Jimke

Welbourn is a warm body who has started 95 games in the NFL.

Let's see what Dante Scarnecchia can do with him.

Patsfanin Philly

Living here in Philly I got to see all of their games from 99-03 when he was a member of the Eagles and was part of a pretty solid O Line that made its way to 4 conference championship games in a row. He was (then) a solid performer who did his job and helped keep McNabb upright....If he performs at the level he did back then, I'll be satisfied....

OhExaulted1

I've always had a soft spot for the Philadelphia Bills.

__________________
I've visited the inner sanctum

TB146

Mike Reiss offered some analysis regarding this signing (link) in which he said:

"At this morning's practice, the team had 11 linemen dressed, meaning only two layers of a depth chart could be filled (three layers would be ideal)."

Does he mean that they should carry 15 OL (5 positions x 3 "layers") on the 53-man roster? That seems like a lot. Maybe he means that many for TC ... which makes more sense when there are 27 extra roster spots and more guys are needed just for taking reps.

Anyway, how many OL do the Pats usually carry during the regular season? Given issues of health, talent and depth do you think they may be trying to keep more than previous years?

__________________
"These Patriots will forever go down as a team that belonged to Belichick and Tom Brady, though the club’s identity was formed just as much around people like Tedy Bruschi and Troy Brown. Those are the men who defined the Pats as much as anyone..." - Tony Mazz, 8/31/09

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

mgteich

We usually carry 4 OT's, 3 OG's, 1 OG/C and 1 C.

We won't carry more if Neal is injured. It makes more sense to put him on the PUP list where he doesn't count against the 53 man roster.

Yes it is good to have 15 OL's in camp as part of an 80 man squad, 50% more than the number needed in the regular season.

Patriotis

You seem to want to cover all angles so you can't be wrong. Is he a warm camp body or will he catch on as a reserve? At least the optimistic one gave a point of view and backed it up with facts about this guy. If it was a CFA signing I would agree that it's nothing more than a warm body but Welbourn's resume shows that he could be more than that.

BPF

I'm just trying to point out that it's irrelevant when a player is signed. You get a player on your team many different ways and once he's on the roster you see what he can do in your system and you go from there. I pointed out the player's strengths and he seems to be a quality player that has done it on this level for some time now. I'd rather have grizzled veterans who know their way around on the OL rather than 1st or 2nd yr players and this guy fits a current need nicely. Now it's not a given he will make it and it's not a given he will not but he is a nice veteran pick up that has some definite upside in terms of making the roster. He will compete and we will see, I just don't get why you refer to him as a warm camp body, he is more than that.

Give me something more than saying "what I know about the NFL," give me reasons why he will only be a warm camp body.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."
Aristotle

"I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance."
Socrates

STH since 1994....sec 236

tombonneau

Not really. I think the tone of most of my posts would indicate I expect very little from this signing. But I won't willfully ignore the fact that there is a chance he could be a reserve. Anything is possible. I'd put it 90/10.

Sorry if my POV isn't extremist enough for you; but I prefer shades of gray.

I can count on one hand the passionate opinions I have expressed on this board:

1. Keeping Gaffney over Caldwell. Fairly epic 9,000-page thread that I was thankfully proved correct on.

2. Heath Evans is worthless carrying the football and the Pats needed a proper RB3 who could carry the load in an emergency. (Hopefully got this in Jordan.)

3. Designating a roster spot exclusively for a long-snapper is a waste. A backup TE should be able to do this capably. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll ever get my wish with this one ...

tombonneau

Ok.

They signed OL from Duke who hasn't played an NFL snap & has been out of football since 2006 before they gave Welbourn a call.

That tells me plenty.

BPF

I guess then that means that it's a good thing they liked all these guys better than Brady.

At this point in time Welbourn is a really good pick up, actually a great pick up. The Pats are in a certain position with injuries and I like this option better than Lav Bauta. Prior to TC you fill out your roster with OFA types, who knows you might actually hit on one, but when you're in a bind and possibly need to go into the season with a player you go with a proven commodity like Welbourn.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."
Aristotle

"I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance."
Socrates

STH since 1994....sec 236