Watson & TEs in focus
ESPN.com's Hashmarks blog looks at one key player from each NFL team who is coming back from injury. The player under the spotlight for the Patriots is TE Benjamin Watson.
Watson, the team's top tight end, enters his fifth NFL season in 2008 and is coming off left ankle surgery.
The Patriots, who would presumably like to open the season with three tight ends on the roster, did not address the position in the draft. And with veteran Kyle Brady having been released, the club appears to be a bit thin at the spot.
Watson and David Thomas (coming back from a broken foot) top the depth chart, followed by Stephen Spach and Marcus Pollard. Rookie free agents Jonathan Stupar and Tyson DeVree are longer shots.
Given the personnel at the position, it's a strong case that Watson is the Patriots' most crucial player coming back from an injury.
Jon Stupar will surprise people and make the team.
I put my money on either Stupar or Devree to take the 3rd spot. My theory is that Pollard is awful, and Spach, while somewhat desirable, can be added to the practice squad without much threat of other teams taking him.
Mike, what actually happened with Kyle Brady? There's a lot of reports going around stating he lest the team mid season without a word to the team then came back. What's the real deal?
I'll always love Benjamin Watson for his superman play against the Denver Broncos back in January of '06 for the AFC Championship title.
Champ Bailey snatched the ball away from Brady and headed 95 yards down the field. Just as he was about to cross the goal line, Benjamin Watson came out of nowhere, ramming into Bailey, sending him flying out of bounds and the ball flying out of his hands. We lost the game, but I'll never forget Watson's efforts on that play.
Los Angeles. Who cares? He's not part of the future and this organization doesn't dwell on the past. The key to the TE position is going to be Thomas.
Dear Marie, I'm sure we all remember the effort he made to stop Champ that day, lets hope Coach brings him back...In my opinion I think we'll need him both on & off the field this season.
I also loved the rundown of Champ Bailey.
I would have offered him a new contract then and there!
Every year has supposed to have been Watson's "breakout" year. He is an impressive athlete but simply drops too many passes. I'm looking forward to Thomas being on the field again.
I agree with J-Mac. That was a great play against Bailey -- just in terns of hussle and tenacity although it had no impact on the game -- but overall Watson has been a big disappointment and has not lived up to his 1st round selection. In my opinion it all goes back to his first year holdout -- what a foolish thing for a rookie to do -- unfortunately Watson had a lousy agent who he ended up firing as I recall Ever since that foolish holdout it seems that Watson just has been a step behind getting in sync..
Watson is Dan Graham 2.0. Tons of potential, tons of drops, tons of injuries. Don't bank on him this year.
Watson is another first round disappointment, did some stuff here and there but nothing major.
I like Watson but my major issue with him is that for his speed and all he doesn't create enough separation or make people miss. He also rarely catches the ball and run...always falls to the ground. I know he is a TE but I have seen other TEs position their self better for catches. Watson always seems to catch the ball and fall on the ground.
He could just be his size but oh well, still love him and we need him.
Gotta agree with Watson being a disappointment. Potential is there...but just always injured.
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