Aaron Dobson

PatsBoy12 · Sep 28, 2015

PatriotsPimp136 said:
I like the guy but he doesn't play like he's 6'3. I don't know if he 's having trouble running the routes. When was the last time we had a young stud at wr?

Um, Julian Edelman is young and he's a stud. Plus, the Patriots offense is not necessarily predicated on a deep, outside threat. It never was other than when Moss was here and by the time teams caught up to it, the offense stalled very often. People forget how inconsistent the offense became and that was what partly resulted in Moss being jettisoned. Yes, a lot of it was himself, but some of it was the fact that trying to force the ball deep to him was leading to a lot of punting situations/turnovers.

LaFell showed last season what a good outside threat looks like in this offense. Still, they weren't relying on him to catch 10 passes per game. He had a few of those, but his production stayed good even when he was not catching that many passes. I guess my point is we do not need him to be a "stud." We just need him to be adequate and we saw what that can look like last week. If he can start to perform like that a bit more consistently, then I think we should all be happy. It's only week 3 and this is his first real football since shortly before this time last season. Give him a chance. If he does not emerge, I'll be the first to line up and say I was wrong. Until then, the jury is still out and he should be given a fair shake to show what he can do. I believe the Pats are giving him that.

notex · Sep 28, 2015

PatriotsPimp136 said:
I like the guy but he doesn't play like he's 6'3. I don't know if he 's having trouble running the routes. When was the last time we had a young stud at wr?

He seems to be doing a good job blocking - BB praised him for this and saw him put up a few big blocks yesterday.

I agree, however, that he doesn't fit the mold of the "plays big" in terms of catching the football and using his body as leverage.

PatsBoy12 · Sep 28, 2015

Concussion Protocol said:
Because he catches a football the way I'd catch a baby if someone threw one at me. Uses his whole body as a landing pad for the ball because he has no confidence in his hands.

And this is my main complaint with him. It almost seems like he's either surprised that the ball was thrown to him or he's afraid of it. If he can manage to get that under control, then the rest (route running, YAC, etc.) will fall in line. Some might put route running before catching (and I get that), but I don't think that's necessarily his biggest issue right now.

bresna · Sep 28, 2015

It looks like he should have caught that ball that generated the long PI. Granted, he was interfered with, but the good ones catch that ball once it hits their hands. It also looked like he should have caught that ball in the end zone. Sure, there was contact, but that is to be expected in the NFL.

PatriotsPimp136 · Sep 28, 2015

PatsBoy12 said:
Um, Julian Edelman is young and he's a stud. Plus, the Patriots offense is not necessarily predicated on a deep, outside threat. It never was other than when Moss was here and by the time teams caught up to it, the offense stalled very often. People forget how inconsistent the offense became and that was what partly resulted in Moss being jettisoned. Yes, a lot of it was himself, but some of it was the fact that trying to force the ball deep to him was leading to a lot of punting situations/turnovers.

LaFell showed last season what a good outside threat looks like in this offense. Still, they weren't relying on him to catch 10 passes per game. He had a few of those, but his production stayed good even when he was not catching that many passes. I guess my point is we do not need him to be a "stud." We just need him to be adequate and we saw what that can look like last week. If he can start to perform like that a bit more consistently, then I think we should all be happy. It's only week 3 and this is his first real football since shortly before this time last season. Give him a chance. If he does not emerge, I'll be the first to line up and say I was wrong. Until then, the jury is still out and he should be given a fair shake to show what he can do. I believe the Pats are giving him that.

I am not asking for the deep play. Just production to keep other teams honest. Having lafell back will be a big plus for this offense.

Concussion Protocol · Sep 28, 2015

bresna said:
It looks like he should have caught that ball that generated the long PI. Granted, he was interfered with, but the good ones catch that ball once it hits their hands. It also looked like he should have caught that ball in the end zone. Sure, there was contact, but that is to be expected in the NFL.

What was the deal with that "drop" at the goal line? They didn't show a replay. Watching it live, it seemed like it was slightly behind Dropson, but I have no idea how catchable it was.

PatsBoy12 · Sep 28, 2015

PatriotsPimp136 said:
I am not asking for the deep play. Just production to keep other teams honest. Having lafell back will be a big plus for this offense.

Respect. I'm not arguing either of those points. But I can see you'll continue to say the same thing no matter what. So I'll say that I agree the offense should obviously get better once LaFell returns. I just don't think his return has anything to do with Dobson, who I believe should continue to get better as he gets more comfortable on the field.

Did you read the complete post?

PatsBoy12 · Sep 28, 2015

bresna said:
It looks like he should have caught that ball that generated the long PI. Granted, he was interfered with, but the good ones catch that ball once it hits their hands. It also looked like he should have caught that ball in the end zone. Sure, there was contact, but that is to be expected in the NFL.

