Nuggets of note from Reiss' weekly column

primetime · Mar 24, 2019

College receivers are more NFL-ready than they were in the past. Pro offenses are becoming more like college ones, integrating spread concepts. It's why you've seen a significant number of rookies each year emerge as true WR1s, whereas that used to be the exception. Comparing 2019 to 2002 or whatever is folly. We're farther from Deion Branch's draft year than Branch was from Hart Lee Dykes.

mgteich · Mar 24, 2019

Your view is that of many posters. You believe that we can draft a WR, he'll succeed, and that he'll be a major contributor in 2019 and beyond.

A rental is much more likely to contribute in 2019 and relate Hogan in the lineup. Obviously, we are not sure that Gordon will play, so we don't want to be left with Edelman and Dorsett.

A better approach is to sign a rental AND draft a WR who we would hope would contribute in 2019, and expect to contribute in 2020 and beyond.

That wouldn't be personal approach. I would prefer the rental and to use the early (first 7) draft picks on almost anything else: TE, DE, DT, OT, OG, S, LB, CB or QB (or even trading into 2020). Obviously, a lot depends on who we acquire before the draft.

SBLIII said:
1 year rental. Draft Deebo Samuel instead. 4 years.

hypotherion · Mar 24, 2019

Condolences to Dolphins coach Brian Flores, whose mother Maria lost her battle with cancer earlier this month. In a classy gesture a few weeks ago, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wanted Flores to have as much support around him as possible so he offered up his private plane for many of the team's assistant coaches to be present for the funeral.

Man, **** cancer.

SBLIII · Mar 24, 2019

mgteich said:
Your view is that of many posters. You believe that we can draft a WR, he'll succeed, and that he'll be a major contributor in 2019 and beyond.

A rental is much more likely to contribute in 2019 and relate Hogan in the lineup. Obviously, we are not sure that Gordon will play, so we don't want to be left with Edelman and Dorsett.

A better approach is to sign a rental AND draft a WR who we would hope would contribute in 2019, and expect to contribute in 2020 and beyond.

That wouldn't be personal approach. I would prefer the rental and to use the early (first 7) draft picks on almost anything else: TE, DE, DT, OT, OG, S, LB, CB or QB (or even trading into 2020). Obviously, a lot depends on who we acquire before the draft.

That would be the best case.

Gordon
trade
and a draft pick

gives NE a deep and experienced receiving group of Edelman, Dorsett, Gordon, (Shepard), draft pick.

DropKickFlutie · Mar 24, 2019

In the article there's a minor error, I think Devon meant Malcolm Butler not Malcolm Brown

.

RayClay · Mar 24, 2019

Triumph said:
Also, its taking a big gamble that a 2018 draft pick can learn the playbook, acclimate to the NFL game and earn Bradys trust. No trust and Brady will make you invisible. Thats asking alot from a rookie. Branch was not Branch his first season in 2002.

This is no time for WR projects for development while you still have a 40 year old HOF QB.

Humphries and Beasley had better than a 66 % catch rates. As cliche as it sounds, the Pats want people who catch the ball. Almendola is a member of the 66 % club. Edelman 69%, Gronk 65%

Nope, not liking this one bit. Im not counting on Gordon and his drama either.

Branch caught 43 balls on 68 targets his first year. He had seven starts. Not a good example.

I tend to agree with experience, but we have had a ton of El Busto's among veterans over the years. Seems to me compatibility is what counts. Mitchell showed he had it, if not injured,

Ivan · Mar 24, 2019

I think they can fix WR in the draft if they decide to invest heavily in it. I don’t like the first rounders much at all, but if they did trade out of #32 I could see them taking Samuel in the late 30’s - 40’s. They could also go after Isabella and then add Terry McLaurin in the 4th. They would have to forego other needs but it could be done. I think it’s more likely they will add veterans over the spring and summer and double dip in the draft, but they could go draft heavy at WR on day 2 and really fix their WR corps going forward.

blackglass3 · Mar 24, 2019

Honestly, I was hoping the Gronk situation would have been cleared up by now. I know Reiss reported a few weeks ago the team was "working as if Gronk will be back" but until it is for sure I'll be uneasy about it.

