Ben Watson (1 Viewer)

[TheBradyBunch]

While most seem to agree that Ben Watson has a ton of upside and could develop into a fantasy force at TE, I was a bit surprised to see him ranked as the #6 TE in FBG projections:

55-682-5

There are those that seem to think that he'll replace Givens and there are those that believe Brady will continue to spread the ball around to the open receiver and make it impossible to count on any Patriots pass receiver. What's it going to be with Watson???

 

[diesel7982]

The Pats spreading it around to the open reciever does nothing to keep Watson from catching 50-55 passes.

 

[Boston]

I think those numbers are very reachable. That's only a little more than three catches and almost 43 yards a game. If Watson can't get that as well as more than five TDs the whole year than it will be a dissapointing season for him. I'm not saying he'll be a monster because the Pats do spread it around. Yet, with his talent, Brady at QB and with questions at WR those are numbers he should get in his third year.

 

[Bri]

hey boston,

curious on your opinion of this:Watson caught roughly half his targets last year. whaddya make of that, if anything?

 

[Bri]

The Pats spreading it around to the open reciever does nothing to keep Watson from catching 50-55 passes.

true but we need to know about Graham. He's not falling off the face of the earth and a fair argument could be made that if they share to the WRs they'll share to the TEs, no?

 

[Boston]

hey boston,

curious on your opinion of this:Watson caught roughly half his targets last year. whaddya make of that, if anything?

Quite frankly I thought it was subpar playcalling. McDaniels was a work in progress last year. There was no doubt that losing Charlie hurt. He's as good of an OC as there is/was. Combine that with the injuries and the offensive playcalling was very choppy. I felt there were far too many games last year where they simply stoppped calling Watson's number for no reason. Instead they were wasting plays throwing to stiffs like Andre Davis. I was at the Saints game and Watson looked like a man among boys early. It looked like he was going to have a career day and there was no way the Saints could stop him. Than for some reason they stopped calling his number. It wasn't like the Saints were smothering him. They just stopped going to him and not by coincidence the O began to stumble. Hopefully this year they'll ride him much more. By the end of last year McDaniels had really improved. I think you'll see a big improvenent in the OC department this year (he also will have better weapons to work with this year). He was a young kid and he was thrust into a difficult situation in a big way. As he grows and gets more comfortable I think you'll see better gameplans than you did early last year. I also think Watson will be a big part of that. He's just too talented not to be.

 

[Boston]

hey boston,

curious on your opinion of this:Watson caught roughly half his targets last year. whaddya make of that, if anything?

I think I read your post wrong the first time. I thought you were asking why they didn't call a lot of plays for him.As for Watson dropping some passes I'm not worried about him. He's not like Graham. Graham's hands just aren't reliable. Too often he's fighting the ball. Watson has soft hands that I believe will turn into a major weapon for the Pats. With Watson there were times he was looking to do too much. He was thinking big play when he touched the ball and because of that he had some drops. Yet, he's a smart guy and a hard worker and I think as he matures and the coaching staff stays on him that area of his game will be more than fine.

 

[Bri]

interesting replies, thanks

 

[Donnybrook]

While most seem to agree that Ben Watson has a ton of upside and could develop into a fantasy force at TE, I was a bit surprised to see him ranked as the #6 TE in FBG projections:

55-682-5

There are those that seem to think that he'll replace Givens and there are those that believe Brady will continue to spread the ball around to the open receiver and make it impossible to count on any Patriots pass receiver. What's it going to be with Watson???

I like Watson and always have and understand the logic that he will get targeted more now that Givens is gone. However, I do not understand why the same logic is not being applied to Heath Miller. His reception totals are projected to be down from last year. TE # 15.

 

[TheBradyBunch]

Another interesting tidbit:

The fftoday projections also have Watson as the #6 TE with: 53-657-6

WOW!!!!!

