Compete with Ocho, that made me laugh. We have Tiquan and Edleman signed for that. I'd expect an old coach to respect what Branch still brings every week, attention to detail and ability to do all the little things that help the other receivers even if he isn't the focus or can't get open. And the sign a name I recognize mentality...and give Welker's money to a troubled verticle threat and draft some tall CB and tall WR...it's almost NEM like, Ken.
I appreciate that NEM reference. That's funny. But the "old coach" also recognizes the following. Branch CANNOT get free against any kind of physical coverage and that is what the Pats predominantly are seeing these days. Its time the game has changed an new skills are needed. Its the same for Koppen. If the league was predominantly 4-3 like it was when he came into the league, I'd be campaigning for him to be resigned. But its not. We need bigger stronger guys who can set the middle in pass protection, more than we need a C who can get to the second level in the run game.
The "old coach" also is interesting to see if Chad's poor production this season was the result of him losing his speed and quickness, or a result of the fact he was primarily the #5 option. If it was the latter, then I would give him the full off season to gain Brady's confidence and look at him as a bigger strong Branch, and a guy who has had a lot of success against man coverage. Worth a shot, his second year has less of a cap hit. However if the staff feels he simply lost it, then by all means let him go. I just don't think he has.
The "old coach" is simply recognizing that the game has changed. WR's are getting bigger and bigger every year. The defense has to answer in kind. Dowling would have made a big difference because he excelled at press coverage. A guy like Minnefield could do the same. The Pats were horrible when they had to go man last season and they did it rarely, simply because they didn't have the players who could do it well. Its not Mem-like to recognize reality. And its important that the "real coach" has the personnel to use all the bullets in his arsenal, and not be limited simply because he doesn't have the player to run a particular sub package
The "old coach" would like to see what a big outside threat WR would bring to the table. I don't care if we get one through the draft or through FA, but I want a guy with "real" speed. I don't want a 4.6 Plexico Burress type who doesn't become relevant until you hit the red zone.. That's my issue with Lloyd. To me he's more of a good intermediate receiver. If you want to replace Branch with him over Ocho, I'd be good with that. But don't expect him to be a "field stretcher".
The "old coach" doesn't advocate letting Welker walk, he's just recognizing that its a possibility. And if it occurs, THEN I'd want the Pats to get the best speed guy available, and from what I gather, that guy is Vincent Jackson. A guy who is more than a just verticle threat. Were you asleep with the Pats played the Chargers in September and missed the 180 yds and 18 ypc he got making catches ALL over the field. There's a risk with him, but when motivated he's a "man".
BTW- the "old coach" wouldn't make this move if Welker is here. He isn't the kind of guy who'd be happy being the #4 threat. That's something that people should be more conscious of when crying for this "field stretching" WR. Whomever he winds up being, he better be happy being the #4 option most of the time.
I keep thinking that what we need is a "Stallworth-like" wide receiver. Someone who would be happy running 9 routes most of the time and willing to only get 3-4 targets a game. I think Ocho would be thrilled to be brought back and "upgraded" to #4.
I think the because of the lockout, Chad didn't have the time to "get" this offense and de-remember close to a decade in something completely different. By the time he DID get it late in the season, the target order was set in Brady's mind. If there is one thing I'd like to improve on Brady, is his tendency to predetermine to who he's going to. Too often I think he get locked into his favorite targets and ignores wide open RBs and other less notable receivers. A little too stubborn I think.....just a little. Do you ever get that impression, Mo.
Any how. I hope that clarifies my "Nem-like" position.
