Ben Watson signs with NE

Wheelman said:

Haha Benjamin, you're so cute. Do you know who your employer is? That's right Benny, you yourself are looking the other way by playing in this league just like us fans are by watching and purchasing merchandise. Now if you happen to attempt to force change and strike indefinitely at this upcoming CBA I'd have some respect for you. But we all know that won't happen, so I got none for you. Every time you talk about this Benjamin you remember to include yourself as one of the turn a blindeye crew.

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You should probably get to know Watson better before posting on him again. Here, start with this.

NFL star Benjamin Watson donates ultrasound machines to save lives

Benjamin Watson visits White House; Gayle Benson supports Demario Davis

NFL Tight End Benjamin Watson Tells Men to ‘Step Up,’ Rebukes Culture of ‘Abortion on Demand’
Baltimore Ravens TE Benjamin Watson has created a playbook for fatherhood

There's more, but that'll serve as a start.

If he has NFL level health (ability to recover weekly from NFL punishment) and his skillset still can create production, this is a good signing. As well, ASJ and Lacosse can benefit from a fellow TE who is a prototype for hard work and training focus to get as much production as he is capable. That kind of competition and knowledge can be great for a younger player or player who has never been in this kind of program.

As long as BW's contract is tied to showing he still has capability to be productive.

Watson scored a 48/50 on his Wonderlic! That’s tied for the third highest in NFL history.

Huge List Of NFL Wonderlic Scores By Position | WTS

As someone who pays a lot of attention to this test, this always amazes me when I come across Watson’s score.

Would be better if it was Kyle Rudolph walking through that door, but if Watson can make it out of training camp and manage 35 or so catches in the regular season, that would be a solid.

Huge Ben Watson fan, both on and off the field, a fierce competitor who has had a remarkably injury free career...

May fill the gap left by Jack Easterby as a role model and spiritual leader for some of the new guys.. if he makes the team this is one of those consummate Patriots signing that pays off big time..

With the recent birth of twins did not think he would have left the NOLA or the South.. glad he did.

mgteich said:

Then, I'm sure that Dorsett, Hoyer and Brooks must be locks because of their contracts. NOT!

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I think Brooks is.

Great...wellcome back at home Ben !

Welcome home Ben.

TheFlyingWedge said:

Would be better if it was Kyle Rudolph walking through that door, but if Watson can make it out of training camp and manage 35 or so catches in the regular season, that would be a solid.

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I don’t think this rules out Rudolph, they are always willing to overload a position and see how it pans out. Think of 2007, when they brought in Moss, Walker, Stallworth, and at least 10 more receivers for camp. This just gives them more leverage with Minnesota, because they now have plenty of veteran experience at the position.

What Mankins said was worse than what Watson said, yet they found a way to keep Mankins around in the aftermath.

If you can help this team win, they aren’t going to care about things you said.

Ivan said:

I don’t think this rules out Rudolph, they are always willing to overload a position and see how it pans out. Think of 2007, when they brought in Moss, Walker, Stallworth, and at least 10 more receivers for camp. This just gives them more leverage with Minnesota, because they now have plenty of veteran experience at the position.

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Don't understand the Kyle Rudolph love, especially at that number.

Bradybranch said:

That should have been a touchback!

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Yes, it was a touchback.

IcyPatriot said:

So what's the over/under that he becomes a captain?

I say he does ... and it will be a fine choice - we always have great leaders for our youth.

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In order for that to happen, he'll first have to earn his captaincy by having a productive TC/pre-season; the players won't elect somebody as a captain who's going to be a regular game-day inactive.

Patsfanin Philly said:

And maybe if he didn't hold out until mid August trying to get a 5 year deal instead of 6, he shows up to camp earlier and gets in shape without trying to rush it and doesn't get injured and lose his rookie year...
PATS ROOKIE ENDS HOLDOUT, SIGNS ON

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I don't know if anybody else picked that late in the 1st round was signing a 6-year contract, so I don't blame Watson for balking. It didn't help matters either that his agent was (is still?) Tom Condon, the last man Bill wants to see sitting across from him when negotiating a player contract.

Deus Irae said:

You should probably get to know Watson better before posting on him again. Here, start with this.

NFL star Benjamin Watson donates ultrasound machines to save lives

Benjamin Watson visits White House; Gayle Benson supports Demario Davis

NFL Tight End Benjamin Watson Tells Men to ‘Step Up,’ Rebukes Culture of ‘Abortion on Demand’

Baltimore Ravens TE Benjamin Watson has created a playbook for fatherhood

There's more, but that'll serve as a start.

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Can't say I agree with Watson on everything, but I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. He's a great guy.

tom444 said:

He was an ungodly talent but never really lived up to it when he was first here.

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More recently though he was super productive for the Saints. Also brings great leadership qualities. Brady, Edelman and him are superb positive accountability guys to lead the way when times get challenging. He is extremely smart. If you have ever seen him speak, he is so articulate.

captain stone said:

In order for that to happen, he'll first have to earn his captaincy by having a productive TC/pre-season; the players won't elect somebody as a captain who's going to be a regular game-day inactive.

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Ryan Wendell was a captain the year he fell out of rotation here.

I think the Older Watson and younger ASJ make a very good Combo TE moving from Gronk. Both are not after thoughts in the Blocking or Receiving schemes either. I feel ASJ was under used and will be a steal of a signing when it's all said and done. His career to this date have been plagued by injuries and inconsistent QB play it's doesn't get any better than the GOAT.

Wheelman said:

Haha Benjamin, you're so cute. Do you know who your employer is? That's right Benny, you yourself are looking the other way by playing in this league just like us fans are by watching and purchasing merchandise. Now if you happen to attempt to force change and strike indefinitely at this upcoming CBA I'd have some respect for you. But we all know that won't happen, so I got none for you. Every time you talk about this Benjamin you remember to include yourself as one of the turn a blindeye crew.

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Tell me ONE thing that he said that is not true. Bob Kraft would 100% agree with what he said and so would the entire Pats organization. He is free to speak his mind. How does playing in the NFL signal that he is pro human exploitation?

captain stone said:

I don't know if anybody else picked that late in the 1st round was signing a 6-year contract, so I don't blame Watson for balking. It didn't help matters either that his agent was (is still?) Tom Condon, the last man Bill wants to see sitting across from him when negotiating a player contract.

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Watson didn't sign until he fired Condon and hired Pat Dye Jr., then the contract got done.