Dave Thomas

[Brady to Brown]

Wondering about our very talented TE Mr Thomas.

Is he worked in slow? It seems Watson is getting his opportunities and has been holding onto the ball. Will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

My 2 cents says by years end Thomas is the "go to" TE.

What do you think? When does he see more action? Is he better than Watson? How does Belichick work him in?

 

[Ring 6]

Wondering about our very talented TE Mr Thomas.

Is he worked in slow? It seems Watson is getting his opportunities and has been holding onto the ball. Will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

My 2 cents says by years end Thomas is the "go to" TE.

What do you think? When does he see more action? Is he better than Watson? How does Belichick work him in?

Watson is FAR AND AWAY the #1 TE. David Thomas has zero chance of playing ahead of Watson. Brady is the best blocking TE on the team (maybe in the league) so he will clearly be #2.
Thomas will spell both, and get some action in 3 TE sets.
I don't think he is 'being worked in slow', I think there are just very few reps for him, unless Watson or Brady are injured.

 

[Brady to Brown]

Watson is FAR AND AWAY the #1 TE. David Thomas has zero chance of playing ahead of Watson. Brady is the best blocking TE on the team (maybe in the league) so he will clearly be #2.
Thomas will spell both, and get some action in 3 TE sets.
I don't think he is 'being worked in slow', I think there are just very few reps for him, unless Watson or Brady are injured.

I think Thomas is better than Watson.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

I think Thomas is better than Watson.

Agreed, I think he has far more upside. By the end of this year, Thomas will show his worth and will move up the depth chart. Is he better then Watson? Remains to be seen, but when Watson becomes a FA, he might be too high to keep.

 

[Ring 6]

I think Thomas is better than Watson.

Based on what???????????????????????????????????????
Certainly not what has been seen on the field. Certianly not by size, speed, athleticism.
Not trying to give you a hard time, but this is one of the furthest off-base player evaluations Ive seen in a long time.


To me, its the equivalent of saying I think Bill Yates is better than Logan Mankins.

 

[Ring 6]

Agreed, far more upside. By the end of this year, Thomas will show his worth and will move up the depth chart.

How does he have more upside?
What does Thomas do better? Watson is faster, stronger, more athletic and agile, more experienced, and has done 20 times as much on the field.

Can you define what attribute Thomas has that gives him more upside than Watson?

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

I think Thomas is better than Watson.

Definitely at making hamburgers. That mushroom bacon burger is to die for.

 

[PonyExpress]

Thomas is the ideal TE threat in the Pats' passing game. His blocking ability is underrated. His intuitive sense for the game, great hands and clutch play will eventually seperate him from Watson, who is a very solid player in his own right. Having them both is a great luxury. After drafting two 1st rd TEs, IMO the best of the bunch will be a 3rd rdr... provided he can stay on the field.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

How does he have more upside?
What does Thomas do better? Watson is faster, stronger, more athletic and agile, more experienced, and has done 20 times as much on the field.

Can you define what attribute Thomas has that gives him more upside than Watson?

Sure, I think he is smarter, has better hands, is a better blocker............ and as a 3rd rounder.......... over then next 2 years will cost us 1.1 MILLION LESS then Watson. Additionally, I think that if we keep Moss and keep the talent level at WR at a high level, then a smart, good blocking TE with decent hands will be FAR more valuable in our system than a fast, athletic, TE with on again, off again hands would be. Just my opinion.

Don't get me wrong, I like Watson. A LOT, I just think that Thomas, has the potential to be a better option in the future. With WATSON, what you see right now is what you get. At this point, we've barely seen what Thomas will bring us in the future.

 

[sebman2112]

Wondering about our very talented TE Mr Thomas.

Is he worked in slow? It seems Watson is getting his opportunities and has been holding onto the ball. Will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

My 2 cents says by years end Thomas is the "go to" TE.

What do you think? When does he see more action? Is he better than Watson? How does Belichick work him in?

