By John Sarianides
Comparing the Patriots 2007 and 2017 skill groups seems to be a popular conversation around these parts nowadays. Some folks think the 07 group is better, others think this current group is better.
The only common thread between these two groups is Tom Brady and he might be the only person who could settle this debate. He won’t, so allow me to settle the debate once and for all by by comparing the two groups.
Here is a head to head comparison of the 2007 Patriots skill group versus the 2017 Patriots skill group.
Randy Moss vs. Brandin Cooks: Randy Moss had arguably the greatest receiving season in NFL history in 2007. Moss caught 98 passes for 1,493 yards and an NFL record 23 touchdowns. He averaged an astounding 15.2 yards per catch!
Conversely, Brandin Cooks best season was 2015 when he caught 84 passes for 1,138 yards and 9 touchdowns. Cooks could easily eclipse those numbers this season but he won’t come anywhere close to the numbers Moss put up in 2007. Moss was the undisputed number one receiver on the 07 Patriots. The Patriots spread the ball around more nowadays. That and Moss in his prime was better than Cooks today. Edge: Moss
Wes Welker vs. Julien Edelman: This comparison has a master versus apprentice feel to it. Arguably, the two greatest slot receivers of all time going head to head.
Welker had a fantastic first season in New England in 2007 catching 112 passes for 1,175 yards and 8 touchdowns. Welker was seemingly open on every play. He redefined the slot receiver position and made it what it is today. Teams have been trying to find a Wes Welker type slot receiver ever since.
The Patriots developed his replacement in Edelman. The former Kent State quarterback turned receiver has been one of the most productive receivers in the NFL the last five seasons. Edelman’s best overall season was in 2013 when he caught 105 passes for 1,056 yards and 6 touchdowns. He averaged 10.1 yards per reception which is impressive. Welker average 10.5 yards per reception in 2007.
Based on the numbers and how close they are, I call this a draw. I think Welker would put similar numbers if he played in this Patriots offense and I think Edelman would put up similar numbers if he played on the 07 Patriots: Edge: Draw
Donte’ Stallworth vs. Chris Hogan: Stallworth was a disappoint in 2007 when you consider how productive he was with the Saints prior to arriving in New England. Stallworth finished with 46 receptions for 697 yards and 3 touchdowns. He did average 15.2 yards per catch and was a big play threat but he didn’t produce like the Patriots thought he would.
Hogan on the other hand had the best season of his career in his first season in a Patriots uniform. He caught 38 passes for 680 yards and 4 touchdowns last season. He averaged an impressive 17.9 per catch.
You can make the case that Hogan was more of a big play threat for the Patriots last season than Stallworth was in 07. Hogan also doesn’t have the luxury of playing across from Randy Moss. Stallworth got a lot of one on one coverage.
That being said, I think Hogan has been and will be the more productive for the Patriots than Stallworth. In fairness to Stallworth, he was only here for one season. Edge: Hogan
Jabar Gaffney vs. Danny Amendola: Patriots fans forget how good Jabar Gaffney was in 2006. He was Tom Brady’s go to guy that season before Bill Belichick decided to revamp the receiving corp. Gaffney put up pretty good numbers for a fourth receiver in 2007. He caught 36 passes for 449 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Danny Amendola’s best season in New England came in 2015 when he caught 65 passes for 648 yards and 3 touchdowns. Amendola hasn’t lived up to the $33 million dollar contract he signed in 2013 but he’s been loyal and has come up big in the playoffs the last three seasons.
Based on that, I give Amendola the edge in this comparison. He is the better receiver and he has played like it, particularly in the playoffs. Edge: Amendola
Ben Watson vs. Rob Gronkowski: Look, I have a lot of respect for Watson. He is still in the league but this comparison is not fair. Watson was an average tight end during his time in New England. Gronkowski is the greatest tight end of all time. We don’t need to compare the numbers. Edge: Gronkowski
Kevin Faulk vs. James White: There really is no comparison here. Kevin Faulk gets the edge all day. Outside of White’s performance in Super Bowl LI, he hasn’t really produced for the Patriots. He has two regular season receiving touchdowns in his career.
White caught 39 passes for 163 yards and no touchdowns last season. Conversely, Faulk caught 47 passes for 383 and 1 touchdown in 07. There isn’t a stark difference in the numbers but Faulk gets the edge on his resume and career production. Edge: Faulk
Based on this apples to apples comparison, it appears that the 2017 skill group has a slight edge. I think the 2017 group is better because it is a deeper and more diverse.
Will this skill group put up the numbers that the 07 group did? Probably not, but unlike that group, they may win a Super Bowl. Harsh I know. It’s the truth.
I guess the only two people who can truly settle this debate are Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Unfortunately, they will never tell us who they think is better. It is not their M.O.