Pats drafting WR early, according to NESN

I think that aside from Shane Vereen, Ayers was the easiest player to predict leaving. He played very little once C.Jones returned to health, only had 2 sacks in the second half of the season (one of them occurring in the meaningless last regular season loss vs BUF), and was going to demand money that was much too expensive for his skill set.

The fact that he only played like, 12-15 percent of the postseason reps gave a strong hint at how little he was going to fit into the future plans here. I am surprised that others didn't feel that way. All in all, he was still worth the low round pickup due to filling in for Jones and helping with the pass rush. It was a good pickup for 2014, but a bad fit for the future (in my opinion).

Last year the NE receiving core had 392 receptions. WR's accounted for 207 of those, or 52.8%. Of those catches Edelman (92), Lafell(74) and Amendola(27) had 193 of those, or 49.2%. The remaing 14 came from Thompkins (released), Dobson and Tyms rounding out the WR's portion for 3.5%. We signed FA Brandon Gibson, who's had 30 and 29 catches the past 2 years. Slater will have a roster spot and Boyce could challenge for 1.

Our TE's Gronk(82), Wright(26) and Hooman(3) tallied 111 catches, or 28.3%. We added Scott Chandler who had 47 receptions for Buf last year.

The RB's racked up 74, or 18.8%. The biggest loss to the receiving core was Vereen's 52. New guy Tarvaris Cadet and his 38 catches in NO last year will help fill the void with Wright and Gaffney as potentials to get reps as receiving backs as well.

Over the last 4 years Brady has thrown for between 380-400 receptions. His career high is 401 (twice). Belichick hasn't drafted a WR in the 1st Rd. in 15 years here. I see no evidence of that trend ending, in light what all the "media experts" seem to think. I know for many the Randy Moss effect still hasn't worn off. Leave 2007 where 2007 belongs. Ben Watson and Kyle Brady were our TE's that year. We have different personel now.

OhExaulted1 said:

Last year the NE receiving core had 392 receptions. WR's accounted for 207 of those, or 52.8%. Of those catches Edelman (92), Lafell(74) and Amendola(27) had 193 of those, or 49.2%. The remaing 14 came from Thompkins (released), Dobson and Tyms rounding out the WR's portion for 3.5%. We signed FA Brandon Gibson, who's had 30 and 29 catches the past 2 years. Slater will have a roster spot and Boyce could challenge for 1.

Our TE's Gronk(82), Wright(26) and Hooman(3) tallied 111 catches, or 28.3%. We added Scott Chandler who had 47 receptions for Buf last year.

The RB's racked up 74, or 18.8%. The biggest loss to the receiving core was Vereen's 52. New guy Tarvaris Cadet and his 38 catches in NO last year will help fill the void with Wright and Gaffney as potentials to get reps as receiving backs as well.

Over the last 4 years Brady has thrown for between 380-400 receptions. His career high is 401 (twice). Belichick hasn't drafted a WR in the 1st Rd. in 15 years here. I see no evidence of that trend ending, in light what all the "media experts" seem to think. I know for many the Randy Moss effect still hasn't worn off. Leave 2007 where 2007 belongs. Ben Watson and Kyle Brady were our TE's that year. We have different personel now.

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Many good points here. Great post.

That said, I still wouldn't mind a WR selection in the top 5 selections.

supafly said:

Many good points here. Great post.

That said, I still wouldn't mind a WR selection in the top 5 selections.

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Agreed. A diamond in the rough to develop would be a good thing. Julian and DA are what, 29, and who knows if we can salvage Dobson. Lafells been an excellent signing. I do have some concerns with Wright. I hope he pans out. I'm not a WR hater, I just see alot of other holes that need to be addressed early.

You know, Bill DID in fact take a WR in the first once. #29 Derek Anderson (last pick in the Rd) in 1994. Of course he had #9 that year as well.

supafly said:

Many good points here. Great post.

That said, I still wouldn't mind a WR selection in the top 5 selections.

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Given how obvious it has been the BB feels WR is a need, anyone still arguing against it is, let's say, paddling against the tide. Will the Patriots take one? Only time will tell. Do the Patriots need one?

Ever since 2008. They've not gone into a season with a full and diverse set since.

Deus Irae said:

Given how obvious it has been the BB feels WR is a need, anyone still arguing against it is, let's say, paddling against the tide. Will the Patriots take one? Only time will tell. Do the Patriots need one?

Ever since 2008. They've not gone into a season with a full and diverse set since.

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Just to clarify my stance a bit, I agree with you, Deus. I have actually been banging the drum for someone to stretch the field for quite sometime.

That said, the concept of "need" can go either way here, and I thought that the previous poster had some good points in terms of getting it done without a typical WR1.

