Polk is toast, right?

[Love The Drake]

This just made me wonder if the problem with the Pats inability to draft rookie WRs and have them pan out has not been the draft selection, but the post-draft coaching and development. Could it be?

I don’t think we can rule that out.
Would of liked to see Josh get his hands on Thornton.

 

[captain stone]

I know I'm basically saying the same thing but it's not about being a second rounder it's about the skill that made him a second rounder. And if you're Vrabel and weren't here last year it might be hard for him to give up so quickly considering the injury.

Hypothetically he could have shown enough in the spring to still be ahead of Hollins who missed time himself and hasn't exactly lit things on fire since returning.

This kind of goes to my point of no one stepping up. It was unfair to the 4 top guys and even a little unfair to Chism. But it's not like the rest have made it very hard.

But that's part of the problem: he shouldn't have been drafted in the 2nd round; and by Draft Weekend he had been surpassed in many eyes by his own U of Washington teammate Jalen McMillan. Bad pick then, even worse pick now.

Agree with the rest.

 

[javajunky]

I don’t think we can rule that out.
Would of liked to see Josh get his hands on Thornton.

Thornton was never sudden nor deceptive enough to get consistent separation. I have come to the conclusion that if a player doesn't consistently create separation in college, then they will never do so in the pros. Josh can only refine these innate skills.

 

[captain stone]

I don't like Wallace at guard. And I think Campbell, Moses, and Bryant have stepped up more than most of the receivers. That said I'd probably prefer to keep Wallace too as a 5th tackle. But as a 3rd rounder there's also a better chance we could get him to PS than Polk.

Nobody's claiming Polk on Cut-Down Day.

I was late to the party but I've come on board the Chism band wagon. He's easily earned WR5 over the guys I'm complaining haven't stepped up. And I might even argue he's earned WR4 over Williams though I'm not quite ready to go there yet.

Agreed.

 

[signbabybrady]

But that's part of the problem: he shouldn't have been drafted in the 2nd round; and by Draft Weekend he had been surpassed in many eyes by his own U of Washington teammate Jalen McMillan. Bad pick then, even worse pick now.

Agree with the rest.

I'm not a draft guru so I'll let others have that debate. Bottom line is when we took him Wolf had something in mind Vrabel wasn't here last year and since he's hurt this summer Vrabel will need to evaluate him in a different way.

And in no way should that evaluation include any bias that so called draft gurus carry for not getting the guy they originally wanted or their opinions on where the correct spot to have picked that guy was.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

I think his "Hands are the best" is serious BS.

best at dropping

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Thornton was never sudden nor deceptive enough to get consistent separation. I have come to the conclusion that if a player doesn't consistently create separation in college, then they will never do so in the pros. Josh can only refine these innate skills.

By the time you reach the pros, it is usually far too late to develop this skill. A player can either just instinctively get it, in which case, it can't be taught. Or it's the result of years of study and analysis, and that can't be just suddenly learned, even with the best of teachers.

Can it IMPROVE in the pros? Yes. Can pro level workouts (which colleges these days largely have) increase speed and quickness, to a degree? Also yes.

But having that feel for how to create separation? That's something that should never be discounted. Because I believe that it speaks to a strong work ethic that goes beyond any coach or any program.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

At least Steve Smith still thinks highly of him

 

[mgteich]

I clarified my post with a follow up.

But here goes again. First I would not include Hollins in the stepping up category. I don't think he's done much and yet he's probably still WR6 if we even carry 6 which I don't see the need.

Diggs has been awesome returning from injury but has he truly shown to still be a 1A?

Personally I think Pop has done more. He's definitely stepping up.

Boutte has stepped up by picking up where he left off and I actually thought he'd come back down a little. He's definitely earned a spot but how high is his ceiling?

Williams is safe by being a rookie and he's flashed enough to get excited about but some of that momentum has slowed. I'm not holding anything against him but again I don't know if I'd say he's truly stepped up and claimed any kind of role yet.

