slatercove1
Footballguy
Curious as to what some of you think of him now and the long term. What's his upside in regards to his TE ranking?
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Ben Watson (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter slatercove1
- Start date
Blackjacks
Footballguy
I think this is his year.
definite top 8 potential - expect a leap in stats similar to Chris Cooley's last year. Maybe even top 5 if he becomes a favorite target for Brady with no real WR2 option.
The Man Who Met Andy Griffith
Footballguy
My $0.02 -- his upside is great. It isn't inconceivable that he could be the #2 TE in a couple of years if Gonzo slows down. His physical measurables are outstanding--size, speed, 10 inch hands.The issue with Watson is likelihood to reach his upside... even coming into the league there were questions about his passion and demeanor (he was a good kid, just didn't seem to put up the college stats his talent would imply). Whether it's internal motivation or team system, he hasn't put up great stats to date in the NFL and it's not clear that he ever will.
Then again, even Gonzo took a few years to get going.
aussiehockeyfan
Footballguy
Draft him as a #2, be confident he can be a #1.
Dont forget folks, last year was basically his rookie year. TEs, like WRs, take a little more time to ramp up. Everyone sees that the talent and physical ability is there... The Pats did not put up a big fight to keep Givens, and did not sign a true WR2 option. Could this be because they have faith in Watson to step up?
Any questions about his desire should have been answered when he ran down Champ Bailey from behind in the playoffs.
JayMan
Footballguy
That was one of the most unbelievable play I've seen - ever...I can only think of Larry Allen catching a guy (can't recall who, can't recall the year) from behind as a more spectacular play from a "really big man"...
Seeing Watson coming across to smack Bailey before the goaline (should have been a touchback) was simply ashtonishing... we're talking about one of the fastest DBs out there (that had slowed down the last 10 yards - I agree)...
Also, remember that Watson started on the opposite side of the field from where Bailey picked off the pass (if my memory serves me) - He made the diagonal across the field, while Bailey was running more of a straight line. Even if you say that Watson only caught Bailey because bailey was winded, think of what that says for Watson's stamina.
JayMan
Footballguy
That's exactly my point... simply unbelievable... I was involded in a play like this once (where I was "Watson")... and thought to myself "I'm going to catch and smack that little DB hotshot"... but found that going all the way across (even if I aimed at the corner of our goaline) was just too much... and caught air when diving at the 5yard line...
Sure, Bailey was dogging it, I qualified this earlier - but this speaks to original point, Watson's passion and desire being questioned. Here you have a playoff game, and Bailey pulls up at the 10 and starts trotting, while Watson, having to run at least 20 yards more than Bailey, is still going full speed and has the presence of mind to strip the ball.
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Kit Fisto
Footballguy
I also bellieve this is the year Watson busts out, but being a Patriot it's relative.
He'll probably never put up Gonzalez/Gates numbers, but I wish I owned him. TD-leagues that is. Yardage, not so much. 600/8.
BTW, Ben Watson was the fastest WR in the 2004 draft. That's no typo. He was faster than all the TEs, and all the WRs.
He'll probably never put up Gonzalez/Gates numbers, but I wish I owned him. TD-leagues that is. Yardage, not so much. 600/8.
BTW, Ben Watson was the fastest WR in the 2004 draft. That's no typo. He was faster than all the TEs, and all the WRs.
Kyzersosik
Footballguy
Watson, even with Graham there, will be a decent TE option in 2006. If he continues to get the looks from Brady #`s like 65 catches 700-800 yds and 6+ TD`s are very reachable. As far as his physical skills like speed strength etc. when he first came to camp the staff were blown away! If things fall right he`s got a chance to be in the top 4 or 5 TE`s in the league. Go Pats 
Family Matters
Footballguy
I agree with you on this. Clearly his upside is nice but remember that he's in NE and that always means check it with reservation. However, with Givens gone I can see him as the #2 option in that offense.
3 things to note:1) Pats should be running alot more 2 TE sets this year
2) Graham will be used more for blocking, and the occasional short yardage catch.
3) Watson has the speed and athletisism to become a Gates-like Wideout at the TE position. Expect big numbers even if the Pats draft a WR in the 2nd Round
Edit: Specifically top 10 numbers this year... I'd say behind only Gates, Gonzo, Shockey, Miller, Heap, Crumpler
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Family Matters
Footballguy
That was a sweet play.
