Ja'Lynn Polk versus Adonai Mitchell

[Hugepatsfan]

Are we watching the same film? I watched the first minute and a half and he was open on almost every play. They just could not get the ball to him. And yes, with the Five Blind Mice on the Patriots O line, the Patriots would also have a problem getting him the ball. On the tape, Mitchell does look like he sucks at blocking and does not sell the route when he is the primary, but he can get open. Maybe we will see more targets during the season; stay tuned. I still think he is the deep threat the Patriots needed.

Polk is a fine possession receiver with outstanding hands, but he is not going to take the top off the D. Such WRs are a pretty easy to find; the Patriot would have been better off with the pick of an OL if they were determined not to take Mitchell.

I disagree that possession receivers are easier to find. Even if you segment receivers into "possession receivers" and "deep threats", there's still wide ranges of how good players can be within those groups. Some deep threats are merely "ok" players just like some possession receivers are, and some possession receivers are elite weapons just like deep threats are.

The deep threat WR is going to be more exciting to watch than a comparable caliber possession receiver, but neither is inherently more important or harder to find IMO. Deep threats can open things up for others to a higher degree than possession WRs can, but deep passes are inherently lower percentage plays so a dominant possession receiver can help sustain more drives and keep down and distance in your favor.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Wait until the real bullets fly you'll see.

I can wait for Baker to be a deep threat and for Wolf to be the GM of the Year?

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I disagree that possession receivers are easier to find. Even if you segment receivers into "possession receivers" and "deep threats", there's still wide ranges of how good players can be within those groups. Some deep threats are merely "ok" players just like some possession receivers are, and some possession receivers are elite weapons just like deep threats are.

The deep threat WR is going to be more exciting to watch than a comparable caliber possession receiver, but neither is inherently more important or harder to find IMO. Deep threats can open things up for others to a higher degree than possession WRs can, but deep passes are inherently lower percentage plays so a dominant possession receiver can help sustain more drives and keep down and distance in your favor.

But the deep threats are always chosen first in the draft. 2024 draft 1st round picks of Harrison, Nabors, Odunze, Thomas, Worthy, Leggett. Were there any 1st round possession recievers chosen? If all of the NFL GMs are chosing deep threats first wouldn't indicate the "football guys" value the deep threats more? After the 1st round the deep threats are much harder to find because they are more valuable?

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Baker caught zero balls behind people on Go routes. Zero. You do not like to hear facts? Live in reality.

There are very few WRs that can simply outrun a good NFL CB. The Patriots's very own Slater had an exceptional 40 time, but he was not a very good WR. There are a lot of 4.3 CBs out there so the WR has to have good quickness and moves to break free on a deep route and I think that Baker has this. We shall see....

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

There are very few WRs that can simply outrun a good NFL CB. The Patriots's very own Slater had an exceptional 40 time, but he was not a very good WR. There are a lot of 4.3 CBs out there so the WR has to have good quickness and moves to break free on a deep route and I think that Baker has this. We shall see....

Maybe. But he didn't do it in preseason. And his success in training camp was against guys now sitting on their couch. Not a great sign early on.

 

[PatsFan2]

I can wait for Baker to be a deep threat and for Wolf to be the GM of the Year?

Who said that up there??

 

[BadMoFo]

1 catch, 6 yards for Polk
1 catch, 2 yards for Mitchell

 

[UGAPatsfan]

1 catch, 6 yards for Polk
1 catch, 2 yards for Mitchell

So Polk is 300% better

 

[h0c2000]

1 catch, 6 yards for Polk
1 catch, 2 yards for Mitchell

I'll split the difference
1 catch, 4 yards for MHJ.

 

[Aussie Patriot]

The second one was a big play if the balls thrown right, and Polk knew it.

Him and Drake are going to suit each other.

 

[patfanken]

Polk, Boutte, and Baker are all "4.5 guys" so they are not going to gain separation with speed, it has to be route running or size. Polk is a big boy at nearly 6'4" while Boutte is under 6' - I do not see Boutte and Polk as similar. Polk can win with route running, size, and his hands. Boutte is much more limited.

Baker was manhandled on the sideline and dropped the sideline pass in addition to his long ball drop. We need outside guys that are not bullied. Polk might be an outside guy due to his size, but Polk's speed will not scare anyone. Without Thornton or Reagor, we can not stretch the field. Let's hope Thornton's added bulk allows him to fight through contact and avoid injury this year.

Cooper Kupp is a 4.6 guy and is ALWAYS open, so raw straight ahead speed¹ doesn't mean separation success. It didn't help TT (though I did think he had a promising start on Sunday

Of course, if your best root runner is also running a 4.2 then you have the ideal situation. When TT but we won't see the best of TT until Maye is starting around Thanksgiving.

 

[Ross12]

Funnily enough:

 

[mgteich]

. If Polk-Wallace-Baker-Robinson all become starters, I'd say we did all right even though LT is still a problem.

So, we did "all right" if we get 5 starters in the draft. Sure!

 

[dex13]

The second one was a big play if the balls thrown right, and Polk knew it.

Him and Drake are going to suit each other.

agree, Polk and Maye were working well together in preseason. once Maye takes over, Polk will probably be his favorite go to.

 

[JMC00]

 

[patfanken]

Polk WAS the right guy regardless of how Mitchell works out for the Colts. I loved Mitchel's overall measurables and the highlight tapes we saw. (though just about every highlight tape makes every college WR look like first round picks) BUT there were some serious questions about his mental make up and how he would react to the ups and downs of life in the NFL. When you are rebuilding your WR room, you cannot have that risk, ESPECIALLY when you have a shot at a very good WR prospect who looks to me to be a slightly faster and more athletic D. Hopkins clone. You know the guy who all the WR crowd wanted to break the bank for in the spring, despite his age.

Polk has done everything we'd hoped for so far. He is NOT the problem with our anemic passing attack to our WRs. He's going to be a first down and redzone star in this league assuming Maye works out, eventually. This is NOT the time for high risk, high reward players. At any rate, the WR I hoped we'd take with our 2nd pick was either Leggette, or McCaffrey. so, what do I know.

BTW- I'm not sure how valid JMCOO's win list is, after just 2 games, but it makes me happy nonetheless.

 

[TheRainMaker]

The second one was a big play if the balls thrown right, and Polk knew it.

Him and Drake are going to suit each other.

DB gets away with illegal contact penalty on the first play on Polk. Also not a fan of players flooding an area as Hooper would've been wide open had Henry not also been in the area.

Polk was open on the 2nd play. Jacoby is not making the right reads.

 

[Toofy]

Looks like we have a star in the making. Let's cook with Polk... Hopefully Maye starts the Texans game.

 

[Huckleberry1]

But the deep threats are always chosen first in the draft. 2024 draft 1st round picks of Harrison, Nabors, Odunze, Thomas, Worthy, Leggett. Were there any 1st round possession recievers chosen? If all of the NFL GMs are chosing deep threats first wouldn't indicate the "football guys" value the deep threats more? After the 1st round the deep threats are much harder to find because they are more valuable?

Harrison can hurt you downfield, but he’s more of a possession receiver than a deep threat. Same goes for Odunze, whereas Nabers and Thomas are more explosive. That doesn’t mean that Harrison and Odunze won’t be better players, they probably will, but the roles are a little different. I think Fitzgerald is the best comp for Harrison.

 

[Sciz]

With Josh Downs healthy again, Adonai Mitchell played 7 snaps and had no catches yesterday