Brady can stay away from the team until the beginning of training camp for all I care. He's a six time champions, he knows better than I do how to make his family happy and keep his play level so high. It worked last year.

I always read Reiss' Sunday column. I know, E!SPN and all. But it usually has some great info, and it helps him remain in what I imagine is a pretty well playing job to support his family. The good outweights the bad 10 times over on that click.

SBLIII · Mar 24, 2019

blackglass3 said:
Honestly, I was hoping the Gronk situation would have been cleared up by now. I know Reiss reported a few weeks ago the team was "working as if Gronk will be back" but until it is for sure I'll be uneasy about it.

Brady can stay away from the team until the beginning of training camp for all I care. He's a six time champions, he knows better than I do how to make his family happy and keep his play level so high. It worked last year.

I always read Reiss' Sunday column. I know, E!SPN and all. But it usually has some great info, and it helps him remain in what I imagine is a pretty well playing job to support his family. The good outweights the bad 10 times over on that click.

Maybe the Gronk situation is already cleared up. Just not to the public.

50-yard-line · Mar 24, 2019

The OP missed the biggest lede in the Cook story: a big reason Cook chose New Orleans over New England was because of the uncertainty around Gronk.

If he went to NE and Gronk decided to play, he'd be the number 2, essentially.

That's troubling on two levels: first, if the Pats aggressively pursued Cook, then maybe they're not as confident about Gronk coming back as we believe.

And second, Gronk's wishy-washy games may have cost the Pats a chance to fill the hole if he does decide to call it quits.

That's' the biggest story in Reiss's column, and there's not a close second.

EDIT: Cook still hasn't signed with New Orleans. (Puts tinfoil hat on head) Is it possible the Pats are now forcing Gronk's hand in making a decision and Cook is waiting on that?

Consider: if Gronk say he's out, the Pats could EASILY afford Jared Cook.

jimnance · Mar 24, 2019

Reiss is always first thing I read on Sundays.
I loved the stuff about Big Vince. I chuckled when I read he's coaching several youth baseball teams.
Think I'd pay money to see him hitting.

jimnance · Mar 24, 2019

50-yard-line said:
The OP missed the biggest lede in the Cook story: a big reason Cook chose New Orleans over New England was because of the uncertainty around Gronk.

If he went to NE and Gronk decided to play, he'd be the number 2, essentially.

That's troubling on two levels: first, if the Pats aggressively pursued Cook, then maybe they're not as confident about Gronk coming back as we believe.

And second, Gronk's wishy-washy games may have cost the Pats a chance to fill the hole if he does decide to call it quits.

That's' the biggest story in Reiss's column, and there's not a close second.

EDIT: Cook still hasn't signed with New Orleans. (Puts tinfoil hat on head) Is it possible the Pats are now forcing Gronk's hand in making a decision and Cook is waiting on that?

Consider: if Gronk say he's out, the Pats could EASILY afford Jared Cook.

You're just wildly speculating. Sounds like you got some kinda weird axe to grind with Gronk.
I'm grateful for watching him over his career.
I think the Patriots are fine with him.
It's you that has their panties in a bunch.

Deus Irae · Mar 24, 2019

50-yard-line said:
first, if the Pats aggressively pursued Cook, then maybe they're not as confident about Gronk coming back as we believe.

BB has made it clear with his drafting and trading history at the position: He likes having 2 impact TEs. Even if Gronk has already told the Patriots that he's coming back, the Patriots are looking at being 1 TE short.

50-yard-line said:
And second, Gronk's wishy-washy games may have cost the Pats a chance to fill the hole if he does decide to call it quits.

Why, with a Brady run offense, and with the history of the Gronk/Hernandez on field pairing evidence of what that can mean for a 2 TE situation, would you want a TE who wouldn't come to your team unless he was your TE1?