I view WR much like RB in the sense that I am not satisfied with the current depth chart, and feel as though it needs to be improved. If we're speaking about true need, however, we can place some other positions above it. Either way, I personally hope that it is addressed in the top 5 selections, much like RB, but if Belichick doesn't agree I will have the usual "sigh," and shrug my shoulders. It's difficult to me to ***** about it. After all, the results have been great, and what the hell do I know??!!

I do have the sense that we lucked out a bit in terms of inadequate WRs and RBs last year though, but that's just my opinion.

Ross12 said:

The push to sign Stevie Johnson tells me that the team is interested in upgrading at WR. Maybe it's a Coates-level guy or maybe they hold off a bit and take someone a little later like Conley. I would be happy to go OG/DT with the first two rounds (either order), RB and WR (Conley) in the third and LB or OG again in the fourth. Would like a CB but not sure the value will be there by 32. If it is then push my whole board down a peg with CB at the top, lol.

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There was no "PUSH to sign Stevie Johnson". There was an attempt, but since Johnson signed somewhere else, it's clear that the Pats offer wasn't as good as what Johnson took. For all we know, the Pats offered Johnson a 1 year prove it deal. That would hardly qualify as a "push to sign him".

The Pats have Edelman, Amendola, and Lafell. They still have Boyce and Dobson, though they are question marks. They also added Brandon Gibson, who has played for McDaniels and did well during the one year he played for him. They also have Brian Tyms, Kevin Dorsey and Jonathan Krause.

DaBruinz said:

There was no "PUSH to sign Stevie Johnson". There was an attempt, but since Johnson signed somewhere else, it's clear that the Pats offer wasn't as good as what Johnson took. For all we know, the Pats offered Johnson a 1 year prove it deal. That would hardly qualify as a "push to sign him".

The Pats have Edelman, Amendola, and Lafell. They still have Boyce and Dobson, though they are question marks. They also added Brandon Gibson, who has played for McDaniels and did well during the one year he played for him. They also have Brian Tyms, Kevin Dorsey and Jonathan Krause.

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So given all that, why are they STILL looking for another WR? The fact they worked to get Johnson tells me that it's an area of need/concern. Maybe they have concerns about Dobson or Boyce to play. I dunno

The WR value at 32 in this draft is awful. (Strong, Agholor, Smith, Dorsett)

The WR value at 64 still isn't good, although I'm a fan of Greene. (Coates, Funchess, Greene).

The WR value from 96-101 is great IMO.
(Hardy, Crowder, McBride, Davis, Lockett, Bell).

Given BB's interest in a WR3 type in FA, I expect a WR in the 96-101 range. I honestly like the WRs available there better than the ones at 32 (assuming Cooper, White, Parker, Perriman, DGB are all gone).

DaBruinz said:

There was no "PUSH to sign Stevie Johnson". There was an attempt, but since Johnson signed somewhere else, it's clear that the Pats offer wasn't as good as what Johnson took. For all we know, the Pats offered Johnson a 1 year prove it deal. That would hardly qualify as a "push to sign him".

The Pats have Edelman, Amendola, and Lafell. They still have Boyce and Dobson, though they are question marks. They also added Brandon Gibson, who has played for McDaniels and did well during the one year he played for him. They also have Brian Tyms, Kevin Dorsey and Jonathan Krause.

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There were reports that the Pats upped their offer at the last minute but Johnson still chose SD. I would qualify that as a push.

Deus Irae said:

When I think of a position being an area of need, I think of a position with a significant problem, usually being more than just a depth issue, even if that problem is just a specific role. Thus, I look at the Patriots LB corps, and I see no need for anything more than depth players, as long as Mayo is brought back. At WR, on the other hand, I see a need for a true middle/deep guy who can draw coverage (LaFell is fine in a Gafney-type of route running role, and Edelman has been very successful as a Welker/Gaffney/Branch hybrid, but there's still not a proven Stallworth/Moss type on the roster).

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In the 4 SBs that the Patriots won, who were the "Proven Stallworth/Moss" type on the roster?

ChrisR2223 said:

I wouldnt be shocked to see a move for one or two linebackers.
Agree on Ayers real good player we let go which was a mistake.
McClain We tried to get cents on the dollar and that blew up.
Have to think we are reoworkimg Mayos deal or we would of made a more aggressive pitch to McClain.
The Jets made a very solid signing in Erin Henderson.
Would like to see us make a move for a coverage rangy linebacker or two.
I dont believe that is worth more than a third however.
I really think we should sign Wis to shore up the guard position.
That way we can focus on BPA and defense in this draft.

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The Pats replaced Ayers with Sheard. How do you view letting Ayers go as a mistake?
Maybe I missed it, but there was no talk that the Pats actually offered McClain a contract before he re-signed with Dallas.

Erin Henderson hasn't done anything in the league in years so I don't see how you can say it's a "Solid signing".