 

[Boston]

While most seem to agree that Ben Watson has a ton of upside and could develop into a fantasy force at TE, I was a bit surprised to see him ranked as the #6 TE in FBG projections:

55-682-5

There are those that seem to think that he'll replace Givens and there are those that believe Brady will continue to spread the ball around to the open receiver and make it impossible to count on any Patriots pass receiver.  What's it going to be with Watson???

I like Watson and always have and understand the logic that he will get targeted more now that Givens is gone. However, I do not understand why the same logic is not being applied to Heath Miller. His reception totals are projected to be down from last year. TE # 15.

I like Miller a lot this year. Big Ben's a year older, Bettis and El are gone and Miller has some experience. I see no reason why he doesn't improve on last year's number by a decent amount. Especially in the reception and yardage area.

 

[Bri]

While most seem to agree that Ben Watson has a ton of upside and could develop into a fantasy force at TE, I was a bit surprised to see him ranked as the #6 TE in FBG projections:

55-682-5

There are those that seem to think that he'll replace Givens and there are those that believe Brady will continue to spread the ball around to the open receiver and make it impossible to count on any Patriots pass receiver.  What's it going to be with Watson???

I like Watson and always have and understand the logic that he will get targeted more now that Givens is gone. However, I do not understand why the same logic is not being applied to Heath Miller. His reception totals are projected to be down from last year. TE # 15.

when's the last time a TE did well for the Steelers? Eric Green? I agree there's alot of opportunity with the lack of a quality WR opposite Hines. Yeah I'm torn here.Got a Q, how'd Ben's TE do in college?

 

[Donnybrook]

While most seem to agree that Ben Watson has a ton of upside and could develop into a fantasy force at TE, I was a bit surprised to see him ranked as the #6 TE in FBG projections:

55-682-5

There are those that seem to think that he'll replace Givens and there are those that believe Brady will continue to spread the ball around to the open receiver and make it impossible to count on any Patriots pass receiver.  What's it going to be with Watson???

I like Watson and always have and understand the logic that he will get targeted more now that Givens is gone. However, I do not understand why the same logic is not being applied to Heath Miller. His reception totals are projected to be down from last year. TE # 15.

when's the last time a TE did well for the Steelers? Eric Green? I agree there's alot of opportunity with the lack of a quality WR opposite Hines. Yeah I'm torn here.Got a Q, how'd Ben's TE do in college?

Not knocking the Watson projection - I hope it happens. I was just surprised on how unrookie like Miller looked last season and think he is a little underrated. Maybe I should just let sleeping dogs lie.

 

[Donnybrook]

Got a Q, how'd Ben's TE do in college?

I have no idea. Why don't you tell me?

 

[radballs]

I think Ben's a bit overrated by FBG projections' standards. Quite a few guys ranked below him that I'd rather have on my team.

 

[Phlash]

Look at it this way, if the 3 way trade between Atlanta, Denver, and the Patriots goes through, Watson's value should skyrocket. The local buzz is building up for this kid, and he has stud written all over him. Belichick has liked him since he drafted him, and is going to find a way to get him involved. Brady has admitted that Branch is his #1 WR, but we all know how little yardage the #1 WR on the Patriots has ever picked up (except for Troy Brown in '01) yet the TEs as a whole have always produced very well. Anyone who watched Patriots games would have noticed that Watson was sent downfield often when he went out for passes, and Brady always hit him, and Watson with his great suction cup hands always caught it. If Watson is set up as the main guy on more plays, his stats will only increase.

 

[radballs]

Look at it this way, if the 3 way trade between Atlanta, Denver, and the Patriots goes through, Watson's value should skyrocket.

I don't know if his "value" will. I think people will factor that into where he should be drafted. And if anything, his "value" will probably decrease even if his projections go up slightly. His ADP will start to get higher but I doubt he'll be more of a solid pick because of it.

 

[David Yudkin]

I wrote the Player Spotlight on Watson which should be up shortly. I had some concerns about Watson's projections, based mostly on Belichick's limited use of TEs in the past.

