Welker, Moss question marks open a need at WR. Matt Bowen
Is it time for the Patriots to give some serious consideration to drafting a wide receiver in the first or — at worst — second round of the NFL draft? Time to give QB Tom Brady some young weapons?
Yesterday, New England signed longtime NFL veteran WR David Patten, but this seems nothing more than a charity move, almost a signing given to a veteran in hopes that he still has something left in the tank. The idea is that Patten — a former Patriot — can fit into the offensive system yet again in New England.
But, how many cornerbacks in the league can Patten win against at this stage in his career?
Today in the Boston Herald, Karen Guregian — citing sources — writes that WR Wes Welker is “doing very well” is his recovery from ACL surgery is his left knee, but a return to action in Week One might be unrealistic at this point — as are expectations for a skill player at this level to come back and put up the same numbers we are accustomed to seeing after ACL surgery.
Recovery takes time, and counting on early production from Welker in September and October is sketchy.
I still love Randy Moss’ game, and I am still of the opinion that he is without a doubt the No. 1 deep-ball threat in the NFL at this stage of his career. But we have all heard his comments and his desire to get “paid” in the final year of his contract.
Time to look at a rookie who can play in the NFL starting in September?
I think so, and the key to any successful QB in the NFL is giving him the tools to work with. Maybe it is time to reload in New England around Brady and draft a player who can align opposite Moss as the “X” receiver, or maybe take his spot once he leaves after 2010.
NFP scout Wes Bunting has the Pats drafting Cal RB Jahvid Best in the first round at No. 22 in his latest Mock Draft — a pick that makes sense — but what about a WR?
New England won’t get Okie State WR Dez Bryant unless it moves up on draft day, but with names like LSU’s Brandon LaFell and Illinois’ Arrelious Benn, the Pats could get first-round quality at the wide receiver position.
Or, maybe they look later in the draft, at players such as Kansas’ Desmond Briscoe or Notre Dame’s Golden Tate. Plus, we can’t forget about Syracuse’s Mike Williams — who has first-round talent but will fall into the later rounds because of the red flags attached to his name. This is a guy who has the size/speed combo to win against NFL defensive backs.
With Moss already having a foot out the door, Welker in knee rehab and Julian Edelman as the only sure thing right now, it is time for the Patriots to look at wide receivers in Indy at the combine.
Brady needs the weapons.
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What about trading randy moss and bring somebody like brandon marshall.......
I don’t see why Tate isn’t an option at 22, he often appeared to be on another level compared to most players on the field and I think he's an option at 22. He's been extremely productive (157-2707-26 in his career) and versatile and can provide value on the outside, in the slot and as a potential PR/RB (wildcat and came to ND as an RB), but I think he projects as a #1 receiver at the next level and could be the possible successor to Moss (contract expires after the 2010 season). At ND, teams knew he was getting the football (especially with Michael Floyd out for 5 games or so) and still couldn't stop him. He's as tough as nails, runs great routes, has great hands and just makes big play after big play after big play and wants the ball in his hands at crunch time. He also has excellent balls skill and the ability to pick up a ton of yards after the catch/contact. He played his 3 years in a Charlie Weis offense so I think his acclimation to BB's offense would be accelerated and he could be a difference maker in their offense from day 1.
Running a 40 in the 4.4 range with good times in the 3-cone/short-shuttle will raise his stock even higher as BB loves players with good short area quickness with speed in and out of breaks.
If Moss is on the market, Dan Snyder will give the Pats anything they want, and will give Moss all the money he needs.
Come to Washington, Randy...
Who said Moss wants out? he didn't say that. He justdoesnt expect to be back wqhen his contract runs out wich is a pretty good assumption seeing as how the patriots dont pay guys on the decline for what they did in the past nor do most other sucessful NFL teams for that matter. so basically trading him would be stupid. let him play out his contract draft Tate, sign Walter and focus on defensive players and the right side of o line and things will be fine
Matt,
In general your opinions are spot on concerning NFL issues, but I feel like you just rolled out of bed this morning and wrote this story without even looking at the Pat's roster. Julian Edelman showed that he can be a viable number 3 if not 2 reciever based on his playoff performance against Baltimore. More importantly, NE did draft a WR in the 2nd round last year named Brandon Tate, who some argued was a first round talent but had both injury and character concerns. The only game he played in was against the Bucs, so the Pats arguably have already drafted "a top WR" this year, plus he has the added experience of sitting through meetings for an entire year.
And they did try and get a top-flight receiver in 2006 by the name of Chad Jackson. We all saw how that worked out.
I actually think this is spot on. Outside of Edelman, this WR corps is shaky, and just because someone like C Jackson didn't work out, you still need to get better.
Brandon Tate? Please.....
i wasnt saying they should give up on drafting WR's cause of jackson, just that they tried with him and it failed. i am all about them getting mardy gilyard in the 2nd round if they can. he flills holes at WR and KR/PR.
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Feb 25, 2010
11:54 AM
If Moss wants out, why not trade him for draft picks and get two big time prospects in April?