NEW ARTICLE: Breer: Smith-Schuster’s Knee “A Mess,” May Affect WR Approach

[Wozzy]

Okay so then it's nothing to worry about. I am glad the conductor of the homer train always keeps it on the tracks.

If you ask me whether I want to see the young WR’s on the field or Juju at any time… I would say the young guys every time.

Paycheck doesn’t determine who is better. Douglas and Boutte are the future. I don’t give a sht what Juju is paid, it’s not my money.

You negative nancy’s are desperately searching for something to complain about. When there’s something to worry about I’ll acknowledge it. You should be more concerned about O-Line injuries… that’s a legitimate concern.

 

[Wozzy]

Yeah, and then time passes and injuries happen and said numbers change. But I mean, he was indeed 0.08 seconds faster in the 40 yard dash 6 years ago and I'm sure he's exactly as fast.

Also, how much of a bad person to you have to be to keep flaunting the fact that Meyers got CONCUSSED and won't be playing Week 2? Is that an indictment on him in any way? He'd just be concussed with the Patriots had they brought him back? This is just garbage.

Juju hasn’t missed a single practice and you’re acting like he’s Isaiah Wynn.

“Bad person,” good grief… are you twelve years old?

 

[203Pat]

If you ask me whether I want to see the young WR’s on the field or Juju at any time… I would say the young guys every time.

Paycheck doesn’t determine who is better. Douglas and Boutte are the future. I don’t give a sht what Juju is paid, it’s not my money.

You negative nancy’s are desperately searching for something to complain about. When there’s something to worry about I’ll acknowledge it. You should be more concerned about O-Line injuries… that’s a legitimate concern.

I am with you on this part. I am glad that Bill thinks Boutte and Douglas deserve to be on the field over Juju. What I don't like is he misevaluated Juju or signed Juju because Meyers got on his sh*t list for not buying into the Patricia experiment. In my eyes we could have had a proven, productive receiver and two promising rookies but instead, for the same money, we have a plodding overpaid receiver and two promising rookies.

 

[Bruins29]

Jakobi's 2 years younger and doesn't have lingering knee issues.

They are the same age

 

[Zuma]

4 catches for 33 yards in his 1st game with a new team against a very good defense….I’ll take that. Let’s judge him after a few games.

 

[Wozzy]

I am with you on this part. I am glad that Bill thinks Boutte and Douglas deserve to be on the field over Juju. What I don't like is he misevaluated Juju or signed Juju because Meyers got on his sh*t list for not buying into the Patricia experiment. In my eyes we could have had a proven, productive receiver and two promising rookies but instead, for the same money, we have a plodding overpaid receiver and two promising rookies.

He’s cheaper than Meyers, there doesn’t have to be another reason beyond that. He was signed to what amounts to a two year deal. He’s hardly overpaid or paid longterm. You need bodies.

Bourne also rebelled against Patricia, he led us in WR snaps last game… so your drama filled theory doesn’t hold water.

When Jakobi was here he was panned as a #3 WR… now he’s a superstar.

Ridiculous..

 

[borg]

No no. It is okay that our highest paid receiver lost reps to 7th round rookies in crunch time even though he isn't injured. Nothing to see here. All part of the plan.

 

[203Pat]

They are the same age

Lol I will I'll be damned.

 

[203Pat]

He’s cheaper than Meyers, there doesn’t have to be another reason beyond that. He was signed to what amounts to a two year deal. He’s hardly overpaid or paid longterm. You need bodies.

Bourne also rebelled against Patricia, he led us in WR snaps last game… so your drama filled theory doesn’t hold water.

When Jakobi was here he was panned as a #3 WR… now he’s a superstar.

Ridiculous..

Show me a single person who called him a superstar? I think everyone knows what he is and not a single person on here has called him a "superstar". Their cap hits are basically the same this year and next and the Raiders have an out after this season where we have an out after the 2024 season. Even if by some miracle both guys play out their contracts with their respective teams I don’t think there is any chance Juju outperforms Jakobi. For $16 million guaranteed you should get more than a "body".

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Hopefully he just needs time. Remember parker’s first two games with us were dreadful. He’s actually very productive now when playing, which unfortunately is not often enough.

