 |
 |
 |
Ben Watson
#84 - TE - New England Patriots
Height: 6'3'' Weight: 253
Born: 12/18/1980
College: Georgia
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Player Analysis: The amazing combination of size and speed possessed by Ben Watson has made him a legitimate threat in the Patriots' passing game and a force for opponents to game plan against. With a prototypical tight end frame, Watson manages to play even bigger than that when running over defenders or blocking on the line. As fast or faster than many wide receivers, Watson is capable of lining up outside and creating superb mismatches against smaller defensive backs or slower linebackers. He splits time with the other marquee tight end drafted by New England in the last few years, Daniel Graham, but rather than cause his production to decline, it only allows the Patriots to run different sets to deceive opponents. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in his rookie year, 2004, and could be at risk for further injury.
Fantasy Football Impact: For a player of his size, the speed of Ben Watson constitutes a freak of nature, and in his second full season Watson may reach his full potential and reap huge benefits.
|
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
BREAKING NEWS: NWE TE Graham OUT - 10/08/2006
Source: MyFantasyBall New England Patriots TE Daniel Graham is OUT. Look for TE Ben Watson to get more looks. | | | Which route will they take? - 09/12/2006
Source: Boston.com Now that Deion Branch is officially out of the picture, the question is, who takes his place in the Patriots' passing game? Two possible heirs apparent at wideout would be players with Florida ties: rookie Chad Jackson, who was selected in the second round out of the University of Florida, and University of Central Florida product Doug Gabriel, whom the Patriots picked up from the Oakland Raiders in a Sept. 2 trade. Both sat out Sunday's game with hamstring injuries -- at least that was the explanation given for Gabriel's absence, though it might have had more to do with a lack of command of the playbook. Fantasy Impact: Considering the disappointing performances of WRs from New England in fantasy leagues, TE Ben Watson appears to be the best option. Although WR Jackson has the most potential, he has missed almost all of training camp and it may take him a long time to adjust to the pro game. Therefore the speedy Gabriel gets the nod as starter as an experienced wide out. | | | Watson's a go-to guy in tight spot - 09/07/2006
Source: Boston.com, FoxSports.com, Projo.com While there are few positives for the Patriots with the continued holdout of receiver Deion Branch, one of them might be the development of third-year tight end Benjamin Watson. ``He's taking great strides; I'm excited to see the year he could have," Brady said. ``He could be a really dominant player. It's not like he's going to be our third or fourth option, and at times he was last year. He's really a guy you're always looking for." Fantasy Impact: As has been expected throughout Branch's holdout, Watson should see huge success this year as Brady's primary target. | | | No deal for Deion: Pats’ WR files grievance - 09/02/2006
Source: BostonHerald.com, Boston.com, Projo.com Sources confirm Branch has received six-year offers from the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks in the $36 million to $39 million range, with $13 million guaranteed. The Patriots issued a 15-word press release saying no trade had been consummated and that Branch remained under contract. Head coach Bill Belichick refused to answer repeated questions about Branch during a conference call, referring to the statement. Meanwhile, NBC.com’s Tom Curran reported that Branch has filed a grievance accusing the Patriots of violating a verbal agreement to trade him if they were offered “fair and reasonable” compensation in return. Fantasy Impact: Deion Branch was the Patriots' leading receiver in '05, but the Patriots have clearly indicated through their actions that they do not believe Branch to be worth a pay raise. While the Patriots have had receivers of different quality contributing over the years to their success, Branch is a talented player and losing him would downgrade the offense. It appears as though the Patriots will agree with him somehow, but if not then Brady's numbers should not suffer and Ben Watson should see an increase in production. | | | Branch still a Pat as deadline passes - 09/01/2006
