Patriots claim Leonard Hankerson

[RobertWeathers]

Could be. Seems sort of odd to sign a guy with drop issues to replace a guy having drop issues.

LaFell isn't going anywhere...

Playoff Time....
JE
LaDrop
DA
K-Mart
Hank Phillipi Ryan but I'm not sure he sticks

 

[gitgronked82]

LaFell isn't going anywhere...

Playoff Time....
JE
LaDrop
DA
K-Mart
Hank Phillipi Ryan but I'm not sure he sticks

i would have said this even before the string of drops but dola is better than lafell

 

[RobertWeathers]

i would have said this even before the string of drops but dola is better than lafell

This year absolutely.

 

[Love The Drake]

Since Moss we havent been able to find that tall receiver to take the top of a defense besides Gronk.
I know one fan here loved Hankerson coming out of the draft.
This is his third team lets see if BB can pull another Dion lewis out his hat.

 

[patchick]

Yes it does make you wonder if this was an opportunistic acquisition or one based on need because of Edelman's prognosis.

I wouldn't assume that it has anything to do with Edelman. Even at full strength, a 6' 1.5" receiver who runs a 4.40 is something this offense lacks.

 

[DaBruinz]

The knock on Hankerson coming out of college was his hands.. He worked on improving them from his freshman year to his senior year, but most people figured them as average. They are large, so maybe there is something that Edelman, McDaniels, or O'Shea can do to help him. His biggest problem could be that he's trying to be Michael Irvin, Reggie Wayne or Andre Johnson instead of being Leonard Hankerson.

The other knock on him is whether he plays as fast as he times.

The Pats are his 3rd team in the last 2 years.

Hankerson has had injury issues since coming into the NFL. In fact, he was just released off Atlanta's Injured reserve for hamstring issues.

2011 - He suffered a subluxation of his right hip and a torn labrum
2013 - Tore his Left ACL and LCL
2014 - Missed all but 1 game recovering from ACL/LCL
2015 - Played in 8 games for Atlanta. Was put on IR due to Hamstring issues. Placed on IR on 12/4/15. Released from IR on 12/12/15.

 

[Danger Zone]

Doug Kyed @DougKyed
Here's a fun stat: The Falcons were 6-2 in games Leonard Hankerson played. They're 0-5 in games he didn't.

 

[Love The Drake]

Im sure he had a huge part in that.

 

[Tony2046]

Not that it means a whole lot considering Jules is 10th, but I'm going to leave this article here to temper any expectations:

Link: The 10 wideouts with worst hands in the NFL

Wow. I would have never thought of Edelman as someone who drops a lot of passes.

Is this accurate?

Wow #2. Hankerson drops at a rate that is twice as much as Edelman supposedly does.

 

[Deus Irae]

With Edelman still (probably) out, Amendola still not right, Gronk's bone bruise still healing and Martin's own gimpy hamstrings having been a long-term issue this season, it makes sense to add the the team's glass menagerie. Plus, if Hankerson doesn't wet himself between now and the final game, it gives the Patriots an early start on the hunt for Dobson replacements/competition.

Of course, if he doesn't get a better handle on the drops, Brady might just shiv him. GOAT12 seems to have little patience left at this point.

 

[Wheelman]

LaDrop LaCaught the first Patriots TD in the Super Bowl. Worth keeping that in the back of the mind.

Well apparently the drops were happening in training camp last season, and then Brady and BB sent "Ladrop" the message passively apparently according to "Ladrop" himself. Panthers fans bemoaned this problem with him. So maybe taking some snaps away from him will be good motivation to catch the damn ball! It seemed to work last season.

 

[Wheelman]

Not that it means a whole lot considering Jules is 10th, but I'm going to leave this article here to temper any expectations:

Link: The 10 wideouts with worst hands in the NFL

I wouldn't put too much stock in that type of stuff. I remember a few years ago, all I heard was how Jason Avant had the best hands in football. He dropped pass after pass after pass...

 

[Tony2046]

FWIW, Jerry Rice dropped a lot of passes in his first season ...........

 

[Mack Herron]

Nice evaluation by Kyed

Leonard Hankerson Provides Patriots With Size, Speed At Wide Receiver

 

[RobertWeathers]

Nice evaluation by Kyed

Leonard Hankerson Provides Patriots With Size, Speed At Wide Receiver

I had forgotten that Diminroff and Pioli were still with ATL.

 

[Zuma]

LaFell isn't going anywhere...

Nope...he is not. Tommy was throwing bombs to LaFell. LaFell has never been a deep threat. That was a play call issue. When Tommy throws short to medium he catches 5 of 6...per usual.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Pats claim WR Leonard Hankerson, OL LaAdrian Waddle - NFL.com

Personally I love this move. Great route runner with lots of potential.
Thoughts.

I look into my crystal ball and see a catch to win the SB...

[If that turns out to be true, you WILL bow down and worship me!]

 

[Lansdowne]

I like the HankTime signing. Need a guy like him in case LaFell gets hurt or continues his drops. Expectations tempered since this is a late season signing, but he is a quality depth add. I like him more than Martin, for what it's worth.

 

[Marqui]

Like this pickup. Would be nice to have a playmaking outside WR.

 

[Love The Drake]

In training camp a few Atlanta beat writers said Hankerson looked more explosive and made better grabs than Julio.

Could you imagine just for a second if he can be turned into a quarter of the player Julio is.