Did we keep the wrong Tight End

[theflinger]

I thought Watson's health issues were a direct result of Roy "Ulf" Williams? Effn Thug

I just watched that clip again, and although it wasn't a horsecollar, he rode his knees into the back of Watson's knees. It could happen by accident any time, but Roy is still a dirty player.

 

[RayClay]

I think Daniel Graham is a better route runner than Ben Watson and a way better deep threat
Imagine Graham in this Offense with Moss and Welker.
we could've line him up in the 5 wide package making it impossible for teams to double Wes Welker in the slot.

I don't. your premise is faulty.

Graham is a great blocker but couldn't get a cup of coffee in the league solely as a receiver.

 

[primetime]

While I'd rather have Dan Graham than Ben Watson, I think the better answer is... no, the wrong tight end got hurt.

I see David Thomas being a Jason Witten, Dallas Clark-type... what Watson was supposed to be but for the most part hasn't.

 

[Dinger]

Denver signed him for 5 years at $30 Million, and got 24 catches for 246 yards and 2 TDs out of it. This after they seemingly (and he definitely) expressed an interest in increasing his catching opportunities. Instead, eh was what he always was and always will be -- a fine blocking TE and nothing special in the passing game.

Exactly! You hit it right on the head. Besides, when Kyle Brady got hurt it put more of the blocking game on Watson and that is not his forte.

 

[Real World]

Denver signed him for 5 years at $30 Million, and got 24 catches for 246 yards and 2 TDs out of it. This after they seemingly (and he definitely) expressed an interest in increasing his catching opportunities. Instead, eh was what he always was and always will be -- a fine blocking TE and nothing special in the passing game.

Exactly. What's funny is that Graham was a beast in college. I remember seeing him run over players after the catch. I was so excited when they moved up for him, yet, he never really become much of an offensive weapon when coming to the pros. All in all, the PAts did the right thing in letting him go, and moving forward with Watson. Watson has all the physical tools, but his hands are awful. He simply drops too many easy passes. He's still fairly young, and has been bitten by nagging injuries, so there is room to improve. He isn't what we thought he would be, or maybe expected, but also, how many balls are there to go around? Every reciever can't have 80-100 catches and 1,000 yards. Numbers therefore, (or lack there of) in an offense like this, can sometimes be decieving. BTW, I think people are forgetting Dave Thomas.

 

[primetime]

BTW, I think people are forgetting Dave Thomas.

Yeah, Thomas has unbelievable hands and is just as quick as Watson, if not as out-and-out fast. Like I said, I think the wrong TE got hurt, I'd rather have a Thomas-Brady combo than a Watson-Brady combo at this point.

 

[kriskanos]

Daniel "stone hands" Graham is not the answer. Neither is Ben Watson. Our best pass catching tight end is on injured reserve. I fully expect David Thomas to have that break out season next year we always thought Watson would.

 

[Fencer]

ZERO.

I guess you missed the threads we had on BB calling out Gonzales in the Pro Bowl.

I read them, and I think that speaks well of Gonzalez. He showed he responded to coaching.

There may be reasons for not getting him -- millions of reasons, quite literally -- but that incident is NOT one of them.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Watson was playing well when he was healthy. He had a freak injury against Dallas (damn Roy Williams). Watson is one of the most athletic TE in the league. He will be fine.

 

[patchick]

OK, now that we've all beaten up on the OP...

Tight end HAS been the one huge problem position for the Pats this year. But it's not a matter of the personnel on the roster, it's the personnel on the field. We're talking about a position that was so deep in training camp that BB had to cut a guy (Mills) we know he wanted to keep...then ending up with Stephen f'in Spach as the only TE in uniform!

Does anybody really have a problem with heading into 2008 with Watson, Brady and Thomas?

 

[italian pat patriot]

nothing against Graham but i still prefere Ben Watson

 

[Flying Fungi]

OK, now that we've all beaten up on the OP...

Tight end HAS been the one huge problem position for the Pats this year. But it's not a matter of the personnel on the roster, it's the personnel on the field. We're talking about a position that was so deep in training camp that BB had to cut a guy (Mills) we know he wanted to keep...then ending up with Stephen f'in Spach as the only TE in uniform!

Does anybody really have a problem with heading into 2008 with Watson, Brady and Thomas?

If there had to be a problem position this year, I'd rather it be TE than CB.

Watson had 6 TDs in his first 6 games before getting injured. That was a league leading pace. Rumors of his demise are quite premature. If he is healthy in the playoffs, I wouldn't be shocked to see a few big plays from Ben.

 

[bigdgp]

I think Daniel Graham is a better route runner than Ben Watson and a way better deep threat
Imagine Graham in this Offense with Moss and Welker.
we could've line him up in the 5 wide package making it impossible for teams to double Wes Welker in the slot.

Daniel Graham wasn't even the most productive TE on his own team nevermind what he could have done on this one.

NAME REC YDS AVG LNG TD FUM LST
Tony Scheffler 49 549 11.2 41 5 1 1
Daniel Graham 24 246 10.3 28 2 0 0

If you're concerned about Watson's production you only need to consider the Patriots Personnel situation with Brady being injured. That situation necessitated Watson having to stay back on the line more and him not being available as much in the passing game. Watson's production before Brady was injured was Pro-Bowl worthy.

 

[pheenix11]

I think Ben Watson has been fine, maybe a few too many injuries but I love his potential and his production so far has been OK. I just think with this offense that there are so many options this year that sometimes its hard to get him the ball enough.

Besides how can you not like a guy responsible for one of the greatest hustle plays in NFL history. He showed me a lot on that play and earned some patience.

 

[Truck]

Here's a better question:
Would you rather have Watson & Graham; or Watson & Welker
Because there's only so much money to go around; and graham would've cost 6 mil/year. welker costs less. And Watson wasn't going anywhere.

 

[zoostation]

Grahmam = great blocker

 

[Disco Volante]

Watson's first half of the season :rocker:

Watson's second half of the season

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

I think Daniel Graham is a better route runner than Ben Watson and a way better deep threat
Imagine Graham in this Offense with Moss and Welker.
we could've line him up in the 5 wide package making it impossible for teams to double Wes Welker in the slot.

Granted the Pats and Broncos are different situations, but Graham wasn't much of a receiver for Denver (who could have used him once Walker went down) and wasn't a standout blocker, either. In that MNF Chargers game he let Shaun Philips go right around him without any effort and nail Cutler for a sack.

The grass definitely is not greener, my friend.

Regards,
Chris

 

[spacecrime]

Watson is made of glass. We won as many superbowls with Rod Rutledge as we did with him. We need to draft a TE with our SF pick or we will not make the playoffs next year.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Speaking of Graham, I just read that he was arrested today. Allegedly harrassing his ex-girlfriend. Supposedly hit and damaged a bedpost in an argument.

Just thought it was a funny coincidence that this story came out the same day this thread started.

Regards,
Chris