With all the positional battles going on, one that hasn’t received much attention has been tight end. There are two reasons for that 1. We’ve been star-struck by the performances by receivers Wes Welker and Randy Moss, and 2. The Patriots got so little out of the position for the past two years, we barely noticed.
That’s a serious slight to Ben Watson and David Thomas, but who are they to argue? Last year Watson contributed 22 receptions and two touchdowns. Thomas had just nine catches.
2007 wasn’t much better, as Watson (36-389-6) and Thomas (two games played, 1-9-0) combined to play small supporting roles in comparison to the headliners.
It’s unfortunate because they both showed a moment of great promise. Watson opened eyes when he broke three Jacksonville tackles before sprinting 63 yards for a score in a 2006 Wild Card game. There was also the display of unbelievable athleticism when in a 2005 Divisonal game Watson chased down Denver’s Champ Bailey to prevent a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown.
And many thought Thomas had a coming out party against Jacksonville in 2006 when he caught five passes for 83 yards, including a diving touchdown grab.
But the shining moments between the two have been few. That’s why two veterans were added to the roster to challenge the holdovers.
Free agent Chris Baker was signed from the New York Jets after N.Y. deemed Baker expendable after Dustin Keller impressed the coaching staff in his rookie year in 2008. And Alex Smith wasn’t wanted by Tampa Bay anymore after they traded with Cleveland for Kellen Winslow Jr. The Pats got Smith for an undisclosed draft pick.
Baker is considered a blocking TE, but he can be counted on when thrown two. His receptions increased from his rookie year through 2007 with a career high of 41. Smith, a younger prospect with more potential, steadily declined from a rookie year with 41 catches. They are two veterans with careers nearly traveling in opposite directions.
Competition is always good, but it’s necessary at TE. Production from the position was so poor I thought the Pats would use one of their picks on one. Instead they chose a different route to address the need.
Of all the camp battles, this one has the greatest chance of having the greatest amount of turnover. It helps that there are only five in camp (including Tyson Devree), but it’s possible Baker and Smith could replace Watson and Thomas. David spends too much time healing while Watson doesn’t get the job done well enough as a receiver and a blocker.
The competition goes to a whole new level with the first preseason game upon us. Watson and Thomas have to step it up or step aside.
Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com
