Anyway, WW is not a system player. He is a player whose skills are used perfectly in the Pats offense. There’s a difference. System players I think of as decent players whose systems mask their lack of top level skill. Pats had one of those (Adalius Thomas).

Adn TB’s air yards traveled per pass were higher than Stafford’s and Flacco’s. So while the Pats offense does revolve mostly around the intermediate pass, it’s not like TB stands there and throws smoke routes and bubble screens all day. His best passes are the intermediate ones where you have to be quick to read the D and very accurate. Why not do most of what your QB/other skill players are good at?

What they need to do regardless of WR corps is get their RBs more involved in the passing game, more like they did with Weis. The Pats have Vereen who looks promising there and possibly Demps.

Replacing Lloyd won’t be overly difficult. He’s only ever really produced under McDaniels and hasn’t always been stellar at that. There will be options third or fourth round in the draft that will be as productive.

Going out and over spending on someone is not something the Patriots ever do. No chance they are going to let Welker walk and then spend the kind of money it is going to take to land a Bowe or Wallace.

As for Welker I say let him walk and resign Edelman. Edelman can drop Super Bowl clenching passes just as well as Welker. Use the savings to sign Wallace, Bowe, or trade for Harvin.

As far as Lloyd, I don’t think too many people in New England would be crying if he left. He’s a good wideout, but he left 100+ yards on the field but never (ever) trying for extra yards. At times you almost felt like he was inventing ways to get to the ground so he wouldn’t have to try for RAC yards. The Patriot way involves a certain killer instinct that, sadly enough, Welker embodies to perfection.

He is a young TE who had a good 1/2 season 2 years ago and should have many more years in the NFL – but he’s nothing more than a serviceable NFL TE. Nobody is clamoring to get this guy compared to the dynamic pass catching TE’s like Gronk/Hernandez/Davis.

The past two years he’s missed those catches when they counted most.

If Belichick feels the slot is well covered with 3 starting caliber TEs then it makes sense to put the money that would have gone to Welker and Lloyd to a true #1 deep threat WR

Point is Ballard wouldn’t start over the majority of starting tight ends in the league.

Ballard has a lot to prove if he ever gets a chance to catch a pass with the Pats.

I can definitely envision a sign and trade with Percy Harvin. Player needs a change of enviorment, and Belichick oves his Gator playmakers.

I just hope Tim Tebow does not also come to NE in the future.

I think if they retain Edelman and let Welker go, take the money and sign or draft somebody that can stretch the field.

Having all these weapons that can only run routes <10 yards won't get you past teams that dare you to throw deep.

Despite a couple of high profile drops, Walker makes some amazing catches, hardly ever fumbles, and gets tremendous yards after catch. If you think Ballard is going to make up for that simply because he was the starter (but not a star) for the Giants when they won the Superbowl, well OK. You could pencil Welker in for 120 catches and 1200 yards – how close do you think Ballard, or any other generic “system receiver” will come to replacing that?

The Pats obviously believe in Gronk and Hernandez, but that doesn’t mean Gonk’s injury history issues, both before getting drafted (which is why he wasn’t drafted in the first round) and after, and Hernandez’s general nontoughness are not big issues. If you think the Pats aren’t concerned about injury issues with both contracts, your nuts. Also, the league is going to somewhat catch up with the pass catching TE with defensive personell as every team tries to emulate the Pats and Saints. That doesn’t mean they wont be effective, but it not going to be as easy as throwing Gronk the ball and watch him barrel over 5’11″ defensive backs. Also, how many tight ends is the team going to carry and how much cap space are they going to devote to it? As for ignoring the WR position and relying on a lot of three or four tight end set, the Pats basically ignored corners and defensive backs and its not like that has come back to bite the hoodie, right?

Harvin is the best athlete in the league when he can make it on the field. He is also a ticking time bomb.