This would be an incredible misfire though if this keeps up

 

[Ian]

Juju hasn’t missed a single practice and you’re acting like he’s Isaiah Wynn.

I would say the fact he was a spectator during the most crucial part of the game is concerning, especially when he'd been a full participant all of last week leading up to the game. I know you're sort of filing it under the category of "nothing to see here," but given the fact he played 43 snaps (54%), which was fewer than Boutte (55 [69%]) and only 10 more than Douglas (33 [41%]), I'd say that's a little unusual.

For a benchmark comparison, Bourne played 73 (91%), but the fact they seemingly limited him is definitely a little strange. And I have a tough time dismissing Callahan's report, given that he's been pretty spot on in various other things he's reported.

I know none of us are a fan of this type of news, but I don't think it can just be ignored. I agree with not overreacting. But I don't necessarily agree with not acknowledging it or acting like it's not potentially a problem.

 

[Wozzy]

I would say the fact he was a spectator during the most crucial part of the game is concerning, especially when he'd been a full participant all of last week leading up to the game. I know you're sort of filing it under the category of "nothing to see here," but given the fact he played 43 snaps (54%), which was fewer than Boutte (55 [69%]) and only 10 more than Douglas (33 [41%]), I'd say that's a little unusual. For a benchmark comparison, Bourne played 73 (91%), but the fact they seemingly limited him is definitely a little strange. And I have a tough time dismissing Callahan's report, given that he's been pretty spot on in various other things he's reported.

I know none of us are a fan of this type of news, but I don't think it can just be ignored. I agree with not overreacting. But I don't necessarily agree with not acknowledging it or acting like it's not potentially a problem.

His coaches know he’s coming off a knee procedure, they may very well have just wanted younger fresher legs in the 4th quarter.

Not for nothing but Douglas and Boutte are simply better athletes, even if they’re younger and less tested.

I want the younger faster quicker guys on the field all the time… but in the real world players get tired.

 

[Wozzy]

Show me a single person who called him a superstar? I think everyone knows what he is and not a single person on here has called him a "superstar". Their cap hits are basically the same this year and next and the Raiders have an out after this season where we have an out after the 2024 season. Even if by some miracle both guys play out their contracts with their respective teams I don’t think there is any chance Juju outperforms Jakobi. For $16 million guaranteed you should get more than a "body".

Vets are more expensive than rookies by default. If Douglas, Boutte and eventually Thornton pass him on the depth chart that’s great… that’s amazing.

When they signed Juju, the team couldn’t assume a couple of late round draft picks they hadn’t even drafted yet would make the team… never mind force their way up the depth chart. They had to build their roster as if these rookies didn’t exist at all… because they didn’t.

You act like some rookie WR’s pushing hard to play and demand snaps is a bad thing. It’s not, it’s a great thing.

 

[203Pat]

Vets are more expensive than rookies by default. If Douglas, Boutte and eventually Thornton pass him on the depth chart that’s great… that’s amazing.

When they signed Juju, the team couldn’t assume a couple of late round draft picks they hadn’t even drafted yet would make the team… never mind force their way up the depth chart. They had to build their roster as if these rookies didn’t exist at all… because they didn’t.

You act like some rookie WR’s pushing hard to play and demand snaps is a bad thing. It’s not, it’s a great thing.

We agree on the fact rookies seeing playing time is a good thing. What we don't agree on is the Juju for Jakobi swap. If they didn't want to project who would do what why not just pay Jakobi? They know what he brings, how he fits in the offense, and price wise wasn't far off from Juju.

 

[Wozzy]

We agree on the fact rookies seeing playing time is a good thing. What we don't agree on is the Juju for Jakobi swap. If they didn't want to project who would do what why not just pay Jakobi? They know what he brings, how he fits in the offense, and price wise wasn't far off from Juju.

I’d want to see Douglas, Boutte and Thornton playing ahead of Jakobi Meyers just as much as Juju.

These kids make those two look slow, because in relation to the kids they are. These kids were unstoppable in camp and preseason, we want them to play and assert themselves.

