In their first meeting, the Wildcat ran wild. Miami's star running back and New England's head coach tackle the unorthodox formation. Plus, news and notes from Wednesday's practice.
The Patriots head into Sunday's game at Miami tied with the Dolphins for second place in a highly competitive AFC East. The winner of the contest will answer a few questions heading down the stretch toward the postseason. For all the other questions surrounding the Patriots we bring another wide-ranging edition of Ask PFW.
After seeing the Dolphins' Wildcat formation rip it to shreds in Week 3, New England is doing everything it can to prevent a repeat performance this weekend.
Joey Porter's running his mouth again. Read all about that and the other news and notes leading up to this weekend's Patriots-Dolphins game in today's Patriots.com News Blitz.
Benjamin Seth Watson was born the son of Ken and Diana Watson on Dec. 18, 1980 in Norfolk, Va. ... Volunteer for the Habitat for Humanity, Mentoring for Athens/Clarke County Leisure Services, Reading Programs at local elementary schools, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Spokesperson, Boys and Girls Club of Athens, Americas Second Harvest Food Bank and Volunteer Salvation Army Toys-for-Tots programs ... Lists photography as a hobby ... Attended Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.) High ... Had 31 receptions for 515 yards and five touchdowns as a senior ... Named all-area and all-region during both his junior and senior campaigns ... All-state pick as a senior ... Elected to play in Shrine Bowl senior year ... Helped lead the team to the state championship his junior year ... Member of National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes ... Named student of the year as a senior ... Majored in finance at Georgia. Benjamin and his wife Kirsten were married in 2005.
Career Transactions
Benjamin Watson was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round (32nd overall) of the 2004 NFL draft ... Signed by the Patriots (8/16/04) ... Placed on injured reserve (9/29/04).
Career Highlights
Career GP/GS (Playoffs): 29/23 (5/4)
Finished second on the team with a career-high 49 receptions and 643 receiving yards in 2006.
Watson led all Patriots tight ends with 29 receptions for 441 yards and four touchdowns in 2005, while snaring 10 passes of 20 yards or longer.
Watson recorded the longest touchdown reception in Patriots playoff history when he hauled in a pass and rumbled for a 63-yard score in the 2005 wild card playoffs (1/7/06).
2006 Season
2006 (13/13/0/3): Finished second on the team with a career-high 49 receptions and 643 receiving yards ... Led the team or tied for the team lead in receptions five times in 2006 (vs. BUF, at BUF, at MIN, at GB, vs. CHI) ... Led the team in receiving yards six times in 2006 (vs. BUF, at BUF, at MIN, vs. IND, at GB, vs. CHI).
Buffalo (9/10): Started at tight end and led the team with three receptions and 50 yards in the Patriots' 19-17 victory over the Bills ... Extended the Patriots' second touchdown drive with a 34-yard catch over the middle on third-and-nine in the third quarter ... Kept another scoring drive alive with an 11-yard grab on third-and-10 at the start of the fourth quarter. at N.Y. Jets (9/17): Started at tight end ... Grabbed three passes for 39 yards in the Patriots' 24-17 win over the N.Y. Jets ... Extended the Patriots' opening touchdown drive by hauling in a 14-yard reception on third-and-12 in the first quarter ... Set up the Patriots second touchdown of the afternoon with a 23-yard reception down to the Jets' 13-yard line. Denver (9/24): Started at tight end ... Tallied a career-high five receptions for 54 yards ... Grabbed a 17-yard strike from Tom Brady in the second quarter. at Cincinnati (10/1): Made the start at tight end and registered one reception for 35 yards in the Patriots' commanding 38-13 victory over the Bengals ... Set up the Patriots' first touchdown of the day with a 35-yard reception down to the Bengals' 11-yard line in the second quarter. vs. Miami (10/8): Started at tight end ... Collected four receptions for 33 yards in the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Dolphins ... Hauled in a short pass and broke a few tackles on his way to a 9-yard gain and a first down on a third-and-eight play in the third quarter ... Sealed the Patriots victory with a 15-yard reception on fourth-and-three late in the fourth quarter. at Buffalo (10/22): Started at tight end and led the team with five catches and 60 receiving yards in the Patriots' 28-6 road victory over the Bills ... Rumbled for 14 yards on a tight end screen during the Patriots' opening scoring drive in the first quarter ... Hauled in a 17-yard grab on a third-and-nine play in the fourth quarter. at Minnesota (10/30): Started at tight end and led the team with 95 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Patriots' commanding 31-7 road win against the Vikings ... Tied for the team lead with seven receptions in the victory ... Set up the Patriots' opening touchdown of the evening with a 14-yard reception over the middle rumbling down to the Vikings' 6-yard line ... Got behind the linebackers and hauled in a 40-yard reception in the second quarter ... Grabbed his first touchdown of the season on a 9-yard strike from Tom Brady late in the second quarter. Indianapolis (11/5): Started at tight end ... Led the team with 54 receiving yards on four receptions ... Grabbed a 15-yard reception on a third-and-11 play in the first quarter ... Got open over the middle and hauled in a 25-yard reception late in the fourth quarter. vs. N.Y. Jets (11/12): Started at tight end and grabbed two receptions for 16 yards ... Snared a 6-yard reception on fourth-and-three in the final stanza. at Green Bay (11/19): Started at tight end ... Led the team with five receptions and 74 receiving yards, including a touchdown in the Patriots' 35-0 road victory over the Packers ... Got open behind the linebackers and grabbed a 36-yard reception in the opening stanza ... Made a diving grab while dragging both feet in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown reception with 43 seconds left in the third quarter ... Snared a 13-yard reception on third-and-eight in the fourth quarter. vs. Chicago (11/26): Started at tight end ... Tied for the team lead with six receptions for a team-high 87 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Patriots' 17-13 victory over the Bears ... Got open deep and hauled in 40-yard reception on third-and-three during the Patriots' second touchdown drive in the fourth quarter ... Grabbed a 2- yard touchdown toss from Tom Brady, giving the Patriots a 17-10 lead with 8:22 remaining in the fourth quarter. vs. Detroit (12/3): Made the start at tight end and grabbed three receptions for 41 yards in the Patriots' 28-21 comeback victory over the Lions ... Set up the Patriots' first touchdown of the game with a 23-yard catch down to the Lions' 6-yard line in the second quarter. at Miami (12/10): Started at tight end ... Grabbed one reception for five yards before leaving the game with an injury in the third quarter. vs. Houston (12/17): Inactive. at Jacksonville (12/24): Inactive. at Tennessee (12/31): Inactive.