I too like Thomas. That being said the only way I could see him becoming the "go to" TE by years end is if Watson suffers an injury. Watson is the Patriots first string TE, and should only improve with more experience. I think Watson and Thomas will become a very good 1-2 punch at TE though and Watson's physical ability will allow NE to use him more as a wideout while lining up Thomas as the more traditional receiving TE. The strength at WR this year might keep those formations a little more limited but depending on the WR situation next year I think you could see Watson and Thomas on the field at the same time a lot.

 

[patsox23]

My 2 cents says by years end Thomas is the "go to" TE.

I like Thomas as much as anyone, but this made me laugh. The only way he's the go-to TE by year's end is if Watson is the go-to guy on IR.

 

[patsox23]

Sure, I think he is smarter, has better hands, is a better blocker............ and as a 3rd rounder.......... over then next 2 years will cost us 1.1 MILLION LESS then Watson.

I don't know that I agree with that first part at all, but even if I stipulate that, what you've described makes him a better value, not a better go-to option as a TE. There is absolutely NO WAY that Thomas passes Ben Watson on the depth chart, outside of an injury to #84.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

I don't know that I agree with that first part at all, but even if I stipulate that, what you've described makes him a better value, not a better go-to option as a TE. There is absolutely NO WAY that Thomas passes Ben Watson on the depth chart, outside of an injury to #84.

At this point it's kinda academic ain't it. Both are locked into this system through 2009. Thomas comes at a much cheaper price, but like I said, I like what he offers just a tad more, that's all. No matter HOW you slice it, it works out in the end.

Both together won't make what we pay "the other Brady" next year so WTF. If they'll both work for the next couple season, we'll be a better team for it. I will say, watch Thomas, as a third rounder, he will outperform expectations.

 

[patsox23]

I don't think many are arguing specifically AGAINST Thomas exceeding expectations. In fact, on this board he's as close to a binky as any back-up on the team. I just think Watson is starting to show some maturity and progress, as well. It's a great "problem" to have. I like them both.

 

[The 12th Man]

I love the idea of us having 3 great TEs. No need to speculate who will be better. Having Watson and Thomas is a luxury. Brady is an amazing blocker and can catch too when called on. They're both still under their rookie contracts and there's no need to worry.

 

[sebman2112]

I don't know that I agree with that first part at all, but even if I stipulate that, what you've described makes him a better value, not a better go-to option as a TE. There is absolutely NO WAY that Thomas passes Ben Watson on the depth chart, outside of an injury to #84.

For arguements sake I want to add that Ben Watson is one of the most intelligent players on the entire football team.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

I love the idea of us having 3 great TEs. No need to speculate who will be better. Having Watson and Thomas is a luxury. Brady is an amazing blocker and can catch too when called on. They're both still under their rookie contracts and there's no need to worry.

Actually 4 TE's.... O'Cal been playing quite a bit of TE this year too in 3 TE sets. Leave it to BB to find a way to get 2 extra linemen in O'Cal and Brady onto the field . :rocker:

 

[Nordy]

BTW...It's wrong to call Thomas smarter than Watson. Watson is a VERY smart guy.

 

[PonyExpress]

Going by Watson's wonderlik he is one of the 2 or 3 most intelligent players in the NFL. Watson should probably run for senate some day. IMO Thomas has more football savvy and a better intuitive feel for the game, going by what I have seen from him in college and the snippets from last season. He is a natural football player, and IMO his ceiling is higher than Watson.

 

[cstjohn17]

To me, its the equivalent of saying I think Bill Yates is better than Logan Mankins.

I think Zach West has more upside than Richard Seymour... well maybe not....

I like both Watson and Thomas (is that allowed?), the Patriots have used Watson very effectively this year, instead of sending him screaming down the middle of the field and being a focal part of the offense he is placed out into space and finds an open spot in the soft part of the zones. Remember the good old days when we didn't need an outside threat because the two TE formation was going to dominate the NFL... it seems like only yesterday...

Thomas can do many of the things Watson is being asked to do but doesn't have the ability to really stretch the field like Watson. Expect to see a play where Moss runs an in cut pulls a Safety over while Watson runs deep past the LBs.

The best thing about Thomas (aside from the burgers) and Watson is that we have added depth. The players can be used in a rotation helping preserve them for the entire season. TE is one of the most difficult positions to stay healthy, they have to block DEs and get creamed by LBs on almost every play.