Schefter: Ochocinco will stay with Patriots

[Bonzo]

My point is that a team who has more receiving weapons that last year, when defensive coaches were quoted as saying they hoped they could get them to run, isn't going to have much of an advantage with play action. Play action works against defenses that are trying to take out your running game. When they are almost solely worried about the pass, play action just slows down the development of the play and gives a disadvantage to your OL, who must sell run before pass blocking against DL that only have pass rushing on their mind.
Certainly we have the weapons to be balanced, but no one is going to be fooled much by play action from this offense.

Believe me, we're in full agreement. My point is that, in moderation and in the right spots, there will remain opportunity for the play-action to be effective (particularly out of that heavy set).

 

[Deus Irae]

So you would prefer to use a 3rd round draft choice. I would prefer whoever wins the battle between Stallworth, Gonzalez and Ochocinco.

One of the first 3 picks should be used on a WR this year, unless they've got a target that they are certain will fall to that 4th pick.

 

[mgteich]

HOPE is not a plan.

If you draft a wide receiver, you must choose one who will be our punt returner. My guess is that many college punt returners are not necessarily dependable enough for the patriots. BTW, who else on the team has returned punts acceptably except for Welker?

BOTTOM LINE
We should be careful about creating a hole.

I'd like both, because the future need for WR is definitely an issue

Welker
Lloyd
Branch
Gonz/85/Stallworth
Rookie
Slater

Hopefully the rookie can take over Edelmans job as punt returner.

 

[Ring 6]

HOPE is not a plan.

If you draft a wide receiver, you must choose one who will be our punt returner. My guess is that many college punt returners are not necessarily dependable enough for the patriots. BTW, who else on the team has returned punts acceptably except for Welker?

BOTTOM LINE
We should be careful about creating a hole.

HOPING we find WRs for the future isn't a plan either.
We can put a number of players at punt returner. The drafted rookie doesn't have to be the guy. Welker, Woodhead, Vereen, Gonzalez/Branch, probably even some of the DBs, can return punts.
I'd rather fill the hole of a WR under 30 than keep someone who will never fill that role because he returns punts.

 

[strngplyr]

HOPE is not a plan.

If you draft a wide receiver, you must choose one who will be our punt returner. My guess is that many college punt returners are not necessarily dependable enough for the patriots. BTW, who else on the team has returned punts acceptably except for Welker?

BOTTOM LINE
We should be careful about creating a hole.

DB's often make good returners too. We don't NEED a WR to return. There are plenty of safeties and corners doing it in the NFL.

After watching McCourty run with some of his interceptions I wish he would be our returner, but it comes down to is it worth risking our (most likely) #1 corner on punts.

 

[Bonzo]

I would prefer whoever wins the battle between Stallworth, Gonzalez and Ochocinco.

Me too, to be honest. I can actually envision a scenario where both Ocho & Stallworth make the team (with Gonzalez starting the year on PUP), but that would likely mean they'd need to carry an extra receiver if Edelman is to remain. I'm cautiously optimistic about Gonzalez: he's big, he's fast, and he looks mean as hell.

Of course, I'm good either way: I'll be thrilled if the Pats spend a high draft pick on WR, and my confidence will in the existing stable on the roster if they choose against said pick.

 

[ATippett56]

So you would prefer to use a 3rd round draft choice. I would prefer whoever wins the battle between Stallworth, Gonzalez and Ochocinco.

Marvin Jones is my wide receiver binky in 2012 NFL Draft, if available in the third round as a value selection.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I'd rather that Giselle's husband just throw to the guy who's open, via play-action.

I hope she's all over that parsimonious owner Kraft and slacker GM Belichick's ass during training camp making sure that her Tommy Boy has receivers who can catch the ball. Tommy can't do everything!

She's 6 feet tall. What's her 40 time?

 

[Ring 6]

Edelman returned 28 punts last year. That is 1.75 per game, and 21 the year before.
I don't see finding someone to catch 2 punts a game as a difficult thing.

 

[Ring 6]

Marvin Jones is my wide receiver binky in 2012 NFL Draft, if available in the third round as a value selection.

Care to offer an evaluation of Jones?

 

[RIpats88]

If the pats draft a WR, i have to imagine it will be more for developmental purposes

the pats bringing in Stallworth, branch, gonzalez and retaining ochocinco tells me that they are "going with the veterans" for the backup WR roles this year

 

[ATippett56]

Care to offer an evaluation of Jones?

Marvin Jones, California, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

Supposedly, Marvin Jones, is one of the best, if not the best route runner in the 2012 NFL Draft for wide receivers.