2006 Postseason (3/2/0/0): vs. N.Y. Jets (1/7): Played in a reserve role at tight end and grabbed four receptions for 24 yards in the Patriots' 37-16 AFC Wild Card victory over the N.Y. Jets ... Set up the Patriots' second score of the game by drawing a 22-yard pass interference penalty on Hank Poteat at the Jets' 3-yard line. at San Diego (1/14): Started at tight end ... Grabbed one reception for nine yards in the Patriots' 24-21 AFC Divisional playoff victory over the Chargers. at Indianapolis (1/21): Started at tight end ... Led the team with five receptions and 48 yards.
2005 Season
2005 (15/9/0/1): Snared his first career touchdown on a 33-yard reception against Atlanta (10/09/05). Oakland (9/8): Started at tight end as the Patriots opened the game in a two tight end set ... Snared two receptions for 55 yards in the Patriots' 30-20 victory over the Raiders on opening night ... Hauled in two third-down receptions to extend the Patriots opening scoring drive of the game that ended with an Adam Vinatieri 26-yard field goal ... Snared a 20-yard pass on third-and-10 in the first quarter ... Caught a 35-yard strike on third-and-six later in the drive. at Carolina (9/18): Started at tight end and made one reception for seven yards ... Caught Chris Gamble from behind and saved a potential touchdown on a punt return in the second quarter. at Pittsburgh (9/25): Started at tight end and hauled in one reception for 10 yards in the Patriots' 23-20 victory over the Steelers ... Set up the Patriots' first touchdown of the afternoon with a 10-yard grab down to the Pittsburgh 4-yard line. San Diego (10/2): Played in a reserve role at tight end ... Kickstarted the Patriots final scoring drive of the first half with a 23-yard reception in the second quarter. at Atlanta (10/9): Started at tight end and snared a touchdown pass in the Patriots' 31-28 win over the Falcons ... Gave the Patriots a 21-13 lead with his first career touchdown with a 33-yard grab in the third quarter. at Denver (10/16): Played in a reserve role at tight end and grabbed a 6-yard pass from Tom Brady in the third quarter during the Patriots' initial touchdown drive. Buffalo (10/30): Played in a reserve role at tight end in the Patriots' 21-16 victory over the Bills on Sunday Night Football. Indianapolis (11/7): Started at tight end and collected three receptions for 36 yards ... Kept the Patriots' second touchdown drive alive with a 23-yard reception on third-and-eight in the third quarter. at Miami (11/13): Registered three receptions for 37 yards and two touchdowns in the Patriots' 23-16 road victory over the Dolphins ... Gave the Patriots a 12-7 lead with a 16-yard touchdown reception on the last play of the third quarter ... Hauled in his second touchdown of the afternoon with a diving, tip toe catch of 17 yards in the fourth quarter. New Orleans (11/20): Led the team with 66 receiving yards on four receptions in the Patriots' 24-17 win over the Saints ... Extended the Patriots initial scoring drive with a 29-yard reception on third-and-10 in the first quarter ... Snared a 4-yard pass on fourth-and-two later in the drive ... On the next play from scrimmage, grabbed a 23-yard reception down to the Saints' 5-yard line ... Hauled in a 10-yard reception on third-and-three in the second quarter. at Kansas City (11/27): Caught three passes for 14 yards ... Snared a 10-yard reception on third-and-eight in the first quarter. N.Y. Jets (12/4): Started at tight end and grabbed two receptions for 43 yards in the Patriots' 16-3 victory over the Jets ... Snared a 25-yard reception over the middle in the first quarter ... Hauled in an 18-yard pass on the final play of the third quarter. at Buffalo (12/11): Saw limited action at tight end after leaving the game in the first half with an injury ... Grabbed three receptions for 35 yards on the Patriots' first scoring drive of the afternoon. Tampa Bay (12/17): Inactive. at N.Y. Jets (12/26): Started at tight end and grabbed two receptions for 37 yards in the Patriots' 31-21 victory over the Jets ... Snared a 23-yard pass on third-and-14 during the Patriots' final scoring drive in the fourth quarter ... Sealed the victory by recovering an onside-kick late in the fourth quarter. Miami (1/1): Started at tight end and grabbed two receptions for 39 yards ... Hauled in a 30-yard reception over the middle in the fourth quarter ... Grabbed a 9-yard touchdown strike from Matt Cassel on the final play of the game.
