Which WR will be traded?

[NE39]

The next preseason game is against the Tennessee Titans. That would be the receiver-needy Tennessee Titans. This game seems like a good chance for the Pats to showcase their reserve wideouts for a possible trade for a conditional late-round draft pick, instead of the inevitable release of a guy who might help another team. Considering Chad Jackson may be available to come off PUP after week 6, the team isn't worried about depth at WR even if an injury occurs. Which guy do you think the Pats would deal?

I figure Moss, Stallworth and Welker are locks to make the team. Considering Belichick has said it on multiple occasions, I figure Troy Brown is in the mix somewhere as well.

That leaves Caldwell, Gaffney and Washington as the top contenders for remaining 2 possible slots. On the surface, Washington would seem the most likely to go, since the other two are more proven as receivers and know the offense better. However, I am going to have the Pats keeping Washington, since his contribution as a ST-er gives him an edge over the other two as a reserve. I realize many will not agree with this, but I think ST is an important factor for these players.

That leaves Caldwell and Gaffney. Caldwell did play some ST last year, while Gaffney is not a ST-er at all. Gaffney is having a great camp, and really seems like he can contribute to the offense after a strong playoff performance last year. He really seems to fit the offense. Caldwell had a good year for the Pats last season, but Gaffney just seems like a better fit on the team, especially since Moss and Stallworth play a deep threat role that he seems to complement well.

So, I pick Caldwell as the guy who gets traded. Based on his performance last year, he would be able to help a team like the Titans, but on the Pats he is a bit of a luxury.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

So, how'd the last wideout the Tits got from the Pats work out for them?

 

[lapatsfan]

Our WR core will be:

Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Gaffney, Washington, Brown (also playing DB) and Childress.

 

[BelichickFan]

Our WR core will be:

Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Gaffney, Washington, Brown (also playing DB) and Childress.

Even with Troy as a part time DB, I don't see us keeping 7. And if we do it'll be Jackson not Childress after week 6.

Anyway - if we trade one (as you said not for a lot), I would think it would be Caldwell, he was good enough last year to be worth something but is probably behind Washington based on upside and ST.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

So, I pick Caldwell as the guy who gets traded. Based on his performance last year, he would be able to help a team like the Titans, but on the Pats he is a bit of a luxury.

Good analysis. What do you think they could get for him? A 6th moving up to a conditional 5th based on number of catches or yardage???
I

 

[patchick]

I'm definitely with the premise of the thread. Assuming Brown & Jackson start the season on PUP, it makes sense to keep just 5 for opening day (sorry, Bam!)

We all seem to accept three locks...
Moss, Stallworth, Welker

But after that it gets very, VERY thorny. Gaffney's had a great camp and seems particularly in sync with Brady, it's hard to see him going. Washington's the only real ST contributor of the group. But can we really talk about dumping last year's top receiver for a bucket of bolts?

Think of it this way: if you keep Washington over Caldwell, your entire WR corps will combine for a total of 11 regular season receptions from Tom Brady. That scares me too much. I'm keeping Reche.

 

[BelichickFan]

Think of it this way: if you keep Washington over Caldwell, your entire WR corps will combine for a total of 11 regular season receptions from Tom Brady. That scares me too much. I'm keeping Reche.

While true I think that's a little overstated given that Brady and Gaffney are clearly in sync. I really like Washington's ST ability because it could give us the chance to keep someone else we like who doesn't play ST or make ST less of a deciding factor (like a Richardson vs. Wesley).

 

[Rob0729]

I don't expect any WR to be traded. I don't think any of our WRs who we would trade would garner a lot of trade value. I expect our WR corp to be exactly as what I thought it was last week:

Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Gaffney, and Caldwell (with Brown and Jackson on the IR).

I don't see Caldwell getting traded for the following reason (from Albert Breer's blog):

Officially, I’m on the Reche Caldwell bandwagon. This guy’s playing his behind off, and it’s showing up in the running game. Watch Caldwell block. You’ll be impressed. And if you’re blocking with zone principles, getting a man on the corners is important, which is where Caldwell comes in. Even though Kelley Washington — who’s still letting the ball get into his pads too much — showed progress last night, it’s really hard to imagine who he makes the team with Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney around.

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

If Caldwell can make a big impact in the running game, his value is more important to us than the sixth rounder we might get for him. Moss, Stallowrth, and Washington have all gotten very low marks in the blocking area in the past and Belichick is very big on his WRs blocking.

That's why I think Caldwell may have further solidified his spot on the roster eventhough he didn't catch a ball on Friday (at least that wasn't called back). I don't think what Washington did in the game erases a horrible training camp so far and makes Caldwell expendable for him.

 

[patchick]

While true I think that's a little overstated given that Brady and Gaffney are clearly in sync.

Yeah, I'm guilty of cherry-picking statistics a bit. But here's an unequivocal statement:

I think Reche Caldwell is a better football player than Kelley Washington.

By all accounts he's also had a better camp. And he has more experience in the offense than any other receiver on the list. I'll even go out on a limb and say I'd feel more comfortable with a game 1 lineup of Gaffney, Caldwell, Welker than Moss, Stallworth, Welker. This offense needs some continuity.

