Brian Waters decision?

[Gostkowski for 3]

Does anyone know where Brian Waters stands for next season? I would love to see him come back, but I haven't heard much about him lately in the wake of the whole diva83 contract shenanigans and all the WR signings we have had in the offseason. Losing him and Light could be a problem.

 

[supafly]

Losing him and Light could be a problem.

Throw in the Mankins torn ACL injury, and one can view this as a potential problem on the offensive line; that said, they did go out and sign Gallery, so hopefully one of the 2 (Mankins/Waters) situations goes well in the coming months.

To answer your question...NO. No one 'really' knows one way or another, and if they do they aren't sharing the info.

There was one writer (Greg Bedard) who claims that Waters is definitely coming back, or at least did so a couple of months ago. However, as recently as last week Mike Reiss talked of signs that it was very much up in the air.

And of course Belichick himself dodged the question when asked a couple of weeks ago, although we can certainly expect that kind of predictibility from him.

I think most are assuming that Waters returns, but I will feel much better when/if he says so himself. Until then, it's up in the air in my opinion.

 

[WhiZa]

diva83

really? :nono:

 

[ausbacker]

Throw in the Mankins torn ACL injury, and one can view this as a potential problem on the offensive line; that said, they did go out and sign Gallery, so hopefully one of the 2 (Mankins/Waters) situations goes well in the coming months.

To answer your question...NO. No one 'really' knows one way or another, and if they do they aren't sharing the info.

There was one writer (Greg Bedard) who claims that Waters is definitely coming back, or at least did so a couple of months ago. However, as recently as last week Mike Reiss talked of signs that it was very much up in the air.

And of course Belichick himself dodged the question when asked a couple of weeks ago, although we can certainly expect that kind of predictibility from him.

I think most are assuming that Waters returns, but I will feel much better when/if he says so himself. Until then, it's up in the air in my opinion.

I don't want to assume that Waters is returning I want him to return. Watching his performance in 2011 was pure, unadulterated football pleasure.

In reality, how are we set at RG? Is Cannon ready to step in and take his place? Do we roll Connolly there given Koppen is back? What about McDonald?

 

[supafly]

I don't want to assume that Waters is returning I want him to return. Watching his performance in 2011 was pure, unadulterated football pleasure.

In reality, how are we set at RG? Is Cannon ready to step in and take his place? Do we roll Connolly there given Koppen is back? What about McDonald?

I would think that the return of Koppen is important in this matter, although many are ready to knock him due to Connelly's ability to hold down the center spot last yr. I'm in the minority, but I think that the team would have offered Connelly the exact same money without even worrying about the Koppen situation one way or another, and that's based on his ability to play both starting center and starting guard.

Obviously the Mankins situation will dictate some of the moves, so that is dependent upon whether or not he's on the PUP list to start the yr.

I see the following (giving or taking one player, which should be between McDonald and maybe Wendell, although they both can certainly make it if Mankins starts on PUP):

Interior lineman--

Koppen
Mankins (may start on PUP)
Waters (IF he returns obviously)
Connelly
Wendell/McDonald

Tackles--

Vollmer
Solder
Cannon
Gallery

Obviously, the signing of Gallery allows us to have the capability to move him both inside and outside, depending upon the need.

There's 9 or 10 OL right there, with pretty nice depth. The situation will change though, depending upon the Waters situation + the Mankins PUP possibility.

 

[supafly]

I don't want to assume that Waters is returning I want him to return. Watching his performance in 2011 was pure, unadulterated football pleasure.

In reality, how are we set at RG? Is Cannon ready to step in and take his place? Do we roll Connolly there given Koppen is back? What about McDonald?

To answer your question (sorry, I blanked out, or maybe blacked out):

I think the best move if Waters did not return would be to start Koppen at center, while starting Connelly at RG.

 

[TyronePoole]

he told me but since you insulted Wes I'm gonna make you sweat it out

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

diva83

 

[Fencer]

The three guys who will be ready at the start of the season, aren't Brian Waters, and have proven they can start at interior OL in the league are Koppen, Connolly, and Gallery. So that would be the way to bet.

 

[Ron Sellers]

Are there question marks on the OL (Mankins' knee, Vollmer's back, Waters' potential to retire)? Yes.

