Greg Lewis analysis

Adding Lewis also cuts the risk of drafting a wide receiver in the first three rounds. If that wide receiver can't contribute immediately, Lewis should be able to. If that rookie wide receiver is able to contribute at a higher level than Lewis then Lewis can contribute as a fourth receiver and key special teams player. Also for those dreamers, it's a nice setup for perhaps making a run at TO. Lewis and Owens are good friends and if Owens doesn't work out and we cut him, Lewis can fill his role.

Greg Lewis for $650k or Jabbar Gaffney for $3.0 mill...hmmm, let me think, especially when we need to get some defensive backs and LB's.

Think of this. If Lewis works out as well as butterfingers Gaffney (I love Jabbar, but that drop at Indy last year was the worst since Troy Williamson or T.O. tried catching a pass) we have opened up right around $20.0 mill with the trade of Cassel/Vrabel and not signing Gaffney.

Never doubt BB.

I see getting Lewis as more of a replacement for Kelly Washington than a replacement for Gaffney but it is good to get depth at wr.

why could anyone want a cancer like TO?

Absolutely N.O. on T.O. there pal.

Works for me. As long as Moss and Welker stay healthy then Lewis won't have a huge role. And at around half a mil per season, it's a pretty good bargain too.

No TO. We need help on defense, not offense.

If Percy Harvin from Florida drops to the second round, should we make a play on him? I know that the ghost of Chad Jackson still lingers, but Harvin is a playmaker. If we are looking for someone who can line up anywhere on the field, as was the intention with Lewis, then Harvin has plenty of that experience in Florida.

What did the Pats give up for Lewis? Hopefully not a high draft pick. His speed and salary are positives. As for T.O., no how, no way should the Pats consider this team destroyer. He complains about everybody and everything. There would be fist fights on the side lines betwen him and Brady, the other receivers (especially Moss), and public complaints about how Belicheck runs the team. He's messed with every QB he's played with on 3 different teams and he'll continue to on his next team. Forget him!

This is a solid aquisition but my bigger concern is adding a player that could step in for Moss and stretch the field if Moss twists an ankle or something. Furthermore, I'm definitely not expecting that Moss has, but all receivers lose a few steps after 30. If this becomes the year that age starts to catch up with Moss and he loses a few steps, we're in awful shape for a number one receiver. A lot of homer Pats fans who don't know the first thing about football in reality will say that Belichick could 'scheme' around a lack of speed. Bull. Look at 2006 when Reche Caldwell was our number 1 receiver. You can't maximize your team's chance for victory with slow receivers.

why would the Eagles trade a WR? a 5th round? I don't get it.

what did they give up?

what did they give up?

Nice analysis Mike. I see no downside with this move, the Pats traded away a late 5th, which is probably 8-10 spots higher than the compensatory pick the Pats will receive for losing Gay last year. Lewis has good hands and great speed. He's a backup WR for the most part w/special teams skills. Good athlete who makes big plays, He can go over the middle, despite his size, and runs inside and outside. Good pickup for very short money, no downside to this move especially when you receive a conditional 2010 pick.

Are you kidding me? what a WASTE this guy sucks. Look at the numbers, and remember he played on a pass happy Eagles team 19 receptions all year are you BLEEPING kidding?

Rec Yds Avg Yds/G Lng TD 20+
19, 247, 13.0, 15.4, 52 , 1 , 2
Why would you sign a guy that can only get you 15.4 yds a game? This team needs D-E-F-E-N-S-E. They don't need some scrub from the Eagles who can barely get you 15 yds a game and about 1.15 catches a game what the hell are they doing down there?

vic, in 2006 we were one DEFENSIVE stop away from the superbowl without moss or welker...so much for offensive scheming not working

Ya i see Lewis as more of a kelley washington type of replacement player. I still think they should target a another cheap vet like Joey Galloway for the 3rd WR slot. Still a great pick up though for the price.

I don't want TO, but imagine him here, BB would put a gag order on him, Moss and AD would keep him in line (in other words miserable). But the best part would be that he'd be a #2 out side WR (Welker plays slot) and would be the #3 target for Brady........He'd hate that, but wouldn't be able to complain about it, I'd love to torture the guy like that.

But I think Lewis is a good value pick up and there's a lot of good players in the draft, we don't need TO he's too old and we need younger players. Besides Brady can make any WR look good. If Lewis is the #3 guy he'll catch more balls than TO this season..

im a die-hard eagles fan, and frankly, lewis just isnt that good. i guess hes ok b/c you can throw him on special teams, but he really just isnt a good wide receiver. And hes not that fast just to let you know. He'll be the guy that you feel bad for.

George, can't say that his numbers are outstanding but as a third option that's a pretty nice package. He'll definitely get his share of balls thrown at him.

Simply looking at the numbers and what we gave up it's a great deal. A vet, under $1 mil, and he's fast & tall. Also, just realize Gaffney had been cut but the Texans AND Eagles prior to joining the Pats in 2006. Of course, that year our receivers were so bad he practically walked into the #1 role.