Yardage wise, here were the Pat's yearly leaders at TE:

2000: Jermaine Wiggins 203 yards (yes, THAT Jermaine Wiggins)

2001: Jermaine Wiggins 133 yards

2002: Christian Fauria, 253 yards

2003: Daniel Graham, 409 yards

2004: Daniel Graham, 364 yards

2005: Ben Watson, 441 yards

Going back to when Belichick coached Cleveland, the TE production was more anemic than in New England.

I concluded that Watson's numbers most likely will not take a major jump up based on a healthy Graham returning and likely not asked to block as much, the drafting of 2 rookie tight ends, and a better running game for 2006. I might have to revisit things should Graham leave town, but overall I felt Watson's projections were a fair amount too high.

 

[Bri]

Got a Q, how'd Ben's TE do in college?

I have no idea. Why don't you tell me?

I don't know

 

[dudaman]

I wrote the Player Spotlight on Watson which should be up shortly.  I had some concerns about Watson's projections, based mostly on Belichick's limited use of TEs in the past.

Yardage wise, here were the Pat's yearly leaders at TE:

2000: Jermaine Wiggins 203 yards (yes, THAT Jermaine Wiggins)

2001: Jermaine Wiggins 133 yards

2002: Christian Fauria, 253 yards

2003: Daniel Graham, 409 yards

2004: Daniel Graham, 364 yards

2005: Ben Watson, 441 yards

Going back to when Belichick coached Cleveland, the TE production was more anemic than in New England.

I concluded that Watson's numbers most likely will not take a major jump up based on a healthy Graham returning and likely not asked to block as much, the drafting of 2 rookie tight ends, and a better running game for 2006.  I might have to revisit things should Graham leave town, but overall I felt Watson's projections were a fair amount too high.

I disagree somewhat that he is overvalued. Average yards per catch over the last three years for the two top Pats TE's:2005: Graham and Watson averaged 15 YPC

2004: Graham and Fauria averaged 12.1 YPC (Watson a rook, didn't see the field too much).

2003: Graham and Fauria averaged 10.3 YPC

Watson averaged above 18 YPC in 7 out of 17 games last year. He is fast, can break the long one and should double his yardage output from last year (though I believe FBG prediction for TD's is right on). I believe he will be top five this year. The Pats offense is going to be deadly and Watson will be one of the main beneficiaries.

 

[moleculo]

now that we have seen a couple of pre-season games, what do we think about Watson? I haven't been able to see any games, so I'd appreciate any homer insight. His stats line thus far:

vs Falcons:

B. Watson 1 44 0 44

vs Arizona:

B. Watson 4* 40 0 18

*lead NE in receptions

a couple of clips from the blogger which I find intersting:

TE Ben Watson Looks Like Top Target

Chris Smith, Footballguys.com

With WR Deion Branch holding out, don't be surprised if TE Ben Watson emerges as the go-to receiver for the Patriots. He almost has wide-receiver speed and during the preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, QB Tom Brady had no problem looking his way frequently. Watson finished with 3 receptions and 30 yards on the game and the Cardinals defense had difficulty covering him.

The double tight end offense may not be new, but today’s tight end is. Bigger, stronger, faster and more athletic than the stars of prior decades -- “Guys who used to play power forward now play tight end,” notes 49ers GM Scot McCloughan -- today’s tight ends can change a game, particularly on a team like the Patriots, who boast standouts in Ben Watson and Daniel Graham.

...

Against such personnel, an opponent typically responds with its base defense (4-3 or 3-4) and four defensive backs. With Watson split out wide on one side of the formation and Graham tight on the other, the Patriots can let Brady decide whether to run or pass. If he sees an undersized safety on Watson, he’ll immediately exploit that matchup based on the size differential. If he sees a linebacker, even better -- Watson can run right by him.

linkI am especially curious if the Pats are running a 2TE set. I have heard all aobut how Dallas is converting to a 2 TE set and how that will help Witten - wouldn't the same be true w/ Watson? Has NE been running this formation so far?

