Pats Were Negotiating With Brian Waters for his return through end of November

[RobertWeathers]

Interesting.

Wonder if this has anything to do with the severity of Mankins' long-term medical status or the coaching staff's confidence in Wendell or more to do with how good they think Waters is. Combo of both perhaps?

Waters, who elected not to report to training camp and was placed on the reserve/did not report list, had been negotiating a potential deal with the Patriots to return to the team throughout the 2012 season, but nothing came to fruition prior to the Nov. 30 deadline, according to ESPN's NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Waters is now ineligible to return to the Patriots in 2012.

Schefter: Pats had been talking to Waters - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

 

[Sciz]

That's okay. Donald Thomas (of all people) made Waters more of a luxury than a need.

 

[Rob0729]

My guess it was all about having the best roster possible. Waters isn't absolutely needed for this team, but he would be an upgrade especially at a position where they have seen a lot of injuries this season.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

Interesting.

Wonder if this has anything to do with the severity of Mankins' long-term medical status or the coaching staff's confidence in Wendell or more to do with how good they think Waters is. Combo of both perhaps?





Schefter: Pats had been talking to Waters - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Likely had to do with Mankins and Connolly's inability to stay healthy. Wendell has been solid as has Thomas. Cannon and McDonald are playing with Connolly out and they just signed Petrus.

 

[BlueThunder]

The OL isn't the same when Mankins and Vollmer are not 100%. They looked like dogcrap early on vs Miami. Hate to see what a real good D is gonna do to them ......

We'll find out soon enough I guess.....

 

[IcyPatriot]

Your not the best if your not always trying.

 

[Reckedtrek]

If they could get him in the second half of the season it would have been great. Didn't happen so the team moves on.

I wonder if he'll retire now?

 

[Tunescribe]

Screw Waters. He's been out of football about a year now. There's no guarantee he could just step in and play at a high level.

 

[dannydyn]

Screw Waters. He's been out of football about a year now. There's no guarantee he could just step in and play at a high level.

I agree. At this point, he's too rusted to just jump right into the playoffs.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

Screw Waters. He's been out of football about a year now. There's no guarantee he could just step in and play at a high level.

He stepped into the lineup week 1 after being absent the entire offseason last year and looked fine.

I'm over him too but I don't doubt his ability (if motivated) to help this football team. Thomas has been a beast (better than Mankins, dare I say) but McDonald is very upgradeable.

 

[mtbykr]

I agree. At this point, he's too rusted to just jump right into the playoffs.

He wouldn't have come back for the playoffs, he would have been back for this past game and had 5 games before the playoffs. I know everyone wants to think we are fine without Waters, but he was a pro-bowler for a reason. With the injuries at the guard position this year it really would have been nice. In addition it could have freed up Connolly to move back to center if need be. I personally would have liked to see him back.

 

[DarrylS]

After yesterday we need more experienced, quality depth on the O line.. Waters would fit that need... Brady got hit too many times yesterday.

 

[kennyb]

so does that mean he's not coming back this year (or ever most likely)? It would take a him a week or two to get back into game shape. But yeah, injuries are hurting now. I would think with Mankins out they'd have had some urgency to get waters.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The killer miscalculation with Waters was made last spring, same time they miscalculated on Welker. Penny wise pound foolish. Now all we can do is hope it doesn't bite them in the ass over the remainder of this season and next season (in Welker's case).

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

so does that mean he's not coming back this year (or ever most likely)? It would take a him a week or two to get back into game shape. But yeah, injuries are hurting now. I would think with Mankins out they'd have had some urgency to get waters.

He cannot play for the Pats this season. I don't know if he could play if they released him but they have no incentive to do so. If he wants to play next year, the Patriots retain his rights because of the two year contract he signed.

 

[DaBruinz]

so does that mean he's not coming back this year (or ever most likely)? It would take a him a week or two to get back into game shape. But yeah, injuries are hurting now. I would think with Mankins out they'd have had some urgency to get waters.

Waters is no longer eligible to return this season. I believe he had until Saturday to report. He didn't.

 

[Double TE]

Dante is a magician based on how well he has trained this injury prone line. Honestly.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

He cannot play for the Pats this season. I don't know if he could play if they released him but they have no incentive to do so. If he wants to play next year, the Patriots retain his rights because of the two year contract he signed.

Clearly Waters does not want to play here. Next season I see the Pats trading his rights to a Texas team for a late round pick.