A Case for Bethel Johnson as the #2 WR

[JoeSixPat]

Bethel has straight-line speed... but he doesn't appear to be motivated to improve his game beyond that.

Bethel Johnson = Tony Simmons

Prove me wrong BJ

 

[rhubma]

A Case for Helen Thomas to be the next Miss Congeniality

QUOTE]

I'm not that crazy...

 

[rhubma]

Here's the thing though, we've been in that same situation the last two years. Givens isn't a fleet guy. Last year Dwight and Davis were, but they were used very sparingly in the offense. Bethel has always been the speediest guy on the team, that could, in theory, run coverage off. Hasn't happened yet.

Troy Brown needs to be in the slot. He is dynamite there. He can play the outside, but everybody's happier with him as the slot.

I guess you've given a scenario where BJ is our #2 receiver (meaning starting at X or Y), which was your goal, I guess. I'd have to forget everything I know about the Patriots to see it, though.

Part of my thought process here is to open things up for Watson. I think he is the key to all of this. If Givens were here this year - because he and Branch are both basically intermediate guys (different types, but that is where they work best), they might clog up using Watson as the H-Back, F-Back, inside guy, multiple mismatch machine in the middle. Imagine Ben Coates in his prime with TC as quarterback.

A speed guy may give Watson (and Graham) more room to work.

I also agree if BJ doesn't take advantage of this chance - it's his last. Jackson will be in there by midseason and BJ will be gone.

And, absolutely, Troy Brown gets plenty of 4 wides and 3rd down opportunities.

 

[Isaac]

Ouch.

Making a case means just that - making a case.


Maybe I didn't explain my point well enough... let me take another shot at it:


My belief, based upon the available players (no blocking WRs on the roster) is, that the most likely and (probably most advantageous) option for the 2nd wr would be a speed guy. Deep WR speed opens the field up for:
1) Watson
2) Branch
3) CD or LM running

Who, on the roster, fits that bill? Answer: the 4 year veteran BJ and/or possibly Jackson after some ramping up.

If you put in Troy Brown or Childress or Caldwell or... they may clog up Watson's chances to work his thing in the middle...

So, while being BJ's job to lose" may be a bit strong - it isn't a drug-induced thought. There is an opening here.

Bethel Johnson has TALENT. He has a shot this year to add something.

That's my point.

Whatever,it will be interesting to watch (crack-free I might add)

Your point is well-taken that BB et al. may put BJ in a 2 WR set when they see a weakness in the defense to exploit, but unless he starts player receiver better, I can't see him #2 in receptions at WR.

 

[PatsFan37]

Not to pile on, but I don't see it. I had high hopes for Bethel, but he's had his chance many times when half the receivers were on the injury report. Sometimes Belichick didn't even activate him even with all the injuries.

Chad Jackson and Reche Caldwell are both big receivers like Bethel and could block like Bethel if, that is, Bethel actually laid a block, which I'm not sure he does all that well.

Both Jackson and Caldwell can run routes. Jackson is the new 2nd round WR. He will get first shot at Brady's dance card.

I'm not sure Bethel's name is on that card anymore.

The argument that Bethel can be #2 because the backs and TE's will catch so many passes that all we need is a decoy opposite Branch ... well, I think you can see the weakness there. Why play a decoy when you can play a guy who will run a route, get open and catch the ball?

 

[rhubma]

Not to pile on, but I don't see it. I had high hopes for Bethel, but he's had his chance many times when half the receivers were on the injury report. Sometimes Belichick didn't even activate him even with all the injuries.
QUOTE]

No doubt about it. BJ stunk last year. Disappeared on KOs (in part led to a rookie Hobbs returning kicks in the playoffs - and we know where that led). Benched (injured?) at times.

Again, my point is this Offense could open up with some serious deep speed - it has everything else. And BJ has that.

I've never felt that BJ is Simmons - Simmons never showed anything more than being a track guy - Johnson has had glimpses of being a football player.

Ok, I've made made my case.... jumped into the pond (and seem to be swimming alone on this one).

We'll watch and see. Don't think BJ will even be the #2 WR in receptions in 2006 (Troy 3rd down Brown will be that) , but I think there is a (good) chance that he will be #2 WR in plays and yardage behind Branch. See you in December on this one.

I guess this qualifies this as a somewhat breakout player prediction for BJ (see other thread).

How about my other thought with BB and Pioli picking Jackson in part because of his familiarity with Meyer's spread offense? Am I swimming alone there too?

