BradyManny
Pro Bowl Player
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2006
- Messages
- 11,103
- Reaction score
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As I alluded to in another thread, I would pounce on Deion Branch if he were cut by the Seahawks (as Branch himself brought up the possibility). That would revolutionize this offense and turn it into the most unstoppable force I could possibly imagine. Frightening. For now, I put this dream on hold and consider the draft...
WIDE RECEIVER (8), 5 signed, 3 unsigned
WR - Moss (2010)
WR - Welker (2011)
WR/ST - Washington (2009)
WR/ST - Aiken (2009)
WR/ST - Slater (2011)
FA
WR - Gaffney
WR/ST - Ventrone (ERFA)
Practice Squad
WR - Maurice Price
LOCKS (2):
Moss & Welker are locks. Washington, Aiken, Ventrone & Slater are all near locks b/c of their ST play, however, none of established themselves as consistent receiver options.
SPOTS UP FOR GRAB (2):
1) #3 receiver & 2) #4 receiver.
CURRENT COMPETITION FOR OPEN SPOTS (6)
- Washington, Aiken, Ventrone & Slater are in the same boat. They are ST contributors, but have not shown they are contributors as wide receivers. Aiken showed flashes in preseason, Washington had some hype when signed last year, but as of now, none of them can be counted on as anything more than depth and as great ST players.
- It would be ideal to re-sign Gaffney especially with Brady coming back, as the two have good chemistry. He would control one of the two open pure receiver spots, though a player with higher upside and a different skill set would be welcome.
- Price is an interesting prospect as he led the nation in receptions , but isn’t likely to make the squad given the amount of WR/ST talent already on board for next season.
PLAN OF ACTION IN DRAFT/FREE AGENCY
- Re-signing Gaffney would be step 1. If the team does not bring him back, WR becomes a real short term need as the team looks for a #3 wideout and some depth behind Moss.
- After the failure of Chad Jackson to develop, the team should be reticent to use a high pick on a receiver. Targeting the middle rounds and selecting a quick, slightly smaller receiver with noted route running abilities and high intelligence and work ethic seems to be the way to go. Players that relied on burner abilities and size in college have not translated into pros for the Pats (Jackson, Bethel Johnson). Essentially, they want to find Deion Branch v 2.0, and could do that anywhere in the draft, but would have lower risk doing it in rounds 3-7. They missed out on similar players like Donnie Avery & Eddie Royal last year, but they should look for players in that mold.
Bottom line: 2 players are needed. Gaffney should be one of them, and the other could be found via the draft.
Any opinions on potential WR prospects are welcome. Again, I'm looking for smaller guys, better route runners. The following is a complete generalization, but has shown to have some truth: The 6'0-6'3 guys often succeed in college simply b/c of their size....the 5'8-5'11 guys succeed b/c they are smarter, quicker, and work harder. One guy that interests me is Deon Butler as a mid round option, thoughts?
WIDE RECEIVER (8), 5 signed, 3 unsigned
WR - Moss (2010)
WR - Welker (2011)
WR/ST - Washington (2009)
WR/ST - Aiken (2009)
WR/ST - Slater (2011)
FA
WR - Gaffney
WR/ST - Ventrone (ERFA)
Practice Squad
WR - Maurice Price
LOCKS (2):
Moss & Welker are locks. Washington, Aiken, Ventrone & Slater are all near locks b/c of their ST play, however, none of established themselves as consistent receiver options.
SPOTS UP FOR GRAB (2):
1) #3 receiver & 2) #4 receiver.
CURRENT COMPETITION FOR OPEN SPOTS (6)
- Washington, Aiken, Ventrone & Slater are in the same boat. They are ST contributors, but have not shown they are contributors as wide receivers. Aiken showed flashes in preseason, Washington had some hype when signed last year, but as of now, none of them can be counted on as anything more than depth and as great ST players.
- It would be ideal to re-sign Gaffney especially with Brady coming back, as the two have good chemistry. He would control one of the two open pure receiver spots, though a player with higher upside and a different skill set would be welcome.
- Price is an interesting prospect as he led the nation in receptions , but isn’t likely to make the squad given the amount of WR/ST talent already on board for next season.
PLAN OF ACTION IN DRAFT/FREE AGENCY
- Re-signing Gaffney would be step 1. If the team does not bring him back, WR becomes a real short term need as the team looks for a #3 wideout and some depth behind Moss.
- After the failure of Chad Jackson to develop, the team should be reticent to use a high pick on a receiver. Targeting the middle rounds and selecting a quick, slightly smaller receiver with noted route running abilities and high intelligence and work ethic seems to be the way to go. Players that relied on burner abilities and size in college have not translated into pros for the Pats (Jackson, Bethel Johnson). Essentially, they want to find Deion Branch v 2.0, and could do that anywhere in the draft, but would have lower risk doing it in rounds 3-7. They missed out on similar players like Donnie Avery & Eddie Royal last year, but they should look for players in that mold.
Bottom line: 2 players are needed. Gaffney should be one of them, and the other could be found via the draft.
Any opinions on potential WR prospects are welcome. Again, I'm looking for smaller guys, better route runners. The following is a complete generalization, but has shown to have some truth: The 6'0-6'3 guys often succeed in college simply b/c of their size....the 5'8-5'11 guys succeed b/c they are smarter, quicker, and work harder. One guy that interests me is Deon Butler as a mid round option, thoughts?
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