Is Aaron Dobson the key missing piece of the Patriots offense?
Last year heading into his rookie year, we heard several comparisons drawn between Aaron Dobson and Randy Moss. Size, speed, ability to stretch the field, catch radius, etc. Dobson was the receiver who would revitalize the team's deep threat that has been missing since Randy's departure.
Dobson's on-field production did not approach those of Moss, but those are obviously extremely high expectations. What Dobson did do is catch more balls than any rookie receiver ever has from Tom Brady (37), while racking up 519 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. In the later stages of the season Dobson was hampered by a hairline fracture in his foot, causing him to miss four regular season games.
Dobson's injury is worrisome. Foot injuries like the one he sustained often spell trouble for big receivers. The injury required the 6'3", 200 pound receiver to have a screw inserted into his foot this past Spring. Scratched from Sunday's season opener in Miami, Dobson's ability to stay healthy remains a big question mark.
If he is able to stay on the field and play to the best of his abilities, he could drastically increase the effectiveness of the Patriots offense. Currently, the Patriots do not have true receiving threat outside of the numbers, the closest being Kenbrell Thompkins. A healthy Dobson changes all of that and adds an entirely new dimension to the offense.
Tom Brady needs a deep threat. Whether Dobson can be that threat is yet to be seen. Another layer of concern is Brady's ability to connect on longer throws. What was once a sure thing has become an inconsistency for the 37 year old quarterback (he was 2 of 16 on throws longer than 15 yards in Miami).
If he can get some of that accuracy back and #17 can find some open space, Brady to Dobson has the potential to be a highlight reel tandem. Hopefully we will get a glimpse of it on Sunday.
@LC_NEP
@PatriotsLife
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Dobson's on-field production did not approach those of Moss, but those are obviously extremely high expectations. What Dobson did do is catch more balls than any rookie receiver ever has from Tom Brady (37), while racking up 519 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. In the later stages of the season Dobson was hampered by a hairline fracture in his foot, causing him to miss four regular season games.
Dobson's injury is worrisome. Foot injuries like the one he sustained often spell trouble for big receivers. The injury required the 6'3", 200 pound receiver to have a screw inserted into his foot this past Spring. Scratched from Sunday's season opener in Miami, Dobson's ability to stay healthy remains a big question mark.
Kenbrell was targeted 10 times and caught five passes for 37 yards. LaFell targeted 6 times and caught zero balls. Dobson's time is coming.
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) September 9, 2014If he is able to stay on the field and play to the best of his abilities, he could drastically increase the effectiveness of the Patriots offense. Currently, the Patriots do not have true receiving threat outside of the numbers, the closest being Kenbrell Thompkins. A healthy Dobson changes all of that and adds an entirely new dimension to the offense.
Tom Brady needs a deep threat. Whether Dobson can be that threat is yet to be seen. Another layer of concern is Brady's ability to connect on longer throws. What was once a sure thing has become an inconsistency for the 37 year old quarterback (he was 2 of 16 on throws longer than 15 yards in Miami).
If he can get some of that accuracy back and #17 can find some open space, Brady to Dobson has the potential to be a highlight reel tandem. Hopefully we will get a glimpse of it on Sunday.
@LC_NEP
@PatriotsLife