 

[PatsFanInVa]

The last time Bethel Johnson completed a route correctly it was in eighth grade delivering papers. Bethel as #2 guy? It would give a whole new meaning to the phrase "sloppy seconds."

Okay enough piling on - I've been a big Bethel basher since coming to this forum. I have to say I always get excited when he shows flashes of adequacy... maybe he's a guy that takes several years to catch on, but I have no reason to believe he'll be a big target this year or any other.

One more statement I'd like to dig into - "Deion has speed but he's not a burner." What happened to Branch since he was drafted? Don't tell me he's already lost a step? Or can't a 4.47 guy get downfield fast enough nowadays?

I think what you're seeing is the Pats' predilection for:
a) high percentage plays, and
b) getting the most out of what you've got.

What else are you gonna use Bethel for? He goes deep, and two guys are already tied up underneath looking for Branch. You send Branch deep, and everybody goes with him. Sure Bethel is faster deep, but you can't tell me the simple fact that he's useless elsewhere doesn't play into it.

OKay, as we're all saying, prove us wrong, Bethel.

PFnV

 

[bucky]

I don't think it's a totally crazy idea. Though I'm not too sure how he ranks on your #1 criteria - blocking. The thing about it is Bethel could win a starting job in TC, or he could be cut. So far, he hasn't demonstrated that the former is a realistic option.

 

[tatepatsfan]

I think Caldwell will be #2 to start the year, and Jackson will take the spot from him around midseason. Troy Brown is going to have a bigger role than in years past catching balls from the slot, especially if our DBs stay healthy!

 

[ilduce06410]

what is it, really?

I think you drank the Timothy Leary Kool-Aid instead of the Bill Belichick Kool-Aid, but I love your optimism
Bethel's gotta just be hoping he makes the team at this point... but what do I know - I didn't even know we had a player named Grarambo, so I must be totally out of touch these days

i don't have high regard for beth-el johnson either, but i'm not too clear on the reasons why.
we're talking about a WR who was the 45th player picked in the '03 draft.
as i recall, he had a stomach injury late in the 'o3 season, a football-related injury that gave him problems late in the '03 season. further, he had more stomach surgery in june '04, and came off the PUP list 3 months later. i'd speculate that this was helmet-in-the-gut injury, but it's only guessing.
i remember hearing and reading that BB/SP were unhappy with BJ's "work ethic", and his understanding of "what it takes to be an nfl player".
i remember a very important kickoff return for a TD in the dolts game where willie ray stopped edgerrin on the goal line. i also remember, i think, 2 long passes that season where he laid himself out in the air to make the catches. i see a kickoff return average of 28.4 one year, a pretty gaudy figure.
givens' work to become a respectable, and then a dangerous WR, establishes him as the kinda guy you really want on your team, no matter the sport.
seems that he's a year late in development. shoulda contended with givens for snaps last year. with some athletes this is chalked up to injuries (eg stomach surgery & a 'hgh ankle sprain' problem) .
but what, exaactly, has he screwed up?
why do we all presume that he may not make the cut this year?
fast WRs who make a big play here and there have value on the field. we know that. the #2 receiver discussion, the goodness of fit with the twig and with the plans for our TEs, importance of vertical passing, i agree with all of it. i do believe that a WR's blocking IS important, especially for running teams that use intermediate passing schemes. but fast WRs who return kicks and make plays here and there have VALUE.
somebody refresh my memory.
why is it, exactly, that BJ is regarded as yestarday's pizza?

 

[dhamz]

The #2 spot is up for grabs so it is possible that he could win it.

As far as making a case for it? I just don't see anything to support that. He has done almost nothing as a WR in 3 years.

I'm not even sure he is anything more than an average KR at this point.

 

[patsox23]

"Bethel Johnson = Tony Simmons" might make for a cute quip, but it's not at all a fair analogy. We're all disappointed in Bethel's lack of progress, but the guy hasmade some tangibly important football players for this team. I agree that this is his last chance in N.E., but the piling on here is beyond gratuitous.

 

[PatsFan37]

"Bethel Johnson = Tony Simmons" might make for a cute quip, but it's not at all a fair analogy. We're all disappointed in Bethel's lack of progress, but the guy hasmade some tangibly important football players for this team. I agree that this is his last chance in N.E., but the piling on here is beyond gratuitous.

You're absolutely right, and I remember how Bethel had a penchant for getting on the highlight reel. The problem is that he disappears between the highlights.

