Believe as you will. With about 3:30 left in the game, we had the ball 3rd and 11. The game was tied. My personal belief is that in the past, Tom Brady, the best clutch QB in the history of football, would have tried to win the game by trying to get a first down. Troy Brown would have been a very likely receiver. This year, Brady ran the ball to set up a field goal (not even trying for a first down). Manning and the colts were given the ball against our defense which had been on the field all day, and were on the sidelines receiving oxygen, and and getting their cramped bodies massaged. It was utterly unbelievable that Brady and Josh expected the defense to come out and hold Manning. Brady's lack of faith (and Josh's) in the offense had never been so low.
The issue is not whether Brown has been a great player for the patriots or not. The issue for this board, as it was when Coates wasn't signed, seems to be how much we like Troy Brown. We have talked so much about how right it is to let a player loose a year before he is not productive. That is, we talk about that AFTER bb makes the decision, since he is always right. Before the fact, our players are always expected to be great in their next year, and we would be horrified if they ddn't stay.
Believe as you wish with regard to Gaffney. My position is that he was critical to us being one first down away from the Super Bowl. But in the end, that isn't the issue. I'm fine with a brand new wide receiver corps, with or without Gaffney. Our wide receiver corps for the future will hopefully be Stallworth, Welker and Jackson, perhaps plus some help from Washington or Caldwell or Gaffney or a from a 2007 draftee or from a 2008 draftee or free agent.
I agree that if Brown is brought into camp, he will have a roster spot. And as I said above, he won't be the 5th WR. He'll be a STer.
The season ended with Brady trying to get the ball to Troy Brown. Brown is Brady's most comfortable target and was still able to produce 43 catches last season. Brown is, even at this point in his career, a better receiver than Gaffney. He has the two most important qualities that a receiver can have, he can get open, and he catches the ball. I could easily take Brown over Gaffney or Washington, who both have to prove a lot during training camp to even make the team.
If the Pats sign Brown now he is a lock for the opening day roster. It would take Washington and Gaffney having monstrous camps and tearing it up (which they have never done in their careers) for them to overcome Brown.