While other contending teams may not have as many potential questions they likely don't have as good a line if everything goes right, and more importantly none of them have as many potential answers in their backup depth.


Last year the Patriots had to start four different starters - and they kept on winning. By comparison what happened to the Jets when Nick Mangold was injured? What happened to the Bills when mid season rolled along and the inevitable injuries occurred?

The Patriots have plenty of options across the line specifically with Connolly/Koppen, Gallery and Cannon, and at the next level with Wendell, McDonald and Thomas - and that's before getting to Zusevics, Kopa, Hix and Opperud.

In comparison to other NFL teams the Patriots are set up to survive the inevitable setback on the offensive line much better than most any other NFL team.

 

[Ive_Killed_People]

I'd welcome him back but I think our young depth is pretty good

 

[Marqui]

Based on the fact that they passed on DeCastro and didn't draft not one OL, I'm guessing they're confident Waters will be back.

 

[BlueThunder]

BB knows stuff

 

[VJCPatriot]

1. Waters is under contract.
2. He is a beast when healthy and coming off a great season where he got a chance to taste the playoffs and make it to the Superbowl.
3. Unless he just has nothing left, I don't see him turning down another chance to win it all at this stage in his career.
4. We have a backup plan - Gallery, Cannon, Connolly. Not as good as Waters but one of those guys should be at least serviceable.

http://www.patriots.com/media-cente...-1272012/e4e7b258-7b84-42a4-94c2-1aa4dd7f5180

 

[mayoclinic]

Not to jump to any conclusions, but Reiss notes (1) that Brian Waters has been absent from (voluntary) OTAs so far, and (2) that the Pats have at least kicked the tires on some veteran linemen:

It is only late May, and this voluntary, which is crucial context to keep in mind. With that backdrop, the Patriots' offensive line would be one storyline I would focus on at this point. No Vollmer. No Waters. Add that the team had three offensive linemen in for tryouts this week, as reported by ESPNBoston's Mike Rodak, and one gets the sense that Bill Belichick and the coaching staff have some moving parts and uncertainty at this point.

Quick hits from today's OTA - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

With some of the top offensive linemen not present, a group including Sebastian Vollmer, Logan Mankins and Brian Waters, this was a good chance to watch some of the young linemen. Ryan Wendell lined up at right guard, in Waters' spot. Veteran Robert Gallery lined up at left guard, in Logan Mankins' spot.

Cleaning out the OTA notebook - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

The Patriots hosted three offensive linemen on tryouts Wednesday, according to a league source. They were: offensive tackle Stephon Heyer (6-foot-6, 330 pounds), offensive tackle Brandon Keith (6-5, 335), and guard/center Jamey Richard (6-5, 295). All three players have starting experience.

The Patriots' roster stands at 89 players, one shy of the 90-man limit. The team has 16 offensive linemen under contract, but the status of injured guard Logan Mankins and veteran guard Brian Waters remains up in the air for organized team activities, which are underway this week.

Source: Trio of O-linemen in for tryout - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

I assume the Pats are just doing diligence, but this is clearly something to monitor over the next month and into training camp.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Not to jump to any conclusions, but Reiss notes (1) that Brian Waters has been absent from (voluntary) OTAs so far, and (2) that the Pats have at least kicked the tires on some veteran linemen:



Quick hits from today's OTA - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston



Cleaning out the OTA notebook - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston



Source: Trio of O-linemen in for tryout - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

I assume the Pats are just doing diligence, but this is clearly something to monitor over the next month and into training camp.

I desperately wanted wanted Senio Kelemete and Nate Potter, I hope passing on them doesnt come back to bite the team.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I desperately wanted wanted Senio Kelemete and Nate Potter, I hope passing on them doesnt come back to bite the team.

Markus Zusevics and Jeremiah Warren say hi.

 

[mayoclinic]

I desperately wanted wanted Senio Kelemete and Nate Potter, I hope passing on them doesnt come back to bite the team.

Markus Zusevics and Jeremiah Warren say hi.

I badly wanted Kelemete, too. But I agree that Zusevics and Warren have some developmental potential.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Markus Zusevics and Jeremiah Warren say hi.

No binkie love there, sorry

 

[eom]

huzzah!!!!