Wright returns to practice

Watson needs to go. Please tell me why I should feel otherwise??

He will stay because we can keep him for cheap. He has progressed quite a bit as a blocker and if when he is on the field is the he can both run and pass block and while his hands are not great, defenses still have to account for him because of his speed.

That is why Watson needs to stay. He might not be as good as we all hoped he would be as a 1st round draft pick but is still a solid player and has better all around skills than David Thomas.

I still think Ben Watson may not be a Patriot when the season starts. Alex Smith hasn't necessarily looked good but from where I sit he's still looked better than Watson (namely b/c I don't think Watson has played in either preseason game.) Either way, Watson is gone at the end of this season and will surely end up with one of the numerous former Patriot assistant coaches spread out around the league. With any luck Watson will soon get traded for a 3rd or 4th round pick since he's gone at the end of this season anyway. Gotta wonder if Maroney is also going down this road...

Am I the only one who quickly scanned the list looking for Shawn Crable's name? I am rooting for this kid in a big way but I can't help but feel he's running out of time.

There is no reason to feel otherwise Savz.

Savz: Watson plays hard every play. He does everything he is asked, and does it well and correct. His only fault is sometimes catching passes. I bet Randy Moss dropped more passes than Watson did last season.

@ Savz --

Okay, I'll play Devil's Advocate.

We have basically no info from the current pre-season on which to base any evaluation of Watson's current state of ability. All we have are his production numbers from the past few seasons.

His peak in catches and yards occurred in 06 when he was one of the Pats most reliable receivers. These stats were down in 07 and down even further in 08. On the surface, seems like a decline. However, in 07, Tom and Josh McDaniels had a couple shiny new toys to play with in the passing game - Moss and Welker, so maybe Ben simply didn't have as many opportunities (BTW, Watson's peak in TD receptions came in 07, so it's not like he was wasting the opportunities he DID get). What happened last season? A "new" QB who perhaps needed more protection and an emphasis on the RBBC game (as well as the emergence of David Thomas) may have limited Watson's opportunities even further. Granted, it seemed like he committed more drops than I recall from previous years, but that may just have been highlighted by the situation.

In any case, I'm really reluctant to condemn the guy this year until I've actually seen him play THIS year.

#2 - Benjamin

I agree with you about Watson. Clearly not 1st round pick caliber and a disappointment to waste a first round on him but he still contributes. He is fast , has developed into an ok blocker and is serviceable tight end -- He is not among the top 20 tight ends in league but probably among the top 32. It all goes back to that idiot agent who sat him out of his rookie season training camp. That moron agent ended up not only losing watson as a client but I really believe watson would have been a better tight end had he started camp with the team that year. But, I agree while a disappointment -- no way he should be traded or released

JJ.P. but

What is "a red non-contract jersey"? you can't hit them if they don't have a contract? Or was that supposed to be "non-contact"? Just checking...

OK BB, we have decided you can keep Watson. He is smart and strong and knows the system. Everyone drops a pass here and there. Most of the time the passes he has dropped are not in the best location. He has also hauled in many amazing catches. Bottom line, he is a great blocker in both pass and run situations. We need him.

#2 - Benjamin

I agree with you about Watson. Clearly not 1st round pick caliber and a disappointment to waste a first round on him but he still contributes. He is fast , has developed into an ok blocker and is serviceable tight end -- He is not among the top 20 tight ends in league but probably among the top 32. It all goes back to that idiot agent who sat him out of his rookie season training camp. That moron agent ended up not only losing watson as a client but I really believe watson would have been a better tight end had he started camp with the team that year. But, I agree while a disappointment -- no way he should be traded or released

JJ.P. but

I'm rooting for Crable, Watson, Wilhite, and Smith to make the team as starters. Sadly, two out of four of these guys like to spend time in the infirmary more than on the football field. Even 'I wont play if I have a cold' Maroney is out on the field.

Hmm, the only year Mike Wright stays healthy is in is free agency year in which he is playing for a new contract. I wonder if he will stay healthy this year.