Where's Waters?

[Brady_to_Moss]

https://twitter.com/GregABedard

Anyone know the real reason?

 

[Rob0729]

Odds are Belichick worked out an agreement with Waters that he could skip all or part of training camp so he doesn't wear down before the seasons starts.

Bedard seems to agrees with me:

Sources insisted Waters would return. I'm still going with that. Guessing he has an agreement with Patriots on when he can report.

https://twitter.com/GregABedard/status/228226177284837376

 

[Kontradiction]

Odds are Belichick worked out an agreement with Waters that he could skip all or part of training camp so he doesn't wear down before the seasons starts.

Bedard seems to agrees with me:




https://twitter.com/GregABedard/status/228226177284837376

I hope that's the case. A lot of my reservations about the O-Line would be eased with his return. By FAR our best free agent pick up last year.

 

[Sciz]

He could report a month from now and everything would be fine.

 

[Dingleberry]

Wouldn't be the first time Belichick had a late arrival agrrement with an older veteran.

And I agree, I would also feel much more comfortable with the O-line with Waters at RG

 

[Metaphors]

Brian Waters doesn’t report to Pats camp, doesn’t say why | ProFootballTalk

“You’re just going to have to talk to the team. I’m allowing them to handle all the media stuff right now. We’re going to do it this way, because it’s the best way to do it.”

Couple of observations:
- "Talk to the team" = The team and Waters are on the same page
- "I'm allowing them" = Belichick wants it to go down this way
- "Handle all the media stuff" = Waters still considers himself part of the team
- "Right now" = This situation is temporary
- "The best way to do it" = Waters is on-board with the situation

There are only a couple of ways to read this:

1) Waters is returning but Belichick and Waters have a reporting plan. Doesn't really matter who initiated this, as long as both sides are happy. The most likely situation.

2) Waters has decided to retire but doesn't want to announce it at this time. Doesn't make a lick of sense.

3) Waters hasn't decided on returning vs. retiring. Possible but the only variable in the equation is how his body responds to camp.

So I would agree with the consensus that Waters is returning but sparing his body the rigors of a full camp. Once he does report, I suppose he could still decide to retire if his body doesn't feel right...but that is always a possibility with any older player.

 

[Reckedtrek]

Two points.
1. He was a late preseason pick up last year and still did amazingly well, despite the fact he'd never played for the Pats before.
2. He's near retirement age.

Until I hear otherwise, he knows his assignments and terminology. He'll need two-three weeks to get up to speed.

Being near retirement age, he'll benefit from extra rest and likely wants one more shot at the Lombardi. You can't get much closer than the Pats did last year, and many think this team is improved. It's worth the time and effort to try one more time.

He very likely has a deal with BB that he needs to be here by a certain date.
I bet he'll be back in mid/late August (around 8/20).

 

[Lamanai]

I think he is looking for more of a financial incentive to return. I think (not certain) he's scheduled to earn $1.5m this season. He vastly outperformed that based on his performance last year. I don't think he would be out of line to look for a bump up in pay.

IMO, he' looking for more time (off) and money...

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

There is some in the Susquehanna River here and in most lakes and oceans and I have some everytime I turn my faucets on.....

Oh,wait...THAT Waters

 

[supafly]

There is some in the Susquehanna River here and in most lakes and oceans and I have some everytime I turn my faucets on.....

Oh,wait...THAT Waters

No.

Just no.....

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Where's the boy String?

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

I think he is looking for more of a financial incentive to return. I think (not certain) he's scheduled to earn $1.5m this season. He vastly outperformed that based on his performance last year. I don't think he would be out of line to look for a bump up in pay.

IMO, he' looking for more time (off) and money...

This is what I think it is. He could be saying to the Patriots he's not coming back without a raise but telling them to take their time making that decision.

 

[IcyPatriot]

He signed a 5.5 million deal ... throw him an extra 1/2 million.

 

[WhiZa]

He could report a month from now and everything would be fine.

I agree on that. Veteran players "hold out" of camp all the time. The media speculates, but in reality is just to give them a break so they'll last the entire season.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Does seem reasonable to think that he does want a raise after a Pro Bowl season.

Also plausible to think that BB and he have a side agreement.

I also think that he'll be with the team this season.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Ok Brian the Pats gave you a nice vacation now how about ya come back and fix two positions at once on our turnstile of an O-line? (Waters to RG, Connolly goes back to C and Koppen to the bench)

 

[BananaRepublican]

Anyone know the real reason?

That guy is not going to be raking leaves on Sundays this year.

 

[Silver Blue&Red]

Brian Waters doesn’t report to Pats camp, doesn’t say why | ProFootballTalk



Couple of observations:
- "Talk to the team" = The team and Waters are on the same page
- "I'm allowing them" = Belichick wants it to go down this way
- "Handle all the media stuff" = Waters still considers himself part of the team
- "Right now" = This situation is temporary
- "The best way to do it" = Waters is on-board with the situation

There are only a couple of ways to read this:

1) Waters is returning but Belichick and Waters have a reporting plan. Doesn't really matter who initiated this, as long as both sides are happy. The most likely situation.

2) Waters has decided to retire but doesn't want to announce it at this time. Doesn't make a lick of sense.

3) Waters hasn't decided on returning vs. retiring. Possible but the only variable in the equation is how his body responds to camp.

So I would agree with the consensus that Waters is returning but sparing his body the rigors of a full camp. Once he does report, I suppose he could still decide to retire if his body doesn't feel right...but that is always a possibility with any older player.

Also "We're going to do it this way" is a telling sign that there is some sort of agreement between the the two. Fingers crossed

 

[Joey007]

There is some in the Susquehanna River here and in most lakes and oceans and I have some everytime I turn my faucets on.....

Post of the year here!! (insert sarcasm) :bricks:

 

[supafly]

Ok Brian the Pats gave you a nice vacation now how about ya come back and fix two positions at once on our turnstile of an O-line? (Waters to RG, Connolly goes back to C and Koppen to the bench)

I think that Waters will be back within the next 7-10 days or so, if he's going to be coming back, and I am assuming that he is. That would be the middle of August, which would give him enough time to develop a bit of a routine with his live game rep conditioning etc. Then again, maybe they have an agreement that he won't be back for a couple more weeks, who knows?

As far as your positioning goes it will depend on a few things:

1. Mankins' health (and Waters' situation really, but we're assuming that he'll be back) and whether or not he will start on PUP

2. If Belichick feels that Connelly would be a better choice at guard in the meantime or not. It's possible that Connelly may play guard for the first 6-7 games of the season, then move over to center. If Mankins doesn't come back to start the season, then I'd have Connelly at guard myself

3. The development of guys like Wendell, McDonald, Thomas..and even the Koppen situation (whether or not he makes the team)

There are certainly many variables that may come into the decision, and I expect Dante and Bill to make the correct choices as I'm sure it's a hot topic for them in the meeting rooms.