JoeSixPat said:
Although I don't want to beat a dead horse about my feelings on the dearth of a long game (been there, done that - not all that satisfying... you get a better reaction from the live ones) I do keep in mind that one should not draw too many conclusions from just the first 5 games
But that's a double edged sword. I think defenses will give you the benefit of the doubt early on in the season - assuming that you have a credible deep threat - until its established that you don't. Unless something changes, Ds will no longer give us the benefit of the doubt. Now its not like they'll pull CBs off receivers - but you can foget about FS and SS being held back - they are free to come in, blitz, whatever...
As the article indicated, thus far Watson is our best deep threat, and while I think he's too valueable to overuse in that situation, I'm not seeing a lot of alternatives right now - let's hope CJ gets back and has one of those very very rare rookie seasons like Terry Glenn did - but don't count on it either.
Dave Thomas seems to have speed and good hands too - but like Watson, he's 255 lbs and isn't going to beat a CB deep too often.
Deep WRs don't have to catch a lot of passes to stretch the field - but they do need to be sent deep enough often enough to have the positive impact of keeping Ds honest.
With Gabriel and Jackson we will have more of a deep threat than ever in the Belichick era.
Our only real deep threats have been Patten and Bethel. We certainly miss Branch's quickness, but he was never a pure deep threat.
2 of our 3 newcomers had faster 40 times not including Jackson who is probably as quick much faster and stronger.
It's Branch's fault we are in this predicament, so why not let the team and players get up to speed before we get all judgemental.
Gaffney, Caldwell and Branch were all judged by Gil Brandt pre draft. Who knows what would have happened had they landed on different teams.
Gaffney and Caldwell were rated 4 and 6 respectively.
Here's a hint
true deep threats aren't ranked behind 14 other receivers.
Why not give the "expert" analysis a rest until these guys get a chance to shake the rust off.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2002/WR_ratings.html
4. Jabar Gaffney, Florida (6-1 1/8, 193, 4.49 on grass)
Did not work out at the combine other than the participating in the shuttle and cone drills. Ran two 40s (4.48 and 4.49) on grass at Pro Day. Had a 36½-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot, 10-inch long jump. High-school football player who caught the game winning pass in the 1997 State Championship Game as a wide receiver. Redshirted in 1999. Started eight games in 2000 and set NCAA Div. I-A freshman record for touchdowns as a wide receiver with 14. Also set NCAA record for yards gained by a freshman. Tremendous athlete with very good hands. Does a very good job adjusting to the ball. Has great body control, fluid and has outstanding ability to gain yards after the catch. Had some character problems and was kicked off the team after the 1999 season. Came back without a scholarship for the 2000 season. Does not have real big hands. Florida has had receivers picked in Round 1 who did not burn up the league — is he a product of the system? During the time I spent with him, three days at the Playboy All-America weekend, he was a model young man.
6. Reche Caldwell, Florida (5-11¾, 194, 4.39 on grass)
Worked out at the combine. Had a 41½-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 10-inch long jump. Performed 10 strength lifts and ran two 40s (4.48 and 4.50) on wet grass. Was a high school quarterback who passed for 77 touchdowns in his career. Redshirted in 1998. Started two games in 1999 and 12 in 2000. Started and had a big year in 2001 (63 catches and 10 touchdowns). Very good athletic ability with top speed. Very good body control. Florida's offensive system is very good and tends to make wide receivers look a lot better than they end up being in the NFL. This player has good hands and the quickness needed for the position.
15. Deion Branch, Louisville (5-9 1/8, 191, 4.47 on turf)
Had a complete combine workout. Had a 36-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot, 9-inch long jump. Also ran the 40-yard dash twice for times of 4.45 and 4.49 seconds. Played at a junior college for two years. Returned kicks while playing receiver. Was redshirted in 1999 for academic reasons. Has soft, reliable hands that enable him to make the clutch catch. Not as tall as teams like even though he caught more than 140 passes for 19 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
