Nice Win...small concern about WR's

[PatsFan2]

17 Taylor Price WR
Height: 6-0 Weight: 205
Year: R Yrs/Pat: 1
Acquired: D3-2010 (90th overall)
School: Ohio University
Born: Oct 8, 1987

Taylor Price 6-0 205 = Hasn't done anything!:snob:

 

[Jangles]

17 Taylor Price WR
Height: 6-0 Weight: 205
Year: R Yrs/Pat: 1
Acquired: D3-2010 (90th overall)
School: Ohio University
Born: Oct 8, 1987

That's not very big

I'd also prefer whatever wide receiver we end up with to actually play once in awhile.

 

[D-Money]

I have officially labeled Taylor Price a bust.This team has old wrs.They havent been able to get a decent wr through the draft.Chad Jackson was a bust.Tate and Price havent panned out.I dont know if its the system that this team runs.Its a complicated offense.I am starting to wonder how complicated it is.You cant survive in this league without getting some production from your wrs and right now this team has nothing.

 

[NEP4Life]

Welker will be re-signed for a "value" deal. If Brady and this offense are the reason for his huge numbers, and if he washes out of the league on any other roster, he'll re-sign on the Pats terms.

And there's no way the Pats blow up their salary structure on a big name free agent WR. The only superstar wr they'll get is one who comes with a value deal.

They got torched this year on Ocho, forking over millions to a jag BB happened to love. Won't happen this off season.

 

[D-Money]

It doesnt have to be a big name just someone that can make plays.They should get a wr through the draft as well.Its embarrasing that one of the top QBs in the league has crap at the wr position.Look at all the top QBs in the league and what they have.Kraft needs to open up his checkbook.

 

[Snake Eyes]

And there's no way the Pats blow up their salary structure on a big name free agent wr. The only superstar wr they'll get is one who comes with a value deal.

They got torched this year on Ocho, forking over millions to a jag BB happened to love. Won't happen this off season.

How's that "value" approach been working the last few years? Ocho stinks, Galloway stunk too.

We should have spent a little money and simply kept Gaffney. Anyway, which free agent WR will we take on the cheap who is actually going to contribute and force changes in opposing defenses?

 

[NEP4Life]

It doesnt have to be a big name just someone that can make plays.They should get a wr through the draft as well.Its embarrasing that one of the top QBs in the league has crap at the wr position.Look at all the top QBs in the league and what they have.Kraft needs to open up his checkbook.

That checkbook stays closed,unless Krafty hears the magic word. Hint: It starts with a "v".

 

[Snake Eyes]

That checkbook stays closed,unless Krafty hears the magic word. Hint: It starts with a "v".

I hope you're right!

 

[mgteich]

Some of this is the worst analysis I've seen a long time.

WHAT WE ARE SAYING

1) We need wide receivers. Even if we count on Kraft signing Welker, we need lots of help.

2) The system is incredibly complicated.

3) Kraft won't spend the money for top free agents.

4) The draft is a crapshoot. Besides, since our system is so difficult, it take a couple of years to develop a wide receiver. The draft isn't the answer.
====================

If all the above is true, there is no answer other than to continue to give Brady little quality at wide receiver.
====================

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE ANALYISIS ABOVE?

A) Belichick is willing to use draft choices, just not top ones. Perhaps he needs a new evaluator of college wide receiver talent, or a new set of criteria. Tate and Price don't seem to have been great choices. Perhaps we need to use more draft picks as we have at RB and TE.

B) Kraft is certainly willing to open his wallet for positions of need. He opened his wallet at WR and DE this year. If folks don't think $4-6M a year on a player is opening the wallet, then that is another issue. Kraft does consider signing $8-10M a year players a risky proposition. However, he did successfully bring in Moss (not technically a free agent transaction).


MY PRORITIES
Other than center, WR is our only priority on offense. We can afford to use resources both in the draft (to develop a player), and in free agency to find immediate help (both top and middle level). We also need to re-sign Welker.

This is actually a lot to do in one year. There is no stability at WR for 2012 at the moment, except Edelman as our #5. The 2012 starting 53 could see ONE TO FIVE new faces at wide receiver (even Slater is a free agent).

At this point, we are where we were at TE going into 2010. We have almost nothing for 2012.

