Patriots WR snapshot

Mike - I don't know if he's a replacement for Gaffney as much as he's just a viable receiver, especially in a very deep group. I have the impression that Greg Lewis is more of a Gaffney style receiver.

I sort of wondered if Galloway wasn't brought in to spell Moss some with Lewis being the primary 3rd receiver, too.

I'm not saying that you won't see Galloway and Moss on the field together, but there might be some of that in the game plans. I like the signing. It makes a lot of sense.

This is terrific Mike! Welcome back from vacation. Any chance we might see a supplemental draft primer and possible implications for the Pats in advance of the event tomorrow? Thanks.

I agree with Patrick. To me it seems like Lewis fills the Gaffney/Caldwell/Brown type third reciever role. Galloway is a hit or miss that could shake things up and be very exciting but Lewis will be the go to 3rd guy when the pats spread the field with three wide and need short possessions.

Great to have you back. I really like the use of tables to present information like this.

Your mention of the injured Brandon Tate raises two related issues.

If he is on the PUP list at the start of training camp, am I correct that he does not count against the 80 man roster limit? Assuming this is true and that Tyrone McKenzie is the only other person on the PUP, how many cuts must be made by the beginning of training camp, assuming all draft choices are signed?

Wow, that red-headed snowboarder/skateboarder kid is 11th on the WR depth chart? He's kinda scrawny, isn't he?

I don't see how Lewis or Galloway are anything like Gaffney. Gaffney was a slow possession receiver, who struggled (and became notorious for it in Houston) with the deep ball. Lewis and Galloway are both fast deep threats. It's as if Belichick has decided to go in a different direction when defining the 3rd receiver.

I can't wait to watch the Patriots when they go with a 4 reciever set.....Moss & Galloway at outside & Welker & Lewis in the slots & Faulk in the backfield.....please explain to me how you stop that!!??!!
I think this year is gonna be something really special (again),....I hope Brady can even come half way close to forming the kind of trust & relationship with the new guys as he currently shares with Moss & Welker....if that happens 09 will definatly surpass the 07 season!!!!!

In my opinion there are going to be a lot more then one peroson used to fill that third receiver spot but Galloway would get my nod a few more times than lewis in games. Brady likes to spread the ball around and use everyone, so anyone on any play could act as that third receiver. The main thing I like with galloway and lewis is I do not believe they will drop the key balls in critical moments as I have seen Gaffney do.

Having Brady, Moss and Welker should make Galloway's job a hell of a lot easier than last year

Hey Reiss, these little snapshots are nice and all, but you haven't really told us ANYTHING. You take the anticipated depth chart, jot down a couple questions on everyones' mind, throw some some random obscure stats at us and tell us everyone's contract status and that's it. Where's the insight? Don't you spend all day with these guys? Let's get something that we all don't already know.

Don't forget we have an army of TE's to add to the mix of pass catchers. We have so many ways to create mismatches. We will put a lot of opponents roster depths to the test this year. Moss, Galloway, and Lewis are all deep threat guys. Welker, Watson, Smith, Baker, Faulk and possably Edellman would be the undernieth guys.

Wow! This is one of the smartest set of comments I have seen in a long time. Agree with Patrick M 100%. I think Mark Z and others are a bit hard on Jabar. I agree with the statement that Jabar was definitely not a deep threat, but he was a really crisp and studious route runner and that's what the Pats asked of him. Jabar had some drops early on, one of which probably cost us a game at the Colts, but he also had some circus catches that won us games like at the Ravens. But I think Galloway is another deep threat in addition to Randy Moss and they BOTH have to be on the field in at least some packages, so that the defense has to deal with two guys downfield instead of just locking on Randy. But Lewis although a deep threat himself, does seem to be more of a potential to fill the Jabar role.

But barring injuries, what a great group this is, and we haven't even looked at the tight ends and Faulk coming out of the backfield in combination with some of this group. Can't wait! Tom must be salivating.

brady,s back must I say more with moss being the real jump man in the nfl they will be hard to beat

I totally agree with comments that Lewis is clearly a better version of Gaffney, even though I fully appreciated all the big plays he came up with as the third target. But I remember Lewis bailing McNabb and the Eagles out big time with big third down catches. I also agree that BB is changing his passing scheme by adding all this speed and the secret weapon could very will be Alex Smith, the very reliable pass catching TE from TB, who might very will be the guy who Brady will go to in the same way he did Gaffney. Lewis and Galloway along with Smith and Fred Taylor, makes this offense ridiculous to defend.