 

[Bristol]

now that we have seen a couple of pre-season games, what do we think about Watson? I haven't been able to see any games, so I'd appreciate any homer insight. His stats line thus far:

vs Falcons:

B. Watson 1 44 0 44

vs Arizona:

B. Watson 4* 40 0 18

*lead NE in receptions

a couple of clips from the blogger which I find intersting:

TE Ben Watson Looks Like Top Target

Chris Smith, Footballguys.com

With WR Deion Branch holding out, don't be surprised if TE Ben Watson emerges as the go-to receiver for the Patriots. He almost has wide-receiver speed and during the preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, QB Tom Brady had no problem looking his way frequently. Watson finished with 3 receptions and 30 yards on the game and the Cardinals defense had difficulty covering him.

The double tight end offense may not be new, but today’s tight end is. Bigger, stronger, faster and more athletic than the stars of prior decades -- “Guys who used to play power forward now play tight end,” notes 49ers GM Scot McCloughan -- today’s tight ends can change a game, particularly on a team like the Patriots, who boast standouts in Ben Watson and Daniel Graham.

...

Against such personnel, an opponent typically responds with its base defense (4-3 or 3-4) and four defensive backs. With Watson split out wide on one side of the formation and Graham tight on the other, the Patriots can let Brady decide whether to run or pass. If he sees an undersized safety on Watson, he’ll immediately exploit that matchup based on the size differential. If he sees a linebacker, even better -- Watson can run right by him.

linkI am especially curious if the Pats are running a 2TE set. I have heard all aobut how Dallas is converting to a 2 TE set and how that will help Witten - wouldn't the same be true w/ Watson? Has NE been running this formation so far?

I read somewhere that they were. It may have been in one of the daily updates.

 

[CalBear]

I agree that those numbers are a major reach for Watson. The most passes any TE has caught in New England under Belichick is 38 (Graham, 2003, 409 yards and 4 TDs). Watson would have to nearly double his reception total from 2005 to reach the projected level.

This is just like the situation with Dallas Clark going into 2005; people saw Pollard leaving and gave all of Pollard's receptions to Clark, ignoring the fact that no TE under Manning had ever had 50 receptions. Clark wound up with an increase of only 12 receptions and 60 yards after Pollard left.

40 receptions, 500 yards is the most I would want to project for any Patriot TE.

 

[TheBradyBunch]

I agree that those numbers are a major reach for Watson. The most passes any TE has caught in New England under Belichick is 38 (Graham, 2003, 409 yards and 4 TDs). Watson would have to nearly double his reception total from 2005 to reach the projected level.

The difference of course being that Ben Watson is NOT Daniel Graham or Christian Fauria!

 

[CalBear]

I agree that those numbers are a major reach for Watson. The most passes any TE has caught in New England under Belichick is 38 (Graham, 2003, 409 yards and 4 TDs). Watson would have to nearly double his reception total from 2005 to reach the projected level.

The difference of course being that Ben Watson is NOT Daniel Graham or Christian Fauria!

Ben Watson was not Daniel Graham or Christian Fauria in 2005, either, and he got 29 receptions.

 

[TheBradyBunch]

I agree that those numbers are a major reach for Watson. The most passes any TE has caught in New England under Belichick is 38 (Graham, 2003, 409 yards and 4 TDs). Watson would have to nearly double his reception total from 2005 to reach the projected level.

The difference of course being that Ben Watson is NOT Daniel Graham or Christian Fauria!

Ben Watson was not Daniel Graham or Christian Fauria in 2005, either, and he got 29 receptions.

As essentially a rookie on a team that had Givens and Branch. I agree with you, he certainly has his work cut out for him to get a decent amount of catches with Brady spreading the wealth, but the simple fact is, Belichick has never had a TE with anywhere near the talent of Watson. Bill seems way too smart not to use him.