 

[DarrylS]

Agreed

but real receivers.

No more 5'8" route runners.

Route runners who catch the ball with a high ypc are preferable... "real receivers" is an interesting term.

 

[DarrylS]

That checkbook stays closed,unless Krafty hears the magic word. Hint: It starts with a "v".

He is also a high maintainence prima donna..

 

[Sicilian]

Route runners who catch the ball with a high ypc are preferable... "real receivers" is an interesting term.

Seriously... one of whom is a Super Bowl MVP and another is leading the NFL in catches and yards. Why can't we get guys like that?

 

[Jangles]

Route runners who catch the ball with a high ypc are preferable... "real receivers" is an interesting term.

No, they aren't

Imagine how dangerous Welker, Gronk, and Hernandez would be if we had a reliable deep threat. I'm not talking about going after Larry Fitz, or Calvin Johnson. Just someone to stretch the field, and not drop the ball.

I'd much prefer that approach to watching our midgets get stuffed and Brady stand in the pocket with nobody to throw to.

 

[drew4008]

Yup I definitely agree this is a problem area. I hate nitpicking after a (big) win, but during that first half of offensive struggles, I couldn't help but think our offense is really missing a receiving threat. Yeah it's tough to contain our TE's, but I just don't know if right now we have a championship-caliber offense. With an extra week to prepare, I could easily see the NFC representative being able to come up with a defensive gameplan to limit us.

 

[goheels22002]

I think it's an absolute waste of a first round pick to use on a center. Center is by far the easiest position on offense.

We drafted Vollmer/Solder. Why would we ever go Tackle?

We have Mankings and drafted Cannon. Why would we ever go Gaurd?

We can pick up a good center in round 3

The NFL is a quarterback league. Whoever you have back there needs to stay upright and have time to deliver the ball. An elite OL is an 8-9 year investment that protects Brady in his sunset years and whoever is next.

Waiting around for the 3rd round in 2012 for an elite OL is unnecessary. The Pats have two late #1s and two late #2s. One of those four players should be a top-flight lineman. The Gronkowski/Hernandez, Solder and Cannon picks in 2010 an 2011 provided TE, T and G youth and depth. 2012 is the year for a rookie center along the lines of a Nick Mangold or Andre Gurode.

 

[goheels22002]

Yup I definitely agree this is a problem area. I hate nitpicking after a (big) win, but during that first half of offensive struggles, I couldn't help but think our offense is really missing a receiving threat. Yeah it's tough to contain our TE's, but I just don't know if right now we have a championship-caliber offense. With an extra week to prepare, I could easily see the NFC representative being able to come up with a defensive gameplan to limit us.

The Patriots won the game last night with defense, special teams and on the ground against the Chiefs. The passing game took a back seat (thankfully) for the first time in ages. That should scare the crap out of opposing defensive coordinators. If BJGE/Vareen/Woodhead consistently deliver 150 yards/game, the offense will stick 30 on the board and challenge the other guys to keep up.

Next week is a perfect test for this edition of the Patriots. The Eagles will put 24-30 points on the board and it will be up to the Patriots to outscore them and use the clock wisely. The running game will be a key to a win or loss.

 

[Texxx]

The Patriots have had one of the best passing offenses in the league for like 4 or 5 years now. It's the strength of this offense. What they haven't ever really had is a dominant running game in recent years that other teams could really have to pay attention to. It amazes me that no one really sees that the running game is a bigger issue to address and upgrade at to take pressure off of Tom Brady and the receiving core and to keep defenses honest on how they try to defend this offense. Improving the running game should be a bigger concern and I just don't see why more people aren't seeing that.

 

[D-Money]

The OL seems to be finesse.They need to do a better job run blocking.I disagree though.This league has become a passing league and right now this team can be very predictable on offense.They cant stretch the field.Everything seems like a cross-route to a TE.

 

[Jangles]

Improving the running game should be a bigger concern and I just don't see why more people aren't seeing that.

Because that's wrong

The run game is fine. It just isn't utilized as much.

 

[Texxx]

Because that's wrong

The run game is fine. It just isn't utilized as much.

Are you suggesting that the passing game isn't the more effective strength of this offense? I'd like to hear a more thorough explanation as to how it is wrong in your eyes. Most people would probably consider the Patriots running game in the back half of the league.