Why not Marvin Harrison?

MN Pats Fan , There is one thing that I don't agree with you...the worst drop ever was Reche Caldwell (the real Butterfinger) against Indy in the AFC conf championship in 2006 as he was uncovered and free to run to the endzone...still hurt. Beside of that you are totally right.

Thank you Joe for your succinct rebuttal to Joe's specious reasoning. Lack of defensive stops at the end of games has cost the PATS several Super Bowls in the last few years. If they pick up 2 or 3 defensive studs in the 1st two rounds they'll be the favorites again.

Denehy1,
In 2005 Greg Lewis had 48 rec and 561 yards and in 2007 he had 3 td's and averaged 20.4 ypc. I don't know if he'll win the #3 WR job or not, but he certainly will be on the team that gives him the best chance to excel. Remember, after four disappointing seasons with the Texans, and after being released by the Steelers part way though the 2006 season after being unproductive, Gaffney came in and did fairly well (yeah, everybody remembers his infamous drop, but rarely does anyone remember the 2006 playoffs where he set an NFL record).
Give Lewis a chance.

I will never forgot the Gaffs last year. Remember he lost the Colts game.

He might hurt the team chemistry, as he has everywhere he's played, but the addition of T.O. would make the Pats defense look a lot better in a hurry.

TO -- if anyone can make him perform and be a good teammate it is BB. Plus the added incentive of a real chance of ring should turn on his mute button.

What are we doing defensively!! Its not the pats style yet, we should be courting ray lewis or williams from dallas, what about jason taylor?

T O wont happen Moss and T O on the same field T O is to selfish a person and you could lose Moss,Why test Moss with a ;loser

Hey Richie, Exactly... as you said that SCRUB Lewis did that below average 48 rec, 561 yd season IN FREAKIN 2005 that was FOUR YEARS AGO, HELLO, ANYBODY HOME McFLY? Greg Lewis SUCKS. The Patriots need DEFENSE not some JV scrub from the pathetic Eagles they need to make STOPS on 3rd and long not throw a pass Lewis' way every other game. WTF Caserio, what the hell are you doing?

I wouldn't want the cancer known as T.O. on the Pats. I don't think Lewis was acquired to take over the #3 WR spot. I think they will look at other free agents i.e. Joey Galloway. I think they should take a look at Bobby Engram or Armarni Toomer. If Tory Holt gets released by the Rams, and is reasonably priced, he would look great lined up next to Moss and Welker.

Good trade for the Patriots. Lewis' special team skills will ultimately be his main contribution. Anything else he does on offense will be an added bonus. I believe people look too much into stats when they evaluate an athlete. The numbers that an athlete puts or doesn't put does not really tell or give the true value/contributions that one can.

Lewis is terrible. He can't make it on the field in Philly and the Eagles have lousy receivers.

Lewis is perfect. he's the kind of speed threat they'll need to stretch the defense if they are playing over on Moss.

Denehy1,
You completely missed the point of my post.
By the way, since you know so much, how many Superbowl rings do you have? None? Yeah, that's what I thought. Bill Belichick knows what he is doing.

Reche "bug eyes" Caldwell's drop in the 2006 AFC championship is most definitely the worst drop EVER. I can see it as clear as day. Caldwell spread to the right with no defenders around. A real Colts gaffe. Tom sees it, quickly takes the snap, throws a strike, and the ball pukes out of caldwell's gut on the 15 or so yardline. Peyton should be sending him flowers every February.

I give Lewis a C- as far as a true offensive threat, especially with a 3 receiver set. The addition of Springs will be huge for the def. I think someone mentioned Harvin earlier, I think he would be a great first pick for the patriots and a huge threat in any scheme. Harvin catching screen passes with Moss on the wideout would be a deadly combo. I hope Harvin falls, or we trade up! Also I think BB and that Pats could handle T.O.

As an Eagles fan, I can tell you that Lewis is pretty mediocre but not a bad intangibles guy. The Eagles at this point, with Curtis, Jackson, Brown, Avant and Basket (who is actually a free agent) have good depth at receiver, if nothing else. Lewis is a good fourth receiver but the eagles have about three of those (and no number one) so he was expendable. Good trade for both teams in my opinion.

As an Eagles fan, I can tell you that Lewis is pretty mediocre but not a bad intangibles guy. The Eagles at this point, with Curtis, Jackson, Brown, Avant and Basket (who is actually a free agent) have good depth at receiver, if nothing else. Lewis is a good fourth receiver but the eagles have about three of those (and no number one) so he was expendable. Good trade for both teams in my opinion.

This is a solid WR acquisition and its almost certain that the patriots (along with probably every team in the league) will take a WR in this year's draft, considering its extensive depth of talented players even into later rounds:

Potential 1st round WR's: Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Hakeem Nicks, Percy Harvin

Potential 2nd round WR's: Darrius Heyward-Bey, Kenny Britt, Brian Robiskie, Louis Murphy

Potential 3rd round picks: Jaquin Iglesias, Pat White, Mike Wallace, Derrick Williams, Brandon Gibson, Kevin Olgetree

And there are more names later in the draft including Brandon Tate, Patrick Turner, Quan Cosby, Brian Hartline and Jaret Dillard. The Patriots will take a reciever somewhere in the late 2nd to 4th round.

