Deathmatch the third: T.J. Ward v. Dennis Pitta

[Kontradiction]

Another blowout so far. This is another surprise for me, as I thought people were making it pretty clear that they found TE a bigger need than S.



So far, these deathmatches have been very enlightening. People are saying one thing on thread after thread, but they're moving significantly away from those positions when actually put in positions where a decision needs to be made.

In fairness, TE is a pretty deep draft this year and Ward is a very good and physical safety. You may have gotten a different response if you had matched up Ward with, say, Chandler. You definitely would have gotten a different one if you matched him up with Graham since some posters here still haven't accepted that Graham is simply a pipe dream.

 

[Ring 6]

Another blowout so far. This is another surprise for me, as I thought people were making it pretty clear that they found TE a bigger need than S.



So far, these deathmatches have been very enlightening. People are saying one thing on thread after thread, but they're moving significantly away from those positions when actually put in positions where a decision needs to be made.

Perhaps its a function of the players rather than positions.
In this case you chose a top safety vs a meh TE.
That is a double edged sword, because some are choosing on need, others on talent and others on the cost of the player.
This one in particular seems to be swinging on Pitta not being much of a player more than whether a good TE would be more wanted than a good S.

 

[Deus Irae]

In fairness, TE is a pretty deep draft this year and Ward is a very good and physical safety. You may have gotten a different response if you had matched up Ward with, say, Chandler. You definitely would have gotten a different one if you matched him up with Graham since some posters here still haven't accepted that Graham is simply a pipe dream.

You may be right, but Graham's going to get tagged, and Pitta is a better TE than Chandler.

Still, I find it interesting that "TE must be priority #1" met with "We're ok at safety" and got its ass kicked. Maybe we've got a large group of posters who think a bit more deeply (or just differently) when they have to make a choice than when they just post about players in the abstract.

Anyhow, the next deathmatch is going to be just a straight up sort of comparison, without anything significant behind it other than player choice (well, there will be one additional issue, but it'll be obviously part of people's evaluations).

 

[BradyFTW!]

I'd rather have Ward, mostly because I think a TE is coming in the draft, and I have more faith in the Pats to pick a competent TE2 than a starter-caliber safety.

 

[Ring 6]

You may be right, but Graham's going to get tagged, and Pitta is a better TE than Chandler.

Still, I find it interesting that "TE must be priority #1" met with "We're ok at safety" and got its ass kicked. Maybe we've got a large group of posters who think a bit more deeply (or just differently) when they have to make a choice than when they just post about players in the abstract.

I think you are drawing a poor conclusion. This thread tells us what people think about Ward vs Pitta as players, not about and choice between equal talents at TE or S.

Its always a good idea to consider whether you are confusing the question instead of assuming everyone besides you is so stupid that they answer different ways at different times to the same question.

 

[DocHoliday]

Neither. Pitta is an average at best starting TE.
We cannot afford a major contract for a S. Harmon and McCourty will be fine, bring in a vet as the 3rd and cut Gregory for cap space.

I'm with you. I think Pitta is basically Scott Chandler with a better QB. If we're gonna go for an okay TE then I'd rather get Chandler.

 

[supafly]

I'd rather have Ward, mostly because I think a TE is coming in the draft, and I have more faith in the Pats to pick a competent TE2 than a starter-caliber safety.

This is mainly the reasoning why I went with Ward also.

Finding a quality safety has been quite difficult for our team lately.

That said, I'd rather take Ward at safety than just about any TE (aside from maybe J.Graham or T.Gonzalez--either of which are available), so the addition of Scott Chandler isn't going to change that for me personally, although it may for others.

 

[VrabelJr]

Having TJ Ward and Jamie Collins on the field at the same time would be a sight to see. They would be able to cover some serious ground.

 

[ausbacker]

This is mainly the reasoning why I went with Ward also.

Finding a quality safety has been quite difficult for our team lately.

That said, I'd rather take Ward at safety than just about any TE (aside from maybe J.Graham or T.Gonzalez--either of which are available), so the addition of Scott Chandler isn't going to change that for me personally, although it may for others.

I agree with the thoughts of most people who deduced the drop off from quality Safety to average Safety is more significant than Tight End in both Free Agency and the Draft supa.

I like a lot of the Tight Ends coming out of the draft but few, if any of the Safeties. Hell, if the Patriots wanted to go down that path, I'd be happy with Lyerla as a mid round flier given his physical ability.

 

[condon84]

Getting a legit pass rusher opposite Chandler will improve EVERYBODY in our secondary, give our offense more chances. Let's go for that.

 

[supafly]

Getting a legit pass rusher opposite Chandler will improve EVERYBODY in our secondary, give our offense more chances. Let's go for that.

Another reasonable thought also. Better talent at the position of DE, or even DT would likely go a long way towards improving the meshing of the three lines of defense.

It's just the lack of a physical safety that makes Ward a difficult prospect to want to turn down.

It's certainly interesting to hear of different fans' reactions and opinions to what they feel the needs or talent upgrades should come from, as there seem to be many different opinions. I'm not necessarily concerned about the future of the team, as I believe that we'll seriously compete yet again; but at the same time, I'm not so sure that's a "good" thing that we seem to have a lot of areas that could be debatable. That said, I'm assuming that it's pretty common for most NFL teams this time of year.

 

[BritPat]

Ward......

 

[Deus Irae]

I think we can pencil in Rodney Harrison as a vote for Ward.