Update (3/12/2010 9:30am EST): Ben Watson has agreed to join Eric Mangini and the Cleveland Browns. ESPNBoston is reporting that it's a three-year, $12 million contract that includes $6.35 million in guarantees. More on this later today.
Here's a trivia question for you: Who are Robbie Agnone and Rob Myers?
Robbie Agnone joined the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Delaware last summer. He was released by Washington, then spent the season on the Patriots' practice squad.
He's never appeared in an NFL regular season game.
Rob Myers signed with the New York Jets as a rookie free agent out of Utah State last summer. He was released by the Jets and spent a couple of weeks on the Eagles' practice squad. The Eagles dropped him and he was added to the Patriots' practice squad last November.
He's never appeared in an NFL regular season game.
Oh yeah, and they're the only two tight ends currently employed by the New England Patriots.
When the Patriots released Chris Baker, they created a Grand Canyon sized hole at the tight end position. Not only do they not have anyone in-house who can fill the position (apologies to Myers and Agnone), but the free agent crop is so weak that there was mild excitement generated when the Patriots brought 200-year-old Alge Crumpler in for a visit and made an offer to St. Louis Rams backup Daniel Fells.
Fells ultimately decided to re-sign with the Rams. Crumpler is, well, 200 years old (give or take a couple of years).
The Patriots will likely address the tight end position in the draft, but college tight ends are notoriously hard to project in the NFL, especially in an offense as complex as the one the Patriots run.
Here's a crazy idea: Why not re-sign Ben Watson?
It's not like Watson is completely useless, and it's not like other teams are bowling him over with overwhelming offers. He knows the Patriots offense, he's proven to be a relatively reliable redzone target, he's not a terrible blocker, and he's a pretty good locker room guy.
Wouldn't Watson and his 5 touchdown receptions be a better option than an unproven rookie, two practice squad guys, or Alge Crumpler?
Comments
I see what you are saying, but I just think with Watson, it was time for both sides to move on. Too many ups and down, too much inconsistency. Was he the player who hauled in 2 tds against the bills in week one or the one who only otherwise was noticed when he dropped passes? And in his defense, maybe he needs to be in an offense that features the TE a little more. No reason for him or the team to hope it might work, better he move on, and see if he can be a better player than he ever was going to be in New England.
Andrew,
I felt the same way, but given the alternatives bringing back Watson may not have been the worst thing they could have done.
That said, the Browns just announced they signed him to a 3-year deal. So Alge Crumpler? Word out of Tennessee is that he's turned into a tremendous blocker, just can't run anymore.
It's him or the draft...don't think they'll pony up the draft pick(s) required to get Olsen from the Bears.
-Sean
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