I have no clue what people see in Stallworth. He has barely been able to hang on to an NFL job since 2007.
Perillo's column on the 27th:
Brady also got the opportunity to uncork some deep balls, too, and completed a fair share of them. Veteran Donte' Stallworth, who is back for his second tour with the team, was the beneficiary of a couple of Brady bombs. Stallworth still can motor despite entering his 10th season, and he appears to be more comfortable in his surroundings than he was the first time around.
"It's pretty much the same as far as the organization as the last time I was here, but me personally I know I've matured as a player, matured as a person," Stallworth said after practice. "I'm a lot smarter now than I was then. More so when I was here the first time at the age of 26 I was playing off of talent. Now I've developed into a smarter player, a better route runner and things like that."
His coach agreed. Speaking at his press conference before practice, Belichick was asked about Stallworth and any changes he's noticed from his one season in New England till now.
"I would say Donte' has really matured a lot since he was here in '07," Belichick said. "He's been a very positive example and influence with what he does on a daily basis but also some of things that he's done with other players on the team. He's shown a lot more leadership and he's a very professional athlete, he really takes his job seriously and acts in a very professional way.
"He's a great example for all of us on a daily basis. I would say that's definitely grown since he was here in '07. He's been through a lot but he handles himself very well and like I said, very professionally. He's a great example for all of us on a daily basis."
One of the ways Stallworth looks to help out now is with the younger players. During his first stint, he was one of the least experienced players on a team full of veterans and received lots of guidance. Now he's paying it forward.
"I just try to go out and help out the young guys as much as I can because I was once that guy," Stallworth said. "Anything I see that they might not notice I try to pull them to the side and help. Little things I've learned in my career here and there. Mainly I try to do things I learned in my career, when I was here in 2007 it was my fifth or sixth year in the league and I was still one of the youngest players on the team. Throughout my career I've picked up a lot of things and learned a lot from those guys. I try to help the way those guys helped me out along the way.
"Like Troy [Brown] told us yesterday after practice, if you're done playing after your first year it's too short and if you play 15 years it still seems too short. I can't believe I've been in the league 10 years already so I tell them to take advantage of the opportunities you're given because you never know when it's going to be over."
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It's very possible it means nothing, or its Miquel Corelone kiss.... but it's also possible it's true. Meanwhile all the write ups on Branch this off season is that he's been very slow - following on to last year - where his last 5 games inc playoffs, or even his entire season after the first two games was meh - at best. Given what a failure Ocho was the opportunity for Branch was clear - and he failed to take it any significant way.
