Can Troy beat out Welker for any roles?

[Isaac]

With the official return of Troy Brown to the roster, I've been wondering if he can possibly beat out Welker for any roles. There seems to be a general assumption that Welker will take all of Troy's former roles, except DB, and therefore Troy becomes a good backup to Welker and a great compliment (e.g., for 4-WR sets).

However, is Welker really better than Troy at the following roles in 2007? Basically these are roles where savviness, experience, and reliability trump speed and break-away potential.
- 4th and short: similar to 3rd and short, but over the the years the Patriots have so often gone to Troy on 4th down--can Welker really be more reliable than Troy?
- Inside the 10: Welker doesn't have many career TDs, Troy has a knack for getting open in the endzone.
- Short-field punt returns: Welker has great hands, but are his decision-making/hands better than Troy's?
- Others?

Note that I don't believe that Welker would be a disappointment even if Troy ends up beating him out for a lot of playing time in 2007--it'd be fine to have him backup Troy for a year and learn. Don't think that'll happen though.

On the flip side, if Troy can't beat out Welker for any of these roles, it's going to be hard to get him on the game day roster if the DBs and WRs are healthy.

 

[363839]

I have no doubt Troy will make the roster.
BB is not going to cut the most versatile and consistent player on the team.

 

[c_nice_37]

I have no doubt Troy will make the roster.
BB is not going to cut the most versatile and consistent player on the team.

That wasn't the question I read.

Aside from the "hands" I would have to say Welker is a better option for the first 3. Good hands have to be judged on a week in week out basis, and I can't comment on Wes' ability there.

It could get interesting on 4 WR sets with both Troy and Wes.

Man, I hate the offseason.

 

[ironwasp]

Defensive back?

 

[satz]

I do not know what are you talking about.Troy and faulk are 2 people who know the offence best after brady and bb .Remember that they were inthe system contributing when brady was learning it.

 

[Mack Herron]

Good question.

The competition at WR is fierce. BB will keep the best overall group with the mix of talents that gives them the best chance to win and nobody is a lock (not only from a talent and money perspective, but also injury). A minority of WRs on the roster can contribute on special teams, which is important especially for players seeing limited time on offense. Brown is certainly one of the top ST players in addition to being a reliable slot receiver. He also provides leadership that nobody else offers. IF top 4 include Welker, Stallworth, Moss, and Caldwell, then TB competes with the rest for the last 1-2 slots. I see Washington/Gaffney as more likely competition for TB than Welker. Completely different skill sets here.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

As the previous poster stated he doesn't have to. The question is whether Gaffney, Washington and even Caldwell - not to mention Jackson, Childress or Kite can beat him out for a 4th, 5th, or 6th WR slot. Those are positions where experience and versatility compete with potential, and the former tends to carry the day when the final roster selections are made.

 

[WhiZa]

It may be a slot WR by committee sort of thing. If welker just returned a kick Troy could take his place for a down or two and vice versa. Chances are this TC Troy will be taking a lot more snaps at DB especially if Samuel is not around.

 

[363839]

That wasn't the question I read.

Aside from the "hands" I would have to say Welker is a better option for the first 3. Good hands have to be judged on a week in week out basis, and I can't comment on Wes' ability there.

It could get interesting on 4 WR sets with both Troy and Wes.

Man, I hate the offseason.

Seemed to be implied. Oh well.
As to the question of Troy beating out Welker.
I doubt it. As much as I love Troy, Welker will be the new slot reciever.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'll play Bill Clinton here (basically parroting back what everyone else has said) because I think you are all right. However, I'll add a couple thoughts of my own.

1) Every organization needs people that management can rely on to reiterate to the group the organizational philosophy in tactical terms. You have CEOs, Generals, VPs etc. IMO, the main reason Troy Brown was signed because he is filling out that "seargent" or captain role for BB with the WR group. He is the one that by actions alone can reiterate to the WR core what is expected of them within their unit. Brown knows this offense almost as well as TB. IMO the first few weeks will be similar to what we saw last year. Stallworth, Moss, Welker havent played a single down in this offense. Caldwell and Jaffney have collectively a year & 1/2 in it. Brown has been in it since 2000. Brady is huge when it comes to telling the WRs where to go and what to look for, but TB provides the new folks with a different perspective.

