Any interest in trying to recoup Thomas Welch for a developmental PS player?

[supafly]

I saw that Thomas Welch was released today by Philly. As many know he was on our practice squad last year around Thanksgiving, until being signed off the PS by St.Louis.

We originally drafted him, although I believe it may have been to be a guard, as St.Louis and Philly both used him as a tackle.

There's about a zero chance that he'd be 'the guy' that we would like to see step up as an OT, nor would he ever make the roster, but there may be a chance that he could be a developmental PS player again under Scharneccia.

I still think that another veteran OT may be signed in the next week or so, in the hopes of giving them a shot as a potential backup role.

I'm not familiar with all of Welch's intangibles as a potential tackle here.

 

[RayClay]

I saw that Thomas Welch was released today by Philly. As many know he was on our practice squad last year around Thanksgiving, until being signed off the PS by St.Louis.

We originally drafted him, although I believe it may have been to be a guard, as St.Louis and Philly both used him as a tackle.

There's about a zero chance that he'd be 'the guy' that we would like to see step up as an OT, nor would he ever make the roster, but there may be a chance that he could be a developmental PS player again under Scharneccia.

I still think that another veteran OT may be signed in the next week or so, in the hopes of giving them a shot as a potential backup role.

I'm not familiar with all of Welch's intangibles as a potential tackle here.

I remember his pass blocking being intangible.

 

[supafly]

I remember his pass blocking being intangible.

That's probably what it comes down to, I certainly don't remember him being anything special, but the fact is that we still need some development in the offensive line position--particularly at tackle.

He was at least aware of the system here, and if he was drafted by Belichick himself and made the practice squad, I wondered if there were any +'s/-'s that stood out to anyone as far as skills go.

I assume that Cannon will be the main guy there, and hopefully he can make a big jump this year throughout practices and some (hopefully) limited gameday reps.

Like I said, we'll still likely need one more tackle, maybe even for the 53 man roster depending upon McDonald's skills at tackle, but I never thought of Welch as anything more than a development guy for the PS.

 

[RayClay]

That's probably what it comes down to, I certainly don't remember him being anything special, but the fact is that we still need some development in the offensive line position--particularly at tackle.

He was at least aware of the system here, and if he was drafted by Belichick himself and made the practice squad, I wondered if there were any +'s/-'s that stood out to anyone as far as skills go.

I assume that Cannon will be the main guy there, and hopefully he can make a big jump this year throughout practices and some (hopefully) limited gameday reps.

Like I said, we'll still likely need one more tackle, maybe even for the 53 man roster depending upon McDonald's skills at tackle, but I never thought of Welch as anything more than a development guy for the PS.

I did misread your original post. PS? Who cares? If they think he has some potential. Not sure if he's eligible, probably close.

Actually, I think he's not, but I'm not great at parsing those things. On practice squads three years according to his WIKI.

I'd like to pick up a seasoned vet, if we can. Don't see it as a future need as much as a stopgap for our three young, or possibly less than healthy (Vollmer) tackles. Can't see how a marginal young player helps us there.

 

[supafly]

I did misread your original post. PS? Who cares? If they think he has some potential. Not sure if he's eligible, probably close.

Actually, I think he's not, but I'm not great at parsing those things. On practice squads three years according to his WIKI.

I'd like to pick up a seasoned vet, if we can. Don't see it as a future need as much as a stopgap for our three young, or possibly less than healthy (Vollmer) tackles. Can't see how a marginal young player helps us there.

Yeah, from what I understood he was still eligible, but I could be wrong too.

I just saw it as a potential move for the practice squad, since we had drafted him and carried him on ours until he was signed by another team, meaning that he had knowledge of the schemes used and an understanding of the system.

Obviously, in the developmental player road used down the line, but if they are able to sign a better player that can be used as a backup this year on the 53, then all the better.

I assume that the issue will be addressed in the draft anyway regardless, I just remember some here liking him as a developmental guy last season, that's all.

At any rate, thanks for the response.

 

[captain stone]

Welch sux. That pick, if it had to be used for an OT, would've been better-used on Selvish Capers,
who might've had a future here under Dante.

