We didn't get a tall WR in FA or the draft? Why?

rochrist said:

I'm not sure I'd call a 4.65 40 'good speed'. Maybe if you were a LB. But even there, Matt Wells runs a 4.33.

Click to expand...

There isn't a Wells slower than Ted...

NG Pats Fan said:

For people who say tall wide receivers are overrated did you watch the Super Bowl? Some journeyman wide receiver with height almost single-handedly beat us by burning our midget defensive backs on jump balls

Click to expand...

Yeah, you're right. Jermaine Kearse is a giant at 6'1" and Malcolm Butler is a midget at 5'11". And Arrington was just plain overmatched against anyone not a slot receiver.

supafly said:

I think the idea behind it was due to the following:

1) It was a deeper draft at the position of WR

2) There was the thought that guys like Tyms and Dobson couldn't be depended upon--and for good reason

3) The idea was to replace one of those players with another developing talent, who could be had on a cheap rookie pact

Click to expand...

None of you note that most times it takes until the third season before a WR produces. Unless you get the creme de la creme that is what happens. Teams with those type of diva WRs seldom win anything as they tend to tie up too much CAP in doing so. BB set out to rebuild his WR crew two seasons ago and the newcomers like Dobson are about ready to produce, while Edelmen already is producing.

I am/was more concerned that BB did not draft any RBs to add to his RBBC, to replace the departing talent of Vereen and Ridley. Outside of Blount it looks full of never weres.

Then I heard that Pierre Garcon, Keeshon Moreno and CJ2K were still available as vet FAs; all are accomplished pass catchers, and in the case of Keeshon and CJ2K complete 3 down backs. One of those could be signed to add some quality to the RBBC.

I like UDFA WR Harper from Cal . Not big 5'11" 182. Watching the video of him,seems to be very quick and runs good routes over the middle. Gets open often. Brady loves those types,can release before pressure arrives. About same size as Amendola. Curious to see him perform in camp.

AzPatsFan said:

I am/was more concerned that BB did not draft any RBs to add to his RBBC, to replace the departing talent of Vereen and Ridley. Outside of Blount it looks full of never weres.

Click to expand...

Cadet.

jacigar said:

I like UDFA WR Harper from Cal . Not big 5'11" 182. Watching the video of him,seems to be very quick and runs good routes over the middle. Gets open often. Brady loves those types,can release before pressure arrives. About same size as Amendola. Curious to see him perform in camp.

Click to expand...

2013 79rec 1011yds 12.8avg 13td 2014 86 rec 1072 yds 12.3avg 7td

AndyJohnson said:

Dobson, Gibson, Tyms, Boyce to compete to fill the 4th and 5th WR spots, possibly Tim Wright also.
Lets try this. What team has 6th, 7th, 8th WRs that you think would be a great replacement if their 4th and 5th don't pan out? I'm just not understanding how this is an issue beyond the reality that any team would be in trouble at any position if there players didn't pan out of were injured, and then they would be signing FA players to fill the end of the roster.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

We have Edelman, LaFell, Amendola, Dobson, and Gibson.

We may or may not even carry five WR's, especially with Gronk and Chandler as our TE's.
===========

So what if neither Dobson or Gibson work out? We would still have Tyms, Boyce and Dorsey as "insurance" (our 6th, 7th and 8th receivers). As you point out, we could also use the 5th WR spot for Wright.

JarOfMayo51 said:

I'd love to believe that Dobson will redeem himself and live up to his potential and draft position, but I think at this point you have to treat him as what he is and plan going forward as if that's all he'll be.

If he rebounds and starts playing the way people thought he was capable of, it's an awesome bonus.. but I don't think you can bet or plan on him being that after 3 disappointing seasons

Click to expand...

He has "played" only two seasons. His rookie year he looked good until hurt and his Sophomore season was wiped out by the linquring injury.

We will find out how good Dobson is in his upcoming third (actually second), season.

So much for the so called draft experts. We swear by these people and draft sites. I will use this example of 2 players . Player 1 Chris Harper Cal 2 year totals are 165 rec 2083 yds 12.6 avg 20TD . Player 2 Greene FSU
2yr total 175rec 2493yds 14.2 avg 16TD .They have very similar size and athleticism. Draft Scout rated Greene WR #10 #38 overall. Drafted 139 .Harper was rated WR #52 #420 overall . NEP UDFA.

jacigar said:

So much for the so called draft experts. We swear by these people and draft sites. I will use this example of 2 players . Player 1 Chris Harper Cal 2 year totals are 165 rec 2083 yds 12.6 avg 20TD . Player 2 Greene FSU
2yr total 175rec 2493yds 14.2 avg 16TD .They have very similar size and athleticism. Draft Scout rated Greene WR #10 #38 overall. Drafted 139 .Harper was rated WR #52 #420 overall . NEP UDFA.

