Gaffney signs 2 year deal with Pats

[Cman]

Sort of odd that the Pats are signing all these old receivers.
I think it is in part as leverage against Welker...

[Kane3387]

Congrats to gaffney. As a redskin fan I appreciate the way he played for us last season. He was our most productive receiver and had a very very solid year. Hope he does well back in NE.

[Donoghus]

Sort of odd that the Pats are signing all these old receivers.
I think it is in part as leverage against Welker...

They all have familiarity with the offense and/or Brady.  I think they're going for the "throw something against the wall and see what sticks" method.

You only have a few more years of Brady's prime.  Why try and break in a rookie when you can bring in a vet who already knows the system?

Biggest question is who actually makes the cut?

[Eja117]

Can never have too much competition or depth in camp. A guy blows a knee first day and suddenly you are very happy to have him

[Smokeeye123]

Might sound like blasphemy, but I'd honestly let Welker walk and use that money to help make a trade for someone like Jared Allen.

[birdwatcher]

IMO, there's a couple things currently in play that lead to signing Gaffney: Deion Branch is on the decline, Welker may do exactly what Mankins did and end up sitting out 8 or more games, and guys like Ochostinko, Gonzales, and Stallworth may not even make the team. I believe after this signing, we will have 11 receivers in all including Tiquan Underwear, and we just drafted another receiver in the late round. Remember too that we signed Daniel Fells as a blocking TE who can break off for a pass here or there in the flat, meaning Hernandez will probably see some time as a wideout.
The one thing I thought we'd address in the draft (and maybe we did, because I don't know anything about Dennard and other late rounders) is addressing our return game. We haven't had a solid kick returner since Ellis Hobbs (Tate was okay, but very inconsistent).

The glut of WRs is exactly what we did last year with DTs/DEs.

[raynman]

I thought you were talking about former Celtic Tony Gaffney! 

[Cman]

Biggest question is who actually makes the cut?

For now: Welker, Lloyd, Gaffney, Branch, Edelman (if they keep 5).
Practice Squad: Ebert (2012 7th round draft pick)

Plus Hernandez and Slater who can act as WRs.

[Donoghus]

Biggest question is who actually makes the cut?

For now: Welker, Lloyd, Gaffney, Branch, Edelman (if they keep 5).
Practice Squad: Ebert (2012 7th round draft pick)

Plus Hernandez and Slater who can act as WRs.

I would tend to agree although I'm not sure that Branch is a sure bet to make the roster.  Stallworth could steal that spot. 

[Jeff]

maybe they will finally dispense with the charade and just release all running backs and have Brady pass on every play

[Chris]

Sort of odd that the Pats are signing all these old receivers.
I think it is in part as leverage against Welker...

I have a feeling most of these contracts are not guaranteed, and these guys are basically being signed to fight for jobs. 

[Cman]

T. Underwood was released, apparently, so that is fewer people fighting for the last spot.

Biggest question is who actually makes the cut?

For now: Welker, Lloyd, Gaffney, Branch, Edelman (if they keep 5).
Practice Squad: Ebert (2012 7th round draft pick)

Plus Hernandez and Slater who can act as WRs.

I would tend to agree although I'm not sure that Branch is a sure bet to make the roster.  Stallworth could steal that spot. 

I agree with your thinking -- it is basically Branch, Stallworth, Ochocinco, Gonzalez and another guy fighting for that one spot. I give it to Branch at this point, based on the rapport he has with Brady, but we'll see.

Barring injury, I think Welker, Lloyd, Gaffney and Edelman are locks (as is Slater, depending on how he is classified). It all comes down to a bunch of guys competing for one spot.

maybe they will finally dispense with the charade and just release all running backs and have Brady pass on every play

Yep

[greg683x]

good signing for you guys.  Gaffney was a very productive reciever for my redskins last year.

sadly I have a feeling one the main reasons he isnt a redskin anymore is because hes wearing RG3's #10.  I'm sure theres more to it, we did after all sign Garcon, Josh Morgan, and still have Leonard Hankerson, not to mention Santana Moss.  But knowing some of the idiotic moves this franchise has made in the past, it wouldnt surprise me if it didnt factor into it.

personally I wouldve rather seen the skins release Moss.  Hes done a lot for the skins over the past several years, but hes too old now.  Gaffneys a little younger and a bigger target for Griffin to throw to.

[Eja117]

He just went for way more yards for the Skins than he ever did for the Pats and that was with Grossman throwing to him

[Finkelskyhook]

I think Belichick must want to be the first NFL coach to experiment with the 11-receiver formation