2006 offense vs. 2013 offense right now: which is better?

[oldrover]

Wideouts:

2013: Edelman, Amendola, Dobson/KT
2006: Caldwell, Brown, Gabriel

RB's:

2013: Blount, Ridley, Vereen
2006: Dillon, Maroney, Faulk

TEs':

2013: Hoomanawanui, Mulligan
2006: Graham, Watson

QB:

2013: Brady now
2006: Brady then

Couldn't you make a strong argument that 2006's offense was better, except at the top WR position?

 

[mgcolby]

This year's offense just for the running game alone. Dillon was done and clearly hobbled during the playoffs. Maroney...nothing needs to be said. Obviously Faulk is Faulk, but the three headed monster we have this year is ridiculous.

I would definitely love to have Graham and Watson though.

 

[Ring 6]

Wideouts:

2013: Edelman, Amendola, Dobson/KT
2006: Caldwell, Brown, Gabriel

RB's:

2013: Blount, Ridley, Vereen
2006: Dillon, Maroney, Faulk

TEs':

2013: Hoomanawanui, Mulligan
2006: Graham, Watson

QB:

2013: Brady now
2006: Brady then

Couldn't you make a strong argument that 2006's offense was better, except at the top WR position?

WRs are WAY better this year.
Troy Brown had 43 catches in 06 and was done.
We have at least 4 WRs better than Caldwell if they are healthy.

 

[ThatllMoveTheChains!!!]

Wideouts:

2013: Edelman, Amendola, Dobson/KT
2006: Caldwell, Brown, Gabriel

RB's:

2013: Blount, Ridley, Vereen
2006: Dillon, Maroney, Faulk

TEs':

2013: Hoomanawanui, Mulligan
2006: Graham, Watson

QB:

2013: Brady now
2006: Brady then

Couldn't you make a strong argument that 2006's offense was better, except at the top WR position?

WR goes to 2013 by a lot, RB is equal, TE goes to 2006, and QB is equal. However I'd say 2013 has a large advantage going into the POs. First and foremost because the RBs are healthy, Blount and Ridley are both more versatile than either Dillon (at that stage) or Maroney, and all three have more big play potential than anyone they had in 2006. Secondly because the passing game is far more reliable than in 2006; the only one you weren't crossing your fingers when he was targeted was Gaffney, and I'd take all the current crop over him.

 

[jah]

The only group better in 2006 is the tight ends. The 2013 wide receivers are much better, the 2013 running backs are better, and I think Brady is better now as well. Make no mistake, this offense isn't close to as good as it was from 2010-2012, but it's also a hell of a lot better than the infamous 2006 squad.

 

[RIpats88]

Our 2013 offense is #3 in ppg I believe

 

[Sicilian]

Slight nitpick, but Jabar Gaffney was more of our #3 WR than Gabriel was that year, especially by the end.

I take this year's offense in a slight edge. WRs 1 and 2 are better, and 3 and 4 have more potential than in 2006. RB's are better (as was mentioned, Dillon was not 2004 Dillon in 2006). TE's are worse. Brady is physically a little worse but mentally I think better.

What evens out everything is that I feel the O-Line in 2006 was better than what we have currently with injuries. That's a huge part of this equation in my mind, and can't be left out. It's not all about the skill players.

 

[JackBauer]

And what of the offensive line? Kind of important for comparison's sake, no?

The only dimension of the 2006 offense that was (significantly better) were the tight ends.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Reche Caldwell 49 yard catch for Patriots against Chargers in 2006 AFC Playoff - YouTube

Make fun of Reche all you want, we need a WR that can make that type of downfield play in crunch time.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Seems like a wash overall.

As an aside, my lasting visual from that season is always the back of Eric Alexander's uniform as he chases Dallas Clark all over the stadium in Indy. For that reason alone I've tried to block 2006-07 out of my memory.

 

[JoeSixPat]

2006 offense vs. this year's right now: which is better?

My knee jerk reaction was going to be to trash the premise of the thread and state that there's no way it's even close, in favor of this year.

But the reality is, given all the losses on offense and injuries (and you have to count Amendola, Dobson etc. in that as they've s not been available all season and remains a question mark) that it's a lot closer to 2006 than I'd like.