I'm actually watching the game again now, but I remember thinking that the ball was still catchable, even after the defender interfered. Nonetheless, the kid is making progress, IMO, regardless of what it looked like out there today.

voluntarysaftey · Sep 28, 2015

He drops way to many balls and isn't getting open often enough.
As a LaFell backup / 4th receiver he's fine -- but he's a disappointment for where he was drafted.
I suspect when LaFell is back, Dobson gets almost no snaps

Tony2046 · Sep 28, 2015

Concussion Protocol said:
What was the deal with that "drop" at the goal line? They didn't show a replay. Watching it live, it seemed like it was slightly behind Dropson, but I have no idea how catchable it was.

It was thrown behind him but IMO it was catchable. It would have been a tough catch but catchable.

NashuaPats · Sep 28, 2015

Chiuba E. Obele said:
Why can't Dobson stay on his feet when he catches the ball?

He wasn't doing that in 2013. He wasn't in sync with Brady early in the season, but he was catching on before his foot injury. He was catching the ball with his hands and not breaking stride. Check out his highlights.

Check out his one handed catch in college.

I want that guy back. The talent is there, it is just a matter of confidence.

varjao · Sep 28, 2015

Disappointing.

I'm one of the biggest AD's supporters but he can't help himself. Disappointing to see him dropping those passes, that bomb in the middle of the field, even though he dragged a interference (I don't see any merit on this to be honest, that Joe Flacco -> Torrey Smith thing for me is low level football) he should make that catch. We need a guy with his measures to stretch the field, work a big play here and there.

Against a weak opponent, I was expecting a better game from him. I'm starting to think that that's what he is really, inconsistent, can catch 100 yards and 2 TD's in a a game and 8 yards and some drops in the next one. I'm not sure it's only a mental/confidence thing, like I thought it was so far.

Tony2046 · Sep 28, 2015

voluntarysaftey said:
He drops way to many balls and isn't getting open often enough.
As a LaFell backup / 4th receiver he's fine -- but he's a disappointment for where he was drafted.
I suspect when LaFell is back, Dobson gets almost no snaps

The PI call he created was a taste of what Dobson can contribute to the team. Yes he should have still hung onto the ball but he beat the coverage deep causing the CB to grab onto him. He had a good game last week and yesterday he was subpar but provided some decent downfield blocking and forced a PI call. I agree he needs to play with more confidence but when he gets on track he will be a nice weapon to have on offense.

Ivan · Sep 28, 2015

meatface said:
Wow people have turned on Dobson pretty quickly.

I have supported Dobson since they drafted him but he is getting beaten out for reps by no names who have been here for a week it doesn't say much for him. He has the talent and upside but doesn't seem to have the toughness or will to fight for the ball or reps.

Oswlek · Sep 28, 2015

Ivan said:
he is getting beaten out for reps by no names who have been here for a week it doesn't say much for him.

Dobson played 44 snaps, 13 less than Edelman and 10 less than Amendola and Gronk. Granted, Aaron is the type of guy who might see elevated snaps with all the subs, but I don't think you can read too much into the rotation.

Deus Irae · Sep 28, 2015

Oswlek said:
The fact that Bill felt Dobson was one of the best 11 options for 144 snaps the past two weeks belies your point. Even more so given their offensive efficiency.

No, it doesn't.

meatface · Sep 28, 2015

Ivan said:
I have supported Dobson since they drafted him but he is getting beaten out for reps by no names who have been here for a week it doesn't say much for him. He has the talent and upside but doesn't seem to have the toughness or will to fight for the ball or reps.

he just had a week where he was targeted 8 times so maybe not. Martin was targeted just 3 times so lets wait and see

Angelpats · Sep 28, 2015

This is his third year. Last year he was injured and if he was ambitious he would have had all the time in the world to have all the routes memorized then. He is not consistent. He can block well but a reciever has to catch too. I have watched him play and he can separate with ease on the deep patterns so if he can just catch and fight for the ball it would really help this offense out more. I remember the bills game when he fell down after catching the ball with noone around him. If he kept on running it may have been a touchdown.

mgteich · Sep 28, 2015

PatsBoy12 said:
Um, Julian Edelman is young and he's a stud. Plus, the Patriots offense is not necessarily predicated on a deep, outside threat.

This is true.

However, against some teams, in some situations, we will need to extend the field. It is very, very useful to have a downfield receiver who can sometimes rate a double team, or at least the other team's corner.

The alternative is that the field is much smaller, with one of the safeties cheating up towards the line.

cstjohn17 · Sep 28, 2015

He is an ok player without much special teams value. Has a lot of upside but really seems to be a mental case. Under no circumstance can he be relied upon but his natural gifts keep him as the 4th/5th WR.

More drops = less Brady trust = useless

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