I've been to that bar, that was a fun nite
Looks disturbingly like my Uncle Bernie. And now I need to go find some brain bleach.
Registered Members experience this forum ad and noise-free.
CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.I've been to that bar, that was a fun nite
If by "add", you mean, "bring into camp", I'd hope that the Pats pick up at least one mid-level vet (Bryant, Boldin, Branch, Walter, etc.), maybe two, PLUS a couple of draft picks (maybe the last in the 2nd and a 4th, or a 4th and a 7th), PLUS one or two UDFAs. So, that's 4-7 "new guys" in camp. Probably overkill, but better to have too many options than too few.
For the final roster, how many we "add" depends entirely on the status of the guys we've already got, as per how they perform in camp.
Best-case scenario:
Moss is completely healthy.
Welker is on track to return from the PUP List in at least "recovery" capacity in week 7 or 8.
Tate is healthy and looks like he can legitimately contribute more than the "newer" prospects.
Edelman appears to be at least as good as he was at the end of 2009.
We "add" two guys - probably the best vet (if more than one) and a draft pick (who can go to the P/S when Welker returns.
Worst case scenario:
Moss is marginally healthy.
Welker is questionable to return from PUP even by Week-9.
Tate also starts on the PUP List or doesn't appear to be anything more than a decent returner.
Edelman appears to have maxxed his potential in late 2009.
Maybe we "add" 2-3 new guys, at least one of whom is a vet.
In any case, it would probably good to clarify whether the "adding" is for Camp or for the final 53 in any poll question.
If by "add", you mean, "bring into camp", .
I thought that was you.I've been to that bar, that was a fun nite
I probably wouldn't includes SFA's and UDFA's. Just experienced free agents and draft picks. I would also guess 2-3. On top of that, maybe some UDFA's. Have we had any success at WR with UDFA's? Givens (2002) and Edelman (2009) were seventh rounders?
There's no reason to believe Tate's an NFL quality WR. What does he have - 1 catch? He's a third round draft pick that's barely been on a field in 18 months.
Discount Brandon Tate? Why would you count on him? That's my point, we can't count on anybody outside of Moss and Edelman.
Aiken is NOT a guy I want to see in the starting WR lineup. He's fine as a #5 and special teamer but he does nothing to relieve the pressure off primary receivers like Moss and Welker. Teams will dare a receiver like Aiken to beat them, and more often than not, he won't.
"Who is saying not to have a 'contingency plan'?" "Why should we worry? seemed to be your whole point.
I stated that "Collie accomplished more at WR . . ." KR skills were not part of my discussion. Not discounting the added value, just limiting the discussion to "Who will Brady Throw to?" In that regard, KR/PR skills are less relevant to this discussion, IMHO.
I don't see where I stated or implied that Collie couldn't have been a bust or that Tate wouldn't do well somehow because (??) of Collie. From what I saw of both of them last year, pre-Draft, I though Collie had higher potential to step in and contribute immediately as a #3WR than Tate did. That's it. Doesn't preclude any other possibilities.
Sure, any prospect can bust. A higher percentage of 1st-round WRs flat-out bust than 2nd-round WRs (about 50% versus 35%). But a higher percentage of 1st rounders become "stars" (25% versus 10%). Anybody can bust. The point was that, if you don't draft anybody, there's not even a possibility of coming up with an Austin Collie. You can't lose or win the lottery of you don't play.
It appears to me that Eddie Royal is on the outs with Josh McDaniels. How about trading a 3rd round pick to our old friend McDaniels for Royal and bringing him in as the #2 WR/KR? Royal had 90 catches his rookie year but only 30 something in his 2nd year. He has also had 2 kick returns for touchdowns in his brief career already. IMO he's a Joshua Cribbs type player, maybe not as an explosive a returner but a better pure receiver, who could be available on the cheap.
Royal's brief career thus far
Eddie Royal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Royal and McDaniels
http://www.3rdstringsafety.com/tag/eddie-royal/
The Pats don't have a 3rd round pick until 2011. Royal is best used in the slot, not on the outside, IMHO.
Moss and Edelman are the only givens that will be coming back for the entirety of the 2010 season. Welker and Tate have both had serious injuries and there's no official timetable for their return yet. Moss is our #1 and Edelman is our slot. That means that the Pats need a #2/3 WR with some speed to play on the outside and a #4, possibly possession type WR. I'd say get 1 free agent, draft a rookie, and hope the others can come back from injury in a timely fashion.
I'd hope that the Pats pick up at least one mid-level vet (Bryant, Boldin, Branch, Walter, etc.), maybe two, PLUS a couple of draft picks (maybe the last in the 2nd and a 4th, or a 4th and a 7th), PLUS one or two UDFAs. So, that's 4-7 "new guys" in camp. Probably overkill, but better to have too many options than too few.
Well the FO made a huge mistake letting Gaffney go McDaniel new they wouldn't step up to the plate and they basically lost him over 500k. They need a # 2 reciever period even if Welker was healthy they needed a legit #2 wr that you have to respect and cover so that they can't double Moss all game. In my mind Welker won't be the same player until 2011 it usually takes 2 years to be completely healthy from that injury. Edelman nice player and Tate looks like he has potential but they need a couple more recievers and if they are not going to invest in the recievers then why sign Brady. They need wr's and pass rushers desperately so they better be prepared to spend some money which they haven't done much of since 2007.
The Patriots do need a WR to stretch the field. Moss is not getting any younger and Tate (unproven) Welker (injured) Edelman (4th or 5th) and our inability to run the ball effectively we are still one dimensional.
we need to improve both ol and DL.. and followed by LB and Secondary
1) So 2 of 7 draft picks plus 2 free agents just at WR? That seems like too much resources to spend at any one position.
2) I think they add one free agent (scrub type player) and a draft pick and then they live and die by Moss.
Well the FO made a huge mistake letting Gaffney go McDaniel new they wouldn't step up to the plate and they basically lost him over 500k. They need a # 2 reciever period even if Welker was healthy they needed a legit #2 wr that you have to respect and cover so that they can't double Moss all game. In my mind Welker won't be the same player until 2011 it usually takes 2 years to be completely healthy from that injury. Edelman nice player and Tate looks like he has potential but they need a couple more recievers and if they are not going to invest in the recievers then why sign Brady. They need wr's and pass rushers desperately so they better be prepared to spend some money which they haven't done much of since 2007.