TROY BROWN (1 Viewer)

[brady2moss]

Patriots free agent wide receiver Troy Brown is visiting with the New York Jets today.

The Patriots expressed to Brown during this offseason that he is not currently in their plans for next season and that he was free to solicit offers from other teams if he planned on returning for a 16th season.

It was initially thought that the 36-year-old Brown, the Patriots' all-time leader in receptions with 557, would not even consider teams that would be slated to play the Patriots this season.

However, visiting with the archrival Jets indicates Brown is willing to explore all options before deciding whether he wants to play again next season. Losing Brown to the Jets would be a tough blow for Patriots fans.

One of the most beloved players in franchise history, Brown has played his entire 15-year career in New England.

Only quarterback Steve Grogan (16 seasons) has had a longer Patriots career than Brown, who tied defensive lineman Julius Adams for the second-longest tenure with the franchise last season.

However, Brown didn't catch a pass last season and he played in just one game.

He missed all of training camp following offseason knee surgery and was on the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform list for the first 11 games of the season.

Brown was activated from PUP on Nov. 27, but his only action came as a punt returner in a 28-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 23. He returned six punts for 55 yards.

The team's all-time leader in punt returns (252) and punt return yardage (2,625), Brown uncharacteristically had a punt carom off his facemask for a fumble against Miami.

In 2006, Brown caught 43 passes for 384 yards and four touchdowns.

 

[twitch]

Clearly, the Jets are looking to upgrade overall team speed of their roster. But after letting McCareins go and potentially bringing in Brown, the 'hands' dept. of this team will be upgraded significantly if he's brought in. Noone is any more clutch than TB. This move might make slightly more sense than Jerry Rice going to Seattle at the end of his days.

 

[David Yudkin]

I understand the Pats fans feeling potentially slighted at the thought of TB moving on to a division rival (and one that is a sworn enemy of the gallactic alliance). However, how much does Brown have left in the tank (I would venture to guess not much) and how oftern would he have played with the Pats (I would suggest not much on offense and occasionally on special teams and as a nickel back). Long story short, other than his history with NE, he likely is not going to be a big contributor no matter where he signs.

 

[Sweet Love]

This could be a ploy by TB to motivate the Patroits (not Tatum Bell unfortunately) to get something done.

 

[David Yudkin]

This could be a ploy by TB to motivate the Patroits (not Tatum Bell unfortunately) to get something done.

I am pretty sure NE has seen the last or Troy Brown. They couldn't find a spot to use him last year, so I doubt he will have a spot this year and is another year older. Gret team guy and an asset for years, but in NE I think he would be a perpetual bench warmer.

 

[a_rackowski]

Tell me any player in the NFL who knows the Patriots offense AND defense better than Troy Brown. This is a move made to help the JETS figure out the evil empire.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Tell me any player in the NFL who knows the Patriots offense AND defense better than Troy Brown. This is a move made to help the JETS figure out the evil empire.

.....and to steal their soul (or what little soul they have left).

 

[David Yudkin]

Tell me any player in the NFL who knows the Patriots offense AND defense better than Troy Brown. This is a move made to help the JETS figure out the evil empire.

I'm pretty sure the Jets already know all about the Pats offensive and defensive schemes. How many ex-Pats have played for the Jets?

 

[twitch]

Tell me any player in the NFL who knows the Patriots offense AND defense better than Troy Brown. This is a move made to help the JETS figure out the evil empire.

I'm pretty sure the Jets already know all about the Pats offensive and defensive schemes. How many ex-Pats have played for the Jets?

Id have to agree. They dont need any more help figuring out what NE does. Noone knows NE better than the Jets. But if they add Brown, he will have been the 3rd player they've added with a ring(Faneca, Woody), in addition to guys like Franks and Richardson, who are pro's pros with a history of winning. Adding Brown wouldnt be so much about his potential production as about his leadership and attitude. And you just cant have enough guys on your team that know how to win.

 

[David Yudkin]

Tell me any player in the NFL who knows the Patriots offense AND defense better than Troy Brown. This is a move made to help the JETS figure out the evil empire.

I'm pretty sure the Jets already know all about the Pats offensive and defensive schemes. How many ex-Pats have played for the Jets?

Id have to agree. They dont need any more help figuring out what NE does. Noone knows NE better than the Jets. But if they add Brown, he will have been the 3rd player they've added with a ring(Faneca, Woody), in addition to guys like Franks and Richardson, who are pro's pros with a history of winning. Adding Brown wouldnt be so much about his potential production as about his leadership and attitude. And you just cant have enough guys on your team that know how to win.

