farn

While I'm not blown away, I am a tad surprised... Must have been a guy who wasn't going to make the team. I certainly had confidence in him whenever he was called upon. I guess the younger guys are giving BB reason to believe in them and they are surely cheaper for more years... Not "sad" to see him go, but I would have been more than happy to have him on 53.

Mogamedogz

This (2 me) is a real nice vote of confidence in the young guys. Russ was solid for us when called on to step in.

patchick

Could that be our own 7th we're getting back from the Smith deal?

JoeSixPat

I know the official line is that Belichick doesn't "do favors" for anyone - but having a healthy relationship with other GMs isn't a one way street. We've seen Belichick work deals with other GMs like Jerry Angelo in Chicago in the past too.

When you're trading a guy for a 7th round pick you're creating a win win for the GM of the new team who has a need, wants the player and doesn't want to compete with other teams who might want to sign him, and the player who gets his remaining year of the contract.

Belichick could one day be on the other side of that equation (assuming the Chiefs get better or have players that fill a need here) - and veteran players will be more inclined to play for the Pats knowing that Belichick will treat them well (i.e. ensuring they get their salary rather than being cut).

So while I'm a little shocked too, there's a degree of logic here - and one assumes that our OL is in pretty good shape if Belichick were comfortable parting ways with Hochstein.

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robertweathers

True. But you have personnel depts out there ( KC, CLE and ATL) with similar philosophies on players. In theory, there would have been competition for him. Lord knows KC and CLE need the help on the o-line.

However, one has to assume that Caserio or Reese called those clubs, did their due dilligence and there wasn't any interest and did the best they could in finding a taker.

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102 Pat

BB must be happy with the depth on the o-line if he traded him away.

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This offseason, it's almost like Belichick is saying, "I'm never going to let that happen again."

Mike Reiss 7/19/12

PatsWickedPissah

Miguel has it as a $50K cap savings if traded. But moreso, it removes one of the top 50 salaries as he'll likely be replaced on the roster by a lower paid OL.

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Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded — here and there, now and then — are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty.
This is known as "bad luck." RAH

Urgent

A bit of a surprise, given that:
- Neal constantly faces injuries
- Hochstein has been a solid starter - far better than Yates when thrown in
- Hochstein can play guard and center equally well
- Hochstein is also versatile enough to play power fullback in the goal line package
- Hochstein knows the system and is familiar working with Mankins, Neal, Light, and Kaczur
- Yates sucks
- Ohrnberger and Bussey have missed a lot of practice time with injuries

I guess the calculation is that Ohrenberger might not make it to the practice squad.

Good luck Russ. He had great results while here.

Obviously good news for Ohrnberger.

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JD10367

KC (Pioli) just pulled a similar deal with Miami (daddy-in-law Parcells), getting two Fin OL for one late-round pick. These are solid moves for everyone involved. The team with the player(s) gets a value (however late-draft) for someone they'd otherwise release; the team picking up the player(s) gives up a fairly inconsequential draft pick in exchange for not having to wait for the guy(s) to clear waivers and possibly get snapped up by a crappier team ahead of you.

Certainly bodes well for the young OL.

Agree with the shuddering fright of having "Turnstile" Yates stick. When discussing backups, he makes Alexander look like a Pro-Bowler at his position.

JackBauer

I really hope this doesn't mean we're keeping Yates.