Free Agent DE's

I honestly think Patten can be the #2 guy. He needs to get comfortable in the system.

The other issue with our receivers is Brunell. He doesn't really look for them very much unless they are glaringly open. It is hard to tell how they would do because they get their number called so rarely.

Both are very good points and I agree. Patten can be number, we just have not given him enough time, I mean Cooley has always been a good H-back, but he really started doing well the second half of the season.

Trust me, Patten is no #2.

The main reason Patten wasn't having a spectacular season was because Brunell didn't develop the QB/WR bond with him that he developed with Moss. David Patten is a nine year vet, and he was pretty successful as a number two in New England. He didn't just magically forget how to play the position. He'll be fine if Brunell ever realizes there are more second options than just Chris Cooley.

The main reason Patten wasn't having a spectacular season was because Brunell didn't develop the QB/WR bond with him that he developed with Moss. David Patten is a nine year vet, and he was pretty successful as a number two in New England. He didn't just magically forget how to play the position. He'll be fine if Brunell ever realizes there are more second options than just Chris Cooley.

I agree also with the #2 receiver Patten is okay and can be effective. I think that is why our offense has sputtered it has progressed this way and hopefully we can make the changes like we have all season. Moss was the go to guy earlier in the year, teams took him away and the offense struggled for a game or two until he started using Cooley as a good second option then Defenses had to defend someone besides Moss and for a couple weeks it opened it back up for Moss. The past two weeks teams have taken away Moss and Cooley and we have not altered the game plan significantly. If I know Gibbs and the offense they will figure out another go to set of plays or player which will open Moss and Cooley again. Brunell has continuosly checked his 1st option moss, then Cooley, then throw away. The offense has not struggled in many consecutive games and adjusted and found options to move the ball.

Anyone who says Patten isn't a real number 2 clearly doesn't have a good grasp on what a number 2 WR is supposed to do in the NFL. The number 2 should attract safety attention and keep double teams off the number 1. After that he should catch anywhere from 50-70 balls and have 3 or 4 TDs. Patten was basically on pace for this. The evidence clearly shows that after he went down Moss' numbers went down. That ought to show you something. Having a number 2 like Wayne in Indy is rare and really based more on the system than anything. Patten is our number 2 as long as he is healthy.

how does a thread about DEnds starts 2 talk about Wideouts is beyond me.

i dont really see any of these free agents making an impact with the skins other than abrahams and he probably will cost too much.although with coach gibbs back,you would think players would be more willing to come to dc

Regardless of whether or not patten is a number 2, we still need depth at receiver position, at least a #2 caliber player. Patten getting injured atleast shows that and a little competition would be nice. How bout T.O. as a number 2? Before everyone explodes... rationally think about the consequences... sign him to a small, clause filled contract. Essentially bar him from the media, and any outbursts and he's gone. He would love nothing more than to play philli twice and Santana Moss with Owens I don't care who we have a at quarterback. I was on the anti T.O. bandwagon forever, but you can't deny his talent.

And anyone have anyidea what were going to do w/ Lavar?

I was on the anti T.O. bandwagon forever, but you can't deny his talent.

And anyone have anyidea what were going to do w/ Lavar?

T.O. is going to Dallas. LaVar is gone after the season.

I believe that Patten was a decent #2. For all those who want our #2 to put up Santana Moss-like numbers in this offense, you are living in a Madden world. Simply put, it ain't gonna happen. Patten was on pace for 40+ catches, which is pretty decent for a #2 in Gibbs' run-first offense.

Can we put for rest the talk of going out and getting stars. We simply don't need them and in any event we really cannot afford them.On Patten I was wondering how long was he hurt before he decided to have a operation?