It seems legitimate that Torre Holt is about to released in the next week by the Rams. Why is no one even discussing this as a possibility? I know he hasn't been cut yet and the Pats keep their news in-house. Nonetheless, does ANYONE in the league seem more perfect to line-up accross from Moss and outside of Welker while also contributing as a veteran influence on this team than Torre Holt?

Living in Phila and watching the Eagles, this guy was terrible. He dropped everything, was sullen to media and team mates, and generally was a failure. I think Phila would have just cut him later, so they are dancing in the street with getting the Patriots 5th round pick. I guess you can't second guess BB and maybe he sees something the Eagles did not get for several years, but on the surface this looks like a questionable move, although a relatively cheap one. Keep your fingers crossed on this one.

Look, I'm an Eagles fan so I should be able to give you an idea of what this guy brings to the table. I can understand why some Pats fans may think highly of Greg because the two biggest games of his career came against you guys, but the fact is Greg Lewis is a mediocre NFL receiver.
The people on here who say he has "great" speed and hands are kidding themselves...Greg isn't slow, but he's not going to consistently beat anybody deep either. He's a #4 WR at best and if he ends up seeing any serious playing time you guys are in trouble. In my mind getting a 5th rounder for G-Lew and a 7th is a steal.

had.

This guy stinks, another wasted pick-up. He is lucky to even play on special teams. They wasted a draft pick, this guy won't even make the roster.

I still have no clue what is going on in Foxboro, but I have only seen negatives this off season. Are they working to make the team worse!

I like Lewis, looking at his stats he reminds me of David Patten before he came to NE. I think he will be a nice third WR. I still see the PATS taking a WR in the second day of the draft.

I hate to see Gaffney go, but the cap room is nice to address bigger needs. Lewis is a veteran who can be reliable, and is nice to have on special teams, which is why I agree that he is more of a replacement for Kelly Washington. As for T.O. - forget it. It will never happen. T.O. does not want to be a #2, and in NE, Moss is #1, end of story. As for Percy Harvin...I dont think the pats should make a move on him, even if he is available. If the argument is that he can line up anywhere on the field, it is a definate NO. Wes Welker is arguably the best slot guy in the league. Bringing in someone who does the same exact thing is pointless, and would move Welker out of his slot role.

"This guy stinks, another wasted pick-up. He is lucky to even play on special teams. They wasted a draft pick, this guy won't even make the roster.

I still have no clue what is going on in Foxboro, but I have only seen negatives this off season. Are they working to make the team worse!" -ricomandog

Really? A 5th round pick was too rich for this guy? This is a guy with starting experience. Granted, it was on the Eagles...but still. The Eagles practically qualify as an NFL team, so that's practically starting NFL experience. How many 5th rounders do you expect to start for an entire season or more? 1 or 2 out of every draft class? That's less than 10%. I'd take the "risk" on a guy who is quasi-proven versus getting someone in the 5th round and expecting them to contribute.

this was an excellent move for us. for those of u talking about how much lewis sucks take a minute to actually assess this deal. we are getting lewis, who at the very worst is a capable special teams players and #4 receiver and at the best is a solid #3 option with great upside (speed) and a 7th round draft pick for a 5th rounder. there is little risk and decent reward taken on in this deal. good move for the pats.

not to mention his salary

THIS MESSAGE IS TO EVERYONE. Here's the way I see it, The patriots were rockin with a talented receiver like Dante Stallworth. Jabar Gaffney held his own and produced in that 16-0 regular season. But most of you are missing the BIG picture. TOM BRADY IS THE QB! Unless Greg Lewis drops every single pass thrown to him, ( which I seriously doubt will happen) Tom Brady is going to make this guy a star. Yes I said it. A star at the #3 spot. Brady will put it on the money every time. Oh and don't forget about "THE HOODIE". If coach B didn't KNOW that Greg Lewis could produce, he would'nt have made the deal. Just give it time people and you will see.

T.O would be a "cancer" in New England? The EXACT same things where said about Moss: funny how having the greatest football situation possible seems to tame people.

And as for people saying T.O would "corrupt" his new Quarterback like he got to the others... please. As amazing and legendary as T.O is, it's pretty simple that he is not, and never was, a bigger superstar then Brady. Theres not a thing T.O could do to ruin Brady's performance, and Bellicheck would have T.O cut in a heartbeat if it didn't work out.

stop talking about Torry Holt and Marvin Harrison. They aren't coming here. They still think they're elite players and should be making elite money. That money is not coming their way from N.E.

Greg Lewis is a good athlete who isdedicated to his craft. He's not a real big guy, but i think if he can get on the feild and get some balls thrown his way he can show off his speed and hands which will help out the team. Afterall hes gettin paid crumbs. He deserves more money if he comes in and contributes.