2 weapons we have on O that were not counted on in 07

[Sean Pa Patriot]

Sammy Morris- was a huge loss in the running game, but Maroney steped it up.. the 1-2 punch will be good down the stretch..

Dave Thomas- will take over for Brady, but will emerge I think as a better tight end than Watson .. I think he could be a good weapon for Brady..

I dont know about Chad Jackson yet, but wont count him out..

 

[makoute]

Can Thomas really be counted on?

 

[Disco Volante]

Sammy Morris will be huge for us if he can stay healthy.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Can Thomas really be counted on?

If the JAX game from 2006 is any indication, he might just make a huge difference. (Heck, even his first reception of the season was huge--29 yards.)

Also, he was stuck behind two first-round draft picks in 2006, and then got rushed back to the field too early last year.

 

[Patsfanaustin]

If Thomas performs like he did here at UT, he will be awesome.

 

[ALP]

let me put it this way....

when does watson's contract expire? b/c i dont think we resign him....

as for CJ, i think this is his year to show something...not much of course, cuz moss and welker will overshadow him, and b/c gaffney will take some snaps from him....but he will be waht donte was last year

imaginve if CJ becomes the next Moss?

also, our running game will be great as well with the two backs

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

If Thomas preforms like he did here at UT, he will be awesome.

And if he performs like he did in those Wendy's commercials... OHHHHHHHHHH MAN look out

 

[TealSox]

I hope Chad Jackson can replace the role that Donte Stalworth played this last season for the New England Patriots. With Jackson and Washington backing up (possibly) Moss, Gaffney and (of course) Welker, I don't think Stalworth will be missed at all. Even if Jabar signs elsewhere, I think the Pats will be okay at the wide out position barring any injuries during the season.

Having Morris back will give the Pats that "one-two" combo they had with Dillon. In no way is Morris the same back as Corey Dillon, but Dillon wasn't what he used to be either. It will be great to have him back to help Maroney and provide extra depth at the running back position. Saving Maroney for the playoff was critical in the decision to of not utilizing him too much in the regular season. If Morris was around, I suppose he would had proven to be extremely adequate to the offense.

Dave Thomas has no pressure to perform, so I think it will be great to have his size and good hands on the roster. Watson has been less than spectacular, but I have to say that others like Ben Troupe and Vernon Davis have lived up to their billing as well. Finding a guy like Ben Coates seems to be harder than I thought. Finding a guy exactly like Coates is near impossible. If Arthur Love couldn't get it done, what makes you think anyone else can?

 

[JackBauer]

Dave Thomas has no pressure to perform, so I think it will be great to have his size and good hands on the roster. Watson has been less than spectacular, but I have to say that others like Ben Troupe and Vernon Davis have lived up to their billing as well. Finding a guy like Ben Coates seems to be harder than I thought. Finding a guy exactly like Coates is near impossible. If Arthur Love couldn't get it done, what makes you think anyone else can?

Don't forget Jabari Holloway!

 

[Wotan_the_Wanderer]

Dave Thomas- will take over for Brady, but will emerge I think as a better tight end than Watson .. I think he could be a good weapon for Brady..

I think DT will give to the team what Fauria provided the Pats 4 or 5 years ago, but both of their games are totally different from that of KB. So, in this sense, the Pats are adding a far better receiving and route running TE, yet at the same time, they're also adding a far worse blocking TE in DT. Aside from the SB, KB was one hell of a blocker and used to stand up and drive back DEs on a regular basis so I really wouldn't be surprised if the Pats pick up a JAG blocking TE or bring back KB at the vet min.

 

[BionicPatriot]

Moss is just a ******* good security blanket. CJ has all the tools and his time is coming or going at this point. By year 4 we should see some serious progess and if not idk what to tell you. This young offense is loaded with potential. It just becomes so much better with Moss. I really do believe playing with potentially Moss and Welker is going to help a healthy CJ a lot. We'll see if everything works out.