The Man Who Met Andy Griffith
Footballguy
No he wasn't. He was about .01 faster or slower than Roy Williams, but he was about 0.10 slower than Lee Evans for one.
The Man Who Met Andy Griffith
Footballguy
any questions?It was a very nice play. As was Deshaun Foster's in the playoffs a few years back. But a very nice play in the playoffs does not answer any and all questions about somebody's desire through the course of the regular season.
If anything, the play indicates his talent, but passion is about producing game in and game out. I'm not saying that Watson won't develop into a consistently excellent player, but the jury is out.
Just as a point of perspective (and please remember that I am a hopeful Watson dynasty owner), the #2 receiver in NE with Brady under center has averaged:
50 catches, 704 yds, & 5 TDs.
And that's from the WR position's numbers. That figures to be the #8 TE in the league in our league. Perhaps we're being a tad optimistic here?
50 catches, 704 yds, & 5 TDs.
And that's from the WR position's numbers. That figures to be the #8 TE in the league in our league. Perhaps we're being a tad optimistic here?
I exaggerate, you've got me there. Still, it's hard for me to say that desire is what will hold him back when he makes that kind of signature play. Ive seen many starting QBs put much much less effort out there to stop an INT return.
The #2 WR for Brady includes the likes of who? David Patten and David Givens.Neither have Ben Watson's talent and athletisism.
He should be good for more than 5 TDs this year if healthy.
Yes Brady spreads the ball around, but it's gonna be hard to argue against Watson being Brady's 2nd favorite target this season.
Ben Watson was #1 in the NFL in YPC last season (15.6) among players with as many catches as him (34)... the one who comes closest is Dallas Clark with 14 YPC on 41 catches.
Give him 50 catches and 14 YPC and thats 700 yds. He will get those looks especially without a solid #2WR. 7 TDs is certainly not out of the question.
Those numbers in a 6pt per TD, 1pt per 10 yards scoring system are TE7 last year. I can see Cooley dropping off this year, out of the top 6, so definitly top 5 potential, plus the fact that hes 25 doesn't hurt in Dynasty leagues
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Weiner Dog
Footballguy
Man, I still cannot get that highlight reel out of my head. I've never seen such a massive guy run SO fast.
beto
Footballguy
Here is a question to ponder:
What if Branch gets injured? I know that sounds highly unlikely, but think about it for a moment.
That would make a good situation for Ben turn into a great one.
My only main question on Watson are his hands. I don't know if the stats bear it out but I saw a few Pats games where he could have had a few more catches due to the dropsies.
What if Branch gets injured? I know that sounds highly unlikely, but think about it for a moment.
That would make a good situation for Ben turn into a great one.
My only main question on Watson are his hands. I don't know if the stats bear it out but I saw a few Pats games where he could have had a few more catches due to the dropsies.
Mapmaker
Footballguy
Running down Bailey was definately one of the best play-off plays of last season, but Watson's 63 yard TD that broke the Jacksonville game open the week before was almost as impressive ...
"That was a great effort by Benjamin to break those tackles," Belichick said, "and make a big play out of what probably should've been a third-down stop."
Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio called it a critical play.
"All of a sudden, instead of us having an opportunity to keep it close, it got blown open right there," Del Rio said.
Watson broke several tackles early, then broke loose where he outran everyone that got close to him and ran right through/over the safety who presented the Jag's last chance ... power, speed, heart, desire ... this kid's got the makings of something special and I think he showed us all a glimmer in last seasons playoff's
"That was a great effort by Benjamin to break those tackles," Belichick said, "and make a big play out of what probably should've been a third-down stop."
Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio called it a critical play.
"All of a sudden, instead of us having an opportunity to keep it close, it got blown open right there," Del Rio said.
Watson broke several tackles early, then broke loose where he outran everyone that got close to him and ran right through/over the safety who presented the Jag's last chance ... power, speed, heart, desire ... this kid's got the makings of something special and I think he showed us all a glimmer in last seasons playoff's
This was the most meaningful play of the playoffs for the Pats (on the positive side). Watson blew the game open on a play where he broke 2 tackles.Granted one was against a LB who was wearing a giant cast on his hand (he couldn't wrap up Watson)
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commisholio
Come out with your pants down!
What about the Pats' lamentable tendency to throw touchdowns to Mike Vrabel?
stonedcolded
Footballguy
Got him as my #2 TE in my startup dynasty last week. Pretty thrilled. 
