Pats inactives: GRONK, Jones, Mankins, Petrus, Shiancoe, Develin, Martin

[ctpatsfan77]

Notable actives:

Edelperson
Mt. Vollmer
Jake Bequette

Sebastian Vollmer and Julian Edelman active for New England Patriots against Dolphins | masslive.com

 

[Spergon Wynn]

Real glad we used the IR exception on Shiancoe...

 

[jah]

Real glad we used the IR exception on Shiancoe...

Yeah, wish they used it on Demps instead.

 

[Rob0729]

Real glad we used the IR exception on Shiancoe...

IDK, at the time it wasn't a bad move.

Who else would they use it on. Another poster mentioned Demps, but Demps probably will benefit more from a red shirt year and probably wouldn't be active this season even if he could have come back. It isn't like the Pats lost anyone that they would have dumped on the in season IR. They want(ed) both Gronk and Hernandez back much sooner than the IR period allowed.

They might have used it on Gaffney. But considering how his year has panned out, he might have been a worse decision to use that IR exception on.

 

[mgteich]

It might have been used on Hernandez.

IDK, at the time it wasn't a bad move.

Who else would they use it on. Another poster mentioned Demps, but Demps probably will benefit more from a red shirt year and probably wouldn't be active this season even if he could have come back. It isn't like the Pats lost anyone that they would have dumped on the in season IR. They want(ed) both Gronk and Hernandez back much sooner than the IR period allowed.

They might have used it on Gaffney. But considering how his year has panned out, he might have been a worse decision to use that IR exception on.

 

[Spergon Wynn]

IDK, at the time it wasn't a bad move.

I disagree. Shiancoe barely practiced so he was/is a completely unknown factor and we already had Fells. Plus, there was probably a reason Shiancoe was a FA for as long as he was.

I would've gone with Demps, personally. I think his impact on returns and pure speed would outweigh anything contributions Shiancoe could make.

That's just my take on it though. For all I know, Shiancoe will play next week and get 150 yards for 2 TDs...

 

[DarrylS]

Jake Bequette is a surprise, most had him inactive..

Good opportunity for him..

 

[BelichickFan]

Real glad we used the IR exception on Shiancoe...

Doesn't matter who you used it on. Demps or anyone else could have been kept too. It's one "get out of jail free card". As soon as you have a guy you want all season who is out for a while you might as well use it. This stategizing over when to use it is silly. If they'd wanted Shiancoe and Demps later in the season they could IR-DTR one and keep the other active. Which is done to which player is irrelevant.

 

[Lamanai]

so Zusevics is active?

 

[Rob0729]

It might have been used on Hernandez.

Nah! They brought Hernandez back faster than he could have if he was on the IR. Granted that was a mistake in hindsight. But if they waited another week or two, he might not have reinjured himself and he would probably would have returned sooner than the IR exception allowed.

 

[Rob0729]

I disagree. Shiancoe barely practiced so he was/is a completely unknown factor and we already had Fells. Plus, there was probably a reason Shiancoe was a FA for as long as he was.

I would've gone with Demps, personally. I think his impact on returns and pure speed would outweigh anything contributions Shiancoe could make.

That's just my take on it though. For all I know, Shiancoe will play next week and get 150 yards for 2 TDs...

Demps is more of an unknown than Shiancoe. Demps is a rookie who has participated in a small handful of practices, and completely conditioned his body to compete for the Olympics which could be detrimental to a football career.

My guess is Demps would not have reconditioned himself into football shape by the point he came off IR and needs a good 4-6 months or more to recondition himself. I think if the Pats really thought he could have done it in season, they would have kept him on the PUP making the IR exception irrelevant. The fact that they activated him and quickly IRed him for what most think was a non-injury meant he was never going to be on the 53 roster this season.

The only argument I can see for Shiancoe being a bad decision is that you waste it for an impact starter (Brady, Welker, Gronk, Hernandez, etc.) who gets early in the season and then can't come back unless you keep his roster spot active while he heals.

 

[Danger Zone]

I have to admit I was a little disappointed not to see how well Demps made his transition into the NFL.

That said, I'm ecstatic on how well the other RBs are doing!

Contrary to Belichick's emphasis on taking every game and every team with the utmost seriousness, I'm guessing todays game is one in which he won't risk certain players coming back to early from their injuries.