Edelman is back

Tunescribe said:

Provided Dobson, Thompkins and Boyce show due growth, I see no need for another WR. The five we have aboard should do the job provided another legit threat at TE is drafted to complement/spell Gronk. The only wildcard might be a late-round or undrafted rookie who bumps Thompkins or Boyce; I see no need to invest heavily in another WR via the draft, FA or trade.

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Thompkins sucked, and Boyce wasn't even good enough to get him off the field. The sort of growth they'd need is a lot more than you typically get in a year 1 - year 2 jump.

I'm tired of watching Manning get the likes of Harrison, Thomas and Wayne at outside WR while Brady has to make do with scraps since the Moss years. Let's see them get the man a legit outside WR duo.

Deus Irae said:

Thompkins sucked, and Boyce wasn't even good enough to get him off the field. The sort of growth they'd need is a lot more than you typically get in a year 1 - year 2 jump.

I'm tired of watching Manning get the likes of Harrison, Thomas and Wayne at outside WR while Brady has to make do with scraps since the Moss years. Let's see them get the man a legit outside WR duo.

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Brady makes his living short and inside. His weakness would be deep balls outside. A "legit outside duo" would be playing to Brady's weakness. Gronk up the seam, a and a draftee TE would be all I would look for as far as receiving threats. Then sure up the big fella's on both sides of the ball through the draft, maybe one "BB" vet signing, and I'm throwing us out there league heavy weights.

woolster22 said:

Brady makes his living short and inside. His weakness would be deep balls outside. A "legit outside duo" would be playing to Brady's weakness. Gronk up the seam, a and a draftee TE would be all I would look for as far as receiving threats. Then sure up the big fella's on both sides of the ball through the draft, maybe one "BB" vet signing, and I'm throwing us out there league heavy weights.

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You've just described Peyton Manning. You are aware that an outside receiver doesn't have to run a go-route on every snap, right?

We have our 3 WR's. We have Gronkowski and Vereen.

I agree that we should sign another free agent or two to compete with Boyce, Thompkins and Harrison (and this year's UDFA or a late rounder) for the #4 and #5 roster spots at WR. And yes, the #6 receiver (after the 3 WR's, TE and RB) on the squad could be very important, especially if there are injuries.

For me, I don't expect or want to see a lot out of our #4 and #5 WR's, unless one them return kicks.

Deus Irae said:

Thompkins sucked, and Boyce wasn't even good enough to get him off the field. The sort of growth they'd need is a lot more than you typically get in a year 1 - year 2 jump.

I'm tired of watching Manning get the likes of Harrison, Thomas and Wayne at outside WR while Brady has to make do with scraps since the Moss years. Let's see them get the man a legit outside WR duo.

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I still want to see how Mark Harrison does before we start worrying about adding another 'big' WR. He has the athleticism to match any in the draft this year and despite all the PS cuts before FA started, they held on to Harrison.

While I'm not really a fan, the one 'big' WR I can still see them going for would be Brandon Coleman, just because he's such a potential mismatch.

:rocker: :rocker:

woolster22 said:

Brady makes his living short and inside. His weakness would be deep balls outside. A "legit outside duo" would be playing to Brady's weakness. Gronk up the seam, a and a draftee TE would be all I would look for as far as receiving threats. Then sure up the big fella's on both sides of the ball through the draft, maybe one "BB" vet signing, and I'm throwing us out there league heavy weights.

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He also chucked 50 TD's and went 16-0 the first time he had a legit superstar WR.

Not that I think they need or should sign one...I don't. Im just saying.

All im asking for is a minimal cost veteran who can actually play. We need insurance for the kids. Give Kenny Britt a one year peanuts deal and let him have a chance to play with a real QB. He is a big strong kid who can play, no question. He's just toiled away in Tennessee with guys like Vince Young and a string of other terrible QB's. His injury history does concern me a bit though. I'll admit.

woolster22 said:

Brady makes his living short and inside. His weakness would be deep balls outside. A "legit outside duo" would be playing to Brady's weakness. Gronk up the seam, a and a draftee TE would be all I would look for as far as receiving threats. Then sure up the big fella's on both sides of the ball through the draft, maybe one "BB" vet signing, and I'm throwing us out there league heavy weights.

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Exactly.

What some continue to be blind to, is that last year the WR problem was because TE was $h-tsalad outside of 5 games with Gronk in there. Unfortunately, Hernandez killed a guy after the draft. Thank God the Pats FO isn't blind to it. The TE position will be a focus of their draft and possibly a FA along the way.

TE is what hurt the passing game last year. The 3 rookies as a group did remarkably well given that scenario where opposing D's never had to worry about any threat from the TE position. With a TE threat and 2nd year WR improvement, this offense really needs help only on the OL.

Deus Irae said:

Thompkins sucked, and Boyce wasn't even good enough to get him off the field. The sort of growth they'd need is a lot more than you typically get in a year 1 - year 2 jump.



I'm tired of watching Manning get the likes of Harrison, Thomas and Wayne at outside WR while Brady has to make do with scraps since the Moss years. Let's see them get the man a legit outside WR duo.

