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Disclaimer: This offense, without any changes would still be coming off being the 2nd most prolific passing attack in NFL history. So its not like there are huge holes to fill or if we don't make drastic moves the passing attack will suddenly morph into the Jags or the Jets. However we ARE Pats fans, and we ARE terribly spoiled so even amongst the “plenty”, it is our duty to demand that we improve upon near perfection. So who am I to claim, “the king has no clothes”, and here we go.
Everybody is looking for the WR “answer” Servers have died to keep the Mike Wallace Brandon Lloyd, and Vincent Jackson conversation going, and more will die before this issue is resolved over the next few months, But assuming Wes Welker is on the team this coming season, Its pretty obvious that that baring injury, whomever that 4th receiver is going to be, most of the time, he is going to be the 4th option. And I think its stupid to spend top dollar for a guy who would be just a 4th option or at best merely take receptions away from those who got them last season.
So I was thinking about potential INEXPENSIVE options that could both fill the need to have a “field stretcher” and a legitimate 4th receiver threat that opens up the field to everyone else. Here are just 4 off the top of my head. Feel free to add others. The key attributes here are speed, route running, and the ability to be a WR who doesn't need to be the focus of the offense.
a.Braylon Edwards. If healthy, he's got the unique combination of size and speed that we are looking for. He had a great season in 2010, and made a lot of big catches, (including too goddamned many against the Pats). After the disaster season he had last year he'd come very cheap. The extra bonus is that by signing himyou'd keep him away from the Jets. While he's a nice signing by us, he's a critical get for the Jets since he'd likely to be one of the few FA's that the Jets could afford, and weakens them. BTW- If he came here, it would be the first ti he's ever played with a top notch passer.
b. Lee Evans – Another very solid speed guy, who had a horrible season with a new team. I think we've all seen him enough in Buffalo, playing in bad weather, with worse QB's to respect his accomplishments. Why not Lee Evans. BTW – that so called “drop” in the endzone in the Ravens game wasn't. It was more about Moore's good play, then Evans bad one.
c. Randy Moss – IF he can still run a 4.4. IF he understands he'd be a role player, and NOT the focus of the passing game, That he'd be here to open the field for others and be willing to accept getting only 3-5 targets a game.. Why not Randy Moss, who would come to play for base of a million plus incentives in a non-guaranteed contract.. Low risk, high reward
d. Keep Ocho and Branch, they both will come cheap, and let them fight for the position of 4th receiver and let the best man win. BB loves to create this kind of “death threat” competition. and then draft a speed guy for the future.
All these options make more sense now that tit looks like some of the better DE/OLB, and DL interior rush prospects are sadly very likely to be gone when its our turn. Do this and you can spend those assets on finding them in FA
Again my main reasons for not being willing to simply add that great receiver to the mix, and STILL sign Welker are: You shouldn't tie up 18% or more of your cap on 2 WR's, You shouldn't someone who could be your 4th receiver. And why would a top receiver want to come here knowing they might end up being the 4th option a lot of the time
4. Now what's the plan if Welker walks. Its unlikely, but still you have to prepare. BTW- I wonder if the hold up in resigning him is more about the money or the years Here are a couple of Welkerless scenarios
a. Mike Wallace. The Pats offer the Steelers their 2nd this year, and a 2nd next year in trade for Wallace. Although you give up 2 premium picks by trading him, the benefit is that you keep the #1 and when you sign him to a long term big money contract, it will be easier to structure a deal where the big cap hits hit after 2014 when the cap will expand by about $40MM Now you put Edelman in the slot. Wallace becomes one of the top 3 options, and the offense could become even more dangerous
b. Vincent Jackson – Its going to cost $10/MM/yr but you get a #1 receiver type who can run all the routes, and if you all remember the SD game just last September....a very scary guy.
c. Brandon Llyodd.- I wonder about this one since you wouldn't be getting true speed guy, but more of a bigger stronger more versatile Dion Branch. I'm not sure what he's looking for, but I wouldn't pay more than $6-7MM/yr for him,.