 

[captain stone]

Play action isn't going to fool anyone when you have Gronk, Welker, Lloyd and Hernandez with Brady at QB.
Play action that isn't respected by the D is a great way to get a QB killed.
Everything has its place, and everything is less effective when overused...

...including empty backfield formations from a shotgun snap...

...with 3 or less YTG...

 

[captain stone]

Edelman returned 28 punts last year. That is 1.75 per game, and 21 the year before.
I don't see finding someone to catch 2 punts a game as a difficult thing.

However, if by some miracle our defense actually improves, they could force the opponent to punt
more often; those extra punts could then lead to better field position, which could then lead to
even more points, so that a 17-9 3rd-qtr lead could become a poss. insurmountable 24-9 lead.
And as of today, Edelman is our best punt returner (and maybe our best free safety too).
Depending on what the draft brings to Foxborough, he still might be our best PR. That versatility
is too valuable to dismiss. Matt Slater, who can't play offense or defense to save his life,
can much more easily be dismissed w/o actually being missed.

 

[Ring 6]

However, if by some miracle our defense actually improves, they could force the opponent to punt
more often; those extra punts could then lead to better field position, which could then lead to
even more points, so that a 17-9 3rd-qtr lead could become a poss. insurmountable 24-9 lead.
And as of today, Edelman is our best punt returner (and maybe our best free safety too).
Depending on what the draft brings to Foxborough, he still might be our best PR. That versatility
is too valuable to dismiss. Matt Slater, who can't play offense or defense to save his life,
can much more easily be dismissed w/o actually being missed.

I don't see the difference between Edelman and the next best punt returner as worthy of an extra spot on the roster. (The new punt returner in this case would make the team on other merits than just punt return)
I don't know how someone who never played FS is all of a sudden a FS, because he covered slot receivers on a handful of plays.
Slater is a special teams player, who doesn't need to play offense or defense to be valuable.
Edelman is a punt returner who can fill in at various roles, but isn't very capable at any of them. If we are relying on Edelman on offense or defense, we might as well rely on Slater, its a liability either way.

 

[Ring 6]

...including empty backfield formations from a shotgun snap...

...with 3 or less YTG...

We aren't trying to fool anyone in those situations, we are trying to spread them out and eliminate the pass rush by making a quick throw.

 

[RIpats88]

BostonHerald.com - Blogs: Rap Sheet» Blog Archive » Agent Drew Rosenhaus says Chad Ochocinco has “unfinished business with the Patriots”

 

[RayClay]

BostonHerald.com - Blogs: Rap Sheet» Blog Archive » Agent Drew Rosenhaus says Chad Ochocinco has “unfinished business with the Patriots”

Are they filming Ev and Ocho in Foxboro so he can get a head start on the off season program? Maybe we can try out Kim Kardashian at WR, she's a big target.

 

[JMarr]

BostonHerald.com - Blogs: Rap Sheet» Blog Archive » Agent Drew Rosenhaus says Chad Ochocinco has “unfinished business with the Patriots”

A couple excerpts from his agent:

"They were very generous to him last year, and he’s interested in giving the team his best...."

“With the lockout, he missed all of the offseason program, ....and it’s a very tricky offensive system to learn. And it’s very precise. Now, Chad has all offseason, he’ll be in the workouts, so we’re excited about it.”


I don't get all the vitriol for this guy. For all the tweeting, clowning, supposed distractions etc., Belichick still disagrees with the Chad detractors who say he's a negative force on the team. For all the silliness off the field, Chad must be an extremely hard worker and loyal soldier for Belichick to keep him around after all this time. (TBS, for all we know, 85 could be the first receiver cut in TC).

 

[strngplyr]

A couple excerpts from his agent:

"They were very generous to him last year, and he’s interested in giving the team his best...."

“With the lockout, he missed all of the offseason program, ....and it’s a very tricky offensive system to learn. And it’s very precise. Now, Chad has all offseason, he’ll be in the workouts, so we’re excited about it.”


I don't get all the vitriol for this guy. For all the tweeting, clowning, supposed distractions etc., Belichick still disagrees with the Chad detractors who say he's a negative force on the team. For all the silliness off the field, Chad must be an extremely hard worker and loyal soldier for Belichick to keep him around after all this time. (TBS, for all we know, 85 could be the first receiver cut in TC).

How does having fun outside of work make him a distraction? I've never understood this logic.

He's not yelling at his teammates. He's not doing over thought celebrations. He's not wearing HOF jackets. He's tweeting. At home. In his free time.