ESPN Magazine-David Patten-courtesy of skinfan43

[redwolf1218]

skinfan43:
I just goy my latest issue of ESPNtheMagazine, there's a column on David Patten that's short but sweet...

David Patten, WR, Redskins

The Redskins didn't waste any time. At 12:02 a.m. on March 2, just two minutes after the free agent signing period kicked off, Patten's phone rang. On the other end was Joe Gibbs, who wanted the smallish Pats receiver to be a big part of his team's future. A day later, Patten signed a five-year, $13M deal. "They believe in me," the 30-year-old says. "It feels wonderful."
Fantasy GMs should feel just as stoked calling his name on draft day. The 5'10" Patten finished last season as the No.3 WR in a spread-happy O loaded with receiving options. Still, the slick-as-glycerin vet caught 44 balls for 800 yards while posting career highs with 7 TDs and 18.2 yards per catch. Now he's the clear-cut No.2, behind Santana Moss, on a team that dished out 49% of its completions to the starting wides. Translation? "My best years are ahead of me," he says. Starting now.

And on the sidebar it says:

The surest sign of Patten's fantasy potential: 15 of his 44 catches in 2004 were for 20-plus yards.

[redwolf1218]

They are saying he's the clear-cut number 2 behind Moss, but i hope Jacobs will push for playing time as well.

[CarMike]

Not to start another Ramsey fight but it all depends on our QB. If he can get the ball to our WRs this year, we'll be alright. Last year he was troubled by a lot of dropped balls. And playing in an offense that was new to him.

With Gibbs using the shotgun this year, i'm hoping for big things from PR this year.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Maybe we will use a 3 wide set?

[redwolf1218]

Not to start another Ramsey fight but it all depends on our QB. If he can get the ball to our WRs this year, we'll be alright. Last year he was troubled by a lot of dropped balls. And playing in an offense that was new to him.

With Gibbs using the shotgun this year, i'm hoping for big things from PR this year.
i think you're right, it depends on Ramsey, which in turn depends on the things you've mentioned, plus protection from the o-line. that's where it all starts IMO, then Ramsey has to show he's capable of taking full advantage of what's been built around him.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Not to start another Ramsey fight but it all depends on our QB. If he can get the ball to our WRs this year, we'll be alright. Last year he was troubled by a lot of dropped balls. And playing in an offense that was new to him.

With Gibbs using the shotgun this year, i'm hoping for big things from PR this year.

I do agree with you, but I also think it is mutually beneficial. Ramsey needs WR's who can gain separation from DB's on shorter routes and ones who can stretch the field vertically, also gaining separation from DB's, to give the deep ball a chance.

[redwolf1218]

Maybe we will use a 3 wide set?
i sure hope so. we could use a 3 wide set and still keep Portis and Cooley in the game, or 2 tightends. that's a lot of weapons.

[CarMike]

I do agree with you, but I also think it is mutually beneficial. Ramsey needs WR's who can gain separation from DB's on shorter routes and ones who can stretch the field vertically, also gaining separation from DB's, to give the deep ball a chance.
i think you're right, it depends on Ramsey, which in turn depends on the things you've mentioned, plus protection from the o-line. that's where it all starts IMO, then Ramsey has to show he's capable of taking full advantage of what's been built around him.

I agree with both of you guys. Team ball!

[redwolf1218]

in a 3 wide set, i'm pretty sure Jacobs or Patten would be able to torch most anyone's 3rd corner, and the free safety is going to have to commit to something early because of the speed getting downfield. Cooley and/or Portis might ultimately be the beneficiary underneath.

[JoeDaSchmoe]

i sure hope so. we could use a 3 wide set and still keep Portis and Cooley in the game, or 2 tightends. that's a lot of weapons.

I've been convinced for a few months now that we should run out of a 3-WR set more often than any other formation. It maximizes the talent we have.

[RedskinsReaper21]

Maybe we will use a 3 wide set?

Yes....and with the zone blocking. Spreading the field like that will allow CP to blow up this year.

[redskin_rich]

They are saying he's the clear-cut number 2 behind Moss, but i hope Jacobs will push for playing time as well.
I think when we use a 3 WR set, Jacobs will be on the field but Moss and Patten will be the 2 starters. Jacobs is another player in a make or break situation, if he doesn't show anything this year, he will go down as another WR bust out of Gatorland.

[redwolf1218]

I've been convinced for a few months now that we should run out of a 3-WR set more often than any other formation. It maximizes the talent we have.
It would probably indirectly benefit Portis too, by spreading the field and getting the D out of the box. Our receivers might be called upon to block, and so i just hope the little guys are up to the task.

edit: LASTSkins...I must have been typing at the same time as you. i agree spreading the field will help Portis. i never watched Denver much, does anyone know if they used 3 wideouts a lot while Portis was there?

