Wide Receiver Breakouts

[Bostonian1962]

So some think (I know I do) that the Patriots WR corp is a bit weak. That prompts me to the following post.

Take a look at this list of WRs currently on the Patriots roster. Which one is going to exceed expectations and why?

Erik Davis
Michael McGrew
Rich Musinski
Matt Shelton
Zuriel Smith
John Stone

You'll note, this doesn't include those players expected to have the edge at making the team. These are the "other" wide receivers.

What do you know?

 

[Remix 6]

um none? only 1 will make the team(John Stone) but he wontbe getting much action as a #6 WR behind Branch,Jackson,Caldwell,Brown,Childress and with our TEs and Maroney and Faulk catching out of backfield.

all i know is Stone impressed during the mini camp..he caught the ball well from what i heard in the mini camp wrap ups.

 

[dhamz]

Football expectations or shelf stocking expectations?

Seriously, none of those guys is anything other than camp fodder. A breakout camp and all they can hope for is a spot on the practice squad.

 

[BelichickFan]

PS maybe, I imagine Childree will be the #5 guy and rarely seen on the field as a WR unless injuries hit.

 

[Pats726]

Erik Davis
Michael McGrew
Rich Musinski
Matt Shelton
Zuriel Smith
John Stone

Let's see who we can remove from the list..Smith is a good return guy and may be a good receiver..but he is injured..knee I think..so he may be IRed or PUPed.... McGrew was on IR with a knee injury and missed the latter part of the mini camp..so..maybe a bit more injured....Shellton supposedly droped a ton of passes in rookie camp but is still hanging on..(Would be surprised to see him stick, even to TC) Musinski looked horrible last year in camp..but he might be better this year...Stone as well may stck to cmp. Davis is intriguing..a bit taller and a smooth receiver who has a knack for getting open.
The latter 3 may push a bit..but a breakout?? Possible...not probable...HOPING there is a surprise!!!

 

[smg93]

Easy answer really would be which one of them can turn out to be a special teams demon? If any of those guys make it, my guess is it's less about how well they catch the ball and more about how well they do in ST.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

Bam Childress will be the number #5 guy and see much more time than we expect due to:

Fragile Deion
Aging Troy Brown
Fragile Reche
Cornerback Troy Brown

 

[JoeSixPat]

If we're talking improving our WR depth, my focus is on a veteran WR who at the very least can be signed to particpate in camp, learn the system, provide additional competition for all our other question marks, and step in should there be an injury.

As much as I hope the young guys like Stone and the other no names can step up, I don't expect much, and if they make the team as a #6 WR it will be because they also show other special team skills.

I very much liked what I saw from Bam last year and expect him to be our #5 but one can't make those statements in mid-June.

Beyond that, some of these young WRs will be destined for the PS if they are lucky, as only the top 4 WRs see any real playing time anyway, barring injury.

 

[Tunescribe]

Branch, Jackson, Caldwell. That's a reasonably potent top three if you ask me, especially when bolstered by pass-catching tight ends Watson and Graham, and reliable possession guy Troy Brown. Childress is a nifty #5 WR. I LIKE our receiving corps.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Branch, Jackson, Caldwell. That's a reasonably potent top three if you ask me, especially when bolstered by pass-catching tight ends Watson and Graham, and reliable possession guy Troy Brown. Childress is a nifty #5 WR. I LIKE our receiving corps.

Don't confuse TEs with WRs - they are different positions for a reason, and although some WRs are 3rd down posession specialists, the reason we need WRs - and WR depth - is to stretch the field "i.e. the "wide" in wide receiver -
And while I like Branch, Jackson, Caldwell, Troy as our #1 and #2/#3 by committee, the reason we need depth is to be prepared in case one or more of them suffers an injury during the season.

And given Branch's injury history, that is a VERY real concern, so its just not good enough to say that one is confident in Branch, Jackson, Caldwell.

The question you should be asking is whether you are comfortable with Jackson or Caldwell as your #1 WR - and the answer to THAT I would expect is a big "NO"!

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

I will be somewhat amazed if Bioli doesn't bring in a veteran WR and maybe Ty Law and possibly even Donnie Edwards (Is that the guy's correct first name?).

I don't believe the team is in it's final form yet, and Bioli is probably trying to find another #1b or #1c type wideout to slot between Branch and the rookie.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I will be somewhat amazed if Bioli doesn't bring in a veteran WR and maybe Ty Law and possibly even Donnie Edwards (Is that the guy's correct first name?).

I don't believe the team is in it's final form yet, and Bioli is probably trying to find another #1b or #1c type wideout to slot between Branch and the rookie.