OTOH, Bethel has had lots of injuries, abdominal and lower leg. For a guy who relies on speed, this is a problem. He's had reported locker room problems, but I thought that last offseason he was a workout warrior and spent a lot of time catching with Brady in the offseason. Then he hurt his foot. The truth is, that unless we're on the practice field, none of us will really know why a player with his natural talent hasn't shown up consistently on the field. But he hasn't.

So at this point, as a fan, I'm placing my hopes in Caldwell and Jackson and Brown. That doesn't mean I've stopped rooting for Bethel.

 

[Fantasic4x50x54x59x55]

hmm who knows..maybe..just maybe NOW we will see bethel shine...now that a need for speedy reciver is needed more than ever to really stretch the field and let Branch,Brown,Watson work the middle with a frequent plug-in from Caldwell... i mean i dunno the possibilit are mind boggling..we have a chalk load of talent..but the talent is very diverse for a change (we use to have all small quick recivers) now with watson and graham hopefully having monster seasons( and i do mean monster in every sense of the word..check back to playoff game..champ bailey...yeah..now picture that with watson holding onto the ball going into the endzone trucking over linebackers and safties) and branch on his own level and "i never really drop passes" troy brown there for assurance...not to mention the the mills and thomas additions..i think we really beefed up our receving corps...in terms of size and weight...be on the lookout for alot more smashmouth football from us in the middle of the field letting guys like johnson,jackson,branch finnese the sidelines and downfield..while linebackers and safties are steam rolled over all game in the middle of the field..oh yeah ..haha dont forget when the safties have to drop back cause jackson and johnson are killing them over the top..and the linebackers are all worn from monster smacks delivered by watson,dillon,graham,mills...and the dline is just winded... how marooney dances for a 5yd + ypc avg...every game... hahah..wishful thinking but hey..you never know

 

[sieglo]

Bethel put too much weight on his uper body in the weightroom and it cost him a little speed and a decent chunk of maneuverabilty.

In any case, never thought I'd say this, but.... I think the Pats are stacked at WR.

Hopefully this one doesn't go into next year's "Dumbest Thing I Said About the Pats" thread.

 

[arrellbee]

rhubma - thanks for your comments. Bethel Johnson will be one of the interesting players to watch in TC/preseason. As has been said, this may well be his last chance, especially if there are any attitude issues left. It would certainly be a plus if he were to turn out to be a solid receiver this year - but who knows. We'll find out.

 

[mgteich]

The Passing Game - Wide Receivers

Troy Brown is on the team; Troy Brown will be the slot receiver, especially on third down. He's been among the best in the league. He's the best we have. I don't expect a lot of three reciever sets, so I expect on 1st down, it would be Watson and Mills getting passes over the middle. Let's count, OL=5 QB=1 RB=1

OK, who are the receivers in order? Some receptions will obviously come from the RB position? What are our basic sets. Surely, if we expect a lot out of Watson, we will play a lot of 2 TE sets. In many of these sets the receiver may be Branch, with Mills as the H-back. This is certainly the strongest formation when we are ahead.

ONE RECEIVER SETS
Branch, Graham, Watson, Mills, a RB and Brady as the non-OL's. This is a GREAT set. The issue is whether safeties will cheat, or whether we can stretch the field, perhaps with Watson as suggested.

TWO RECEIVER SETS (probably our base set) - #2 receiver
Well, we already have a least one TE on the field and Branch. That leaves Watson OR Mills AND a RB on the field as potential receivers. Who gets the most WR reps and receptions when 2 wide receivers are on the field. I put the competition as Caldwell, Brown, Jackson as the favorites, and the field at 20-1 or more. Hopefully, Jackson moves up to the top by Game One, but more likely later in the season. The field includes Bethel Johnson, Bam Bam Childress, practice players, and a mystery free agent signee.

My preference is that Brown stays in the slot, and the best of Caldwell and Jackson start. But if Brown is significantly better, then he plays the #2 and the offense is different.

THREE WIDE RECEIVER SETS
5 OL's, a RB and Brady and we have a TE or Mills on the field.

I think this set will be relatively rare, much rarer than in 2005. I want two of Graham, Watson and Mills on the field. Brady will play longer that way. Note that this can be a FIVE RECIEVER SET, using a TE or FB and the RB as receivers, which I think is our best five receiver set.

The wide receiver field has more of a chance here, with Troy a lock in the slot. I still expect Caldwell and Jackson to get these reps.

