Pats re-sign Eckel, cut Spach, swap Dillard and Malone on PS

[Christopher_Price]

The Patriots have just issued the following press release:FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots re-signed fullback Kyle Eckel today. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Additionally, the Patriots released tight end Stephen Spach, signed defensive back Mark Dillard to their practice squad and released punter Tom Malone from their practice squad.Eckel, 26, has [...]

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[cartmen]

Re: Pats shuffle roster

Thanks Chris,
Funny though Spach did them a favor yesterday they should keep him

I wonder if they told him to Live long and Prosper?

 

[bresna]

Re: Pats shuffle roster

LoMo's shoulder must be worse than they're saying...

 

[ALP]

Re: Pats shuffle roster

1. hopefully this means watson is good to go
2. i guess spach didnt block too well, maybe eckel will be our new blocker?
3. another rb? interesting....

 

[patchick]

Re: Pats shuffle roster

LoMo's shoulder must be worse than they're saying...

Because of Kyle Eckel? Eckel's responsibilities scarcely overlap with Maroney's at all, and Jordan-Morris-Evans looks just fine.

 

[Sicilian]

Re: Pats shuffle roster

LoMo's shoulder must be worse than they're saying...

I dunno... they're carrying 5 backs because they felt they had five good backs to carry. If one is questionable, would they really bring in another guy when they have four others who have shown the ability to play at a high level?

My guess is that Watson is getting healthy, and they're seeing some special teams deficiency that they feel Eckel could remedy better than Spach. That's complete speculation on my part though.

 

[Pats726]

Re: Pats shuffle roster

Is Jones back on the PSquad??? OR?? I just owndered as Dillard is back..and if Jones was not re-signed then Malone would NOT have needed to be cut...no??

 

[jeffbiologist]

Re: Pats shuffle roster

I think Spach just lacked the discipline BB requires of his players and he was sending a signal to others....that last penalty may have been the last straw. Bringing back Eckel to me is just a temporary move that helps a little in ST(Woods may be more hurt)that Spach didnt do. And bringing guys in that have been here before and know the system, priceless...

 

[Pats726]

Re: Pats shuffle roster

I agree...Watson is better so Spach was expendable...and that is OK...Woods and or Maroney are both injured..so I think Eckel will help a LOT on special teams..not sure he will help all that much in the running game..(A good reason the team has 5 RBs this year.)
I would think DeVree would be back to the PSquad with a spot open.. HAVE to have a TE on that now..OR is Jones back as part of the 8??

 

[BPF]

Re: Pats shuffle roster

LoMo's shoulder must be worse than they're saying...

I think the Eckel move could be more special teams related than anything else now that Watson is healthy. If Maroney is seriously hurt, which I don't believe, they already have enough backs on the roster in Morris, Jordan and Faulk to more than fill in for him. Also, if Maroney was seriously hurt he wouldn't have gotten in there again for another carry late in the 4th qtr.

 

[RayClay]

I noticed Dillard making a very solid unassisted tackle preventing a TD in preseason. Might not mean much, but he made me look him up.

 

[JoePats]

Re: Pats shuffle roster

I think the Eckel move could be more special teams related than anything else now that Watson is healthy. If Maroney is seriously hurt, which I don't believe, they already have enough backs on the roster in Morris, Jordan and Faulk to more than fill in for him. Also, if Maroney was seriously hurt he wouldn't have gotten in there again for another carry late in the 4th qtr.

I agree with this entirely, especially the part about putting Maroney back in late in the 4th quarter.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Hey Chris, before I forget, I saw you on NECN last night. You looked marvelous.:rocker:

God job and a mention for patsfans too.

 

[ClevTrev]

Re: Pats shuffle roster

Because of Kyle Eckel? Eckel's responsibilities scarcely overlap with Maroney's at all, and Jordan-Morris-Evans looks just fine.

Eckel is most likely being signed to maintain depth at RB and to add to depth at STs. I would say that Jordan will move into Maroney's spot if Maroney is out. Eckel is being told, "The line forms to the rear."

 

[BPF]

Re: Pats shuffle roster

I agree...Watson is better so Spach was expendable...and that is OK...Woods and or Maroney are both injured..so I think Eckel will help a LOT on special teams..not sure he will help all that much in the running game..(A good reason the team has 5 RBs this year.)
I would think DeVree would be back to the PSquad with a spot open.. HAVE to have a TE on that now..OR is Jones back as part of the 8??

I believe Eckel signing has more to do with Alexander being hurt, calf injuries tend to linger.

 

[mgteich]

1) Eckel will play special teams.
2) If Maroney were to be hurt for a month, we wouldn't add a running back. We carry five running backs precisely this contingency.
3) Spach was cut before. We didn't like his replacement, so we brought him back. Now tha Watson is healthy, Spach is gone again.
4) I'd rather have a TE then Eckel, but I guess Alexander and Aiken are both still out.

 

[Pats726]

Re: Pats shuffle roster

I believe Eckel signing has more to do with Alexander being hurt, calf injuries tend to linger.

Forgot that he was out...absolutely.. the ST were not really tested as much as most kicks went into the endzone..

 

[Jimke]

The Pats will play musical chairs with the 53 roster spot and

the practice squad all season long.

 

[sieglo]

Spach's false start when taking a knee was just too stupid for BB's standards.

 

[signbabybrady]

Yey they signed my boy back to the squad.

This is two fold in my book

couple injuries to special teamers.
and the added use of FB. Evans pretty much went wire to wire, you need to back that up.