Number 3 Receiver...

[The Great Fork]

Last year, toward the end of the season, the Pats had a pretty damn good triple threat with Moss, Welker and Stallworth. Stallworth obviously struggled in the beginning, but as time moved on he seemed to develop into a much better receiver than he had ever been in his career (and we can give credit for that to Brady/McDaniels).

Now that Stallworth is gone (and overpaid by the Browns, I think), I was curious who everyone thinks should be the #3 target. I know this isn't a huge area of concern, but a lot of people are talking on this board about the need to have a second guy who can stretch the field in order to relieve at least some of the pressure that Randy Moss saw on the field last year (especially during the playoffs). So with WR depth being:

Randy Moss
Wes Welker
Jabar Gaffney
Chad Jackson
Kelley Washington
CJ Jones
Sam Aiken

I was curious who everyone thought should be the number three, or at least who should line up opposite Moss in order to stretch the field, either from the roster now, or maybe a later round selection who could be developed into the type of threat we need to help out Randy.

Thoughts?

 

[patriotsdynasty12189]

Welker was the 3rd receiever last year... Probably will be this year. He works the slot. Jabar Gaffney or Chad Jackson will most likely take the number 2 spot.

 

[FirstAndGoal]

Gaffney was playing more than Stallworth by the end of the season. I'd say the job is his to lose.

 

[The Great Fork]

Welker was the 3rd receiever last year... Probably will be this year. He works the slot. Jabar Gaffney or Chad Jackson will most likely take the number 2 spot.

I know Welker was in the slot, but when I say #3 I really mean Tom Brady's 3rd favorite target. I know Welker being in the slot means he's technically the number 3, but with 100+ catches, it is hard to say he's the #3 receiver.

 

[blackglass3]

Gaffney was playing more than Stallworth by the end of the season. I'd say the job is his to lose.

That's my thinking too, with maybe giving CJ a shot at it if he starts the year hot.

 

[patriotsdynasty12189]

I know Welker was in the slot, but when I say #3 I really mean Tom Brady's 3rd favorite target. I know Welker being in the slot means he's technically the number 3, but with 100+ catches, it is hard to say he's the #3 receiver.

Yeah, you right you right.

 

[signbabybrady]

With two guys Like Moss and Welker the next guy is not as hard to fill. Gaffney should be able to do everything he did last year maybe more(if chad jack busts he will have plenty of reps to do more), and that will be enough. There is always the possibility that Chad Jackson finally stays healthy and becomes a solid threat in which case we may be able to improve the #3 spot. A draft pick wich I doubt would be high may also add to the mix.

 

[Disco Volante]

I still can't wait to see what CJ can bring to the table.

He's still the same young WR we drafted 2 years ago - but now with 2 years of some experience under his belt.

 

[dhamz]

It is clearly Gaffney's spot unless someone proves they can take it from him.

 

[Jr.]

Lets get Marvin Harrison to a reconstructed contract.

 

[JoePats]

A Gaffney/Chad Jackson combo should be more than sufficient. I'm not really concerned about that at all.

 

[fgssand]

While Gaffney has been reliable and a welcome addition to this team - we all hope Chad Jackson plays the kind of football that warranted NE moving up to take him at #2.

Go out and show us what you can do Chad Jack......it's now or never.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

That's my thinking too, with maybe giving CJ a shot at it if he starts the year hot.

catching 3 balls for CJ would make him hot. heck i'd go with 2

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I still can't wait to see what CJ can bring to the table.

He's still the same young WR we drafted 2 years ago - but now with 2 years of some experience under his belt.

I'm sorry. I'd ahve to say last year was a wasted season for CJ. It's not like he even got much playing time(snaps). this is like year 1.5 for him at best.

 

[DaBruinz]

Last year, toward the end of the season, the Pats had a pretty damn good triple threat with Moss, Welker and Stallworth. Stallworth obviously struggled in the beginning, but as time moved on he seemed to develop into a much better receiver than he had ever been in his career (and we can give credit for that to Brady/McDaniels).

Now that Stallworth is gone (and overpaid by the Browns, I think), I was curious who everyone thinks should be the #3 target. I know this isn't a huge area of concern, but a lot of people are talking on this board about the need to have a second guy who can stretch the field in order to relieve at least some of the pressure that Randy Moss saw on the field last year (especially during the playoffs). So with WR depth being:

Randy Moss
Wes Welker
Jabar Gaffney
Chad Jackson
Kelley Washington
CJ Jones
Sam Aiken

I was curious who everyone thought should be the number three, or at least who should line up opposite Moss in order to stretch the field, either from the roster now, or maybe a later round selection who could be developed into the type of threat we need to help out Randy.

Thoughts?

You must have watched a different season than the rest of us because Stallworth underperformed the entire year and really didn't take much heat off of Moss and Welker. Nor did he perform the way he should have with them drawing so much attention. You also have to remember that, by the end of the year, Gaffney was actually getting more reps than Stallworth was.

 

[DaBruinz]

With two guys Like Moss and Welker the next guy is not as hard to fill. Gaffney should be able to do everything he did last year maybe more(if chad jack busts he will have plenty of reps to do more), and that will be enough. There is always the possibility that Chad Jackson finally stays healthy and becomes a solid threat in which case we may be able to improve the #3 spot. A draft pick wich I doubt would be high may also add to the mix.

Jackson was healthy last year. What you fail to remember is that it was only January 2007 that he tore up his ACL. That made all of 2008 a wash, basically. And it showed even when he got onto the field.

I can't fault the guy for not producing when he was only 9 months post surgery on an injury that takes 12 to 18 months to heal.

 

[DaBruinz]

I'm sorry. I'd ahve to say last year was a wasted season for CJ. It's not like he even got much playing time(snaps). this is like year 1.5 for him at best.

I wouldn't say it was wasted because he was rehabbing from an injury that takes 12 to 18 months to recover from. And its not like it happened at the beginning of the 2006 season. It happened at the end of January 2007.

So, while in one sense it was wasted in that he didn't get the playing time, I wouldn't doubt that he spent a LOT of time around Moss and the other vets during film study and studying the playbook.

This is, however, Jackson's make or break season, all things considered. I believe he will make it, though.

 

[FirstAndGoal]

While Gaffney has been reliable and a welcome addition to this team - we all hope Chad Jackson plays the kind of football that warranted NE moving up to take him at #2.

Go out and show us what you can do Chad Jack......it's now or never.

I wouldn't worry about it. Gaffney was a second rounder as well if you're concerned about wasted draft picks. I'm fine with Gaffney. He's proven that he can make the catches when they count IMHO.

 

[jmt57]

Gaffney essentially replaced Stallworth in the second half of last season, which speaks volumes. In my opinion Gaffney & Jackson entering 2008 is far more formidable than newcomer Stallworth & oart timer Gaffney entering 2007 - especially when you consider the additional year of experience that Gaffney now has with Brady.

 

[Patjew]

You must have watched a different season than the rest of us because Stallworth underperformed the entire year and really didn't take much heat off of Moss and Welker. Nor did he perform the way he should have with them drawing so much attention. You also have to remember that, by the end of the year, Gaffney was actually getting more reps than Stallworth was.

That's all true. Stallworth with great with the ball, but didn't get it all that much. That being said, I really liked having him on the team. Great attitude and YAC.