Good article on Watson (ESPN.com)

[slash83]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2897429

Watson continues to improve
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

Given that the New England Patriots have acquired four veteran wide receivers in the offseason via either trade or free agency -- Randy Moss (from Oakland), Wes Welker (Miami), Donte' Stallworth (Philadelphia) and Kelley Washington (Cincinnati) -- considerable focus has been directed toward the remaking of the depth chart at the once deficient position.

And if opponents pay as much attention to New England's wideouts in 2007, as the media has this spring, the player who might benefit the most from the Patriots' revamped receiver situation is veteran tight end Benjamin Watson.

Entering his fourth season, and coming off a campaign in which his 49 catches were not only a career high but also the most by a Patriots' tight end during coach Bill Belichick's tenure with the franchise, it looked during the team's three-day minicamp this week that the 2004 first-rounder is on the cusp of a breakout season.

 

[broadwayjoe]

I believe Ben Watson will have some really nice stats this season as long as he can avoid that old injury bug.

 

[Fencer]

on the cusp of a breakout season

Watson's usual position.

 

[zippo59]

on the cusp of a breakout season

Watson's usual position.

He's only had two years of playing time (in his rookie year he got hurt in the first game and was placed on IR). It's not like we've been saying this about him for five years.

 

[RayClay]

He should find Ben Coates and learn how to effectively use that body of his.

I hope I stop hearing Watson and potential in a couple seasons.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Ingoldsby on Kyle Brady...
http://patriots.scout.com/2/650338.html

When the Patriots let Daniel Graham leave via free agency, Patriots Insider expected the move. What wasn't expected, although it should have been, was the team acquiring free agent Kyle Brady (Jaguars). One close look at the massive Brady is all you need, to know that Tom Brady and the offense will not miss a beat.

TE Kyle Brady talks to a member of the media (Photo Jon Scott / PatriotsInsider.com)

 

[mgteich]

Kyle Brady is likely to have more action than most here think. He is getting paid $2.65M per year. This is not #3 inactive TE pay.

Ingoldsby on Kyle Brady...
http://patriots.scout.com/2/650338.html

 

[zippo59]

Kyle Brady is likely to have more action than most here think. He is getting paid $2.65M per year. This is not #3 inactive TE pay.

I think he'll have quite a few touchdown catches. Like Casale said, he is so big that in the end zone no one can really stop him.

 

[jbb9s]

Do you think Watson may see reduced playing time? If the formation is 3 wide (or even 4), I'd think K. Brady would be in there as a blocker. Don't you think BB will want to get all this talent on the field at the WR and this is likely? Last year it was clear that the 2 TE formation worked since there was a deficiency at WR and this was the best way to get the talent snaps. I also know that Maroney will benefit from the blocking specialist TE more than T.Brady will benefit from a 5th receiver running downfield.

 

[primetime]

Thomas, I think, is going to emerge as the #1 TE this year. And I mean a top 5 TE in the league. Watson is great, but Thomas has sick hands. And Pastabelli doesn't even mention him. Or Welker. Guess he doesn't like white guys, huh?

(That was a joke, by the way)

 

[Triumph]

on the cusp of a breakout season

Watson's usual position.

HAHAHA so true.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

He should find Ben Coates and learn how to effectively use that body of his.

I hope I stop hearing Watson and potential in a couple seasons.

Except Watson can't get away with pushing off

 

[RayClay]

Except Watson can't get away with pushing off

You can if you know how to do it. That was my point.

Clean play but looks like a foul=bad.

Foul the hell out of someone and don't get caught=excellent.

This is the big leagues.

 

[bradmahn]

I think he'll have quite a few touchdown catches. Like Casale said, he is so big that in the end zone no one can really stop him.

Not to toot my own horn here (well, maybe a little), when we first signed him I proposed the same thing that Casale is saying now.

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