03-13-2017, 01:38 AM
(03-12-2017, 06:08 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Patriots 2011 pass catchers:
Wes Welker- 122 catches/1,569 yards/9 TD
Rob Gronkowski- 90 catches/1,327 yards/17 TD
Aaron Hernandez- 79 catches/910 yards/7 TD
Deion Branch- 51 catches/702 yards/5 TD
Rob Gronkowski's best year as a pro came when there was other people taking at least a little attention off of him.
How many times did the Pats pass that year? Or any year compared to the Bengals? Also, to your first post, I don't think it's fair to include Eifert's rookie year with his averages. He was obviously 2nd fiddle to Gresh as a rookie. We saw his true potential in '15, and while he's not Gronk, he could compete for 2nd best TE in the NFL...if he can start staying relatively healthy.
I have a strong feeling that Eifert (like Gronk) will be up and down with injuries through his career, so I don't see the 2.3 games played per season difference as very substantial between the 2. Eifert played (I think) 14 games as a rookie and 13 games in 2015. He's coming into this season healthy (so far), so I'd gamble on him playing closer to a full slate this year.
I get that you don't like that Eifert has trouble staying healthy (understandable), but I don't know why you try to make it seem like he's something less than a game changer. I fully believe Eifert was what made this team look like a SB contender in 2015. He truly is an amazing talent. It'll be a total shame if he can't stay healthy...ala Bob Sanders.
The training, nutrition, medicine, fitness, playbooks and rules evolve. The athlete does not.