I wish I was as sanguine about the WR position.This is a fantastic point. They're drafting for depth and upgrades. They're not really plugging holes. Not "holy shit we don't have a Center or a Quarterback" holes anyway.
Yeah 8 for 58 was this year.Perhaps more surprising is the ESPN story that credits Hogan with just 8 catches for 58 yards in nine playoff games with the Pats. I think they forgot about his performances against the Steelers in the AFC Championship game and against the Eagles in the Super Bowl.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26505665/panthers-sign-veteran-hogan-1-year-deal
My guess is they trade a pick for a veteran WR and draft two, one early, one late.I wish I was as sanguine about the WR position.
Other than Edelman, I don’t see an obvious “starter level” WR on the team.
Could one or more of Bruce Ellington, Maurice Harris, Josh Gordon (if and when), Philip Dorsett or Damoun Patterson emerge? Sure. Dorsett is arguably already there and Gordon, when available, is a stud.
But to me this position is a pretty large question mark and concern. Belichick almost never does what I expect him to do on draft day, so I can imagine him not loading up at WR. And I know young receivers often have problems picking up this offense. But I view this as a position of profound need and would like to see them address it in round one or two.
As far as TE goes, ASJ is helpful but as others have pointed out, has had trouble staying on the field. Dependability is one of BB’s requirements and If Sefarian-Jenkins is in the tub in training camp, I’m guessing he won’t make it. So I see this as a position of need, though not as acute as WR.
I'm sure that you have seen the widget that allows you to type in as many names as you can remember of guys that TB has thrown touchdown passes to, like in 60 seconds or something. It's a neat exercise, and I've generally gotten about 2/3 right. That's after watching every game for at least the last 20 years.I wish I was as sanguine about the WR position.
Other than Edelman, I don’t see an obvious “starter level” WR on the team.
Could one or more of Bruce Ellington, Maurice Harris, Josh Gordon (if and when), Philip Dorsett or Damoun Patterson emerge? Sure. Dorsett is arguably already there and Gordon, when available, is a stud.
But to me this position is a pretty large question mark and concern. Belichick almost never does what I expect him to do on draft day, so I can imagine him not loading up at WR. And I know young receivers often have problems picking up this offense. But I view this as a position of profound need and would like to see them address it in round one or two.
As far as TE goes, ASJ is helpful but as others have pointed out, has had trouble staying on the field. Dependability is one of BB’s requirements and If Sefarian-Jenkins is in the tub in training camp, I’m guessing he won’t make it. So I see this as a position of need, though not as acute as WR.
The other thing to consider is that Berrios is the only WR currently under contract for 2020. So even taking a view beyond 2019, WR is a massive need.I wish I was as sanguine about the WR position.
Other than Edelman, I don’t see an obvious “starter level” WR on the team.
Could one or more of Bruce Ellington, Maurice Harris, Josh Gordon (if and when), Philip Dorsett or Damoun Patterson emerge? Sure. Dorsett is arguably already there and Gordon, when available, is a stud.
But to me this position is a pretty large question mark and concern. Belichick almost never does what I expect him to do on draft day, so I can imagine him not loading up at WR. And I know young receivers often have problems picking up this offense. But I view this as a position of profound need and would like to see them address it in round one or two.
As far as TE goes, ASJ is helpful but as others have pointed out, has had trouble staying on the field. Dependability is one of BB’s requirements and If Sefarian-Jenkins is in the tub in training camp, I’m guessing he won’t make it. So I see this as a position of need, though not as acute as WR.
If Chung were 25 instead of 31, he'd be wanting closer to Collins contractThat is an awesome contract.
What’s Landon Collins getting? 14m per?
This post should be pinned. The advantage of having the same regime in place for 20 years is that patterns become clear. As always, In Bill We Trust.I'm sure that you have seen the widget that allows you to type in as many names as you can remember of guys that TB has thrown touchdown passes to, like in 60 seconds or something. It's a neat exercise, and I've generally gotten about 2/3 right. That's after watching every game for at least the last 20 years.
The vast majority of guys that TB12 has won games and super bowls with were nobodies before they came here. Aside from Moss and Gronkowski (2nd round pick IIRC), there's probably nobody going to the hall of fame. His best receiver ever was a quarterback in college.
