Patriots Rumor Alec Pierce question

Hugepatsfan said:

If we do end up signing Pierce, people will make it into a Diggs replacement because that was our highest paid and best statistical receiver last year. In reality though, Diggs was our #3 WR in terms of playing time. Boutte and Hollins played more. So rather than a replacement for Diggs, Pierce would actually be more of an upgrade over Hollins and take his playing time. Or I guess you could look at it as he takes Boutte's role as the go-to downfield/outside/X receiver and then Boutte/Hollins/Williams/Douglas/Chism battle it out to take the roles that Hollins and Diggs played last year. You'd really be changing the makeup of the WR room.

Personally, I love the idea of Boutte playing more of a flanker/slot role and Williams hopefully stepping up into that rotation as well. Hollins, Chism, Douglas are all limited players that should be #4 or lower on the depth chart IMO and used in packages. But I think Pierce/Boutte/KWilliams could be a really dynamic 3 WR set. All have an ability to make plays downfield which plays to Maye's strengths. Add a good move TE with some YAC ability and then I think you can be very diverse on offense.

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Rob0729 said:

I noticed in several of Pierce's highlights is that he was wide open down the field and had to slow up to catch Daniel Jones' passes. Better passes would have resulted in TDs. With Maye, those passes would have likely been TD rather than just 30-40 yard gains.

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Huckleberry1 said:

This is one of the biggest reasons I want Pierce, he fits Maye's skillset perfectly. I think the 2 of them growing together would be lethal.

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PatsWickedPissah said:

I agree with Hogan. Paying $30ishM for a big Go Route guy is not what the Pats should do.
Again, my prediction is that this thread ends just like the Maxx Crosby shiny thing thread did.

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PatsFan2 said:

And one of these Guys from the upcoming Draft... Germie Bernard - Antonio Williams - Skyler Bell or Cyrus Allen. Our Slot WR problems would be solved.

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Huckleberry1 said:

I think their slot receiver problem is already solved, but competition doesn't hurt.

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PatsWickedPissah said:

I agree with Hogan. Paying $30ishM for a big Go Route guy is not what the Pats should do.
Again, my prediction is that this thread ends just like the Maxx Crosby shiny thing thread did.

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gobesmug said:

Hogan is getting misquoted. He didn't say Pierce was only a go route guy he was saying he would need to be more than just a go route guy for the contract he is going to get.

Also Pierce has stated he is looking forward to a bigger role that his contract is going to demand.

Currently he has excelled at the role Indy has played him at. That doesn't mean he can't expand his route tree.

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ahmed said:

Yeah but you don't pay 30M+ for potential. You want the finished product.

I would pass for that kind of money.

And there is zero chance Indy intentionally limited his role. Chances are what you see is what he will continue to be.

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gobesmug said:

Its not just potential. Pierce has been the top downfield threat in the NFL the last 2 years and I cant help but feel if his skin pigment was darker that he wouldnt be getting more hype behind him.

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PatsWickedPissah said:

I agree with Hogan. Paying $30ishM for a big Go Route guy is not what the Pats should do.
Again, my prediction is that this thread ends just like the Maxx Crosby shiny thing thread did.

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gobesmug said:

Hogan is getting misquoted. He didn't say Pierce was only a go route guy he was saying he would need to be more than just a go route guy for the contract he is going to get.

Also Pierce has stated he is looking forward to a bigger role that his contract is going to demand.

Currently he has excelled at the role Indy has played him at. That doesn't mean he can't expand his route tree.

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DoubleDeluxe said:

Doubs will be in the 26+ territory?
Not a chance.

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ahmed said:

Yeah but you don't pay 30M+ for potential. You want the finished product.

I would pass for that kind of money.

And there is zero chance Indy intentionally limited his role. Chances are what you see is what he will continue to be.

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gobesmug said:

Its not just potential. Pierce has been the top downfield threat in the NFL the last 2 years and I cant help but feel if his skin pigment was darker that he wouldnt be getting more hype behind him.

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PatsWickedPissah said:

You Draft guys for potential and development
Smart GMs do not $ign guys for Top Market Contract$$$ for potential and development.

Would he likely be a match for Maye downfield? Yes. I'd love to see it! But not at the co$t.
BTW We have Boutte who made a downfield all world contested catch in the SB. Anyone else watch the game?

EDIT: My tone here comes across as way harsher than I intend replying to a good Patsfan poster

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ahmed said:

I assume you meant he "would" be getting more hype? It's not about the speed.

The guy averaged 3.1 catches per game last season which was his best and 2.3 catches the previous year. Over his 4 year career, he averaged 2.5 catches per game. He catches 53% of balls thrown his way.

He is clearly a burner with limited route running ability. Now you can argue that Maye is a better QB and passer than his previous QBs and he will improve. I just don't see him improving to be a WR #1 or somebody worth $30M.

For that money, you want a WR who gives you 1300+ yards on 75+ catches and he will never be that IMO. More importantly, you pay that money for somebody who has already done it.

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