ESPN's LaFell article

[Fencer]

http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story...ell-rise-crucial-new-england-patriots-success

Although his new teammates said little, they had already taken note of his mental aptitude and physical endurance. One offensive teammate said LaFell's ability to battle through a painful shoulder injury all year was impressive.

"He earned our respect by being there on every play, every snap, through training camp, through OTAs," safety Devin McCourty said. "No matter what was going [on], whether he was hurting or not, he proved to be a guy we could count on.

That helps explain Brady's toughness comment.

"One of the things you really love about LaFell -- I love coaching him -- is this type of play right [there]," Belichick said. "He sees [Darian] Stewart coming over to make the tackle, he has got [Rashaan] Melvin, and he just comes off and nicks him so Danny can get into the end zone. A heads-up play, a smart play, a play that, honestly, most receivers aren't really looking to make. He's not only blocking his guy, but now he sees a more dangerous guy coming and he takes care of him so Danny can get in the end zone."

From the BB Patriots.com video, in case you missed it.

"I've played with a lot of good quarterbacks, but none of them want to be as perfect as Tom," LaFell said. "Even that ball the other day. It was perfect, but he's coming up to me and saying, 'Next time I'm going to get a little more outside so it won't be so tough for you.'

Interesting.

"When you earn Tom's trust, it doesn't matter if you are in double coverage, he's going to throw you the ball and let you make a play. As a receiver, that's what you live for."

That's rather different from the throw it to the open guy mantra. But then, so are many of Brady's decisions in recent seasons.

 

[Bella*chick]

I love Jackie MacMullen's articles so much, I always read them twice in a row. Only she could use the word "persnickety" to describe our QB. And have it somehow work.

 

[RayClay]

I remember him yacking about getting more targets and not blocking all the time. I was a little concerned, but probably would have been more concerned if he was satisfied in a diminished role.

As it turns out, he was just pushing to be tested to show what he could do. You have to have some of that attitude if you're a big time player. He sure backed it up and continues to do so. Most physical Pats receiver i can remember. Maybe Givens, but who else?

 

[Bella*chick]

Yes, there sure has been a 180 as far as he is concerned. From the beginning of the season where he was decisively thought to be a huge disappointment to absolute alarm late season when we thought he had been injured. He has become so important to the offense.

 

[strngplyr]

I love Jackie MacMullen's articles so much, I always read them twice in a row. Only she could use the word "persnickety" to describe our QB. And have it somehow work.

She's a HOF writer if there ever was one.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I remember him yacking about getting more targets and not blocking all the time. I was a little concerned, but probably would have been more concerned if he was satisfied in a diminished role.

As it turns out, he was just pushing to be tested to show what he could do. You have to have some of that attitude if you're a big time player. He sure backed it up and continues to do so. Most physical Pats receiver i can remember. Maybe Givens, but who else?

This is why I wasn't upset back when Matt Cassel said he'd rather lose a Super Bowl on the field than win one while stuck on the bench.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

SO glad we singed Lafell. Like Brady said he is as tough as sandpaper. Love him on this team.

 

[meatface]

Lafell basically was what a lot of us thought Dobson would be this year. If those first 4 weeks aren't such an overall disaster then he easily has a thousand yard season

 

[strngplyr]

Lafell basically was what a lot of us thought Dobson would be this year. If those first 4 weeks aren't such an overall disaster then he easily has a thousand yard season

Production, maybe, but totally different types of players.

Dobson had a lot of hype as the potential deep threat because he showed some great separation as a rookie but things obviously happened in his second year. I had a lot of hope that he could have been a 1k receiver this year had he, well actually played.

LaFell is much more of a Bolden/Fitzgerald type. A physical route runner who is a bit bigger than the average DB and wins with technique/physicality instead of his athletic ability (which is still there, obviously).

When it comes to Brady I want the guy that fights for the ball and makes the hard catch, Brady isn't losing his ability yet in my eyes, but when he does he'll need the guys who fight for him. LaFell fits that mold, he's perfect for us.