on exactly the right guy. It would have to be a guy they LOVED to do it though.

 

[The 12th Man]

In theory I don't want us to either but . . . with Stallworth being the only WR we have who is semi proven and very talented, I could see us not wanting to pass on exactly the right guy. It would have to be a guy they LOVED to do it though.

I can see where you're going, and that's fine. But if they do draft that guy, who will be the odd man out? Stallworth, Welker are locks. I don't see them cutting Caldwell or Gaffney just because they did a good job coming in, learning the system and doing well without a deep threat on the team. Plus they come cheap. Jackson is not going to get cut, and reports have been saying that his injury is not severe, maybe PUP for first 6 weeks for worst case. No way they don't bring him in after week 6. That's 5 already. Washington is a question mark to me. He definitely has potential but not proven himself yet. Probably depends on TC battle and how good he does. Then there the question of Troy's return. ? What about Bam's shot at making it? Kight? Too many.

 

[BelichickFan]

I can see where you're going, and that's fine. But if they do draft that guy, who will be the odd man out? Stallworth, Welker are locks. I don't see them cutting Caldwell or Gaffney just because they did a good job coming in, learning the system and doing well without a deep threat on the team. Plus they come cheap. Jackson is not going to get cut, and reports have been saying that his injury is not severe, maybe PUP for first 6 weeks for worst case. No way they don't bring him in after week 6. That's 5 already.

I agree and I've argued the "we won't draft a WR side" already. But if they think there's a STUD, they'll let the competition decide.

Stallworth, Welker, New Guy would be three. Jackson would be four if healthy. That would leave 1 or 2 spots between Troy, Washington, Caldwell, Gaffney.

Imagine the statement on the state of last year if both starting WR didn't make the team

 

[VJCPatriot]

I could live with that with pick 28. 24 Needs to be for the defense I think. Will be up to what the Pats to consider to be 1st rounders. Their short list is usually only about 20 players long I think.

 

[R_T26]

Lets not forget that aside from welker and Jackson, the entire WR corps basically have 1 year deals.

 

[Kdo5]

I agree and I've argued the "we won't draft a WR side" already. But if they think there's a STUD, they'll let the competition decide.

Stallworth, Welker, New Guy would be three. Jackson would be four if healthy. That would leave 1 or 2 spots between Troy, Washington, Caldwell, Gaffney.

Imagine the statement on the state of last year if both starting WR didn't make the team

Caldwell is as much of a lock to be on the team as Stallworth is. He will be #2 man. I am unsure of drafting a WR with what we already have, especially using a high pick.

 

[Water Boy]

Lets not forget that aside from welker and Jackson, the entire WR corps basically have 1 year deals.

Exactly. We need to think about beyond this year. Meachem could very likely be the BPA when the Pats pick at 24 or 28. I'd rather take Meachem in round 1 than make a reach at "a position of need" ie S, LB.

 

[tombonneau]

Why are people thinking Gaffney is a lock to make this team? This is a guy who was cut by Houston & then Philly, not exactly teams overflowing with WR talent.

Then he was unemployed with nary a sniff until NE signed him.

Now don't get me wrong, I think he had a decent stretch toward the end of the season, but honestly, BFD -- he was starting at WR, he had to catch *some* passes.

I think the guy is competent, but I don't think that his current presence on the roster precludes the Pats being able to draft a WR they really like in the first round.

Also, I don't think Washington, based on his contract, is a lock to make the roster either. He's one tweaked hammy in TC from being cut if the Pats have some WRs to spare. Which they would if they drafted one they liked.

 

[chowder]

I think there would be better choices than WR in the first round but I wouldn't throw my tv out the window either if it happened as i think the more receivers to fight for spots the better in Tom Brady's mind. lol

 

[The 12th Man]

Yeah, I don't know, I guess we'll just see what happens. I would hate it if they had to cut Caldwell or Gaffney just because they got the offense down and developed into good players for us especially towards the end of the season. Washington can end up like Donald Hayes for all we know right now. I do want them to bring Troy back for one last year though.

 

[captain stone]

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/

Not my first choice for a visit.

Now, just as long as all the 1st-day talent at DB and LB are interviewed, then I'm cool.

 

[patchick]

I generally don't like WRs in the 1st because the hit rate is so low. But Meachem looks like a blue-chip talent. There aren't likely to be many of those by the time the Patriots are on the board. Given that the team has two round-1 picks, I would definitely spend one on Meachem rather than settling for a guy like, say, Michael Griffin that early.

 

[Clonamery]

Given that the team has two round-1 picks, I would definitely spend one on Meachem rather than settling for a guy like, say, Michael Griffin that early.

If they're not trading out with either pick, Double Amen on that!

 

[WhiZa]

I don't really want us to draft a WR in the first round. We already have plenty competition and Troy isn't even signed.

You need to think about next year though. Caldwell and Gaffney are both FA. Stallworth and Washington basically signed 1-year "prove yourself" deals and could easily be cut. Ideally we'd draft a WR to spend a year in the system and become a starter next year given our possible WR situation.

 

[The 12th Man]

You need to think about next year though. Caldwell and Gaffney are both FA. Stallworth and Washington basically signed 1-year "prove yourself" deals and could easily be cut. Ideally we'd draft a WR to spend a year in the system and become a starter next year given our possible WR situation.

I do think about the future years, but like I mentioned earlier, it comes down to roster spots this year and someone getting cut (Washington, Gaffney,) or not resigning of Troy. I want Brown back for one more year and I would hate to cut Gaffney before regular season since he seems to have gotten the system down towards the end as opposed to the 3 WR we signed. Plus, he is cheap. So with Stallworth, Welker, Jackson, Caldwell being locks to make it, we can only have 1 or 2 max WR more. I'd like to see Troy and Gaffney in those roles to give them the best shot at winning next year. Remember, we already have a young Jackson grooming.

 

[cstjohn17]

I generally don't like WRs in the 1st because the hit rate is so low. But Meachem looks like a blue-chip talent. There aren't likely to be many of those by the time the Patriots are on the board. Given that the team has two round-1 picks, I would definitely spend one on Meachem rather than settling for a guy like, say, Michael Griffin that early.

Hmm... I am kind of warming to Griffin as our FS of the future but I agree the games I saw Meachem play he was a game breaker. Big, strong, fast. Not sure how well he runs routes but is a homerun hitter.

 

[sebman2112]

I like Meachem and I would be fine with him in the first, but I think there will be some pretty good talent at WR in the 2nd, 3rd, and even fourth round. If NE really wants to draft a WR they should trade the 28th overall pick for GB's 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, then take Jason Hill with either the second or third round pick (Likely the second).

Here are the WR's I like for NE:
Robert Meachem
Jason Hill
Steve Smith
Anthony Gonzalez
Craig Davis
Aundrae Allison
Courtney Taylor
Chris Davis
Rhema McNight
Steve Breaston
David Ball