Vinnie to sign here...again

[Pats726]

Per Reiss..looks like VinnieT will be signing soon to joing the team....

 

[pats1]

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/

July 13th, 2007
Vinny’s back
Posted by Albert Breer at 3:36 pm

This morning, quarterback Vinny Testaverde told Tony Bruno on Sporting News Radio that he’s planning to return for a second year with the Patriots and 21st season in the NFL. And apparently, the decision was made a while ago.

“It’s always been what he’s planned on,” said Mike Azzarelli, the former agent to Testaverde who remains a close friend. “This was not a snap decision. It was well thought out.”

Testaverde was working as a non-roster invitee at both the Patriots’ OTAs and minicamp, and the players and coaches alike have said that the experience he brings is a great thing for everyone to draw on. The feeling, too, is mutual.

The 43-year-old has a relationship with Patriots coach Bill Belichick dating back to 1993, when the two were together with the Browns, and has known personnel chief Scott Pioli almost as long.

“That absolutely had a lot to do (with his return),” said Azzarelli. “His relationship with Belichick and Scott has always been outstanding and I know he’s looking forward to working with them again.”

Testaverde has thrown for 45,281 yards, 170 touchdowns and 161 interceptions in a career that — in addition to his time in Cleveland and Foxboro — has included two stops with the Jets, and single stints with the Buccaneers, Cowboys and Ravens.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

July 13, 2007
Vinny update
By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff

Quarterback Vinny Testaverde told Sporting News Radio today that he will be back with the Patriots this season. Testaverde was a guest on host Tony Bruno’s show.

We’re following up on this now. More later in the day.

Posted By: mreiss | Time: 01:09:53 PM

July 13, 2007
Vinny on radio
By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff

Here is some of the Q&A from Vinny Testaverde from his interview on Sporting News radio today. The 43-year-old Testaverde was a guest on Tony Bruno's show.

We saw you talking with Chiefs coach Herman Edwards. Are you going to be back in the NFL, joining the Kansas City Chiefs?
"You guys are right, I'll be back in the NFL but it won't be with the Chiefs. I'll actually be playing for the Patriots again this year."

Has that been announced?
"No, after two-a-days are over [in training camp] I'll go back and sign my contract. I'll wait until then."

Do you think the Patriots are the team to beat?
"There are a lot of good teams out there. Right now, I think with the talent we have, if we can stay healthy, we have a good chance to do something special. Now, it's about getting to training camp and ironing out some things that need to be worked out, and we'll go from there."

WRAP-UP: The 2007 season will be Testaverde's 21st in the NFL. Testaverde's locker has remained intact at Gillette Stadium and he participated in the team's offseason passing camps and June's full-team minicamp. The team has three quarterbacks on the roster -- Tom Brady, Matt Cassel and rookie free agent Matt Gutierrez.

Posted By: mreiss | Time: 03:33:56 PM

 

[dalero]

I like it. An extra coach that the players have seemed to really bond to. If Brady goes down in week three he's not bringing us to the promised land though.

 

[rabthepat]

Between Vinnie, Troy, Seau, Chad Brown our average player age is going to jump 10 years.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I can't help but think of the heated debate last season when some suggested Vinnie's experience was a good thing and a benefit to Brady - quite a few vehemently denied such a suggestion but it seems clear he's very much valued.

The real impact of this is that it looks like the team will carry 3 QBs - which tightens competition significantly at other positions... 3 QBs, a potential 6 WRs is going to push some good people off the roster if that's what goes down.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Not surprising news considered that he never cleaned out his locker and he has been showing up at Pats practices. Welcome back Vinny. The Pats get a veteran backup at what I trust will be a very reasonable price.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I dunno - I think a healthy Troy Brown can still play. I'm beginning to fear Vinny has become Bill's binky...unless of course Vinnie signs his contract and then immediately goes on PUP.

Unless they already determined that Gutierrez is camp fodder or a slam dunk to make it to the PS, that kid now has little incentive to compete on this roster 'cause there is no way they carry 4 QB's. Perhaps Vinny is overstating the situation a tad and he may be cut to the shadow roster at the tail end of camp. It's not like Bill to show his hand, or have players making pronouncements about how they are coming back after two a days. Heck, Troy is back yet he pays the approptiate lip service to yet earning his roster spot.

Vinny hasn't had a remotely good season in years now. He never really had that many good seasons. He has 9 more TD's than INT's in a career spanning 20 years...I can see bringing him in to camp given our plethora of WR, and adding him on down the stretch as a sounding board, but wasting a roster spot on him out of the gate seems a bit much.

 

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

BB wants unibrow to get a ring...

 

[DarrylS]

I am surprised he signed this early in the season, usually he waits until the last quarter of the season.. without regard more quality depth for this team.

 

[gomezcat]

One of the good things about signing Vinny is that you have someone who has seen everything. He's the kind of guy who can do a job for a quarter if Tom goes down with a sprained wrist, for example. I wouldn't want him or Cassel for a full season, but then it's practically impossible to have two starting calibre QBs on the roster with the salary cap.

 

[JoeSixPat]

...unless of course Vinnie signs his contract and then immediately goes on PUP

Please clarify for me again... Do PUP players count on the 53 man roster? If not I like this idea as Vinnie gets a full season salary, is held on ice for a few weeks until later in the season when BB wants the security of a veteran on the roster like last season. Of course that would mean coming up with a fake injury, something that's never been done in the history of the NFL, but it is possible.

BB wants unibrow to get a ring...

"Hi - I'd like to introduce your eyebrows... Oh! I see they've already met!"

 

[WhiZa]

"Hi - I'd like to introduce your eyebrows... Oh! I see they've already met!"

haha, nice.

Why does Vinny want to skip 2-a-days? What a slacker

 

[Mike the Brit]

I dunno - I think a healthy Troy Brown can still play. I'm beginning to fear Vinny has become Bill's binky...unless of course Vinnie signs his contract and then immediately goes on PUP.

Unless they already determined that Gutierrez is camp fodder or a slam dunk to make it to the PS, that kid now has little incentive to compete on this roster 'cause there is no way they carry 4 QB's. Perhaps Vinny is overstating the situation a tad and he may be cut to the shadow roster at the tail end of camp. It's not like Bill to show his hand, or have players making pronouncements about how they are coming back after two a days. Heck, Troy is back yet he pays the approptiate lip service to yet earning his roster spot.

Vinny hasn't had a remotely good season in years now. He never really had that many good seasons. He has 9 more TD's than INT's in a career spanning 20 years...I can see bringing him in to camp given our plethora of WR, and adding him on down the stretch as a sounding board, but wasting a roster spot on him out of the gate seems a bit much.

Perhaps it's just me, but I'd much rather see Vinnie turn up for camp when the Patriots need an arm for practices, then get cut to the "shadow roster" in case there's an injury later on.

Coming in when camp is starting to ease up doesn't seem to be the best way to use him. Let him rest during the season!