BlitzFritz

Clearly,training camp is a BIG grind.
Some players have obviously skipped it yet still managed to then play a full season. Michael Strahan skipped camp entirely, basically admitted it, and then showed up to play. This is also my theory about Favre - he drags all of this out to avoid the TC grind, but will show up to play another season. Watch.

I also believe that NFL teams are complicit in this maneuver, though for obvious reasons they could never admit it.

That got me thinking, is there a chance that Burgess is also just plain sick of camp? At some point, he will "come to his senses", and rejoin the team?

Sounds far-fetched. LOL. I would go for >50% that he is playing OLB for the Pats this season, but then I love intrigue and conspiracy theories.

thoughts?

-- FRITZ

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"If you counted out the Patriots, you just don't get it." Adam Schein, September 2008

“We are building a big, strong, fast, smart, tough and disciplined football team that. consistently competes for championships.” Guess who.

patriot lifer

it is a possibility. Until he files his paperwork to officially retire, it is a genuine possibility.

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2013 Season:

Nate Solder (6'8" 320 lbs)
Seabass (6'8" 320 lbs)
Rob Gronkowski (6'6" 265 lbs)
Jake Ballard (6'6" 275 lbs)
Logan Mankins (6'4" 320 lbs) (100% recovered)
Dan Connolly (6'4" 320 lbs)
Marcus Cannon (6'5" 340 lbs) (Switch to Guard??)

RB: Ridley, Vereen, Washington, Bolden

DarrylS

Would have thought that both parties would have come to some logical conclusion by now.. why drag it out???

This could make sense.. but how does that fit for other veterans who are working their butts off????

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JSn

Wouldn't surprise me in the least.

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Sicilian

Wouldn't surprise me, but I feel this tactic is only accepted by hall of fame caliber players (and in most cases by players who have a long history with the team, Favre being the exception to the latter). Strahan was a Giant legend, and was clearly well versed in their system. Camp at his age wasn't a necessity really.

Burgess, while playing better the second half of the season, has very little clout with the team comparatively, and certainly has a lot to prove to say he still belongs on the roster. I would have a hard time seeing Belichick welcoming him back if he was indeed just orchestrating this to get out of two-a-days.

mgteich

This has happened in the past, with Belichick giveing a knowing wink and spouting the party line to the media. HOWEVER, this time Belichick seems genuinely surprised.

Finally, I would not be surprised if the Front Office makes a strong pitch to Burgess. We could use him for this season.

Pujo

Anyone know if he's been sent the 5 day letter?

tuckeverlasting

that's what i've been waiting for. no letter might mean they know he's avoiding tc.

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john clayton is super chicken and doug gottlieb is a thief .

mgteich

It may also mean that the reports that he is "contemplating" retirement are correct, and thay he has not made a final decision.

MoLewisrocks

When has this happened?? I can't recall a single situation of a player under contract not reporting to TC. Even out holdouts beyond Mankins and Branch show up when the bell rings. If you're talking about Junior, he was signed year to year on an as needed basis...I recall a CB we signed who was genuinely conflicted about leaving his wife and kids to the point he contemplated retirement...but ended up coming in.

I think Burgess took the signing bonus reluctantly when no one else came knocking (he was hoping for a better deal elsewhere after coming here assuming he'd be in line for career rehab) and then lost initiative and is likely not in shape and therefore seriously considering just hanging them up rather than end up an unceremonious camp cut. Either that or a little birdy whispered in his ear recently that he could have done better money or location wise and he is trying to make the same move Schoebel just pulled in Buffalo. Feign retirement to facilitate a cut so you can shop yourself to a personally preferable situation still early in camp...