50-yard-line · Mar 24, 2019

jimnance said:
You're just wildly speculating. Sounds like you got some kinda weird axe to grind with Gronk.
I'm grateful for watching him over his career.
I think the Patriots are fine with him.
It's you that has their panties in a bunch.

The last part was wildly speculating as I admitted (tinfoil hat).

I've got no axe to grind with Gronk. Love the guy and hope he stays another couple of years if his body can handle it. I also hope he's made a decision one way or another and conferred that decision to the Patriots - I find that to be the responsibility of a player, particularly during the time when that player can be properly replaced if necessary.

And I don't wear panties. Quit projecting.

SBLIII · Mar 24, 2019

50-yard-line said:
The OP missed the biggest lede in the Cook story: a big reason Cook chose New Orleans over New England was because of the uncertainty around Gronk.

If he went to NE and Gronk decided to play, he'd be the number 2, essentially.

That's troubling on two levels: first, if the Pats aggressively pursued Cook, then maybe they're not as confident about Gronk coming back as we believe.

And second, Gronk's wishy-washy games may have cost the Pats a chance to fill the hole if he does decide to call it quits.

That's' the biggest story in Reiss's column, and there's not a close second.

EDIT: Cook still hasn't signed with New Orleans. (Puts tinfoil hat on head) Is it possible the Pats are now forcing Gronk's hand in making a decision and Cook is waiting on that?

Consider: if Gronk say he's out, the Pats could EASILY afford Jared Cook.

You think Belichick is playing that game with Gronk? Think again.

Gronk is coming back and Cook rather wants to be No 1.

50-yard-line · Mar 24, 2019

Deus Irae said:
BB has made it clear with his drafting and trading history at the position: He likes having 2 impact TEs. Even if Gronk has already told the Patriots that he's coming back, the Patriots are looking at being 1 TE short.

Why, with a Brady run offense, and with the history of the Gronk/Hernandez on field pairing evidence of what that can mean for a 2 TE situation, would you want a TE who wouldn't come to your team unless he was your TE1?

They haven't had two impact TEs in years - the year they had Bennett, did he and Gronk even play a game together?

And yes, I get your point on Cook - I never advocated for getting him (though if Gronk did hang it up, he's probably the best choice available). I was just mentioning Reiss primary point: Cook's choice was partly because of Gronk's uncertain situation.

Patsfanin Philly · Mar 24, 2019

jimnance said:
Reiss is always first thing I read on Sundays.
I loved the stuff about Big Vince. I chuckled when I read he's coaching several youth baseball teams.
Think I'd pay money to see him hitting.

Something tells me he could have some pop. They showed him playing basketball a few years back and he had a decent outside shot...

50-yard-line · Mar 24, 2019

SBLIII said:
You think Belichick is playing that game with Gronk? Think again.

Gronk is coming back and Cook rather wants to be No 1.

You think Belichick has any leverage at all over whether or not to "play that game" with Gronk?

His only option would be to cut the guy. That's not really leverage.

I do hope you're right on Gronk coming back, however.

Deus Irae · Mar 24, 2019

50-yard-line said:
They haven't had two impact TEs in years - the year they had Bennett, did he and Gronk even play a game together?

They have repeatedly tried to get it. From Wright to Chandler to Bennett to Cook, they've made the attempts to fill the Hernandez role.

Family · Mar 24, 2019

50-yard-line said:
And yes, I get your point on Cook - I never advocated for getting him (though if Gronk did hang it up, he's probably the best choice available). I was just mentioning Reiss primary point: Cook's choice was partly because of Gronk's uncertain situation.

Reiss exact words were, "seems to have played a significant part in Cook's thinking,"

To me "seems" means his speculation or one side's take. That's the difference between Mike and some of the other hack reporters in town. You know where you stand with him.

Reiss was also careful calling the Pats interest "aggressively courted."

It was about money and the Pats offered less. The Gronk situation might have been one side's interpretation as to why the Pats didn't offer more, which we know would be false anyway.

Whether aggressively courted means the Pats were trying to get to get the girl with a strong pitch and cheap date is likely closer to the truth.

Nuggets of note from Reiss' weekly column

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