pats1

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal.../reiss_pieces/

January 26, 2006
3 signed
Posted By: mreiss | Time: 02:40:04 PM

Four Patriots practice squad players had their contracts expire on Monday, and three have been re-signed to "future" deals.

On Monday, the practice squad contracts of linebacker Eric Alexander, offensive tackle Wesley Britt, offensive guard Ryan Krug and receiver P.K. Sam expired.

The team quickly reached contract agreements with Alexander, Britt and Krug on "future" deals. Sam, as of Tuesday, had yet to re-sign with the Patriots.

A "future" contract means that those players will join the team when rosters expand to 80 next month.

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For those who might have missed it, the plans of the Kraft family to develop around Gillette Stadium were detailed in a story in Wednesday's Boston Globe.

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Looking ahead, updates to the blog won't be as frequent as the regular-season pace. The plan is to post updates when news occurs.

--Mike

MoLewisrocks

...sigh...

PK we hardly knew ye (although many had big plans for you). I wonder if we will see either of our enigmatic and oft injured young WR (Sam and Bethel) in a Pats uniform again.

Felger has been saying for weeks now that Bethel is history, and that he believes Troy will definitely be back if he wants to be.

Pats/Hokies Fan

I'm keeping hope alive that Andre Davis can come in and be the #3 WR & play special teams. I think a full TC w/the team will help.

Bethel being gone is such a bummer if it happens. He always handled kickoffs well last year, running straight upfield with little dancing. He'd make one cut and that's it. Bethel as a WR ... well... aside from some nice long catches... there's not much to say.

hwc

According to Miguel's numbers, the Pats only save $134k in cap space by cutting Bethel Johnson. Since it would cost double that to replace him with a rookie free agent, the dollars suggest he probably gets another year, even if it is to ride the bench as the 6th WR and backup kick returner.

bucky

What would be the point of cutting Bethel before TC? He's under contract for 2 more years at minimum salary. Bethel will be back to compete for a roster spot in TC. Whether he makes the roster is a completely different question.

pats1

Miguel has Bethel's 2006 cap hit if cut at $700 k (his remaining signing bonus).

dhamz

I don't think anyone was thinking about Bethel as a cap casualty of the offseason.

More likely he gets cut in TC because we don't want to waste a roster spot on a WR/KR who is useless as a WR and was not all that good as a KR as evidenced by his being 25th in the NFL this year.

spacecrime

Dollars count, but in this case they are very small. If Bethel isn't the guy, it would be foolish to keep him in order to save the $134k it would take to get a better player.

DaBruinz

You can't blame Bethel's rank solely on him. The kick return unit wasn't exactly impressive this year. Particularly Chatham, TBC, and Izzo.

The Unit, as a whole, was ranked 15th with a 22.2 YPR avg. Bethel was only slightly better than the team avg. He avg. 22.4 YPR. Hobbs avg. 24.1 YPR and Dwight avg. 25 YPR. Only Andre Davis avg. more. He avg'd 36 YPR, but he only had 3 returns and 1 of them was a 65 yard return.

The Pats need some people who can really block on that unit.

AndyJohnson

Personally, I think its too soon to give up on Bethel Johnson. He's been in the NFL 3 years. There is absolutely no question we have seen glimpses of his ability both with great KO returns, as well as some excellent play at times at WR. (Remember the plays he has made in the playoffs, and some very good clutch catches). There is also the contributing factor that he entered his rookie year coming off major surgery and entered 2005 training camp as a speed guy who couldnt walk.

Here are some numbers to consider:

A) 39 games- 7 starts- 30 receptions- 450 yards- 15.0 per catch
B) 37- 0- 16 -181- 11.3

A) 102 kick returns 2557 yards- 25.1 avg
B) 47- 929- 19.8

A) 6 punt returns, 21 yards, 3.5 ypreturn
B) 49-462-8.8

A) 3 fumbles
B) 5 fumbles

A) are Bethel Johnsons first 3 years in the NFL. B) are Troy Browns.

Are we being a little hasty?

Some other examples:
Brandon Stokely 36 rec 1st 3years
Amani Tommer 44
Donald Driver 37
Keenan McCardell 24, in 4 years.

There is too much talent there to give up, in my opinion. And its not just 'potential' its the plays Ive seen on the field. Granted there have not been enough but the plays he has made show the talent exists. Could the injuries be the only thing that has held him back?