The Official "You People Need to RELAX about the WR corps" thread

[patsox23]

Stallworth - on essentially a one-year deal. Had 38 catches last year. Potential is great, but so are the odds he gets hurt.

Washington - on essentially a one-year deal. Had 9 catches last year. Hot coming out of school, has been a BUST.

Welker - Pats overpaid, but he's a nice little player. Decent slot receiver, runs good routes, easy to root for. Has had one good season. Potential to be the next Troy Brown, likely to be more like Tim Dwight.

Caldwell - Came in, worked hard, stayed healthy, played well. Is more proven than any of the three that just came in.

Gaffney - Came in, worked hard, stayed healthy, had an excellent post-season. Deserves a good look for 2007.

Troy Brown - those rumors of retirement must be true. I'd happily take him back for one last go.

Chad Jackson - showed flashes, but for the vast majority of his rookie year was a disappointment and is now injured. Rumors that the ACL is not as bad as originally thought, could be back by T.C. (These last two signings make me wonder about that.)





Looking at that summary, it seems to me that the excitement being felt by many Patriots fans is premature. There's some really good potential there, but very little solid ground to stand on. I kind of doubt it will happen, but it wouldn't shock me to see any of them CUT before the season even starts - probably not Welker or Chad Jackson, but otherwise? Gaffney, Caldwell, Washington - they could not even make the team. Stallworth, given his 3.6 mill, I think would stick.

 

[patsox23]

Just a quick addition - Reche Caldwell did a great job for the Pats last season. While I still believe it's possible he or Gaffney don't make the team, I think he gets way too much flack here. He was our best WR and we almost went to the Super Bowl, and should have. I don't get the hate for Caldwell on this board AT ALL.

 

[Wotan_the_Wanderer]

Agreed and I just posted how the loading up of WRs reminds me of a couple years ago which to me represents a better corp and better depth on paper. Also, let's not forget that WRs will get dinged up and suffer injuries so having a deep receiving corp is really a no-brainer.

 

[ayjackson]

Just a quick addition - Reche Caldwell did a great job for the Pats last season. While I still believe it's possible he or Gaffney don't make the team, I think he gets way too much flack here. He was our best WR and we almost went to the Super Bowl, and should have. I don't get the hate for Caldwell on this board AT ALL.

Well for the record, I really like Caldwell. I think he'd be a fine fourth or fifth receiver for this team.

 

[javajunky]

patsox23....buzz killer I bet your no fun at parties.

 

[rj_right]

It's great to have all these recievers. Cause you never can tell who might get hurt in the preseason, or in a regular game. Plus they can change their gameplan every week, to make def. cordinators unprepared. The same thing we did to Minnesota on that Mon. night game.

 

[cstjohn17]

It is a lot better than:
Caldwell, Gaffney, injured Chad Jackson, Kight, Childress <<--- would have been the worst unit in the NFL

At a minimum it is now "Average" to "Above Average"

It is also better than patching things together in September / October. This group will have all offseason to practice with Brady, get high together and other sorts of bonding.

Stallworth - on essentially a one-year deal. Had 38 catches last year. Potential is great, but so are the odds he gets hurt.

Washington - on essentially a one-year deal. Had 9 catches last year. Hot coming out of school, has been a BUST.

Welker - Pats overpaid, but he's a nice little player. Decent slot receiver, runs good routes, easy to root for. Has had one good season. Potential to be the next Troy Brown, likely to be more like Tim Dwight.

Caldwell - Came in, worked hard, stayed healthy, played well. Is more proven than any of the three that just came in.

Gaffney - Came in, worked hard, stayed healthy, had an excellent post-season. Deserves a good look for 2007.

Troy Brown - those rumors of retirement must be true. I'd happily take him back for one last go.

Chad Jackson - showed flashes, but for the vast majority of his rookie year was a disappointment and is now injured. Rumors that the ACL is not as bad as originally thought, could be back by T.C. (These last two signings make me wonder about that.)

Looking at that summary, it seems to me that the excitement being felt by many Patriots fans is premature. There's some really good potential there, but very little solid ground to stand on. I kind of doubt it will happen, but it wouldn't shock me to see any of them CUT before the season even starts - probably not Welker or Chad Jackson, but otherwise? Gaffney, Caldwell, Washington - they could not even make the team. Stallworth, given his 3.6 mill, I think would stick.

 

[Keegs]

Just a quick addition - Reche Caldwell did a great job for the Pats last season. While I still believe it's possible he or Gaffney don't make the team, I think he gets way too much flack here. He was our best WR and we almost went to the Super Bowl, and should have. I don't get the hate for Caldwell on this board AT ALL.

because he choked and dropped 2 easy balls that my Grandmother would have caught.

If he's going to drop balls in the biggest games, he has limited use on this team.

I just pray that he's our number 4

 

[Fantasic4x50x54x59x55]

Stallworth - on essentially a one-year deal. Had 38 catches last year. Potential is great, but so are the odds he gets hurt.

Washington - on essentially a one-year deal. Had 9 catches last year. Hot coming out of school, has been a BUST.



I have to dissagree here...He was on the bungels...a team with pretty great--relatively healthy WR crops...He didnt get the playing time.

 

[ayjackson]

I have to dissagree here...He was on the bungels...a team with pretty great--relatively healthy WR crops...He didnt get the playing time.

Great point. If you look at the signing today of Washington, versus the signing last year of Caldwell, I think we'd be more encouraged by the signing of Washington. Caldwell went on to catch 61 passes (which means he was good). I'd have to think Washington could do the same.

 

[Kontradiction]

patsox23....buzz killer I bet your no fun at parties.

Looking at his post count, I don't think he goes to parties.

