- Joined
- Jan 7, 2008
- Messages
- 4,618
- Reaction score
- 15
Registered Members experience this forum ad and noise-free.
CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.Excellent. I really liked Brown this preseason. I think he sticks with the team long term.
Well, Clayton and Brown were my two favorite fringe guys this preseason, so I'm a little intrigued. Wonder what this means for Sanders and Page's health.
Yet the loss of Page cuts deeper on special teams. Page was a "Big 4" player last week, meaning that he was on the kickoff return, kickoff coverage, punt return and punt coverage units.
"When you lose a player on special teams, you really lose a starter on four teams," Bill Belichick said Friday morning. "Sometimes you have one person who can replace that player, but a lot of times you have a combination of players where you have to move players around. That's the challenge on special teams, especially when it happens during the game."
If the Patriots go the first route, looking for a one-person replacement, practice squad safety Sergio Brown could fit the bill. Brown was one of the top special teams players entering the league this year. If he's promoted, a roster move would have to be made to create room for him.
Brown projects to be active and fill an important role on special teams.
With safety Jarrad Page not making the trip because of a calf injury, the Patriots lost a "Big 4" player on special teams -- someone on the kickoff return, kickoff coverage, punt return and punt coverage units.
Brown was one of the top special teams players coming out of college this year, so the role fits well.
Meanwhile, with safety James Sanders (hamstring) still not 100 percent, it's not out of the question that Brown could see snaps on defense. The Patriots have Patrick Chung, Brandon Meriweather, Sanders and Brown on their safety depth chart for the game.
Clayton was a depth player for the Patriots since they signed him off the Browns practice squad. With BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead playing the bulk of the snaps in recent weeks, and Sammy Morris a fallback option, Clayton was deemed expendable. This could also signal that veteran Fred Taylor (toe injury) is nearing a return.
Yeah, I'm pleasantly surprised that he was not signed by another team, the way Larsen and Welch were.Remember how this guy was making plays all over the field during the preseason? I'm very happy that he's on the regular squad. At the very least he'll really add to special teams, but he may even make some key plays out there. We shall see. I like this kid!
Sanders will return but I fear Page is not coming back anytime soon (if at all). I liked Brown quite a bit and he was strong on STs. RB is thin though. BJGE and Woodhead must carry the load, with Morris as FB. Who knows what Taylor will give us. They need another RB IMO. I expect Page to go to IR and sign Clayton or another.
Sanders will return but I fear Page is not coming back anytime soon (if at all)... I expect Page to go to IR ...