Brandon LaFell is a New England Patriot

[PaulinMyrBch]

Cam is way better than decent overall, although obviously this is a QB accuracy upgrade. I'd rather have gone with Britt, who has upside.

 
Brady had 1000 more passing yards and nearly 90 more completions than Cam in 13. Lafell is a guy that has been a solid performer in an offense that isn't focused on pass first. I think we've got a reasonable expectation of some upside to his numbers. But my guess, based on the fact that he's been playing the slot despite his height, is that the Pats like what they see on tape, realize he's been utilized in an odd way, and feel he translates to a much better player in our system.

 

[Phragle]

Not going to lie, at the price we got him, I would have rather just taken a chance on Hakeem Nicks.

 
My first thought when I saw his deal was that his knees must by shot. Otherwise I agree.
 

Not I, although others may. I cannot expect that his catch rate will magically improve. That's my primary concern with this signing.

 
His drops are being overblown. His career drop rate is only 1.3% higher than average.
 
 
I was thinking yesterday that LaFell would be a good signing on a 1 year deal, but 3 and 11 is scaring me.

 

[Stitch01]

Like I've said, hope he works out but I expect he's a camp cut so I hope the guaranteed money is low.

 

[Luis Taint]

Britt has off the field issues. I mean, he has NINE police "incidents" since joing the NFL.
 
Plus, I think the Rutgers quota is used up . . .

wait until the draft

 

[Soxy]

Brady had 1000 more passing yards and nearly 90 more completions than Cam in 13. Lafell is a guy that has been a solid performer in an offense that isn't focused on pass first. I think we've got a reasonable expectation of some upside to his numbers. But my guess, based on the fact that he's been playing the slot despite his height, is that the Pats like what they see on tape, realize he's been utilized in an odd way, and feel he translates to a much better player in our system.

 
I think this is more or less accurate.  I alluded to it in an earlier post when LaFell was in for a visit, but the Panthers didn't really use him properly last season.  He was more of a big play guy in 2012-13, averaging over 16 yards a catch between those two seasons.  For whatever reason, they decided to use him mostly as a slot receiver last season and gave his old role to Ted Ginn.  I'll tell you right now the Pats aren't going to be putting him in the slot 60+% of the time.  That he can play in the slot is nice, and I'm sure they'll put him there at times to give defenses a different look and maybe use him on some gadget plays (the Panthers ran him on a few end-around/reverses and even had him attempt a pass once), but he's a guy you want to put on the outside and try to get chunks of yards with.  You can get away with a below average catch rate if you're averaging 15+ yards a catch.  That he was willing to play essentially out of position for "the good of the team" (which is dubious, but whatever; he did what was asked) was probably something the Pats liked about him.
 
If LaFell is catching 60+ balls for the Pats, then something bad probably happened to one of the other receiving targets.  But he's a guy who can be reasonably expected to catch somewhere in the neighborhood of 40-50 balls and do some damage with them, assuming he can learn the offense and get on the same page as Brady.
 
Frankly, I'd rather LaFell than Steve Smith, whom many here seemed pissed about missing out on.  Smith is a PITA, which was fine when he was putting up Pro Bowl numbers.  But as soon as it became obvious his skills were declining, the Panthers wasted no time jettisoning him.  His, shall we say, loquaciousness on the sideline, in the locker room, and to the media wouldn't have played well with the Pats.  Brady would've wanted to kill him by week 6.  If Welker felt stifled by the Patriots WayTM I can't even imagine what Smith would've been like.  It would've been Ochocinco all over again, only uglier.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Yates provide some analysis on LaFell. Compares him to Colston, and thinks he'll play more of an X role than in the slot: http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4760334/scouts-view-brandon-lafell
 

From a pure build standpoint, LaFell has some Aaron Dobson in him. But while Dobson holds the speed and upside edge, LaFell is more sturdily built and played a different role in Carolina. Given the presence of Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and even Josh Boyce, LaFell may wind up playing more of a perimeter receiving role. His size, field awareness on the sideline, and ability to use his reach to out leverage defenders make him a possibility to start at the “X” or split end position.

 

[Super Nomario]

Yates provide some analysis on LaFell. Compares him to Colston, and thinks he'll play more of an X role than in the slot: http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4760334/scouts-view-brandon-lafell
 

One point I like that he makes is that LaFell is a big guy in the slot (like Colston). A lot of slot corners are smaller guys - quick 5'9" corners who don't have the size to match up on a big dude like LaFell. Some offenses have taken advantage of this by putting players like Boldin, Colston, Michael Crabtree, and LaFell in the slot. With Edelman and Amendola already in the fold, it's hard to imagine LaFell will spend as much time inside as he did in Carolina, but his ability to do so can cause matchup problems for defenses.
 
The Pats have been linked to Lance Moore and Kenny Britt visits, too. Obviously this casts doubts on some of last year's rookies, but it also makes me wonder: is the two-TE offense dead? You don't need four or five starting-caliber WR if you're mostly only playing two.