Click to expand...

Just to compare 3 more players to Harper. 2008 Draft Scout #28RB (359) UDFA NYJ Dan Woodhead.
Player2 2008 Draft Scout #62WR (488) UDFA Dallas Danny Amendola. Player #3 2009 Draft Scout #56WR (440) R7 #232 Julian Edelman. How smart do these experts look now. Give Harper a shot.

robertweathers said:

Well I think having a big target on the outside does add another option in the offense.

Not a critical need but a very nice to have.

Click to expand...

I'm still cracking up at the idea that @AzPatsFan gave you a "disagree" for this innocuous comment.

OhExaulted1 said:

Bombs away was 8 years ago. Not our offense anymore.

Click to expand...

The idea isn't to go "bombs away," OE1. It is to have defenses play more cover 2 in the hopes of having some more attention on an actual downfield threat. This would allow for the opening of the underneath and slot routes more. It would make everyone's role easier.

Quoting from the book "War Room:" (Josh McDaniels is speaking)

"You get a lot more cover 2 looks when he's (downfield threat, speaking of 2010 Moss at age 33) on the field, so you have to consider all the things available to you. It helps your running game because it draws so much attention. You're getting, in general, simpler looks for the QB and more space for the slot receivers and running backs."

As others have noted, it's certainly (obviously) not a "necessity," but at the same time, you can respect where the thinking comes from. Like any other decision from Belichick, we'll have to trust that he knows what's best. He usually does.

Bombdog said:

Actually we did bring in a tall receiver. Devin Gardner. I know he played QB at Michigan. But he has played receiver in the past. 6ft 4 216 with good speed and a great attitude. There is no pressure for him to start immediately. The Pats will take him and develop him just like they did with Edleman. If it works out it could be steal. If it doesn't what do they lose a UDFA. Its a no lose situation.

Click to expand...

Personally I'd prefer if they tried to turn Gardner into a CB. THAT's been my mantra and I'm sticking to it.

AzPatsFan said:

Teams with those type of diva WRs seldom win anything as they tend to tie up too much CAP in doing so. BB set out to rebuild his WR crew two seasons ago and the newcomers like Dobson are about ready to produce, while Edelmen already is producing.

Click to expand...

No one is suggesting the spending of lots of money for a well known "diva" receiver. As a matter of fact, in your response to me, you quoted my post speaking of the cheap, rookie pact that comes with draft selections.

As for your suggestion that Belichick drafted Dobson on a cheap rookie deal, just to have him waiting in the wings to see him finally produce in time for a new, long term, multi-million dollar pact, we'll have to agree to disagree on that one.

Joker said:

The Seahawks had the best defense in the league last season. The Pats put up 28 points on that defense and WON the Super Bowl, primarily through the air. They NEED big tall fast wideout receivers? Is there some other trophy beyond the Super Bowl that is going to require this immediate upgrade?

Click to expand...

Not to be overly negative or take anything away from them, but don't forget the injury to Jeremy Lane was enormous. It was worth the interception easily. Also don't forget that Canceller, Sherman, and Thomas all had injuries going into the game also, not to mention I-forget-which linebacker getting injured on a later pick. I know injuries are part of the game, it is inevitable for Conference Champions to have injuries, the Patriots had their own injuries, etc., but I don't think they would have put 28 points on a healthy LOB. Obviously they were good enough to win the Super Bowl, and what more can you ask for? But they're not unstoppable.

supafly said:

I'm still cracking up at the idea that @AzPatsFan gave you a "disagree" for this innocuous comment.

Click to expand...

He thinks WR is a critical need. That's fine.

robertweathers said:

He thinks WR is a critical need. That's fine.

Click to expand...

Actually, it's quite the opposite, which is actually why it's funny. Someone that dedicated to defending the idea of it being a "nice piece to have" (your very innocent wording) seems just as over the top, yet on the other side of the spectrum.

patfanken said:

Personally I'd prefer if they tried to turn Gardner into a CB. THAT's been my mantra and I'm sticking to it.

Click to expand...

QB turned WR turned CB? Impossible! Oh wait, we already have one of those...

Ross12 said:

QB turned WR turned CB? Impossible! Oh wait, we already have one of those...

Click to expand...

We've actually had two

"Brown even played nickel back during New England’s defeat of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX. And if that is not enough proof of Brown’s versatility, he spent a few seasons as the emergency quarterback."

supafly said:

We've actually had two

"Brown even played nickel back during New England’s defeat of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX. And if that is not enough proof of Brown’s versatility, he spent a few seasons as the emergency quarterback."

Click to expand...

You got me there I guess Gardner must be a roster lock at CB then!