The benefits of having first-rate wide receivers such as Randy Moss and Wes Welker cannot be ignored, but the New England Patriots realized it doesn't matter much if no one else can get open.
Being top-heavy at any position - perhaps other than quarterback - is a recipe for disaster in the NFL, so the Patriots took steps toward solidifying their receiver corps by acquiring cagy veteran Joey Galloway.
"Once I was released, my goal entering free agency was that I would love to have the chance to play for a team that could win it all and had some stability at the quarterback position," Galloway said. "Once I was contacted by coach (Bill) Belichick, I was very excited about that opportunity. I took a visit and had a chance to go to dinner with the coaches.
"Then, the next day, I had some meetings and went through the physical. From there, we've just been talking about contract situations and finally we were able to work it out."
Galloway may be 37 years old, but he's an instant upgrade over Jabar Gaffney, who served as the team's No. 3 receiver last year and failed to respond to an increase in responsibility.
"I guess the same thing that kept me going at 24 and 26 and 28 (is) that I love to compete," Galloway said. "I'm looking forward to a new challenge, a new situation. I'm looking forward to competing with a team that expects to win football games. This is what I do. This is my profession.
"Nothing has changed for me over the years. I have the same drive. I have the same focus. As long as a new challenge is in front of me, and I physically and mentally feel very good, then I look forward to it."
And don't discount the motivation factor either. Galloway expressed his desire to win and the Patriots clearly fit that mold. They're coming off an 11-5 season marred only by the fact they failed to qualify for the playoffs. The good news is Tom Brady will be back at the helm again, providing Galloway with the top-notch quarterback he craves. Age may be nothing but a number in 2009.
"You can't really measure it," Galloway said. "I have been a fan of his for a long time. I've been a fan of the team, a fan of the organization from top to bottom, from Mr. (Robert) Kraft and all the way down. I've always looked forward to an opportunity to get into a situation to ... like I'd said, stability at quarterback has always been something that I've hoped for and looked for in my decision-making.
"Once the opportunity came to have a chance to play with Tom Brady, then I don't think you can do any better than that."
