Gaffney

[Slagathor]

Prior to camp I was reading alot of the great Caldwell-Gaffney debates on here.

Two things surprised me.

First, how little weight some folks gave the two 100 yard performances Gaffney had in the playoffs.

Secondly, and most importantly, how 21 receptions in the post season kind of shows you the level of confidence Brady started having in him.

I appreciated Caldwell's contributions, but Gaffney stood out alot during those games in a special way. Specifically in what he did after he caught the ball. He exhibited well above average quickness and worked hard for extra yardage.

Plus that catch in the end-zone against Indy was Cat's ASS.

Now in camp, he seems to growing even more.

As I had thought and hoped before, my man Reche will be the odd man out.

An article from today:

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/07/30/gaffney_a_camp_standout/

 

[PonyExpress]

A number of fans on this board believe Gaffney and Reche will both make this team.

 

[Keegs]

I'll be fine with it if Caldwell makes the team, as long as Gaffney also makes the team.

It would be very disappointing to see Caldwell stay and Gaffney get cut.

 

[AirForcePatFan]

And I was one of the fans that stood by Gaffney... He won my heart with his catches in the playoffs... Like a Knight in Shining Armor to come save the day!! lol... I like both players but if I had to choose one, it would be Gaffney...

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

And I was one of the fans that stood by Gaffney... He won my heart with his catches in the playoffs...

While I disagree with the Caldwell-hate around here, after seeing Gaffney in the playoffs, I was realllly hoping that given more time with Tom, he'd surpass Caldwell. I'm excited to hear that seems to be happening. This has the potential to be a devastating group of receivers.

 

[Slagathor]

While I disagree with the Caldwell-hate around here, after seeing Gaffney in the playoffs, I was realllly hoping that given more time with Tom, he'd surpass Caldwell. I'm excited to hear that seems to be happening. This has the potential to be a devastating group of receivers.

The thing that kills me with Caldwell is the mental mistakes. As a fan, the thing I hate the most is having Brady toss his receiver the ball and as it's in the air I have to close my eyes and cross my fingers. That's what was starting to happen whenever he'd throw to Reche.

I get that same feeling when I see Kevin Faulk in the open field or when Brady would throw to Dan Graham.

If I was to put my best 5 receivers out on the field, he definitely would not be one of them. I for one will be surprised if they keep six receivers.

The only way I can see Gaffney not being on this team is if he gets showcased in the pre-season and gets traded for a draft pick. Right now I think he has way more value than Reche does.

 

[tatepatsfan]

My only qualm with Gaffney, in terms of this roster, is that I feel he fits best in the slot, a spot which Welker will clearly occupy. Is he one of the top 6 receivers currently on the roster? In my opinion that is a definite yes, but it matters most whom Brady is comfortable with. I think he will make it. For all the numerous prediction threads, my best guess is:

Starters - Moss, Stallworth, Welker
Backups - Gaffney, Caldwell, Brown (Jackson on PUP - gets put on roster later, Brown stays because he is so versatile)

 

[Slagathor]

My only qualm with Gaffney, in terms of this roster, is that I feel he fits best in the slot, a spot which Welker will clearly occupy. Is he one of the top 6 receivers currently on the roster? In my opinion that is a definite yes, but it matters most whom Brady is comfortable with. I think he will make it. For all the numerous prediction threads, my best guess is:

Starters - Moss, Stallworth, Welker
Backups - Gaffney, Caldwell, Brown (Jackson on PUP - gets put on roster later, Brown stays because he is so versatile)

Welker is definitely #3, but I have a feeling we'll be seeing tons of 4 and 5 receiver sets this year. Scary prospect.

 

[RayClay]

As a Gaffney fan, I think it's beyond ridiculous to read anything into a miniscule portion of training camp.

I believe i read Caldwell made a nice catch on a long bomb, which still means nothing at this point.

It's training camp, folks. If we didn't have so many WRs, it might be Kelvin Kight making all the catches.

I hope this isn't going to be another endless back and forth about 2 receivers. If it is, I reserve the right to mock it mercilessly.:bricks:

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

I'll be fine with it if Caldwell makes the team, as long as Gaffney also makes the team.

It would be very disappointing to see Caldwell stay and Gaffney get cut.

Thank you.

I think you have annoyed people at times by seemingly developing the same type of constant hatred towards someone as NEM did with the OCs. To say that you'd be ok with Caldwell on the team WITH Gaffney sounds a whole lot better than what IMO many people feel is your opinon of him.

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

As a Gaffney fan, I think it's beyond ridiculous to read anything into a miniscule portion of training camp.

Well, that's true. But makes for a nice match with my morning coffee before getting to work for the day. Y'know? Practically everything is just wild speculation at this point anyway.

