LaFell

Folks here want to cut him or have him inactive in favor of Thompkins.

On the other hand, Brady is spending extra time with LaFell is practice (per Bleacher).

Apparently, there are different views with regard to this player. For his part, Belichick is paying Lafell $3.8M plus bonuses for this 2014 play.

My conclusion is that Belichick and Brady expect LaFell to be an important part of the 2014 offense, and hopefully for 2015 ($1.8M plus bonuses) and 2016 ($2.4M plus bonuses).

LaFell's not in sync with Brady yet
Amendola is struggling to get open
Thompkins and Brady seem to have developed at least a little bit of on-field chemistry.


It's not surprising that people want Thompkins on the field over one of the above receivers. Perhaps the Patriots could remember back to the days when they went empty backfield, and include them all.

No, nevermind. Not with that OL.

People are basing their opinion on 2 quarters of football. The 2nd half of Miami everyone looked bad and the Vikings game become a running game with the ball being thrown 21 times, completed 14 times to 5 different players.

When Brady goes 2-3 games putting the ball up 35-40 times and the OL plays well for the most part and LaFell doesn't seem like he is getting it or Brady is ignoring him then maybe I'll talk about it.

But I would just as soon give him the whole season and see where he is at the end of the season.

No, not with the this OL that needs a 6th OL and a RB to protect Brady.

Deus Irae said:

No, nevermind. Not with that OL.

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mgteich said:

Folks here want to cut him or have him inactive in favor of Thompkins.

On the other hand, Brady is spending extra time with LaFell is practice (per Bleacher).

Apparently, there are different views with regard to this player. For his part, Belichick is paying Lafell $3.8M plus bonuses for this 2014 play.

My conclusion is that Belichick and Brady expect LaFell to be an important part of the 2014 offense.

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I have not heard one person suggest cutting LaFell.

I see posters saying they will give Amendola until the end of this season, which is 2 seasons but LaFell is getting 2 games. That is the dumbest thing I have ever read on this board. LaFell should have the first half of the season at least, before conclusions are made on him.

Last week the Pats ran the ball a lot out of heavy, 1WR formations, and LaFell was typically the receiver because the guy can block. I expect that that alone will buy him time and keep him on the field while he develops chemistry with Brady.

We need to crucify Amendola first. Perhaps we should prepare a guillotine for LaFell when the time comes.

Shouldn't this be under the same thread as Dion Jordan and Amendola titled Losers or Cap Waste. Ray Rice is a name you can throw under that same thread

PatFanCraig said:

Shouldn't this be under the same thread as Dion Jordan and Amendola titled Losers or Cap Waste. Ray Rice is a name you can throw under that same thread

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I guess sarcasm is lost on you.

Brady6 said:

I have not heard one person suggest cutting LaFell.

I see posters saying they will give Amendola until the end of this season, which is 2 seasons but LaFell is getting 2 games. That is the dumbest thing I have ever read on this board. LaFell should have the first half of the season at least, before conclusions are made on him.

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Really!

Perhaps, we should have a poll and see whether ANYONE would choose to cut LaFell and sign Tyms.

It is not I who thinks that LaFell is at the bottom of the depth chart. My belief is that LaFell and Dobson will share reps opposite Edelman, while Amendola is our slot back. This is what I have thought since the day that we signed LaFell. Nothing has happened to change my mind.

Thompkins could surprise and have a major role this season. I think that it is GREAT to have a #5 WR as good as Thompkins. Thompkins fought hard to beat out Boyce to earn the 5th WR roster spot.

And yes, there are decisions to made after the season ends. We are in the unbelievable positions of having 5 reasonable receivers all signed through next year. In addition, we have a receiver on the Practice Squad, the IR list and one on suspension. As has been said many times, there is work to do, but this receiving corps is as good as any year except 2007.

Its not just what they do for us. Lafell never showed any type of talent on his previous team. They showed no interest bringing him back even though he he knew the system. They were more hopeful of Gettis before his injury to be the WR to develop. They never though such of Lafell. He isn't that big at 6'2 210, he isn't fast quick or athletic. He has no upside. He can block but what respectable offense keeps a WR for his blocking. A WRs job is to make plays, blocking is just as side benefit if he is good at it. Kenbrell has upside, Lafell doesnt

mgteich said:

Really!

Perhaps, we should have a poll and see whether ANYONE would choose to cut LaFell and sign Tyms.

It is not I who thinks that LaFell is at the bottom of the depth chart. My belief is that LaFell and Dobson will share reps opposite Edelman, while Amendola is our slot back. This is what I have thought since the day that we signed LaFell. Nothing has happened to change my mind.

Thompkins could surprise and have a major role this season. I think that it is GREAT to have a #5 WR as good as Thompkins. Thompkins fought hard to beat out Boyce to earn the 5th WR roster spot.

And yes, there are decisions to made after the season ends. We are in the unbelievable positions of having 5 reasonable receivers all signed through next year. In addition, we have a receiver on the Practice Squad, the IR list and one on suspension. As has been said many times, there is work to do, but this receiving corps is as good as any year except 2007.