 

[Stitch01]

That's an interesting question.  Probably is for '14 by necessity if Gronk ends up not being a factor, maybe they arent enamored with the higher touted TEs in the draft.
 
Not sure how much doubt it casts on the rookies, we will have to see some contract details to see how cuttable these additions are in camp.  Dobson being hurt probably makes them nervous, he's the "surest thing" of the rookie group.

 

[TheoShmeo]

My take is that the Pats don't want to be forced into trying to reach for a TE who could play regularly but will still take one if they can grab one of their targets.  Loading up on WRs simultaneously gives them a hedge against the three rookies from last year not developing as much as they would like and reduces the need to draft a TE with an early pick no matter what.
 
As to LaFell being good in the slot, I envision them moving Edelman, Amendola and LeFell in and out of the slot and the outside positions so as to increase flexibility and create match-up problems.  I doubt that any of them will be easily pegged at one particular position.

 

[Tony C]

that makes a ton of sense on all counts.

 

[Van Everyman]

Estimate as to how long someone posts "LaFAIL" on SoSH when he drops his first pass?

 

[E5 Yaz]

Well, I was going to be nice to Mr. LaFell but LaFAIL has a nice ring to it....

 
Something that stupid is a prime candidate for a word filter replacement

 

[j44thor]

LaFell may be at his best when the ball isn't in his hands.  For a NE team that started to sway more towards a balanced offense last season, LaFell is considered an excellent run blocker and it is something he really takes pride in.
 
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/10/16/4393212/best-blocker-among-panthers-wide.html

 

[Corsi]

Term: 3 years 
Signing bonus: $3 million 
Total value: $9 million 
 
2014 
Base: $800,000 
Roster bonus: $200,000 (12,500 per game on the 46-man roster) 
Cap: $2 million 
 
2015 
Base: $1.8 million 
Roster bonus: $400,000 (25,000 per game on the 46-man roster) 
Cap: $3.2 million 
 
2016 
Base: $2.4 million 
Roster bonus: $400,000 (25,000 per game on the 46-man roster) 
Cap: $3.8 million 
 
QUICK-HIT THOUGHTS: The sole guarantee in the deal is the $3 million signing bonus. This is a straight-forward deal that LaFell should be able to earn in full if he performs.
 

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4760424/breaking-down-lafells-contract

 

[Stitch01]

Was hoping it was for less guaranteed money.  Pretty easy to cut next year if he's terrible though.

 

[Ed Hillel]

That's a very reasonable deal for both sides that would seem to indicate that the Patriots think LaFell has a very strong chance of making the roster this year, but gives them plenty of wiggle room after that. Sorry Stitch.

 

[Stitch01]

Nothing to be sorry about.  I hope he's good.  If he cant beat out Thompkins/Boyce or anyone else its not a huge cost to cut him. Just was hoping it was something like $1MM up front with more roster bonuses so that he got paid if he was good but was a little easier to cut if he wasnt. 

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

LaFell may be at his best when the ball isn't in his hands. 

 
As a possible #2 receiver on this team, sure hope he "isn't his best when the ball isn't in his hands". 

 

[Corsi]

Mike Loyko ‏@NEPD_Loyko  4m
Brandon LaFell's cap hit in 2014 - 2 million. Emmanuel Sanders - 6 million.
 

 

 

[Jungleland]

If you assume he's going to be good enough to make the team this year (which I do), it's a great deal for the team. As usual, seeing it this way looks significantly better than the 3/11 deal that was reported.

 

[j44thor]

 
As a possible #2 receiver on this team, sure hope he "isn't his best when the ball isn't in his hands". 

 
If he is the #2 receiving option then that means 4 of Gronk, Edleman, Amendola, Dobson and likely Vereen are all hurt.  If he tops 50 catches then the offense is probably in trouble so yes I think he can provide significant value as a dominant blocking WR and redzone target.
 
edit forgot to include Amendola above LaFell on the depth chart.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

My take is that the Pats don't want to be forced into trying to reach for a TE who could play regularly but will still take one if they can grab one of their targets.  Loading up on WRs simultaneously gives them a hedge against the three rookies from last year not developing as much as they would like and reduces the need to draft a TE with an early pick no matter what.

 
I think it signifies that the Patriots don't plan on spending a Fri-Sat draft pick on a WR. Edelman is back for four years, Lafell is in for 3, Amendola doesn't save you any real money against the cap until 2016 (if cut the team saves over 4 million), Dobson's signed through 2016, Kenbrell through 2015...other then Thompkins, this team doesn't really even have the space for a rookie WR to develop anywhere but the practice squad. 
 
And I'm OK with that. It generally takes WR until year 3 to hit their stride, and we just don't have that kind of window with Brady right now. 

