Forget about it.
Of course Vareen is a question mark, but no less or more of one than Ridley was coming into last season. Think about it. Ridley had shown this same kind of "flashes" in limited snaps that Vareen showed this past year. Given what Ridley did when he got consistent snaps in his role, isn't it fair to think that Vareen could make a similar jump as his snaps increase in his role? After that its nice to see that BB has created some intense competition for the 2-3 back up roles, among some proven talent
So if the Sanders thing had gone through, you'd have been happy? Let me offer this perspective. Where did the passing offense fail last season, REALLY? Clearly, without Gronk, we had trouble getting into the endzone. Despite the myth that's evolved, the Pats had little trouble moving the ball against the Ravens, but LOTS of trouble getting into the endzone. Adding Dobson and Jenkins alone, gives Brady 2 more big targets as options, but Jones and Boyce are both stronger than Branch and LLoyd as red zone targets.
It could be that BB went into this off season with the specific objective of improving the Pats ability to put the ball into the endzone from the redzone. If that is the case, then I think he's made a good start
Well, I don't think we will ever agree on this. I think this whole "stretch the field" imperative is simply crap....and the Pats have proved it to be the last 3 years, by having an elite passing game WITHOUT any so called "deep threat". As it turned out, what it lacked last season (as I said above" wasn't a "deep threat", but red zone threats, if Gronk is out.
Understand, its not that I wouldn't like to have a true "field stretcher". But to me it would be more of a luxury, than a necessity
I think we all have a tendency to forget that after DA, the next WR on the field is going to be the 4th option on most pass plays. Hard to be an impact receiver when that's your role. LLoyd picked up over 900 yds being the 3rd option most of last season, so if our 4th option, whomever it turns out to be, manages to produce in the 600yd range, I'd deem it a success.
And most likely I'd bet that 4th option receiver this season will be filled by committee. For example if YAC is the need you go with Edelman, if we are in the redzone, it would be Dobson, etc.
Now you get it.
But I also think BB is not ignoring DA's health history. Edelman, Jones, and Boyce all have the skills to step in and play the slot if he reverts to his last 2 year's injury situation. I also think that Fells and Ballard are both better options as back up TE's to what we had last year.
6) As is usually the case, we agree on almost all points. Certainly we agree the patriots are very likely to be a playoff team. We also agree that the new offense will be very interesting to watch as it develops. If not for injuries, we would have seen more of the new system last year.