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Offensive participation

Email|Link|Comments (3) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff December 31, 2008 05:00 AM

A look at the snaps played by offensive skill-position players in the Patriots' season finale (full-year totals to be posted later today):

TE Benjamin Watson -- 56 of 58 snaps

TE/FB Russ Hochstein -- 46 of 58

WR Randy Moss -- 40 of 58

RB Sammy Morris -- 29 of 58

FB Heath Evans -- 28 of 58

TE David Thomas -- 26 of 58

RB LaMont Jordan -- 23 of 58

WR Jabar Gaffney -- 16 of 58

WR Wes Welker -- 15 of 58

RB Kevin Faulk -- 6 of 58

WR Sam Aiken -- 3 of 58

TE Mike Vrabel -- 2 of 58

(snaps include false start penalty on Nick Kaczur and a third-down punt by QB Matt Cassel)

ANALYSIS: Because of the ferocious wind, this was a game in which the Patriots played mostly with power run-based packages. That explains the season low snaps for WRs Wes Welker (15) and Jabar Gaffney (16), as the offense hardly used its spread attack and was instead in one-receiver groupings. ... Not including the season opener, when he was serving a suspension, RB Kevin Faulk registered a season low in snaps (6). ... The 46 snaps were easily a season high for TE/FB Russ Hochstein, as were the 28 snaps for FB Heath Evans as this was a "two-back" type of game. ... TE Benjamin Watson took a two-play breather in the second quarter, but played every other snap. ... The 58 team snaps tied a season low, joining the season opener against the Chiefs.

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3 comments so far...

Russ Hochstein has become a "must sign" this off-season because of the uncertainty at the TE position. I think with the development of Yates and Connolly, they should consider giving him an eligible jersey number and make him a fulltime TE/FB, like the Eagles have done with Klecko. Other than him, I have "zero" confidence at Tight End. Thomas became a "red flag" when he was a healthy scratch for a key game late in the season and Watson has been a "red flag" period. I don't see much in free agency either (Leonard Pope?). If they can't sign Hochstein, I think they should look to take a TE with one of their 2nd round picks. Am I off base thinking this way?

Posted by BurkieInBoston December 31, 08 10:20 AM

Burkie,

Ben Watson has become much better when it comes to blocking in the run game. His pass catching skills are another story. I really hope he can develop some skills because i remember D.J. Wiliams, who is a Linebacker for the Broncos, tried to tackle him one on one 2 years back and separated his shoulder because Ben hit him so hard when he lowered his shoulder. That's what kind of freak of nature Ben can be.

Posted by craig December 31, 08 11:24 AM

Will Tony Gonzales be on the market in the off season? I've heard rumors he's mightily unhappy at KC.

David

Posted by david December 31, 08 12:08 PM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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