Patriots Need to Throw Ben The Ball

As Patriot misadventures go, this one’s not right up there with the real big whoppers.

Like Ben Dreith’s imitation of Larry Barnett. Like Chuck Fairbanks and his dirty deal with Colorado. Like Ron Meyer firing Rod Rust. Like the post-Super Bowl drug bust. Like Lisa Olson. Like Bill Parcells leaving the Patriots jilted at the Super Bowl altar.

In the context of things that shake the foundation of the Patriots, this little spat involving Ben Coates is nothing more than a wee little tremor. At least that’s what it is right now.

But it is something. It is something that the Patriots need to figure out how to deal with. It is something that could prove to be a distraction. It is something that could prove to be detrimental to the team if the wrong choices are made.

Coates is in a receiving slump right now. Drew Bledsoe isn’t throwing to him like he’s used to. When he does, Coates isn’t the “security blanket” he has been famous for.

Coates only thinks about the throwing part. In two games this year, Coates has had zero catches. The second such game was this past weekend against Arizona. Despite the Patriots celebrating a huge win over the pathetic Cardinals, Coates reached his breaking point with this dearth of balls thrown his way.

Coates blasted offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese for not featuring the tight end in his offensive game plans. He complained about being only a blocker. He ranted some more about the no catches. Then he finished by saying that he’s going home and “isn’t sure if I’ll be back”.

Gee, Ben, what if you guys had lost?

Most fans are angry at Coates’ attitude. Here is this guy complaining about this sort of thing right on the heels of a trouncing of Arizona. The Patriots are 6-2. Could have been 8-0. Why moan about anything when you’re winning?

Some fans also hope that the door doesn’t hit Big Ben on the way out. Far out. With Rod Rutledge around, not to mention the great Mike Bartrum, who the heck needs Coates anymore?

I wonder if these fans thought to remind themselves just who it is they are referring to.

Both sides need to get with it. Coates needs to shut up. And Zampese needs to get Big Ben back in business.

The logic behind all this is perhaps twofold. First, why go to the tight end when you’ve got these explosive weapons named Terry Glenn, Shawn Jefferson, Troy Brown and Tony Simmons? Heck, even Vincent Brisby is drawing big props lately with some of his grabs.

The second reason may hold the key as to why Coates has been shut out. If Coates is ever open or single-covered, either the defense has brain-cramped or the planets are aligned wrong. Face it, if you were Bledsoe, would you throw short to a smothered up Coates over a Glenn or Jefferson in man-to-man coverage downfield?

Unfortunately for Coates, there is a third thing to consider. His key dropped pass against Miami still has Patriot Nation madder than a wet hen. Some experts wonder if Coates’ skills have declined a bit. The man is still only 28 years old, but he doesn’t exude his “automatic catch” aura like he used to.

This may ultimately be due to the de-emphasis of himself. Coates needs to have a ten-catch game to get back into the swing of things. Will he get one?

Coates is a weapon that Zampese needs to use. While Coates would do his team very nicely to quit complaining, he does have a point. Using Coates only as a blocker is a waste of his talents.

The 1985 Super Bowl Patriots had two tight ends with different skills. Lin Dawson was the better blocker, Derrick Ramsey was the better receiver. Having Coates and Rutledge is pretty much the same thing. But Coates is one hundred times the receiver Ramsey ever was, and Dawson drew most of the playing time back then.

If Coates makes good on his threat to leave, the Patriots cannot be made to believe that Rutledge is ready or capable of replacing Coates. At least not at this time.

Rutledge has shown that he can block fairly well, and is an asset to the team when he doesn’t false start. But when you have a tight end of Coates’ calibre still in his prime, ignoring him in the offense and then letting him walk away is just plain nonsense.

Simply put, Coates needs to be there. If nothing else, the threat of what he can do is unsettling enough for the opposition. And if Coates wants the damn ball, give it to him.

But Pete Carroll needs to sit Coates down and put him in his place. He needs to re-explain the “team” concept to Ben. He needs to explain that it looks extremely and brazenly stupid for him to be whining about this sort of thing when his team is 6-2. He needs to explain that as one of the veteran leaders on the club, the younger players may look at this outburst and think that it is okay for any player to pop off like that when they feel they have to, irrespective of the damage it may do to the ballclub.

And Zampese needs to find a way to bring Ben back. There is simply no sense in ignoring Coates the way he is. If Coates simply isn’t sharp, get him some work. Give him what he wants.

This is Ben Coates we are talking about. This is one of the best receiving tight ends of this decade, if not the last couple decades. It’s not surprising to find Coates a little torqued off. He should get the damn ball.

And keep his damn mouth shut, also. Let’s hope that he has the good common sense to make this his last such outburst. The last thing the Patriots need is some cancer to invade the team and break up the good feelings that permeate the club right now. Coates is not known for his being accesible to the media; this is not exactly the best way to open up channels of communication with the fourth estate.

This is one of your classic “both sides have to give”. If that happens, both sides win. They win both on the scoreboard and in the clubhouse.

It’s really hard to believe. In 1996, could any of you imagine that anyone would ever write a piece on how disgruntled Coates is because Bledsoe doesn’t throw to him anymore?

Coates shouldn’t be going anywhere at all. Except towards the first down markers. Throw him the damn ball, Ernie. Catch it, Ben. Win, both of you.