Chad Brown signed; Spann, Nordin, J. Smith cut

[Pats726]

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

July 19, 2007
Pats moves
By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff

In a move that was expected, the Patriots signed veteran linebacker Chad Brown today.

The 37-year-old Brown is set for his third stint with the team. He spent the 2005 season with the Patriots, and was with the club at the start of 2006 training camp but was cut before the season began. Brown played eight games for the Steelers last season.

The Patriots also released three players: cornerback Antwain Spann, receiver Jonathan Smith and tight end Jake Nordin. All three were longer shots to make the roster.

Posted By: mreiss | Time: 05:25:47 PM

Added Chad Brown, cut Jonathon Smith, Jake Nordin, and Antwain Spann...Sean DPF, pats1...congrats!!! You got one of the 3...

 

[pats1]

Finally! Took the Pats a little extra time, but oh well.

The Spann cut was a tad bit surprising. I personally didn't think much of Spann, but I know Box did.

 

[miDeuce]

Randy Moss - 81?

 

[pats1]

Randy Moss - 81?

Seems probable at this point.

 

[pats1]

So here's how they stand:

87 total players
-3 NFLE exemptions
-1 Mr. Samuel
-3 unsigned rookies
=80 total players, or the offseason limit.

So I guess there wasn't an NFLE bonus exemption as I had thought could be possible.

It appears that the NFL gives teams 24 hours to get under the limit after a signing.

 

[miDeuce]

Wasn't Chad Brown injured last yeah in TC and that was at least part of the reason he was cut? Just trying to figure out the motivation of brining him in, clearly Woods just got some more competition.

 

[OhExaulted1]

This LB core is deep and experienced with Brown back. I think we'll like him alot more as a bench/role player than a starter. If he and Izzo make it through camp and make the 53 it doesn't bode well for the young guys (Woods, Mays, Rogers et al). The playing time just won't be there.

 

[patfanken]

FYI, while fans pretty much universally derided and denegrated Brown for his 2005 season, BB is one who didn't. He is on record for feeling bad because he had to use Brown as an ILB when he was best suited to play outside. He felt Brown took one for the team. He never b!tched or complained.

For the record, Brown had an excellent season as an OLB just 2 seasons ago in Seattle. I think we will all be better off just to wait and see what happens. I don't think BB added Brown just to see the average age of our LB GO UP.

 

[pats1]

Wasn't Chad Brown injured last yeah in TC and that was at least part of the reason he was cut? Just trying to figure out the motivation of brining him in, clearly Woods just got some more competition.

Exactly.

He had the same wrist injury as Bruschi (that knocked Bruschi out for all of the preseason and Week 1).

Brown suffered it early in camp and never really came back before he was cut. So it wasn't as much of an issue of him not being good enough for the team as it was him being injured and falling behind Woods.

Brown also was with the Steelers for a good part of last season.

 

[Mack Herron]

I really like our younger guys. They are already ST demons. If Woods and Mays continue to improve, I don't think Brown will make it.

 

[pats1]

I really like our younger guys. They are already ST demons. If Woods and Mays continue to improve, I don't think Brown will make it.

Woods makes it regardless, really, of what Brown does.

Brown is really up against Rogers for that 4th OLB spot.

Mays is up against Lua for the 6th ILB spot.

 

[Pats726]

FYI, while fans pretty much universally derided and denegrated Brown for his 2005 season, BB is one who didn't. He is on record for feeling bad because he had to use Brown as an ILB when he was best suited to play outside. He felt Brown took one for the team. He never b!tched or complained.

For the record, Brown had an excellent season as an OLB just 2 seasons ago in Seattle. I think we will all be better off just to wait and see what happens. I don't think BB added Brown just to see the average age of our LB GO UP.

All that is very true...he was out of position doing something new and he TRIED...and you are right did it as a team player in spite of how it turned out. And actually it was 3 years ago...04 that he had a solid season. I agree we wait and see and if he have a specialized role...OLB pass rusher...That will REALLY help with depth; great rotation of players!!

 

[DefenseRules]

Chad Brown, UGH!!
I hope that he does a better job than he did the last time, but I am not optimistic.

 

[Ratoath]

Randy Moss - 81?

does anyone have 82??

 

[miDeuce]

does anyone have 82??

Actually that was the one Nordin had so I guess that's an option for Moss as well. I think I'd rather he went 81, reverse the 18, but I guess we'll know in a week or so...

 

[solman]

So here's how they stand:

87 total players
-3 NFLE exemptions
-1 Mr. Samuel
-3 unsigned rookies
=80 total players, or the offseason limit.

So I guess there wasn't an NFLE bonus exemption as I had thought could be possible.

It appears that the NFL gives teams 24 hours to get under the limit after a signing.

Before these moves, there were 89 players. There must have been at least two more players who didn't count. (injuries? unsigned tenders? unsigned draft picks?)

 

[pats1]

Before these moves, there were 89 players. There must have been at least two more players who didn't count. (injuries? unsigned tenders? unsigned draft picks?)

Right. 89 minus 3 plus 1 equals 87.

As I said before, the NFL must employ a 24-hour limit to get back under the limit after moves. So once Rogers' and Oldenburg's signings went official...

You could still be right, though. We'll have to see as more moves are made.

 

[Ratoath]

Actually that was the one Nordin had so I guess that's an option for Moss as well. I think I'd rather he went 81, reverse the 18, but I guess we'll know in a week or so...

thanks. i just have a funny feeling it will be 82, although its all guesswork at this stage

 

[psychoPat]

Finally! Took the Pats a little extra time, but oh well.

The Spann cut was a tad bit surprising. I personally didn't think much of Spann, but I know Box did.

Surprises me, though.
Box 'n i watched him "grow up" ... in NFLE.

Good info and perspective on Brown from Ken and P1.

 

[RayClay]

Say Brown makes the team. How does this affect the possibility of actually drafting a monster linebacker next year?

I don't know college personnel, but they certainly made an effort to beef up next years draft.

And keeping 2 almost 40 year olds as backups doesn't seem to indicate confidence in many of the UDFA gang.

BB's smart and studies life insurance actuarial tables, I'm sure. He's got to be aware the Roman Phifer effect, (getting old overnight), is bound to catch up with the LB corps sooner or later.