Will Brian Waters Return to the Patriots?

[Mike the Brit]

The beat reporters seem baffled by this, so what do Patsfans think? (I vote 'no', because they seem to have settled on Connolly at right guard -- but I hope I'm wrong!)

 

[Shed83]

The beat reporters seem baffled by this, so what do Patsfans think? (I vote 'no', because they seem to have settled on Connolly at right guard -- but I hope I'm wrong!)

No idea Mike but i really hope he returns.

Like you im guessing he wont.

 

[jsull87]

Hope he does he was so good for us last year.

If i had to bet on it i would bet he won't

 

[Gwedd]

I'm saying that he will. If he had truly planned on retiring, then we'd have heard something by now about it. Since the Patriots haven't said anything substantial, or released/waived him, my money is on him returning to play.

 

[livinginthe past]

What Gwedd said.

If he had decided to retire he would have done so already.

If he had just decided to sit out TC, spend time with the family before joining the team then we'd see what we are seeing now'.

If he hadn't fully committed to the team but wanted to keep options open - we'd see what we are seeing now.

 

[randomk1]

I agree with this the two above. If he was going to retire what has he been waiting for?

I think this guy wants another shot at that ring(won 1st playoff game in NE? that's a crime) and as he is an old vet i'm thinking BB is giving him leeway on this.

Heck it might even be for the best in the long run that he takes time off.

 

[Patriot 37]

Last year he was cut by the Chiefs in end of July didn't sign with us until late August or September (too lazy to look up). He practiced about a week (if that) before game 1 and made the Pro Bowl and was our best OLman.

Why would he want to spend a month in training camp when he obviously doesn't need it ?

He is a potential HOFer he would have had a press conference signed a 1 day contract with the Chiefs if he was retiring. I really think he will be back.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

What's the state of his locker (cleaned out or still there)? That's usually a good leading sign.

If his body was ready for retirement, then I believe he would have put his foot down and said he was retired and never coming back and that he's "moved on" from football.

Right now, he's probably getting reports about the Defene and if it seems improved, why not take another chance at getting a ring? He knows what the team did last year and if this year is even slightly better...what would yo do?

 

[resdubwhite]

he's got to come bakc.

he just has to.

with Waters and Mankins in that line things are a whole lot better.

Just hoping we can get some depth in the OT position now.

 

[mayoclinic]

From all reports McDonald, Wendell and Thomas have all been playing well. I'm OK with an interior line of Mankins, Connolly and those 3 guys. I've personally written off Koppen. I'm more concerned about the tackle position than the interior line right now. Waters returning would obviously be a boost, but at this point I'm just not counting on it.

 

[dalero]

Last year he was cut by the Chiefs in end of July didn't sign with us until late August or September (too lazy to look up). He practiced about a week (if that) before game 1 and made the Pro Bowl and was our best OLman.

Why would he want to spend a month in training camp when he obviously doesn't need it ?

He is a potential HOFer he would have had a press conference signed a 1 day contract with the Chiefs if he was retiring. I really think he will be back.

This is what I think as well.

 

[willard]

Feel pretty confident he is coming back. Seemed to be very professional in his approach and to let it dangle and then call it quits does not seem to fit the man.

I think the conversation went something like this:
Bill: Brian you had a heck of a year last year and we are really looking forward to you seeing you this offseason.

Brian: You know my salary does not reflect the impact I made on the team.

Bill: You are absolutely right and we can work with you on that.

Brian: Listen, I have been good with my money, but time with my family is important to me. You know I will report in shape. Say we add a few incentive bumps to the salary (# games started, probowl), but nothing to big and I come back August 25.

Bill: We can work with that.

 

[Mike the Brit]

What Gwedd said.

(1) If he had decided to retire he would have done so already.

(2) If he had just decided to sit out TC, spend time with the family before joining the team then we'd see what we are seeing now'.

(3) If he hadn't fully committed to the team but wanted to keep options open - we'd see what we are seeing now.

Makes sense (and it seems to carry a lot of weight with others, to judge by results so far).

As to (1), I guess it's possible that the Chiefs want to wait with that for some suitable opportunity to celebrate him nearer the season, but all the likelihood is you're right.

It's (2) I'm having my doubts about. I think that, if he was sitting out training camp, he wouldn't sit it out until the last minute. And, if the Patriots knew he was coming back, they'd have Connolly working at centre and one of the backups getting experience at guard.

So my money is on (3) and my guess is one way, my hopes the other.

 

[supafly]

And, if the Patriots knew he wasn't coming back, they'd have Connolly working at centre and one of the backups getting experience at guard.

Not sure that I quite understand this thinking.

If Waters is not coming back, wouldn't you want your best interior lineman (other than Mankins) to replace him at RG?

To each his own, but that's what I would do. There are some who feel that Connelly's strength is at the guard position, while others feel it is center. Obviously it will be up to Belichick's assessment to decide what's best.

As far as Waters coming back, I have had my doubts the whole time, but most here felt that he was a lock to come back. The attitude is quickly changing as the days go on, but I'm not going to give up hope until another week or so goes by.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Not sure that I quite understand this thinking.

If Waters is not coming back, wouldn't you want your best interior lineman (other than Mankins) to replace him at RG?

To each his own, but that's what I would do. There are some who feel that Connelly's strength is at the guard position, while others feel it is center. Obviously it will be up to Belichick's assessment to decide what's best.

As far as Waters coming back, I have had my doubts the whole time, but most here felt that he was a lock to come back. The attitude is quickly changing as the days go on, but I'm not going to give up hope until another week or so goes by.

Oops, typo -- meant "was". Now fixed, thanks!

 

[Kontradiction]

Based on the verbiage he's given reporters when asked ("I'm letting the team handle..."), I'd think that it's a safe bet that he will.

 

[supafly]

Oops, typo -- meant "was". Now fixed, thanks!

Oh Mike, I'd never nit-pick a typo, buddy. I've got many myself.

I think that we may have had a mis-communication of some sort, it's early for me

I think the point is that (my opinion) Connelly may be better served at guard then at center, although many have their own opinion on where he'd be the best fit. Belichick and Dante will have to take everything into play and make the best decision if Waters doesn't come back, but I would personally lean towards using him in place of Waters.

Edit: I gotcha now brother, we're on the same page.

 

[patman52]

I think he wants more money and does not want to go to training camp if Bill does not want to pony up the cash.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Oh Mike, I'd never nit-pick a typo, buddy. I've got many myself.

No offence! It would help if I posted what I actually meant (little "senior moment" there ...)

 

[shmessy]

Please. This is much ado about nothing. Everyone knows the deal.

He'll be in Foxboro before the end of August.