2005 Postseason (2/2/0/0): Jacksonville (1/7): Started at tight end ... Led the team with five receptions and 91 receiving yards in the Patriots' 28-3 AFC Wild Card victory over the Jaguars ... Extended the Patriots' second touchdown drive with a 15-yard reception on third-and-six in the third quarter ... Grabbed a reception over the middle, broke a few tackles and rumbled for a 63-yard touchdown to give the Patriots a commanding 21-3 lead in the third quarter. at Denver (1/14): Started at tight end but did not collect a reception ... Sprinted the length of the field and knocked Champ Bailey out of bounds at the Patriots' 1- yard line following a 100-yard interception return in the third quarter.
2004 season
2004 (1/1): Made his first NFL start and grabbed his first career reception (9/9). Placed on injured reserve (9/29). Indianapolis (9/9): Started at tight end and snared two receptions for 16 yards in the Patriots’ 27-24 victory over the Colts … Registered his first career reception on a 2-yard pass from Tom Brady in the first quarter … On the next play from scrimmage, got the Patriots first down yardage by hauling in a 14-yard catch on third-and-eight. at Arizona (9/19): Inactive.
College
For his collegiate career, he totaled 945 yards and seven scores on 73 receptions (12.9 avg) … Began his career at Duke University, catching eight passes for 93 yards (11.6 avg) and a touchdown in 1999 … In 37 games (26 starts) for Georgia from 2001-03, he made 65 catches for 852 yards (13.6 avg) and six touchdowns. 2003 (Senior): A preseason All-American and All-Southeastern Conference selection, Passed on an opportunity to enter 2003 NFL Draft (applied, but later elected to remain a Bulldog for his senior season) … Caught 23 passes for 324 yards (14.1 avg) and two touchdowns … Served as offensive team captain and was chosen All-Southeastern Conference second-team by the Associated Press … Caught 2 passes for 25 yards in the season-opener against Clemson … Made three catches for 41 yards and a three-yard score against Alabama … Followed with 51 yards on five receptions against Tennessee … Against Alabama-Birmingham, made four catches for 55 yards … Caught four passes for 86 yards and a 16-yard score in the SEC Championship game against Louisiana State … Closed out his college career with four catches for 55 yards against Purdue in the Capital One Bowl. 2002 (Junior): Second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection by The NFL Draft Report … Named the team’s best all-around offensive player … Recipient of the Peter and Kay Amann Endowed Football Scholarship … Started 13 games, finishing third on the team with 31 catches for 341 yards (11.0 avg) and three touchdowns … Recorded 53 yards on three receptions against New Mexico State … Grabbed five passes for 50 yards and a nine-yard touchdown against Vanderbilt … Added a season-high six catches for 68 yards and a 15-yard score against Kentucky … Gained 42 yards on two receptions against Georgia Tech … Scored on a 20-yard catch in the SEC Championship against Arkansas. 2001 (Sophomore): Recipient of the Peter and Kay Amann Endowed Football Scholarship … Played in every game, starting vs. Tennessee, Arkansas State and Auburn … Caught 11 passes for 187 yards (17.0 avg) and a touchdown … In his first game for Georgia, he caught four passes for 54 yards against Arkansas State … Scored his first touchdown in a Bulldogs uniform against Houston on a 46-yard reception. 2000 (Transfer): Did not play under NCAA transfer rules. 1999 (Freshman): Played in 11 games at Duke University, catching eight passes for 93 yards (11.6 avg) and a touchdown.
High School
Attended Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.) High, playing football for coach Jimmy Wallace Â… Had 31 receptions for 515 yards and five touchdowns as a senior Â… Named all-area and all-region during both his junior and senior campaigns Â… All-state pick as a senior Â… Elected to play in Shrine Bowl senior year Â… Helped lead the team to the state championship his junior year Â… Member of National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes Â… Named Student of the Year as a senior.
Extra Points
Benjamin comes from an athletic family. His father, Ken, played linebacker for the University of Maryland, his mother, Diana, was a synchronized swimmer at Maryland and his sister, Jessica, ran track at Coastal Carolina University and is the South Carolina high school record holder in the 800 meter race.
Benjamin attended the IMG Academy with soccer sensation Freddy Adu. He attended Adu's first game in the MLS and met up with the D.C. United star before a game against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in 2006.
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