When will the Patriots realize that they need to draft a WR?

[ThomasTomasz]

Tell that to some of the hilarious responses in the "who would you start a franchise with" thread.



P.S. Rob Gronkowski says "this thread = :lol:"

Which is why I said Jake Long and Patrick Willis to start that thread. Willis is one of the only guys who could contain Gronkowski right now, and from what I saw today, I don't think you are ever going to shut him out of a game.

The Patriots do need to improve their offensive line- they had the best a few years ago. You are actually going to find teams will begin copying the Patriots in their use of two tight-end sets and having two talented guys on the roster in that position.

They definitely should look into drafting a receiver high and grow them, but the Pats have plenty of weapons. The issue today was playing against one of the best pass-rushes in the league and Brady looked like a mortal at times.

 

[ram29jackson]

the Patriots defense is the problem and that will be their downfall in the playoffs

 

[Chrispy]

the Patriots defense is the problem and that will be their downfall in the playoffs

Thanks for that incredible piece of information!!

 

[ram29jackson]

Thanks for that incredible piece of information!!

you're welcome, glad I could help

 

[Tailback U]

I think Gronkowski's injury ultimately cost the Patriots this game.

You look at their best receiving threats tonight, Hernandez and Welker, and they averaged a mere 8 yards a catch. Meanwhile, Hakeem Nicks hauled in 10 catches for 109 yards (10.9 ypc) and Manningham had 5 for 73 (14.6). They stretched the field, they made the tougher catches, they made the bigger plays when they needed to and that is what won the Giants the Super Bowl.

The Patriots defense was not the problem. The offensive line was not the problem. Tom Brady was not the problem. The problem was that Brady could not move the ball downfield and the Patriots could not make any big plays.

I stand by my statement, the Patriots need a big play WR. A healthy Gronk would have helped immensely, but you need at least 1 WR that can stretch the field or make some tough physical catches in today's game.

 

[DDRGuido]

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez are the Two Top 10 TEs...Gronkowski just put up the greatest season for a TE in the history of the game and is probably the best All-Around TE in the game right now...Hernandez is another Top 10 TE, would be rated higher if he wasn't on the same team as Gronkowski.

Wes Welker is a Top 5 WR in football and a statistical monster.

I challenge anyone to find a team with a better trio of pass catchers.

Problem is, the Patriots depth at pass catcher ends right about there. They lack diversity at the position. No speed deep threat. No "other guys" to catch passes other than Deion Branch, who kinda sucks, even as a #4 pass catcher.

The Patriots always have countless picks, but trade'em or use'em on shit...they've never had luck drafting wide outs.

They could use a Devery Henderson type. That speedster that can stretch the field. Its not like they need another Randy Moss.

 

[jms493]

yes they have 3 short yard receivers....they could use a deep threat. What happened to that kid they had a year ago?

 

[RosettaStoned]

I challenge anyone to find a team with a better trio of pass catchers.

Maybe you missed it, but the Giants have a better receiving core.

 

[Len B]

They could use a Devery Henderson type. That speedster that can stretch the field. Its not like they need another Randy Moss.

They've tried this as well, just can't seem to find guys who know how to play at the NFL level. Taylor Price, Brandon Tate, Matt Slater and Chad Jackson were all guys who could stretch the field in terms of speed, but they sucked at everything else.

 

[1ke]

I challenge anyone to find a team with a better trio of pass catchers.

Giants - Cruz, Manningham, Nix
Cowboys - Austin, Bryant, Witten
Packers - Finley, Jennings, Nelson (maybe)
Saints - Colsten, Graham, Henderson, Meachem, Moore, Sproles
Falcons - Jones, Gonzo, White

Bromar is correct and that was an easy challenge. No big plays all night, and in the 2 SB losses no big plays either.

 

[FirstTimer]

New England trades up to get Michael Floyd.

Run off 5 straight Super Bowls

 

[Len B]

Sign Malcolm Floyd, draft Michael Floyd and have Pink Floyd play cover band at every Superbowl.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

I just think the Pats need to diversify options #4 through whatever. They have an elite 1-3 options in the passing game, but lack diversity after that. Teams running the wide open passing game like the Saints and the Packers have a wide array of options that go 6-7-8 deep.

Hell, the Giants have more options than the Patriots do in the passing game.

They need not to break the bank for these players, but they definitely need to go out and invest a few bucks to get a couple of good 4-5-6 options for Brady.

They also need to go and build up that D, holy fuck it needs help with high picks in the worst way.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Giants - Cruz, Manningham, Nix
Cowboys - Austin, Bryant, Witten
Packers - Finley, Jennings, Nelson (maybe)
Saints - Colsten, Graham, Henderson, Meachem, Moore, Sproles
Falcons - Jones, Gonzo, White

Bromar is correct and that was an easy challenge. No big plays all night, and in the 2 SB losses no big plays either.

LOL @ Cruz, Manningham, Nix...gtfo.

Double LOL @ the Cowboys.