Ross12 said:

There were reports that the Pats upped their offer at the last minute but Johnson still chose SD. I would qualify that as a push.

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Please provide those reports..

DaBruinz said:

Please provide those reports..

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https://twitter.com/nepd_loyko/status/577678353509040128

According to @UTgehlken #Patriots made a late "financial push" for Stevie Johnson.. trying to sway his decision. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/mar/16/chargers-patriots-stevie-johnson/

Chiuba E. Obele said:

So given all that, why are they STILL looking for another WR? The fact they worked to get Johnson tells me that it's an area of need/concern. Maybe they have concerns about Dobson or Boyce to play. I dunno

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How do you know they are still looking for another WR? There is such a thing as camp competition. That's something the Pats have always done. In the post you quoted, I mentioned that Dobson and Boyce were question marks. They may or may not make the team..

People seem to forget that teams can't have 5 All-Stars deep at every position.. The Pats have 3 solid WR. They have a World Class TE, 1 JAG TE and 2 question marks in Chandler and Wright.. But both Chandler and Wright are guys who have league experience.

DaBruinz said:

Please provide those reports..

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http://lmgtfy.com/?q=stevie+johnson+patriots+financial+push

Deus Irae said:

Given how obvious it has been the BB feels WR is a need, anyone still arguing against it is, let's say, paddling against the tide. Will the Patriots take one? Only time will tell. Do the Patriots need one?

Ever since 2008. They've not gone into a season with a full and diverse set since.

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Because BB kicked the tires on middling FA WR's Brian Hartline and Stevie Johnson (who both had down seasons) to see if they'd sign for under market contracts, now it's a referendum on BB's "obvious" feeling of need at that position.

2008. Really? It's a TE, slot receiver, screen play offense. Home run shots are rare and it's a surprise play when they go for it. Depending on the bomb is a losing philosophy if you don't have that once-in-a-generation guy like Moss was. It's not dink-and-dunk offensive scheme, it's a chunk up the yards and get 1st downs ball control philosophy. It's been that way for 15 years except for the Randy Moss anomoly. The results speak for themselves.

Since BB and Brady have been together they have finished no worse than 12th in Pts. scored (2003-SB year, BTW). NE has been #1 in Pts. scored twice since 2007 (2010 & 2012). The object of the game is to score more points than your opponent. I'm paddling with the tide. Your drowning in the middle of the lake with this " Ever since 2008. They've not gone into a season with a full and diverse set since." garbage.

If your looking for the Peyton Manning/Fantasy/Madden approach of throw it on every down for 600 catches and 8,000 yards you haven't been paying attention to how this team plays offense for the majority of a decade and a half.

I'll go on record right now....

BILL BELICHICK WILL NOT SELECT A WR IN THE FIRST ROUND.

DaBruinz said:

Please provide those reports..

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Chiuba E. Obele said:

https://twitter.com/nepd_loyko/status/577678353509040128

According to @UTgehlken #Patriots made a late "financial push" for Stevie Johnson.. trying to sway his decision. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/mar/16/chargers-patriots-stevie-johnson/

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Thanks to @Chiuba E. Obele with the assist, here ya go! Not trying to start an argument or anything, just stating it's my belief the Pats really wanted Johnson and pressed to get him, which indicates they feel it is a need.

Clearly Johnson is not a WR1 right now (not that he couldn't potentially have blossomed into that here), but he would certainly have been a great option to fill the shoes that Dobson should have filled by now but did not: outside WR depth.

I expect a WR draft pick by the Tampa pick at round 4 (assuming it's not traded).

DaBruinz said:

How do you know they are still looking for another WR? There is such a thing as camp competition. That's something the Pats have always done. In the post you quoted, I mentioned that Dobson and Boyce were question marks. They may or may not make the team..

People seem to forget that teams can't have 5 All-Stars deep at every position.. The Pats have 3 solid WR. They have a World Class TE, 1 JAG TE and 2 question marks in Chandler and Wright.. But both Chandler and Wright are guys who have league experience.

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All good points and everything....but if Belichick wants his WR, then Belichick will get his WR...either in camp, or via FA and the draft.

The real question is why is he so concerned with adding more talent to the depth...is he worried that his roster will be depleted (remember the nightmare that was 2013!!) ?

Chiuba E. Obele said:

https://twitter.com/nepd_loyko/status/577678353509040128

According to @UTgehlken #Patriots made a late "financial push" for Stevie Johnson.. trying to sway his decision. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/mar/16/chargers-patriots-stevie-johnson/

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Chiuba, you've been a great poster so far and have had many worthwhile contributions to this site since you joined in mid-march, but can I get you to back off on so many GIF's in your sig though? Kinda hampers the scrolling experience we love here.

Peace friend,
A fellow fan