 

[Rob0729]

I'm definitely with the premise of the thread. Assuming Brown & Jackson start the season on PUP, it makes sense to keep just 5 for opening day (sorry, Bam!)

We all seem to accept three locks...
Moss, Stallworth, Welker

But after that it gets very, VERY thorny. Gaffney's had a great camp and seems particularly in sync with Brady, it's hard to see him going. Washington's the only real ST contributor of the group. But can we really talk about dumping last year's top receiver for a bucket of bolts?

Think of it this way: if you keep Washington over Caldwell, your entire WR corps will combine for a total of 11 regular season receptions from Tom Brady. That scares me too much. I'm keeping Reche.

I agree. Caldwell and Gaffney are going to play bigger roles early in the season than people think. Their experience with Brady is going to earn them playing time early in the season. As I said in my last post, his blocking ability will earn him points vs. Washington too who is not a great blocker.

 

[LaBrady]

Didn't BB say he got a spot for Caldwell or something like that earlier?

 

[dhamz]

Think of it this way: if you keep Washington over Caldwell, your entire WR corps will combine for a total of 11 regular season receptions from Tom Brady. That scares me too much. I'm keeping Reche.

While I'm not going to say that there is nothing to the QB/WR getting used to each other, getting in synch, the same page, (insert other cliches here). It definitely is a factor in the passing game, but it isn't the overriding factor.

We overstate it around here. The reason for that obviously is we heard so much about it last year. The truth was, the main problem last year was the WRs just weren't that good. This year's WRs are so good that while there will be a missed pass here or there due to being new to the system, their talents will allow them to more than make up for that by making plays the previous WRs couldn't.

 

[Rob0729]

While true I think that's a little overstated given that Brady and Gaffney are clearly in sync. I really like Washington's ST ability because it could give us the chance to keep someone else we like who doesn't play ST or make ST less of a deciding factor (like a Richardson vs. Wesley).

I think Caldwell's blocking ability on offense will trump Washington's ST abilities. Besides, if I would rather have Richardson or Wesley on the roster than Washington if you are just looking for a STer. Both Richardson and Wesley play a position that we are thin at and we historically have a lot of injuries.

 

[Rob0729]

Didn't BB say he got a spot for Caldwell or something like that earlier?

Supposably after the Pats traded for Moss, Belichick told Caldwell not to worry because he would have a role on this team. I don't know the source though or how accurate the source is.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I don't see Caldwell getting traded for the following reason (from Albert Breer's blog):



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

If Caldwell can make a big impact in the running game, his value is more important to us than the sixth rounder we might get for him. Moss, Stallowrth, and Washington have all gotten very low marks in the blocking area in the past and Belichick is very big on his WRs blocking.

That's why I think Caldwell may have further solidified his spot on the roster eventhough he didn't catch a ball on Friday (at least that wasn't called back). I don't think what Washington did in the game erases a horrible training camp so far and makes Caldwell expendable for him.

Breer also has insight into how BB, the cut arbiter, thinks. Note that BB in commenting about wideouts had said recently that he values consistency . Last year Cald was the most consistent contributor. That being said, Gaff came on strong and has extended HIS playoff consistency throughout training camp. These are good problems for a coaching staff to have.

 

[spacecrime]

I hope we don't trade Caldwell. I think he is the best of the three.

I especially don't want Gaffney or Washington to be traded for a high draft pick. I just had lunch and don't feel like eating crow.

OTOH if we can get first day picks for those two, I'd be happy enough to take one for the team.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I think Caldwell's blocking ability on offense will trump Washington's ST abilities. Besides, if I would rather have Richardson or Wesley on the roster than Washington if you are just looking for a STer. Both Richardson and Wesley play a position that we are thin at and we historically have a lot of injuries.

That you can be sure is a major decidng factor. Absent injuries, we're deep at wideout. Absent Asante 'The Twit' Samuels we're NOT nearly as deep at DB. Puts a strong spin on selecting roughly equivalent STers. Washington's advantage is that he's signed past this year. Should Washington be cut, I could see the Pats extending one or another wideout vets with their $ this year.

 

[IndyKen]

Think of it this way: if you keep Washington over Caldwell, your entire WR corps will combine for a total of 11 regular season receptions from Tom Brady. That scares me too much. I'm keeping Reche.

I think those 21 playoff receptions by Gaffney count for something.

 

[patriot lifer]

I hope we don't trade Caldwell. I think he is the best of the three.

I especially don't want Gaffney or Washington to be traded for a high draft pick. I just had lunch and don't feel like eating crow.

OTOH if we can get first day picks for those two, I'd be happy enough to take one for the team.

I hope Caldwell stays too. He's cheaper longterm than Washington. Doesn't Washington get pricier if he stays for more than this year? I'll take our boy Reche--better value.

 

[questionman]

I think it's hard to trade someone that people know that you will probably have to release. The exception would be if they felt they had to have that player and they likely couldn't sign him once he is cut.