Question: best ex-Practice squader? - New England Patriots Forums

bokonon · 09-03-2007, 12:18 PM

I asked this question in the Childress thread and it went unanswered. Who is the best NFL player to have come off of a practice squad? I'm genuinely curious to see what the historical ceiling is for PS players in general, outside of the context that I at one time had high hopes for Mills.

The best I can come up with from the top of my head is Stephen Neal. Can anybody top that?

***DaBruinz*** · 09-03-2007, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bokonon

I asked this question in the Childress thread and it went unanswered. Who is the best NFL player to have come off of a practice squad? I'm genuinely curious to see what the historical ceiling is for PS players in general, outside of the context that I at one time had high hopes for Mills.

The best I can come up with from the top of my head is Stephen Neal. Can anybody top that?

I am sure that there are others around the league. Tom Ashworth and Brandon Gorin from the Pats.... Not sure abot other teams... Best teams to check are the Titans, Colts and Chiefs.

upstater1 · 09-03-2007, 12:26 PM

Mike Wright?

Was Randall Gay ever on the PS?

bokonon · 09-03-2007, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upstater1

Mike Wright?

Was Randall Gay ever on the PS?

I think I remember Gay going straight to the 53. Wright may be as good a player as Neal without the same opportunity to prove himself (so far).

And DaBruinz, I don't think either Gorin or Ashworth are/were better than Neal. Especially Gorin.

***DaBruinz*** · 09-03-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bokonon

I think I remember Gay going straight to the 53. Wright may be as good a player as Neal without the same opportunity to prove himself (so far).

And DaBruinz, I don't think either Gorin or Ashworth are/were better than Neal. Especially Gorin.

Wright was never on the Practice squad. As for whether Ashworth/Gorin are/were better than Neal. *shrug* Neal is mediocre in my opinion... I hope that the new scheme will help him out.

***NEPatriot*** · 09-03-2007, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upstater1

Mike Wright?

Was Randall Gay ever on the PS?

He went straight from UDFA to the 53 man roster.

ClevTrev · 09-03-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlanta Patsfan

He went straight from UDFA to the 53 man roster.

Correct. Neal was never on the Pats PS. He was signed from the Eagles' PS.

bokonon · 09-03-2007, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevTrev

Correct. Neal was never on the Pats PS. He was signed from the Eagles' PS.

My question isn't limited to the Pats PS.

BTW, just read Keenan McCardell was on the Bears PS in the early 90s. That's probably going to be the top guy in terms of historical precedent, I'd guess. Heard him discussed as a borderline HOFer. So I guess there is a pretty high ceiling after all.

patsox23 · 09-03-2007, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBruinz

Wright was never on the Practice squad. As for whether Ashworth/Gorin are/were better than Neal. *shrug* Neal is mediocre in my opinion... I hope that the new scheme will help him out.

WOW. I've never heard that opinion. I'm open to it, 'though dubious. Care to elaborate? I think Neal is very solid.

***cstjohn17*** · 09-03-2007, 12:58 PM

This whole thread points out the minimal impact of practice squad players.

I am no different than anyone else I hold out hope against hope that they can find a gem and work him into the system but in the end they are usually just a bunch of easily replacable parts that have little or no impact.