Off the top of my head, the Jets currently have Matt Chatham and Artrell Hawkins, and previously had Ty Law and Hank Poteat. That's just the ones I remember. i agree with others that at this point Brown is probably better suited as a coach than a player.

 

[Bri]

Tell me any player in the NFL who knows the Patriots offense AND defense better than Troy Brown. This is a move made to help the JETS figure out the evil empire.

I'm pretty sure the Jets already know all about the Pats offensive and defensive schemes. How many ex-Pats have played for the Jets?

Id have to agree. They dont need any more help figuring out what NE does. Noone knows NE better than the Jets. But if they add Brown, he will have been the 3rd player they've added with a ring(Faneca, Woody), in addition to guys like Franks and Richardson, who are pro's pros with a history of winning. Adding Brown wouldnt be so much about his potential production as about his leadership and attitude. And you just cant have enough guys on your team that know how to win.

Off the top of my head, the Jets currently have Matt Chatham and Artrell Hawkins, and previously had Ty Law and Hank Poteat. That's just the ones I remember. i agree with others that at this point Brown is probably better suited as a coach than a player.

I soooo hope the Pats keep him around as a coach. If it's off to NYJ for a year then please bring him back. I imagine stopping playing is something that he needs to come to terms with first too.I would want every single young WR to try and be like him. He'd probably be perfect to teach the young ones ST and how to play a role as they're usually a "spot duty" WR.

 

[sheerterror]

Tell me any player in the NFL who knows the Patriots offense AND defense better than Troy Brown. This is a move made to help the JETS figure out the evil empire.

I'm pretty sure the Jets already know all about the Pats offensive and defensive schemes. How many ex-Pats have played for the Jets?

Id have to agree. They dont need any more help figuring out what NE does. Noone knows NE better than the Jets. But if they add Brown, he will have been the 3rd player they've added with a ring(Faneca, Woody), in addition to guys like Franks and Richardson, who are pro's pros with a history of winning. Adding Brown wouldnt be so much about his potential production as about his leadership and attitude. And you just cant have enough guys on your team that know how to win.

Couldn't have said it any better. That is exactly what this move would scream of.

 

[Jason Wood]

Would this even be newsworthy if Troy Brown didn't have such a long tenure as a sentimental favorite in New England? Honestly, the guy seems like a great teammate and his willingness to play DB that one season stands out, but he was marginally above average in his best year and has been a true afterthought for quite a few seasons since.

 

[Bri]

Would this even be newsworthy if Troy Brown didn't have such a long tenure as a sentimental favorite in New England? Honestly, the guy seems like a great teammate and his willingness to play DB that one season stands out, but he was marginally above average in his best year and has been a true afterthought for quite a few seasons since.

Marginally average?You're mistaken, he was all-pro in 2001 with 101 catches and roughly 1200 yards plus 14 yards per punt return and 2 TDs. He also played more than one season at DB but the lion's share was one year so I could 'see' that one.

 

[David Yudkin]

Would this even be newsworthy if Troy Brown didn't have such a long tenure as a sentimental favorite in New England? Honestly, the guy seems like a great teammate and his willingness to play DB that one season stands out, but he was marginally above average in his best year and has been a true afterthought for quite a few seasons since.

Marginally average?You're mistaken, he was all-pro in 2001 with 101 catches and roughly 1200 yards plus 14 yards per punt return and 2 TDs. He also played more than one season at DB but the lion's share was one year so I could 'see' that one.

It's possible that you both are right. IIRC, Brown was an All-Pro . . . as a kick returner. He had arguably only one great season (and fantasy wise it was only the 15th best of that season).The past 5 years he has had way more "real" football value than fantasy value, and his "intangiables" were probably worth more than his stats ever indicated.

 

[Bri]

Would this even be newsworthy if Troy Brown didn't have such a long tenure as a sentimental favorite in New England? Honestly, the guy seems like a great teammate and his willingness to play DB that one season stands out, but he was marginally above average in his best year and has been a true afterthought for quite a few seasons since.

Marginally average?You're mistaken, he was all-pro in 2001 with 101 catches and roughly 1200 yards plus 14 yards per punt return and 2 TDs. He also played more than one season at DB but the lion's share was one year so I could 'see' that one.

It's possible that you both are right. IIRC, Brown was an All-Pro . . . as a kick returner. He had arguably only one great season (and fantasy wise it was only the 15th best of that season).The past 5 years he has had way more "real" football value than fantasy value, and his "intangiables" were probably worth more than his stats ever indicated.

