New England Patriots Midseason Forum, part 7: Receivers & Tight Ends

In an article now appearing on Musketfire.com, we take a look at the Patriots' recieving corps, including the tight ends.  This is part 7 of a 9 part Bye week series and a short blurb from the article appears below:


The New England Patriots do not have a deep threat at reciever.

Some fans and media are down on wide reciever Brandon Lloyd because they think that he was brought into the fold to be that deep threat - but that's not his game and it never has been, though he can get loose from time to time for a long gainer.  He's not an underneath possession reciever either.  He will run intermediate routes underneath, but as soon as the ball hits his hands, he's looking for a place to sit down.  He's not going to get you a great number of yards after the catch.

So...why did the Patriots go after him in Free Agency when it was percieved that they were a deep threat away from being a juggernaut?

New England signed Brandon Lloyd from the Rams not so much as a vertical threat, but as a horizontal threat.   He is a master at working the sidelines with excellent hands, concentration and foot work.   He can gain separation suddenly and will take the opposition's best corner to the outside every time, eliminatimg him from the action.

He is a possession reciever that works outside the numbers, and when you team him with someone like Wes Welker - who owns the middle of the field - the chains are going to be moving at a rapid pace.

The article in it's entirety can be read here .

New England Patriots Midseason Forum, Part 5: Defensive Line

In an article that can now be seen on Musketfire.com, we discuss the Patriots' defensive line in part 5 of this Bye Week 9 part series.    A short blurb appears below.

"From top to bottom, New England's defensive line is huge - and any conversation to be had about this unit will alawys begin with Vince Wilfork.

At 6' 2" and 325 pounds, you will not find a more athletic big man.  He anchors the interior and always demands double teams, whether in pass protection or in the running game.  In the past two seasons, Wilfork has really begun to show his range, falling back into coverage on occasion and lining up as an end.  He has a nose for the football and routinely sniffs out screens...not bad for another player labeled a "project" coming out of the University of Miami 9 years ago."


The story appears in it's entirety here .