I'll still take the guys we have now over 2006 - but I had to think about it. Meaning the question is worth asking.

For me the RB corps (as long as they don't fumble) give this season the big edge - they can keep guys fresh and change the looks. Brady of course does his part with his go to guys - but needless to say this is a very flawed offense as it currently stands.

 

[JackBauer]

Reche Caldwell 49 yard catch for Patriots against Chargers in 2006 AFC Playoff - YouTube

Make fun of Reche all you want, we need a WR that can make that type of downfield play in crunch time.

Hmm. I'm not sure that Reche Caldwell is your huckleberry if you want to talk clutch catches in crunch time.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Our 2013 offense is #3 in ppg I believe

And it was #6 in 2006 if I recall - still pretty good despite the gaping flaws of that offense, just as this one has major flaws yet remains near the top of the overall stats (thank you Tom Brady!)

Those stats don't mean too much to me either way - and we all know how skewed this year's stats are with a stretch of games with the worst offense in the NFL in the first half and the best in the 2nd half

Quite a few current posters argued heavily that the 2006 offense was fine as is with Caldwell leading the way and no need for major upgrades (after which Belichick brought in Welker, Stallworth, and Moss among just a few changes - including Caldwell essentially falling out of the NFL entirely)

The #3 ranking this year could prompt many to make the same argument - though I'd say the lack of good health makes assessing this offense difficult.

In any event, this team has as good a chance of winning the Super Bowl as the 2006 team did, despite the major flaws (as the 2006 team very well could have won it all if not for a few unlucky bounces of the ball and failed execution on a handful of plays.)

Overall the main premise of the thread remains a worthwhile question to ask.

 

[signbabybrady]

You know what stands out to me about this question is the TE position man just give me some guys like Graham and Watson on this team and it was really supposed to be Gronk and the jail bird.

Can you imagine this team with either tandom instead of Whoman and Mulligan? or even just one of the four with Whoman?

 

[patsinthesnow]

Hmm. I'm not sure that Reche Caldwell is your huckleberry if you want to talk clutch catches in crunch time.

Yes, we all want to remember the drop in the AFCCG, but that catch against one of the better CBs on 3rd and 10 got us there. It wasn't Caldwell's fault he was the best WR we had.

I just disagree we have 4 WRs better. We have 1 with Amendola in his current state.

 

[JackBauer]

Yes, we all want to remember the drop in the AFCCG, but that catch against one of the better CBs on 3rd and 10 got us there. It wasn't Caldwell's fault he was the best WR we had.

I just disagree we have 4 WRs better. We have 1 with Amendola in his current state.

Gotcha, I can can dig this.

 

[aztecafut]

This year's offense just for the running game alone. Dillon was done and clearly hobbled during the playoffs. Maroney...nothing needs to be said. Obviously Faulk is Faulk, but the three headed monster we have this year is ridiculous.

I would definitely love to have Graham and Watson though.

Its funny what a difference a few months can make huh?. Back in May who would have thought that by the end of the season people would be wishing we had Watson back on the team?

 

[SalemPats]

Wideouts:

2013: Edelman, Amendola, Dobson/KT
2006: Caldwell, Brown, Gabriel

RB's:

2013: Blount, Ridley, Vereen
2006: Dillon, Maroney, Faulk

TEs':

2013: Hoomanawanui, Mulligan
2006: Graham, Watson

QB:

2013: Brady now
2006: Brady then

Couldn't you make a strong argument that 2006's offense was better, except at the top WR position?

tough one to call. I'd probably take Dillon/Faulk, 2006 TEs, WR is even. So give me the 2006.

 

[RayClay]

Reche Caldwell 49 yard catch for Patriots against Chargers in 2006 AFC Playoff - YouTube

Make fun of Reche all you want, we need a WR that can make that type of downfield play in crunch time.

Even better if he'd stayed in bounds.

 

[Deus Irae]

I'd take this year over 2006.

Brady's gotten smarter without losing physical ability beyond a decline in his already poor running.

McDaniels is more experienced and has stepped up his game

Those two things are enough to separate the groups, IMO.