Unfortunately, the quality of existing FA WRs available right now isn't long or all that great - espcially when it comes to #1 WR caliber... sometimes trades are possible but even then, think Andre Davis in terms of what you get.

But i don't think there's an expectation that you need a backup #1 WR... no team has that luxury of depth. If your #1 goes down you need your other guys to step up and you probably spread the ball out even more.

I'm just saying if we went into the season with Jackson, Caldwell, Troy and Bam as our #1-4 we'd feel a little insecure... but given Branch's injury history (one of many reasons they won't break the bank for him) one has to assume that's a real possiblity.

I still can't help but wonder if BB would take a chance on Lelie. Although I think he very well IS a cancer in the Broncos locker room right now I question whether he would be for another team.

The Broncos I expect will come way down on whatever their asking price is for him via trade right now, and if Lelie would be willing to walk into a situation that allows him to trigger significant bonuses and a long term contract via playing and behavior incentives in 2006, he might be a low risk addition (with the exception of whatever draft pick or player we give up for him)

Say what you will about Lelie, but he's probably the most talented WR available via trade. While he gripes about playing time, I think all he cares about is money - which is fine by me, as long as he has an incentive laden contract.

 

[BelichickFan]

Say what you will about Lelie, but he's probably the most talented WR available via trade.

I like Stallworth too, is he still on the block I wonder.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I like Stallworth too, is he still on the block I wonder.

Good question - I don't know either.

I'm not really pushing for Lelie by any stretch - just don't want to rule him out.

If the price is right - for trade and contract - I'd be willing to give this guy a shot.

Given the rep he's developed in Denver I think he may have to accept the fact that he's going to have to play well and behave himself in 2006 if he hopes to see decent money in 2007. Ideally, I'd expect Lelie to have at best a Ty Law like contract that could be voided after the first year - allowing a team to rent him for a season, but keep the option open of signing him long term.

 

[spacecrime]

Branch, Jackson, Caldwell. That's a reasonably potent top three if you ask me, especially when bolstered by pass-catching tight ends Watson and Graham, and reliable possession guy Troy Brown. Childress is a nifty #5 WR. I LIKE our receiving corps.

.... :agree:

 

[spacecrime]

Say what you will about Lelie

Okay. He sucks. We are better off with Branch-Jackson-Caldwell-Brown than we are with Branch-Jackson-Caldwell-Brown-Lelie

 

[BelichickFan]

I also have no problem with what we have. My interest in getting Stallworth would be if we were to trade Branch (I know, I'm just saying IF).

 

[Bostonian1962]

JoeSix and 5 Rings, you guys are right on the money.

We need another vet.

Brown gets hurt alot. Reche has gotten hurt alot. Branch ditto.

I liked Bam last preseason, but he didn't make the big team. Jackson is going to be a stud eventually, but is a rookie.

Will the WR corp be great if Branch is extended/happy/healthy, and Brown finds the fountain of youth, and Reche becomes the player that a 2nd round pick should be, and Jackson "gets it" as a rookie? Yes. But, that's alot of IFs.

Appreciate everybodies feedback on the list of players. It would appear there is not much there to get excited about.

 

[Tunescribe]

Don't confuse TEs with WRs - they are different positions for a reason, and although some WRs are 3rd down posession specialists, the reason we need WRs - and WR depth - is to stretch the field "i.e. the "wide" in wide receiver -
And while I like Branch, Jackson, Caldwell, Troy as our #1 and #2/#3 by committee, the reason we need depth is to be prepared in case one or more of them suffers an injury during the season.

And given Branch's injury history, that is a VERY real concern, so its just not good enough to say that one is confident in Branch, Jackson, Caldwell.

The question you should be asking is whether you are comfortable with Jackson or Caldwell as your #1 WR - and the answer to THAT I would expect is a big "NO"!

I don't quite follow your logic. You can't "expect" your #1 wide receiver is going to get hurt. I mean, somebody has to be your #1 guy and that's Branch. Whoever is #2 and #3 will step up to 1 and 2 if #1 gets hurt, no matter who they are. So it seems to me that you're saying Caldwell is the weak link, and I'm not sure I agree. I think Jackson is going to be a good one out of the gate and that he and Caldwell will suffice alongside Branch. The reason I mentioned the tight ends is because Graham and Watson are legitimate threats to get downfield, which takes some of the pressure off our WRs. That could be one reason we're not seeing more "action" at the WR position this offseason. My guess is that BB likes what he has in Caldwell, Jackson and Childress to replace Givens, Dwight, and Davis.

 

[Brady-To-Branch]

Say what you will about Lelie, but he's probably the most talented WR available via trade. While he gripes about playing time, I think all he cares about is money - which is fine by me, as long as he has an incentive laden contract.

Lelie doesn't like to block. That would be a problem with BB.