Ben Watson's Return

[Ring 6]

I believe this is the week he returns from his four-game suspension. I'd have to say the timing is certainly a good thing and could potentially turn the tide a bit for the offense. I guess the only question might be his conditioning, along with how he's recovered from the concussion he suffered in the preseason.

The question to me is his age and the expectations people have of him.
I’m not expecting a whole lot, maybe 20-25 receptions

 

[sambam94]

he's on Fox news now..talking about new CA law

 

[Pape]

1 & 2 & 4 -correct. 3. Rather disingenuous. He didn't make the Dolphins' roster because he was injured.

if i was trying to be insincere I would not have mentioned the injury settlement / bum knee.

 

[Ian]

The question to me is his age and the expectations people have of him.
I’m not expecting a whole lot, maybe 20-25 receptions

I agree. The bigger issue is the fact they just need him out there to keep the defense honest and hopefully open things up a little more. If he catches a few passes and makes a few plays, even better

 

[captain stone]

...The bigger issue is the fact they just need him out there to keep the defense honest and hopefully open things up a little more. If he catches a few passes and makes a few plays, even better

This offense needs quite a bit more than that.

 

[denverpatsfan]

Looking forward to see how much gas Ben has left in the tank. Almost forgot he is coming back this week. Hopefully.

 

[PatsFan2]

So Ben Watson absent from Wednesdays practice....Time to Trade for Tight End BB use a Second Rounder for one enough is enough.

 

[PP2]

Surprising, because Wednesday is installation day. But considering his IQ.. maybe not.

 

[PatsFan2]

Surprising, because Wednesday is installation day. But considering his IQ.. maybe not.

I hope so but the position is beginning to frustrate me. I know we got spoiled with Gronk there but we have next to nothing now.

 

[Kdo5]

Looking forward to having him back, old as he is. He’s certainly an upgrade from our current TE’s who have largely been disastrous run blocking and only very occasionally catch a wide open pass.

They should look into bringing back Dwayne Allen too if he’s not on another roster.

 

[denverpatsfan]

So is this happening or not??

 

[SBLIII]

So is this happening or not??

It is but might not be official until Saturday.

 

[ivanvamp]

Watson isn't good enough to be a "savior" of the offense (whatever that even means), but he's plenty good enough to *improve* the offense.

Last 2 seasons:

96 rec, 922 yds, 9.6 ypc, 76.8% catch rate

For comparison's sake...from 2017-2019, here are stats for a few other tight ends:

Watson: 96 rec, 922 yds, 9.6 ypc, 76.8% catch rate
Rudolph: 126 rec, 1198 yds, 9.5 ypc, 74.1% catch rate
Olsen: 62 rec, 708 yds, 11.8 ypc, 59.0% catch rate
Ertz: 214 rec, 2242 yds, 10.5 ypc, 70.4% catch rate
Howard: 70 rec, 1128 yds, 16.1 ypc, 70.7% catch rate
Cook: 130 rec, 1674 yds, 12.9 ypc, 63.4% catch rate
McDonald: 74 rec, 886 yds, 12.0 ypc, 67.9% catch rate

So I think what we'll see is Watson handling a lot of short-intermediate passes. He won't stretch defenses like Gronk could. But he's super reliable - 76.8% catch rate is fantastic (I think Kelce may be the only regular TE that has a better catch rate).

So far, in four games, the Pats have thrown 5 times to their tight ends. Granted, in very limited sampling, the results have been fantastic.

Izzo + LaCosse: 5 targets, 4 rec (80%), 77 yds, 19.3 ypc

They'll throw much more to Watson, I'm sure. Just opens up everything else a little more.

 

[jah]

Watson isn't good enough to be a "savior" of the offense (whatever that even means), but he's plenty good enough to *improve* the offense.

Last 2 seasons:

96 rec, 922 yds, 9.6 ypc, 76.8% catch rate

For comparison's sake...from 2017-2019, here are stats for a few other tight ends:

Watson: 96 rec, 922 yds, 9.6 ypc, 76.8% catch rate
Rudolph: 126 rec, 1198 yds, 9.5 ypc, 74.1% catch rate
Olsen: 62 rec, 708 yds, 11.8 ypc, 59.0% catch rate
Ertz: 214 rec, 2242 yds, 10.5 ypc, 70.4% catch rate
Howard: 70 rec, 1128 yds, 16.1 ypc, 70.7% catch rate
Cook: 130 rec, 1674 yds, 12.9 ypc, 63.4% catch rate
McDonald: 74 rec, 886 yds, 12.0 ypc, 67.9% catch rate

So I think what we'll see is Watson handling a lot of short-intermediate passes. He won't stretch defenses like Gronk could. But he's super reliable - 76.8% catch rate is fantastic (I think Kelce may be the only regular TE that has a better catch rate).

So far, in four games, the Pats have thrown 5 times to their tight ends. Granted, in very limited sampling, the results have been fantastic.

Izzo + LaCosse: 5 targets, 4 rec (80%), 77 yds, 19.3 ypc

They'll throw much more to Watson, I'm sure. Just opens up everything else a little more.

He'll be a good redzone target and we always need those.

 

[PatsFan2]

Watson isn't good enough to be a "savior" of the offense (whatever that even means), but he's plenty good enough to *improve* the offense.

Last 2 seasons:

96 rec, 922 yds, 9.6 ypc, 76.8% catch rate

For comparison's sake...from 2017-2019, here are stats for a few other tight ends:

Watson: 96 rec, 922 yds, 9.6 ypc, 76.8% catch rate
Rudolph: 126 rec, 1198 yds, 9.5 ypc, 74.1% catch rate
Olsen: 62 rec, 708 yds, 11.8 ypc, 59.0% catch rate
Ertz: 214 rec, 2242 yds, 10.5 ypc, 70.4% catch rate
Howard: 70 rec, 1128 yds, 16.1 ypc, 70.7% catch rate
Cook: 130 rec, 1674 yds, 12.9 ypc, 63.4% catch rate
McDonald: 74 rec, 886 yds, 12.0 ypc, 67.9% catch rate

So I think what we'll see is Watson handling a lot of short-intermediate passes. He won't stretch defenses like Gronk could. But he's super reliable - 76.8% catch rate is fantastic (I think Kelce may be the only regular TE that has a better catch rate).

So far, in four games, the Pats have thrown 5 times to their tight ends. Granted, in very limited sampling, the results have been fantastic.

Izzo + LaCosse: 5 targets, 4 rec (80%), 77 yds, 19.3 ypc

They'll throw much more to Watson, I'm sure. Just opens up everything else a little more.

Sure wish Ben Watson was three years younger.

 

[ivanvamp]

Sure wish Ben Watson was three years younger.

For sure. Oh well, even at his age, he's better than what they had.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

Sure wish Ben Watson was three years younger.

Brady, “hey Ben, heard TB12 method?”

 

[Deus Irae]

Ben Watson practiced today for the first time since returning from suspension. Still unclear why he was absent yesterday.

 

[Mack Herron]

Be like Gronk.

 

[Hyped]

I believe Watson's return will pay dividends. He won't replace Gronk, but he's an upgrade over LaCosse/Izzo. If he blocks well and catches a few balls, I am good to go.