In all honesty, I could see Gronk and Amendola NOT being injured as much because of the Pats using Dobson, Boyce, and Lafell more.
There is a good potential for Brady to put up another 600 pass attempts. And that is with Gronk, Dobson, Edelman, Lafell, and Vereen getting the bulk of the work. I would VERY happy if the Pats could go back to the "Brady's favorite receiver is the open one" format. And those 5 give the Pats such a variety of looks. Then you add in Amendola, Boyce, and another TE and it's just havoc for opposing defenses.
And yes, I know I didn't mention Thompkins but that is because there is the potential for him to not make the roster unless the Pats carry 6 WR not including Slater, who is a speacial teamer only.
Have to agree with you. Tompkins faded badly and it snowballed. He became unreliable and took up residence in the dog house.
LaFell is "Jabar Gaffney 2014". Both 6'2" and over 200lbs. A 36-38 catch guy because we spread the ball more, and maybe 4 TDs. Not bad but a #3 or #4 guy. We are so much homers that we make him out to be more than it is.
Still think Boyce is a wild card. Quickness and strength. 4.38 40 and superb 3 cone.
Despite what some poster said, we do need a #1 WR. Unless one of the top three fall to #29 Draft day (and the Draft is very much a crap shoot. It's a three year plan. As example, I expect Dobson to be better in 2015), with our double dip in 2013, we might see a WR later only like Norwood or a Jeff Janis who can play ST as well.
So unless we pick up a Sidney Rice or trade for a #1 WR like a Andre Johnson (doubt it), or have a eureka moment at the Pats F.O. and try for Justin Blackmon as a gamble (low risk, high reward), our lot is set at WR.
We still can't get TB that elite WR and why?, I do not know. I think the Eagles set up a smoke screen on Jackson. He might have been nice. Gang stuff is nasty here.
I rate our NFL professional WR roster as a "C". With an "A" lister QB, that is not good. The only WR I grade higher is Edelman at a "B" but the curve with all of our other "C" types and "D" types drags it down. It might not be fair because Slater is a great ST kid, but if he is in the WR pool, he "might" be worth a "D" rating as WR. Dobson might have an arrow up but for injuries a "C".
Edelman "B" (very good and plays ST)
LaFell "C"
Amendola "C"
Thompkins "C-"
Boyce "D+"
Dobson "C"
Slater "D-" as a WR
I know it is taboo to call out the Pats F.O. on this forum (see IAN), but I think those grades are fair. If that is the case, for all you homers that say BB has a plan......feed me please?
Perhaps the best QB of all time. Can you imagine what his numbers would be if he had Moss, Welker and added a few others around through the years like a Marshall or a Vincent Jackson
as example, who could have been had (please I am not advocating either. Just talking productivity)?
Gronk has been great when healthy to be with TB. But we are discussing WR here.
Can you still see something wrong with this? It's not like there is no one out there they could get to better the position.
Thoughts?
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