The Patriots didn't ask that much out of Gaffney. Joey Galloway will have no problem replacing those numbers and he is a better deep threat even at his age.

Settle down Jeff, its the middle of July and training camp hasn't even started yet. Most, if not all, of the players are away on vacation and there is very little "news" to report. These snapshots are simply a way for people to get an idea of what to look for when camp does open up in a couple weeks. Any analysis or projections at this point in time would be useless and pointless.

Will you guys give Mike Reiss a break. He's been very busy this week planning out his costume for the Harry Potter Premier

Jeff, what do you want, it's the middle of July. Last time I checked there's not much to report this time of year.

Realistically, WR depth isn't all that great aside from Moss, Welker, Lewis and Galloway. Tate will likely be on the PUP if not IR'd for the season. Aiken is primarily a special teams guy. Ortiz is probably just camp fodder. Among Edelman, Nunn, Barnes and White - one may turn out spectacularly in camp (right), but the odds favor one or (maybe) two making the Practice Squad at best.

That said, the Pats are STILL better off than last season, AND, including the TEs and RBs, there won't be an offensive play run in which there aren't five extremely viable pass-catching targets that opposing defenses will scramble to account for.

I see them using a spread offensive at times with no tight ends . . . two splits on each side of the field . . . Moss, Welker, Galloway and Lewis with Falk in the backfield. What NFL team has a defensive backfield to cover this? Especially if they are running it no huddle.

I agree with Jeff....I opened this page thinking possibly your were going to tell me something I didnt know...but seriously this little article is for the 3rd grade Pats fan who has no clue about the team....I could've written this article without looking anything up

The key here is the 'Readiness' of Brandon Tate. With a very thin group & not alot of rosters spots allotted for receivers this year. Tate's availability will be crucial!

This group is the best in football, hands down. The Fitzgerald/Boldin combo is only getting critical acclaim because of one game, plus Boldin wants out ,so that tandem is kaput anyways. But as we know, the Offense isn't the problem for this team...

Pats are all set. We're just looking for s#!t to worry about...it's what vwe do.

terrance nunn will stand out.

WHAT???

Hey, I got nothing but love for Jabar Gaffney. He was not only a Scrapper, but he was HUGE on 3rd down; a guy who got the job DONE.

But do my eyes deceive me?? Is Mike REALLY asking us if Joey Galloway can possibly fill Gaffney's shoes???

That's gotta be one'f the most insane questions I've ever read in my LIFE.

Gosh, I don't know...

Can a Wendy's burger possibly take the place of a MacDonalds burger, that world famous compilation of the seared flesh of assorted beasts??

Can Starbucks ever take the place of the weak, flaccid flavor of a Dunkin Donuts coffee??

Can Angelina Jolie ever make us forget the exquisite beauty of Rosie O'Donnell??

For the love of GOD, Mike: Joey Galloway was the Bucs' #1 WideOut for 3 years, running, before he got hurt last year. He's in better shape than any 37 year old in the LEAGUE, and he hauled in at least 1000 Yards each of those 3 years, on a YPC of about 16.8, because he is a Vertical FORCE who will complement Moss, Welker, and the rest BEAUTIFULLY. I doubt any AFC East DC has slept a WINK since we signed him.

So...um...YEAH.

I GUESS he'll do.

From MaineMan ~ #19 >

" Realistically, WR depth isn't all that great aside from Moss, Welker, Lewis and Galloway. "

WHAT???

Realistically, the Ocean's pretty dry...aside from the water.

Realistically, the German Government of the 30's wasn't all that bad...aside from the Nazis.

Realistically, the Arctic's pretty tropical...aside from the frozen tundra, the permafrost, the endless snow, and the ice bergs.

What a DONKEY.

