Sign Jabar Gaffney? You Bet
Jabar Gaffney was released today by the Washington Redskins and I think he would make a great addition to the 2012 New England Patriots.
While the Patriots already have an over-abundance of wide receivers on the roster, Gaffney would make a compelling case to bring back. During the 2006 pre-Moss/Welker/Stallworth season, Gaffney quickly earned the trust of QB Tom Brady and became a go-to guy during the playoffs catching 21 passes and 2 TDs in three playoff games.
Even during the 2007 season, Gaffney filled his role and very well catching 36 passes and 5 TDs, without Brady in 2008 he chipped in 38 more. The Patriots had planned on keeping him around but Josh McDaniels had other ideas and threw a $10 million contract at him to go to Denver and the Patriots certainly weren’t going to equal that.
Gaffney is hardly a slouch, chipping in with 68 pass receptions for 947 yards and 5 TDs in 2011 in Washington as he and Donte Stallworth played with the likes of John Beck and Rex Grossman as QBs, not in the same class as Tom Brady and not exactly conducive to putting up huge numbers.
Gaffney has never been one to whine about getting the ball or his number of snaps. He’ll do his job, run good routes and be in the position that Tom Brady wants him to be in. Gaffney is not a #1 receiver, but will thrive in the role as the #2-3 guy who is singled up and make big plays. With all the names the Patriots are stockpiling at WR, adding one more veteran who was successful here in New England and with Brady makes total sense. The WR battles during training camp would be fantastic to watch as something will have to give.
The Patriots should give him a long look and consider bringing him in for the competition during camp, the only other place that makes sense for Gaffney would be Indy, a good veteran presence there would do wonders with a rookie QB.
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