Source: Boston.com, ESPN.com Holdout wide receiver Deion Branch was still a member of the New England Patriots when the team-imposed deadline for him to seek a trade passed Friday. At 4:02 p.m. Friday, the Patriots issued a statement saying, "No trade has been consummated. Deion Branch remains under contract to the New England Patriots." When told of a report that Branch's agent, Jason Chayut, had filed a grievance with the NFL Players Association, Belichick said, "Really, I don't have anything else to say about it. I'll let that statement speak for itself." Fantasy Impact: The Patriots clearly value Deion Branch less than most teams, although it is hard to deny that Branch is the most talented reciver on the Patriots' roster. Branch's value in fantasy leagues will fall severely if he does follow through with a holdout until week 10. However, QB Tom Brady's stats, although they will suffer, should compensate with more passes to players such as TE Ben Watson. | | | Tom Brady looks sharp as Patriots romp - 08/27/2006
Source: Boston.com, ESPN.com, wtopnews.com Tom Brady started the rout and the Patriots defense finished it. The winless Redskins were woeful all game long. "I hope it looks as good in the regular season as it did tonight," Brady said after New England's 41-0 win over Washington on Saturday night. He completed 17 of 30 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown before leaving after the first series of the third quarter. The Patriots (2-1) recorded seven sacks while allowing eight first downs and extending their streak to nine quarters without giving up a touchdown. Fantasy Impact: Although preseason results cannot be entirely trusted to give accurate predictions for the regular season, Brady's performance does give some idea of how he will play in the absence of Deion Branch, and there is no cause for concern. | | | The beginning of the end - 08/27/2006
Source: Boston.com, BostonHerald.com, FoxSports.com The Patriots love to use multiple tight ends -- they'd send out 10 on a play if the NFL would let them -- but last night one was sufficient. Benjamin Watson stood out from the herd and stomped all over the Redskins in New England's 41-0 exhibition decimation of Washington at Gillette Stadium. Before joining Brady on the bench halfway through the third quarter, which required almost as much effort as sundering the Washington secondary, Watson caught 8 passes for 97 yards. Seven went for first downs. Six covered at least 10 yards, and the only reason that another didn't was that Watson's 6-yard grab with 7:49 left until halftime officially ended in the end zone, and a 17-0 New England pillow. Fantasy Impact: In the absence of Deion Branch, Benjamin Watson answered the challenge to be New England's primary offensive weapon. | | | Patriots give Branch a week to seek a trade - 08/25/2006
Source: Boston.com, BostonHerald.com The New England Patriots have given holdout wide receiver Deion Branch a week to seek a trade and negotiate a contract with another team, the Patriots announced Friday. Branch has permission to seek a new team until Sept. 1, next Friday, the team said in a two- sentence statement. Branch, the 2005 Super Bowl MVP and the team's top receiver, is scheduled to earn $1.045 million this season, the last of his original five-year contract, but he wants a new deal. He has refused to report to the Patriots mandatory preseason mini-camp and its ongoing training camp. Fantasy Impact: Although Branch is a skilled wide receiver, with QB Tom Brady at the helm a slight decrease in production should be the only effect if the disgruntled wideout is traded. The Patriots have seen success with lesser receivers in the past, so Brady is still a valuable prospect with TEs Watson and Graham as targets. WR Reche Caldwell could be a surprise fantasy star if Branch is traded and he can adjust to New England's system. | | | One solution could involve TEs - 08/21/2006
Source: Boston.com The Patriots ran 41 plays from the line of scrimmage in the first half of Saturday night's exhibition game against the Cardinals. Of those plays, 28 involved two or more tight ends on the field. It started on the game's first play, with Daniel Graham and Benjamin Watson lined up side by side on the left side of the line. The team's last offensive play of the half included four tight ends on the field -- Graham, Watson, David Thomas and Garrett Mills -- as Corey Dillon pounded in for a 4-yard touchdown run. Fantasy Impact: With the extraordinary skills that both Watson and Graham possess it is not surprising for the Patriots to take advantage of the mismatch they cause. While Deion Branch holds out, it seems possible that Watson and Graham could have receiver-like production. In addition rookie Thomas and Mills may not make an impact every week, but could be surprise contributors. | | | Short of targets, Brady still hits his marks - 08/20/2006