I agree with everyone who says that Greg Lewis is a better version (faster and more experience as a number one receiver against the defense's best coverage).

I also think that Joey Galloway can do everything that Gaffney did, and one thing he never could (4.3s 40yd dash), which means that Galloway could indeed come in for Moss.

We have the best 4 receivers in football. I don't see the fifth receiver being an issue. I wouldn't be surprised if Tate gets stashed on a reserve list and Edelman is the 5th receiver / Wildcat quarterback. The 5th man on the field is probably going to be a tight end or a running back.

I know he hasn't posted it yet, but I think the real story is the fact that we have 5 starting/number-two quality tight ends, 3 of which are athletic pass-catchers. I'd love to see a formation with Moss/Galloway to stretch the field, 2 pass catching tight ends (Watson has almost-receiver speed and Smith is supposedly good, too), Baker as a blocking tight end, and a running back. I think it would give defenses fits (have to cover tight ends who can run in space, but still defend the run against 3 better-than-receiver blockers).

Heh! That was said with love, Brother Maine Man! :p

Not THAT kind of love!

Gasper said in the chat that he has doubts whether or not Galloway will even make the team. So I don't know that it's necessarily a given that he'll be what he once was.

Honestly, I don't think Gaffney is any great loss. Lewis SHOULD be able to be as productive or even more productive, and the TEs should add that possession element (although, the only hands on the team worse than Gaffney's were probably Watson's...). Even Aiken showed flashes here and there. Gaffney is easily replaceable. But my hope is that they really lock up that #3 spot with a playmaker, not just an average replacement for an average receiver.

@ Fanatical Yankee --

Dude! I'm talking about DEPTH here. And only in regard to WR specifically, not to pass-catchers generally. Lewis and Galloway are likely significant upgrades over Gaffney and Washington, which is why I said the Pats are STILL way better off than last season (and better off at WR than most other teams).

But what if one or more of this top four get injured and miss significant playing time? That's where the DEPTH thing comes in. Aiken doesn't appear to be anything close to the caliber of the top four. Assuming that Tate will have limited (if any) availability for '09, even for training, that leaves Ortiz and four unproven, late-round rookies. So, yeah, realistically at this point, WR DEPTH for the Pats is not exactly stupendous. Better than in the team's recent past and better than most other teams, but still . . .

No offense to Gasper or you, Mark, but y'all must've lost your MINDS, if you think there's any question about Galloway making the team, or that he's an "average" replacement.

There's only one reason for either thought to enter your head: You haven't done your homework.

All I know is I can't wait for Tate to get on the field...he will be a pleasant suprise. He was underused during the Bunting era at UNC. He will be a special player

Heh! Gotcha, Maine Man! I knew what you were saying! It just stuck the ole funny bone!

And I see where you're coming from, of course, and would agree, to SOME degree: There IS a pretty steep drop-off, behind Lewis. But you see, I EXPECT the 5 and the 6 ~ if we even HAVE one ~ to be fringe ~ Aiken ~ and developmental ~ Edelman. I'm sure we can agree that the relentless pressure of the Salary Cap dictates choices. So here's to the Death of the Salary Cap!

And don't forget about Coach Bill's deliberately Liquid Approach to the roster: Our 5th WideOut may VERY well currently occupy another roster, or be roaming the streets, as we speak.

More importantly, and to reiterate: I've got SERIOUS doubts about our even KEEPING a 6th WideOut. We have some hard choice to make, and if it comes down to TE Dave Thomas and Aiken, or KR Matt Slater or Aiken, I'm hoping those other guys show enough growth, next month, to bump him.

Our POTENTIAL depth at Tight End ~ I harbor a suspicion that Watson gets swapped for a 3rd Rounder, in the next 9 weeks ~ strongly suggests, not only that we may only keep 5 WideOuts ~ not including Slater or Aiken ~ but that we need not concern ourselves as much as we might've previously, should that prove to be the case.

In any case, I'm sure we can agree that every day that Reche Caldwell isn't on the roster is a GOOD one!

These fringe guys are expected to be special teams players, that's where they will be evaluated. We have no idea how Edelman compares to Washington but Washington was pretty good. Keep this in mind when thinking about the bottom of the roster.