WR Battle, who makes it ?

[mgteich]

If they carry "6" then Patterson or Slater is out. There is no way, imo at least, that those 2 can be part of a 6 person WR grouping. If both make the team then it will be 7 WR's that make it. I'm with those in here who don't consider Slater a WR, and in all honesty I'm on the fence as to whether Patterson can be one too.

Please tell us how many receptions are made by the 4th, and 5th receivers.






The TOTAL of receiver 4 and 5 is ONE catch per game.

Patterson could be our #3 WR. He certainly is good enough to be our #4.

With all the injuries, I suppose that we need a #5, who will be inactive.

 

[Deus Irae]

Please tell us how many receptions are made by the 4th, and 5th receivers.






The TOTAL of receiver 4 and 5 is ONE catch per game.

That's a variable that's changed year by year, and it certainly hasn't always been just one per game for both the #4 and 5. One could just look back to 2016 to see that. Amendola finished 4th among WRs in receptions, and he averaged a little less than 2 per game. In 2015, 4 different WRs ended up averaging more than 2 per game, with Dobson also averaging more than a catch per. In 2014, Tim Wright played WR/TE and averaged a little under 2 per game as the WR4/TE3. In 2013, 4 WRs averaged more than 2 per game.

So, just going back 5 years, we see that your theory about the number of catches to be had for the WR4 and WR5 doesn't hold much water.

 

[Bruins29]

Also, its not what the 3rd m4th and 5th guy do. Its what they might have to do if the guys in front of them get hurt, which every year someone does.

That is why I like a guy like Britt because he can be your 4th 5th guy but has the experience and talent to play most of a game as a feature WR if needed.

Its a long season and you need depth.

 

[supafly]

Also, its not what the 3rd m4th and 5th guy do. Its what they might have to do if the guys in front of them get hurt, which every year someone does.

That is why I like a guy like Britt because he can be your 4th 5th guy but has the experience and talent to play most of a game as a feature WR if needed.

Its a long season and you need depth.

Aside from the obvious TC and preseason battles, it may end up coming down to who offers more versatility. If a similar sized guy like Matthews is showing enough, he could get the nod over Britt due to his ability to play both inside and out.

I’m concerned that things aren’t looking too hot for Malcolm Mitchell, at least in terms of trying to predict his health for the future. Some have mentioned the possibility of IR-DTR, but I highly doubt that Belichick would waste one of those spots on him. This is now his 3rd year of battling injuries at a spot that needs some semblance of depth and reliability. The potential of an open spot would be good news for guys like Matthews, Britt, and Dorsett, of course.

 

[supafly]

Please tell us how many receptions are made by the 4th, and 5th receivers.






The TOTAL of receiver 4 and 5 is ONE catch per game.

Patterson could be our #3 WR. He certainly is good enough to be our #4.

With all the injuries, I suppose that we need a #5, who will be inactive.

Any chance those 4th and 5th spots could go to guys like Patterson (expected output of 25 or so catches + lead KR duties) and Berrios (more of a move for the future at WR, but adds something as a backup PR in case someone goes down) ?

I wouldn’t expect Berrios to be active until injury occurs, although that logic tends to erase some of the need for a backup PR at the same time. Still, it feels as though he could stick just due to having an eye on the future.

With very little to go on aside from Mitchell’s setback and ST duties, I’d take a guess at :

Edelman
Hogan
Matthews
Patterson
Berrios

 

[Bruins29]

Some have mentioned the possibility of IR-DTR, but I highly doubt that Belichick would waste one of those spots on him.

I m not sure why IR is being mentioned at this point in the season when nobody has practiced yet. You can just PUP a player if it looks like he needs more time to rehab. The team will typically do that in an area where there is strong depth with a player who is still not 100% and MM is a perfect candidate.

Also, I keep seeing IR and then "DTR". They got rid of the designation rule although I understand using the terms as a consideration that the player could be back after w8.

 

[mgteich]

I believe that Patterson can fill the role of the #4WR. Do you?

That's a variable that's changed year by year, and it certainly hasn't always been just one per game for both the #4 and 5. One could just look back to 2016 to see that. Amendola finished 4th among WRs in receptions, and he averaged a little less than 2 per game. In 2015, 4 different WRs ended up averaging more than 2 per game, with Dobson also averaging more than a catch per. In 2014, Tim Wright played WR/TE and averaged a little under 2 per game as the WR4/TE3. In 2013, 4 WRs averaged more than 2 per game.

So, just going back 5 years, we see that your theory about the number of catches to be had for the WR4 and WR5 doesn't hold much water.

 

[Bruins29]

With very little to go on aside from Mitchell’s setback and ST duties, I’d take a guess at :
Edelman
Hogan
Matthews
Patterson
Berrios

Berrios seems like a great guy and talented and determined and all that, but here are some numbers: 27, 25, 25. These are the ages of Welker, Amendola, and Edelman when they had their first really solid season as a pro.

I am not saying Berrios "can't" do it, but how likely is it that he will come into the most difficult system in the NFL and do something that these 3 other guys took several extra years to do.

Plus do the Pats have the luxury of giving a roster spot to a guy in a group (while deep) has some big question marks? The odds of JE playing 16 games are slim. After Hogan we have Patterson and Matthews who have never played a snap in this system.

Plus Berrios has full PS eligibility none of the guys ahead of him do. But if he stands out in camp. He could make it.

With that said - My guess is that:
JE
CH
JM
CP

Are all making the team.

I think Britt makes it too. He has stood out at OTA.
PUP Mitchell - no brainer unless it looks like CP and JM flame out and MM is even healthy enough to contribute.

If they keep a 6th WR its coming down to Dorsett and Berrios. I know they like Dorsett and this has been stated many times. Matthews is a slot WR and dorset has elite speed.