Chism has stepped up and claimed WR5. Maybe even 3 or 4. Hard to say he's passed Williams and/or Boutte. I wish I could say one stepped up and truly showed themselves more.

And after this I don't feel anyone else has stepped up. And it makes me feel like the competition to win the top 5 wasn't as hard as it should have been. In part due to the injuries to Bourne and Polk but I don't feel like anything was really won as much as some guys sucked and some got hurt leaving us with what we have.

fair enough

I disagree with your assessment of Chism. I don't have him in the top 5.

 

[mgteich]

Nobody's claiming Polk on Cut-Down Day.




Agreed.

Do you think that everyone has 6 receivers that they are satisfied with?

 

[signbabybrady]

fair enough

I disagree with your assessment of Chism. I don't have him in the top 5.

There we Go Mack. Great start so far today for him. That's all I'm asking for is someone else to actually make this decision a little tougher and/or to actually justify a 6th spot.

 

[Since1960]

I don’t think we can rule that out.
Would of liked to see Josh get his hands on Thornton.

Both Josh McDaniel AND Josh Allen couldn’t have prevented the inevitable demise of our former “One Catch Wonder”!!

 

[TinhWoodhead]

at least theres one good Polk on the team

 

[PatsFan2]

It was officially cemented Today.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Hypothetically he could have shown enough in the spring to still be ahead of Hollins who missed time himself and hasn't exactly lit things on fire since returning.

I think Hollins has the 2nd most combined receptions in the two preseason games. I am not sure what lit things on fire means, but Hollins has been one of the best WRs through two games with more receptions than Douglas, Boutte, or Williams.

 

[signbabybrady]

I think Hollins has the 2nd most combined receptions in the two preseason games. I am not sure what lit things on fire means, but Hollins has been one of the best WRs through two games with more receptions than Douglas, Boutte, or Williams.

I thought he played very well today if his job was in jeopardy I don't think it is anymore. 6 WRs it is.

 

[signbabybrady]

I think Hollins has the 2nd most combined receptions in the two preseason games. I am not sure what lit things on fire means, but Hollins has been one of the best WRs through two games with more receptions than Douglas, Boutte, or Williams.

And At this point I'm not even sure I'd use the dtr on Bourne or Polk. With 6 WRs already there won't be many reps for them when they return.

I complained the other day and Hollins and Chism answered.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I thought he played very well today if his job was in jeopardy I don't think it is anymore. 6 WRs it is.

Hollins is not great, but he is a professional. On that scramble by Maye, Hollins looked around and found a hole by the sideline. Very professional reaction - those plays gain Maye's respect. I don't know what WR6 is to you, but Hollins can block a LB, so he will be top 3 in total snaps played.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

And At this point I'm not even sure I'd use the dtr on Bourne or Polk. With 6 WRs already there won't be many reps for them when they return.

I complained the other day and Hollins and Chism answered.

Bourne and Polk are history. I think Polk can try to rebuild on our or another PS, and I am sure someone, 49ers?, will give Bourne a chance when injuries set in. I am not concerned and wish both receivers all the best.

 

[signbabybrady]

Hollins is not great, but he is a professional. On that scramble by Maye, Hollins looked around and found a hole by the sideline. Very professional reaction - those plays gain Maye's respect. I don't know what WR6 is to you, but Hollins can block a LB, so he will be top 3 in total snaps played.

At least to start the season I think Williams might be the 6th. I'm not sure who is 4 or 5 Hollins or Chism. But I'm pretty sure the top 3 will be Diggs, Pop, and Boutte.

Normal thinking would be to dress the vet but I'm not so sure which one will actually contribute more on STs. But Josh did like having 2 slot players at the same time in the past. Hollins is bigger so again normal thought would be that he offers a different skill set but Vrabel talks a lot about Chisms play strength too.

I don't think Williams will necessarily stay buried at 6 so it will get real interesting how they split time as the year goes on.