Greg Lewis Acquired by New England Patriots

Greg Lewis, who played wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles last season, has been acquired by the New England Patriots by a trade. The New England Patriots traded a 2009 draft choice (undisclosed), and received Lewis and a 2010 draft choice (undisclosed).

The New England Patriots lost their number three wide receiver to free agency this year. WR Jabar Gaffney filled the role for the Patriots in 2008. The team is hoping that Greg Lewis will be able to step right in to that role and produce at a high level.

The Patriots tend to run plenty of three wide receiver sets, so Greg Lewis will be able to see the field pretty often, if he can step up and claim that role. Jabar Gaffney was a fast, reliable wide receiver who could stretch the field. Greg Lewis is known for his good speed and his cutting ability, which should help him succeed in the short passing game.

Greg Lewis has played for the Philadelphia Eagles since the 2003 season. His best season was in 2005, where he posted 48 catches for 561 yards, with one touchdown.

Lewis is a smaller wide receiver, and he has not been a big time touchdown producer over the course of his career. Since 2003, Lewis has caught a total of seven touchdowns. He caught just one touchdown last year for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Greg Lewis never had an extended role with the Philadelphia Eagles, normally falling into a wide receiver by committee with other Philadelphia wide receivers. QB Donovan McNabb really never had a go-to guy, minus Terrell Owens, who was just released by the Dallas Cowboys early this morning. Greg Lewis was supposed to step up and become one of the main guys, but he never grew into that role as expected.

Playing with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady should benefit Lewis greatly. Can he step up his production to a very high level? That remains to be seen, but he has the basic catching ability and good speed to succeed in the Belichick offense.

Lewis can play on special teams, and is a decent blocker as a wide receiver.

One of the great benefits of this deal is that Greg Lewis is signed for three years at an extremely low pay rate. This will allow the Patriots to maintain a healthy amount of cap space to go out and acquire other free agents to fill team needs. Lewis was a good acquisition for the Patriots, and he should make an immediate solid impact on their roster.

Sources: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5412http://nationalpost.pa-sportsticker.com/default.aspx?s=nfl-news-display&nid=A51288361236290551A