I don’t want them bogged down with a lesser player like Meyers or Juju ahead of them. Even if I really like Jakobi the person… this isn’t personal or about money. I want the best players to play.

Douglas in the slot is better than Meyers or Juju… period.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I know none of us are a fan of this type of news, but I don't think it can just be ignored. I agree with not overreacting. But I don't necessarily agree with not acknowledging it or acting like it's not potentially a problem.

I don't want to act like there's nothing to see here, because there clearly is (which I hadn't thought until Sunday's game). I'm hopeful that the team is just playing it safe with Juju's knee and they'll ramp him up. But maybe it's worse that we thought.

 

[203Pat]

I’d want to see Douglas, Boutte and Thornton playing ahead of Jakobi Meyers just as much as Juju.

These kids make those two look slow, because in relation to the kids they are. These kids were unstoppable in camp and preseason, we want them to play and assert themselves.

I don’t want them bogged down with a lesser player like Meyers or Juju ahead of them. Even if I really like Jakobi the person… this isn’t personal or about money. I want the best players to play.

Douglas in the slot is better than Meyers or Juju… period.

Honestly I agree there as well. If Douglas and Boutte could have pushed their way past Meyers too I would be thrilled. I just think that even if Meyers was relegated to the third receiver (not counting who plays in what spot more of a "third best") he would still be a better third receiver than Juju. All in all I am happy to see some receivers we drafted that look to have promise right out of the gate.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Also, to clarify now that I've read the column, Callahan's report is not that Juju is too injured. The most he says is that Shuster "isn't 100%" and Bill wouldn't answer injury questions.

Most of his column is about how Parker plays the X position, Bourne is Mac's go to guy, and Shuster is competing with Douglas and Boutte for that last spot in the 3 WR sets. So when he says that Shuster might not be the 3rd or 4th option, it sounds a lot like they're not talking about health.

 

[Rob0729]

I hate being right on these things... while the Patriots personnel decision makers got it so wrong!
All you homers can cry "conspiracy", but the way BB basically tossed Harris & Meyers out the door, there was something more personal they were evaluating with. It was not in the best interest of the team - PERIOD.
BB went and signed James Robinson who is irrelevant, and was cut as soon as he got on the field for OTA's.
And they gave JSS the money Meyers wanted. When Mac loved Meyers, and he was the best WR over the worst 3 years of this teams history in the last 27 years. Just the WRONG decision.
And for the snowflakes out there - this doesn't mean I hate the team, and don't want to watch and root for every minute of play... which I do, and have done since 1994. It means some things are obvious, and we're allowed to honest.

Harris was allowed to leave because he is a RB. They are disposable. Right now, he is second or third on the Bills' depth chart and they really don't have a running game. He had one run for three yards vs. the Jets. He was getting less and less productive and he wanted a real contract. He is an afterthought in an offense that cannot run the ball now. I still have no problem with them letting Harris go.

Now you can argue that they did a crap job drafting to replace him since they traded away Pierre Strong (he was drafted to play a system they could never install) and Kevin Harris is on the practice squad.

And I don't have all that much of a problem with letting Meyers go in a vacuum. And I am not ready to give up on Smith-Schuster yet. Meyers is a good player, but replaceable. The question is whether the Pats replaced him with a player who can be productive. But if Smith-Schuster doesn't work out, it was a big mistake.

And I would argue that Bourne was the Patriots' best WR in 2021.

My biggest issue with the WRs is Belichick won't get a true #1. Both Meyers and Smith-Schuster are really #2s or #3s. Look how Meyers benefitted on Sunday being #2 to Davante Adams' #1. The Broncos were so intent to shut down Adams that Meyers got open a lot. If the Pats had a true #1 WR, their receiving corp would be pretty good with Bourne, Parker, Douglas, Boutte, Smith-Schuster, and Thornton.

 

[Bruins29]

While Juju diddnt overly impress again, its game 1 in a new system in the rain.

Remember Brandon Lafell's first game with the Pats. 6 targets, 0 catches and stupid penalties. And that with the GOAT QB and Edelman, Gronk, Amendola and Vareen commanding a lot of attention.

He turned out ok.