Packers...maybe...Gronk is better than Finley, Welker better than Jennings, Hernandez and Nelson are about = at their respective positions.

Saints Top 3, like the Pack, not better than the Patriots.

Falcons...no beans, bruh...try again.

#1 TE, we'll say #8 TE, and Top 5 WR...no one has a better 1-3.

 

[Tailback U]

The Patriots gave up 10, 20, and 21 points in their 3 playoff games. In the SB, the D really only gave up 19 because of the safety.

BB is a defensive mastermind. He is able to pick up bums like Sterling Moore and has beens like Shaun Ellis and Gerard Warren and make the D formidable come playoff time. It happens every single time they make the post season. Their D stinks in the regular season and then they hold every offense they play in check in the playoffs because Belichick prepares them so well.

It's no secret they have huge holes on D, BB is one of the best coaches because he over achieves every single year. This team was not nearly as talented as they performed, Brady and Belichick have people fooled into thinking Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez can't be covered.

The Giants were the more complete and better team and that's why they won. Belichick wasn't out coached, Brady wasn't outplayed. The Pats need a little more talent, they need a big play threat. Whether that's at WR, HB, DB, or DL is really up to you. But the team lacked big play ability on both sides of the ball against every good defense they played this season (steelers, ravens, giants).

 

[Mogriffjr]

LOL @ Cruz, Manningham, Nix...gtfo.

Double LOL @ the Cowboys.

Packers...maybe...Gronk is better than Finley, Welker better than Jennings, Hernandez and Nelson are about = at their respective positions.

Saints Top 3, like the Pack, not better than the Patriots.

Falcons...no beans, bruh...try again.

#1 TE, we'll say #8 TE, and Top 5 WR...no one has a better 1-3.

but look at the big play ability of those WR corps...this Pats WR/TE core is a good one but they need someone to stretch the field...they scheme better than any offense out there just look on their talent...but you have the Giants core, all 3 can make a big play and can separate from the top CB's in the game...none of the WR's scare for you the Pats...their TE's beast up the middle but along the outside, Branch just doesn't do it and Welker is still a slot WR.

 

[Mogriffjr]

The Patriots gave up 10, 20, and 21 points in their 3 playoff games. In the SB, the D really only gave up 19 because of the safety.

BB is a defensive mastermind. He is able to pick up bums like Sterling Moore and has beens like Shaun Ellis and Gerard Warren and make the D formidable come playoff time. It happens every single time they make the post season. Their D stinks in the regular season and then they hold every offense they play in check in the playoffs because Belichick prepares them so well.

It's no secret they have huge holes on D, BB is one of the best coaches because he over achieves every single year. This team was not nearly as talented as they performed, Brady and Belichick have people fooled into thinking Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez can't be covered.

The Giants were the more complete and better team and that's why they won. Belichick wasn't out coached, Brady wasn't outplayed. The Pats need a little more talent, they need a big play threat. Whether that's at WR, HB, DB, or DL is really up to you. But the team lacked big play ability on both sides of the ball against every good defense they played this season (steelers, ravens, giants).

It's hard to say a Pats team that was one play from wining a SB needing that type of player, especially when some felt McCourty would make that next step into becoming a top level CB and he just didn't do it...despite the bums they pick up, they get coached into a scheme that on gameday works more often then not...defense get them a real beast in the back 4 and that would do wonders...and grab them someone that can legitimately stretch the field for Brady while his years are still great...

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

but look at the big play ability of those WR corps...this Pats WR/TE core is a good one but they need someone to stretch the field...they scheme better than any offense out there just look on their talent...but you have the Giants core, all 3 can make a big play and can separate from the top CB's in the game...none of the WR's scare for you the Pats...their TE's beast up the middle but along the outside, Branch just doesn't do it and Welker is still a slot WR.

That's fine...but a player to stretch the field is the compliment, not the primary player.

Go get a Devery Henderson type and it automatically fills the need you're looking for as the player to stretch the field. Or go get a bigger wide out to play the boundaries.

Funny enough, the Patriots cut their speed wide receiver on Friday...he wasn't good, but he was the fastest guy they had at the skill spots.

The Patriots should be looking for pieces, not trying to reinvent the wheel.

 

[Tailback U]

That's fine...but a player to stretch the field is the compliment, not the primary player.

Go get a Devery Henderson type and it automatically fills the need you're looking for as the player to stretch the field. Or go get a bigger wide out to play the boundaries.

Funny enough, the Patriots cut their speed wide receiver on Friday...he wasn't good, but he was the fastest guy they had at the skill spots.

The Patriots should be looking for pieces, not trying to reinvent the wheel.

You cant just throw a track star bum out there and expect the D to respect him when he doesn't make any plays.

It probably won't happen because he will want way more money than he deserves, but I'd love to see Desean Jackson in a Pats uni next season.

The problem with Moss was that the Pats revolved the O around him. You can't build an offense around a player like that, you just have to use him effectively at the right times.