 

[D-cleater]

Caldwell is more proven than Stallworth ? Can you define 'proven' ?

Do you think that after a year, Caldwell holds more potential than Stallworth?

 

[marty]

Brady requires thinking WR's to see what coverages etc that he sees, (why I suspect, that big boy from the Raiders didn't cut it) I think that Gaffney and Caldwell will have had 1 season under their belts already. It can't be anything but good that Welker, Washington and Stallworth are signed now just prior to the early mini camps, should make for great competition in the WR corps. For the record, I really appreciate Reche's hard work and attitude last year and hope he'll be back!

 

[Rob0729]

because he choked and dropped 2 easy balls that my Grandmother would have caught.

If he's going to drop balls in the biggest games, he has limited use on this team.

I just pray that he's our number 4

And he had a clutch catch vs. the Chargers that if he didn't make, there wouldn't have been a title game vs. the Colts.

By the way, how do you think we are going to do with Matt Cassel as our starter next year because we have to cut Brady. He threw a really bad interception that cost us our last chance to go to the Super Bowl. In fact, he threw a really bad INT in the playoffs last year that played a key roll in us losing to the Broncos last year. His cap hit is $11.3 million. How can we keep Brady when he is unreliable in the playoffs?

 

[DarrylS]

And he had a clutch catch vs. the Chargers that if he didn't make, there wouldn't have been a title game vs. the Colts.

By the way, how do you think we are going to do with Matt Cassel as our starter next year because we have to cut Brady. He threw a really bad interception that cost us our last chance to go to the Super Bowl. In fact, he threw a really bad INT in the playoffs last year that played a key roll in us losing to the Broncos last year. His cap hit is $11.3 million. How can we keep Brady when he is unreliable in the playoffs?

Yea. I guess the glass is half empty(tongue in cheek)... I for one thought the receivers were adequate, glad to see Bill and the Braintrust disagree.. two things come to mind, depth and competition. All will be better receivers here, and if you do not do what you should do no reps.

 

[patsox23]

A few things...

1) The point of this thread, perhaps unclear, was to respond to those people who think that the Patriots offense is now somehow AWESOME b/c we signed Stallworth and Washington. It might end up being really good, but people need to wait and see. Washington, in particular, has done nothing.

2) By "proven," I meant that I have more faith in Reche to "get" this offense and produce in it. I also think he's more reliable than Stallworth and Washington, just overall - 'though I do concede Stallworth's best season was better than Caldwell's best.

3) Keegs is, surprise surprise, being ridiculous. Caldwell has two big drops in the AFCCG and that NEGATES all his other clutch plays, in and out of post-season, and the conclusion is that you simply CAN'T DEPEND ON HIM AT ALL. Just so low-rent and terrible, I don't even know where to begin. A truly useless poster.

 

[Rob0729]

Yea. I guess the glass is half empty(tongue in cheek)... I for one thought the receivers were adequate, glad to see Bill and the Braintrust disagree.. two things come to mind, depth and competition. All will be better receivers here, and if you do not do what you should do no reps.

I agree the WR corp was just adequate at best last year, but I thought Caldwell was our only legitimate starter.

It is funny how when people were bashing McDaniels this season, the WRs were fine. Now that we have acquired Stallworth, Welker, and Washington and Caldwell isn't even worth what is back up money in this market.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

First: How competitive is Bill Belichick? His WR coach jumps ship for NY when denied QB coach in New England...this landslide has to look like a finger in the eye for Dabol and manna from heaven for Caserio.

Second: Stallworth is being put on notice, this trial period is serious.

Third: Caldwell and Gaffney are on trial as much as Stallworth and Washington, this is their contract year, they need to come on strong and stay that way - then the challenge is re-signing them.

Fourth: Childress and Kight appear to have some Practice Squad eligibility left, their futures on the team may not be as bleak as we might think. Additionally, I'd like to see Bam taking more CB reps at Nickelback.

Fifth: I wasn't hot for the "depth" at WR in this draft, now I have to wonder if the braintrust had similar reservations? I have to wonder what second day WRs the Pats might target to compete for Practice Squad and blossom in 2008?

Finally: Check out my snazzy sig.

 

[deeds]

Welker - Pats overpaid, but he's a nice little player. Decent slot receiver, runs good routes, easy to root for. Has had one good season. Potential to be the next Troy Brown, likely to be more like Tim Dwight.

Posts like this is why I don't come here as much anymore. I come to read exciting and positive opinions and all I get is nay-sayers and negative responses like yours!! By the way, what are your qualifications for saying the Pats overpaid for Welker?

Let me guess, you would've been happy if we gave up a 1st for Moss and maybe a 2nd or 3rd for Jerry Porter....

Bozo....

 

[Ghost of Ben Dreith]

A few things...

1) The point of this thread, perhaps unclear, was to respond to those people who think that the Patriots offense is now somehow AWESOME b/c we signed Stallworth and Washington. It might end up being really good, but people need to wait and see. Washington, in particular, has done nothing.

2) By "proven," I meant that I have more faith in Reche to "get" this offense and produce in it. I also think he's more reliable than Stallworth and Washington, just overall - 'though I do concede Stallworth's best season was better than Caldwell's best.

3) Keegs is, surprise surprise, being ridiculous. Caldwell has two big drops in the AFCCG and that NEGATES all his other clutch plays, in and out of post-season, and the conclusion is that you simply CAN'T DEPEND ON HIM AT ALL. Just so low-rent and terrible, I don't even know where to begin. A truly useless poster.

PatSox...please....for the love of God....quit trying to write in logical and reasonable verbage about the Patriot WR corp on this board. It is an exercise in futility and can only lead to frustration.