Optimistic Report on Dobson

Unspecified sources says
"now optimism that Dobson will be ready in time for training camp"

http://blog.masslive.com/patriots/2014/07/source_aaron_dobson_optimistic.html

I'm really hoping this kid makes the jump. He has all the physical gifts if he can stay healthy on the field and develop his timing with Brady.

That's great news. I like idea having him on the field at same time as kenbrell Tompkins. They give defenses something to think about. They are both dynamic intermediate/big play threats we have lacked. Them guys along with Gronk on the field together are a big play in the making. I really like Kenbrell Thompkins separation burst and sharp cuts.

So, amputation is now officially off the table?

good....if dobson and gronk can both be healthy our offense might live up to my hopes

PatFanCraig said:

That's great news. I like idea having him on the field at same time as kenbrell Tompkins. They give defenses something to think about. They are both dynamic intermediate/big play threats we have lacked. Them guys along with Gronk on the field together are a big play in the making. I really like Kenbrell Thompkins separation burst and sharp cuts.

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If you'd have asked me a few weeks ago, I'd have told you that I had Thompkins' chances of making the team at about 40%. After a good offseason program at OTAs/minicamp and the fact that he can play both the X and Z positions, I'd peg his chances at about 70-75%. I believe that Dobson's injury improves his odds as well.

I'm still not nearly as optimistic as you are though. He completely disappeared after the 6th game or so, having a grand total of 11 catches in the Pats last 12 games, and the high majority of those catches were in the DEN game to boot. In all reality, he completely disappeared for the last 2/3rds of the season, from mid-October through mid-January. That's 3 long months of absolutely nothing.

I would expect that if Dobson is healthy, he, Edelman and Amendola will be the top 3 WRs. Brandon LaFell and Thompkins could compete for the WR4 role, but I still think that Thompkins has a lot of work to do.

james87654 said:

good....if dobson and gronk can both be healthy our offense might live up to my hopes

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Oh to have a full compliment of players in Week 1...

ausbacker said:

Oh to have a full compliment of players in Weeks 18-21...

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Changed it for you

The Herald reported during Mini-camp that Dobson missing mini-camp was a scenario they expected at the time of the surgery and part of it was a precaution not to rush him back too quickly to re-injure the break.

Dobson often looked "awkward" last year, hopefully a year of seasoning and working in this system will reap dividends.... looking for a second year leap from him.

I hope this doesn't mean that there is any "rushing back" at all. I'd rather a fully-healed Dobson than the gimpy Dobson we saw late last season, even if it means he misses a few snaps in training camp. These foot injuries are tricky in wide receivers, who have to be able to make sharp cuts and accelerate out. If he re-injures this, his season could be shot.

These foot injuries are tricky in wide receivers, who have to be able to make sharp cuts and accelerate out. If he re-injures this, his career could be shot.

Fixed it for you

If he was a vested veteran, I wouldn't care if he were back for TC or not. But Dobson needs all the reps he can get with Brady if he wants to take that next step. Considering that him taking that next step is something this offense really, really needs, this news (if true) is music to my ears.

The game's afoot!

PatsWickedPissah said:

The game's afoot!

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Thomas Gill recently weighed in with his own opinion on Dobson's foot...

PatsWickedPissah said:

So, amputation is now officially off the table?

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Not if you listen to talk radio, which I do much less of these days.

I clicked to 98.5 last night on my drive home and their night guy — Jones? — was going on this gloom and doom rant about Dobson. Based on some speculative report from ProJo I think. I know his air time was just starting and he was trying to agitate for conversation, but it's just so tiresome. I turned to music instead and had a very nice drive home.

As for Dobson ... hey, it's the Pats. We won't know anything until camp opens. After that ... injury report is due Wednesday, Sept. 3. Fingers crossed; I have high hopes for Dobson.

Uncle Rico said:

As for Dobson ... hey, it's the Pats. We won't know anything until camp opens. After that ... injury report is due Wednesday, Sept. 3. Fingers crossed; I have high hopes for Dobson.

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Smart money is on him being listed as Questionable with a lower leg injury

Giving up on any of the young guys in favor of Brandon LaFell doesn't seem like a good strategy. I understand LaFell can help you win right now, but I'd rather keep 6 plus Slater.

upstater1 said:

Giving up on any of the young guys in favor of Brandon LaFell doesn't seem like a good strategy. I understand LaFell can help you win right now, but I'd rather keep 6 plus Slater.

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I think it depends a lot on what you see in training camp. If all three of the 2nd year guys look like they've taken steps forward (even small ones), then I would agree with you. Their upside is higher than LaFell's. But if one of them seems to have stalled, then I think keeping two out of three wouldn't be the worst scenario.

upstater1 said:

Giving up on any of the young guys in favor of Brandon LaFell doesn't seem like a good strategy. I understand LaFell can help you win right now, but I'd rather keep 6 plus Slater.

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LaFell wouldn't be the first veteran WR we have signed and later cut before the season. If Thompkins, Dobson, and Boyce ALL show they have make great leaps forward, he could be the odd man out. If one or more don't or there is an injury, we will all be very glad we signed him.

Its going to be a interesting TC, and the WR's group is one of the biggest reasons