Benjamin Watson

[pats_premi]

I remember Watson as this Super TE with 4.5 speed, who out ran Champ Bailey from the opposite side of the field to save a touchdown....but he didn't know how to get open and didn't know how to use his size and speed. To my opinion, Chandler is better option.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Watson is a pretty good tight end but doesn't have the size and strength to be a real red zone specialist. As unimpressive as Chandler has been, he has the physical ability to excel near the goal line. There is no point in adding more players right now to the offense unless they are a real red zone threat, because that is the only area of concern. We have Gronkowski, Chandler (shaky), and LaFell (injured) as the only guys who are physical enough to win jump balls down near the goal line. Should Chandler continue to struggle and LaFell have a setback, the Pats with just Gronk would be adequate but nothing special in the red zone with Gronk and a bunch of smaller receivers, and that is often the difference in the playoffs.

 

[Deus Irae]

New England will be in the market for a TE again next year. I don't expect that will be Ben Watson, though.

 

[zydecochris]

Chandler is here in case Gronk goes down and provides a 4th or 5th option in the passing game. Anyone who though the was going to be the next AH was sorely mistaken.

Williams is the better pass & run blocker. The game plan called for him to play more.

Agreed, probably he needed to play more because blocking was needed more than another receiving option. Now that I think about it, I guess I really don't think Williams is challenging for #2 TE, he really has his own position, a very unique TE/OT hybrid that is a clear upgrade over Fleming's role as a sixth OL last year (another innovation by BB and Josh Mc).

I just wanted to point out that first Williams started taking snaps from Hooman and now Chandler. I absolutely don't think Chandler is going anywhere (as you say, he serves an invaluable function as a Gronk backup), but let's not only talk about what Hooman and Chandler were/are doing wrong. Williams is obviously doing something right also, he has clearly exceeded expectations.

 

[memento]

Ben is one of my favorite players with one of my favorite plays of all time. I'd be stoked to have him back whether it's a good move or not.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Agreed, probably he needed to play more because blocking was needed more than another receiving option. Now that I think about it, I guess I really don't think Williams is challenging for #2 TE, he really has his own position, a very unique TE/OT hybrid that is a clear upgrade over Fleming's role as a sixth OL last year (another innovation by BB and Josh Mc).

I think so too. Hes gonna play a ton vs Indy once the Pats have a big lead.

I just wanted to point out that first Williams started taking snaps from Hooman and now Chandler. I absolutely don't think Chandler is going anywhere (as you say, he serves an invaluable function as a Gronk backup), but let's not only talk about what Hooman and Chandler were/are doing wrong. Williams is obviously doing something right also, he has clearly exceeded expectations.

Yep. I figured Chandler for 30-40 catches in this offense. Hes running a little behind in that pace but I'm not alarmed by what I am seeing from him on the field. He could have pulled in a TDs in BUF but those plays weren't total gimmes.

 

[Marinlik]

Chandler is here in case Gronk goes down and provides a 4th or 5th option in the passing game. Anyone who though the was going to be the next AH was sorely mistaken.

Williams is the better pass & run blocker. The game plan called for him to play more.

It's the good old "every free agent we sign must be a pro bowler", even when we sign them for low money. People often get dissapointed in players, even when they perform as expected, because they expected something that the player wasn't.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Ben is one of my favorite players with one of my favorite plays of all time. I'd be stoked to have him back whether it's a good move or not.

Watson is a good man and did well here but you really want 35 year old players to come back and consume a roster spot that should be used for a player that brings more to the team?

 

[RobertWeathers]

It's the good old "every free agent we sign must be a pro bowler", even when we sign them for low money. People often get dissapointed in players, even when they perform as expected, because they expected something that the player wasn't.

Not only that but I think people think that BB hits paydirt with every vet FA signing. For every LaFell and Blount there is a Bradley Fletcher.

 

[memento]

Watson is a good man and did well here but you really want 35 year old players to come back and consume a roster spot that should be used for a player that brings more to the team?

I would also be pretty pumped if Randy Moss came back. My inner hype cannot mourn the loss of roster depth in the face of nostalgia and feint glimmers of hope in old players.