 

[moleculo]

I agree that those numbers are a major reach for Watson. The most passes any TE has caught in New England under Belichick is 38 (Graham, 2003, 409 yards and 4 TDs). Watson would have to nearly double his reception total from 2005 to reach the projected level.

The difference of course being that Ben Watson is NOT Daniel Graham or Christian Fauria!

Ben Watson was not Daniel Graham or Christian Fauria in 2005, either, and he got 29 receptions.

As essentially a rookie on a team that had Givens and Branch. I agree with you, he certainly has his work cut out for him to get a decent amount of catches with Brady spreading the wealth, but the simple fact is, Belichick has never had a TE with anywhere near the talent of Watson. Bill seems way too smart not to use him.

How appropriate is it to look at Belichick's history here? He is a defensive coach afterall - how much input does he have on the offensive side of the ball?One thing about Belichick, however, is that he is innovative, and he crafts what he does to the personel at hand. Right now, it appears that the TE position may be a significant strength of the passing game, especially with Branch holding out. It would be wise to utilize the 2TE set. That being said, it is never a good idea to anticipate a significant change in strategy...

 

[LHUCKS]

I think Ben's a bit overrated by FBG projections' standards. Quite a few guys ranked below him that I'd rather have on my team.

 

[gocats]

I think Ben's a bit overrated by FBG projections' standards. Quite a few guys ranked below him that I'd rather have on my team.

Troupe will easily have a better season

 

[moleculo]

any input from Pats homers?

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Pats Homer Input:

If his name isn't Brady, don't draft him....

 

[John Mamula]

I think Ben's a bit overrated by FBG projections' standards. Quite a few guys ranked below him that I'd rather have on my team.

 

[diesel7982]

I think Ben's a bit overrated by FBG projections' standards. Quite a few guys ranked below him that I'd rather have on my team.

Troupe will easily have a better season

This is going to look very very silly in January.

 

[Bri]

the troupe vs watson comparison could easily be a graham vs kinney comparison

 

[Sopranos]

I just traded Watson for Gonzo and E Johnson. So he has value in a dynasty

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Watson has gone from being underrated and undervalued early this offseason to probably being overvalued at this point. He's a nice guy to get late if you can, but I think people will regret passing on proven talent for him if they take him too early.

I expect the Patriots to run the ball much more often and more effectively this year than they did last year. Faulk will still get receptions in the passing game, Branch will return at some point soon, and guys like Caldwell/Brown/Jackson will all contribute in the passing game. Graham is pretty much an extra offensive tackle at this point, but the team drafted 2 talented young TEs/H-backs that will get some targets as well.

 

[salmonstud]

Watson is just coming into his own. He will be at worst the #2 receiving option for the Pats until Chad Jackson gets some seasoning. If Branch continues his holdout......Watson will have some monster games early. Bill B. is aware of the rules that have changed the value of the TE & the mismatches that can be created with a TE with Watson's speed, size, & athleticism. I'm trading for Watson in every dyansty/keeper league that I can right now. He won't put up Gates like numbers....but he will be the Gates of 2006. He will be a top 3-4 pick in 2007....& people will look back and wish they would have grabbed him late in their drafts.

 

[taz]

Watson is just coming into his own. He will be at worst the #2 receiving option for the Pats until Chad Jackson gets some seasoning. If Branch continues his holdout......Watson will have some monster games early. Bill B. is aware of the rules that have changed the value of the TE & the mismatches that can be created with a TE with Watson's speed, size, & athleticism. I'm trading for Watson in every dyansty/keeper league that I can right now. He won't put up Gates like numbers....but he will be the Gates of 2006. He will be a top 3-4 pick in 2007....& people will look back and wish they would have grabbed him late in their drafts.

 

[Brewdude]

Watching the NE/WAS game. Watson is THE target for Brady.

Can the NE homers provide input on whether this has been consistent all preseason?

As of 2:00 left in the 1st half, the NE passing game is:

Watson - 7/86, TD

TBrown - 4/64

Dillon - 1/39

Faulk - 2/4

Watson's missed a couple as well. He's simply a monster out there tonight.

