WEEI.com: Addition Of Walter Could Alter Backup Plan

[Christopher_Price]

Hey everyone ... here's today's entry, a look at how Andrew Walter might muddy the waters at the backup QB position:

Christopher Price | Addition Of Walter Could Alter Pats' Backup Plan

Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/capeleaguer.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Might want to take cover Chris. The natives are a little restless when it comes to criticism of the shiny 3rd round default Brady backup... Karen is taking hits for essentially the same observations.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Might want to take cover Chris. The natives are a little restless when it comes to criticism of the shiny 3rd round default Brady backup... Karen is taking hits for essentially the same observations.

I've been collecting rotten vegetables from the neighboring farms all day. :woot:

 

[RobertWeathers]

Might want to take cover Chris. The natives are a little restless when it comes to criticism of the shiny 3rd round default Brady backup... Karen is taking hits for essentially the same observations.

Mo- Respectfully disagree with your take on KGs piece. Chris (in a fine article) said the Walter move is based on performance & the need for competition. Karen is insinuating that there is more to the story than provinding just BB adding quality depth and competition to push OC (which I am completely for 100% regardless of his draft status. I hope he NEVER plays!

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Mo- Respectfully disagree with your take on KGs piece. Chris (in a fine article) said the Walter move is based on performance & the need for competition. Karen is insinuating that there is more to the story than provinding just BB adding quality depth and competition to push OC (which I am completely for 100% regardless of his draft status. I hope he NEVER plays!

The title of Chris' piece was Addition of Walter could alter backup plan. In it he said, among other things...

Currently, the Patriots’ backup quarterback job remains in a state of flux. Right now, the 24-year-old O’Connell is the No. 2 quarterback, but if Walter, 27, has a good preseason, there’s no reason to think the Arizona State product couldn’t push him for the role of primary backup...

The acquisition of a veteran backup -- even one with Walter’s woeful career numbers -- could reflect a level of concern for the relative inexperience behind Brady. O’Connell and Gutierrez had a combined seven career pass attempts as pros at the end of last season. Even though Walter, who respectfully declined to speak to the media Tuesday, has struggled at times and has just nine career starts, he does have more familiarity with the NFL game than both O’Connell and Gutierrez.

 

[RobertWeathers]

The title of Chris' piece was Addition of Walter could alter backup plan. In it he said, among other things...

We're just not making the connection on this issue.

I'm with you on Chris' piece 100%. No question BB is concerned.

Too bad Karen can't say, "BB saw O'C getting smashed at the 99 on Rt1 and told a bunch of chicks hes the Pats #2 QB"

I guess I'm looking for the sniper on the grassy knoll that isn't there....

 

[BPF]

Nice piece Chris. Personally I feel the move w/Walter is as much about the future as it is the present. If the Pats can give this kid stability and they display a little patience to allow him to get comfortable with the offense and the concepts since he's been through three OCs and different offenses -- especially White's horendous archaic concepts. It's a short money and a potential big return.

I like what Lombardi had to say on this move the other day:
Diner morning news: Injuries have begun | National Football Post

ANDREW WALTER AND PATS

The signing of Andrew Walter by the Patriots is an interesting move. The Bears and Jaguars were also in pursuit, and most thought that Jacksonville, whose offensive coordinator, Dirk Koetter, is a former head coach at Arizona State, would be the favorite. However, Walter needed to go to a team that can highlight his skill level as he rebuilds his career. What better team to do it with than the Patriots? It worked for Randy Moss, and it just might work for Walter. He has all the skills necessary to be a productive player: He can make all the throws with ease, as the ball comes off his hand very smoothly. In this offense, he is back to his college roots, throwing the ball down the field and outside the numbers. In 2004, Walter set the Pac-10 record for most career touchdowns, finishing with 85 and shattering the previous record held for 22 years by Stanford's John Elway. He has enough athletic skill to avoid the rush and make plays with his feet. He’s not a runner but is more of a mover in the pocket.

Walter must rebuild his confidence after the 2006 season took a devastating toll on his mental well-being. Rookies Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez are two young quarterbacks who might start for their teams, but both are playing in contemporary systems that will be their offenses for years to come. Walter, who spent the past four seasons with the Raiders, was in a prehistoric offense that destroyed his confidence and the confidence of the coaches around him.

The move to the Patriots is good for both parties. The Pats get a young, talented player who needs to work into the right system, and Walter gets a chance to rebuild his career. This happens all the time in the NFL. Don’t forget, at one time Rich Gannon was benched in favor of Sean Salisbury in Minnesota. Once Gannon got into the right system, with the right coach, his career took off.

 

[jmt57]

Another opinion on Walter, this coming from Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post

The move to the Patriots is good for both parties. The Pats get a young, talented player who needs to work into the right system, and Walter gets a chance to rebuild his career. This happens all the time in the NFL. Don’t forget, at one time Rich Gannon was benched in favor of Sean Salisbury in Minnesota. Once Gannon got into the right system, with the right coach, his career took off.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

We're just not making the connection on this issue.

I'm with you on Chris' piece 100%. No question BB is concerned.

Too bad Karen can't say, "BB saw O'C getting smashed at the 99 on Rt1 and told a bunch of chicks hes the Pats #2 QB"

I guess I'm looking for the sniper on the grassy knoll that isn't there....

Exactly, without specific observations it's speculative reading tea leaves now. We don't know that Hoyer is geting reps just to see what he can and can't do so that he can be coached up appropriately over August. BB states that he wants competition at every position. For whatever reason (shoulder?) Gutz wasn't bring it and based on my watching Hoyer EARLY in camp, he certainly isn't capable of competeing yet. A vet who could even become a shadow roster backup if not the #2 or #3 is worth looking at when you need arms in camp.

 

[Mike the Brit]

"Walter" ... "Walter", that name rings a bell ... But why aren't I salivating?

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Seeing as how the Pats dumped Gutz in favour of a dud like Walter ...... simple logic would suggest that it is Gutz, and not KOC, that the Pats didn't feel comfortable with.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

"Walter" ... "Walter", that name rings a bell ... But why aren't I salivating?

Poorly trained.