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Seems like you're arguing against a point that nobody ever made. I haven't seen a single person on this forum state that LaFell should be cut.

BradyFTW! said:

Seems like you're arguing against a point that nobody ever made. I haven't seen a single person on this forum state that LaFell should be cut.

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Go check the Tyms thread. There are a few who have suggested it or hinted at it.

In any case, I am arguing that the team considers LaFell an integral part of the passing offense, not a bottom of the roster player who will active or not active based on who we play.

JMC00 said:

Go check the Tyms thread. There are a few who have suggested it or hinted at it.

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I stand corrected, two posters have advocated for cutting LaFell. Not coincidentally, they're two of the worst/most uninformed posters around here. One of them even suggested that LaFell should go to the practice squad, which tells you exactly what level of knowledge he's operating with.

Not sure how that warrants starting a new thread, but oh well.

mgteich said:

Really!

Perhaps, we should have a poll and see whether ANYONE would choose to cut LaFell and sign Tyms

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You should open the poll; at the very least, I can add anyone who votes to sign Tyms to my “do not know much about football” list.

It is not I who thinks that LaFell is at the bottom of the depth chart. My belief is that LaFell and Dobson will share reps opposite Edelman, while Amendola is our slot back. This is what I have thought since the day that we signed LaFell. Nothing has happened to change my mind.

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LaFell has been targeted 6 times, all of them were 15+ yards down the field, and most were either on the final drive of the second half, or the end of the game. Amendola needs to show up this week or he is going to be a game day inactive, we have LaFell and Wright who can run the slot routes along with Edelman, if he cannot produce he has no business on the field.

Thompkins could surprise and have a major role this season. I think that it is GREAT to have a #5 WR as good as Thompkins. Thompkins fought hard to beat out Boyce to earn the 5th WR roster spot.

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I think that Thompkins should be active and on the field more, and not because I even like Thompkins that much, to be completely honest I am not a huge fan of his, but because Brady clearly feels more comfortable throwing the football to Thompkins than he does Amendola or LaFell.

And yes, there are decisions to made after the season ends. We are in the unbelievable positions of having 5 reasonable receivers all signed through next year. In addition, we have a receiver on the Practice Squad, the IR list and one on suspension. As has been said many times, there is work to do, but this receiving corps is as good as any year except 2007.

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They could trade Amendola or LaFell before the deadline, as Wright becomes more comfortable in the offense, Dobson works his way back to full health, and Gronkowski starts playing most of the snaps, the opportunities for Amendola and LaFell to get on the field will be very limited. Personally, I do not think that LaFell gives us much more than Thompkins and I do not think that Amendola gives us much more than Boyce in terms of backup roles, so if we could get a player that fits a need I would trade either one in a New York minute.

JMC00 said:

Go check the Tyms thread. There are a few who have suggested it or hinted at it.

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They should consider the fact that LaFell has more production than any receiver on the Patriots in his career, despite being in the league 1 less season than Edelman and 2 less seasons than Amendola. They should also consider the fact that Tyms has 2 catches and 12 yards in his career.

RayClay said:

We need to crucify Amendola first. Perhaps we should prepare a guillotine for LaFell when the time comes.

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LaFell is younger, bigger, faster, more athletic, and has more production in his career, so to give him 2 games but allow the 5’10” UDFA with a YPC average of below 10 in his career 2 seasons to prove himself is just illogical on every level of life, and an indication of questionable knowledge about football.

Brady6 said:

LaFell is younger, bigger, faster, more athletic, and has more production in his career, so to give him 2 games but allow the 5’10” UDFA with a YPC average of below 10 in his career 2 seasons to prove himself is just illogical on every level of life, and an indication of questionable knowledge about football.

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Nobody's allowing anything Einstein. Welker's agent kept turning down offers, so the Patriots signed a replacement. He got hurt and in the meantime, their punt returner with the broken foot had possibly his career season.

They already owed guaranteed money and Amendola is still a talented player they like, they just don't have enough football's to feed five receivers for 100 catches a season. Based on two freakin games, we don't know how Dobson, KT, LaFell, Amendola or even Gronk is going to fare, but i bet those players are going to be on the roster, so if you can't stand to see a player with a guaranteed contract not playing a lot, you should try to get some anti anxiety medication for amendolaitis, because you've got a serious case.

It's not even funny anymore.

RayClay said:

Nobody's allowing anything Einstein. Welker's agent kept turning down offers, so the Patriots signed a replacement. He got hurt and in the meantime, their punt returner with the broken foot had possibly his career season.

They already owed guaranteed money and Amendola is still a talented player they like, they just don't have enough football's to feed five receivers for 100 catches a season. Based on two freakin games, we don't know how Dobson, KT, LaFell, Amendola or even Gronk is going to fare, but i bet those players are going to be on the roster, so if you can't stand to see a player with a guaranteed contract not playing a lot, you should try to get some anti anxiety medication for amendolaitis, because you've got a serious case.

It's not even funny anymore.

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I am just suggesting LaFell receive the same amount of time as Amendola to prove himself. LaFell is a better and more talented player, and LaFell offers value as a blocker and on special teams.