Holmgren continues makeover in Cleveland by adding a physical and athletic TE. Matt Bowen
The Browns acquisition of free agent TE Benjamin Watson is a perfect example of the effect Mike Holmgren is having already in Cleveland — and this team’s transition to the West Coast offense.
Sure, the QB situation is making headlines, and it started with the deal that brought Seneca Wallace to town. Derek Anderson was given his walking papers, and it looks like Brady Quinn will be the next to go.
Jake Delhomme? The former Carolina starter came in for a visit and there is a possibility that he could end up in Cleveland — maybe as the opening day starter.
But, in any West Coast system, the TE position is key to the offense. No matter who the Browns starter is in September, Cleveland needs an athletic TE who can win at the line of scrimmage and work the various route combinations in between the numbers — a player like Watson who can match up with any linebacker or strong safety in the NFL because of his size and speed.
We tend to overlook Watson because of the system he played in out in New England. He was in a system designed to push the ball down the field using a variety of personnel groupings and a variety of route combinations that will spread defenses across the field. He was a third option behind Wes Welker and Randy Moss.
In Cleveland, he will become a bigger part of the run game and will play more as a core TE instead of being used as an extra WR removed from the formation.
I like Watson’s game because he does have the physical size and athletic ability to beat defenders underneath and use his speed to get up field, and the West Coast system should allow him to become more of a conventional TE.
The NFP’s Michael Lombardi commented the other day that the trade for Seneca Wallace was a clear indicator that Holmgren was implementing his offense under head coach Eric Mangini. The Watson deal just reinforces his point.
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The WCO offense was originally the Ohio Valley Offense of Paul Brown,Sr. that was combined with young bright assistant Bill Walsh for a new approach to planning and playing.
I was wondering why the Green Bay Packers didn't sign him. J. Finley is a great, Young, stretch the field TE and Watson would have made a great 2 TE formation able to take on dffenders and sneak out for receptions. The two TE formation I believe was the key component that got the Packers their 1996 Super Bow with Jackson & Chewey. They made that offense awesome and this would have made GB unstoppable.
@gruszman
I think the Packers are doing well with Jermichael and Donald Lee. In fact, the whole team is coming together nicely. I wouldn't be surprised to see them dethrone the Vikings in the division this year.
What details can anyone here share with me regarding Watson's 2008 and 2009 injuries?
He missed quite a bit of time over the last 2 seasons and I haven't tracked his injury history closely. Anything serious in that mix that might have reduced his effectiveness?
THanks in advance.
Excellent point, as usual, Mr. Murder. Dr. Z used to point that out, too. Zimmerman claimed that Sid Gillman was the author of the true West Coast Offense.
Umm, MR. Murder?
Before the Ohio Valley, Brown was running that same offense with Otto Graham in CLE when they went to 10 straight Championship Games and won 7.
To be accurate, you should probably call it the Lake Erie Coast offense!
Dan
I think Watson had a shoulder injury or something like that. He got dinged up a lot in NE (ankle, hammy, shoulder) little stuff. Nothing that hurt his speed, and this guy can boogie.
He's a high caliber person, and he's a freak athlete. He competes hard and wants to win. Nothing wrong with him at all, except as BillC said, he doesn't seem to have the great instincts.
He's made some tremendous plays for NE, but dropped more than a couple of easy balls too.
Good luck with him. If he can develop some chemistry with a coach or QB, look out, but Brady lost confidence in him more than once...we'll see.
BillC
I agree 100%. Daniel Graham is the one that got away. Patriots should have paid the guy.
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Mar 12, 2010
01:18 PM
Ben Watson is a maddening player. He'll make tough catches and run 100 yds to catch Champ Bailey just before the end zone, but more often he'll miss blocks and easy passes with no one on him. Great athlete, but his 'football IQ' (or whatever we're calling it now) is lacking. If he catches more than 30 balls next year with a crappy QB, Holmgren should be ecstatic.
I think the Pats would've been better off keeping Daniel Graham for his blocking skills. Watson can be replaced more easily.