Patriots WR: After The Bye (1 Viewer)

[Jagerbomber]

So far the Patriots have the most rush attempts (176, with a 3.9 yd avg). Obviously losing Givens and Branch changed their approach drastically (Brady had the most yards of any QB last year)

my question is (esp. for the Pats homers), will this pattern continue? Are the Pats able to come out of the bye week and find their passing game? Does Bellichick even want or need to change it up? Who will be Brady's top target among the WR (Troy Brown, Doug Gabriel, Chad Jackson, and Reche Cadwell) ? Does Ben Watson turn it around after a pretty average first 5 games?

 

[Borat]

my question is (esp. for the Pats homers), will this pattern continue?

Yes.

Are the Pats able to come out of the bye week and find their passing game?

Yes, they will be more balanced, but they'll be a run-first team all season.

Does Bellichick even want or need to change it up?

Yes, though he'd likely prefer a more balanced attack, no, he doesn't need to change it up.

Who will be Brady's top target among the WR (Troy Brown, Doug Gabriel, Chad Jackson, and Reche Cadwell) ?

No one in particular. Gabriel has improved with each game, Jackson will likely contribute more as the season rolls on, and Brown is the mainstay. But I'd be surprised if any of these guys even reaches 800 yards on the season. Gabriel has the best shot though.

Does Ben Watson turn it around after a pretty average first 5 games?

What you've seen is what you'll be getting from Watson all year. This will probably come across as being somewhat arrogant, but I don't think any Patriots fans are even remotely surprised by the fact that Brady hasn't locked onto Watson the way many people around here were predicting he would.

 

[Birdie048]

I tend to agree with Borat....especially with the expectation that Gabriel will be the primary target, but it will still be a Run First offense and Brady will spread the ball around.

 

[nerangers]

Agree with Borat as well...but the Pats need to get the Chemistry in the passing game going, or you are going to see teams start stacking eight in box to stop the run. It is nice to see the balance attack (+14 more runs than passes) but the passing game needs to be more effective. I think the injuries to Gabriel and Jackson definitely hurt Brady. Hindsight being 20/20, I wish they kept Givens...not sure how Gaffney is going to fit into the scheme of things. Just another WR that Brady has to try to develop with.

 

[Da Beers]

What you've seen is what you'll be getting from Watson all year. This will probably come across as being somewhat arrogant, but I don't think any Patriots fans are even remotely surprised by the fact that Brady hasn't locked onto Watson the way many people around here were predicting he would.

I'm not doubting this, but would appreciate some insight as to why you had this belief? Is it a reflection on Watson as a receiver or more that Brady is a master at spreading the ball around?

 

[Phlash]

What you've seen is what you'll be getting from Watson all year. This will probably come across as being somewhat arrogant, but I don't think any Patriots fans are even remotely surprised by the fact that Brady hasn't locked onto Watson the way many people around here were predicting he would.

I'm not doubting this, but would appreciate some insight as to why you had this belief? Is it a reflection on Watson as a receiver or more that Brady is a master at spreading the ball around?

Watson is a playmaker. However, a lot of passes that have gone his way were overthrown or misfired, but he has made several spectacular catches this season.

 

[Rushmore]

I'm not starting WAtson right now, but feel he's going to post much better stats during the second half of the season. If I were hurting at TE, I'd consider Watson a good buy low right now. Of course it could be a bias, as I've always been a big fan of his.