 

[PromisedLand]

I disagree with the whole premise of this thread. We have injuries every year - it's part of football and every team has them. In fact, last year we had pretty good luck on the injury front. The only regular starter we lost for the season was Colvin. Thomas and Morris were contributors, but not starters.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I think DT will give to the team what Fauria provided the Pats 4 or 5 years ago, but both of their games are totally different from that of KB. So, in this sense, the Pats are adding a far better receiving and route running TE, yet at the same time, they're also adding a far worse blocking TE in DT. Aside from the SB, KB was one hell of a blocker and used to stand up and drive back DEs on a regular basis so I really wouldn't be surprised if the Pats pick up a JAG blocking TE or bring back KB at the vet min.

At the moment, I suspect Spach is the current holder of the blocking TE role.

As for Thomas' blocking skills, I haven't seen enough to draw any conclusions, but he looked pretty good blocking on STs. . . .

 

[BionicPatriot]

But Morris was doing a lot before he went down. Thomas never had a chance to contribute. If both guys stay healthy, it's pretty obvious to realize they'd easily contribute this year more then last. It's a good thread because despite all the negativity this offense wont suck without Moss, it has serious potential. But potential is what it is, 50/50. Not something I'd wanna go into the season counting on.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

What did morris have, a torn sternum ligament or something? With a full year to heal, that doesn't seem like a recurrent thing...more like a freak injury. Question is, can the O-line run block well enough to make the difference? I think they can.

 

[jeffbiologist]

Thomas will be a better reciever but not as good blocker. Watson and Graham never lived up to their billing as first rd draft picks. To me, I think a 1st rd TE/G/K are supposed to make the pro bowl simply because they have to be so much better than anyone else at that position to be taken that high. CJ, he will be in his 3rd yr not 4th. If he doesnt live up to it"potential can get you fired in this league". Lastly, I dont think people know about our injurys last year just because that is a "patriot thing". Maybe we lost Morris and Colvin to the IR, but there were guys hurt all over the place like Hobbs, Seau, and our right side of the OL.

 

[letekro]

I disagree with the whole premise of this thread. We have injuries every year - it's part of football and every team has them. In fact, last year we had pretty good luck on the injury front. The only regular starter we lost for the season was Colvin. Thomas and Morris were contributors, but not starters.

I'm with ya. We may have those two all next season, but Brady, Faulk, Light, Watson, Maroney, etc. could all be hurt. We had great luck with injuries last year, but I wouldn't count on having the full complement of weapons this year either.

 

[ALP]

Thomas will be a better reciever but not as good blocker. Watson and Graham never lived up to their billing as first rd draft picks. To me, I think a 1st rd TE/G/K are supposed to make the pro bowl simply because they have to be so much better than anyone else at that position to be taken that high. CJ, he will be in his 3rd yr not 4th. If he doesnt live up to it"potential can get you fired in this league". Lastly, I dont think people know about our injurys last year just because that is a "patriot thing". Maybe we lost Morris and Colvin to the IR, but there were guys hurt all over the place like Hobbs, Seau, and our right side of the OL.

i agree on the injury statement, it seemed we only had a few guys on IR, but almost ALL our starters were suffering pretty badly from one thing or another

 

[cubedoggy]

Sammy Morris- was a huge loss in the running game, but Maroney steped it up.. the 1-2 punch will be good down the stretch..

Dave Thomas- will take over for Brady, but will emerge I think as a better tight end than Watson .. I think he could be a good weapon for Brady..

I dont know about Chad Jackson yet, but wont count him out..

Agree on Morris; he was to be the change-of-pace back for Faulk and Maroney, but a freak injury ended his season. I like what Evans and Eckel can bring, but they're not Morris.

Thomas will NEVER, EVER be the blocking TE Brady or Graham was. Fauria-type TE, yes; blocking TE, no. I hope the Pats make a play for Jason Dunn.

Chad Jackson has reached put-up-or-shut-up time; wouldn't be surprised if he's dealt before the trade deadline next season.

 

[HSanders]

when does watson's contract expire? b/c i dont think we resign him....

I think 2009 is his last year. That's why I think they will draft a TE maybe 3rd/4th round this year. They try to stay one step ahead...always!