 

[Leather]

The best way to improve the WR core, at this point, is to improve the OL with a high-ish pick in the draft. 

 

[SpacemanzGerbil]

The best way to improve the WR core, at this point, is to improve the OL with a high-ish pick in the draft. 

Absolutely. They need to figure out the center position. Once they fix that, a lot of other things will fall into place.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

If he is the #2 receiving option then that means 4 of Gronk, Edleman, Amendola, Dobson and likely Vereen are all hurt.  If he tops 50 catches then the offense is probably in trouble so yes I think he can provide significant value as a dominant blocking WR and redzone target.
 
edit forgot to include Amendola above LaFell on the depth chart.

 
A #2 "receiver" implies a WR -- different than a "receiving option", which includes Gronk, Vereen, etc.
 
I can see LaFell as a #2 "receiver", aka WR, given Amendola & Dobson's shaky health. If your #2 WR contributes more as a blocker than a catcher, I do think Patriots would be looking for outside help.
 
The article was a good read though - thanks for posting it. Semantics aside, Caserio has also commented on his versatility, which I assume included his blocking ability as well as position flexibility.

 

[86spike]

 

 

 

 
Sanders' 2014 cap hit is $4M, not 6.

 

[RedOctober3829]

According to his Twitter account, Brandon LaFell will wear #19.

 

[Stitch01]

WR named Brandon wearing #19, cant fail.

 

[RedOctober3829]

WR named Brandon wearing #19, cant fail.

Never

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Never LeFail (first!)

 

[RedOctober3829]

Great breakdown of what LaFell will bring to the table for the Patriots.

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2014/03/finding-brandon-lafells-purpose-in-the-patriots-receiving-plans.html

 

[dbn]

Great breakdown of what LaFell will bring to the table for the Patriots.

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2014/03/finding-brandon-lafells-purpose-in-the-patriots-receiving-plans.html

 

He will look back to the quarterback and ad-lib if the play breaks down or the passer decides to scramble. 

 
Heh.

 

[E5 Yaz]

LaFell quits Twitter after some attack him, thinking his comments about glad to play with Brady are meant as ripping Newton

 

[Stitch01]

Pretty silly reaction by fans.  Maybe not the best phrasing by LaFell but this isnt exactly a shot at Newton.
 

Because I had a chance to play with a Hall of Fame quarterback. One day Cam [Newton] will be there probably, but he’s not there now
 

 

[rodderick]

Pretty silly reaction by fans.  Maybe not the best phrasing by LaFell but this isnt exactly a shot at Newton.
 

 
He's saying Newton will probably be a Hall of Fame quarterback some day. Not only it isn't a shot, it's probably the greatest compliment Cam Newton has ever received in his life. Fans in general are really fucking silly.

 

[mascho]

@DougKyedNESN  25s
Golden Tate: 5 years/$31M, 165 career catches, 2,195 yards, 15 TDs
 
Brandon LaFell: 3 years /$11M, 167 catches, 2,385 yards, 13 TDs

 

[DaughtersofDougMirabelli]

Ron Rivera discusses Brandon LaFell

ORLANDO, Fla. -- One of the nice parts about the NFL's annual meeting is the chance to speak with various coaches to learn more about players. 

In the case of new Patriots receiver Brandon LaFell, this is what we learned from Panthers coach Ron Rivera, who called LaFell one of his favorite players: 

Price a deterrent for Panthers. Carolina had interest in retaining LaFell, but economics were a factor in the decision-making process. LaFell signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Patriots. 

Intelligence and versatility stands out. "The thing I really like about Brandon is [he] is a very smart football player. For us, he knew all of our wide receiver positions. He even knew what we call the F position [and] the Y position, which are really two positions [he did not] necessarily need to know but he did." 

Blocking is part of his DNA. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, he's not afraid to put his body on the line. It shows up on tape, as it did Nov. 18 against the Panthers when he ran through defensive end Andre Carter. "He's a physical football player, and I do think he's one of the better blocking wide receivers that I've seen," Rivera said. 

Extra points. LaFell's sometimes shaky hands held him back at times. ... He was also described as being a "little on the shy side" and one who prefers to avoid the cameras.

 
Sounds like the perfect Belichick player. Smart, versatile, and keeps his mouth shut. 

 

[mpx42]

Maybe he'll take Slater's role on the goal-line packages. I always laugh when I see the fastest player on the team coming out - to help get one yard.

 

[PedrosRedGlove]

I've seen people dismiss the idea that LaFell was brought in to try to play the Aaron Hernandez hybrid role, and I myself figured it was wishful thinking at first. Seeing Rivera mention that Brandon knew every receiver position, including some stuff that wasn't required, makes me think that may actually be a possibility. That he takes on defensive ends doesn't hurt his case either, and he even has 6 career carries for 110 yards, though I'm guessing those were mostly reverses.

I was lukewarm on this signing initially, I'm starting to get excited.