First-year successful receivers

[K. Dog]

Which receivers have the Patriots traded for or acquired as FAs in the Brady era who did well their first year with the Patriots, e.g. Hogan, Moss? Which haven't?

I'm wondering how long it takes a receiver to acclimate from another system to the Patriots' system.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Randy Moss set a NFL record with 25 TD catches in his first season, that was pretty good. 2007 was also Welker first season and he had like a million catches.

 

[Kontradiction]

Brandon LaFell (2014): 74 rec., 953 yards, 7 TD's

Brandon Lloyd (2012): 74 rec., 911 yards, 4 TD's

Moss and Welker in 2007 as well. If we're counting TE's, you can lump Gronk and Hernandez's rookie seasons in there as well as Bennett's season last year.

 

[Wheelman]

Brandon LaFell (2014): 74 rec., 953 yards, 7 TD's

Brandon Lloyd (2012): 74 rec., 911 yards, 4 TD's

Moss and Welker in 2007 as well. If we're counting TE's, you can lump Gronk and Hernandez's rookie seasons in there as well as Bennett's season last year.

I don't agree with Gronk and Hernandez because in the playoffs there were miscommunications with Brady. It appeared they ran some wrong routes.

 

[Kontradiction]

I don't agree with Gronk and Hernandez because in the playoffs there were miscommunications with Brady. It appeared they ran some wrong routes.

They still had successful seasons, though. That said, they wouldn't count anyway because they were drafted.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

2007: New Duo
Welker
Moss

Danny Woodhead (even as a receiving/RB did well picking up the system)

Reche Caldwell (ok, I'm just pulling your leg, but stats probably look fine given the lack of receivers on that team)

 

[patchick]

Which receivers have the Patriots traded for or acquired as FAs in the Brady era who did well their first year with the Patriots, e.g. Hogan, Moss? Which haven't?

I'm wondering how long it takes a receiver to acclimate from another system to the Patriots' system.

Welker, LaFell, Amendola and Hogan all come to mind.

Here's a tougher question: name some significant veteran WR acquisitions who didn't do much in their first year with the Patriots, but then broke out in season 2 once they'd learned the Patriots' system.

IMO when it comes to veteran receivers & Brady, they either click or they don't. It seldom takes long to see which way it's going to go.

 

[BobDigital]

No one really.

The only notables to not pick it up are Ocho and Joey Galloway both were shells of themselves and neither did anything after leaving here so it is not like it was our system so to speak.

A lot gets said about WRs not getting it but no WR ever truly under preformed in it looking at their career trajectory before coming here.

I think that is an over blown narrative that doesn't really hold water. I would love people to name me the player they think under preformed cause frankly no one comes to mind really.

 

[supafly]

Randy Moss set a NFL record with 25 TD catches in his first season, that was pretty good. 2007 was also Welker first season and he had like a million catches.

23, to break the record, but yeah, Moss and Welker both thrived in their first years.

Looking forward to seeing what guys like Hogan and Mitchell will do in their second seasons.

 

[Simpelton]

If it hasn't been mentioned yet, Dola was good in his role from day 1

 

[JayNM]

IIRC, Dobson has the most catches, receiving yards and TDs for a rookie receiver in the Brady Era (Maybe ever in Pats history)

The dreams, the hopes...

 

[Mike the Brit]

Here's a tougher question: name some significant veteran WR acquisitions who didn't do much in their first year with the Patriots, but then broke out in season 2 once they'd learned the Patriots' system.

It's a good point.

My two examples would be Amendola (though he had a lot of injuries to start with) and Welker. Yes, I know Welker had a great season in 2007, but he was playing in an overwhelming offense and a lot of the reaction was "Wow! This guy can really play -- who knew?" but he wasn't the go-to receiver for the must-have-it play that he became later.

In each case, I'd say that the signs were good but he got better. I'm not sure it was so much about learning the system as having Brady's and the coaches' trust for the crucial plays.

 

[Schmo]

Yes, of course Moss and Welker in 07, but so was Stallworth (46 catches). I actually didn't realize it until now, but the greatest passing offense of all time was headlined by 3 newbies.

We have a legitimate right to be excited about Cooks in this offense. If you ever watch his highlights where you can see the entire field, he just gets anywhere he needs to go by running past guys so quickly and effortlessly... like Bo Jackson in Tecmo Bowl.

 

[maineman209]

Welker, LaFell, Amendola and Hogan all come to mind.

Here's a tougher question: name some significant veteran WR acquisitions who didn't do much in their first year with the Patriots, but then broke out in season 2 once they'd learned the Patriots' system.

IMO when it comes to veteran receivers & Brady, they either click or they don't. It seldom takes long to see which way it's going to go.

IIRC, it took Gaffney a little time to get going, but he certainly clicked in his second season.

 

[Simpelton]

Is Amendola's second season really any better than his first?

 

[patchick]

IIRC, it took Gaffney a little time to get going, but he certainly clicked in his second season.

Good call, though Gaffney signed in the middle of the season which is a huge handicap. Given an offseason and training camp to ramp up, I think you can usually see who's going to be a Moss or Welker and who's going to be an Ochocinco or Galloway.

 

[patchick]

Is Amendola's second season really any better than his first?

Nope. Amendola struggled with injuries from the start, but despite that put up 4.5 receptions per game and a career-high YPC in his first season in New England.

 

[jah]

Is Amendola's second season really any better than his first?

Considerably worse actually. Super Bowl aside, he caught 20 passes but was one of the team's leaders in 2013.

 

[jah]

It's a good point.

My two examples would be Amendola (though he had a lot of injuries to start with) and Welker. Yes, I know Welker had a great season in 2007, but he was playing in an overwhelming offense and a lot of the reaction was "Wow! This guy can really play -- who knew?" but he wasn't the go-to receiver for the must-have-it play that he became later.

In each case, I'd say that the signs were good but he got better. I'm not sure it was so much about learning the system as having Brady's and the coaches' trust for the crucial plays.

Amendola's best season as a Patriot was arguably his first one, and his worst was arguably his second. Not sure where what you're saying is coming from.

 

[Tuck]

Randy Moss set a NFL record with 25 TD catches in his first season, that was pretty good. 2007 was also Welker first season and he had like a million catches.

Yeah that was pretty good.