Aaron Dobson

Welcome to Dobsonmania 2015. As we all know, he has had a hard time staying on the field in his first two years. Some of us would argue that the stress fracture in his foot was mis handled by the team and that has hurt his progress as a player greatly. Hopefully this is behind him now and he is ready to contribute full time.

With that being said, I truly believe this is the year he will take the next step in his development. I understand that there will be alot of pessimism around this player because of his high draft status, and the bad picks we have had over the years at the position, but please go into a little more detail than "He sucks, the next Brandon Tate."

Yeah Dobsonmania! I haven't heard much about him during training camp so far but it was suggested on here that they were just being extra cautious with him. I am totally fine with that too. With the other injuries to the WR group, he has an opportunity being presented to him on a silver platter. I like him and do think he is really talented and I thought he was good during his rookie season. It's hard to predict a breakout year for him but I think he can and will put up solid numbers.

He has the natural talent to play the position and could be a dangerous weapon in this offense if (A) he can finally stay healthy and (B) he can get the drop issues from 2013 settled. That said, I think he's cut if he doesn't get healthy by the end of TC.

I don't have high hopes. He needs to get on the field. You are worthless to the team if you're constantly injured. He showed flashes his rookie year (Steelers, Dolphins game) that prove his talent. I think he can be a good WR but injuries are derailing any chance of that happening.

I think he gets cut, too, if he doesn't consistently get on the field by end of TC.

New England Pride said:

I truly believe this is the year he will take the next step in his development.

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Is this just wishful thinking or do you have specific information on which your opinion is based?

There's a history of third year wideouts breaking out. Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Laveranues Coles, Reggie Wayne, Roddy White, Santana Moss, Steve Smith, Javon Walker, Donte Stallworth, Braylon Edwards, Sidney Rice are a few names that come to mind. I remember Roddy White specifically being considered a bust after 2 years, and then emerging into one of the best and most reliable receivers in the game over the ensuing decade.

That's not to say it will work out for Dobson, of course.

Tunescribe said:

Is this just wishful thinking or do you have specific information on which your opinion is based?

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There was a weei report that I cannot find at the moment that said that Dobson is a lock to make the roster so they are being very careful with him this camp. If Bill feels this strongly, then I am on board.

I cannot find the article at the moment because I am pumping iron with "Gym Rat." So much gainz.

primetime said:

There's a history of third year wideouts breaking out. Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Laveranues Coles, Reggie Wayne, Roddy White, Santana Moss, Steve Smith, Javon Walker, Donte Stallworth, Braylon Edwards, Sidney Rice are a few names that come to mind. I remember Roddy White specifically being considered a bust after 2 years, and then emerging into one of the best and most reliable receivers in the game over the ensuing decade.

That's not to say it will work out for Dobson, of course.

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Unfortunately, the Patriots have a history of third year wideouts being cut:
Jackson
Tate
Price
Bethel Johnson made it 3 years and then got cut

First 2 seasons in the NFL:

Demaryius Thomas - 21 games played, targeted 109 times, 54 catches, 834 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 8 drops.
Aaron Dobson – 16 games played, targeted 77 times, 40 catches, 557 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 7 drops.

Did 80% of the Broncos forum have Thomas on the roster bubble entering his 3rd season?

Brady6 said:

First 2 seasons in the NFL:

Demaryius Thomas - 21 games played, targeted 109 times, 54 catches, 834 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 8 drops.
Aaron Dobson – 16 games played, targeted 77 times, 40 catches, 557 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 7 drops.

Did 80% of the Broncos forum have Thomas on the roster bubble entering his 3rd season?

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I think Dobson is much more likely than not to make the 53 unlike many here, but that's not quite a fair comparison. Dobson isn't upgrading from Tebow to Peyton.

New England Pride said:

There was a weei report that I cannot find at the moment that said that Dobson is a lock to make the roster so they are being very careful with him this camp. If Bill feels this strongly, then I am on board.

I cannot find the article at the moment because I am pumping iron with "Gym Rat." So much gainz.

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Jeff Howe tweeted it.

Jeff Howe ‏@jeffphowe Aug 19
Here's what I know on Dobson's hamstring: He feels ready to practice, but the Pats have opted to be overly cautious and kept him out. (1/2)
Jeff Howe ‏@jeffphowe Aug 19
I'm led to believe that's a good sign for Dobson to make the team. If Pats were leaning toward cutting him, they'd have him on field. (2/2)

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Concussion Protocol said:

Unfortunately, the Patriots have a history of third year wideouts being cut:
Jackson
Tate
Price
Bethel Johnson made it 3 years and then got cut

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It cuts both ways though

David Givens
Deion Branch
Julian Edelman

dales804 said:

Jeff Howe tweeted it.

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Makes sense. Hamstrings are tricky and I very much doubt the team wants a repeat of the foot injury fiasco.

I also seem to recall BB being overly effusive in comments he made re: what great shape Dobson was in at the start of TC. Unlike Boyce, who seems to be a lost cause at this point, I still remain cautiously optimistic that Dobson can make the leap this year.

JMC00 said:

It cuts both ways though

David Givens
Deion Branch
Julian Edelman

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But all of them were on the field, for the most part, for their first two years.

Who has been saying that the team mishandled the care in treating his stress fracture?

1st I'm hearing of it.

JackBauer said:

Makes sense. Hamstrings are tricky and I very much doubt the team wants a repeat of the foot injury fiasco.

I also seem to recall BB being overly effusive in comments he made re: what great shape Dobson was in at the start of TC. Unlike Boyce, who seems to be a lost cause at this point, I still remain cautiously optimistic that Dobson can make the leap this year.

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They shut Moss down all preseason in 2007 b/c of his hammy.

Brady6 said:

I am just making a point, players take time to develop. Dobson came into the NFL from Marshall, not USC or Alabama, his adjustment and development will take time. The Patriots knew this when they drafted him.

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Didn't Dobson have the best year for a rookie WR under Belichick?

JMC00 said:

It cuts both ways though

David Givens
Deion Branch
Julian Edelman

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Givens and Branch were proven starters entering their 3rd seasons. Edelman, yes, he developed over time. He was also converting from a different position.