Missing Ben?

[Mack Herron]

With Morris out and Maroney uncertain, passing game should be the focus once again. This is the first game without Watson and you gotta figure the safeties will spend more time worrying about the WRs now. Watson has--what, 5 TDs? Rivers looked pretty good as a receiver in college and preseason, so it will interesting to see what he brings today.

 

[SVN]

i think watson's absence will show. The cleveland game was a great example how teams took out our WR's and forced us to throw to Ben.
i hope he comes back soon.

 

[fourthandmiles]

What is the concensus on Brady and receiving? He has racked up the receptions over the years. We might not have Watson as a first choice TE receiver but is there any reason to be concerned about Brady?

 

[Fencer]

There are defensive formations and personnel packages that work against Kyle Brady that don't work against Ben Watson. That's the difference.

Against some defensive strategies they're almost equivalent as receivers -- but that's very far from being true against others.

If Brady is left uncovered, he can catch a pass just as Watson can. But if you put an LB on him, you're much more likely to cover him effectively than if you put an LB on Watson.

 

[ALP]

i think rivers will take Watson's role, with brady still having his usual one, for protection...

and i doubt miami will be able to stop us even without watson...we might however see more of a spread offense then we have seen b4 this yr...maybe well see 4 wr sets with jackson?

 

[amazinPats]

How about using Kevin Faulk more? He can catch some passes.

 

[sieglo]

It will be intesting to see if/how much Rivers gets used. Maybe he'll step up.

 

[BritPat]

I think we might use more of a two back set, with us using Evans and Eckel more than Faulk, but with Faulk being a good dual threat.

 

[ALP]

i mean, if last yr our TE's and RB's could take care of our passing game b/c our wr's couldnt do it,

its pretty easy for our WR's and rB's to this yr make up for it when our TE's cant help too much...

 

[mcbee]

Watson wasn't really that good, I don't think they'll miss him much. He's not a natural receiver and didn't have the best hands.

 

[Nordy]

Watson wasn't really that good, I don't think they'll miss him much. He's not a natural receiver and didn't have the best hands.

I take it you haven't watched the Patriots offense this year then? Watson was playing really good and that's not even debatable. Take your act somewhere else.

 

[Tyler.Durden]

washington?

 

[biffman]

Rivers showed me a lot in the preseason. I bet he steps up in this game. No, he's not as good as Watson, but he's got some talent. If they leave him uncovered, he'll do some damage. Even with a LB on him, I bet he does well.

 

[RabidPatsFan]

I take it you haven't watched the Patriots offense this year then? Watson was playing really good and that's not even debatable. Take your act somewhere else.

Agreed. Last year, Ben dropped a lot of balls. However, he's been awesome this year catching most every pass thrown his way. I read where he was working on his hands a lot in the off-season - whatever he did definitely worked.

 

[ALP]

I take it you haven't watched the Patriots offense this year then? Watson was playing really good and that's not even debatable. Take your act somewhere else.

i kinda agree with the first assessment...watson has been great, he has showed up when the rest have been covered, and he has commanded double teams himself...

the second part...well...i dont mind other opinions around