Also, If the other guys work out I could see them moving JE into a more DA role where his snaps are more controlled so that he can remain more healthy for the playoffs.

 

[mgteich]

We've had a lot of guys in the situation of Berrios. IMHO, if he isn't good enough to be active, then I would expect him to be on the Practice Squad with Mccarran.

I'd rather have the best of the rest as the backup in case of injury: Britt, Mitchell or Dorsett.

Any chance those 4th and 5th spots could go to guys like Patterson (expected output of 25 or so catches + lead KR duties) and Berrios (more of a move for the future at WR, but adds something as a backup PR in case someone goes down) ?

I wouldn’t expect Berrios to be active until injury occurs, although that logic tends to erase some of the need for a backup PR at the same time. Still, it feels as though he could stick just due to having an eye on the future.

With very little to go on aside from Mitchell’s setback and ST duties, I’d take a guess at :

Edelman
Hogan
Matthews
Patterson
Berrios

 

[blackglass3]

So, Malcolm Mitchell. I am just confused how he can get injured, be teased all season as a Designated to Return guy, almost return, work out all off-season, then show up for OTA's only to still be hurt and not seen after day 1. We never heard anything about surgery, so what could be wrong with him?

It's a shame, he had a solid rookie year capped off with a great game in the second half of the Super Bowl. We have to think if he's not ready by July he end up cut by August, right?

My WR's are Edelman, Hogan, Matthews, Patterson, Berrios, and Slater.

 

[Bruins29]

We have to think if he's not ready by July he end up cut by August, right?

Why would you cut Mitchell if there was even a 5% he could contribute either this year or even next year??? Seriously, what is the logic behind that unless his leg fell off. You can active pup him and then reserve pup him and have until 6 weeks into the season to make a decision then.

There is always IR also

His cap hit is minimal so there is no financial reason to cut him.

Whats up with this????

 

[Deus Irae]

I believe that Patterson can fill the role of the #4WR. Do you?

I don't know. Adapting to the system is always an issue with WRs.

But that doesn't change the point. Historically, this team has frequently had 4-5 WRs who are legitimately involved in the offense (by receptions/game). So, whether it's Patterson taking the WR4 spot, or someone else, history shows that this team is best served by having at least 5 actual WRs.

 

[Hyped]

.


Nate Solder has as many career receptions as Slater in three less seasons.

LOL, but Slater is still COUNTED AS A WR when we cut down to 53 and further when we cut down to 45-46 on game days.

It is simple for me...say on game day 3 WR's blow their knees out...who is playing the #2 WR? More likely our #4 plays the #1...Slater plays #2...and James White/Rex Burkhead lines up in the slot.

P.S. - Same Ray Clay from KFFL? If so, yo!!!

 

[supafly]

I m not sure why IR is being mentioned at this point in the season when nobody has practiced yet.

For a guy who has battled injuries his entire football career, didn’t play at all in year 2 and is now having more setbacks into year 3, some may find it difficult to think that he’ll be given more time. We’ll know soon enough.

 

[BTTA]

The Patterson questions seems to be dependent on his impact as a kickoff returner. We don't know what the impact of the new rule will be. It may be that kickers are directed to just boot it out of the end zone as often as possible, making the kickoff return even rarer, and thus reducing his value. Or, that may not happen, and his skills may be a wonderful weapon to have, adding a few yards to that average field position, and perhaps some points. I haven't a clue what to expect until the third or fourth exhibition game.

 

[BTTA]

This is the big role of the dice this year. The board overall has been fairly glass half full on this issue.

1. Jordan Matthews has missed a quarter of all possible games over the past 2 seasons, and that doesn't count the preseason games missed with a fractured sternum.
2. Julian Edelman missed all of last season due to an ACL injury, is now a 32 year old WR on the comeback trail, and has missed 23 of a possible 48 games in the past 3 seasons.
3. Chris Hogan has missed a quarter of all possible games over the past 2 seasons, and has been noticeably limited by injury in several of the games where he actually did play.
4. Malcolm Mitchell has missed 18 of a possible 32 games over the past 2 seasons, and was an injury risk from the start.

So, since some number of the above receivers will be making the team, I'll have to disagree with the notion that going with 4 WRs is anything like a good idea.

 

[RayClay]

LOL, but Slater is still COUNTED AS A WR when we cut down to 53 and further when we cut down to 45-46 on game days.

It is simple for me...say on game day 3 WR's blow their knees out...who is playing the #2 WR? More likely our #4 plays the #1...Slater plays #2...and James White/Rex Burkhead lines up in the slot.

P.S. - Same Ray Clay from KFFL? If so, yo!!!

Why? If I "counted him as a safety and kick returner it would be equally correct.It just confuses the issue of how many actual receivers to keep. Slater is not being counted on to play WR period.

 

[mgteich]

Why? If I "counted him as a safety and kick returner it would be equally correct.It just confuses the issue of how many actual receivers to keep. Slater is not being counted on to play WR period.

It really is easier to list SIX special team specialists instead of 3, including the 3 STO players Slater, Ebner and King.

The rest must be at least capable of being an emergency play at a position; e.g. Grissom, Richards or Bolden. If they cannot fulfill this role, they shouldn't be on the team.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Also, I keep seeing IR and then "DTR". They got rid of the designation rule although I understand using the terms as a consideration that the player could be back after w8.

Strictly speaking, they haven't gotten rid of it. What's changed is that instead of requiring teams to use it when the player goes on IR, they can wait until they want to start that player's three-week practice window. Unfortunately, the DTR rule is limited not to two players but to two windows.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

LOL, but Slater is still COUNTED AS A WR when we cut down to 53 and further when we cut down to 45-46 on game days.

He's "counted as a WR" only because the NFL doesn't allow teams to list players as "ST."