I realize that I'm overstating my case here somewhat, but this isn't fantasy football. Bill will find enough receivers to catch the ball, and Brady will throw it to them. Just like how we always wonder who's going to pressure the quarterback, and somehow Bill finds enough of a mix of guys to bother the QB enough for it to matter every year. We don't know who those guys are, but Brady is going to complete 350-400 passes to some combination of dudes. And if it reaches the half way point or so, and there's clearly a deficit, Bill will bring in some JAG who plugs the hole for a conditional fourth. And this forum will complain how that guy is a bum, up to and including his 7 catch 2 TD game in the divisional playoff round.
We have seen this movie before.
You're right that Bill might shock us all and move up in the first round for some 6'4" kid from the SEC--who the fuck knows. But you're also right that he might think that he basically has the receivers that he needs. I wouldn't bet much on him spending a first round pick on that position though, since he basically never does. Hell he seems to practically hate first round picks to begin with, when they haven't been stolen for competitive reasons anyway.
Great post. For anyone interested, here's the link to that game:I'm sure that you have seen the widget that allows you to type in as many names as you can remember of guys that TB has thrown touchdown passes to, like in 60 seconds or something. It's a neat exercise, and I've generally gotten about 2/3 right. That's after watching every game for at least the last 20 years.
There are a lot of unknowns (Demaryius injury, Gordon availability, Harry's readiness) but I like the potential of that unit. Those are 3 big targets for Brady and it seems to be how we're going to replace some of Gronk's production. When you add Edelman and Dorsett to the mix, it's a pretty intriguing group.This could end up being a very different looking WR room for the Pats...
N'Keal Harry - 0602 / 228
Demaryius Thomas - 0603 / 229
Josh Gordon - 0603 / 225
Thomas is no sure thing to make the team and Gordon's status is even murkier but that would be a lot of beef at WR.
Leading the league in WR bicep size!
Edit: Probably should have at least added Maurice Harris as well... 0603 / 201
Get that guy in the weight room!
He played at BC with Flores so I won't be surprised if he follows him to Miami.Pats scout is leaving
Mo Harris could be a pleasant surprise. Washington never gave him an opportunity to establish himself.This could end up being a very different looking WR room for the Pats...
N'Keal Harry - 0602 / 228
Demaryius Thomas - 0603 / 229
Josh Gordon - 0603 / 225
Thomas is no sure thing to make the team and Gordon's status is even murkier but that would be a lot of beef at WR.
Leading the league in WR bicep size!
Edit: Probably should have at least added Maurice Harris as well... 0603 / 201
Get that guy in the weight room!
Pelissero adds Veldheer is expected to sign a one-year deal worth up to $6.5 million ...
The #Patriots are planning to sign free agent OT Jared Veldheer later this week, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. The veteran former member of the #Broncos and #AZCardinals visited New England last week and the two sides are in a good place with numbers. Provides key depth.
Taking this one step further, the RB crew (White, Michel, Burkhead, Bolden, Develin, and by all reports Harris) is an exceptional blocking group.
The Patriots are still frosty about falling 10 carries short in 1978 of the all-time season record for rushing attempts (681) set the previous year by Oakland. Maybe this is the year . . . . .Taking this one step further, the RB crew (White, Michel, Burkhead, Bolden, Develin, and by all reports Harris) is an exceptional blocking group.
I hope this signing is for depth at tackle and not indicative of an issue with Wynn's Achilles rehabPelissero adds Veldheer is expected to sign a one-year deal worth up to $6.5 million ...
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001030156/article/patriots-plan-to-sign-veteran-tackle-jared-veldheer
Veldheer is good but INJ-Prone and cant start for long strechs before getting hurt but as a swing tacklie shouild be a upgrade over the guy u lost to buffI hope this signing is for depth at tackle and not indicative of an issue with Wynn's Achilles rehab
Bailey said the same thing at the time... well, after the game.Watson's 2005 tackle of Bailey is basically the Patriots version of Eovaldi's extra inning performance in the WS last year (with the obvious difference that NFL is single-elimination) - heart of a champion in a losing effort (I still maintain Bailey fumbled out of bounds and it should have been a touchback).
I vote we get that man a superbowl ring.Still one of my favorite players and has one of the plays I remember most.