Source: projo.com Playing 36 of the Patriots 39 first-half plays last night, quarterback Tom Brady responded to the increased workload, going 15-for-20 for 149 yards in the first half and leading three scoring drives. The greatest cause for concern? It's clearly missing its outside weapons. Receivers aren't getting any separation. Just four of Brady's 15 completions went to wideouts -- two to Bam Childress (including a 29-yarder down the right sideline) and one each to Reche Caldwell and Kelvin Kight. Brady went to his wide receivers just seven times in the first half. Fantasy Impact: This game is a good demonstration of why the Patriots disappoint fantasy owners, except for those who possess Brady. No matter the situation, Brady will always generate solid production and spread the ball around. However, Deion Branch's holdout has left New England without a solid receiving corps, except for TE Ben Watson, and the offense does not generate good individual receiver numbers. | | | Graham slips into TE mix - 08/08/2006
Source: BostonHerald.com For a guy who checks in at 6-foot-3 and 257 pounds, Daniel Graham sure can come off as quiet. And so it was natural that, of the six Patriots who practiced for the first time yesterday, the fifth-year tight end kept the lowest profile. Graham wore a red, non-contact jersey with no number on it. He evaded the press release announcing the return of five players, since he was the only of the six that wasn’t on the PUP list. Fantasy Impact: At TE the Patriots possess plenty of talent, but Graham, a superb blocker figures to play less of a receiving role than Ben Watson. Regardless, Graham possesses good hands, route running, speed, and is great in the Red Zone, so he should be able to have some fantasy impact in any week. | | | Belichick silent on Brady's absence - 07/31/2006
Source: Boston.com, bostonherald.com Tom Brady missed his third straight practice on Monday, but coach Bill Belichick didn't say why his quarterback was absent from the New England Patriots training camp. Asked specifically about Brady, Belichick referred to the team in general. Fantasy Impact: It goes without saying that an injury to Brady would eliminate a top 5 fantasy quarterback and most likely hurt the production of receivers such as Deion Branch, Ben Watson, and Reche Caldwell. | | | Thomas is catching added reps at tight end - 07/30/2006
Source: Boston.com In some cases, rookies must bide their time to earn a bulk of practice repetitions. But not third-round pick David Thomas. Fantasy Impact: Although he has two solid, young tight ends on the roster in front of him, Thomas could see some playing time in the numerous two tight end sets that the Patriots will be running in '06. If either Ben Watson or Daniel Graham is injured, then Thomas is a very plausible waiver wire pickup. | | | Dream scheme -- Pats bring back two tight end set - 07/27/2006
Source: BostonHerald.com The rest of the NFL catches on, however, so the Patriots must continually adapt. And heading into the 2006 season, they’re on the forefront of another trend that could subtly alter the balance of power in the league - the two tight end offense. Ben Watson certainly applies, along with San Diego’s Antonio Gates, Kansas City’s Tony Gonzalez, and San Francisco rookie Vernon Davis, to name three. What separates the Patriots from just about everybody else is the presence of Daniel Graham, a punishing blocker and dangerous open-field runner. When the Patriots put the two first-round picks on the field simultaneously this year - which should be quite often - they’ll create mismatches in the passing and running games. Fantasy Impact: With the two athletic tight ends on the roster, they should see both their numbers rise, perhaps Watson more than Graham, and those of Branch may see a slight decline. |
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
| 2004 |
NWE |
1 |
2 |
16 |
8 |
16 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2005 |
NWE |
15 |
29 |
441 |
15.2 |
29.4 |
5 |
22 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
| 1 | BUF |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2 | @NYJ |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 3 | DEN |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 4 | @CIN |
1 |
35 |
35 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 5 | MIA |
4 |
33 |
8.3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 6 | Bye |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 7 | @BUF |
5 |
60 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 8 | @MIN |
7 |
95 |
13.6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 9 | IND |
4 |
54 |
13.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 10 | NYJ |
2 |
16 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 11 | @GNB |
5 |
74 |
14.8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| 12 | CHI |
6 |
89 |
14.8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| 13 | DET |
3 |
41 |
13.7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| 14 | @MIA |
1 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 15 | HOU |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 16 | @JAC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 17 | @TEN |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2006 | To Date |
49 |
643 |
13.1 |
49.5 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
| | | |