That's just 3 off the top of my head, again feel free to add others you might feel fit. And now on to the NEXT installment
Everybody is looking for the WR “answer” Servers have died to keep the Mike Wallace Brandon Lloyd, and Vincent Jackson conversation going, and more will die before this issue is resolved over the next few months, But assuming Wes Welker is on the team this coming season, Its pretty obvious that that baring injury, whomever that 4th receiver is going to be, most of the time, he is going to be the 4th option. And I think its stupid to spend top dollar for a guy who would be just a 4th option or at best merely take receptions away from those who got them last season.
So I was thinking about potential INEXPENSIVE options that could both fill the need to have a “field stretcher” and a legitimate 4th receiver threat that opens up the field to everyone else. Here are just 4 off the top of my head. Feel free to add others. The key attributes here are speed, route running, and the ability to be a WR who doesn't need to be the focus of the offense.
a.Braylon Edwards. If healthy, he's got the unique combination of size and speed that we are looking for. He had a great season in 2010, and made a lot of big catches, (including too goddamned many against the Pats). After the disaster season he had last year he'd come very cheap. The extra bonus is that by signing himyou'd keep him away from the Jets. While he's a nice signing by us, he's a critical get for the Jets since he'd likely to be one of the few FA's that the Jets could afford, and weakens them. BTW- If he came here, it would be the first ti he's ever played with a top notch passer.
b. Lee Evans – Another very solid speed guy, who had a horrible season with a new team. I think we've all seen him enough in Buffalo, playing in bad weather, with worse QB's to respect his accomplishments. Why not Lee Evans. BTW – that so called “drop” in the endzone in the Ravens game wasn't. It was more about Moore's good play, then Evans bad one.
c. Randy Moss – IF he can still run a 4.4. IF he understands he'd be a role player, and NOT the focus of the passing game, That he'd be here to open the field for others and be willing to accept getting only 3-5 targets a game.. Why not Randy Moss, who would come to play for base of a million plus incentives in a non-guaranteed contract.. Low risk, high reward
d. Keep Ocho and Branch, they both will come cheap, and let them fight for the position of 4th receiver and let the best man win. BB loves to create this kind of “death threat” competition. and then draft a speed guy for the future.
All these options make more sense now that tit looks like some of the better DE/OLB, and DL interior rush prospects are sadly very likely to be gone when its our turn. Do this and you can spend those assets on finding them in FA
Again my main reasons for not being willing to simply add that great receiver to the mix, and STILL sign Welker are: You shouldn't tie up 18% or more of your cap on 2 WR's, You shouldn't someone who could be your 4th receiver. And why would a top receiver want to come here knowing they might end up being the 4th option a lot of the time
4. Now what's the plan if Welker walks. Its unlikely, but still you have to prepare. BTW- I wonder if the hold up in resigning him is more about the money or the years Here are a couple of Welkerless scenarios
a. Mike Wallace. The Pats offer the Steelers their 2nd this year, and a 2nd next year in trade for Wallace. Although you give up 2 premium picks by trading him, the benefit is that you keep the #1 and when you sign him to a long term big money contract, it will be easier to structure a deal where the big cap hits hit after 2014 when the cap will expand by about $40MM Now you put Edelman in the slot. Wallace becomes one of the top 3 options, and the offense could become even more dangerous
b. Vincent Jackson – Its going to cost $10/MM/yr but you get a #1 receiver type who can run all the routes, and if you all remember the SD game just last September....a very scary guy.
c. Brandon Llyodd.- I wonder about this one since you wouldn't be getting true speed guy, but more of a bigger stronger more versatile Dion Branch. I'm not sure what he's looking for, but I wouldn't pay more than $6-7MM/yr for him,.
That's just 3 off the top of my head, again feel free to add others you might feel fit. And now on to the NEXT installment