FOUR WIDE RECEIVER SETS - THE NO TIGHT END SET
It is here that the #4 receiver (Davis and/or Dwight in 2005) get a few reps. This is where Bethel has been valuable; but this only maybe three reps a game. Childress is competing for the spot. But are there any reps if Jackson is one of the top four?

FIVE WIDE RECEIVER SETS
This is the same as the four wide receiver set, with a TE or a RB lining up as a receiver.
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WHAT GOOD IS THE #5 RECEIVER
when we have so many other good receivers? Other than an injury or two, the #5 receiver is a special teamer, most likely a returner. Bethel Johnson's advantage is that he is a decent defensive special teamer. Personally, I like have Bethel Johnson as a wild card, a returner who can play receiver, but he may not make it.

 

[patsox23]

mgteich - great post. thanks for the insight.

 

[Brady-To-Branch]

IMO, what hurt Bethel was playing in a run-oriented offense at Texas A&M. That might have made the adjustment to the NFL tougher for him.

Branch was a productive WR with Louisville. This same reason is why I'm optimisitic about Chad Jackson.

 

[rhubma]

Troy Brown is on the team; Troy Brown will be the slot receiver, especially on third down. He's been among the best in the league. He's the best we have. I don't expect a lot of three reciever sets, so I expect on 1st down, it would be Watson and Mills getting passes over the middle. Let's count, OL=5 QB=1 RB=1

OK, who are the receivers in order? Some receptions will obviously come from the RB position? What are our basic sets. Surely, if we expect a lot out of Watson, we will play a lot of 2 TE sets. In many of these sets the receiver may be Branch, with Mills as the H-back. This is certainly the strongest formation when we are ahead.

ONE RECEIVER SETS
Branch, Graham, Watson, Mills, a RB and Brady as the non-OL's. This is a GREAT set. The issue is whether safeties will cheat, or whether we can stretch the field, perhaps with Watson as suggested.

TWO RECEIVER SETS (probably our base set) - #2 receiver
Well, we already have a least one TE on the field and Branch. That leaves Watson OR Mills AND a RB on the field as potential receivers. Who gets the most WR reps and receptions when 2 wide receivers are on the field. I put the competition as Caldwell, Brown, Jackson as the favorites, and the field at 20-1 or more. Hopefully, Jackson moves up to the top by Game One, but more likely later in the season. The field includes Bethel Johnson, Bam Bam Childress, practice players, and a mystery free agent signee.

My preference is that Brown stays in the slot, and the best of Caldwell and Jackson start. But if Brown is significantly better, then he plays the #2 and the offense is different.

THREE WIDE RECEIVER SETS
5 OL's, a RB and Brady and we have a TE or Mills on the field.

I think this set will be relatively rare, much rarer than in 2005. I want two of Graham, Watson and Mills on the field. Brady will play longer that way. Note that this can be a FIVE RECIEVER SET, using a TE or FB and the RB as receivers, which I think is our best five receiver set.

The wide receiver field has more of a chance here, with Troy a lock in the slot. I still expect Caldwell and Jackson to get these reps.

FOUR WIDE RECEIVER SETS - THE NO TIGHT END SET
It is here that the #4 receiver (Davis and/or Dwight in 2005) get a few reps. This is where Bethel has been valuable; but this only maybe three reps a game. Childress is competing for the spot. But are there any reps if Jackson is one of the top four?

FIVE WIDE RECEIVER SETS
This is the same as the four wide receiver set, with a TE or a RB lining up as a receiver.
--------------------------------------------------
WHAT GOOD IS THE #5 RECEIVER
when we have so many other good receivers? Other than an injury or two, the #5 receiver is a special teamer, most likely a returner. Bethel Johnson's advantage is that he is a decent defensive special teamer. Personally, I like have Bethel Johnson as a wild card, a returner who can play receiver, but he may not make it.

Hmmm... Honestly, I think your case trumps my case. The only (possible) flaw in your thinking that I could dispute is the extensive usage of Mills THIS YEAR. Like Jackson I think both will be spot players for (at least most of) this year. It takes time to learn the ropes and Brady's trust.

The good (great?) news about all this is: If we are doing all this speculating, imagine what opposing Defensive Coordinators are doing? BB and SP have created sleepness nights for other teams and interesting threads for PatsFans. The best of both worlds...

Now all we need is to fast-forward to Mrs. B's reports on how this is all shaping up....

ps As for all the piling on, as an ex long-time rugby player, I've been under a few scrums before. I still think BJ emerges...