Frank Black
Footballguy
Who will be the #2 WR in New England this year? What say you?
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Who will be the #2 WR in New England this year? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Frank Black
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Frank Black
Footballguy
Results are pretty close so far.
Cool in the pocket
Footballguy
From a fantasy standpoint, it doesn't matter that much since Brady/BB like to spread it around so much. Even Branch isn't a true fantasy WR1 IMHO, so the #2 in NE has value, but so do the 3 TE's they like to float out there. You just never know who will get the goods in NE from week to week, except Brady.
Boston
Footballguy
Tough to make this decision w/o seeing Chad in actual game situations. On paper he's a great fit to line up opposite Branch. I also think they'd love to see him take over that role but when it comes to rookie WRs you just never know. You really never want go into the year with huge expectations for a rookie wideout. There's just too much room for error.
Troy Brown will not be their #2. He's nearing the end of a very solid career. He still has good hands and runs great routes and will be an effective weapon (especially on third downs) as they try to spread the ball out. Yet, he just doesn't have enough gas in the tank to be a #2. His best role is as a #4.
As for Caldwell I have no idea what to expect from him. He has a fantastic opportunity to kickstart his career after a sluggish few years in San Diego. I could see him being anything from a quality #2 to a dissapointing #4. There's no doubt that the Pats will do everything possible to make him successful. So the question is does he become the next David Patten or Donald Hayes. Like Chad you need to see him in pads to really get a feel for what he brings to the table.
If I had to pick I'd go with Jackson by the end of the year but by no means would I recommend him fantasywise. Remember, even in his best years David Givens was a far better real WR than fantasy WR.
All that being said the #2 receiving option for the Pats will be Watson.
Troy Brown will not be their #2. He's nearing the end of a very solid career. He still has good hands and runs great routes and will be an effective weapon (especially on third downs) as they try to spread the ball out. Yet, he just doesn't have enough gas in the tank to be a #2. His best role is as a #4.
As for Caldwell I have no idea what to expect from him. He has a fantastic opportunity to kickstart his career after a sluggish few years in San Diego. I could see him being anything from a quality #2 to a dissapointing #4. There's no doubt that the Pats will do everything possible to make him successful. So the question is does he become the next David Patten or Donald Hayes. Like Chad you need to see him in pads to really get a feel for what he brings to the table.
If I had to pick I'd go with Jackson by the end of the year but by no means would I recommend him fantasywise. Remember, even in his best years David Givens was a far better real WR than fantasy WR.
All that being said the #2 receiving option for the Pats will be Watson.
from those.OK, I vote Jackson. I think they want to get his deep threat skill on the field to open up running and passing lanes.
David Yudkin
Footballguy
David Patten after he gets cut by the Skins.
Boston
Footballguy
Do you think that's going to happen? I've heard it nationally but not locally. I'd love to see him back in Foxboro. He's a good fit for what they do. The Pats have a lot of cap space and I'd be surprised if they don't add a few more veterans (as well as extending a few contracts). The Pats always spend to the cap so something has to give.
David Yudkin
Footballguy
I did see see a blurb on tv a few weeks ago and someone asked Coach B this exact question. He of course said he couldn't comment specifically about players under contract on other teams, but certainly hard working players that already know the Pats' system are always welcome to return.
fruity pebbles
Footballguy
Ben Watson
Considering Caldwell couldn't beat out Parker last year, I'd say a majority of the passing offense will go through Watson and Branch. Maybe the #2 WR get 600-700 yards but I don't see any of the other WR's doing better than that unless there's an injury to Branch.a) Ben Watson is not a WR so that leaves him out of the running.
b) If you were talking real-life #2... it just can't be Troy Brown. Way to short and slow at this point in his career to line up wide.
That leaves Caldwell, Jackson and in all honesty... Bethel does have a SHOT.
Even if they do bring back Patten, I'm not so sure he would win that job.
IMO, the job is Jackson's to lose. Yeah, I know this guy should earn his way on the field. I'm not saying just give it to him... I'm saying he is the most talented out of this group. Granted he hasnt played an NFL down... Caldwell and Bethel haven't shown much at all in the opportunities they've had.
Word out of camp is that Jackson looks awesome. No surprise really as he proved at the combine that he practices great.
CAN'T WAIT to see this guy Week 1.
Could challenge Branch as the #1 in terms of fantasy points this season.
b) If you were talking real-life #2... it just can't be Troy Brown. Way to short and slow at this point in his career to line up wide.
That leaves Caldwell, Jackson and in all honesty... Bethel does have a SHOT.
Even if they do bring back Patten, I'm not so sure he would win that job.
IMO, the job is Jackson's to lose. Yeah, I know this guy should earn his way on the field. I'm not saying just give it to him... I'm saying he is the most talented out of this group. Granted he hasnt played an NFL down... Caldwell and Bethel haven't shown much at all in the opportunities they've had.
Word out of camp is that Jackson looks awesome. No surprise really as he proved at the combine that he practices great.
CAN'T WAIT to see this guy Week 1.
Could challenge Branch as the #1 in terms of fantasy points this season.
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Pick
Footballguy
May I offer a conspiracy theorists' take? The Pats probably don't want to to pony up for Branch's big contract, so they'll design plays (read: he blocks more) to limit his numbers. Chad Jackson is the big burner Brady never had. Jackson becomes #1 by the end of this year, Branch #2.
Well, I've had season tix for 12 years, so I may know a little about the organization. Aside from my ludicrous comments about conspiracy, I do feel that Jackson will supplant Branch as the #1 WR by the end of the year based upon his talent. As long as the OL holds up, the Pats offense will be downright scary.
Boston
Footballguy
I would absolutely love to see Jackson step up and be a #1. That would be a great best case scenario for the Pats. While I'm a big Branch fan he'll never be a big time #1 due to size limitations. Unfortunately he can be physically manhandled at times and really isn't built to handle double teams. Put him as a #2 and he'd be virtually unstoppable. There's probably not a #2 CB in the league that can really handle him in a one on one situation. As for the O line I'm very optimistic about them. The upside of all the injuries last year is Mankins and Kaczur (and Gorin and Hochstein) played a ton in difficult situations which expedited their development. Add in a healthy Light and Koppen as well as the return of Neal and this unit has the chance to be very good. The draft looks like it may have added some depth as well. Right now everyone except Koppen and Hochstein is signed to multi-year deals so this is also a unit that should grow together which is always a big plus on the O line.