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Thompkins sucked, huh? You should take a look at the stats of even the best receivers in their rookie years. Thompkins comparatively had a terrific rookie campaign. He figured significantly in two wins, against Atlanta and New Orleans. He showed real ability to get open and beat the press. He hit a wall, but his rookie season was very encouraging. He had a much better start to his career than, say, his cousin Antonio Brown. It's hard to imagine he won't be a contributor this year.

It's funny watching all the old championships on Dynasty week. People forget we won three rings with guys like Troy Brown, Deion Branch and David Givens as the main pass targets. None of those teams had a player as dynamic as Gronkowski. The 2007 season was great, but they didn't win. Brady doesn't need Moss to win. He needs dependable, tough receivers. Edelman can be a piece of the puzzle for sure. What's not to be happy about?

woolster22 said:

Brady makes his living short and inside. His weakness would be deep balls outside. A "legit outside duo" would be playing to Brady's weakness. Gronk up the seam, a and a draftee TE would be all I would look for as far as receiving threats. Then sure up the big fella's on both sides of the ball through the draft, maybe one "BB" vet signing, and I'm throwing us out there league heavy weights.

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Isn't part of the weakness that he has hardly ever had an option that can catch the deep ball. It is not like any QB actually throws the ball better deep. Look at the QB's that seem to throw the best deep ball. They tend to just launch them down field and have WRs go up and make plays.

Manning - D. Thomas
E. Manning - PI or Nicks
Rodgers - Nelson (though Rodgers probably does throw the best deep ball)
Flacco - PI or Smith

I could go on and on, but it appears that the deep throw is usually a lower percentage throw anyway. The QBs that look the best have better personnel. That is just my opinion though. I could be wrong.

Signing Britt or trading for Blackmon would be an ideal, realistic next move at WR.

Not much else I can think of. Obviously Fitzgerald trade won't happen.

Maybe James Jones. Is he a deep threat? I recently learned he was 6'1. Always thought he was 5'11.

Keyser Söze said:

thank god. now get an outside WR.

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There are far more important needs than this.

TBR said:

Signing Britt or trading for Blackmon would be an ideal, realistic next move at WR.

Not much else I can think of. Obviously Fitzgerald trade won't happen.

Maybe James Jones. Is he a deep threat? I recently learned he was 6'1. Always thought he was 5'11.

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Blackmon just got into an accident but seems like it was due to a blown tire and not drinking. Wouldn't mind seeing Miles Austin in a Patriots uniform either.

FourierSeries said:

There are far more important needs than this.

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We had no one get open against the broncos. i think it's a pretty big need still.

Keyser Söze said:

We had no one get open against the broncos. i think it's a pretty big need still.

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There were a couple of plays that could have been made when receivers got open that game but the passes were a bit off. Those could have changed the game. I would rather see the pass rush addressed.

FourierSeries said:

There were a couple of plays that could have been made when receivers got open that game but the passes were a bit off. Those could have changed the game. I would rather see the pass rush addressed.

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Valid point. but just like Reiss said in his recent piece. "The status quo won't be good enough" at WR. We're relying too heavily on 3 rookies development.

shmessy said:

Exactly.

What some continue to be blind to, is that last year the WR problem was because TE was $h-tsalad outside of 5 games with Gronk in there. Unfortunately, Hernandez killed a guy after the draft. Thank God the Pats FO isn't blind to it. The TE position will be a focus of their draft and possibly a FA along the way.

TE is what hurt the passing game last year. The 3 rookies as a group did remarkably well given that scenario where opposing D's never had to worry about any threat from the TE position. With a TE threat and 2nd year WR improvement, this offense really needs help only on the OL.

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Most of the rookies troubles last season had far less to do with them being so well covered (without the threat of Gronk) and a whole lot more to do with them not knowing which way to run or how to hang on to the damn ball. There were plenty of plays to be made for them all season that they simply just didn't execute. Hopefully they've worked hard this offseason and will come back for an improved 2014. All most here who are calling for another WR are trying to say (I think), is that it would be nice to have some insurance. I don't think anyone asking for a top tier stud, just a proven guy with upside is all.

Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Thank you Bill Belichick and Bob Kraft.
I take back all the bad things I said about you in my previous 3621
posts.

FourierSeries said:

There were a couple of plays that could have been made when receivers got open that game but the passes were a bit off. Those could have changed the game. I would rather see the pass rush addressed.

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There were a lot of plays that could have been made with better interior protection. I'd rather give Brady a bit more time to go through his reads and find the open man.

Deus Irae said:

2 questions moving forward:

1.) With Amendola as the SWR1, and Dobson as the WR2, do they make Edelman a 'true' WR3, or do they use him the way they were going to use him in Welker's last year?

2.) Do you look for another true outside WR, or do you just use Edelman in the hybrid mode? That extra WR could give an interesting 4 wide set, but it would require much more massaging of the snap totals.

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I'd try for an outside receiver, maybe later in the draft. In any case SOMEONE will get, you know, injured and we need a body who at least can line up correctly.

(That was not a shot at DA as ANYONE can get hurt playing or practicing football)