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A closer look at the Patriots’ decision to bring back WR Donte Stallworth 03.19.12 at 3:32 pm ET
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Wide receiver Donte Stallworth will return to New England. (AP)

The return of Donte Stallworth provides the Patriots with more options when it comes to finding an intermediate to deep threat in the New England passing game.

The 31-year-old Stallworth is not the deep threat he once was (he averaged more than 19 yards a catch two different years), but he can still stretch the field from time to time. He doesn’t do anything to make the position any younger, but his knowledge of the Patriots’ system and his route-running skills made him attractive to New England, and while he isn’t the burner he used to be, it was clear there was still something left in the tank, especially when the Patriots met the Redskins late in the 2011 season. In that one, Stallworth had four catches for a team-high 96 yards.

No contractual details are immediately available, but like Anthony Gonzalez (who signed a one-year deal for $701,000, payable only if he makes the team), on the surface, it appears to be a low-risk, potentially high-reward addition for an offense that could use depth at the position going forward.

Less than a week into free agency, the Patriots have picked up three veteran receivers in Stallworth, Gonzalez and Brandon Lloyd. And it appears that they are doing with the wide receiver spot what they did with the defensive line spot last season: bring as many tested veterans in, sift through and find the ones who can play, and toss the rest.

In that vein, the addition of Stallworth will certainly certainly create an interesting positional battle for the outside receiver spot. Right now on the roster, the Patriots have Stallworth, Lloyd, Chad Ochocinco and Tiquan Underwood, while veteran Deion Branch remains a possibility to return in 2012.

Read More: 2012 NFL Free Agency, Anthony Gonzalez, Brandon Lloyd, Chad Ochocinco Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Patriots51

    WR 2012: Lloyd, Welker, Stallworth, Branch, Edelman, Slater. are all more valuable than A Gonzalez. Gonzalez is better than Edelman, Slater at WR, but they are too valuable to let go.

  • Spitfire1064

    Gonzalez will be on the team,he’s a really good player.

  • BostonPats

    Gonzalez has great talent and could definately compete with most any of those guys, only problem was he could nerver put it all together in the short time he was healthy. I don’t think this guy has been able to play in more than 3-4 games a year for the past 4 years.

  • Relax

    They may be doing this is case Welker is a hold out.  I hope he isn’t, but that’s reality.

  • Pfrates

    I really wanted Landry. Now he’s a Jet. That would’ve been nice to see him team with Chung in the backfield on d. Oh well. Now he’s the enemy.

  • big Mig

    Ochoa-gonzo…

  • DaveD

    he should be in prison, he killed a innocent man crossing the street. 

  • Gjwhite66

     Landry has had a ton of injuries consistent with people using PEDs.  When he visited Foxboro, word was he looked bigger than he ever had.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see him injured again very early into the season.  Plus he is also a Strong Safety, a and very big liability in pass coverage.  Wouldn’t be filling a need, even though he is talented.

  • Kgrant6

    I love this signing. I wished he never left. He’s a great route runner and knows and understands this offense. Great pick up Bill.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_J6CSXCU4KVZJYCXEG3AIW3GNRA Paul Sousa

    Not getting Landry isn’t a big deal.  I really wonder how much he would have helped in coverage.  Everything I read said that he is more of that hybrid type of safety/LB who plays close to the line of scrimmage.  Wouldn’t have hurt to sign him but probably not a big deal.  Steve Gregory is fast ball hawker type but he was a PED guy.  So who knows.  I hope they can get both Andre Carter and Mark Anderson re-signed. 

  • Thom

    Pickups I’d now like to see in F/A & Draft:
    1. Yeremiah Bell S- Knows the division & not only fills a need on the field, he’s another guy who is a very good influence in the locker room.
    2. Luis Castillo DL-Just think another veteran who can add depth to the line certainly can’t hurt.
    3. Pass rushing LB in 1st 2 rounds of draft. At some point BB has to use his draft day savvy to find a young pass rusher who can be a long term solution.
    4. Lamar Miller RB(Miami)- If the Law Firm doesn’t come back, that RB corp needs depth. Miller is a threat to break one every time he touches the ball & can contribute as a phenomenal return guy on special teams.
    5. Another CB in the draft- Can never have too many & the Pats never have enough.

  • DAPATS

    Great FA period for DA PATS!  Like to see Bell and Castillo signed.  In Bill We Trust.  Also, awesome to have Josh McD back running the offense.  O’Brien called some crappy games and cost us another SB.

  • Bugrad10

    the “innocent” man was drunk…and crossing a street that he shouldnt have been crossing…i know that Donte had some alcohol in his system also at the time but pedestrians do not have the right of way anytime they want to cross the road…u cross a 55mph road in the middle of the nite at your own risk…unfortunate that this happened but this could very easily have happened to anyone who is driving

  • Bugrad10

    so just because someone is in shape and gets hurt they are on PEDs…what about jacked up guys like James Harrison, Vernon Davis and Brian Dawkins…those guys dont get hurt…the whole PEDs and injury links are way way overblown…if anything PEDs help u NOT get hurt and recover from injuries

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