I'd rather see what if anything Mark LeVoir still has to offer.

 

[supafly]

Welch sux. That pick, if it had to be used for an OT, would've been better-used on Selvish Capers,
who might've had a future here under Dante.

I'd rather see what if anything Mark LeVoir still has to offer.

I personally liked LeVoir, Cap'n, but I am not a OL guru either so take it w/ a grain of salt.

It seemed to me that when LeVoir was called upon, he didn't make too many obvious, glaring mistakes, and played well enough to not notice too much of a significant dropoff. I would absolutely love for LeVoir to step in if needed.

As for Welch, I didn't want him here for a 53 man spot. I wondered if anyone could tell me his pluses and minuses for a potential practice squad developmental role, since we had drafted him and kept him there last season. That's all.

 

[danam404]

The regular season really needs to get here.......

 

[supafly]

The regular season really needs to get here.......

Not a fan of developmental players at a needed position?

He was drafted here and played on our practice squad, as I said. That's why I asked about his potential to fill one of the 8 practice squad roles again.

Gotta be looking towards the future, ya know..

 

[ATippett56]

I thought Matt Kopa was Dante's latest offensive tackle project on the practice squad.

 

[supafly]

I thought Matt Kopa was Dante's latest offensive tackle project on the practice squad.

He's certainly one of them. The problem is that he has also suffered a pretty bad ankle injury, which will keep him out anywhere between the next 4-6 weeks or so.

Some think he could potentially return as early as the 3rd week of September, while others fear that he could miss the entire month of September and a couple/few weeks into October--and that's 'if' he may have made it to the PS too of course.

According to the Herald, "if Kopa is out through roster cuts, the Patriots will have a tough decision to make."

Since this is certainly the case, they will almost surely go with someone else at least initially, although they could then add him to the PS again when healthy, depending upon how much they like him.

 

[supafly]

It seems as though some names that have been brought up lately by fans in the Reiss blog columns have been more towards leaning with some proven vets like Clifton and McKenzie.

The names of LeVoir and Welch were also brought up, but I just don't see a guy like Welch being an instant fit for a potential backup role, and that's what we need now.

From Reiss' blog comments:

"there clearly is a major need to bring in a backup veteran OT (ie Clifton, McKenzie, LeVoir, Welch) because Cannon is clearly not ready at this time."

I suppose the answer is obvious. If Belichick sees any kind of potential fit for any of them here, he'll bring them in for a look--both as potential backups for a more immediate role, or someone like Welch for the developmental role.

I agree with Captain Stone's comments though, I would look towards LeVoir first probably, since he has proven capable of getting the job done.

 

[Sfpat]

Welch being let go in the first round of cuts says everything

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

WE are not the only guys needy for an OT. Think St Louis, Jets...long list of teams who'll scour up anyone in frantic desperation.

 

[unoriginal]

Welch being let go in the first round of cuts says everything

It doesn't say everything, but it says many things, any one of which could be true.

Reid and Belichick have a friendly relationship. Reid may be releasing a player with little shot at his own roster specifically so he can latch on here, where there is a need. Belichick did the same thing just this offseason for Schiano with Underwood.

Or he may be releasing a player who just sucks.

 

[captain stone]

I thought Matt Kopa was Dante's latest offensive tackle project on the practice squad.

He was, until he suffered an ankle injury, as SupaFly noted. Too bad. I now have him among the first cuts due tomorrow. Maybe he's IRed, so that he could start over again.
Zusevics is another project who could pay dividends next year, too.

 

[patchick]

WE are not the only guys needy for an OT. Think St Louis, Jets...long list of teams who'll scour up anyone in frantic desperation.

Yep. The backup who the Cardinals are starting at LT makes Cannon look brilliant in comparison.

I really don't think there are any OTs to be had at this point, not even via trade. In fact, I've been fiddling with my roster trying to make room for Darrion Weems, who in any other year would be obvious PS material.

 

[Urgent]

Welch is much more of the 'flexible back-up OL' who can sub at guard or tackle. He is probably not an upgrade at starting RT.