We traded for Alex Smith?

[Mike the Brit]

Astounding, isn't it?

Yeah, I'm shocked!

Add the great Rodney Bailey for another we-hardly-knew-ye trade.

 

[Patjew]

Right, I only went back 5 years because earlier posters said "recently," but Washington and Looker were earlier examples. As for the others, I had specified trades for players, to compare with FA signings. Whether the Pats did well in dumping players for picks is a separate topic.

I also can't count Gabriel as a failure because it was so obviously done out of desperation for any WR. You could tell that BB hated that cat from the beginning.

 

[Synovia]

BB hates Watson? Hmm.. that's why the offense used him as the primary receiver for the 1st 6 games of the 2006 season... Because they hated him...

BB Hating him is also why he's played something like 90% of the snaps the last 2 years. BB is clearly trying to hurt him.

 

[Synovia]

I don't think Belichick hates Watson but, much like Maroney, I don't think Belichick has much more patience left. They've given Watson every opportunity--.

And hes done well enough that they have given him 90+% of the snaps. Watson is a good but not elite Tight end. He blocks well, and is a good receiver. If we cut him, he'd immediately be signed for more money than hes making now.

 

[jmt57]

TE Alex Smith playing catch-up

More on Alex Smith: TE Alex Smith playing catch-up by Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald

It is the second-guessing that hurts Alex Smith.

The tight end is in his first year with the Patriots and hasn’t fully grasped the offense. Often, when it comes time to act, Smith finds himself thinking twice.

It is that indecision that resulted in a Bengals defensive player coming free and drilling quarterback Brian Hoyer for a sack in last Thursday’s preseason game.

“Yeah, that’s what I was talking about, trying to get that feel for the offense,” said Smith, the 6-foot-4, 258-pounder. “I knew what my assignment was halfway, then second-guessed myself. Just those little things where you’re not playing as fast as you’d like to. It’s a work in progress.”

Edit: Rapoport also talks about Watson's return: TE Benjamin Watson returns to practice

Watson also may have seen himself fall behind newcomer Chris Baker in the battle at his position.

“When you get back out there, you have to catch up a little bit,” Watson said. “But it does help that I’ve been here before.”

Last season, the 2004 first-round pick had 22 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns. As for the competition, Watson called it “something you look forward to. Everybody’s good.”

 

[jmt57]

In a battle for his job, Watson is back on the field

More on Watson: In a battle for his job, Watson is back on the field by Carolyn Thornton of the Providence Journal

Having been a part of the Patriots’ offensive system since 2004 has helped the tight end stay up to speed despite missing a good deal of training camp with his unspecified injury. But new twists are always being added, he was saying before Tuesday’s practice, and nothing replaces actually being out there on the field.

“Yeah, definitely I feel behind as far as not being able to practice, not doing the conditioning –– that will be a big thing –– and just going through the practices,” the six-year veteran said. “It’s one thing to understand what to do, but it’s another thing to go and do it.”

 

[DaBruinz]

Can I forward my resume to the Pats F.O.? O.K. Simon what is your address?
DW Toys

DW - Did JackBauer put you in your place regarding James Sanders?? Is that why you keep throwing the cheap insult of comparing him to Simon Cowell? Hell, I thought that you used that exclusively on me.