And we still have Brandon LaFell coming back...

[RIpats88]

And we still have lafell coming back...

What a scary proposition for the rest of the league. Patriots are putting up all these points and are missing a reciever who had 900 yards and 7tds last year. Once he is back you will have:

Edelman, lafell, amendola, gronk,lewis, Chandler all as reliable targets for Brady.

Is next week the first week he is eligible to return?

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

He's eligible to practice after the Colts game and to play against the Jets. As he traveled to Dallas and was said to have a hard workout pregame I'm assuming he'll be back quickly, possibly against the Jets. He'll be a big addition for sure, not that we're struggling without him

 

[Archeryaddict12]

I'm expecting him to take a couple games to be back and 100% ready.

 

[BTTA]

...and the starting center.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

...and the starting center.

That's after 8 weeks

 

[BTTA]

That's after 8 weeks

yup.

 

[Concussion Protocol]

LaFell returning to the lineup will be like Branch returning in mid 2004. We'll quickly remember how good he is, and how much he brings to the table. The gap between LaFell and Dropson is a massive chasm.

 

[pctronics0072]

I agree, but as always with players returning after long absence, I think his first game back, might not be his best. I think he will struggle and then we will get to hear on this forum how he is a JAG and a scrub. All in good fun, of course.

Then again, I can't really remember what his injury/illness was either though.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I am huge LaFell fan. He is everything they've lacked at that position for years. Toughness, dependability, wins jump balls, smart player, excellent route runner, phenomenal blocker. The anti-Brandon Lloyd.

 

[ViperGTS]

I agree, but as always with players returning after long absence, I think his first game back, might not be his best. I think he will struggle and then we will get to hear on this forum how he is a JAG and a scrub. All in good fun, of course.

Then again, I can't really remember what his injury/illness was either though.

Foot injury from last season. He's far from a scrub

 

[Gronkowski123]

dont mention chandler as a weapon..not yet.
he doesn't have any chemistry with tb12 at all. you either have it or you don't
it's rarely developed..lafell last year took some time i suppose

 

[varjao]

It's really unfortunate he got this injury, I think he could possibly have made a "2nd year jump" with one year of experience in the system and be that top outside receiver we are lacking since Moss. I still think he can, but just from a stats pov playing all 16 games of the regular season I think he would catch over 1000 yards, all three of them, Gronk and Edelman too.

 

[New England Pride]

It's really unfortunate he got this injury, I think he could possibly have made a "2nd year jump" with one year of experience in the system and be that top outside receiver we are lacking since Moss. I still think he can, but just from a stats pov playing all 16 games of the regular season I think he would catch over 1000 yards, all three of them, Gronk and Edelman too.

Ultimately he total stats arnt important. I still think he could make a "second year jump" and contribute when it counts.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Ultimately he total stats arnt important. I still think he could make a "second year jump" and contribute when it counts.

He contributed when it counted last year.

What kind of "jump" are you hoping for?

 

[RobertWeathers]

It's really unfortunate he got this injury, I think he could possibly have made a "2nd year jump" with one year of experience in the system and be that top outside receiver we are lacking since Moss. I still think he can, but just from a stats pov playing all 16 games of the regular season I think he would catch over 1000 yards, all three of them, Gronk and Edelman too.

LaFell is an intermediate threat. Inside/outside the hashes. He can also work in the slot. He does not have Randy's speed on the deep outside.

He would have been a 1000yd guy last year if he and TB got on the same page a little sooner.

 

[PP2]

dont mention chandler as a weapon..not yet.
he doesn't have any chemistry with tb12 at all. you either have it or you don't
it's rarely developed..lafell last year took some time i suppose

Chandler is more of a backup to Gronk. Williams jumped over Chandler on the depth chart only because his blocking is outstanding (it's all he has). If something happens to Gronk, we have solid insurance.

 

[DaBronxPats14]

Great news on LaFell's progress. TB/Mac will have different schemes and options and keep everyone fresh.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Chandler is more of a backup to Gronk. Williams jumped over Chandler on the depth chart only because his blocking is outstanding (it's all he has). If something happens to Gronk, we have solid insurance.

Exactly.

Williams' 15 yd catch n run vs BUF was a freaking tease. He looked pretty smooth. What a load.

 

[Tony2046]

It's really unfortunate he got this injury, I think he could possibly have made a "2nd year jump" with one year of experience in the system and be that top outside receiver we are lacking since Moss. I still think he can, but just from a stats pov playing all 16 games of the regular season I think he would catch over 1000 yards, all three of them, Gronk and Edelman too.

As long as he is ready during the playoffs is really the most important thing. I agree with you though, it would have been nice to have seen what kind of season he would have had after such a strong finish last year.

 

[New England Pride]

He contributed when it counted last year.

What kind of "jump" are you hoping for?

I wasn't the one calling for a second year jump but now that you've asked the question, just building upon the way he finished last year would be great. I know its gonna take work jus to get to where he was in the super bowl but theres time still to do it.