Talent wise this group is the most talented we've had outside of the 2007 group. The thing that I like about this group better than last year is that both Wes and Lloyd were one trick ponies and these guys simply aren't. Wes couldn't get deep or catch the big pass and Lloyd just couldn't get deep. Lloyd also couldn't beat tough coverage or threaten a defense vertically and made an unnecessary effort on the easiest passes thrown to him, as if he was confused or didn't know what he was doing. You didn't see that in "scrubs" like Givens, Patten, Branch or Brown. I don't care what numbers you throw at me, or what "BIG NAME" you have, the result of the season doesn't lie. Brandon Lloyd disappeared too often, and was non existent in the AFC Championship game. Against the patriots, what do you do? Clog the middle because you know Wes isn't going to beat you deep and you also know Lloyd offers NO THREAT. That's how the Raven's spanked us, he simply couldn't get open. But with this group of receivers this year, they all offer something that we haven't seen in a while.... versatility and a different variety of things that they can each do. And you can't go by health because that's something that simply just happens, any and everybody on the roster could get hurt at anytime whether they have a history or not. Any and everybody could also stay healthy for a season at anytime, where they have a history or not. That's how it works.
Dobson - Can run every route, young so has juice, speed, size, strength, vertical, leverage and hands.. that are a lot of teams that wanted this kid, and WE have him. By the way that one handed catch was sick and that's not the only one handed catch he has made, look him up on you-tube. You just don't get compared to Moss and Fitzgerald out of college just for the hell of it. smart kid, easier to pick up offensive system because of it, also jersey number in teens like other great "Big men"
(B-Marshall, Julio Jones, Fitzgerald, AJ Green) And we also have a good track record of receivers out of Marshall which happen to be our two best ever for NE in Randy Moss and Troy Brown.
Amendola - Bigger, faster, quicker, stronger, more athletic, crisper routes, more explosive, more accomplished coming into NE then Wes in 07 and glue hands. Runs any and every route, including the deep (Welker couldn't) Welker 2.5 upgrade in all facets especially speed, determined, hungry and healthy. Brady will make this guy a superstar IMO. Especially since he made Wes a star after the poor runnings with MIA and SD
Edelman - Slot, X, Running-back, Scat-back and deep (proven against Jets last season), great at inside slants and smoke screens and elusiveness and open field playmaking ability rivals Hernandez. Lets not forget in 2009 how he filled in well for Welker as a rookie. Formally known as Wes Welker's "minime". If healthy, he can be downright explosive.
DJones - Solid route runner and has beaten a few teams deep against good defenses, sneaky speed and very versatile. Can even take handoffs out of the backfield and could excel in offense system and quarterback like ours
Boyce - thick but quick, fast down field, strong, yac attack after the catch and tough hands. Smart kid, makes it easier to pick up offensive system.
Jenkins - all I can say is a decent career with NO real quarterback throwing to him. Solid routes, tall and above average possession receiver which is what we need. Also has the experience and wisdom to get it done, share with Tom such as ideas and teach the younger ones.
- These guys can run different routes and be lined up all over the field, including the backfield in some cases. They offer more of a threat for defenses to have to cover more field and think more as opposed to Wes and Lloyd because at least with Wes and Lloyd you know what do defend and what you are getting. With this group, you have no clue who is running what route and what to expect or defend but you know the ball is coming out quickly, accurately and without a huddle lol And you better be ready to defend because the routes are going to be precise.
Also the guy that got the most out of David Givens, David Patten, Deion Branch and Troy Brown was brought back in WR Coach Brian Daboll for a reason ... If he could coach and groom that group then imagine what Daboll can do for this group? Especially with them having tons of more talent, passes thrown from Tom and coaching from McDaniels, Daboll AND Belichick .. AND TOM lol Really? And we're worried about offense?
If you ask me anybody could line up across from Amendola.. Although I think that Aaron Dobson, Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman could be LETHAL.