PATRIOT64
In the Starting Line-Up
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Here is my take and grade on our 2007 acquisitions.....
WES WELKER A+ Near perfect all season long performance from a guy many thought was only going to be a 3rd and long or ST return specialist,Instead he turned out to be the guy that made most of the hard to catch plays and somehow got open when Brady got into trouble or could not find an open guy,Welker nearly always found an opening down the seam or across the field and was IMO the BEST acquisition in 2007
RANDY MOSS A I put Randy in 2nd even though he broke records and was Brady's main guy because although he was near impossible to stop early in the season, once teams found a way to contain him by being a bit more physical and double teaming him he was no longer a big threat in the game and was more of a decoy from the latter part of the season and right through the playoffs,While our other receivers benefitted from the fear he put in defenders minds it still does not take away the fact that Randy was not a factor when it counted most and it does show that Randy is definately a finesse receiver and not a very physical one,if you put your hands on Randy he will struggle to get open and that is what was evident when teams started getting rough in coverage,Nevertheless Randy was a huge reason why we went 18-1 and I would love to see him come back and still gets an A grading but I cannot say he was a better acqusition than Welker and I may be in the minority but thats the way I see it.
KELLY WASHINGTON A How can you not give an A to what have might have been the best STs player on the 2007 team? - Kelly was always one of the first to get down the field to make a tackle and never complained that he was not on the field all season to catch passes like he was expected to contribute somewhat,This guy is T-E-A-M player and would be foolish not to resign him if not for his STs play than to be a quality backup should injuries occur to the WR corps or maybe even as a 3rd or 4th receiver as well if we lose someone to FA.
DONTE STALLWORTH C+ I thought his 2007 performance was a bit dissapointing when you think of all the speed he has but never seemed to be the breakout WR even when teams were doubling Moss,I think he has had trouble fitting into this system and did not ever get in synch with Brady all year with the exception of a few decent games and primarily the Dallas game where he played like we were expecting him to,He may have a better season next year once he gets more accustomed to the way Brady runs the offense but I am not worried about whether he stays or goes,I think that if we lose Stallworth to FA it would not be a big loss,I think Jabar Gaffney and/or Chad Jackson would fit into the role of 2nd WR perfectly.
ADALIUS THOMAS C- I think we all thought that this guy was going to be an immediate impact player and have 11 or 12 sacks at least and shut down the run but never fully was a big factor in most of the season,While he did show signs of his days in Baltimore like in the 2nd week SD game where he was great,most games you barely heard his name mentioned and when Colvin went down with injury he never seemed to pick up the slack or truly help the huge hole that opened up in the middle of the defense when Colvin was gone.
I think we need to see another season to see if maybe he is a bit slow to get adjusted to this defense or maybe he ends up like so many Ravens defenders did since they left Baltimore and the ex-Ravens jinx as they call it or maybe its the fact that he is 31 and slowing down,We will see in 2008.
KYLE BRADY D Seems like a wasted acquisition and looked his age,was slow and was not as impressive in blocking as Graham was despite the fact that he was considered a better blocker which the team signed him for,We missed Graham's presence in the playoffs for sure,A near non factor much of the year and he was also injured on and off,He must be cut this offseason and hopefully Dave Thomas is not injury prone and takes his place on the TE roster.
BRANDON MERRIWEATHER D Can't really know what he will be like until he gets even more playing time next season,As from what I saw was a unspectacular effort but a determined guy when he did get on the field and made some plays but at times was a bit too aggressive,too emotional and made mistakes as a rookie usually does and did drop some interceptions that made me pull my hair out,However he does look to fit well in the system and if he can mature into a starter may be good enough to take Wilson's job and start next year - you can only give a D for short,sporadic,nothing too good to remember play from this rookie.
Whats your grades on these 7 new guys 2007 performances?
WES WELKER A+ Near perfect all season long performance from a guy many thought was only going to be a 3rd and long or ST return specialist,Instead he turned out to be the guy that made most of the hard to catch plays and somehow got open when Brady got into trouble or could not find an open guy,Welker nearly always found an opening down the seam or across the field and was IMO the BEST acquisition in 2007
RANDY MOSS A I put Randy in 2nd even though he broke records and was Brady's main guy because although he was near impossible to stop early in the season, once teams found a way to contain him by being a bit more physical and double teaming him he was no longer a big threat in the game and was more of a decoy from the latter part of the season and right through the playoffs,While our other receivers benefitted from the fear he put in defenders minds it still does not take away the fact that Randy was not a factor when it counted most and it does show that Randy is definately a finesse receiver and not a very physical one,if you put your hands on Randy he will struggle to get open and that is what was evident when teams started getting rough in coverage,Nevertheless Randy was a huge reason why we went 18-1 and I would love to see him come back and still gets an A grading but I cannot say he was a better acqusition than Welker and I may be in the minority but thats the way I see it.
KELLY WASHINGTON A How can you not give an A to what have might have been the best STs player on the 2007 team? - Kelly was always one of the first to get down the field to make a tackle and never complained that he was not on the field all season to catch passes like he was expected to contribute somewhat,This guy is T-E-A-M player and would be foolish not to resign him if not for his STs play than to be a quality backup should injuries occur to the WR corps or maybe even as a 3rd or 4th receiver as well if we lose someone to FA.
DONTE STALLWORTH C+ I thought his 2007 performance was a bit dissapointing when you think of all the speed he has but never seemed to be the breakout WR even when teams were doubling Moss,I think he has had trouble fitting into this system and did not ever get in synch with Brady all year with the exception of a few decent games and primarily the Dallas game where he played like we were expecting him to,He may have a better season next year once he gets more accustomed to the way Brady runs the offense but I am not worried about whether he stays or goes,I think that if we lose Stallworth to FA it would not be a big loss,I think Jabar Gaffney and/or Chad Jackson would fit into the role of 2nd WR perfectly.
ADALIUS THOMAS C- I think we all thought that this guy was going to be an immediate impact player and have 11 or 12 sacks at least and shut down the run but never fully was a big factor in most of the season,While he did show signs of his days in Baltimore like in the 2nd week SD game where he was great,most games you barely heard his name mentioned and when Colvin went down with injury he never seemed to pick up the slack or truly help the huge hole that opened up in the middle of the defense when Colvin was gone.
I think we need to see another season to see if maybe he is a bit slow to get adjusted to this defense or maybe he ends up like so many Ravens defenders did since they left Baltimore and the ex-Ravens jinx as they call it or maybe its the fact that he is 31 and slowing down,We will see in 2008.
KYLE BRADY D Seems like a wasted acquisition and looked his age,was slow and was not as impressive in blocking as Graham was despite the fact that he was considered a better blocker which the team signed him for,We missed Graham's presence in the playoffs for sure,A near non factor much of the year and he was also injured on and off,He must be cut this offseason and hopefully Dave Thomas is not injury prone and takes his place on the TE roster.
BRANDON MERRIWEATHER D Can't really know what he will be like until he gets even more playing time next season,As from what I saw was a unspectacular effort but a determined guy when he did get on the field and made some plays but at times was a bit too aggressive,too emotional and made mistakes as a rookie usually does and did drop some interceptions that made me pull my hair out,However he does look to fit well in the system and if he can mature into a starter may be good enough to take Wilson's job and start next year - you can only give a D for short,sporadic,nothing too good to remember play from this rookie.
Whats your grades on these 7 new guys 2007 performances?