I don't think 101 catches is "marginally average his best year."Either way, it's really not worth getting into. I just figured Jason forgot that year. Aside from that year, his post 'fits" pretty well

 

[Jason Wood]

Would this even be newsworthy if Troy Brown didn't have such a long tenure as a sentimental favorite in New England? Honestly, the guy seems like a great teammate and his willingness to play DB that one season stands out, but he was marginally above average in his best year and has been a true afterthought for quite a few seasons since.

Marginally average?You're mistaken, he was all-pro in 2001 with 101 catches and roughly 1200 yards plus 14 yards per punt return and 2 TDs. He also played more than one season at DB but the lion's share was one year so I could 'see' that one.

1,199 yards and 5 TDs doesn't rate as elite by any stretch. So if you want to play semantics and say his best year was "solidly" above average instead of "marginally", I won't fight you.

 

[nerangers]

Troy will be a Patriot again...someday. I am sure he will sign a one day contract when the time comes to retire. I would like to see him as a WR coach...

 

[Bri]

Would this even be newsworthy if Troy Brown didn't have such a long tenure as a sentimental favorite in New England? Honestly, the guy seems like a great teammate and his willingness to play DB that one season stands out, but he was marginally above average in his best year and has been a true afterthought for quite a few seasons since.

Marginally average?You're mistaken, he was all-pro in 2001 with 101 catches and roughly 1200 yards plus 14 yards per punt return and 2 TDs. He also played more than one season at DB but the lion's share was one year so I could 'see' that one.

1,199 yards and 5 TDs doesn't rate as elite by any stretch. So if you want to play semantics and say his best year was "solidly" above average instead of "marginally", I won't fight you.

I just figure you forgot about the 101 catch year

 

[Boston]

Troy Brown is one of my all time favorite Patriots. He's the consummate team guy who got every ounce of production out of his ability. Cut about 75 times by the Tuna early in his career he went from being a special teamer to being a quality WR who was a much better "real" player than fantasy player. He was the type of guy you had to see play every game to truly understand his value.

That being said the cold truth is the Pats would be foolish to bring him back. There's not much left in the gas tank and it's time to move on. One of the reasons the Pats have been able to sustain their level of play since 2001 is they don't let emotions cloud their thinking. Just like Willie McGinest, when it's time to move on than you have to do it and in all honesty the Pats are probably a year late with Troy.

I would hate to see him in a Jets uniform. As a Patriots fan there's something dirty (and unneccessary at this point of his career) about that. The two franchises hate each other and going there as a backup just doesn't seem right. I'd rather he go to a San Diego, Indy or Dallas and finish out as a role player trying to win one more ring. Regardless, he'll always be a Patriot and efforts like his dominating special teams play against the Steelers in the AFC Championship game or the clutch plays in the final drive against the Rams or being the nickelback on a championship team will always rank up there with the best Patriot memories.

 

[Plaid Boxer]

Patriots free agent wide receiver Troy Brown is visiting with the New York Jets today.

The Patriots expressed to Brown during this offseason that he is not currently in their plans for next season and that he was free to solicit offers from other teams if he planned on returning for a 16th season.

It was initially thought that the 36-year-old Brown, the Patriots' all-time leader in receptions with 557, would not even consider teams that would be slated to play the Patriots this season.

However, visiting with the archrival Jets indicates Brown is willing to explore all options before deciding whether he wants to play again next season. Losing Brown to the Jets would be a tough blow for Patriots fans.

One of the most beloved players in franchise history, Brown has played his entire 15-year career in New England.

Only quarterback Steve Grogan (16 seasons) has had a longer Patriots career than Brown, who tied defensive lineman Julius Adams for the second-longest tenure with the franchise last season.

However, Brown didn't catch a pass last season and he played in just one game.

He missed all of training camp following offseason knee surgery and was on the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform list for the first 11 games of the season.

Brown was activated from PUP on Nov. 27, but his only action came as a punt returner in a 28-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 23. He returned six punts for 55 yards.

The team's all-time leader in punt returns (252) and punt return yardage (2,625), Brown uncharacteristically had a punt carom off his facemask for a fumble against Miami.

In 2006, Brown caught 43 passes for 384 yards and four touchdowns.

Let's give credit to Mike Reiss on this cut and paste, the guy is a stud when it comes to blogging the Pats.http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patr..._visit_jet.html