WRs returning

[D-Money]

Is anyone comfortable with having the same cast coming back next year?I still feel this team doesnt have that deep threat.Branch will be 32 and Welker is what he is.A slot guy who catches passes underneath.I dont think Tate will be nothing much.Price is an unknown.

 

[BlueString94]

Branch and Welker better be back. Other than that, I don't really care.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Is anyone comfortable with having the same cast coming back next year?I still feel this team doesnt have that deep threat.Branch will be 32 and Welker is what he is.A slot guy who catches passes underneath.I dont think Tate will be nothing much.Price is an unknown.

They were good enough to score over 500 points.

Welker will be 100% healthy next year. Branch is a great role player, but I don't think he is a true #1.

I don't think the Pats need to build anywhere except the trenches. I'd like to see a boring draft with a lot of big, huge guys taken in the early rounds.

It wouldn't hurt to have one big receiver like Edwards, as it would just allow them to exploit another matchup problem.

 

[Guts]

Let's trade for Larry Fitz jk

 

[niknarayanan]

Im more concerned with how Hernandez and Gronk will perform in their second years... They were the surprise packages for most of our opponents... After having such good rookie seasons, how will their second years pan out?

 

[D-Money]

They have score 500 points but that doesnt matter come the playoffs.The playoffs are a different beast!!Its about execution.You have to worry about Branch because he's much older

 

[The_Riddler]

Pretty obvious that Brandon Tate isn't the answer on the outside, we need a true #1, a big physical WR that TB can turn to when he needs a big play outside of the dink and dunk hash marks. Someone mentioned Braylon Edwards, that is exactly the type of WR we need right now to complete this offense.

 

[Fencer]

When Branch had to be open, he was open. Brady just didn't hit him.

I'm fine with short receivers when we have TEs like Gronk and Hernandez.

The big issue on offense is the OL.

 

[niknarayanan]

Pretty obvious that Brandon Tate isn't the answer on the outside, we need a true #1, a big physical WR that TB can turn to when he needs a big play outside of the dink and dunk hash marks. Someone mentioned Braylon Edwards, that is exactly the type of WR we need right now to complete this offense.

If they can get better on D, this offense has more than enough weapons next year to make a good run...

 

[TriplecHamp]

Works in progress: Price, Tate, Edelman, Slater
knowns: Welker, Branch
TE: Crumpler, Hernandez, Gronkowski

I would like to add a WR target like Steve Smith of the Giants as a replacement for Branch who's getting up their in age and injuries. I doubt Slater returns.

Next year I'd like to see Smith, Welker, and Branch starting with Tate/Price coming off the bench and Edelman taking snaps in Welker's spot. There is always the possiblity of drafting a big target like Julio Jones or signing Vincent Jackson if the price is right.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I want Welker back, and Branch back in some capacity. Interested to see what Price has to offer. Don't care much for Edelman or Tate; wouldn't bother me at all if one/both of them got cut.

 

[TriplecHamp]

I want Welker back, and Branch back in some capacity. Interested to see what Price has to offer. Don't care much for Edelman or Tate; wouldn't bother me at all if one/both of them got cut.

Both have proven to be weapons on special teams and Edelman has shown promise in the slot. I think we keep him around but I agree with you on Tate. Asside from a couple of nice returns, he hasn't shown much as a WR, he's expendable IMO.

 

[andrewgarrr]

It's Tate's first year essentially. Let's be a little more optimistic on his future

Imagine if we took Mike Wallace...

 

[niknarayanan]

It's Tate's first year essentially. Let's be a little more optimistic on his future

Imagine if we took Mike Wallace...

Jeez, that guy looks scary good with his deep routes...

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

I'm very comfortable with Welker starting obviously. Much less so with Branch who I think would be a wise veteran to keep around as a role player. As for Tate and Price, neither have shown enough to pencil in as a definitive starter next year. Wouldn't think it would be wise to rely on either of them making the jump to bonafide starter next year.

I would like to see at least a couple new WR's added. One veteran to compete with Branch and a drafted guy who has starter ability in case Tate and Price don't work out.

 

[ATippett56]

Is anyone comfortable with having the same cast coming back next year?I still feel this team doesnt have that deep threat.Branch will be 32 and Welker is what he is.

The bigger issue is the age and depth of the offensive line. Let's review the ages of the key offensive lineman for the New England Patriots heading into the 2011 NFL Season:

Stephen Neal, 35 year of age
Matt Light, 33 years of age
Dan Koppen, 32 years of age
Nick Kaczur, 32 years of age

The New England Patriots seriously need to consider rebuilding the offensive line starting with the right offensive guard position in the 2011 NFL Draft. Dan Connolly is a backup interior offensive lineman and not an adequate starter when you consider the New England Patriots will be playing the Jets, Ravens, Steelers defensive lines in the playoffs.

Aside from Sebastian Vollmer, the New England Patriots do not have a quality offensive tackle on the roster under the age of 30. Hopefully the New England Patriots select an offensive tackle no later than the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

New England Patriots Roster at NFL.com

Meanwhile, the backups on the New England Patriots offensive line are suspect especially LeVoir and Ojinnaka who products of the 2006 NFL Draft. After five seasons in the NFL, neither LeVoir or Ojinnaka have proven to be consistently capable backups at the offensive tackle position.

 

[LasVegasPatsFan]

Tate always tries his best to catch the ball. He made that diving catch from Hoyer and dove to catch Brady's pass yesterday which was way off target. Give him another year before writing him off. At least the guy gives his all and thats why BB kept him around.

 

[Kid~Brady]

We need a deep threat. Its that simple. The offense works well but sometimes we need to take shots downfield.

Tate just isnt that guy sorry to be negative. I like the guy and I know its his first year but we honestly cant count of him for a deep threat. Other than that, the TEs are nice, Welker and Branch of course.

 

[patsinthesnow]

I think we should have some expectations for Taylor Price. He had his rookie year to learn the NFL offense so let's see how he does in his second year.

Remember Mike Williams and Jacoby Ford were both taken after him.

 

[Deus Irae]

Bring them all back, as long as you also bring in a speed/downfield receiver via a high draft pick, trade or free agency. Guys like Vincent Jackson and Sidney Rice come to mind as the types to look for, since the Randy Moss type is apparently no longer desired by the team (and, no, that's not meant as a dig). Let them all compete, and keep the best of them.