I've read some mocks that had us taking him, so I looked him up and became a fan of his since. I have not seen the bowl game but his season numbers are insane. I was thinking that his build and play reminded me of Larry Fitzgeral.
Cousin, I look at it this way.We have many choices and this years draft class seems well honestly...weak. Now you have the CBA looming so that makes personnel direction a little more rushed, or prolonged until a later date or status quo. Who knows? Out of all our Draft choices only 17% will have an impact on the Pats if we look at league average over a three year period or NFL learning curve. Our Draft this year was way over that so kudos on a 58% successful Draft class to the Pats F.O. Some of those will digress or get injured and at the end of three year even if 25% work out it was a spectacular Draft.
It wasn't all Draft this year as part of our success. There were some great FA pick ups and trades like Branch, Crumpler, Woody, Arrington, Warren, White to name a few. Do not fall for this "Draft is the only way" crapola. It is a delicate mixture of vets and young talent. Take those guys away above and where were would we have been this year?.
Brady is now at the pinnacle, but as in Peyton Manning, his skills and perhaps his enthusiasm goes down a little each year in adjusting to rookie WRs to one of maybe being more robotic. Working with new receivers is a challenge for TB. He is more into honing what he has at this time in his career. The time to grow with that shiny new WR is waning. I believe he prefers veterans who can react on an NFL level. TB had four new receivers to break in this year. Gronk and Hernandez worked out. Price is another 3rd round disappointment and Tate has been unreliable. This year TB had dropped passes that were second in the league.
Let's concentrate at WR. Tate has shown me nothing this year as an NFL WR. He's not a #3 WR and maybe a #5 WR. If you are a decent NCAA player and a NFL drafted WR you must have some skills. I don't see that much. Great KO return guy? Yes, but even that has been mediocre the second part of the season. I smell a Bethel Johnson clone and I do not like it. Even Bethel made one or two plays as a WR but not enough to allow him to stay here or in the league. Price is a project at best. OK sometimes a WR has to develop for years to become a threat like a Brandon Lloyd or even Welker. Do we say "Tom, in another three years this kid will be lights out"?
My point is this CBA is a new twist to what is going to happen in 2011. We have many arrows in the quiver for 2011 for a draft class that is maybe as weak as 2006. Certainly last years class was far and above better. You have teams that are struggling to catch up or redefine themselves.Teams will covet higher round picks because the pickings are slimmer. We have the wampum.
Besides that, I am not talking about the Pats going out a scooping every expensive FA that is available or making trades just to make them instead, but there could be more movement in trades this year after the CBA changes the rules or if they do like salary cap and present player movement limitations.
Cousin, you mentioned Larry Fitzgerald. I would offer up a ransom of some of our top picks (not all) because I see a weak draft, to a team like the Cardinals who have many needs, to get Fitzy.
In 2011 we then have the flexibility to open up or play close as in a two or three TE set. LF is four years younger than Branch. He is not selfish. He blocks. He is a great Team player and he has an out to leave AZ who is now is full rebuilding mode. He gives TB the positive things that Moss gave to the Pats but on a consistent Team based (non diva) desire to help the cause. He is your big WR who can jump, can demand double coverage, will go over the middle and has the speed to go deep.
Whether you are honest about this or not, Welker has been affected by the Moss trade. Even if he is 15% less defective, there it is. Branch has made this less of a factor but there is still something missing. Would I have kept Moss? Yes if I knew this was not a locker room issue. Why not Moss and Branch? But having Fitzy who is a Team player, great locker room guy and devoted to the game makes more sense than taking a swing at another WR in the Draft. TB is 34 next year and he would like his weapons battle tested. Welker, Branch and Fitzy as your "NFL ready" fleet of WR is intriguing without the Moss, Brandon Marshall and Edwards distractions.
Branch is also a liability health wise. In 2011 he is older. He can't take the pounding. If he went down during the playoffs it changes this Team. I hope he sits Sunday.
IF the new CBA rules are more player movement friendly, trading Fitzy and using the rest of the Draft to add Defense depth is what I would do. LR has a present CAP cost similar to Moss, we own Branch cheap so devoting money to another WR who is only 27 year old who fits the Pats seems well worth it. Would the Cardinals trade? He does have an out if he so desires after 2011. so why not make an offer to get them started with some high picks this Draft.
To add to this, if a Fitzy trade was not possible, would I add #85 Ocho Cinco to this roster? With no doubt. He will go over the middle, take a hit unlike Branch (who in all fairness is productive but frail) and is funny and not really in a diva way, but yet not as much of a distraction to TB as even Moss was. Why Cinco?;
It's third and ten and we need a catch to continue the drive. Welker is triple teamed and Branch is being molested by a much larger CB. I want Ocho Cinco in the one on one coverage and he still has speed, has decent size, his effort on the field is consistent and he runs.....precise routes (see Tom Brady)...or do you want to see TB trying for Tate to get that first down?
Ocho Cinco has caught 67 to date even though he knew stumping for T.O. to help the Bengals would cut his catches and he is still over 12 YPC. So he gave up his stats to help the Team. I also think BB likes the kid. How do you think Ocho Cinco would react to helping the Pats for another SB run in 2011? He loves the game. How important is that to TB and BB?
Or I would add a Steve Smith who is a playmaker as well.
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