Fencer

We frequently see ideas along the lines of dumping a guy because we have so much other talent at his position. But when does that ever really come into play?

This offseason, the Pats are for the second time letting a good kicker go (the other was Robbie Gould). And Cassell was shipped out. But other than at the "There can only be one" positions, examples are scanty of guys who were let go for reasons of excessive depth, and then missed.

On defense, there's been the occasional JAG DB we might have liked back in our worst injury year, but anybody better has pretty clearly moved on for reasons of money, not roster space.

On offense there have been a few guys who started elsewhere, but which of them have been better than Pats who got reps at the time? (Thomas at TE? Perhaps. Who else?) Probably some WR examples, given that Slater or Aikman got the occasional snap, but they aren't jumping to mind.

Another area may be STs -- Sean Morey went on to be a Pro Bowler after he left. But overall, if there's a guy who's useful, who's not overpaid, and who didn't generally burn his bridges, he winds up staying and getting snaps as injuries, packages, etc. progress.

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"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness." -- Oscar Wilde

supafly

I think that the positions of S, CB, and even DL could be some that may fall into that category, depending on your personal view of course.

We seem to be pretty well stocked at all 3 of those, with at least adequate depth and guys that could start for other teams if needed. Some of the examples I am thinking of (not even coming close to saying that any will or should be let go) are guys like Brace, Pryor, G.Warren, Butler, Wilhite, Page, McGowan, Sanders.

*obviously realizing that some of these are UFA's, so maybe they aren't the best examples (shrugs shoulders), but I don't expect more than 1-2 to leave via FA either, and any one of these guys could define the 'logjam' term that you use in terms of depth*

The thing I love most about this team, the front office, the owner/coach etc, is the importance of depth. I would rather have a bunch of good-to-very good players, than just a couple or a few 'great' ones. The whole Belichickian philosophy of sufficient depth, and rotational players is so important, and I simply love watching groups of 4-5-6 different guys being rotated on sub packages at times.

randomk1

quarterback-bledsoe,brady,cassell

now mallett and hoyer.

that ******* brady guy keeps holding other guys down. add a supermodel wife and a monster contract and then it's like a kick in the nuts.

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Fencer

Oh, duh. I forgot Drew!!!

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"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness." -- Oscar Wilde

Fencer

My point is that those logjams have barely materialized in prior years.

It MAY be the case, which I forgot before, that Hobbs was dumped a year early for roster reasons. But who else? Matt Chatham at LB? Dan Klecko at DL? There's almost no such thing as too much defensive depth.

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"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness." -- Oscar Wilde

BlueThunder

If you look at the defense, a bunch of them are in their 2nd and 3rd years and should be either still developing, or reaching their potential this year....let's hope the shortened camp doesn't affect their growth....

No Injuries please...

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My guns are no threat to anyone who isn't trying to deprive me or my family of life,liberty or property. They are,however, EXTREMELY dangerous to anyone who threatens to take those things.

patchick

David Thomas leaps to mind.

Fencer

So far we have QBs, Ks, ST cover guys, and him.

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"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness." -- Oscar Wilde

Richard Camembert

Let's not forget Ted Larsen...when our depth guys can start for other teams you know something is going well.

ctpatsfan77

The 2009 TEs. Oy:

* Give away a 5 for Alex Smith, who didn't even make the roster, when the team already had a full complement of TEs
* Trade away David Thomas, who arguably had the best season of any of those TEs, for (initially) a 7 two years down the road
* Trade for *another* TE who barely plays, and gets cut after a few weeks
* Run the season with two TEs who TFB barely trusts

About the only thing that saves it from being an unmitigated disaster is that, like the 2006 WRs, it forced BB to completely make over the position, and now the Patriots almost unarguably have the best TE unit in the league.

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"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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