 

[bbabin]

Starters - Moss, Stallworth, Welker
Backups - Gaffney, Caldwell, Brown (Jackson on PUP - gets put on roster later, Brown stays because he is so versatile)

If Stallworth is still on the PUP to start the season, or if his hamstring problems show up in the regular season. It'll be important to have a second outside receiver that Brady trusts and can get the job done. This spot is the one I think Caldwell, Gaffney, and Washington are battling for and from reports it seems that Gaffney is in the lead.

FWIW I was a Caldwell supporter because I appreciated his regular season contributions. But whoever performs the best should make the team and if its Gaffney more power to him.

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

Well, that's true. But makes for a nice match with my morning coffee before getting to work for the day. Y'know? Practically everything is just wild speculation at this point anyway.

A little like how Gostkowski made the "Who's Not" list on patriots.com a day after being on the "Who's Hot" list.

 

[Keegs]

Thank you.

I think you have annoyed people at times by seemingly developing the same type of constant hatred towards someone as NEM did with the OCs. To say that you'd be ok with Caldwell on the team WITH Gaffney sounds a whole lot better than what IMO many people feel is your opinon of him.

well yeah, that's pretty much what i always thought.
Maybe i should have said that earlier.


When i get riled up though about it i just say i want him gone. But as long as Gaffney makes it, i really don't care.

But then i'm going to want Gaffney above Reche on the depth chart

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

A few days into camp it's looking like Moss and Gaffney will be the starters at WR to start the season. That will stick unless Stallworth gets on the field soon.

I think Caldwell and Washington will end up battling for a roster spot (the three mentioned are in + Welker makes 4 and Brown is probably the 6th thanks to his versatility). Caldwell's more reliable than Washington but Washington has more upside and is more help on ST.

 

[Slagathor]

well yeah, that's pretty much what i always thought.
Maybe i should have said that earlier.


When i get riled up though about it i just say i want him gone. But as long as Gaffney makes it, i really don't care.

But then i'm going to want Gaffney above Reche on the depth chart

Honestly, I won't lose too much sleep if Caldwell's off the roster. Nothing against the guy, but I'd much rather have Gaffney, Troy and Chad on IR.

 

[fgssand]

Does this make sense for early going depth chart??

If we are going to see 4 and 5 receiver sets, then we will be keeping 6.

Welker - Moss - Stallworth - Brown

Pick 2 - Washington, Caldwell, Gaffney

Pup - Jackson

TE's - 3

Brady, Watson, Thomas

If Thomas on PUP - then, Pick one - Kranchik or Mills

PUP - Thomas - back in week 6

 

[RayClay]

Well, that's true. But makes for a nice match with my morning coffee before getting to work for the day. Y'know? Practically everything is just wild speculation at this point anyway.

I don't think you've been around, T-Shirt.

If you like one you're required to demonize the other. That's what I'm referring to.

Purely on style, I like the way Gaffney glides when he strides. Other things being equal, that's a good attribute for a receiver.

Faulk is very light on his feet too, which helps him as a receiver, but hurts him as a back IMO.

 

[spacecrime]

As a Gaffney fan, I think it's beyond ridiculous to read anything into a miniscule portion of training camp.

I believe i read Caldwell made a nice catch on a long bomb, which still means nothing at this point.

It's training camp, folks. If we didn't have so many WRs, it might be Kelvin Kight making all the catches.

Casale started it, calling Gaffney a lock after the first day of training camp practice.

I believe it will take a couple of preseason games.

Other than that, we are trying to guess which is more significant and telling:

Gaffney caught 7 passes a game in the playoffs, while not doing hardly anything during the season.

Caldwell was a force getting us to the playoffs, but didn't do especially well in two of the playoff games.

So, without going through a whole pre-season, we are left trying to judge Which is more telling:

A lot of good games through but two medioce ones at the end?

A lot of mediocre games through the season but three good ones at the end?

Another thing to consider:

Was Gaffney finally reaching his stride, or was the defense working to try to take away the #1 receiver (Caldwell) leaving Gaffney open more?

These are questions that simply can't be answered right now.

Wait and see which player (Caldwell or Gaffney) that gets teh most playing time in preseason game #3. Only then will we be able to get a feel for who is likely to make the team.

Until then, all we can say is who we like and who we don't like (I like Caldwell) but it is about as meaningful to the Caldwell/Gaffney issue as whether we like Coke or Pepsi.

 

[Vern]

I think it comes down to the role each plays.

Gaffney seems to me a more dependable route runner, but not so great on the deep patterns, hands techniques, speed, etc.

Caldwell was the only deep threat (if it can be said even) last year. But he had the mental lapses and not the best route running.

To me, Caldwell's role is more threatened by Moss and Stallworth, and perhaps Washington.

Gaffney's role sits somewhere between the slot type (Welker, Brown) and the second WR. I see more of a fit in terms of what he adds right now.

Now, if Stallworth and Washington both crash in camp, that opens more of a spot for Caldwell.