[skinfan43]

I realy like what Patten brings to the table: Speed, Hands, sick yds/catch average, veteran leadership and just a good guy. No doubt Jacobs will benefit TREMENDOUSLY by learning from and playing next to him... I don't care about the numbers (1,2,or3) for how Patten, Moss, Jacobs etc. will pan out, just get it in the endzone, right? ;)

[CarMike]

I realy like what Patten brings to the table: Speed, Hands, sick yds/catch average, veteran leadership and just a good guy. No doubt Jacobs will benefit TREMENDOUSLY by learning from and playing next to him... I don't care about the numbers (1,2,or3) for how Patten, Moss, Jacobs etc. will pan out, just get it in the endzone, right? ;)

BTW, thanks skinfan43 for sharing this with us! Great thread.

[skinfan43]

BTW, thanks skinfan43 for sharing this with us! Great thread.
My pleasure, nice to know ESPN has a good, OBJECTIVE writer out there! (cough, cough...PASTABELLY...cough, cough)

6 days 'til heaven...;)

[BandWagon]

Does anyone know who good Moss and Patten are as blockers? I haven't really spent a lot of time watching receivers block, but I had heard that Coles was a pretty effective downfield blocker. Seems to me if we're in a 3 wideout set and intend on spreading the field for Portis, you've got to rely on the receivers to routinely handle their blocking assignments. Thoughts?

[dj_stouty]

I think Moss is going to really come in handy on medium slant routes. I could see him being an Endzone threat every time they connect on that pass pattern.

I think Moss can do more with the ball in the open field than Coles ever could.

[LadyNRedskinsfan]

i can see it know......santana, david and taylor are going to be running all over the field like a bunch of roaches scattering when the lights get turned on, lol.....

[whistleandthumb]

Yes....and with the zone blocking. Spreading the field like that will allow CP to blow up this year.
Couldn't agree more. I love the old days of putting in 2 TE's and a HB, and just pounding it up the middle. However, Clinton Portis is not that type of back, and I think the more threat that exists for throwing it deep down the field, the more CP will absolutely torch other teams. If we consistently line up with 3 WR's, and just keep running the ball, eventually some DC is going to be dumb enough to put a safety up in the box... and that's when we burn 'em with the bomb.

[joethefan]

Not to start another Ramsey fight but it all depends on our QB. If he can get the ball to our WRs this year, we'll be alright. Last year he was troubled by a lot of dropped balls. And playing in an offense that was new to him.

With Gibbs using the shotgun this year, i'm hoping for big things from PR this year.

Start another one!!!!

:lol3:

We need another one... :lol1:

[joethefan]

i can see it know......santana, david and taylor are going to be running all over the field like a bunch of roaches scattering when the lights get turned on, lol.....

Eww!!!

[CarMike]

I seem to remember Patton being an excellent blocker down field.

Then again. The Patriots players seem to do everything well. I hope it continues over with us.

[BurgundyNGold]

I wasn't aware that Moss was a #1. :rolleyes:

I think Patten is going to be a pleasant surprise. I'm hoping for a Ricky Sanders type.

[The Skinsinator]

Couldn't agree more. I love the old days of putting in 2 TE's and a HB, and just pounding it up the middle. However, Clinton Portis is not that type of back, and I think the more threat that exists for throwing it deep down the field, the more CP will absolutely torch other teams. If we consistently line up with 3 WR's, and just keep running the ball, eventually some DC is going to be dumb enough to put a safety up in the box... and that's when we burn 'em with the bomb.

Great post. Totally agree. I just cross my fingers that Gibbs is really going to use the offense to all the player's individual strengths, namely Portis. We could go from horrible to very good.

[JoeDaSchmoe]

It would probably indirectly benefit Portis too, by spreading the field and getting the D out of the box. Our receivers might be called upon to block, and so i just hope the little guys are up to the task.

edit: LASTSkins...I must have been typing at the same time as you. i agree spreading the field will help Portis. i never watched Denver much, does anyone know if they used 3 wideouts a lot while Portis was there?

That's the number one reason to use 3 receivers. It'll fit Portis better than the clustered multi-TE sets do. I remember making a whole lot of ruckus last year about Gibbs needing to spread the field more, hopefully he'll be doing just that.

[redwolf1218]

That's the number one reason to use 3 receivers. It'll fit Portis better than the clustered multi-TE sets do. I remember making a whole lot of ruckus last year about Gibbs needing to spread the field more, hopefully he'll be doing just that.
i even like the idea of running out of the shot gun formation, with 3 wideouts and Portis in the backfield, and maybe Cooley at TE.