Man, I'm happy I got him at 12.02 as my 2nd TE last night!

 

[gbill2004]

Once Branch returns the looks/numbers will decline for Watson.

 

[Brewdude]

Once Branch returns the looks/numbers will decline for Watson.

I'm sure they will, but Watson is looking like he's as big of a part of the offense for NE as Gates is for SD.That's not a comparison I make lightly, hence my posting here to find out what the real deal is.

 

[Crusaderfan]

So much for his sleeper status and I have 2 drafts tomorrow.

 

[Boston]

Once Branch returns the looks/numbers will decline for Watson.

Why? If anything life will be even easier for Watson because the D will have to account for Branch. Watson is going to be the main cog in this passing offense this year and he's going to have a very big year (by Patriot standards). He's a matchup nightmare for defenses and with an accurate passer like Brady the sky's the limit.

 

[Mmen of Steel]

Once Branch returns the looks/numbers will decline for Watson.

Is Branch coming back, or will he seek the trade?Is Brown a viable #1WR

 

[Hellfire Snail]

Watson started off like a beast last year too, with TONS of targets, and then his production waned a bit as the season went on. This year I think he maintains his pace and finishes top three. He has become Brady's crutch, the most reliable and familiar target he has (outside of Brown, who is approaching his 53rd birthday), and always seems to get open. I took him as my TE1, the 9th TE off the board, and was met with puzzlement. Most people are still not wise to his situation and progression. If your opponents are wise, draft accordingly.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

Watson started off like a beast last year too, with TONS of targets, and then his production waned a bit as the season went on.

Actually, almost the opposite is true.The first seven games, he had a total of seven catches (134 yards) and 1 TD. From that point he had at least two catches in every game, capped by the big showing in the playoffs against Jax before being shut out in the loss at Denver (but Pats fans won't forget him chasing down Champ Bailey from the other side of the field on the INT return).

 

[Hellfire Snail]

Watson started off like a beast last year too, with TONS of targets, and then his production waned a bit as the season went on.

Actually, almost the opposite is true.The first seven games, he had a total of seven catches (134 yards) and 1 TD. From that point he had at least two catches in every game, capped by the big showing in the playoffs against Jax before being shut out in the loss at Denver (but Pats fans won't forget him chasing down Champ Bailey from the other side of the field on the INT return).

You are correct, sir. I remember the Raiders game from last year where he was getting a lot of looks and I thought it carried over into the first three weeks or so, but yes, he was definitely getting a lot more looks down the stretch.

 

[Buckeyedawgs]

Branch OR no Branch Watson will be HUGE this year!

And he is no sleeper in any league I have seen this year.

I've had him projected a top 5 TE from day 1.

And to top the iceing on the cake it wouldn;t surprise me to see him supplement Gates as the leagues top TE.

This is a reason I won 6 leagues last year. I pick certain guys out I think will be huge and move them up from any cheet sheets. Watson was one of them!

 

[Finatic]

Branch OR no Branch Watson will be HUGE this year! And he is no sleeper in any league I have seen this year. I've had him projected a top 5 TE from day 1. And to top the iceing on the cake it wouldn;t surprise me to see him supplement Gates as the leagues top TE. This is a reason I won 6 leagues last year. I pick certain guys out I think will be huge and move them up from any cheet sheets. Watson was one of them!

 

[GoBills02]

How's this for a problem....

I drafted Jeremy Shockey in the rth round of my draft. Basic 12 team league. Had I known Watson was going to go UNDRAFTED, I wouldn't have taken Shockey. I tried dropping my kicker for the time being to pick him up, but a few guys in my league went bezerk and said I had to have a kicker. We only have 16 roster spots, and I'm loaded at RB, Fred Taylor is my 5th RB. I'm weak at RB.

I love Watson, couldn't believe he went undrafted. I had him as my 7th TE, butthe value for Shockey was too high.

I need to find a way to get him on my team.....