2) Brown has a tremendous amount of versatility. DB, WR, KR, PR and coach on the field. People get hurt on this team. TB can fill in when called upon and play the role.

3) He has a tremendous amount of experience in big games. He doesn't crack under pressure. Thats stating the obvious.

He is a luxury that teams loaded with talent can have. If he has more than 20catches this year, or 20 KR/PRs or more than 30 plays in the secondary all year, I'll be suprised.

 

[patsgo]

I have no doubt Troy will make the roster.
BB is not going to cut the most versatile and consistent player on the team.

consistent has to go to brady hes never missed a game and hes on target most of the time

 

[Isaac]

I have no doubt Troy will make the roster.
BB is not going to cut the most versatile and consistent player on the team.

As stated above, my post wasn't about whether or not Troy will make the roster. I tend to take BB's statements at face value--he said Troy will have a role with this team, I'm trying to figure out what that role will be.

 

[Isaac]

Defensive back?

I did qualify my post with "except DB"--I assume Welker is at least a year away from those duties!

 

[Isaac]

<snip> Troy and faulk are 2 people who know the offence best after brady and bb .Remember that they were inthe system contributing when brady was learning it.

I forgot to mention this--no way Welker knows the offense as well as Troy does this year, particularly early. This just adds to the reliability aspect of Troy's game versus Welker's.

 

[Isaac]

As the previous poster stated he doesn't have to. The question is whether Gaffney, Washington and even Caldwell - not to mention Jackson, Childress or Kite can beat him out for a 4th, 5th, or 6th WR slot. Those are positions where experience and versatility compete with potential, and the former tends to carry the day when the final roster selections are made.

Yes he does if he's going to see the field much on offense or punt returns. Again, my post is assuming Troy makes the team--will he be on the field instead of Welker in any situations? If not, does he make the game day active roster?

 

[Isaac]

<snip> If welker just returned a kick Troy could take his place for a down or two and vice versa. <snip>

Possibly, though Welker doesn't seem like the type that would need a breather.

 

[Isaac]

<snip>
3) He has a tremendous amount of experience in big games. He doesn't crack under pressure. Thats stating the obvious.
<snip>

This is the one that gets me, when the game is on the line, who do you go to--Troy or Wes? This is tempered a bit by the end of the Indy game, of course. Maybe Wes gets a step more separation there?

 

[PATSNUTme]

Here is what I think will happen. Unless one on the top six recievers really does not perform well in the pre-season, Troy will be PUPed. Then he will be brought back if one of the recievers goes down or just isn't getting the job done.

 

[patfanken]

Here is what I think will happen. Unless one on the top six recievers really does not perform well in the pre-season, Troy will be PUPed. Then he will be brought back if one of the recievers goes down or just isn't getting the job done.

No, Patsnut, while I thought that Troy would be PUPed earlier, because they have signed him so soon, I think he will be ready for TC and not be PUPed. Here is my 2 cents

1. The Pats will keep at least 6 WRs

2. Brown provides quality depth at the slot receiver spot and punt returner

3. He brings some stability to a postion in transition.

4. He brings STRONG leadership to a position populated by talented people who are not natural leaders.

It will be Chad who is PUPed and probably IRed, as to who will make the team, it is merely speculation. My GUESS is Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Brown, Caldwell, and Washington. Washington gets the last spot more because of special teams play than as a WR. If Jabbar Gaffney wants to make this team, he'd better come to camp prepared to be a special teams demon....same goes for our resident HB/TE

 

[TAPATSFAN]

I have a problem with the fact that Troy will not only bump someone off the final 53 but also off the final 45 actives. He will not be on the team in his last year as an inactive every week, so someone else will be on the 8 inactives. So, his making the team after TC will affect two other guys.