Receiver-heavy Texans trade Keshawn Martin to receiver-light Patriots

[SDGuy73]

WR-rich Houston Texans trade Keshawn Martin to WR-poor New England - Houston Texans Blog - ESPN

Harper cleared waivers and was added to our practice squad.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Under six foot, under 200, and shifty in the slot.

Really? Another one?

 

[ohiopatsfan]

I feel Martin's main contribution will be as a return specialist, at least for now. This way, Amendola and Edelman don't need to be the primaries and risk the chance of injury. Certainly don't need another small receiver. I would still like to see at least one WR, other than a TE, with some size. That was the main appeal of Terrelle Pryor. By the way, who did the Pats cut to make room for Martin?

 

[redseat]

Never heard of this guy

 

[BigKen]

• 
  Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff Writer

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- With the New England Patriots acquiring receiver Keshawn Martin in a trade with the Houston Texans on Wednesday (pending a physical), the tape was turned on to watch Martin and get a better feel for his style of play.

Physical makeup. Martin is 5-foot-11 and 194 pounds. He is easy to spot on film as his hair flows out of the back of his helmet. He has fairly broad shoulders and more of a wiry build through the midsection.

Style of play. Martin might best be described as a catch-and-run receiver whose speed is his best asset. He shows the ability to make players miss after the catch. Two examples were a 32-yard grab vs. Tennessee in the 2014 regular season and a 16-yard reception in the 2015 preseason against Denver. On both plays, he created yardage after the initial catch. At times, he shows suddenness coming out of his break, such as on an 8-yard catch on an out-breaking route in a 2015 preseason game against the Saints (1:57, second quarter). He catches the ball fairly well (e.g. 16-yard leaping TD vs. Dallas against first-round pick Byron Jones in preseason), as I didn't see any drops on film, and he can accelerate somewhat quickly from a stopped position (e.g. 5-yard bubble screen vs. Cowboys in preseason). He doesn't appear to be an overly fluid route-runner. He had one fumble in the preseason on a bubble screen (vs. Cowboys).

Production and alignment. Martin finished with just six receptions in 2014, playing in a similar offense to the Patriots under Texans coach Bill O'Brien. He plays inside and outside, which is the type of flexibility the Patriots generally like in their receivers. His primary contributions came as a punt returner, as he had 25 returns for 164 yards (6.2 avg.). He has 86 career punt returns.

History against the Patriots. Martin played one regular-season game against the Patriots in his career, in 2012, his rookie season. He played 17 offensive snaps and 12 on special teams, finishing with one catch for minus-4 yards and two kickoff returns for 39 yards. He also played against New England in the playoffs that season, but there wasn't any notable production (no catches, 3 punt returns for 17 yards). So this wasn't a case where he had a big game against the Patriots, which led the team to look in his direction.

Summary. Martin's experience as a punt returner is likely what drew the Patriots to him, as his production/body of work as a receiver is not extensive. It's hard to imagine the Patriots parting with much to acquire him (perhaps it's the type of deal where the teams switch positions within a draft round next year). The Texans had excellent depth at receiver and Martin was viewed as a bubble player in training camp. The thought entering film review was that Martin's primary value is that he could help lighten the punt-return return load on Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola -- who are now the top two receivers on the depth chart -- and that was reinforced after watching plays from multiple games. My sense is the Patriots probably feel a bit more comfortable with his experience as a returner than someone like rookie Chris Harper.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

I feel Martin's main contribution will be as a return specialist, at least for now. This way, Amendola and Edelman don't need to be the primaries and risk the chance of injury. Certainly don't need another small receiver. I would still like to see at least one WR, other than a TE, with some size. That was the main appeal of Terrelle Pryor. By the way, who did the Pats cut to make room for Martin?

Harper. Who has since been signed to the practice squad.

 

[CreepCreep2014]

Speed, this is your deep threat folks!! I predict he will be cut next week after he drops a pass from TB, then you will see KT back on the roster. Waste of a draft pick. The way it stands, wont need to watch the draft this off season.

 

[Southieinnc]

Speed, this is your deep threat folks!! I predict he will be cut next week after he drops a pass from TB, then you will see KT back on the roster. Waste of a draft pick. The way it stands, wont need to watch the draft this off season.

I don't know what get's into you sometimes. You'd think we finished in last place last year......

 

[Yankee Traveler]

I don't know what get's into you sometimes. You'd think we finished in last place last year......

I think Creepy is referring to the number of picks Bill has traded away for players that are no longer on the roster.
Bill does do a great job, but he leaves me scratching my head as well.

But there is a reason I am not a 6 ring wearing head coach with a defensive scheme in the HOF.

 

[BigKen]

But there is a reason I am not a 6 ring wearing head coach with a defensive scheme in the HOF.

^^^^^^^^^
Me too......

 

[CreepCreep2014]

I think Creepy is referring to the number of picks Bill has traded away for players that are no longer on the roster.
Bill does do a great job, but he leaves me scratching my head as well.

But there is a reason I am not a 6 ring wearing head coach with a defensive scheme in the HOF.

Exactly!! Happens all the time. Sign a guy, cut him 3 days later. Curious the amount of guys NE brings in, to cut a few days later. He was not even active this week. In a draft where you are already down picks, this makes no sense.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Exactly!! Happens all the time. Sign a guy, cut him 3 days later. Curious the amount of guys NE brings in, to cut a few days later. He was not even active this week. In a draft where you are already down picks, this makes no sense.

BB probably counting on compensation picks?

 

[Southieinnc]

BB probably counting on compensation picks?

What do we get for Blount?

 

[redseat]

What do we get for Blount?

Years supply of Mary Jane?

 

[BigKen]

LaGarrett Blount for Matt Forte?? Bears are shopping him......

 

[NWPATSFAN]

LaGarrett Blount for Matt Forte?? Bears are shopping him......

In a heart beat.

 

[Southieinnc]

In a heart beat.

yesterday......

 

[redseat]

LaGarrett Blount for Matt Forte?? Bears are shopping him......

Would the Bears really be that desperate to get rid of Forte?

 

[Yankee Traveler]

This kid seems pretty legit for the few catches he's had.
LaFell is close to practicing.
Dobson is close to walking. Think he has any trade value at this point?

 

[BigKen]

Dobson had bright lights shining on him during the OTAs and Training Camp. He looked like a player who was overconfident and believed he was walking in tall cotton. Dropping Brady passes is the best way to get shown the exit door. Dobson is pretty much out the door and he does have 'some' trade value so BB will drop his name to a few teams and see if he can steal something for Dobson....like a Cornerback or Left Tackle.